Curse

Eldin · Feb 11, 2007, 10:23 PM // 22:23

My Me/Mo is primarily a domination mesmer, with minor inspiration and moderate fast casting (the monk secondary is for ressurection). What mask do you reccomend for me?

I cannot decide. Normally I would get a domination mask, but since fast casting is a fairly decent attribute (at least in my opinion), maybe I should get a fast casting mask? I'm also slightly considering the appearance of the masks, though all male mesmer masks are hideous, including the domination (like some evil death mask) and fast casting mask (terminator-esque eyepatch).

So, what do you think I should get, and what do your mesmers use? This is the one bit of armor I haven't been able to decide on what type is best.

the_jos · Feb 12, 2007, 12:04 AM // 00:04

My PvE mesmer has 1+3 Illusions, 1+3 Domination and 1+3 fast casting masks.
+1 inspiration, +1 fast casting and one major vigor on armor.
Will cost you 3 - 4.5K depending on chapter, without the runes but those are cheap anyway.

If you only play Domination, I surgest getting a domination mask with minor or sup domination rune.
I consider FC above 9/10 a waste in PvE, except in very specific builds.

VegJed · Feb 12, 2007, 12:17 AM // 00:17

If your main attribute is Domination, then use a Dom mask. However, as builds change throughout time, I'd recommend trying to get 1 mask of each attribute, and slapping on the corresponding Superior Rune. As for looks, I can't stand any of the Mesmer masks, so I just turn it off.

Redfeather1975 · Feb 12, 2007, 02:51 AM // 02:51

When I was an Me/Mo I got this mask in factions. If you have factions maybe you can get this mask as you can make it +1 to any attribute.

http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Image:M...head_front.jpg

Avarre · Feb 13, 2007, 11:04 AM // 11:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_jos

My PvE mesmer has 1+3 Illusions, 1+3 Domination and 1+3 fast casting masks.
+1 inspiration, +1 fast casting and one major vigor on armor.
Will cost you 3 - 4.5K depending on chapter, without the runes but those are cheap anyway.

If you only play Domination, I surgest getting a domination mask with minor or sup domination rune.
I consider FC above 9/10 a waste in PvE, except in very specific builds.

Never, ever run a super rune if you can help it. You're fragile enough as it is, a major in PvE and minor in PvP are enough. Having to extend into range to attack enemy casters makes you extremely vulnerable.

Your mask should always complement your highest skill rank, essentially giving you the largest bonus as the investment is exponential.

Cebe · Feb 13, 2007, 11:32 AM // 11:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by VegJed

If your main attribute is Domination, then use a Dom mask. However, as builds change throughout time, I'd recommend trying to get 1 mask of each attribute, and slapping on the corresponding Superior Rune. As for looks, I can't stand any of the Mesmer masks, so I just turn it off.

Aye, some Mesmer masks can be pretty horrible but I really like the 1.5k Kurzick one. Looks nice in Silver.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avarre

Never, ever run a super rune if you can help it. You're fragile enough as it is, a major in PvE and minor in PvP are enough. Having to extend into range to attack enemy casters makes you extremely vulnerable.

Your mask should always complement your highest skill rank, essentially giving you the largest bonus as the investment is exponential.

Maybe "extremely vulnerable" is a little extreme. I run superior runes other than on my Illusion mask and I don't have much trouble staying alive. I do see that there can be a balance to be struck between the health loss from a rune and what advantages the extra points give you.

As for my masks...I have an Illusion mask with a major Illusion rune, a Domination mask with a superior domination rune and a Fast Casting mask with a superior Fast Casting rune. I use a minor Fast Casting, Illusion and Major Vigor on my armor

Avarre · Feb 13, 2007, 11:55 AM // 11:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Celestial Beaver

Maybe "extremely vulnerable" is a little extreme. I run superior runes other than on my Illusion mask and I don't have much trouble staying alive. I do see that there can be a balance to be struck between the health loss from a rune and what advantages the extra points give you.

