Curse

Renegade26 · Apr 16, 2007, 03:04 PM // 15:04

OK, so this is my Mesmer's illusion build that I'm gonna use in Hard Mode to shut down enemy Warriors and Dervishes.

Picture of me pwning two Abyssals at the same time

The Build

12 + 1 + 2 Illusion Magic
10 + 1 Inspiration Magic
8 + 1 Fast Casting

However if hard mode becomes particluarly hard I will invest in a Res over Drain Delusions.

How this build works:

If you need to shutdown the enemies run in with Arcane Echo, and get off Ineptitude on two different targets, causing blind as soon as they try to attack.
If you are going for raw damage then echo Clumsiness so you can get two copies from Arcane Echo.
Auspicious the first copy of Ineptitude or the second copy of Clumsiness, or if arcane echo was recharging at the start then use it on arcane echo for a huge boost in energy without any costs.
Spam Images of Remorse whenever you can on attacking foes. Use Web of Disruption on key skills like healing from Troll Unguent, Healing Signet and monk spells.
Drain Delusions is for removing images of remorse or web of disruption, depending on what is on top. It will provide 8 energy for a 5 cost, which is a reasonable energy gain, as well as a second interupt if it removes Web.
Power Drain for energy gain and interupting key spells.

This build has proved succesful in the Fissure of Woe even when one monk left before clearing out the Eternal Forgemaster's tower. Echoing Ineptitude allows you to deal 135 damage and 10 seconds of blind to two different foes at the same time, making it much easier to deal with enemies.

Please discuss youre views on it and how to improve on it.

Utaku · Apr 16, 2007, 03:59 PM // 15:59

[skill]Frustration[/skill] would be great in this build, because it adds damage if target in interrupted in any way. (even though skill text says otherwise)
So +50 damage on clumsiness, power drain and web, as well as slower spell casts to make interrupts easier.

Still, we don't know what hard mode will look like. If monster get better skill bars, and better backlines, then I guess Domination magic will offer much better shutdown than blinding two foes.

lightblade · Apr 16, 2007, 09:07 PM // 21:07

if you're going to use blind, why no epidemic?
if you're going to use epidemic, why not add deep wound into it as well?

P A L P H R A M O N D · Apr 17, 2007, 04:11 AM // 04:11

I would agree with lightblade:

Maybe add another Illusion Hex, along with Accumulated Pain for Deep Wound, and when fighting big mobs, Epidemic would be great. Otherwise, the build seems very fun. What type of weapons/armor are you using?

Renegade26 · Apr 17, 2007, 06:18 AM // 06:18

I'm using the Mindclouder which i farmed myself with my Assassin (A/E), as well as Radiant Vabbian Armour with all the runes needed, which is + 3 Illusion, +1 FC and +1 Inspiration, as well as a superior Vigour and a Vitae rune.

Having high energy is good because with power drain and Ausp.I. you get a huge amount of energy from each, and you don't wanna have wasted some energy because of a full bar.

I g2g now.

P A L P H R A M O N D · Apr 17, 2007, 06:23 AM // 06:23

Another idea is Ethereal Burden for three reasons: anti-melee, a cover hex for Accumulated Pain, and a failsafe gain of some energy later on.

Terra Xin · Apr 17, 2007, 01:23 PM // 13:23

I have a personal dislike for accumulated pain in PvE. I'd just throw in Phantom Pain and at least you'd get some degen in as well. It's good to throw that one on early if you were ever going to use it.

I think your build is pretty good, and I agree, I'd swap drain for a hard res, but then you would need to take out web of disruption for another skill, because without drain delusions, your web becomes a lot less effective.

Renegade26 · Apr 17, 2007, 04:22 PM // 16:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by P A L P H R A M O N D

Another idea is Ethereal Burden for three reasons: anti-melee, a cover hex for Accumulated Pain, and a failsafe gain of some energy later on.

Ethereal Burden is designed to be an energy gain for people not bothering investing into Inspiration, just like Shame and Guilt. Its unnecesary when power drain or spirit of failure would grant better energy of be better at anti melee.

Accumulated pain is not a skill I am fond of. Using 10 energy to give a deep wound and 30 damage (LAME) is pretty poor. Phantom Pain would work well with Drain Delusions for giving a deep wound, but I am not fond of Epidemic, because it makes the build too much of a gimick relying on Blind and Deep Wound, where it is much better off supplying regular Ineptitude and Clumsiness spamming with Web of Disruption and Drain Delusions to harass casters, and other skills to maintain energy.

I was thinking that maybe I should replace Images of Remorse for another energy management skill, so that I can use Ineptitude and Clumsiness more often, as they are not only the bulk of the build, but also act as hefty damage towards the foe. Spirit of Failure is lame after the nerf, even to someone who invests 11 points into Inspiration, and I would probably go with Drain Enchantment simply because skills like Protective Spirit are very good against this build, and it supplies a good amount of energy for an easy to meet condition.

P A L P H R A M O N D · Apr 18, 2007, 01:10 AM // 01:10

For an energy management skill I like to use Ether Signet, since you can whip out a ton of skills, use it to gain a fair amount of energy, and then finish off the fight. Let it recharge inbetween mobs. Energy tap is good too, I suppose. Good build though, and good points about Acc Pain. I use it alot in PvP, but against creatures like Abyssals, deep wound probably doesn't hurt them all that much. I wonder what the Mesmer buff will bring, and whether it will take place along with HM, since you have this build targeted against the tough HM melee critters to come.

=DNC=Trucker · Apr 19, 2007, 10:19 PM // 22:19

I know its easy to throw epidemic in, and then you are suddenly changing your entire build to apply more conditions.

However, in this case, blind AND deep wound are two horrible conditions. A lot of people do not know about the reduction in healing with deep wound. Spreading them around could be advantageous, especially in areas where you have 5-6+ melee. Overall good build. I always liked bringing arcane echo to use on a few different skills depending on the situation, its just that damn recharge