Input on my build

HI First post!!

Ok so i have been gradually working my way through the game and am currently lounging around the Fire islands, bit of sight seeing etc! I've been using pretty much the same build give or take since the jungle! I dont have a problem with it, i think its quite solid but i'd like your input please guys on any other skills i should try out in place of anything.

I play interrupt on the casters.

16 Domination
10 Fast Cast
10 Inspiration

1. Empathy
2. Diversion
3. Backfire
4. Power Spike
5. Power Block [E]
6. Power Leak
7. Ether Feast
8. Ressurect

I'm a Mes/Mo
Empathy is cast on the melee characters.
The rest is used on the casters.

Any input greatly received Thanks.

Its a very generic build. Mesmers are kinda made for focusing on one thing and workin it. Your build Is sorta a support build but the problem is you wont do any real harm.
Your power spells are good but no acrane conundrum or migrane to support them, for having 3 interrupts definetly warrents the need for a spell slowdown spell.

For me typically unless I have a defined roll in the group I spec myself for killing one class and then I put one offspell for the other for emergencys.

Like If I go all Anticaster Ill take immagine burden, or illusion of haste coupled with Plague touch to give the cripple from haste to my chaser.

Or If I go Antiwarrior, any number of spells are good for telling a spellcaster to back off.

If I had to say any one thing, put more focus twards shutting down or killing a certain class, but carry something to keep the flipside off your back.

Backfire isnt a great spell later on, its ok, 99% of casters are smart enough to stop casting, its energy expensive and doesnt last a very long time, its great for PVE. So if you are gonna backfire someone be ready to put a new spell on em when it ends to keep em from burning all there saved energy on you, like guilt or be ready for a spike. One thing thats nice, backfire lasts 10 seconds, and takes 20 seconds to recharge, so you know that when backfire is halfway back to recharging backfire just wore off on your opponent, and you can almoast guarentee they will start casting a spell right then and there, so you can be ready to hit the interrupt. Power leak is great there because they just got done storing up all this energy while waiting for backfire to end, and you take it all away.

switch backfire for arcane conondrum, it'll make the opponent's spells at least somewhat interuptable, and when running 3 interupts, it's your goal to stop them from casting, so why even bother with backfire.

i've never been fond of powerblock though, i like migraine better, together with conjure phantasm it's a great hex/cover combo

You need a quick cover for BF. I also don't understand why people use Power Block and Power Spike. These two skills are useless unless there is Migraine or Arcane Conundrum on target, and even then Power Leak is more effective.

Quote: Originally Posted by Hella Good

Thanks for the advice guys i'll look into changing a few things around, seems like backfire is pretty much a no no!!

Power Block does have it's uses. Like say in PvE where boss mobs only use 1 line of spells. Power Block them and their dead. However, that is the only use I see for it.

Power Block really is more useful in PvE, PvP classes tend to have accidental backups^^.

I don't like ressurect, too few instances in where I would find it more effective over the other ressing spells, especially when you're a mesmer.

Quote: Originally Posted by Yamin

Quote: Originally Posted by Valkyries

hmmm, gotta argue against some of the things that have been said...

First of all, Yamin, this build is completly PvE right? I think that some of the comments were directed more toward PvP so take them for what they are worth (good comments for a PvP build - that is their worth).

My assumption is that you are using Backfire *or* Diversion on a caster and then interrupting a different caster. If that is correct I would say to keep on going. I also have no problems with interrupting a spell while the caster is backfired IF the spell is going to hurt more you than it will help to let Backfire trigger.

Power Leak is not a great spell in PvE, but is extremely good in PvP. I have found that most monsters are efficient enough that they don't run out of energy very easily, so it is just faster to kill them than to leak all their energy. I would use Cry of Frustration instead.

Power Spike is good PvE, not as good PvP. Goes along the same lines of killing faster is easier, especially when you are spiking the current target or prepping the next target.

I love Power Block. It is great against bosses, and IMO it is great in PvP because it really sucks to lose half or more of your skill bar...even for a few seconds. However, I usually use a different elite. With your build I would suggest using Mantra of Recovery so that you have less down time.

Empathy...it just rocks.

Ether Feast. This is a spell that I have utterly despised for ages. It does crap healing, takes forever to cast, and has a huge cooldown. When I get to the point where I need that extra 111 hp I can't wait that long for it, I need it right then, and if I need it that means I am probably being attacked so I will probably need more healing soon and 8 seconds of recharge is usually too long for me. <---my opinion

I would sub out Ether feast for something like Power Drain. You will have to juggle all your interrupts but it will work great.

I would get rebirth instead of ressurect so that if you are the last one alive you don't have to run into the baddies to res everyone...just don't use it mid-fight. You could also use res sig if you want because it is faster and can be used in a fight.

I do not think you need migraine or Arcane conundrum to be a good interrupter. IMO those are better in PvP than PvE because of the psycological factor. If you can't consistently interrupt a 1 second spell without them, you should practice more or take some of the interrupts off your skill bar.

Here are my suggested builds:
16 Domination
10 Fast Cast
10 Inspiration

1. Empathy
2. Diversion
3. Backfire
4. Power Spike
5. Power Block [E]
6. Power Drain
7. Cry of Frustration
8. Rebirth

or

16 Domination
10 Fast Cast
10 Inspiration

1. Empathy
2. Drain Enchantment
3. Backfire
4. Power Spike
5. Mantra of Recovery [E]
6. Power Drain
7. Cry of Frustraion
8. Rebirth


you could always change it up completely and go with a Dom, Ill, Insp, FC split...but that is a big change from what you listed.


I hope this is helpful

LouAl, yes i only play pve, and yes you are right i cast backfire or diversion on one caster then move onto another caster to interrupt them. I've just done the first 2 missions in the fire islands and Power Block seems to work great , i've noticed the build doesn't do great deals of damage but it sure as hell stops a lot of damage! Anyway, i've read all the advice and am trying out a different skill on each run out! Thanks for the help