Originally Posted by Helcaraxe

Ok, since energy denial seems to be the topic of discussion here. Let's explore it a little more. XvArchvonvX said in a previous post that energy denial IS effective in PvE and I largely agree with that. There are ways to make use of it. I'm gonna start with a really easy example of some solo-farming.

Now, back in the day I used to solo-farm Arborstone (explorable) with a build comprised of only mesmer skills, and the main focus of the build was energy denial. We all know that mobs are too stupid to stop attacking no matter what hex you put on them. So, we go through a simple process for any caster/ranged boss/mob.

Aggro
Hide behind a wall, rock, or whatever you can find
Cast [skill]Spirit Shackles[/skill][skill]Mind Wrack[/skill][skill]Spirit of Failure[/skill]
Watch the enemy hang itself
Collect loot and move on.

So, energy denial has one use, farming. Let's explore some other possibilites. The main energy denial skills come in the domination line, two of which everyone should be familiar with. [skill]Energy Burn[/skill] AND [skill]Energy Surge[/skill]. Casting both of these drains 16 energy (assuming 16 in Domination magic). Add in [skill]Signet of Weariness[/skill] and we're up to 24 energy in a matter of about 3.5 seconds. What does this accomplish you may ask? Well, some shutdown builds (the one I use for example) require the enemy to cast spells first in order to shutdown later. With this quick energy denial they won't be casting anything for ahwile. Depending on the mob you can also throw [skill]Guilt[/skill] OR [skill]Shame[/skill] on them to not only interrupt whatever they cast, but ensure that they lose even more energy. And if you feel the need after that you can cast an energy degen skill to help keep them from casting. We also have several of these, such as [skill]Ether Lord[/skill], [skill]Panic[/skill], [skill]Power Flux[/skill] and [skill]Ether Phantom[/skill].

Now, we know how it works... let's take a look at the where, and why.

Where to use energy denial in PvE? I have to admit I have not found many places where it is necessary. BUT, and example may be something like Koosun in the Raisu Palace mission. His [skill]Starburts[/skill] hurts ALOT. Get him low on energy before he is in touching range and you are good to go.

Why to use energy-denial in PvE? I said it in my previous post. Killing a mob before it can kill you IS more effective than any form of shutdown. But with Hard Mode out this is not always possible. It is in the instances where you just can't outdamage them that shutdown (sometimes in the form of energy-denial) will make or break the battle for your party. Even if you just stop one Starburst, one Meteor Shower, one hex, it could make the difference between succesful mission or staring at the "Return to Outpost" button.