Curse

whathappenus · Mar 12, 2009, 08:17 PM // 20:17

I read the guides, I understand: backfire for caters and Empathy for melee/bow attackers. Three questions:

- It is only one Hex per target, yes? (so this is why I wont use backfire and empathy on casters).

- Can I cast the same Hex on multiple targets? So for example can I cast empathy on 2 melee casters (one at the time of course)?

- (Assuming answer to previous questions to be yes) when fighting groups of monsters, is our role to rotate among targets and cast empathy/backfire as needed rather than concentrate on attacking a single target?

wallywojo · Mar 12, 2009, 08:39 PM // 20:39

Yeah, you empathy or backfire them and tab to next character. Babysitting a single character is meant for different builds, usually for tough bosses or PvP. Hope that helps.

Covah · Mar 12, 2009, 09:00 PM // 21:00

You can put more then one hex on a target. Once the hex recharges you can put it on another target.

In pve you should be running Cry of Pain.

zling · Mar 12, 2009, 09:04 PM // 21:04

you got it wrong. there's no limit as to how many hexes/enchantments(for that matter) can be stacked on a single target(from any source) the only limit is cast time(to some extent), recharge and energy.

a friendly tip, start a new character, Mesmer is not newbie friendly, you'll be a lot better off with a different class at first. dont delete your Mesmer though, once you get more experience at the game you will be able to enjoy it very much(if you like the style that is)

whathappenus · Mar 12, 2009, 09:43 PM // 21:43

Thank you, guys!

p.s I been leveling characters to level 6 or so to get a flavor. I am very intrigued by the mesmer. I know it is not a nuker type but sounds like fun.

MegaVolti · Mar 13, 2009, 08:49 AM // 08:49

Since you are leveling I assume it's PvE you are most interested in.
Mesmers are fun to play and my favorite class by far and aren't all that hard in PvE. I'd agree with zling for PvP since as Mesmer you have to know every single skill in the game to properly counter it, for PvE however this is not that important.

The easiest thing to do is probably go heavy on illusion and focus on [[clumsiness] and [[wandering eye] with the obvious [[cry of pain] for additional damage.

The main strength of the Mesmer later is actually a weakness in the beginning: Your spells do armor ignoring damage. Which is awesome in hard mode and generally later in the game when monsters have high levels. Being armor ignoring also means that the spells won't deal additional damage to low level targets, which you will most probably encounter early.

Another good thing for the start: You can get MOX as soon as you are lvl 10. That's a lvl 20 Dervish hero which basically makes gaining levels after 10 extremely easy. Same goes for the EotN heroes: You can rush to the eye and get a lvl 20 Elementalist and a lvl 20 Mesmer there. Very useful especially for low lvl chars

wilebill · Mar 13, 2009, 03:37 PM // 15:37

Mesmer is a great character. There is no end to what you can do with it and how you can play it. Remember also to keep your eye on the Mantras in the Inspiration line. They come in very handy.

1. Before you leave the beginning area, pick up a little no attribute required longbow or flatbow. Stick in weapon slot 4. This will be very useful for pulling. Your staff or wand has the same range as a Recurve Bow, good but not as good as a longbow.

2. Double clicking on a party member in the party window will make your Mesmer run to that party member. Good first step towards getting rid of that annoying warrior in your face.

zling · Mar 13, 2009, 03:42 PM // 15:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by MegaVolti

Since you are leveling I assume it's PvE you are most interested in.
Mesmers are fun to play and my favorite class by far and aren't all that hard in PvE. I'd agree with zling for PvP since as Mesmer you have to know every single skill in the game to properly counter it, for PvE however this is not that important.

The easiest thing to do is probably go heavy on illusion and focus on [[clumsiness] and [[wandering eye] with the obvious [[cry of pain] for additional damage.

The main strength of the Mesmer later is actually a weakness in the beginning: Your spells do armor ignoring damage. Which is awesome in hard mode and generally later in the game when monsters have high levels. Being armor ignoring also means that the spells won't deal additional damage to low level targets, which you will most probably encounter early.

Another good thing for the start: You can get MOX as soon as you are lvl 10. That's a lvl 20 Dervish hero which basically makes gaining levels after 10 extremely easy. Same goes for the EotN heroes: You can rush to the eye and get a lvl 20 Elementalist and a lvl 20 Mesmer there. Very useful especially for low lvl chars

well, [cry of pain] is a Factions only PvE only skill. he's talking about Prophecies now, he didn't state whether he has any other campaigns or not, if he only has prophecies all of your suggestions are pretty worthless to him. also even in PvE a Mesmer requires more skill than the typical Nuker/Mending Whammo... also [clumsiness] and [wandering eye] will not be available to him for quite some time, the majority of his skills will infact be of the domination line, and those are good but also take some skill to use properly...

legacyofkain85 · Mar 13, 2009, 05:40 PM // 17:40

u could use backfire and empathy on casters(pve mobs)because they cast spells and autoattack with wands so its a win-win situation

refer · Mar 13, 2009, 07:32 PM // 19:32

Couple things: don't call yourself a noob. Newb = new to something. Noob = obnoxious, lazy, stupid know it all, and isn't necessarily new either. Noobs are the people you don't want to play with.

Quote:

Originally Posted by whathappenus

I read the guides, I understand: backfire for caters and Empathy for melee/bow attackers. Three questions:

- It is only one Hex per target, yes? (so this is why I wont use backfire and empathy on casters).

You could put as many hexes as you want on a target but you'll only see one upside down purple triangle in their health bar (something I think should be fixed for GW2). Also you could put backfire and empathy on somebody for ultimate domination (so they can't attack or cast without taking damage) but that might be wasted... I can only see putting both on Dervishes realistically, since they are a hybrid profession.

One thing to remember too: the AI will attack through Empathy even if it kills them, but will stop for Backfire.

Quote:

Originally Posted by whathappenus

- Can I cast the same Hex on multiple targets? So for example can I cast empathy on 2 melee casters (one at the time of course)?

Yes but many Mesmer skills take a while to recharge, so that's not really realistic.
[Arcane Echo] and [Echo] if you want to reuse something. (Signet equivalent: [Mantra of Signets])
[Mantra of Recovery] can also be used to be reduce recharge (Signet equivalents: [Symbolic Posture] [Mantra of Inscriptions])

Quote:

Originally Posted by whathappenus

- (Assuming answer to previous questions to be yes) when fighting groups of monsters, is our role to rotate among targets and cast empathy/backfire as needed rather than concentrate on attacking a single target?

I think so but I also think it's easier said than done.