IW mesmer
From Guild Wars Wiki
An IW mesmer refers to a Mesmer build based around the skill Illusionary Weaponry.
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[edit] General Principle
IW allows the caster to do a respectable amount of melee range damage that cannot miss or be blocked. IW is peculiar in that its damage replaces melee attack damage. In so doing, it allows the caster to use any melee weapon regardless of its attribute requirement. IW damage does not count as an attack and will damage an opponent even when the caster is blind or the opponent would otherwise block an attack. Traditionally, the IW mesmers use attack speed increasing skills such as Flurry to do higher DPS since they are not affected by Flurry's damage reduction.
[edit] Side Skills
Illusion of Weakness is sometimes paired with IW mesmers as a cover enchantment. It's utility is that it does not expire unless the player loses a significant amount of health. It's also not uncommon to use defensive assassin skills (Dark Escape and Feigned Neutrality don't expire from this enchantment's damage). Energy management and interrupt skills such as Leech Signet and Power Drain are also sometimes taken to keep Flurry going and to prevent enchantment removal. Distortion is also used to avoid damage on the front line.
Although rarely seen, combining the IW mesmer with the basis of the 55 monk build can be rather effective.
[edit] Equipment
IW only works with melee weapons. People mainly use swords or axes because of the faster attack rates over hammers. At the cost of losing a slot for a shield or focus item and lower attack rate, one could use two handed weapons. Daggers are mainly used against single enemies, due to the chance of striking twice. Scythes are more commonly used against mobs, for they have the ability to attack up to three foes at once. Since IW does fixed damage, the damage statistics and weapon requirements are negligible. Also, most IW mesmers have their weapon upgraded with a +20% enchantment mod to lengthen the durations of their enchantments.
Armor is rather strict. As being a caster, mesmers will need an abundant supply of energy. So, players sometimes add radiant insignias and runes of attunement. It is not uncommon for the use of runes of vigor to increase maximum health. Runes of purity, recovery, and restoration may be used to reduce the amount of time the mesmer is under certain conditions. The rune of clarity is never or rarely used, since IW ignores the effects of Blind and the damage reduction (but not attribute reduction) of Weakness.
[edit] Battle Behavior
IW mesmers act much like regular melee characters, except with reduced damage output and very little skills that synergize with their weapons. Being so, they serve a more supportive than offensive role. Before entering battle, players cast Illusionary Weaponry and at least 1 other enchantment to cover for IW. Depending on the professions chosen, the mesmer will use their skills to either improve attack statistics (Flurry), reduce damage intake (Reversal of Fortune), punish enemies (Empathy, Backfire), or reduce enemy effectiveness (Sympathetic Visage).
They are normally seen attacking single enemies and harassing other spellcasters with skills such as Mind Wrack and Chaos Storm, while using IW for additional damage. IW mesmers, as with most spellcasters, should be cautious of enemies that have the ability to remove enchantments. For that reason, some carry Cry of Frustration, as it delivers in an area of effect. If played correctly, they can also withstand or hinder attacks from melee characters, usually through combining the IW mesmer build with the 55 monk build.
[edit] Disadvantages
- The largest flaw of this build is that it relies so heavily on one enchant for damage. If the cornerstone enchantment is removed, the build will have very little damage output left. If the enchantment is removed as soon as it is cast, the mesmer must wait close to 25 seconds before being able to deal much damage again.
- Constant use of Flurry and Distortion can make an IW mesmer energy hungry. If the player has not managed energy well, he will not be able to cast IW as soon as it is recharged. Less seriously, the player could run out of energy for Flurry.
- Mesmers have a low armor rating and making them a frontline character is risky because they can fall very quickly when targeted.
- Any hex that slows attack speed will also hurt this build considerably.
