• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Guild Wars 2 Press Beta [Prepurchase Is Live]

Status
Not open for further replies.
I think maxrpg greatly overrates the prowess of the Mesmer right now. Clones do little damage, confusion has a short duration and requires a lot of stacking, making it a weaker control method than stuns, blinds or chill.

It doesn't even look in-play much like a Mesmer at all right now. The clones are a gimmick that only work because everyone is new to the game, but I was able to quickly able to pick out the player from the clone in videos of fights vs Mesmers. Lewis B tried really hard to make Mesmer work, but it relied very heavily on constantly vanishing. This reduced the amount of damage he took and made it harder to figure out that all of the Mesmers were clones, but it just meant he lived longer. The control factor was nearly zero and the damage unimpressive. There is no pick-your-poison choice for the Mesmer's target like there should be. It's more a pain in the ass for the mesmer than his foe.

The class looks the roughest of the eight right now, but it was the last revealed so that's not a big surprise. They will probably change the shatter mechanic and some skills. It also could use another weapon option. I think they should just rethink the whole illusion thing entirely.

Right now the class is complex but not rewarding in its complexity.

Mesmer looks to be more of a class for WvW than for 5v5. His damage seems to be pretty weak but he is probably the best dazer in the game.

My main problem with the mesmer is the staff skill line. You can't make a serious PVP character based on random odds...
 
Guys if you didn't know, Jira is actually a robot. He is not human so he has all GW related answers and info available on the whim. Just an FYI.

I need to find some way to apply my amazing long term memory to make me money. Any ideas?
 
Fuck, don't you people ever go to sleep? I go to bed and wake up to almost a whole page and a half of new posts to respond to... oh well, mega-post time.

A bit. I don't expect any of my builds right now to actually work. But by attempting them you start to learn how everything weaves together. Sort of like studying cause the developers have an answer key they won't show you.

Right. The exact parts may change, but you still know how they fit together and what the end result should be. Everyone else is just going to be trying to jam everything together without really grasping all the parts of the concept (like how your stats are tied to your traits and ignoring entire trait lines is a recipe for disaster).

i ve said this before, but thief class is the best class.

I'm hoping you can somehow customize the Thieves from that skill. I want to be strolling along and then *POOF*; ninjas appear from nowhere and do my bidding.

Well I went from being like the third poster in here in terms of most posts to like 6th in a day lol.

It's not a popularity contest... and if it were, nobody is gonna be able to catch up to Jira who has something like 300 more posts than the second-highest poster... which is me, actually... fuck my life, I need to find something else to do with my time instead of F5ing this thread.

I think a HUGE difference in this game will be melee dodge rolling forward into people coming at them. Most people will assume you will dodge roll back or to the side.

I plan to use dodge to get into melee, along with my leaps.

Warrior can cause damage if they roll into people with a mere 5 points into one of their trait lines.

As much as I like Guardians, they're almost too heavy on Support skills for my tastes. When I go to tinker with builds, I find I'm constantly going back and eroding my build because "I'm a Guardian, I should have more support options than this." It's nothing wrong with the game except perhaps how Guardians are 'branded,' (even their name implies that they're there to guard stuff), it's honestly all on me to decide how I want to play.

Right now I'm leaning towards Warrior more... But I can't say anything for sure until I play them, I know full well how much I like the Paladin/Defender Archetype.

The hardest thing about this game is deciding on what class you're going to play.

The easiest solution: "Fuck it, I guess I'm gonna play all of them". Deciding which one to do first though... yeah.


Apparently they did too good of a job on keeping their world secret, because I've never even heard of that shit until now. My opinion is, make your game good and different enough and you won't have to fear competition.

I'm glad theres a night/day cycle.

Likewise. I hope they have non-weapon torches that you can pick up like Environmental Weapons and carry around, then drop if you need to fight.

I'd LOVE to have a dungeon that's pitch-black unless you light your way, or better yet, a dungeon where you need to carry torches to drive away a noxious mist, lighting braziers and such as you go so you can clear a path through. Vanguard had a fantastic lighting system, the nights actually got dark enough you needed to activate your personal torch (which was just hitting the 'k' key to generate an aura of light) and the dungeons were usually pitch black.
 
Mesmer looks to be more of a class for WvW than for 5v5. His damage seems to be pretty weak but he is probably the best dazer in the game.

My main problem with the mesmer is the staff skill line. You can't make a serious PVP character based on random odds...
This will get lost for those with 50 posts a page.
All this mezmer hate. And plenty of it from me! Time to explore a bit...

