I know this is a fairly old build by now and shield is the new meta but here's my experience playing this the last couple of weeks: If you're running in a monoblob (single party) group or mainly with pugs focus is a waste (swap it out for wall pulls when needed) - offhand shield or even torch will save you. Regarding utilities I'm not a fan of mimic or phantasmal disenchanter: you need blink as a minimum. You have to play this one of two ways: either fully boon-strip or using F1 as a strip+assassination for key targets inside a boonball (support as primary targets). I prefer the assassin approach because it causes comped groups to unravel: Null Field, Rain of Swords, Blink. Regarding your heal skill Signet's 50% nerf was heavy and if you're not running focus or phantasmal disenchanter then the active only benefits gs4, yes you get some passive healing but not much. Virtuoso heal on the other hand serves two purposes: cleansing (you don't have much and no cleansing sigils) and if both blades hit you get aegis and vigor. Above is just my personal thoughts and based on experience from 5-50 sized squads without fully comped groups.
@@metallonegw2283 I didn't even read Mesmer changes since I main Ele but that is utterly ridiculous. No wonder I'm perma-banned from the forums. After 11 years of their nonsense I just couldn't say anything positive about their balance and wvw teams.
Been playing that with pugs with some small adjustments at times. Instead of dagger/focus, I've messed around with dagger/sword and scepter/focus too, for the extra blocks which are nice if your comm likes melee. Instead of Phantasmal Disenchanter, I've been running Blade Renewal or Blink too. Defender Runes can actually make it pretty bearable to run in the melee train too, at that point. Definitely shines more as a Ranged backline player though!
Vicious expression requires you to disable an enemy , to remove the boon. If your enemy has stability, you cannot disable him and the boon removal will not happen.
Love this kind of video :) really well explained
I'm so glad you're back!!! You give the best guides. My gameplay always improves after watching your videos.
I've been back for a while! You have to catch up on many vids ;)
I know this is a fairly old build by now and shield is the new meta but here's my experience playing this the last couple of weeks:
If you're running in a monoblob (single party) group or mainly with pugs focus is a waste (swap it out for wall pulls when needed) - offhand shield or even torch will save you.
Regarding utilities I'm not a fan of mimic or phantasmal disenchanter: you need blink as a minimum.
You have to play this one of two ways: either fully boon-strip or using F1 as a strip+assassination for key targets inside a boonball (support as primary targets).
I prefer the assassin approach because it causes comped groups to unravel: Null Field, Rain of Swords, Blink.
Regarding your heal skill Signet's 50% nerf was heavy and if you're not running focus or phantasmal disenchanter then the active only benefits gs4, yes you get some passive healing but not much.
Virtuoso heal on the other hand serves two purposes: cleansing (you don't have much and no cleansing sigils) and if both blades hit you get aegis and vigor.
Above is just my personal thoughts and based on experience from 5-50 sized squads without fully comped groups.
Also null field and disenchanter get nerfed next patch :(
@@metallonegw2283 I didn't even read Mesmer changes since I main Ele but that is utterly ridiculous. No wonder I'm perma-banned from the forums. After 11 years of their nonsense I just couldn't say anything positive about their balance and wvw teams.
@@marschantescorcio1778 they want us to only play necro i guess, which is far more damage even if less strips.
Ty for the guide I really like how you explain everything in detail
Been playing that with pugs with some small adjustments at times.
Instead of dagger/focus, I've messed around with dagger/sword and scepter/focus too, for the extra blocks which are nice if your comm likes melee.
Instead of Phantasmal Disenchanter, I've been running Blade Renewal or Blink too.
Defender Runes can actually make it pretty bearable to run in the melee train too, at that point.
Definitely shines more as a Ranged backline player though!
very good build very good guide and most importantly funny to play, u great
Wouldn't you be removing 2 boons if you use vicious expression and dissonance with this build? Great video!
Vicious expression requires you to disable an enemy , to remove the boon. If your enemy has stability, you cannot disable him and the boon removal will not happen.
@EdoSynysterfan that makes sense, thanks for clearing that out!
with SoTo could rolling with shield better for survi?
Yes, check my latest videos
great video! thanks!! @@metallonegw2283
thank you for the guide. learned a lot from it