Curse

Valkyries · Mar 18, 2006, 06:48 PM // 18:48

Hey guys,

I see a lot of posts where people really slaughter IW based builds (Even with just 1 IW mesmer in the group) saying that it is basically a waste and it is a horrible option.

I am not really sure why this is? I will fully admit, I have never tried this build but I was considering giving it a shot until I heard everyone say that its not a viable option. Is this for GVG or Arena as well?

I just simply don't understand what is so horrible... I admit, I am pretty new to this game so maybe it just looks good on paper and nothing else.

Still that being said, a build using IW and a Warrior as a secondary seems like it would dish out a pile of damage. You can use Blackout to neutralize your oponent, Distortion keeps you from getting hit, Flurry + IW just seems wrong to me...

So can anyone please explain to me why it is so horrible? Apart from the obvious reason that it can be removed (that being said if you are a good player, you should be able to cover this, could you not)?? Everything has a counter and I realize that it would really take away your offense but there are a lot of enchantments you could use to keep the IW up.

Here is something I was thinking of.

Illusionary Weaponary
Blackout
Flurry
Distortion
Res Sig
.
.
.

Haven't figured out the rest yet since I haven't tried this out and know what works best. I just wanted some feedback on people's thoughts.

Thanks a lot for the comments!

Esrever · Mar 18, 2006, 07:09 PM // 19:09

Easily strippable enchant (it will get stripped, even with a cover) with a long recharge, Warriors do more damage, and a squishy character. Don't use outside of Arena.

Ninetail Trickster · Mar 18, 2006, 07:29 PM // 19:29

I'm still having a hard time wrapping my head around this. >_<
Mesmers are great anti-casters. Why not bring something along to prevent the strip of the cover enchant, if not just the base enchant after the cover is gone? All it would take is a quick finger on the tab key, and a quicker finger on your interupt hotkey...

tuperwho · Mar 18, 2006, 07:47 PM // 19:47

Yeah, who's talking about IWAY? And my IW has never, ever been outdamaged by a warrior. Ever. I love playing IW, but shy away from it in PvP past random arenas, just because I think I can offer more to a group as a casting mesmer. Besides, you can only use either distortion or flurry at any given time. Thus, you're either vulnerable, or not producing the offense. Tough tradoff, imo.

JR · Mar 18, 2006, 07:58 PM // 19:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuperwho

Yeah, who's talking about IWAY? And my IW has never, ever been outdamaged by a warrior. Ever.

Then you have never, ever played with a decent warrior. Ever.

IW is complete trash in high level PvP due to the fact that everyone should have enchant removals in their build. One enchant removal, build down. Kiting, build down. Not to mention your ability to spike is absolute rubbish compared to a decent warrior.

It is horrible, there is no reason you would ever run IW in serious PvP.

tuperwho · Mar 18, 2006, 08:44 PM // 20:44

JR, If you notice, I did indeed say that I don't use it in "high level" PvP, as you put it. And sure, if you make a fight one my IW mesmer against a warrior, someone to heal the warrior (assuming this is why you refer to the need to spike), and that same monk or another caster to remove my enchantments, sure, they will win. 2 or 3 vs. one better win any battle. However, my point was that 1 vs. 1, the way I run IW, I should never lose to a warrior or never be outdamaged, as another poster suggested. I understand that this is not a realistic or particularly useful stat when fighting 4v4 or 8v8 in an organized team. Hence why I said I can offer much more as a caster. So, to get back to the OP's question, it is not complete rubbish, but it not very practical, either.

I'd like to see your amazing warrior spike with my IW in your face and empathy on

fallot · Mar 18, 2006, 09:09 PM // 21:09

Points against IW:

1) Poor damage, poor pressure.
2) Unable to spike, therefore extremely simple to outheal damage.
3) Easy to remove.
4) Long downtime in case of removal/interruption

Points for IW:

1) Deals damage.

An ordinary warrior would outdamage an IW mesmer without effort. Even in a 1v1 situation (which is useless to consider in GW anyway), only Distortion could save you from even a half-decent warrior.

Edit: Its perfectly alright for RA. Just like my Pin Down + Virulence build

Rustjive · Mar 18, 2006, 09:38 PM // 21:38

Quote:

I'd like to see your amazing warrior spike with my IW in your face and empathy on

Right, just keep adding conditions in your favor.

IW does damage just fine, but it can't spike worth shit. It's a constant liability to its team members because it can't Flurry/Distortion at the same time, and this enchant/interrupt strips is a mirage - not possible. Considering Drain Enchant has a 1s cast reduced by Fast Casting, good luck tabbing around to find your target in that limited time. It's basically a conditional warrior: "If they don't strip me, and if I have energy, and if I don't get wailed on..."

...then you're just as good as a warrior.

Thom · Mar 18, 2006, 09:41 PM // 21:41

Since everyone is quick to bash today, I'll give you the positive spin on IW. That said, no top 100 guild has yet to use IW in competitive play.

IW gives you consistant unblockable damage relatively cheaply. The down side is you have to build around IW. You need a cover, tigers fury or flurry and kiting control. The only way to take this to the next level is using your 2 or 3 remaining skills effectively. IW will eventally get stripped, so you need something like clumsiness to spam.

Consider a forced split with two IW, a monk and a utility guy controlling kiting. You'll want Vig Spirit somewhere as an efficient enchant cover. Squeeze some shutdown on your mesmers so should drop a four man team relatively quickly. Won't win an award for best build, but could be an interesting change up.

tomcruisejr · Mar 18, 2006, 09:45 PM // 21:45

imo, a.net should buff IW. it should not only be restricted to melee weapons.

IW with bows and staves, wands <3

tuperwho · Mar 18, 2006, 10:26 PM // 22:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rustjive

Right, just keep adding conditions in your favor.

I'm not adding anything. That's how I roll IW

Destruction Exile · Mar 18, 2006, 10:41 PM // 22:41

A pressure warrior team will bash it for sure.

moriz · Mar 18, 2006, 10:41 PM // 22:41

IW is sort of a wildcard that you can use to make someone's head explode. it's best to use it when your opponents are not expecting you to have it. put it on your mo/me, for example, and you'll have a nice "decoy" monk that can give those brainless RA warriors a quick beating.