Mezmer Confusion/Clone Spammer
http://gw2.luna-atra.fr/skills_tool/?lang=en&code=2g5601g201p1k241050paucgcjcsd1d3d5

Skills (confusion stacks)
-Constantly use cry of frustration on single clone summons, they blow up and cause confusion
-Create two types of clones that apply confusion with sceptor/torch, you can also apply with ether bolt, blow them up for more confusion
-Use your staff to layer more conditions and create more exploding clones for CoF
-Use illusionary warlock to do even more condition damage on hit
-Use signet of domination to increase condition damage

Traits
-(atts) Some domination to lengthen confuse duration
-(atts) Full malace for condition damage and CoF recharging
-Chaotic transference makes 10% toughness condition damage
-+50 condition damage with scepter
-Shatters cause confusion (lolz)
-Confusing cry gives 2x length on CoF confusion

Confused?

If you can stack confusion properly, you might create confusion damage bombs on enemies. You can also receive help from other classes to layer confuse/conditions and ethereal fields are cross-combo confuse. It would be hilarious to see somebody mash '1' and kill themselves with a 1/4 health loss explosion.
No playing odds there. You have direct control and don't have to rely on clone AI as they are bombs. Could be devastating in PvP causing teams to bring massive condition removal. That's when you bring in a chill necro to wreck their CDs and stack 100 conditions on top.

I want a 3 person tryout for that. KD warrior, confusion/clone stacking mezmer, and a condition/chill spamming necro.

EDIT:
Damn, that sounds so OP.
 
This will get lost for those with 50 posts a page.

No playing odds there. You have direct control and don't have to rely on clone AI as they are bombs. Could be devastating in PvP causing teams to bring massive condition removal. That's when you bring in a chill necro to wreck their CDs and stack 100 conditions on top.

I want a 3 person tryout for that. KD warrior, confusion/clone stacking mezmer, and a condition/chill spamming necro.

EDIT:
Damn, that sounds so OP.

Jesus man, three man wrecking crew! How about a Guardian keeping them in place for the warrior ;)
 
GW2-Weapon-Themes-and-Roles.jpg

.
 
The complexity and versatility of the Elementalist is so appealing.

And overwhelming at the same time... My thinking was trying to do a build with Duel Daggers and Staff and try to spend more traits in support and healing, and secondary being control. Could be crazy fun for pvp and dungeons.
 
Somehow I disbelieve the thief abilities are all damage.

Likewise, but it does seem to be the case. Those are weapon selections, however, and it seems to me that a lot of the Thief's control and support options are in their Utility skills.

Control:
Needle Trap (immobilize), Scorpion Wire (kinda; enemy positioning), Smoke Screen (block projectiles, blind foes), Devour Venom (immobilize),

Support:
Blinding Powder (AOE Stealth), Shadow Refuge.

Compared to the rogue/thief/assassin archetype from other MMOs, that's a lot of options... but yeah, they're definitely a damage-dealing class. I suppose whatever they steal could also give them some kind of control/support options, but still...

And overwhelming at the same time... My thinking was trying to do a build with Duel Daggers and Staff and try to spend more traits in support and healing, and secondary being control. Could be crazy fun for pvp and dungeons.

Not to rain on your plan, but Elementalists don't have two weapon sets to switch between in combat because of their elemental Attunements. At least, they didn't the last time I looked.
 
Not to rain on your plan, but Elementalists don't have two weapon sets to switch between in combat because of their elemental Attunements. At least, they didn't the last time I looked.

Really? I really thought I saw it in the yogscast video. I know that trait tool site had the ability to swap. Hmmm well that puts a damper on things.
 
Really? I really thought I saw it in the yogscast video. I know that trait tool site had the ability to swap. Hmmm well that puts a damper on things.

Nope, no weapon switching.

Really, it would too much. You already have access to 20 skills with just 1 weapon. 40 at once is a little crazy.
 
Yeah, Ele & Engineer can only use 1 weapon set at a time.

Well this changes everything... Don't know how I went this long without realizing this. I guess it makes since with how many options they already have, but it definitely puts more of a limit to things. Back to the drawing board.
 
Jesus man, three man wrecking crew! How about a Guardian keeping them in place for the warrior ;)
It depends on the level of conditions the necro does. I would want the warrior to cripple, bleed to continue stacking. But a burning guardian might work or one that can blind. You just want all classes that can't condition remove consistently to be overwhelmed. I just wonder how high confusion stacks. If it stacks really high you might as well bring two mesmers to push it through the roof. If it stacks to the level that one mesmer maxes, then that's all you need. But a really mean 5 man team could be created if chilled/confusion work how I theorize.

