Curse

BigTru · Jul 14, 2005, 12:29 AM // 00:29

Well, I know there is a guide to armor choices available on this site, but it seems a bit outdated (says enchanters armor gives +armor to elemental attacks), so I'm seeking advice.

Obviously the popular choice for PvP and PvE is Enchanter's, but just how effective is it?

Mesmers are one of the first to be attacked in PvP, and Enchanter's has the lowest defence out of all armor. I also use Inspiration magic, so I don't run out of energy too fast. Once your energy goes below a certain level, the energy bonuses from Enchanter's also become useless.

Courtly and Performer's also has a better energy increase than Rogue's, but less than Enchanter's. It offers +armor while casting. I fail to see the use in this, as I'm sure many others do as well. Mesmer's primary attribute is Fast Casting, and the fact that most of their key spells take less than a second to cast doesn't help either. I'm not sure what they were thinking when they added this for Mesmers (would have been better suited for Elementalists), but perhaps it could have a bit use if you are being attacked and have to use a healing spell, such as ether feast???

Rogue's is also a popular choice. Mesmer's are almost either the first or second profession targeted in PvP, and they can go down fairly quickly in PvE if they aren't careful. However, it only adds +armor vs Physical. In PvP, Warriors and (non-spirit) Rangers aren't very popular in the Tombs. Most enemies in PvE aren't Rangers and Warriors, although they are in quite a few number. This armor could be useful for PvE. This set offers the lowest +energy and some pieces actually give -Energy.

Now I know that mix-matching is probably the best way to go, but which do you think is the overall best for PvE? Which do you feel is the overall best for PvP?

SleepeR · Jul 14, 2005, 12:31 AM // 00:31

I like Virtuoso's Armor. It gives +armor while casting spells which seems ironic for a mesmer with fast casting. But most of all the 15k version to me looks better than the rest.

Third Quarter · Jul 14, 2005, 04:51 PM // 16:51

Despite fast casting, I still cast spells almost nonstop while playing a Mesmer.

Nexx · Jul 14, 2005, 05:39 PM // 17:39

Is the +10 AL bonus from rogue armor global (like the reduce damage of the Knight armor) or just location specific? I was thinking of mixing just one piece of rogue and one piece of Virtuoso (+15 AL when casting) and going everything else max energy. Does anybody know?

Hmmm.. +10 armor bonus against physical, let me check the percentage and see if it's even worth investing in the rouge set at the cost of energy lost.

Winterclaw · Jul 14, 2005, 06:27 PM // 18:27

Not all Me's have a ton of points in fast casting.

Ensign · Jul 14, 2005, 06:46 PM // 18:46

The bonuses on Rogue's and Virtuoso are location specific. I don't think either of them are close to being worth giving up the +energy for.

Peace,
-CxE

ElderAtronach · Jul 14, 2005, 08:58 PM // 20:58

I dunno, Ensign, while +energy on enchanter's is nice, it really only affects you during the first few seconds of the fight. My mesmer is always low-mid on energy levels during a fight and I rely on channeling and e-tap to keep my spells going. In hindsight I'd much rather have bought the virtuoso's armor set for the +15 armor bonus while casting (which is no joke for a 60 AL base mesmer). I'm almost always casting, so the bonuses would outweigh the initial energy loss, in my opinion.

SleepeR · Jul 14, 2005, 09:15 PM // 21:15

The thing is i have 59 energy with 3 pips of regen, and i run Energy Drain and Energy Tap, i don't run out of energy unless someone steals it from me. (Also i only use two Virtuso parts, the other two are enchanters)

Cymmina · Jul 14, 2005, 09:49 PM // 21:49

I don't see the extra +4 energy as being worthwhile. Plus, I think the enchanter's armor looks trashy. I have 40 energy (+13 energy staff, non-rogue's gloves) and rarely have energy problems because I regularly use Energy Tap/Drain or Spirit of Failure.

I personally wear rogue's for the cute bustier and +10 phys defense, but I can see times where +15 while casting would be more useful. If I'm not mistaken, the "after cast" part of a spell where fast casting doesn't help still counts as "casting", so you should still get a benefit there, no matter how fast your fast casting is.

Don't forget that you still have defensive mantras to improve your defenses more than what your armor can provide.

ElderAtronach · Jul 15, 2005, 12:59 AM // 00:59

Maybe rogue's, using Elemental Resistance and Sympathetic Visage for your defensive needs? I'm gonna have to try that out once I get enough money for a 15k rogue set :P

arredondo · Jul 15, 2005, 02:07 AM // 02:07

I go with all Enchanter set. The only consideration I'd make is for the chest piece to add +15 armour while casting because all casts hit there I hear. I sit at 55E with 4E regen and 69E at 3E regen. I switch my weapon and foci in battle constantly to maximize my energy needs, this way I don't require the Inspiration line for energy regaining if I don't want to use it.

Death by Ooga Booga · Jul 27, 2005, 02:15 PM // 14:15

I love the Enchanters Armor cause you get more Energy and if you are a female Mes. it looks like Lingerie.

Nice!