Curse

MesArcana · Aug 08, 2009, 08:34 PM // 20:34

Hello everyone,

Just wondering how much of a difference Fast Casting actually makes, because to tell the truth, I'm not noticing it at all. I don't really notice it on other Mes players either.

Now, my Fast Casting is only lvl 6 right now, but I'd think that would be enough to notice at least a slight difference. Apparently, it's not... but I'm still able to interrupt just fine, just a matter of timing.

Casting time is exactly the same as without it at all. I could invest those points to further strengthen Illusion, since I use some with Domination (my main focus).

Feedback?

Thank you

Archress Shayleigh · Aug 08, 2009, 08:39 PM // 20:39

Untrue. You must cast 1s spells and 3/4 spells (Try it on 3s and 2s spells.). Those aren't noticable. Plus, attribute at level 6 isn't very effective.

upier · Aug 08, 2009, 08:45 PM // 20:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archress Shayleigh

Untrue. You must cast 1s spells and 3/4 spells (Try it on 3s and 2s spells.). Those aren't noticable. Plus, attribute at level 6 isn't very effective.

The "recommended" attribute investment into FC is 7 or 9.
So if the guy has 6, he's pretty much there.

FC really isn't going to matter. The only reason why we bring it in PvE is because it's cute. Once you go FC, it's hard playing a mesmer without.

Gennadios · Aug 08, 2009, 08:53 PM // 20:53

Fast casting really depends on the build you're using. If it's signet heavy, or you rely on several 2 or 3 sec. casting time spells, the 66% casting time at r9 makes a huge difference.

If you're using a build that doesn't benefit from that... well, it makes me wonder why the hell you're using a Mesmer at all. Why not a Necro? Their primary attribute should have a far better benefit.

Ginger Hunter · Aug 08, 2009, 09:06 PM // 21:06

Fast casting isnt really needed in pve, its not like you have to avoid interupts.

Fast casting definatly a pvp attribute, being able to avoid interupts when using a secondary proffession which usually has longer casting times is extremly helpful.

Killamus · Aug 08, 2009, 09:29 PM // 21:29

Fast casting is made obsolete with mindbender. It's like having 15 in fast casting for 20 seconds.

Gift3d · Aug 08, 2009, 09:47 PM // 21:47

You're right, FC is completely pointless in PvE, along with the entire mesmer class.

But in PvP high fast cast = the ability to catch 3/4 cast spells and lessen your chances of getting vital 2/3s casts interrupted. Both of which you don't have to worry about while c-spacing through PvE.

citizensmith1001 · Aug 08, 2009, 09:49 PM // 21:49

At lvl 6 Fast Casting you cast your spells almost 25% faster than usual (it actually takes around 76% of the usual time) which i think is quite a significant difference.But you must remember , it only works on actual spells, not on skills such as attack skills etc,here is a useful chart that tells you the times for spells and a seperate one for signets http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Fast_casting
Hope this helps.

MesArcana · Aug 09, 2009, 12:59 AM // 00:59

Well, a few points here...

1) After testing it out myself, actually timing it on a stopwatch (was bored, and wanted to actually see the difference) there is a 2ms second difference between FC @0 and FC @6, which (as the chart states, which I have looked at, but thx much anyway) should bring it to around 76%.

So, it "feels" like slightly more than 2ms, so I'm sticking with it for now, but even in PvP, I nail people hard with it lower.

2) As to a Mes being "useless" in PvE, either you've never played a Mes or you've never played one well.

I've been using nukers and Necros for the last three years, and only recently finally started a Mes, which I must be pretty proficient at, considering the dmg I deal in PvE and PvP.

I don't even change the skill set between either, and twice, once in Tahnnakai Temple and once in PvP, had two different people actually comment on the dmg I was doing... so, I must be doing something right.

I come up with my own most common sense builds, which always seem to work out to be versatile and powerful, and I have quick reactions, so I don't know...

As for investment in FC, even in PvP, it's the only class who's primary I question. There's definitely a bit of a difference, but even having tested without it, my build works great.

Most interrupt spells do not have long casting times, firstly. Secondly, it's really more a matter of your own timing and judgment. But, either way...

_Nihilist_ · Aug 09, 2009, 01:11 AM // 01:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by MesArcana

Most interrupt spells do not have long casting times, firstly. Secondly, it's really more a matter of your own timing and judgment. But, either way...

