Curse

Santra · Jan 08, 2007, 02:37 AM // 02:37

I'm new to the mesmer class and was wondering what skills everyone considers to be key self preservation skills for the mesmer.

So far I only have Ether Feast for the occasional self heal, and mantra of flame when going up against those djinns that use searing flames and liquid flame (still hurts).

Is the Inspiration line sufficient for these needs or should I consider using the skills of a secondary profession for self protection/heals?

Dutch Masterr · Jan 08, 2007, 03:32 AM // 03:32

the only ways a mesmer can defend themselves is with distortion (which is usless below 14 illusion magic), and all of the mantras. ether feast is the only self heal.

the reason they have almost no self preservation is because they rely on hexes and spells to disable and hinder targets. for exemple-imagined burden, crippling anguish, interupts, ineptitude, skill failure/stealing spells, etc...

DreamStealer1031 · Jan 08, 2007, 06:02 AM // 06:02

That being said, Distortion is pretty powerful. Just make sure you have a healthy energy pool before you start spamming it though, because even though it appears to be cheap, two or more warriors on you at one time will drain your energy in nothing flat.

cellardweller · Jan 08, 2007, 06:04 AM // 06:04

Illusion of weakness is a great self heal and saved my legendary survivor from 2 near misses on his way to the title.

Effigy · Jan 08, 2007, 06:35 AM // 06:35

Generally, your defenses will come from teammates (monks, warders, etc) and by playing smart (kiting, positioning, etc). You don't need a bunch of self-defense skills. You just need to play smart and play with a smart team.

That said, Distortion is a useful tool. It's less useful than it used to be, but it might still be worth running. If you don't need a specific secondary for your build, you might consider going Me/A for Feigned Neutrality. FN is nice panic button for situations where kiting isn't enough. If you have the extra skill slot and the necessity you add Deadly Paradox to the mix. Just cast DP right before FN and the latter will recharge twice as fast. Gale and Blackout are also good skills that can be used offensively or defensively.

Santra · Jan 08, 2007, 06:46 AM // 06:46

Thanks some nice suggestions. Good to know one has seen good use on the way to survivor. I just got rank 1 and I was thinking I should pack along some 'emergency' skills just in case while I continue progressing up the rest of the way. As it is now, I pretty much need to start with the skill capping runs for the exp rewards.

I agree that playing smart makes the difference, never hurts to be prepared for those unexpected spikes though.

- Former rit turned mesmer and starting the Survivor journey.

lyra_song · Jan 08, 2007, 06:49 AM // 06:49

Mesmers have snares as well the aformentioned Distortion to protect themselves from those melee classes.

If you know you will enter an area with very heavy physical damage, Physical Resistance might help.

If you know you will enter mostly a caster area, use Elemental resistance. Theres also the various mantras vs specific elements.

That being said, sometimes the best defense for a mesmer is doing what a mesmer does best, shutdown. Thats what a mesmer is made for. A mesmer cant be hurt when their target cant do diddly squat. Blind, snares, degening, e-denial, interrupts and disabled skills are all your tools to defend yourself.

Straegaard · Jan 08, 2007, 06:52 PM // 18:52

The best self-preservation you'll ever have as a mesmer is knowledge of your enemies and the area. Positioning yourself in a way that disables most enemies from hitting you and making sure not to get the elementalists on your back are also two great ways to survive.
This is by far easiest in a team with real players, though

Xiaxhou of Trinity · Jan 09, 2007, 05:35 AM // 05:35

It's kind of funny how I throw this in amidst all the real tactics of survival, but physical and ele resist help =] In PvE, a good grp and you won't need to unsquishy yourself (good aggro control ftw). Of course it always pays off to have some self healing or defense, can't always rely on those monks you know (who are complete strangers!). I always carry a self heal wtih all my chars, since I'm assuming you're making a mes in Elona, you'll have the sin skill Feigned Neutrality from the sin line (that is if you have Factions also lol). That skill can save your ass sometimes. Feigned Neutrality+Leader's Comfort is paving the way for Legendary Survivor on my para.

Santra · Jan 09, 2007, 07:27 AM // 07:27

Cool cool.

Yes, Feigned Neutrality has come in as my emergency skill. Combined with Illusion of Weakness and Dash, it gives me a good 'uh oh' to foot it out of there (or just dash if things haven't gone south that far yet).

As for the areas where I'm expecting a spike or some heavy nuke damage, I 'prep' the area with my ele warder hero. spread my heroes around the henchmen (man i love flags), then longbow pull and run back past the henchies. They take a bit of a hit, but then the prot monk hero usually covers them pretty quick with aegis. after that I just move the heroes about using the flags if they drop a sandstorm or other location based AoE. This Survivor exercise is turning more and more into a hero management exercise.

Redfeather1975 · Jan 09, 2007, 11:35 AM // 11:35

Don't forget the physical resistance and elemental resistance mantras. They are all encompassing and could probably help out alot if you feel that the area you are in has more spells being cast or more physical damage enemies lurking around, especially if you are wearing Savant armour.
Although in the backline rangers and ele enemies can still hit you just as well. It's a tricky pickle.