Curse

Phoenix Illusion · Aug 21, 2006, 01:15 AM // 01:15

:: The mesmer class::

We all know that the mesmer class is very powerful in the right hands with the right build. Another thing most of us know is that certain secondaries generally mix better with the mesmer skills and attributes then other class secondaries.

:: Me as a player ::

I thrive for a challenge as much as I thrive to make unqiue and fun builds. I don't care if a build is underpowered as long as it provides fun while I'm playing it.

:: My question/challenge ::

Can we as a collective forum of mesmers put our minds together and make a useful Me/A build?

Lets try to be as orginal as possible and design something fun.

And thanks in advance for any build ideas!

[DE] · Aug 21, 2006, 01:26 AM // 01:26

Well... the assassin attributes should definetly be used just for healing and such. Example: A illusion mesmer with heart of shadow, shadow refuge, and dark escape (halves all dmg taken to you as long as you dont attack with your weapon) could turn out to be very effective.

Phoenix Illusion · Aug 21, 2006, 01:43 AM // 01:43

Phantom I agree with you.

:: Offensively ::
It seems like there may be a way to sneak in a dagger attack or two if you are really crazy mesmer However, that would mean using a dagger (no mesmer bonuses!) and being thrust into melee range most of the time.

Our old friend IW (Illusionary Weaponary) might be of help here. However, IW itself has its own build problems.

:: Defensively ::
Dark Escape is exactly the skill that caught my eye, since most mesmers should be able to go without swinging a wand for a few moments.

:: Spells ::
I'm not sure if any of the Assassin spells would get useful enough buff from a high fast cast attribute and/or Mantra of Recovery. Perhaps I am wrong since I am yet to playtest a Me/A fast cast build, but it is an idea worth trying.

seven · Aug 21, 2006, 01:52 AM // 01:52

here's one of the builds i've been using in pve for quite some time now,
had some partymates in the all-mesmer WC int teams do Me/A as well.

Lyssa's Promise:
type: PVE

arcane echo
energy burn
unnatural signet
phantom pain
shatter delusions
assassin's promise
wastrel's worry / dancing daggers
res / optional

AP is for both skill recharging and energy management.
as you know how much called targets die very quickly in an organized
group in pve, timing AP just right just takes a few practice runs.

usually starts of with arcane echo, burn, unnatural sig, echoe'd burn, pp,
shatter delusions. these give armor-ignoring damage as well as a nice deep wound spike at the end. AP is applied somewhere in beetween, which depends on how much hp the monster has left, and how tough it is.

unnatural has decent damage, and the bad recharge time when using it on non-spirits is solved by AP. the arcane-echoe'd burn can usually be used
3-4 times before it reverts back to arcane echo, due to AP as well.

time it too slow, and most prolly it'll be dead before it is cast, and you're left with long recharges on your skills. (rarely happens though since it has a fast casting time) apply it too fast, it can be taken out with hex removal or you'll fail to kill the enemy before the AP counter expires.

however, in pve, this is quite easy to time. personally, i do it around 30-40%
of their hp remaining, then give the final burn>pp>shatter.

sometimes, there are those monsters which are quite tough and lasts much longer than the usual team-concentrated attacks. ww/dancing dags are fast, cheap, and spammable ways to keep firing until you feel the time is right to unleash the full set of skills. once you get the AP timing right, (and awareness of how often and when do the enemy mesmers cast expel hexes) you'll rarely have a failed AP-combo attempt. but just in case you do, at least you still have a spammable spell ready, while you wait for the others to recharge.

problems arise in non-organized groups or pugs which doesn't recognize called targets, so i suggest it is done with a party you know quite well. even all-henchie teams do better than some random teammates though.

once you get the hand of it however, it feels like you will never have time to do a normal staff/wand attack, since you just keep casting non-stop.

Phoenix Illusion · Aug 21, 2006, 02:24 AM // 02:24

Very interesting build Seven. I'll have to try that out for pve.

SnipiousMax · Aug 21, 2006, 05:11 AM // 05:11

I thought this was an interesting use for a Me/A. I'm not sure how you'd change it to where it wasn't dependant on the Assassin... but I thought it was interesting none the less.

http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...d.php?t=143093

It requires some coordination with the assassin, but it was a blast when I played it awhile back.

Dragannia · Aug 21, 2006, 07:49 AM // 07:49

PvP-wise, Dom Mesmers generally only utilise Mesmer offensive skills, such as Burn, Surge, etc. With an Assassin secondary, the main skills you'll be using are Dark Escape, Vipers Defence, etc. However, Shadow Shroud is a very good skill on a Mesmer for GvG, and very spike-worthy.

Cirian · Aug 21, 2006, 04:00 PM // 16:00

Well firstly, I tend to think PvE... but maybe something might carry to PvP.

Two elements that jump out for me are:

1. Assassins can inflict a lot of conditions
2. Mesmers can manipulate conditions to additional effect

Epidemic, Fevered Dreams and Fragility immediately come to mind. Mesmers are great at spreading conditions around and getting damage out of them... I think the only condition an assassin can't deploy is disease.

Just thinking out loud... it might be possible to do some fun stuff with Fevered Dreams in a pack of mobs. Blinding Powder would become an AoE blind to help you survive, plus you get distortion anyway... then spreading bleeding, poison and deep wound should be easy enough.

Enough rambling from me

Skuld · Aug 21, 2006, 04:04 PM // 16:04

Twisting fangs is 2 conditions critical linked, i'm sure that will make some fevered+frag

I pwnd U · Aug 21, 2006, 04:14 PM // 16:14

http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...php?t=10019342

Theres a Me/A build that is useful.

Shuuda · Aug 21, 2006, 04:21 PM // 16:21

I once tried a build using that elite skill, but it was A/Me, but here it is anyway.

Fevered dreams
Marks of instability
Black lotus strike
Blinding powder
twisted fangs
falling spider
shadow refuge
Shadow of haste.

Dark Luke · Aug 21, 2006, 05:18 PM // 17:18

I have a Me/A running build that is very useful running the southern shilverpeaks tour (Camp Rankor thru THK):

Illusion of Haste
Inspired Hex
Dark Escape
Shadow Refuge
Death's Charge
Arcane Echo
Shadow Form
Illusion of weakness

Fast casting: 9 (8+1)
Illusion Magic: 14 (10+1+3)
Inspiration magic: 2 (1+1)
Shadow Arts: 12