Curse

Slade xTekno · Aug 19, 2005, 06:55 AM // 06:55

I am aware that IW is a lost cause in PvP in anything above Random Arena play. However, I was wondering how people are doing in PvE with it.

Does anyone still use this skill? What builds do you or have you used in PvE?

Dead Panda · Aug 19, 2005, 07:23 AM // 07:23

One of the great things of using a melee skill is, you get to be in melee range of everything you attack. So unless your mesmer is made out of steel or under some massive protection enchantment, I'd stay away from an IW mesmer in PvE.

But who knows, maybe someone could share us a worthy build. D:

JackOften · Aug 19, 2005, 11:22 AM // 11:22

Me/E Insp/Illusion - 150ish HP Efeast, Armor of Earth, Distortion, MoC if you need it. Add the IW, and fill up the rest with equally creative ideas I guess. -2 dam while enchanted shield, of defense sword (+enchant is cute, plus +5 armor is really better). Maybe you can scrounge around for one of the cool collectors/quest 1h weapons with 1.33 attack rate (swords/axes) with some +armor.

Thats just all I can think of off the bat. I guess you wouldn't have TF with this build - you could try a Me/R with Insp, Wilderness and add a Mantra of Resolve healing spring - then you get Tigers Fury too. The question is just how are you going to keep that energy going? You can pretty much just tap and channel reliably - I guess if you make a solo PvE build channeling is pretty powerful though.

Or you could run Me/W with Flurry, the classic. Same dealio on the defensive (distortion, pumped feast), except add a Bonettis for energy management. That probably works best come to think of it - the problem is IW doesn't build adren AFAIK. If it does, well I suck

Can't think of anything good here anyway. Most of these builds would work okay, but its probably R/Me or Me/R that has the versatile durability for mass PvE.

Pippy Bloodstocking · Aug 19, 2005, 04:33 PM // 16:33

A Ranger/Mesmer would help with good armor and the expertise defensive stances. The biggest problem I ran into with IW in PVE were enchantment removals and the fact that, while you're waiting for the cooldown, you really can't do much in the way of offense. Traps could be a viable option, though, with Serpent's Quickness.

Nikochan · Aug 19, 2005, 06:04 PM // 18:04

Hey slade, all is not lost. IW build with arcane echo and a few offensive spells ie choas storm is very effective. When enchantment is removed and a decent dom stas, switch to arcane echo/chaso storm and watch 22 points or more removed per sec on all enemies when echo'd. Use defensive stance at all times as 75% off all attacks will miss. Illusionary weakness is a must as it gives you and extra 200 + hp. I will usually outdo most warriors with my 38 hit per sec/spam with choas storm, i get damage per sec to 50 plus aoe damage with storm. Usually my build has IW/Chaos storm/echo/flurry/Heal/Defensive Stance/and illusionary weakness. I've finished the game with my mesmer, and love to play in melee. Hope that helps !!

Syuveil · Aug 19, 2005, 11:28 PM // 23:28

My Me/W does ok in the PvP. But the build is very circumstantial

ElderAtronach · Aug 19, 2005, 11:44 PM // 23:44

IW
Cyclone Axe
Flurry
Conjure Phantasm
Energy Tap
Ether Feast
Sympathetic Visage
Inspired Hex

I'd suggest Rogue's armor for the extra boost to defense vs physical. You may need Distortion instead of Flurry for the evasion, but it depends on where you go in PVE. Sympathetic Visage is great for neutering warrior mobs, and Inspired Hex allows you some defense and possible offense against hexes.

Eles are probably the most dangerous to you, since you don't have any defenses against them in that build. Swap out Flurry for Mantra of _____ in ele-heavy areas.

Iraqalypse Now · Aug 20, 2005, 01:36 AM // 01:36

The thing about IW, is that if you stay that close, you might as well smite...

anyhow, these builds are pretty good, I would suggest Bonnetti's or spirit of failure as good energy managment. Healsig is decent if you get the 9 tactics for the collector's shields. At some point it becomes much better to go me/mo and use mes for tank and monk for smites, and use your elite slot for signet of midnight + epidemic.

Amused Observer · Aug 20, 2005, 03:55 AM // 03:55

These are all very nice builds.

jesh · Aug 20, 2005, 06:14 AM // 06:14

I capped IW at 7, and got some other skills really early too. You can really tear things apart in pve as well as in the arena. Here's what I did.

11+1+3 illusion
9+1 inspiration
3+1 fast cast
9 tactics

Use the collector's stance shield. Distortion and Spirit of Failure are pretty much all the defense you need, switch out for Elemental resistance when neccessary. I usually take Conjure Phantasm, Phantom Pain, Distracting Blow, and Ether feast besides. I use the rogue's chest piece, all the rest enchanter's armor. Get the sword from Henge of Denravi that adds +5 energy, and stick a +20% enchant mod on it. You can always throw a skill out for archane echo or a cover enchant. Channeling works well. I'm actually deleting this character, because I just don't find it enjoyable in the least, unless I'm shredding through the arena. Oh well, to each his own.