Curse

Servant of Kali · Nov 12, 2008, 12:05 PM // 12:05

Hey to mesmers

Just checking the game a bit again, and need some hints for PvEing with my new mesmer.

1. So what's a consensus on Mesmer PvE insignias, let's say HM? I have heard many saying Survivor definitely, but what if you constantly have 3-5 skills recharging, wouldn't Prodigy be viable? Or Prodigy perhaps on chest and legs? Same thing needed for heroes.

2. Let's say I want to play a bit with IW for fun. Should I use scythe (more dmg) or sword/axe plus shield (more defense)? Let's assume.. it's more dangerous area but i have good team support.
2a. If I have zero in attributes, shield gives me 8 defense no matter what? (I read that in the stickied thread, just double checking). So technically this still pays off no?
2b. Any major changes in ancient IW build while I was gone? Suppose not but better to ask

And yes I'm aware of the downsides of the build thank you, but it's just for fun.

3. What equipment is used for farming? Let's say raptor farming. Other than the standard one of course. Or it doesnt matter that much? I suppose I use max illusion rune.

upier · Nov 12, 2008, 01:07 PM // 13:07

No need to over-analyze it.
PvE leaves much room for error.
For instance - my heroes do not run around with insignias. They do perfectly fine. Especially when playing with hench who have no bonuses at all!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Servant of Kali

1. So what's a consensus on Mesmer PvE insignias, let's say HM? I have heard many saying Survivor definitely, but what if you constantly have 3-5 skills recharging, wouldn't Prodigy be viable? Or Prodigy perhaps on chest and legs? Same thing needed for heroes.

Start using AP.

The big issue of PvE is when you get hit on a caster - you want PS and not a +10 insignia. The bonuses in PvE kinda lose their point because +10 armour vs 1k (or 400, heck even against those 200 that you'll constantly ran into) hits doesn't change much - you still die from that one shot (or two).

BUT - if you want an armour bonus insignia - I'd be more inclined to look into the general insignias depending on your build.
If it's an IW build - then Blessed sounds like a much better choice then Prodigy.

And yeah - the shield will give you that +8 even with 0 investment.

distilledwill · Nov 12, 2008, 01:19 PM // 13:19

I would suggest Survivor, the way I see it, +armour bonuses may give you protections when you get hit but they don't counter degen, having higher health does.
As Upier says, if you're hard mode playing then it makes sense to take a hero with the ability to spam [[protective spirit]. (that usually means a MM necro or a Ether Renewal Elementalist... any other suggestions guys?) as the hits from HM monsters can be... monsterous and heroes are disturbingly good at predicting where the damage will hit. Bringing a 400 damage hit down to 60 damage for only 10e investment is well worth it.

On your shield question: its always worth taking a defensive set for those nail biting moments. take a martial weapon with +30 health and +5e and a shield with +30 health and insignias with +10 armour vs specific damage types. In PvE the most damaging hits can come from Fire Eles and Large groups of Rangers/Assassins so I always run with 2 defensive set, one with +10 armour vs fire and one with +10 armour vs Piercing.