We have a winner! Mesmer is the class that the most people want to see me play in GW2 BWE3, per the informal Twitter poll I ran over the weekend:
http://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ai1ixFtN01H8dGQ0YkNCLW5ZVjlpVktGLTdfV0pvcXc#gid=0
I looked at the Mesmer talent calculator to theorycraft about the key mechanics and their implications, especially in PVP. If you’ve played Mesmer, I’d love to hear your opinions on the class and your perspective on the balance challenges that I talked about.
UPDATE (2012/07/17): People have been asking about my target Mesmer spec, so here’s my initial take:
This is an illusion-based spec where the emphasis is on Phantasm damage and three buffs that scale with # of illusions. I haven’t used Portal Entre so I have no idea how good it is.
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Literally everything about the concept of a recurring TaugCast is appealing to my internet content consuming self…Please make more
That’s the kind of encouraging feedback I want to hear.
Danka.
What would be wrong with just “Taugrim Talks”?
Very interested to see what you do with Mesmer, it’s on my short list.
When you have a show, you can call it dontcallmedaz talks. Ill watch it. Promise.
Taugcast is just tongue in cheek enough to work imo. If you want to get into a bs tangent about branding, fine but again, not your show either, guy a few posts down trying to sound all clever with branding talk.
Def interested to see what kind of perspective you bring to mesmer, taugrim.
ROFL.
Trey is right about branding, it’s not BS at all.
The reasons I am thinking about TaugCast are:
1. “-cast” is a very common ending syllable for shows, esp as “podcast” is well known
2. I really like tight, succinct titles
“Taugrim Talks” is flexible but I’d prefer a 2-syllable name.
/TaugChat haha.
Actually, including a “/” is kind of a fun play on choosing channels in the chat box.
Hey Taugrim!
Will you post your Mesmer specs pre-BWE2?
BWE3*
http://www.gw2build.com/builds/simulator.php#1.8.3.7.17.0.24.24.20.0.179.198.200.195.202.2.8.22.0.0.0.542.546.0.559.0.0.576.575.0.588.0.0.0.20.15.25.10
I like the synergies in the traits a lot.
I’m still debating the utility skills, e.g. I have no idea how effective Portal Entre will be.
You mentioned that people use the mind wrack shatter the most, but I found the distortion shatter to be extremely valuable. It gives you an evade for 1 sec per illusions you shatter. So at max illusions, you can instantly shatter all three and have three seconds of invulnerability. This is useful for making it to your next heal, absorbing a eviscerate, or completing a finishing move without getting interrupted.
The other tidbit I would offer is that mantras are unique to Mesmers as well,and they’re a strange little mechanic themselves. They have to be charged first, and these charges take quite awhile to cast. Normally in the 2 to 3 second range. Once charged, they can be instantly cast at any time. This means they can be cast while in the middle of another attack animation or a dodge roll. They can also be casted while knocked down. The disadvantage is that the charge animation is very time consuming in battle.
Also, Blurred Frenzy is a great skill.
That makes sense. Shatter 1 and Shatter 4 might be the only ones I use consistently, as I am not targeting a Confusion-based spec.
That’s interesting that Mantras can be cast even while knocked down.
Mantras seem good for smaller contexts (e.g. 1v1, 2v2, etc), but the longer you are in combat (e.g. WvW, mass fighting at a node in sPvP), the more the Mantra mechanic doesn’t hang together as well.
“Taugrim Takes on…”
Taugrim Takes on Mesmers (Episode 001)
Taugrim Takes on Vertical Scaling (Eps 002)
Taugrim Takes on the Run n’ Gun Warrior
etc.
TaugCast is good!
On a very basic level I think you want a search of “Taugrim” to return the name of the show prominently.
Abbreviating it to Taug also weakens/dilutes his brand.
Your point about brand is valid, but I’m getting enough positive feedback on TaugCast that I may stick with it.
