The Faction Mesmer Elite Skills Stink

Eaimirth Etaivella

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Aug 2005

Seekers of the Apocalypse

E/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Xasew
Distracting Shot can be compared to PD when:
a)DS can interrupt 1 second casts from max range
b)DS can interrupt trough walls
c)DS can't be blocked/evaded
d)DS has a 2 second recharge Or PD can be compared with DS when...
a) its not elite
b) fast casting lowers cost
c) its energy cost is halved
d) it no longer disables your entire bar

Evilsod

Evilsod

Banned

Join Date: Mar 2006

England

Lievs Death Squad [LDS]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hella Good
I don't see a single valid argument you have produced to convince me how a 10s recharge DS is better than a 2s recharge PD... I think Xasew made it very clear why PD is FAR superior to DS. Just looking at PD makes me think it sucks... When you can convince me how the 10energy cost spell at 2seconds recharge, disabling every other skill on your bar is good please let me know. If i wanted to disable myself i'd go Blackout/Diversion. Unless you devote your entire skillbar to energy management to cover up the ridiculously high energy cost of spamming this skill, i'd like to hear it. At least with DS it recharges 10 seconds later, and leaves you open to use other interrupts in the meantime.

Something said earlier.... why use Siphon Speed with an interrupt/migraine build (as Migraine)? If you can somehow prove to me that SS will improve your chances of interrupting and winding up the opponent with its 25% longer cast time compared to the 100% from Migraine, i'd love to hear it. Unless i have long cast time spells with me, there really is no reason to ever use that elite.

Hella Good

Hella Good

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Oct 2005

None, free and clear

I have made my arguments about PD clear in the very 1st post I posted. I also clearly doubt any of the people arguing that PD is a somehow inferior elite have actually used it. For my part, I don't speak about things I have never tried.

And I don't need Migraine to interrupt. For those who have to make a skill cast 2 secs versus 1 to interrupt it, by all means do stick to Migraine. For me, Stolen Speed works perfectly well for reasons I have made clear in another thread and posted a link- again- in my very 1st post.

Piece of advice: If you can't use it, don't use it, but don't rant about how horrible it is, because obviously there is people who CAN use it.

Theos

Theos

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2005

River Dancing

Eternal Treachery [TimE]

Me/E

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hella Good
I have made my arguments about PD clear in the very 1st post I posted. I also clearly doubt any of the people arguing that PD is a somehow inferior elite have actually used it. For my part, I don't speak about things I have never tried.

And I don't need Migraine to interrupt. For those who have to make a skill cast 2 secs versus 1 to interrupt it, by all means do stick to Migraine. For me, Stolen Speed works perfectly well for reasons I have made clear in another thread and posted a link- again- in my very 1st post.

Piece of advice: If you can't use it, don't use it, but don't rant about how horrible it is, because obviously there is people who CAN use it. The true potency of PD comes out in more organized team battles, its potent ability to simply shut down one/two target(s) (at the expense of you) and keeping you out "danger zones" is warrant enough for elite. The fact that you can, like so few seem to ever do, use BiP to easily remedy the energy costs makes this skill even scarier. Don't also forget you can still uses the many longlasting Mesmer stances with this as they have no real issue with being disabeled when they last for 80 seconds.

With the current meta game revolving around elemental spamming of air/water you can throw in both Mantras, since the remainder of your bar will be limited in use. The buff to the mantras can alone compensate for energy if you are the target, which you so often are.

Anyway, I just felt like supporting Hella. :P

sno

sno

Look into the Eye.

Join Date: Oct 2005

Detroit, Mi

Oh No Not These Guys [uhoh]

Mo/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Theos
The true potency of PD comes out in more organized team battles, its potent ability to simply shut down one/two target(s) (at the expense of you) That's the beauty of mesmers, they're generally meant to shut down a single target (or sometimes more.) No one ever says anything bad about sacrificing a mesmer to shut down a monk (in 4v4) but imagine the implications of PD? You can effectively shut down 2 offensive casters indefinitely, or at least long enough to make them hate you as much as monks hate their respective mesmers.

There seems to be an angle of PD that not many people have caught onto yet, and that's using skills you never have to cast. Think of a passive prot (bonder) with PD as elite? Depending on the skillset, life bond + balths spirit could give you the infinite energy pool you need to spam PD, while protecting your party as well. It's a thought at least I haven't even thought of a build, let alone tested it.

Eaimirth Etaivella

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Aug 2005

Seekers of the Apocalypse

E/

As always my solution to just about everything is powerblock; always has and almost always will. A blackout at range; a super powerful blackout. This skill you have to cast multiple times; in the end costs you more energy, has a higher chance of letting a spell through (2 sec recharge) and has a larger miss factor (SB being cast on the target before you can interrupt everything) so it feels awkward.

