Vulnerability Mesmer build?

[Hooma]

I'm new to GW and have been looking at developing a Mesmer support toon based around vulnerability and would love some advice. Is it viable to run with a vulnerability focus that also traits around shattering? What equipment would be best suited to make this as effective as possible? I can't seem to find any good runes or sigils that would work well work this build. Should i be trying to attack purely condition duration items?

Thanks

[JeanH13]

I play a Shatter Mesmer for dungeons and PvE. So far I have found vulnerability+confusion stacking to be a fun and good party support combo. I have Inspiration (Grandmaster maxed), Domination (Master), and Chaos (Master) as my primary skill traits. I'm still figuring out a good equipment combo, but Power, Condition Damage, Toughness, and some Vitality are the stats I look for. Check out "Rune of the Adventurer" as a potential rune.

With pure condition damage, I believe the only thing directly impacted is the confusion damage. Whereas focusing more on power will grant you a stronger Shatter damage bonus. The weapons I use are a Staff and Sword/Pistol (a Sceptre/Pistol also works just as well). I don't frequent the forums too often, but feel free to message me in-game as "Nyssus Naetek".

[Hooma]

Thanks for the great advice. Is it worth trying to build precision for the shatter skills, do they crit? If this is the case i was looking at rune of lyssa for condition duration and precision. I'm a little hesitant about using condition damage if it only affects confusion, whereas condition duration would affect both confusion and vulnerability, does that sound right?

I was going to run staff + sword/torch for max condition all affected by duration?

[Sericenthe]

I'm not doing shatter but I like having all the clones/phantasms up. They make good meat shields. Building mine around combo fields and conditions.

I use the same weapons set up you are. There's a nice blast combo on number 4 with the sword/torch.

[Zorac]

My mesmer isn't built for it, but I do end up putting up a good stack of vulnerability on enemies and everyone loves doing more damage If you are using sword to stack them as I do mostly just beware of those heavy hitter meele guys, the 2nd skill is awesome not just for damage output but because in a tight spot you can use it to avoid an attack that other wise would kill you.

I like to throw out my clones/phatasms and switch between in your face and ranged with GS. Works pretty well for me, I have mostly a Power/Vit build so my 25k hp goes along way to keeping me alive.

Have fun and try things out if you don't like it try some other stuff till you find what works for you. The only wrong way to play is the way you don't have fun.

[bombiz]

On my alt, i run what taugrim refers to as a "legion" build. Same as Sericenthe. I think my build is 20/20/0/10/20. I dont really remember much as i use her more as a JP mule, but it's all about building you close/illusions stronger.

I know some traits are reduced CD on GS abilities, Clones have fury, illusions/clones have extra health, more damage with more clones out or its reduced damage taken with more clones out or even both. lol. sorry thats the best i can offer. I run around with staff/GS in WvW, but solo i GS/sword/focus. Utilies vary. I usually keep feedback and null field up tho. the 3rd one is the big variance as it sometimes it's blink, portal, mirrored images or decoy. just depends on the mood im in.

[bokiz333]

What area of gameplay are you looking to focus on? s/tvp? WvW? General PVE? Dungeons?

I'm lvling a mesmer alt but its still a lowbie so I don't know that much first hand. However, I know several mesmers that really really do well in WvW and they run shatter builds or confusion builds and there is one more build that a guildmate runs and he does really well, I forget what it was, but I know it wasn't vulnerability.

I'm sure you can make a viable build out of it though and if you like it, it's all that matters. Just might not be as "efficient" as some other builds in certian roles but it always boils down to...are you having fun with that build? And only you can answer that.

Unlike forest fires, Smokey is full of it.

[Celtic Lady]

Hmm. I should look more at using the confusion build on mine. I mostly PvE with my characters, but I have a guildie with an asura mesmer and he is just near impossible to kill in SPvP. I've seen an entire group go at him and fail repeatedly. He makes the mesmer look ultra cool with insane survivability. lol

[bokiz333]

Hmm. I should look more at using the confusion build on mine. I mostly PvE with my characters, but I have a guildie with an asura mesmer and he is just near impossible to kill in SPvP. I've seen an entire group go at him and fail repeatedly. He makes the mesmer look ultra cool with insane survivability. lol

Well its probably (IMO) the best WvW build because there are many group fights in WvW and its very hard to manage all your conditions. They pop in and out and even with condition removal you can't remove all of them and you also don't know when they will be put on. Plus you need to pay attention to the fight every once in a while ...so when confusion is thrown on, it really can down lots of enemies really quikcly because you're doing damage to them and they're doing damage to them, boom, fight over.

It's good in small fights as well becaues it can be put on faster than people can remove it so you're really limiting how often people will chose to use their big attacks. Confusion mesmers and condition necro's are my bane.