It's not your interrupts that FC helps out on - you're very much correct in that many Mez 'rupts are quick on their own (1/4 cast, wut wut!). It's spells you use that have longer than a 1 sec cast where FC comes into play. The longer the casting time, the more FC benefits you.

maxxfury · Aug 09, 2009, 01:21 AM // 01:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyrael_Eveningsong

It's not your interrupts that FC helps out on - you're very much correct in that many Mez 'rupts are quick on their own (1/4 cast, wut wut!). It's spells you use that have longer than a 1 sec cast where FC comes into play. The longer the casting time, the more FC benefits you.

yup^ and sadly the long cast time of the fun spells are the result of FC in the first place! To make sure only the mes could 'abuse' them. And sadly the long recharges are due to the sodding "Mor" :/

I miss the hell out of fast casting when i dont have it....its not super usefull but it saves me from having to see the "charge bar" for spells come across the screen

And it would piss me off having to sacrifice a pve skill slot for mindbender.
But then i sacrifice having SR to wear suave suits

meh :P

Bob Slydell · Aug 09, 2009, 01:36 AM // 01:36

Fast Casting, No noticable difference? Going to have to disagree. Well.. I am pretty sure it takes a few more than rank 6 in FC to make a difference, though.. try this out. It is found on the left side of Guru's main Home page in the link "calculators". It is an FC calc.

http://www.guildwarsguru.com/calcula...u_fastcast.php

draxynnic · Aug 09, 2009, 02:02 PM // 14:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyrael_Eveningsong

It's not your interrupts that FC helps out on - you're very much correct in that many Mez 'rupts are quick on their own (1/4 cast, wut wut!). It's spells you use that have longer than a 1 sec cast where FC comes into play. The longer the casting time, the more FC benefits you.

Especially with some of the spells that involve timing. Landing a Backfire just before an enemy finishes casting is a big chunk of damage over landing it just after, for instance. Landing a Clumsiness just before a hail of blows land on your Monk could mean the difference between the Monk surviving surviving long enough for more permanent measures to be taken, and the hex wearing off while those monsters are finding a new target while the monk takes a dirt nap.

While other professions have time-critical spells as well, the Mesmer possibly has the largest number, and thus they have a primary that allows them to maximise the chance of their spells working in time. It's certainly a subtler effect than other primaries, and, I'd have to admit, less valuable in PvE than the likes of Soul Reaping, but it can make a difference.

_Nihilist_ · Aug 10, 2009, 10:01 PM // 22:01

Good call, draxynnic. I don't play my Mesmer very often (right now, he's holding onto items that I am trying to sell), but yeah, FC is all about allowing you to mess with the enemy. It gives Mesmers the edge on casting that no other class has, and a good Mesmer will f*** your world with those last-second spells made possible by FC.

=DNC=Trucker · Aug 17, 2009, 05:38 PM // 17:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by MesArcana

Well, a few points here...

1) After testing it out myself, actually timing it on a stopwatch (was bored, and wanted to actually see the difference) there is a 2ms second difference between FC @0 and FC @6, which (as the chart states, which I have looked at, but thx much anyway) should bring it to around 76%.

from human reaction:

Quote:

Simple reaction time is the time required for an observer to respond to the presence of a stimulus. For example, a subject might be asked to press a button as soon as a light or sound appears. Mean RT for young adults is approximately 215 milliseconds to a detect visual stimulus, and approximately 160 milliseconds to detect an auditory stimulus

... and your stopwatch timed 2ms? That's quite a stopwatch and reflex you have there.

Aeon221 · Aug 18, 2009, 06:04 AM // 06:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by =DNC=Trucker

from human reaction:

... and your stopwatch timed 2ms? That's quite a stopwatch and reflex you have there.

Many people refer to centiseconds as milliseconds. Possibly because the imperial system lists the milli as smaller than the inch, possibly because they assume that it means 1/1000th of a minute, possibly because they are high.

Nevertheless, it is a common usage, however incorrect, and should be easily understood even by wiki happy rubes such as yourself.

To the OP, try using mesmer hexes without FC.

Xenomortis · Aug 18, 2009, 12:22 PM // 12:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aeon221

Many people refer to centiseconds as milliseconds.

Even a difference of 20 milliseconds is next to impossible for a human to detect.
I can only assume he meant a difference of 200ms.

And when we are trying to be technical, we shouldn't have to cater to those with confused definitions. At most, we provide the correct definitions.

maxxfury · Aug 18, 2009, 12:46 PM // 12:46

Mes skills are ofc balanced around FC for their cast times....So they are all pretty long without fc to stop abuse of them by other classes

Recharges were as i recall, re-balanced around MOR :/

So to get anything like decent cast times you do need an investment in FC.

But if you dont care about 2 or 3 second spells taking 2 or 3 second spells then whatever fc you want

Id rather invest in fc than mendbender as a mes, as there are better pveskills i can take ( generally)

draxynnic · Aug 19, 2009, 05:33 AM // 05:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxxfury

Id rather invest in fc than mendbender as a mes, as there are better pveskills i can take ( generally)

Aye, this is something that is often forgotten - mindbender is effective, but there is an opportunity cost involved. Investment in FC - essentially, trading a PvE slot for some attribute points - can often be a better trade.

Quaker · Aug 19, 2009, 04:46 PM // 16:46

There's not really much point in discussing PvE skills versus any classes attributes. The main thing that PvE skills have done is to allow almost any class to act as though it is almost any other class. For example, Mind Bender basically gives any class a taste of a Mesmer's FC ability. Technobabble gives any class AOE damage plus daze. Etc.

Although I like the PvE skills in some ways, they have kind of ruined the idea of distinct classes. Now any class can act like practically any other.

To the OP - I'd say that you want FC to be at level 9 for best overall benefit vs least attribute cost (8 + minor rune)