Avarre has made the point that PB does not do skills; I counter with the point that distracting does, disables for longer, costs less, does not disable the rest of the bar, and is most importantly not an elite. Hell this even does damage; albeit little it is some.

I personally don't like this skill; its not that I can't use it correctly; that I can. However other spells or other skills make it a inferior skill to use. Distracting does what this does but better, powerblock is still the "best" interrupt in the game practically killing the target upon completion. This skill has no "value" and no place in a competitive build.

Hella Good

Hella Good

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Oct 2005

None, free and clear

And, in my personal opinion, Power Block is mediocre. Go figure. I like to have my flexibility and versatility. The whole spell-only interrupt thing is totally foreign to me. I don't want to see any troll unguents, healing sigs, etc. I need to be able to interrupt everything. But then that's just me- I like to be able to do more than just wand once I'm done with the spellcasters.

And the whole comparison with Distracting Shot totally evades my logic.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Theos
Anyway, I just felt like supporting Hella. :P Hehe, thx, m8.

Renegade ++RIP++

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Feb 2006

I have been using psychic distraction massively in aspenwood. It is ok, but in the end the selfblackout hurts to much. It woud have been a tad better if it would have added x seconds to the recharge time in stead of disabling for x secs. Or make it a blackout on the opponent as well or a disable from all the skills from the same line. The disadvantage of not being able to use any other skills is a real kick in the nuts for any mesmer... (you can't use that shatter hex, that inspire hex, that...)

Not to mention that i'm doubing that it even works correctly seeing as i have seen people use the same skill right after i interrupted them with it.

Trouveur

Trouveur

Academy Page

Join Date: Nov 2005

Les Protecteurs du Lion

Me/R

Quote:
Originally Posted by Themis
Almost, as you say With Ineptitude instead of Recurring Insecurity the warrior would not have last 90 seconds...
Even Conjure Phatasm or Illusion of pain would have been better in your exemple.
Against a warrior almost all the illusion hexes are better than Recurring Insecurity.

Eaimirth Etaivella

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Aug 2005

Seekers of the Apocalypse

E/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hella Good
And the whole comparison with Distracting Shot totally evades my logic. Distracting shot interrupts+disables their skill just like the elite

However;pros
Distracting shot costs less energy than the elite
Distracting shot disables it longer than the elite
Distracting shot causes some damage
Distracting shot is a skill not a spell
Distracting shot does not render the rest of your skills worthless

cons
Distracting shot recharges slower than the elite (can be fixed w/ SQ)
Distracting shot can be blocked by walls
Distracting shot requires a speed buff (composite bow, FW, QW)

How can you not see the comparison>.>

Dragannia

Dragannia

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Feb 2006

Venatio Illuminata [VEIL]

Me/N

Quote:
Originally Posted by Eaimirth Etaivella
As always my solution to just about everything is powerblock; always has and almost always will. A blackout at range; a super powerful blackout. This skill you have to cast multiple times; in the end costs you more energy, has a higher chance of letting a spell through (2 sec recharge) and has a larger miss factor (SB being cast on the target before you can interrupt everything) so it feels awkward.

Avarre has made the point that PB does not do skills; I counter with the point that distracting does, disables for longer, costs less, does not disable the rest of the bar, and is most importantly not an elite. Hell this even does damage; albeit little it is some.

I personally don't like this skill; its not that I can't use it correctly; that I can. However other spells or other skills make it a inferior skill to use. Distracting does what this does but better, powerblock is still the "best" interrupt in the game practically killing the target upon completion. This skill has no "value" and no place in a competitive build. Power Block also has a 30 second recharge. If you miss, it's 30 seconds before you can use it again. Interrupt a Word. Interrupt a Mend. Turn around, and interrupt an Elem twice. Go back to the Monk. Mesmers are meant to be able to shutdown two foes at a time.

Seriously, Eaimirth. You have the weirdest taste in skills. You don't like Diversion, MoRecovery, and now PD.

fatboyslimerr

fatboyslimerr

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Mar 2006

U.K

Intensive Care Unit [ICU]

Me/A

lol. Whoever said that PD and the other new elites aren't bad but they aren't to peoples taste is totally right. They can't make new elites that are perfect for everyone and that everyone will love and spam.
Anet Conversation.
Steve - 'Lets make a new mesmer elite that interrupts any skill, costs only 5 energy and recharges instantly. It also disables all that foes skills for 20 seconds'.
Andy- 'Steve, your a muppet, clean out your desk or I'll have Nathan spread that rumour about what you did with Mrs Robinson.

Bit o' fun there. Feel it was needed as some people are taking this 'friendly discussion' too far. If you don't like an elite don't use it, don't continually rant on about how bad it is.... please.