Hey , cool show. I also hope you can post amesmer build before bwe3. I have been following your shows since rift. Your insight has definitely helped me elevate my gameplay and enjoy games more . I like the title” Taugrm takes on”
Heyo, This is your build in what i think is a superior build tool:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/en/?fgAQNAsfGIJMfo3nZQ9ojqA2LpA31G;T8Ag0ytEaJ1StlSLKjMGJMyakzIpRLMGYMpA
If I had a nickel for every GW2 build tool, I’d be a milli…ok well, maybe not.
Unless the mesmer traits are gonna get completely mixed up, I’m gonna try shooting for something like this build:
http://ninjalooter.de/gw2/charakter-planer.html#mesmer-0-dfch61757i7201-105003051b105000000020590
This build will inflict confusion, cripple, and a random effect to anyone foolish enough to take out my clones. Scepter/focus for inflicting confusion at range and mobility, sword and torch for burst dps and more deception to get out of range (although you could go with pistol for more burst dps, staff for more conditions and Chaos field, or GS some crowd control, depending on your style). Even if a foe thinks they have me, the signet will allow me to stun them hopefully long enough for a blurred frenzy+prestige combo.
TaugTalk?
TaugVlog – it rhymes
Also I was looking at your build and would recommend switching the Torch out for the Pistol. The Duelist phantasm puts out a lot more damage than the Mage and uses a move similar to the Thief’s unload, which means there’s a higher chance of crits per shot. Along with that you get a 2 second stun/daze/blind (bouncing attack) compared to the 3 second stealth. You could also compensate for the loss of stealth by replace Portal with Veil of Invisibility or Blink (for more mobility in combat). Portal has limited uses in SPvP in my opinion, good if you want to semi-roam around a particular point (Clock Tower or Keep for example).
Of course this could all be moot depending upon the changes in the upcoming beta.
That’s genius…and I don’t know why it never occurred to anyone else except you.
TaugVlog is the most clever one I’ve heard so far.
I’m interested in Torch because of Torch 4 (The Prestige). Having the stealth on a relatively short cooldown will be another force target drop, and it will give me tactical options in a bad spot.
Glad you like it. :D
I was taking another look at your build and notice you have Sigil of Superior Blood on your staff. This is probably not a very good choice as you will barely see any crits on the staff as it all based on condition damage. I’d suggest an ‘on weapon swap’ sigil like Sigil of Superior Energy (50% endurance gained, which means more dodging, which means more clones, more target drops). You could probably even drop the staff entirely and go Sword/pistol, swapping the air sigil to the pistol and energy to the torch (Torch will not be critting as often as Pistol, as mentioned above)
Looking forward to hearing your feedback regarding the Mesmer as it is one of my top 3 classes of choice.
I didn’t get a chance to post to you earlier, but what you said about Staff is a good consideration.
I can’t tell from the footage whether or not Staff 5 can proc crit Sigils. Staff 1 can, but as you noted the other attacks are not direct damage per se. Still need to test.
Pistol is a better offhand than the Torch. I love the 2nd stealth, but the Pistol 5 CC synergizes well with Sword 2 for putting out burst, and it’s the only CC that the spec has.
What I was running today:
http://www.gw2build.com/builds/simulator.php#1.8.3.7.20.0.24.24.20.0.179.194.198.195.202.2.8.6.0.0.0.542.546.0.559.0.0.576.575.0.588.0.0.0.20.15.25.10
Great content as always, best of luck with your new show and keep up the good work. I really enjoyed pvping with you for a short while back in Rift, If you ever need a hand with branding, design or illustration, just let me know and I will be more than happy to lend you a hand. I work with many famous brands and my work is all over the US ;)
Love the idea of your own TaugVlog, TaugCast or whatever you choose to call it. :) Again Ed I’d like to say I really enjoy your thought process and analysis of how the professions work. Now we can see/hear it, compared to reading it.
Iisuppose you could call it “Edtalk” which is close to Ted Talks. I will say TaugVlog is very good, but I like TaugCast as you said, that “-cast” does seem to have that connection to shows that are out there.
I am looking forward to the BWE3. I wont get as many hours in as I am working, but maybe I will try more sPvP this time. Maybe see you in game Ed. Have a great week.
Take a look at “Taugrimoire” Epp. 01…i would like cause it claims for wisdom and magic! =)
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