One Dodge Is Still TOO MANY - Guild Wars 2 Mirage PvP Build Guide - The Dodgy Politician

[@MuklukYoutube]

"the dodgy politician" made me smile

[@zgacc1]

I'm new to mesmer in competitve gamemodes, and it looks very overwhelming. The first match I played someone literally asked me if I was having a stroke. The toolkit is vast, and knowing when to use each tool seems to require a lot of experience and skill. The gameplay was particularly informative, thanks for the upload!

[@SkyESO]

Im so fucking happy you made an hour long guide thank god. Theres like no content creators on this game that even make build vids let alone actually talk about how to play them.

[@machinimaaquinix3178]

NIce build out and explanation. Funny, I've been running something a little similar to make up for the lost dodge. Meat/Truffle food also really helps with the energy regen in WvW.

[@papabungle]

False Oasis; 253.4 Healing Per Second. Traited Signet of the Ether: 227.3 Healing Per Second.

[@ivoius]

The explanation of the name was enough to make my day. Thank you for this 😂

[@mikaeldp]

hey man! hope you make a condi mirage mesmer pvp build video. I'm a returning player and im learning a lot with your indepth discussions. An hour long video on a condi mirage would be a god send. I like your tips and tricks than you mention when you discuss builds.

[@kingjakewolf5348]

if you want to learn condi mirage, watch lord helseth or countless streams on twtich

[@NamelessAzn388]

nice video! gave me some ideas for a possible chrono build

[@fraenkybalboa]

I think your videos are TOP! Finally someone who also explains the playstyle: D Unfortunately, I always have to have my brother translate your videos into German because my English is shit: D But I have subscribed :)

[@ekimolaos]

16:14 the clone proccing of deceptive evasion didn't ambush, just ran straight and auto attacked.

[@autlos7751]

If you proc ambush as soon as you summon a clone it won't register, you have to wait like a millisecond after you summon it for it to take effect

[@papabungle]

Mirage Thrust spawns a clone as an inherent part of the skill. This clone doesn't attack and appears at your original location and walks towards the enemy like a normal sword clone, on the condition that you have a target selected that is in range when you cast the skill. This means that with deceptive evasion mirage thrust will immediately spawn a clone that does a sword ambush and when you ambush yourself you'll spawn a normal clone, creating two clones total. Also that could be Signet of Illusions which spawns a clone every 10 seconds while you are in combat.

[@cynthialush3123]

Does this still work? The concept seems great, but since it's 10 months old, I'm not entirely sure.

[@VenusMonkey]

this build actually helped my pve better than ever. I just swapped focus for dual swords.

[@ferret1252]

Focus is really good. My chrono used sw/f and sw/sh. It can pull, the wall is really helpfull, and is so rarely used. Dont know why though

[@andrewwainwright1724]

Great job as always

[@JoseLorenzoDeOro]

Hi! Nice vid... I have a question, why do you get 2 clones when you dodge? D Evasion states that only one clone would be created... tyia!

[@Vallun]

only when you use the mirage ambush, when you have a target it creates a clone

[@Brotection_]

Idk, watching this just makes me wonder, "why not just play thief instead?".

[@DarkKnight179]

Bursts less hard and doesnt survive nearly as well after the burst if it fails to kill. Though in 5v5, thieves better out of combat mobility is probably more relevant. In 2v2, neither build is good, but Core Mesmer is only subpar, while thief is unplayable.

[@Brotection_]

@@DarkKnight179 I mean you no offense, but you must be or have been playing on a low rank/new. Thief has way more disengage/engage, and tons of access to stealth and evades. It is far more survivable than mesmer if against good players; in fact, the main playstyle is constantly re-engaging via stealth or distance in order to deal and avoid damage, when it comes to high end gameplay. D/P is also capable of great burst, but you're definitely right about most thieves not having top tier burst. They usually rely on chipping away a target, bursting at opportune times, interrupts, boonripping, etc.. or what most people would call peeling and focusing, incase you're unaware of those terms. Also, thief has a higher skill ceiling than practically any other class, so you won't even see many decent ones. But I've had friends that were in legendary before and they could pseudo 2v1 on thief in alot of scenarios. If anything you just described mesmer. It may also be worth mentioning that thief counters mesmer. But don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to rip on mesmer. xD

[@DarkKnight179]

