after reading nearly all of the mesmer forum i still need help

i have been a silent reader, reading the forum and your disccussions about mesmers. i actually made a mesmer just for arena battles and gvg. iv scoured the forum and found a build to take me through pve thanks to avvre (misspelling?) but im sure if you have read the boards you know who im talking about. my questions are however:

i know for pvp and pve dom and illu magic both offer different paths but still effective, it seems that a little more than half agree that dom is for pve and illu is slightly more useful in pvp.

which one is better at pvp, why, builds? (plz keep in mind i dont have factions.)

also it would be helpful if you guys criticize builds that others post just for second opinion. im leaning toward illu for pvp even tho i use it for pve. i wanna be ready with a killer build for this weekend double points event thing.

i must say im the worst build... "builder" but i am a pretty good player. you dont have to be inventive and innovative to be good. just copy someone else whos good then again its the player skills too..

thanks

oh and sry for double post

Both...

Illusion is easier to use, and less powerful than Domination. Because Illusion's skills are more like waiting there for your enemy to make a mistake and BAM! you give it a counter strike and done a lot of damage to it. Illusion uses a lot of Hexes, so it's easy for enemy to just remove them. Domination is more aggressive than illusion, and it require more reflex and maybe a really fast connection to maximize it's effect.

Some people mix illusion and domination together. This is not a bad idea as it makes you even more powerful than either magic alone, however, it does leaves you more vulnerable to enemy's attacks.

Personally, I think illusion are more effective against melee classes (Warrior, Ranger, and Assassin). And Domination is more effective against Caster Classes.

Guess my FoW build died...
/sigh

Ohh well, was the greatest thing out there for random pugs and experienced groups alike. Here it is again...in all 3 versions.
-PuG-
Energy Drain
Energy Tap
Ether Feast
Power Spike
Cry of Frustration
Arcane Echo
Shatter Hex
Rebirth

-Experienced PuG-
Energy Drain
Energy Tap
Power Spike
Cry of Frustration
Arcane Echo
Shatter Hex
Empathy
Rebirth

-Experienced Group-
Energy Surge
Power Spike
Cry of Frustration
Arcane Echo
Shatter Hex
Shatter Enchantment
Essesence Bond
Rebirth

Also thanks for complete lack of mentioning me in your post...I'm pretty sure I'm in most of the mesmer forum...>.>

Uhh, the OP asked which line is better in PvP.

Both Domination and Illusion are perfectly useable in PvP. Popular builds include:

Domination:
- E-Surge
- Shutdown (Diversion, Blackout)

Illusion
- Degen (Conjure Phantasm, Images of Remorse)
- Migraine

I'd suggest giving them all a try and seeing which build you find more effective.

My point was that my "claim to fame" build obvioiusly died or he would have seen and loved it...regardless I think that domination is definatly the way to go in both pvp and pve and that illusion is just inferior to domination in most every way...spare IoR in pvp.
Of course now everyone will jump on my face to prove me wrong; and I will be tempted to defend but I will simply say that domination accomplishes something that no other class can do better; while illusion does not and leave it at that.

Quote: Originally Posted by Eaimirth Etaivella My point was that my "claim to fame" build obvioiusly died or he would have seen and loved it...regardless I think that domination is definatly the way to go in both pvp and pve and that illusion is just inferior to domination in most every way...spare IoR in pvp.
Of course now everyone will jump on my face to prove me wrong; and I will be tempted to defend but I will simply say that domination accomplishes something that no other class can do better; while illusion does not and leave it at that. You will have to show this "claim to fame" build because I haven't seen it and I would like to know what build you have that is so unstoppable Im really going to assume its not the builds you have listed above because I can find much better choices ... but hey thats my opinion....

Just a few comments to show you what Im referring to

Power Spike? Why would you EVER run Power Spike over Power Drain? Both Shatters are a big waste and way too much energy... also referring to your third build again... where is your energy mgmt? You have nothing to get back your energy and you have spells that cost a bloody fortune (arcane echo, shatters, etc)... there are a ton of really better options to use especially in PVP. In PVE, maybe a bit different.

One of the best things about Mesmers is their skills. There really are SO many choices and a lot of good ones!

I will agree with you though. Domination is better than everything IMO. Illusion is fine but it don't compare to the sheer powerhouse that dom allows you to have.

Hmm... if u don't know how to make build urself then just spend some time in observer mode (press "B" to open observer window).

Just watch best guilds playing and observe what skills their mesmers use. U know - they are "best" for a reason. Forums are not the best place to look for builds cause most of them are experimental, lack in some way, show only one persons point of view and often look good only on paper. In observer mode u r sure that build u r watching works.

U can get some ideas or even whole builds there. Then, by trials and errors, just modify them to whatever suits ur playstyle . I guess thats the best way for PvP beginners.

Have fun...

Quote: Originally Posted by TeeGee

Quote: Originally Posted by Valkyries

thanks for all your advice. ive been observing a lot and sometimes it makes me mad cause some spells and/or skills do show when the players castem.

"Also I think thats a tad cocky for the so-so build you posted."
lol

so i guess im goin domination for pvp then. anyone care to start me off with some proficient builds you guys know of?

thanks guys for the advice!

avvare is my mesmer hero! :P

I used to load Power Block religiously, but have recently found a great love for Energy Surge.

Shatter Enchantment is perfectly fine in PvP.

Not having PvPed since...aeons past (used to, though!), and not even having Factions, I can't really suggest a build. But I would suggest a general Diversion/Blackout Mantra of Recovery build. For Shutdown. EDenial is just the same...or is it?

I never said that the shatter spells are bad in any way shape or form

What I said about the build that was posted is that running BOTH shatters AND Arcane Echo AND no form of energy management is just suicide.

I've played so many hours with my PVP mesmer its ridiculas.... and I could NEVER use both shatters because it was too energy intensive.

That was my point.

Run one of them, but not both. They are both very awesome and its a hard choice (Personally I like Shatter Enchant much better but thats a different topic).

Back to the OP. Dominiation is very very good. But you need a focus.

Do you want to do Edenial? Interupt? Shutdown? Make a decision on WHAT you want to do and it will be much easier to post you a build I have ones for all of those listed, so give us an idea of what you are shooting for.

Cheers!
Valk

Quote: Originally Posted by Valkyries

Generally a mesmer's configuration depends (like all other chars) on the team build. Domination is an excellent flexible line for use in pvp and any good mesmer can be such a pain in the ass for any enemy team (learn to countdown skills for your diversions, energy burn and shatter enchant are excellent spiking skills, blackout remains a wonderfull weapon against (adrenal) spikes, cry of frustration is wondefull) and inspiration is great to kjeep your dom skills going. The main use for illusion magic is running/base soloing.

well inturrupt builds dont rele work for me cause i have the same problem as some other guy on this forum saying spells go by rele fast. how is edinial good without factions, cause i dont have factions. how does playing in random arenas affect builds and gameplay. could anyone post an edinial pvp build for me plz? and a shut down also. as usual second opinions count.

does anyone have a good ranked pvp guild i can join and learn from?

Quote: Originally Posted by Sereng Amaranth