  1. Guardian
    -Burns, blinds, and controls target
  2. Mesmer
    -Stacks confusion and conditional damage, uses clone bombs
  3. Necro
    -Condition spams, maintains chilled, life drains
  4. Elementalist (can be subbed)
    -Snares, burns, knockdown, frost bows (chills), DD
  5. OPEN

Foundation:
-Spam and cover all 11 conditions overwhelming opponents, try for spread/AoE effects
-Don't allow target any movement opportunities
-Use confusion to stop enemy casting, if they do cast then they damage bomb on the stack
-Maintain chilled to cause 66% snare and recharge. 66% recharge is the key. A great counter skill like contemplation of purity on a guardian could then theoretically take over 2 minutes to recharge.

A charge spamming warrior could have the team move as one, steamrolling all enemies one by one. Just imagine being on the other side of that team build. And the real power hinges on only 3 people.
 
This will get lost for those with 50 posts a page.

No playing odds there. You have direct control and don't have to rely on clone AI as they are bombs. Could be devastating in PvP causing teams to bring massive condition removal. That's when you bring in a chill necro to wreck their CDs and stack 100 conditions on top.

I want a 3 person tryout for that. KD warrior, confusion/clone stacking mezmer, and a condition/chill spamming necro.

EDIT:
Damn, that sounds so OP.

In that build the clones are ranged. You can't expect good players to get near them and thus be hit by the blow radius. It might work better with some melee clones but hard to say as we don't really know what kind of damage confusion actually deals (what kind of cap), and does it last long. The word among some beta players is that it needs a buff atm.

But if you want to build a condition team, I'd add a ranger there too. Shortbow + trapper.
 
Well this changes everything... Don't know how I went this long without realizing this. I guess it makes since with how many options they already have, but it definitely puts more of a limit to things. Back to the drawing board.

They did that because with one weapon both of the classes still have access to more skills than any other class; an Elementalist has twenty skills active with a staff in hand, which is twice as many as something like a Necromancer has across both weapon swaps. I think going from double to quadruple might be going a little too far.
 
In that build the clones are ranged. You can't expect good players to get near them and thus be hit by the blow radius. It might work better with some melee clones but hard to say as we don't really know what kind of damage confusion actually deals (what kind of cap), and does it last long. The word among some beta players is that it needs a buff atm.

But if you want to build a condition team, I'd add a ranger there too. Shortbow + trapper.
It's a team build. I'm not doing PUG right now. See my last post.

Don't necessarily need a ranger if you look at how conditions can be applied by just a mesmer, ele, and necro team.

EDIT:
If you don't get the first part, I'm talking about a target that can't even move. Mesmer can do whatever they want.
 
Seems like CC rather than damage will be the deciding factor in this game. Me likey! Let me just do some flips over your head, back stab you, run away and then turn you to stone.(Thief)

Too bad i'm more of a front line soldier type of player. =)
 
Drool...according to the guy who was playing the jumping puzzle, he said it took them 2 hours to finish it. Though obviously much of that is trial and error/player skill and all that but damn that's crazy for a puzzle in a starting zone. All of the traps 1-2 shot you.
 
Drool...according to the guy who was playing the jumping puzzle, he said it took them 2 hours to finish it. Though obviously much of that is trial and error/player skill and all that but damn that's crazy for a puzzle in a starting zone.

Puzzles, riddles and secrets oh my! But in all seriousness, these things are what will draw the player in and make him/her feel like they're part of the world. While there are some limitations, little perks like these most certainly have most if not all of us explode with excitement.
 
Puzzles, riddles and secrets oh my! But in all seriousness, these things are what will draw the player in and make him/her feel like they're part of the world. While there are some limitations, little perks like these most certainly have most if not all of us explode with excitement.

Yep, I'm never touching the damn wiki, I don't want to ruin the first MMO in many, many years that actually encourages and rewards exploration.
 
Ah, also forgot to mention the power of clone bombs that the mesmer camps. If the mesmer is able to create something powerful like confuse bombs, then high level players will stay away right? But as a mesmer, you can just camp your clones and not take damage! It becomes a positional chess game. And if the opposition decides to melee your clones since they are annoying, then you bomb them. You also have plenty to do when you aren't playing the clone game. The staff can easily be replaced with some powerful DD. The scepter/torch is the only required set. Break out your sword, why not.

The only wiggle is if ranged attackers start attacking the clones taking them out. Well, isn't that a good thing? Making a DD ele attack worthless ghosts? Eles are also cast heavy and CD reliant. So you could apply confusion with your other methods causing them to damage themselves while the necro kills their CD with chilled. All of a sudden they are degening and their heal is taking twice as long to come back. Run-away? Good luck. Your condition removal is also 2xCD and the other teammates are keeping you from movoing an inch. A ranger can be blinded on the offensive as well.

It is all about coordination. Fuck FPS style.
 