No, neither. Im just aware that people think thief is *way* better than it actually is. Thief can run away better, yes. However, A, I wouldnt call running away survivability, and B, on most maps Mesmers ability to run away is sufficient. Stealth is useless in-combat, any half-decent player just punishes you by forcing you to eat tons of free damage. On the other hand, if the thief is stupid enough to stay in the fight, they die. Indeed, thats why they dont. You +1, do some damage, and if theyre not dead you run away. In 2v2, you cant even +1, but instead you have to fight evenly. Mesmer is actually viable in 2v2. Thief (other than exactly Condi thief) isnt. And that is why. Nah, D/P does not have good burst. Especially not now that Assassin's Signet was nerfed. Backstab will usually be hitting for 5k-7k. Mesmer hits for 15k. Its no comparision, Mesmer is so much better at bursting its not funny. And no, thief wont be able to actually survive. Run away, yes. But in 2v2, running away doesnt even really work. Thats why thief is far and away the worst class in 2v2. It does pathetic damage and has no survivability. It needs to +1, but 2v2 doesnt allow for +1s.

[@Brotection_]

@@DarkKnight179 "Running away" is essentially kite-ability, which does indirectly affect survivability (think in terms of damage avoidance and cooldowns); and is especially valuable in 5v5s where being at any one place on the map means you can accomplish *something*. While I won't disagree with your remark about most thief builds and their lackluster "large" burst potential (aside from deadeye and staff in WvW), it is irrefutable that stealth is extremely strong and allows for nearly unavoidable "small" bursts, while chaining ccs or boonrip, only to re-enter stealth. Anyone experienced with thief knows this to be a very effective playstyle, and yes, even in 2v2s. TLDR: Most of thief's "survivability" comes in the form of tools provided to the player that need to be used in a quick and reactive manner, and with precision and high knowledge of class mechanical interactions.

[@DarkKnight179]

No, actually, its specifically running away. Kiteability would be staying in the fight at a safe distance. If thief tries to do that, he dies. Once he swaps to shortbow, he has to, and will, run. Nah Deadeye and Staff also have lackluster burst. Well, the former has the Permastealth backstab cheese, but that one isnt very good. And no, stealth is good out of combat, but its *terrible* in combat. It doesnt allow for nearly unavoidable small bursts, and re-entering stealth isnt an option unless you fully disengage first. Because stealth has 2 critical weaknesses. First, entering stealth is slow and telegraphed, and gives your immediate location after stealthing away. Second, you are going to take damage in stealth while not being able to fight back. And the enemy has an easy time hitting you in stealth with cleave or AoE. Thats why stealth in-combat is just not used. If youre in-combat as D/P thief, you shadowshot and autoattack. Anyway, no, its a useless playstyle in 2v2. Its good for +1ing, but in 2v2 that isnt an option. Instead, this playstyle, and non-condi thief as a whole, essentially is a -1 in 2v2. It forces their teammate to fight a 1v2 (and almost certainly lose it), which leads to thief being the worst profession, by a wide margin, in 2v2. Well, non-condi thief at least. Condi thief, not sure.

[@r3ndrock]

New guide, new like!

[@Zekent]

1:00:42 I really want that music

[@papabungle]

toconoma "Vermelho do sol" /watch?v=dKWeR8JcTgg

[@fancifuldreamer6360]

@@papabungle Thank you so much! I've been searching for it for the last 20 minutes! 😅

[@papabungle]

@@fancifuldreamer6360 : ) Vallun always has great music

[@Zekent]

@@papabungle Ty so much

[@TaygaHoshi]

No blink is a bit meh but I see where you are coming from. The tiny damage on gs autos tho xD

[@Vallun]

you can always take berserker ammy but that would really feel bad against thieves lol

[@TaygaHoshi]

@@Vallun After playing it for a while: in 1v1s it loses extremely hard to ranger, spellbreaker and thief. Wins vs berserker (because low toughness?) and guardian of any kind. Reaper and core warrior are equal matchups. Pretty bad in 1v1s but I guess it could work in teamfights. Didn't try vs other classes yet.

[@acetek2]

@@TaygaHoshi I still lose to Core rangers using GS and LB..................I run axe/torch and scepter/focus.............I take the reflect with focus to bounce off LB and lots of condition removal........I think the ranger pet's just hard to constantly cleave......

[@3ugeneCrabs]

How can you still open the PvP Build window?

[@ZeoM7]

Take off one weapon so something is missing and try to get in a match, it will tell you that you need to put on some equipment and you will be able to open it.