Themis

Themis

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Oct 2005

LcB

Mo/Me

Quote:
Originally Posted by Trouveur
With Ineptitude instead of Recurring Insecurity the warrior would not have last 90 seconds...
Even Conjure Phatasm or Illusion of pain would have been better in your exemple.
Against a warrior almost all the illusion hexes are better than Recurring Insecurity.
Conjure Phantasm ? Are you kidding ? Go try and kill a warrior (who has his healing signet and uses it - no interrupts, hein ?) just by using CP !!!

Ineptitude, probably along with ConjureP, but the total cost is of no means comparable. What's the use of saying that you can slay a W using 70-80 energy, when you can do it (as in my example) using only half of that ? What is better ?

Illusion of pain ???? you've surely never used this skill... Well, it's not a really a problem, but, at least, you should read skill's description... You'll easily understand it's a "finish" skill. You can do no harm at start- or mid-battle with it.

(btw: don't think that it ACTUALLY took me 90 seconds ! It takes no more than 30-40, but i like being tolerant with figures )

Look, i have a proposal : get Migraine (just for the degen) or Ineptitude, Conjure Phantasm, then the two defensive skills i stated (spirit of failure and distortion). Go and find master of axes at the isle of the nameless. Then try to win. Then, think why you didn't manage to.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dragannia
Power Block also has a 30 second recharge. If you miss, it's 30 seconds before you can use it again I have the same opinion about PB : it can only be used in specific situations, mono-attribute casters. I don't like that. It is so specific, that i usually prefer other interrupts. In fact, i think that 'll take only one interrupt from now on : PD (except if i really need another Elite).

Hella Good

Hella Good

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Oct 2005

None, free and clear

Quote:
Originally Posted by Eaimirth Etaivella
Distracting shot interrupts+disables their skill just like the elite

However;pros
Distracting shot costs less energy than the elite
Distracting shot disables it longer than the elite
Distracting shot causes some damage
Distracting shot is a skill not a spell
Distracting shot does not render the rest of your skills worthless

cons
Distracting shot recharges slower than the elite (can be fixed w/ SQ)
Distracting shot can be blocked by walls
Distracting shot requires a speed buff (composite bow, FW, QW)

How can you not see the comparison>.>
Tell me, what do I need to do- bang the bells of one of House zu Heltzer's glorious cathedrals to get the point across??? It's a freaking 2 sec recharge interrupt that by simply BEING 2 sec recharge makes it far superior to DS and clearly justifies it being a) an elite and b) shutting down the rest of you skill bar. Tell me, what OTHER interrupt has anywhere NEAR 2 sec recharge??? Seriously, am I being unclear or speaking a foreign language (which I sometimes do)?

On a side note, I did try Soul Barbs + Recurring (didn't think of doing it back when I was testing the skill out) and it's fun. Is it going to be efficient? I can tell you that it is at least viable in Alliance battles (where I tested it)- it made short work of just about anything. I have to test it out with Wastrel's which even with nothing in Domination will still do 60 damage that is perfectly spammable. I do, however, feel a bit uncertain as to how this will work versus a team with good hex management (shall we say Expell Hexes ), and I still feel that apart from the SB + RI combo, RI is one of the less effective elites. Btw, how exactly does the hexing with RI occur? Does it go on top or under the hex that renews it? For some reason I got the feeling it goes under.

ender6

ender6

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Feb 2006

Mo/

To those that for some odd reason have decided to champion Recurring Insecurity in this thread, your argument basically boils down to: I need an elite to tell me how to create a build. Which is simply moronic, and secondly a waste of an elite.

Heres a Soul Barbs build I ran before Factions came out:

Soul Barbs
Parasitic Bond
Wasterl's Wory
Mind Wrack
Faint Heartedness
Ineptitude {E}
Distortion
Rez Signet

I fudged it sort of because I haven't run it in a while can't remember the entire skill bar. The point of the build was fairly simply though I wanted Fast cheap hex spells. So I would land SB on target, then cover with PB, follow it with WW, then MW, then back to PB and WW. If I was being attacked by an assasin or warrior I would use FH and Ineptitude. The point being, this was a fun spammable hex build that took advantage of SB. I didn't need an elite like Recurring Insecurity to make this build work. Which by the way if i wanted to mimic and one up I would sub in Life Siphon for Faint Heatedness.

The real problem with a spam hex build is energy management. I think I tried handling that by working the inspiration line into the build. But like i said it's been awhile.

Hella Good

Hella Good

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Oct 2005

None, free and clear

Quote:
Originally Posted by ender6
Which is simply moronic, and secondly a waste of an elite. We generally try to snap at each other in more civil ways on this forum.