The gap between 15 and 16 in a skill is relatively minor - there are no major breakpoints beyond 14 for domination (you can run 15 for a little extra damage, but even that isn't really needed). You know all those people that complain about being spiked dead in 1-2 hits in the Domain of Anguish? It's because they run super runes!

As for mundane PvE, you can run around naked and win, so I don't really consider that much of a basis for analysis

Redfeather1975 · Feb 13, 2007, 06:05 PM // 18:05

I use 4 superior runes!

/me sneezes and dies!

the_jos · Feb 13, 2007, 07:20 PM // 19:20

Let me quote two posts in one:

Quote:

Never, ever run a super rune if you can help it.
........
You know all those people that complain about being spiked dead in 1-2 hits in the Domain of Anguish? It's because they run super runes!
As for mundane PvE, you can run around naked and win, so I don't really consider that much of a basis for analysis

Well, for me PvE is begin to last mission.
Since you stated that you could win those area's naked, there is absolutely no reason not to use Sup runes

The Elite missions are an other part of PvE.
My little experience (only Deep and a part of Urgoz) with those is that it's not about skill, but just huge damage and enormous mobs.
That requires a different approach in which more health gives a real advantage.

Running a Superior rune does not only enable me to do more damage.
I can also run +14 on the main line and split the rest of the attribute points to other attribute lines (buffing FC and inspiration for example).
I think that's an advantage that's easily overlooked.

pingu666 · Feb 14, 2007, 03:32 AM // 03:32

on most of my chacaters i have each piece as a attribute
on my mesmer, its boots for domination (big black ones for sup dom)
inspiration on the hose
illususion on the gloves
chest is major vigor
head is a dom/illusion mast with +1 to fast casting

its better to have the attributes u change on mask/hands/feet simply because there the cheapest armours to buy. ive got minor/sup armour pieces for dom, illusion and insporation

Estic · Feb 14, 2007, 11:55 AM // 11:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_jos

I can also run +14 on the main line and split the rest of the attribute points to other attribute lines (buffing FC and inspiration for example).

If you want your main attribute at 14, wouldn't it be better to use 2 major runes? That's +4 attributes instead of +3 and -70 health instead of -75.

I did some example builds to see wether this is true. Keep in mind this is all with the main line on 14 as per your example.

Example:
200 attribute points

If you run 2 majors, you can get:
Domination: 14 (11+1(mask)+2(Major)=77 attribute points required
Inspiration: 12 (10+2 (major)) = 61 attribute points
Fast Casting: 11 (10+1 (minor)) = 61 attribute points
Total: 199 attribute points

If you run a superior rune, you can get:
Domination: 14 (10+1 (mask) + 3 (superior)) = 61 attribute points
Inspiration: 12 (11 + 1 minor) = 77 attribute points
Fast Casting: 11 (10+1 minor) = 61 attribute points
Total: 199 attribute points.

So, you get the same result with +5 health if you have 2 major runes.

Another build:
2 majors:
Domination: 14 (11+1(mask)+2(Major)=77 attribute points
Inspiration: 13 (11 +2 (major) = 77 attibute points
Fast Casting: 9 (8 +1 (minor) = 37 attribute points
Total: 191 attribute points

1 superior:
Domination: 14 (10+1 (mask) + 3 (superior)) = 61 attribute points
Inspiration: 13 (12+1 minor))= 97 attribute points
Fast Casting: 9 (8 +1 (minor) = 37 attribute points
Total: 195 attribute points

Same result with +5 health for the majors and +4 attribute points left over.