[@jasminej9553]

Ok, just saying you say False Oasis is better but play Signet in all the gameplay and didn't to explain the 1 main reason to take Signet which reduces the Phantasm recharge. I was testing a similar build and was undecided. Just putting it out there.

[@Vallun]

Yea I think both are fine. I should have mentioned the phantasm reduction which is pretty good, but obviously if I was testing it, they can work. Use the phantasm one for more damage probably, and if you think you need more sustain go for the mirage one.

[@ricardofernandes409]

You have a very soothing voice xD ! Should do some kind of Guild Wars ASMR

[@fancifuldreamer6360]

Insightful build and helpful guidance at a time many Mirage players feel they don't have a lot of options. Could do without the bashing of an entire segment of the community though (I hate politicians and would never want to be compared to one 😖).

[@Vallun]

it's just part of the rp. As I am a thief main and we naturally have a rivalry with mesmers

[@fancifuldreamer6360]

@@Vallun I get that. Though it seems rather off for the class that generally hard counters the other to be the one pushing the rivalry. "Like a mesmer main, a dodgy politician will basically tell you whatever they can to get their way" is kind of on a whole different level of spiteful. I guess I just don't understand the need to fire shots, other than maybe to pander to populist views and encourage clicks. Particularly when you main the class that hard counters Mesmers, and Mirage mains are already feeling pretty battered after receiving the harshest nerf in last month's update. So not only are you kicking them while they're down, you're doing it from a place of superiority as a thief main. Not a good look. Big ouch. Just my honest opinion. I do still think the build guide aspect is good and I admire your theory crafting.

[@SoulRollerFIN]

Some condi damage and mirage runes work really well.

[@C4P_10]

That shaman?

[@carnifex8]

Man oh man how i loved my chrono... First IP nerf. Then this treatment for mirage.. what's next? 0 dodges? Can shatter only when 3 illusions are up?

[@hayate2333]

Nah i want thief to be hotfixed out of the game. Makes the gamemodes less toxic ;D

[@tomyzoidxd]

thieves arent even op just learn how to deal with them.

[@hayate2333]

@@tomyzoidxd Same with mirages pre nerf but hey just my opinion :P

[@tomyzoidxd]

@@hayate2333 well mirage can carry a player to ranks. i doubt a thief can do that.

[@hayate2333]

@@tomyzoidxd The own profession is always the "not broken one". It´s a fact. Just tired of peple whining in the professionforums of the profession they dont play and can´t beat. You know there are many of this kind ;) And calling out "mirage-/or mesmer mains" as a way to mock them comes from this kind. Sorry had to get this out of my head by typing it.

[@tomyzoidxd]

@@hayate2333 lol mesmers are easy to take down with the right class but being able to attack while in i frame is just broken. lmao

[@simbap1435]

Thief is so much better

[@varearesgaminggw2556]

First of all the rest of Mesmer is unplayable(core, chrono). IH is the only thing giving mesmer dmg, clones die so easily the evade lets them stay up.

[@Vallun]

secondly?

[@mhedbary]

Thanks!

[@AdrasAdraki]

Still i want illusionarry persona baseline for mesmer

[@Kezzic]

ONE DODGE?

[@Belophen]

A WHOLE DODGE

[@zerrocdn]

nice sound

[@ekimolaos]

"False Oasis is OP. Don't use signet" *Shows gameplay using signet instead of False Oasis right after* Val wtf?!

[@Vallun]

I was testing signet still at the time of the matches, but shortly after decided on the final build that I personally liked false oasis better, however both are very similar and work well

[@Ithamir]

@@Vallun Signet of the Ether passive heals you every time you create a clone, which like you said is very often. And the active recharges 50% of all phantasms skills. I also like the invul on demand instead of waiting for it and having to grab it.

[@Vallun]

@@Ithamir this is true, but its not as good as it sounds because as soon as you use the skill you no longer have the passive

[@asteriafreya7655]

Leave some evade frames for the rest of us Kappa

[@Xen.sational]

Nice thumbnails LUL

[@stereotype3777]

Better don't talk about classes you obviously can't play

[@illuminatikilla9722]

Huso

[@BlueHells]

lol

[@Rukia541]

Mesmer is still cancer, its funny how so many gave up on it immediately after it got a little less faceroll and toxic. I honestly wouldn't mind it being deleted from conquest. I don't care how much dmg it does or doesn't do, it simply is not fun to play against. At all.