As for RI, I think I forgot to mention I did it on my Necro (Fast Cast isn't needed when the majority of your spells are 1 cast and Soul Reaping helps a ton with nrg management). Again, I'm not making the case the skill is worthwhile. I'm just saying the Soul Barbs + RI thing works and is fine at least in Alliance battles.

Theos

Theos

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2005

River Dancing

Eternal Treachery [TimE]

Me/E

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hella Good
Tell me, what do I need to do- bang the bells of one of House zu Heltzer's glorious cathedrals to get the point across??? It's a freaking 2 sec recharge interrupt that by simply BEING 2 sec recharge makes it far superior to DS and clearly justifies it being a) an elite and b) shutting down the rest of you skill bar. Tell me, what OTHER interrupt has anywhere NEAR 2 sec recharge??? Seriously, am I being unclear or speaking a foreign language (which I sometimes do)?

On a side note, I did try Soul Barbs + Recurring (didn't think of doing it back when I was testing the skill out) and it's fun. Is it going to be efficient? I can tell you that it is at least viable in Alliance battles (where I tested it)- it made short work of just about anything. I have to test it out with Wastrel's which even with nothing in Domination will still do 60 damage that is perfectly spammable. I do, however, feel a bit uncertain as to how this will work versus a team with good hex management (shall we say Expell Hexes ), and I still feel that apart from the SB + RI combo, RI is one of the less effective elites. Btw, how exactly does the hexing with RI occur? Does it go on top or under the hex that renews it? For some reason I got the feeling it goes under. They missed a few problems with DS;
DS is weak to blind
DS is weak to evasion
DS requires a speed boost
DS is affected by one of the most common enchantments in the game, Aegis.

As for RI, I'd not call it a great elite, but I would not call it aweful either. It may be limited but its ability to damage is compensatable. I have tested it and I have not been able to see RI go the top of the stack, I am pretty sure it goes under the applied hex, but I will do further testing.

Indian

Indian

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Oct 2005

[SWIM]/[HooD]/[RFE]

Me/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mystic Memory
Before you disagree, here me out!

Psychic Distraction
Description: All of your other skills are disabled for 8 seconds. If target foe is using a skill, that skill is interrupted and disabled for 5-11 seconds. This is an elite skill.

Why it stinks: Ok.. let me get this straight. Disable 7 of your skills... disable one of the enemies. Hmmm i like this deal....not. Oh 2 sec recharge you say? Ok ill disable 7 of their skills... for 70 energy. Omg so good....not. Basically, bring this skill, and your the rest of your bar has to be useless most of the time in order to make this elite half effective. Oh and btw, more than likely, you can only disable 2 or 3 skills at a time, because the first skill that you "distracted" is probably ready again once you interrupt a third skill.

Arcane Languor
Description: For 1-4 second(s), all spells cast by target foe cause exhaustion. This is an elite skill.

Why it stinks: Ok no need to comment. Im pretty sure everyone knows this move is almost not even worth a regular skill slot, much less an elite slot.

Stolen Speed
Description: For 5-17 seconds, target foe's spells take 25% longer to cast and your spells take 25% less time to cast.. This is an elite skill.

Why it stinks: This elite is just... meh. I can think of many skills way better than this one.

Recurring Insecurity
Description: For 10 seconds, target foe suffers from -1-3 health degeneration. If that foe is hexed again, Recurring Insecurity is renewed for another 10 seconds. This is an elite skill.

Why it stinks: At first glance... people are like yay degen! Besides the fact that there are enough degen skills in the illusion line to put someone at -million degen (but only effectively -10 degen), this skill is equivalent to its non elite counterpart Life Siphon. Except... it doesnt give you regen, AND it lasts less, NOT TO MENTION its an elite. Sucks? Im sorry to say but this skill stinkzors.

Shared Burden
Description: For 3-14 seconds, target foe and all nearby foes move 50% slower. This is an elite skill.

Why it stinks: I dont see why the enemy would be nice and clumped, but even if they were, water magic would be so much better. Oh so much better.


Im sorry to say it, but these elites just plain suck. I absolutely love the mesmer class (i mean... i spent a million buying fissure armor for her ), but sometimes i just think mesmers get the short end of the stick.

If you disagree feel free to explain. i completely disagree with you, all those skills are as essential as others.
all these skills can be used in PvP mostly and they are good against anti-casters. also Shared Burden is good skill in any relic map or GvG.

Arcane Languor is best skill ever in PvE too, Foe's use skills most of the time the more exhaution they have the less energy they gonna have, and faster we can kill them.

Recurring Insecurity is good to for degen is, you dont need to put mesmer degen only, you can put necromancer hexes, such as para. bond, malaise.

these skills arent rubbish, im sorry to say this but, you gotta think more creative.

Hella Good

Hella Good

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Oct 2005

None, free and clear

Just tested it with a friend. It goes under. So like every time you hex, RI is reapplied, triggers Barbs, but remains under the hex that renewed it. So, that explains why when Monks were Inspa hexing my stuff, RI remained intact. Interesting. Well, like I said, it's a fun thing to do.

Eaimirth Etaivella

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Aug 2005

Seekers of the Apocalypse

E/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hella Good
Tell me, what do I need to do- bang the bells of one of House zu Heltzer's glorious cathedrals to get the point across??? It's a freaking 2 sec recharge interrupt
that by simply BEING 2 sec recharge makes it far superior to DS and clearly justifies it being a) an elite and b) shutting down the rest of you skill bar. Tell me, what OTHER interrupt has anywhere NEAR 2 sec recharge??? Seriously, am I being unclear or speaking a foreign language (which I sometimes do)? Wow; have you considered that...
Ranger interrupts for some reason have a higher hit % even though they "should" miss (aegis, distortion, whatever)
Spells have their downfalls as well (dazed, guilt, whatever) not to mention you won't be able to deal with said downfalls since you will have the rest of your bar blacked out (ZOMG)
DS has a 67x10=6.7sec recharge and isnt elite with SQ
You could be using powerblock

For all those who DON'T know why I like powerblock.
-It disables usally half if not all of their bar
--without the other half most builds are worthless
-It allows you to disable multiple people at the same time
--PB one interrupt watch the other
-It is similar to a super blackout...only at range
--disable your bar, lasts 15 seconds

BTW; what the hell is it with missing with PB? You don't miss; it shouldn't be comprehendable. The only things I DO miss on is if I'm trying to be silly and attempt to interrupt a RoF or something; aka randoms only.

Final word of my take on Diversion<Blackout
They both do the same thing; blackout only lasts longer and doesn't give them a choice: this choice although usally a bad choice can be game determining and is thus a bad choice to give the opposition.

Edit-PD is also countered via spellbreaker while DS is not.

Themis

Themis

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Oct 2005

LcB

Mo/Me

RI is far from being the best skill in illusion line, but it's mainly a cheap degen : if you manage to renew it twice, you get a -3 degen for 30 seconds (that is 180 damage) for 10 energy.
As a comparison, Conjure Phantasm does 130 damage for 10 energy spent at 14 illusion. So, the point is : will you be able to renew RI at least twice without having it removed ? If you do, then it deserves its Elite status.

Best trigger is a fast recharge skill : that's why i use it with Images of Remorse (-4 degen for 10 seconds +49 damage if target attacks = 80+49= 80 to 129 damage for 5 energy at 14 illusion) because IoR recharges within 5 secs. Moreover, i don't care if IoR is removed after 2-3 seconds, it has already dealt 70-75 damage after 3 seconds...

Mystic Memory

Academy Page

Join Date: Jan 2006

The Imperial Allegiance

Me/

Quote:
Just tested it with a friend. It goes under. So like every time you hex, RI is reapplied, triggers Barbs, but remains under the hex that renewed it. So, that explains why when Monks were Inspa hexing my stuff, RI remained intact. Interesting. Well, like I said, it's a fun thing to do.
I heard this too, but im pretty sure i also heard that it looks like the second hex, but is actually the first to be removed (heard from another forum). If you could test that out it would be cool

Quote:
Tell me, what do I need to do- bang the bells of one of House zu Heltzer's glorious cathedrals to get the point across??? It's a freaking 2 sec recharge interrupt that by simply BEING 2 sec recharge makes it far superior to DS and clearly justifies it being a) an elite and b) shutting down the rest of you skill bar. Tell me, what OTHER interrupt has anywhere NEAR 2 sec recharge??? Seriously, am I being unclear or speaking a foreign language (which I sometimes do)? Well, sure its an interrupt with 2 seconds recharge. But if you look at it the other way, you basically "interrupted" all of your other skills. Not too great in my book. You shut down the enemy less than you shut down yourself.

Quote: lol. Whoever said that PD and the other new elites aren't bad but they aren't to peoples taste is totally right. They can't make new elites that are perfect for everyone and that everyone will love and spam. Of course they dont need to make those. But I think that some of the elite skills are rubbish.

Quote: i completely disagree with you, all those skills are as essential as others.
all these skills can be used in PvP mostly and they are good against anti-casters. also Shared Burden is good skill in any relic map or GvG. I cannot see how shared burden would be taken over a water hex. And arcane languor is hardly anti caster, more like anti your own energy to shutdown for 4 whopping seconds.

Quote:
Arcane Languor is best skill ever in PvE too, Foe's use skills most of the time the more exhaution they have the less energy they gonna have, and faster we can kill them. I dont know about you, but PvE monsters seem to have almost unlimited energy (I know they dont, but just consider the sheer number of monsters. I doubt exhausting one monster is worth an elite).

Quote:
Conjure Phantasm ? Are you kidding ? Go try and kill a warrior (who has his healing signet and uses it - no interrupts, hein ?) just by using CP !!!

Ineptitude, probably along with ConjureP, but the total cost is of no means comparable. What's the use of saying that you can slay a W using 70-80 energy, when you can do it (as in my example) using only half of that ? What is better ?

Illusion of pain ???? you've surely never used this skill... Well, it's not a really a problem, but, at least, you should read skill's description... You'll easily understand it's a "finish" skill. You can do no harm at start- or mid-battle with it.

(btw: don't think that it ACTUALLY took me 90 seconds ! It takes no more than 30-40, but i like being tolerant with figures ) I assume you are talking about RA, as i cannot see your build killing anything in GvG/HA. In RA, 30-40 seconds to kill a warrior is ALOT. Ive seen warriors drop within seconds.

Quote:
RI is far from being the best skill in illusion line, but it's mainly a cheap degen : if you manage to renew it twice, you get a -3 degen for 30 seconds (that is 180 damage) for 10 energy.
As a comparison, Conjure Phantasm does 130 damage for 10 energy spent at 14 illusion. So, the point is : will you be able to renew RI at least twice without having it removed ? If you do, then it deserves its Elite status. By your logic, Life Siphon should also be an elite, no?

Themis

Themis

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Oct 2005

LcB

Mo/Me

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mystic Memory
I assume you are talking about RA, as i cannot see your build killing anything in GvG/HA. In RA, 30-40 seconds to kill a warrior is ALOT. Ive seen warriors drop within seconds.
C'mon... it was not a build, merely an experiment with 2 offensive spells, read my post, please. No point in comparing 2 skills with a full bar... It's not even funny !
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mystic Memory
By your logic, Life Siphon should also be an elite, no? No comments

Theos

Theos

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2005

River Dancing

Eternal Treachery [TimE]

Me/E

The true problem: People look at PD as if you were planning on soloing with it, ok its not worth balls then. Now put it into a team build, where allies know you are going to be using it.

For FS you don't need a skill bar if this is there, you will shut down two targets indefinately if you use it correctly and your team supports you. BiP will keep this skill going indefinately, as an example.

You compare the, what three, weakness of PD to the eight+ weaknesses of DS. The only thing that stops PD is Spellbreaker and Guilt... thats about it. Dazed will do nothing to a 1/4 second cast time... oh no 2/4 second cast time!

twicky_kid

twicky_kid

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2005

Quite Vulgar [FUN]

PD can only be used by mes that can interrupt spells without the help of migrane and conundrum which most people cannot do. For those who can this skill is like a wet dream.

Forget the 8 second blackout on your other skills. The main thing to look at is 2 second recharge and can interrupt ANY SKILL. War about to spike you interrupted. Rit laying spirits interrupted. Emo spamming heal party interrupted. Mes using diversion interrupted. War using healing sig interrupted. Assassin about to spike you entire chain interrupted.

As I've said before when you have PD on your bar you really don't need anything else so who cares about the 8 second blackout. I've been using this in a build with arcane theivery and larceny. I steal 2 spells from the monks then move to the mes for the shutdown. Watch for the wars to adren spike and stop them in their tracks. If we run into blood spike, fast cast air spike, or any other casting spike build I can single handedly shut down their entire offense.

I have had this skill on my bar since the first FPE and it hasn't moved off since. Good mesmers will use it well everyone else will continue to do the same old same old.

Eaimirth Etaivella

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Aug 2005

Seekers of the Apocalypse

E/

What about the "really" good mesmers who can disable two characters with nothing but powerblock+arcane echo? Then move on to disable a third with other interrupts of their choice (power spike, power leak).

Sure locking down 1, maybe 2 guys with teammate support is nice (as you can interrupt warriors/sins) but I still perfer my power block.

Hella Good

Hella Good

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Oct 2005

None, free and clear

And "really good mesmers" and "power block" are two things that don't have any cross links in my mindframe.

Mystic Memory

Academy Page

Join Date: Jan 2006

The Imperial Allegiance

Me/

Quote:
Originally Posted by twicky_kid
PD can only be used by mes that can interrupt spells without the help of migrane and conundrum which most people cannot do. For those who can this skill is like a wet dream.

Forget the 8 second blackout on your other skills. The main thing to look at is 2 second recharge and can interrupt ANY SKILL. War about to spike you interrupted. Rit laying spirits interrupted. Emo spamming heal party interrupted. Mes using diversion interrupted. War using healing sig interrupted. Assassin about to spike you entire chain interrupted.

As I've said before when you have PD on your bar you really don't need anything else so who cares about the 8 second blackout. I've been using this in a build with arcane theivery and larceny. I steal 2 spells from the monks then move to the mes for the shutdown. Watch for the wars to adren spike and stop them in their tracks. If we run into blood spike, fast cast air spike, or any other casting spike build I can single handedly shut down their entire offense.

I have had this skill on my bar since the first FPE and it hasn't moved off since. Good mesmers will use it well everyone else will continue to do the same old same old. I agree with eaimirth, power block would be superior. Sure you interrupt more, but to keep all these spikes interrupted, you would be constantly using 10energy every 2 seconds. Now if you consider a mesmer with 50 energy, your energy will be gone in 10 seconds.

Then... you will have to wait 8 seconds before you can use any of your energy management skills

Xasew

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Sep 2005

Storm Bearers[SB]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Eaimirth Etaivella
What about the "really" good mesmers who can disable two characters with nothing but powerblock+arcane echo? Then move on to disable a third with other interrupts of their choice (power spike, power leak). Power Block still has a 30 second recharge. Arcane Echo has a pretty long recharge, so after that combo you have to wait for quite a while to be able to interrupt again.
And when you run out of energy you wait for 8 seconds to get it back with some Inspiration skills. And seriously, 8 seconds isn't that much.
It's like twicky kid said, it's constant disruption of the enemy offence/defence.

samifly

samifly

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Dec 2005

Girl Power [GP]

Mo/Me

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mystic Memory
Then... you will have to wait 8 seconds before you can use any of your energy management skills Simple - cast energy management before. Or have a br necro. its for team builds.

Eaimirth Etaivella

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Aug 2005

Seekers of the Apocalypse

E/

You will need energy management after the combo-but not as much as you would if you PD spam'd. Not to mention PD prevents you from E.management for 8 seconds after you spam =/

(also it prevents a switch to distortion/other stance right after using during emergency situations which is never a good thing)

Terra Xin

Terra Xin

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Mar 2006

New Zealand

Me/R

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mystic Memory
I agree with eaimirth, power block would be superior. Sure you interrupt more, but to keep all these spikes interrupted, you would be constantly using 10energy every 2 seconds. Now if you consider a mesmer with 50 energy, your energy will be gone in 10 seconds.

Then... you will have to wait 8 seconds before you can use any of your energy management skills First of all. No. Completely wrong. Power Block disables the entire set OF SPELLS by interrupting just one spell, but the target has only wasted energy on one spell. And since he cant cast his/her desired spells....wait....wait....wait ah^^ I got full energy and my spells back. Well.... He's a sitting duck. But eh.

SD is "THE" fastest combination of E-denial and Shutdown, simply because when you interrupt a skill (especially those which cost alot of energy) then that target has wasted that energy. Disable their signet, most likely a healing signet, and the target is screwed. Power block a signet? I dont think so. Cast this on a spirit spammer, and not only has he/she wasted their energy, but their skill bar is gone as well.

Second. No. Wrong Again. It would take over 12 seconds to completely deplete your energy for a mesmer with 50 energy, and that's if your lame enough to cast SD constantly without breaks.

The Teacher was trying to teach you energy management, the second was how effective it is at energy denial. Like all of mesmers Interrupts, spike them and they wasted energy trying to cast a spell. Oh wait, SD interrupts skills....^^.

Aside... Powerblock vs Bloodspike = gg.

Hella Good

Hella Good

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Oct 2005

None, free and clear

SD? You mean PDistraction? Anyways, there is many ways to leech energy with a temporarily shut down skill bar. Including but not limited to (doh) Channelling. Channelling is perfect for at least 2 very popular game formats: Alliance battles and HA. It also works very well in GvG on certain maps (expl: Imperial Isle). What of Spirit of Failure? Stances like Mantras vs different Elements and Warrior stances? Heck there is so many skills that can be used to handle this shutdown/need of nrg issue that I don't see why people are making a fuss about it whatsoever!

As for the PBlock vs Bloodspike argument... You only need 4 Necros to drop a target when you Bloodspike. Bloodspike teams take 6 (sometimes 5) for a reason: to make sure if 1 goes down, they can keep on spiking.

Themis

Themis

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Oct 2005

LcB

Mo/Me

I don't understand all this fuss about Powerblock.

FACT : I've been asking myself why i don't see any Poweblock Mesmers at HA, TA or GvG... I've rarely come across Panik Mesmers, but (almost) never across PB Mesmers, after a whole year of playing ! Half of the Mesmers i come across are interrupt Mesmers, but... no PB

Possible answers are :

1. Mesmers playing in these arenas are almost all new to this profession. The don't master their skills, anyway.
2. Mesmers don't know how to efffectively use this spell : it's a recent spell.
3. They haven't unlocked this -wonderfull and powerfull- Elite (see choice #1)
4. They don't care, they only pick up a ready-made well-accepted build. But, then, why these builds don't include PB ?
5. Mesmers lack imagination. It's a crappy profession, the perfect shelter for crappy players. Excellence is exceptionnal, and only the -very, very rare-best ones have realised the REAL value of PB. (btw, these very, very rare are certainly not part of the best guilds : never seen PB used in championship).
6. It's one of the most uninteresting spells on the Domination line, and useful only under some (rare) circumstances. There're plenty of better Mesmer Elite spells.

Your guess is ?

Eaimirth Etaivella

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Aug 2005

Seekers of the Apocalypse

E/

Look I like powerblock; some like energy surge; some like martyr; some like other.
I for one like powerblock. However many of the mesmers I met in gvg are using martyr; then again most of those were surge mesmers (as the other one was using surge so this is the root of my label).

I will open this up for discussion however; if you are spamming an interrupt every 2 seconds; how long will it take for another mesmer to anticipate it? (Diversion, {since sooo many people apparantly fall into it...don't understand how but w/e}, guilt, {also seems a ton of people fall into this one according to you guys; although I never met one}, or interrupt your interrupt; sounds difficult to do; but if you are spamming the hell out of it (and according to you guys you will be) it seems probable.)

Themis

Themis

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Oct 2005

LcB

Mo/Me

Quote:
Originally Posted by Eaimirth Etaivella
I will open this up for discussion however; if you are spamming an interrupt every 2 seconds; how long will it take for another mesmer to anticipate it? (Diversion, {since sooo many people apparantly fall into it...don't understand how but w/e}, guilt, {also seems a ton of people fall into this one according to you guys; although I never met one}, or interrupt your interrupt; sounds difficult to do; but if you are spamming the hell out of it (and according to you guys you will be) it seems probable.) A good point, here. I agree with you : PD (if it becomes popular - and it will probably become - ) is sensitive to Diversion shutdown (not sensitive to interrupt though, because of its fast recharge).
Fortunately, there're 6 more skills left on your bar (waiting for activation... but anyway )

Hella Good

Hella Good

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Oct 2005

None, free and clear

Again, I think that the discussion has shifter away from the new elites and entered Wonderland. Surely, there are ways to counter PD, much like there are ways to counter any other skill. Heck, if there is a skill that you cannot possibly counter, that will be the end of this game. Much like if Diversion catches PD, your precious elite is gone, if PD catches Diversion and Guilt and the likes, the whole purpose of the Diversion Mes is shot. It seems to me that catching PD is much harder than catching Diversion. Plus no one said that since PD has 2s recharge, you must use it every 2s.

Eaimirth Etaivella

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Aug 2005

Seekers of the Apocalypse

E/

This is where it gets interesting imo; if the PD mes does nothing but watch what I will call the "diversion'er" then his purpose is shot. They are both trapped in a loop that never seems to end; an old west style showdown. Yet application of another one of my favorite (yet overlooked) skills WW and the diversion'er easily wins. You can use nothing but an interrupt; and after usage the diversion can be readily applied. That or you suffer 64 damage.

fatboyslimerr

fatboyslimerr

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Mar 2006

U.K

Intensive Care Unit [ICU]

Me/A

Thats a good point actually. If a mesmer uses WW on someone spammin' PD, they're screwed unless they continue to use PD but they'll run out of energy eventually. This is at least one weakness of PD but otherwise I think it has lots of potenial applications.

Hella Good

Hella Good

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Oct 2005

None, free and clear

I was just playing PD Mesmer last night in Alliance battles. Used:

1- PD
2- Sig of Disruption
3- Leech Sig
4- Parasitic Bond
5- Spirit of Failure
6- Drain Enchantment
7- Channelling
8- Mantra of Inscriptions

And I had a blast. Victims included everything that was moving (cept for pets and minions, o'course). Favorite moments: interrupting a spiker ranger, shutting down a touch ranger, owning dozens of warriors heal sigs (boy, do I love doing that or what?), sitting right in front of a warrior interrupting every single attack skill he used against me (while he was feeding me nrg that is), winning a few 1v1 with Mesmers and Necros, humilliating tons of Assassins by messing up their attack chains, o'course messing up Monks big time (but that's the usual stuff, so not a big deal). It got to a point that I pissed off so many people, they decided to gang up on me at which point I used my 2nd elite: Run The Hell Away. Good times. I'm gonna play some more of that tonight- I haven't had so much fun in a long while.