7 replies to this topic

[Silvernis]

I'm don't play mesmer very often because I'm terribad at it, but for giggles, I've been messing around with a full mantra build (something like this). I don't see many mesmers running mantras in the first place, very rarely more than one or two, so I'm assuming they're not popular because they're not super effective, or that other skills/builds are just better. Still, I'm curious: is mantra mesmer a thing? Is it even worth trying to run, or is it just a novelty build that may or may not be especially novel?

My results in WvW have been inconclusive thus far. On the one hand, I hit relatively hard while being tankier than normal, and the traited mantras bring some very cool tricks to the table. On the other, I don't seem to have real stopping power. I'm not sure if that's just me being bad at mesmer or my mantra build being bad, or both.

[Biff Rangoon]

Sounds like matthen's build. He can comment on any differences, but he regularly runs a mantra build in Wvw that's tankier than a zerk shatter but still hits hard. Seems to work pretty well.

[Scylle]

Mesmer~baseline traits

http://dulfy.net/201...pecializations/

~MANTRAS~

~they're a boost skill. EX: Dual Swords~traits set to do damage~MANTRA of PAIN

~finishes whoever when they're health is <-1/2> 'CAUSE YOU CAN HIT'EM 3x in one shot.

MANTRAS

https://wiki.guildwa...com/wiki/Mantra

[matthen]

Biff Rangoon, on 30 April 2015 - 06:03 PM, said:

Sounds like matthen's build. He can comment on any differences, but he regularly runs a mantra build in Wvw that's tankier than a zerk shatter but still hits hard. Seems to work pretty well.

The build I run uses a couple of mantras, but it is pretty different than the OPs. It's motivated by one of the old Osicat shatter builds and uses IP, decoy, and blink. It has a lot more zerk gear. I wouldn't recommend my build to anyone, as it takes a lot of practice to play.

As far as why people don't run mantras, it's because of the various disadvantages associated with the long charge times (eg, vulnerability to interrupt, DPS loss). If you run mantras, you need to have strategies for charging them. For example, note the following:

1. It often makes sense to charge mantras during stealth (e.g., decoy, MI, Torch 4).
2. You can discharge one mantra (eg, daze), while charging another
3. You can shatter while charging a mantra (daze and distortion are good choices)
4. Staff 2 and 4 can be cast without interrupting a mantra charge, and these skills often protect you from the interrupt . You can stand in Staff 5 for extra defense while charging.
5. Other players tend to focus you while you are charging, so it makes sense to set your finger on one of your block skills (eg scepter 2, sword 4) in case they execute an interrupting attack. These block skills will interrupt your charge, but they both have strong on-block effects.
6. Greatsword 5 is a cone knockback that is sometimes long enough to get a mantra charge off.
7. Moa is a fine skill, but don't use it to help charge a mantra. You should be bursting the Moa'd target... Don't be one of those mesmers that I down while I am moa'd. It's embarrassing. [Note: you probably already know this]

I have tried pretty much every weapon combo, and I am currently using staff/GS. If you do this, it is absolutely essential to have stow weapon hot keyed to keep you from getting smashed by reflects. I sometimes swap in sword/torch for either weapon for shits and giggles. This makes me either more offensive (if swapped in for staff) or defensive (if swapped in for GS).

Not sure what else there is to say, except possibly to consider swapping out one of your mantras for a stun break (decoy, blink), as it looks like you are pretty susceptible to a coordinated burst if your opponents get a hold of you.

Probably should have said TLDR. If you catch me in-game (and you use TS), I'd be happy to hop into heart of the mists and give you a quick run down of what I know. Good luck.

[Biff Rangoon]

matthen, on 30 April 2015 - 09:00 PM, said:

If you catch me in-game (and you use TS), I'd be happy to hop into heart of the mists and give you a quick run down of what I know. Good luck.

Soon I'll take you up on this offer so I can learn how to play my mesmer well enough to not make Afala sad. Maybe after HoT drops though... gear purchases, etc are on hold until then.

[Silvernis]

matthen, on 30 April 2015 - 09:00 PM, said:

Spoiler

The build I run uses a couple of mantras, but it is pretty different than the OPs. It's motivated by one of the old Osicat shatter builds and uses IP, decoy, and blink. It has a lot more zerk gear. I wouldn't recommend my build to anyone, as it takes a lot of practice to play.

As far as why people don't run mantras, it's because of the various disadvantages associated with the long charge times (eg, vulnerability to interrupt, DPS loss). If you run mantras, you need to have strategies for charging them. For example, note the following:

1. It often makes sense to charge mantras during stealth (e.g., decoy, MI, Torch 4).
2. You can discharge one mantra (eg, daze), while charging another
3. You can shatter while charging a mantra (daze and distortion are good choices)
4. Staff 2 and 4 can be cast without interrupting a mantra charge, and these skills often protect you from the interrupt . You can stand in Staff 5 for extra defense while charging.
5. Other players tend to focus you while you are charging, so it makes sense to set your finger on one of your block skills (eg scepter 2, sword 4) in case they execute an interrupting attack. These block skills will interrupt your charge, but they both have strong on-block effects.
6. Greatsword 5 is a cone knockback that is sometimes long enough to get a mantra charge off.
7. Moa is a fine skill, but don't use it to help charge a mantra. You should be bursting the Moa'd target... Don't be one of those mesmers that I down while I am moa'd. It's embarrassing. [Note: you probably already know this]

I have tried pretty much every weapon combo, and I am currently using staff/GS. If you do this, it is absolutely essential to have stow weapon hot keyed to keep you from getting smashed by reflects. I sometimes swap in sword/torch for either weapon for shits and giggles. This makes me either more offensive (if swapped in for staff) or defensive (if swapped in for GS).

Not sure what else there is to say, except possibly to consider swapping out one of your mantras for a stun break (decoy, blink), as it looks like you are pretty susceptible to a coordinated burst if your opponents get a hold of you.

Probably should have said TLDR. If you catch me in-game (and you use TS), I'd be happy to hop into heart of the mists and give you a quick run down of what I know. Good luck.

Thanks for the input. Power break provides both stun break and stability on a short CD, so I think I'm OK there. My next experiment will probably be to swap out some (most?) of the soldier gear for zerker to boost my burst potential. I love the extra vit and def from the soldier stuff, but the damage output doesn't seem like it's enough to really pressure opponents, especially the tankier ones. Triple casting power spike is decent on its own, but triple casting power spike and getting crits on all three is a lot better.

I should probably try different weapon combos, too. Running full mantras limits my options on the right hand side of the skillbar, so most of the utility needs to come from the weaps somehow.

[matthen]

Thought that one was just stability, so you have the stun break. Although, there is no re-position.... which means that you are still pretty easy to find and focus. I have fought a couple of mesmers who could pull it off full mantras in 1v1 and 1v2. And... as long as you are running PVT, that might make sense because you don't have the burst to turn the fight on a single decoy/blink. If you move to Zerk gear, it's going to be harder to stand in and take your lumps. You are going to have to find a way to shed agro.

[Scylle]

~for better offensive, build with 'ferocity'. My MES is mainly swords (GSWD/ DUAL) as she goes solo. Changed all armor to ferocity, added sigils to weapons for attack/condition.