Final example in a 4 attribute line-up:
Two majors:
Domination: 14 (11+1(mask)+2(Major)=77 attribute points
Inspiration: 10 (8+ 2 (major))= 37 attribute points
Illusion: 10 (9+1 (minor) = 48 attribute points
Fast Casting: 9 (8+1 (minor) = 37 attribute points
Total: 199 attribute points

One superior:
Domination: 14 (10+1 (mask) + 3 (superior)) = 61 attribute points
Inspiration: 10 (9+1 (minor)=48 attribute points
Illusion: 9 (8+1(minor) = 37 attribute points
Fast CAsting: 9 (8+1(minor) = 37 attribute points
Total: 199 attribute points

Better result even for the 2 majors. +1 attribute level and +5 health to boost.

Now, let's see if the same goes for the main attribute line at 15.
2 majors:
Domination: 15 (12 +1 +2) = 97
Inspiration: 12 (10 + 2) = 61
Fast CAst: 9 (8 + 1) = 37
Total: 195

1 superior:
Domination: 15 (11+1+3) = 77
Inspiration: 12 (11+1) = 77
Fast Cast: 9 (8+1) = 37
Total: 191

Same result with +5 health for majors

2 majors:
Domination: 15 (12 +1 +2) = 97
Inspiration: 11 (9+2) = 48
Fast Cast: 10 (9+1) = 48
Total: 193

1 superior:
Domination: 15 (11+1+3) = 77
Inspiration: 11 (10+1) = 61
Fast Cast: 11 (10+1)= 61
Total: 199

Superior wins. +1 attribute level.

2 majors:
Domination: 15 (12 +1 +2) = 97
Inspiration: 9 (7+2) = 28
Illusion: 9 (8+1) = 37
Fast cast: 9 (8+1) = 37
Total: 199

1 superior:
Domination: 15 (11+1+3) = 77
Inspiration: 10 (9+1) = 48
Illusion: 9 (8+1) = 37
Fast cast: 9 (8+1) = 37
Total: 199

Superior wins agina, +1 attribute.

Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to make the calculations someday anyway. Probably been done by someone else in a much more efficient way but here is my take

.

Just thought about using a headpiece with a different attribute as your superior rune. Not sure if that would make a difference. If someone want's to do the math, go ahead. Anyway, I think you can run most (with the emphasis on most) non-max attribute builds just as well with 2 majors instead of 1 superior and save 5 hp. Whether or not it's worth the trouble to buy 2 majors for 5hp... that's for each his own decision.

Edit in reply to Pingu666: I prefer a mask with +3 to the same attribute, one set of boots with +1 to fast cast and 1 set of gloves with +1 to inspiration (since I usually run with either domination or illusion in combination with fast casting and inspiration). This way I only have to switch 1 piece of armor if I want to change from illusion to domination).

If I read you correctly, if you want to change from domination to illusion, you switch the boots (no more sup domination but a minor) and the gloves (no more minor illusion but a superior). Just my 2 cents, but I think it's even cheaper (and faster) to just have to buy 1 other piece of armor.

Never mind the mixing of armors otherwise, a dreadful experience for us mesmers if we don't look good

. And if your boots aren't matching your hose... *shudder*

Dutch Masterr · Feb 14, 2007, 05:04 PM // 17:04

have a seperate mask for illusion and domination and have a superior illusion/dom rune in both.

i like the shing jea mask (kaineng center/any attribute), imposing mask (drok's forge/domination), and ancient mask (bone palace/any attribute).

Redfeather1975 · Feb 14, 2007, 05:48 PM // 17:48

I have 4 masks. The mask I use least, actually the mask I've never really used was my inspiration mask. lol....I mean oohhhh.

the_jos · Feb 15, 2007, 10:06 PM // 22:06

Quote:

If you want your main attribute at 14, wouldn't it be better to use 2 major runes? That's +4 attributes instead of +3 and -70 health instead of -75.

That's also a good idea.
Only thing that could hold me back is the extra storage I would need for that.
Since storage is still limited (I'm shuffeling things about once a week to clean out atm) this is not the best option for me.
When I get some more storage, I might consider the two major runes.