Yep, I'm never touching the damn wiki, I don't want to ruin the first MMO in many, many years that actually encourages and rewards exploration.

You sir, are correct. The wiki in my opinion, will ruin the ultimate experience this game will offer. Learn the puzzles for yourself or with friends, find those hidden dungeons/areas, expand the dynamic events to meta's! There's going to be so much within your grasp that it's almost scary.
 
They did that because with one weapon both of the classes still have access to more skills than any other class; an Elementalist has twenty skills active with a staff in hand, which is twice as many as something like a Necromancer has across both weapon swaps. I think going from double to quadruple might be going a little too far.

Yeah, it makes perfect sense, it's just a blow because I hadn't realized.


Yep, I'm never touching the damn wiki, I don't want to ruin the first MMO in many, many years that actually encourages and rewards exploration.

This, So much this. I really hope I can stay oblivious to cool things like this until I find them through exploring. Although that is very unlikely.
 
And overwhelming at the same time... My thinking was trying to do a build with Duel Daggers and Staff and try to spend more traits in support and healing, and secondary being control. Could be crazy fun for pvp and dungeons.
don't elementalist get just one weapon set and rely more on the attunements?
edit: yeah was answered already
 
I'm still working on that Guardian skill image thingy, should be done within 3 hours for sure depending on when I decide to eat lunch. I have OCD and I'm pretty anal about stuff I make, shit has to be perfect and the alignment has to be identical....:-(
 
Jeez it's hard to keep up in this thread, and with a MMO it's information overload anyway, so it's extra tough dang it. lol
 
Its always good to come to this thread to a ton of new info. This game just has so many new things being released that it makes the wait so much worse.
 
Jeez it's hard to keep up in this thread, and with a MMO it's information overload anyway, so it's extra tough dang it. lol

You could have no life, like me, and spend your day (while working from home) spamming F5! Bah, it's a slow day for work.

I knew Ele's only had 1 weapon set, but did not know about Engineers.

I really want an in depth Engineer video.....
 
Compared to the rogue/thief/assassin archetype from other MMOs, that's a lot of options... but yeah, they're definitely a damage-dealing class. I suppose whatever they steal could also give them some kind of control/support options, but still...
building around the steal skill seems dangerous seeing as it's both random and has a not-insignificant cooldown.

thieves seem at first glance to not have very good options for either control *or* condition removal... they're going to be *very* reliant on mobility/stealth for survival, and how well the engine/netcode lets you dodge attacks will be crucial. With the number of AoE cripples and such, staying out of range of stuff is going to require some honed twitch skills, i'd wager.

also: oh yes for no wiki (well... wiki for mechanic spoilers only). i plan on being lost, confused and dead quite a bit, and enjoying the heck out of it.
 
Warrior video isn't anything we haven't seen before. The Jumping Puzzle is actually a continuation of the puzzle we saw earlier from TenTonHammer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0Z8n120H7Y&hd=1

The difference is, I think TotalBiscuit comes into the puzzle from some kind of higher location whereas the TenTon video swims into a random cave and climbs up. Methinks that the guys in the TenTon video actually swam into the "Fuck this, I quit" exit for the puzzle; if somebody happens to fall while trying it, they would have a way to get out.

And yes, sign me up with the people who won't use the Wiki for anything but profession info and such; the world will remain unspoiled. The one reason I haven't completely written off my time in WoW as a waste of time is that for the first year or so (and early in each expansion) the sense of exploration and wanderlust was fantastic. Then the curtain falls and... well.... that's that.

building around the steal skill seems dangerous seeing as it's both random and has a not-insignificant cooldown.

Well, I didn't mean to imply that anyone ever would; I was just listing the control/support options the Thief has and figured Steal would, in some cases, count.
 
Speaking of the Thief's steal ability. Did we ever get a video of anyone using the steal ability on different enemies? Was wondering if we have any idea on some of the skills that will be available.
 
Speaking of the Thief's steal ability. Did we ever get a video of anyone using the steal ability on different enemies? Was wondering if we have any idea on some of the skills that will be available.

Fat chance on that man, I'm sure you're aware by now that the press can't even dodge let alone even think to get that kind of footage.
 
Lets just hope that the next phase of beta will yield excellent results like the first for a speedy release. However, even though this is a long shot, i'd love it if everyone in the next phase at least look for bugs to help instead of just playing a free game.
 
Well, I didn't mean to imply that anyone ever would; I was just listing the control/support options the Thief has and figured Steal would, in some cases, count.
i really hope steal is cool. it's the most obviously differentiating ability of the class (other than the not-insignificant, (and glorious) lack of cooldowns for attacks)... pretty-much everything else thieves have seems replicated in other classes, to some extent.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom