Powerblock and Powerblocking

I haven't seen this style mesmer in a long time, and am wondering if anyone other than I still plays it. Powerblock is an incrediably useful skill for the mesmer who analyses the skillset of the target and can shutdown 4-5 skills of the target for at least 10 seconds. Coupled with other interrupts, any casting target can be rendered useless.

Anyone else have thoughts on this style mesmering? Perhaps why its not very common anymore?

For those not in the know, here's an example build:

FC: 13 (11 + 2)
Illus: 9 (8 +1)
Dom: 13 (9 + 1 + 3)
Insp: 9 (8+1)

Powerblock {E}
Power Spike
Power Drain
Cry of Frustration
Arcane Conundrum
Conjure Phant
>Option<
Res Signet

The fact that you use Arcane Conundrum for interrupting means you can't be very good. Every caster uses frequently 1 second casts, which you should be able to interrupt, so there's no need for Arcane Conundrum. Get rid of Illusion and get something like:

Domination 12+2
FC 10+1
Inspiration 8+1
(This has 125 more health than your version...)

Power Block: Good elite, even though I don't like the recharge too much.
Power Spike: With the new recharge this is actually pretty decent.
Power Drain: One of the best energy managements in the game, good choice.
CoF: Great against spike, intrerrupts many people at the same time. And can interrrupt skills, so this is a good choise, too.
Res Sig: Ofc

Ok, Power Leak is quite deadly, so if you want one more interrupt(which would be overkill, I agree), take that. Drain Enchantment is a must, because you need something to help with spikes. Shatter if you can handle the energy. Also consider stuff like IHex or Remove Hex if you take Monk 2ndary.

I think it's not as popular because it is so much easier to energy deny than interupt and energy surge/drain are far easier elites to manage than power block. I do agree with the above poster on dropping illusion from that build I would go something like:

dom: 16
insp: 9
fc: 11

powerblock
cry of frustration
power drain
drain enchant
inspired hex
shatter enchant
blackout
rez

of course this is depending on where you are playing and what your team is running

I agree with the others, ditch illusion. If you can't interrupt 1 second spells you shouldn't be trying, although I'm sure you can
I once spent a whole hour trying to master interrupting 3/4 second spells. I'm pretty much pro and interrupting healing touch now mainly due to the fact that I made the enemy skill casting bar absolutely massive (THIS DEFINITELY MAKES INTERRUPTING EASIER).

The reason why there aren't many powerblock mesmers is because its a difficult build to play. Migrane + interrupting is much preferred because its easier. I have a mate who prefers powerblock to migrane but he's a great interrupt (he was jealous of my healing touch achievement). It is however a great skill. Used with diversion, blackout, possibly arcane thievery, shame etc etc. Power drain is great energy management and can always be guarenteed if you find an elemental. Power leak however is my favourite interrupt if not favourite skill and if you refer to the MoR post, its potency doubles with a 10 second recharge - in my opinion.
For me, making a foe lose 26 energy with one skill which can be used every 10 seconds (MoR only) is just superb and better than powerblock with its long recharge time. The 15 second disable is great and could be used well in a certain build (e.g. a well thought out one).

I'll recommend some skills for you if your using power block, but if you think your good enough, try MoR/p.leak.

11 FC
16 Domination
9-10 Inspiration (can't remember)

Arcane Thievery
Diversion
Blackout
Shame
Power Block {E}
Power Leak
Drain Enchantment/Power Spike/Power Drain -- choice of energy management
Res

I would opt for power drain due to high energy requirement of this build (power block is 15 energy cost). And don't even attempt to be affective on a boon prot, stick to enemy healer monk.

Quote: Originally Posted by fatboyslimerr

Well I see my old friend Conundrum has taken quite a beating. 1 secs are no problem, 3/4 secs are moderately hard, but I carry it to enable the hitting of things such as RoF and Prot spirit, and to make life easier if the need to move arises. Its also useful against other mesmers and interrupting their interrupts. Powerblocking domination can give your monks a much needed break.

As for going after boonprots? The tactic is easy. Few suspect a powerblock, and all run CoP. So place a hex on them, wait for the CoP. Once that is cast, you can almost always expect boon to come .75 seconds after that. Know your timing and BAM No divine favor for a significant time interval. Re-Apply any hexes you desire and watch them crumble.

As for enchant/hex removal, I tend to shy away from that when I'm interrupting. My focus is stopping whomever I'm against from casting, stopping to remove an enchant or hex gives them a window to do things I don't want them to.

The health problems can be countered with a combination of a +30 focus, the new +health armors and of course the old superior vigor rune.

I was hoping to get powerblock for my mesmer, but he had only made it up to THK before factions came out. When I get bored of cantha I will go back and get him to the fire island chain so he can cap that skill, once I do, it might never leave my skillbar.

Quote: Originally Posted by Trizor

I think PBlock is inferior to a lot of stuff that is currently available. It's a costly, long recharge spell that only disables spells from the same attribute, and does nothing to interrupt or disable spells from other attributes, signets, skills, attacks, etc. I find having a spell only interrupt/disable skill extremely limiting and definitely not to my taste (I like to beat the elite I picked to death and then use it some more).

One of my favorite skills of all time; hands down.

Quote: Originally Posted by fatboyslimerr

lol, if your actively looking out for enemies skill/spell casting, it really does help because it might appear 1/4 second soon (possibly less) than with a small enemy skill/spell casting bar, which is a small advantage but nevertheless an advantage. Just try it and and get used to it. You won't ever want to change it back.

no how do you change the size of the bar on the interface?

ohhhh, go onto menu, options, user interface then modify or something like that, then it gives you the outline of all the different bits of the interface. Then you can just stretch enemy skill/spell bar however much you want.