Mesmer (now chrono) struggling with HoT content.. need tips..

[torakun.9638]

Hi all!

 

I just got back after 4 years and to refresh everything, I re do the story from 0 with a new character. My mesmer finished the core game story without any problem, and it was quite fun.

 

I solo everything even until the end. It was great really I enjoyed it. Until I needed to move on to the next story. Bought and tried LW2, and I wish I never buy that.. I just despise dry top. So I skipped it and went ahead to HoT story. Boy, never before I felt so weak and powerless against even the storyline foe! EVERY FOE in HoT have very high aggro range and they won't break aggro for a long time no matter what I do! Also they hit very very hard.. I kept dying over and over..

 

When I did the story with helping Hylek, Stavemaster Adryn appeared as the final boss of that chapter. The NPCs just stood there like a statue and died one by one, got hit by that black orb! I was left alone to kill him by myself! It was really infuriating because I tried to rez 1 or 2 of them and it was useless.. they died seconds after again! In short, I braved myself and killed him alone without any NPC help... just rush, died, respawn, rush, died, respawn, etc.. and I got a feeling that Anet knew about all of these.. including their stupid AI. Why else there's a repair tool right in front of you everytime you respawned?

 

Anyway, please give me tips because I dont want to keep dying.. I even went with GS so that I dont die too much.. but its boring..

 

thanks in advance!

[Ronan.9518]

Most enemies (bosses) follow some patterns with their attack, try to recognize them and learn which attack hits hard so you don't waste dodges/blocks. Well that was not really a class specific advice.

Maybe you could provide further information on you playstyle by posting you build/gear e.g. by using http://en.gw2skills.net/editor/, that way we could see if there are some flaws in your skill/trait/gear choice, so we could help you to improve it.

Mesmer/Chrono itself is in a rather good spot to solo even a lot of the heropoints in HoT.

[Noodle Ant.1605]

Ardyn is hard at first, until you discover the pots lying around on the floor. Don’t let that boss deceive you in how difficult HoT should be.

 

The area gets easier/more bearable the more you play (and learn). Try new tactics until you hit the right one.

 

Edit: should be slightly more specific - positioning is key. Learn to place yourself in the right location and remember that you are not a statue.

[torakun.9638]

> @"Ronan.9518" said:

> Most enemies (bosses) follow some patterns with their attack, try to recognize them and learn which attack hits hard so you don't waste dodges/blocks. Well that was not really a class specific advice.

> Maybe you could provide further information on you playstyle by posting you build/gear e.g. by using http://en.gw2skills.net/editor/, that way we could see if there are some flaws in your skill/trait/gear choice, so we could help you to improve it.

> Mesmer/Chrono itself is in a rather good spot to solo even a lot of the heropoints in HoT.

 

Thank you!

 

this is my build more or less http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vhAQNAsccncfCtfi9fCGqBEgilojq+PL0D9MACsBD9w2gEA-e

 

my gears are all full exotic. The runes and sigils are all default from what I got from lvl 80 boost. No ascended yet.

 

My second weapon used to be a shield, but not its a GS due to me dying often.

[Ronan.9518]

I would take duelling 1,3,1 over illusion line if you are playing with double sword , that gives you lower cd on all sword skills ,vigor on crit which means you can dodge more often, and a flat dmg increase on your crits

 

and maybe inspiration 3,2,1 instead of 3,3,1 which would give you more condi-cleanse and a bit heal.

As heal:

Ether feast: 5690 Heal 20 sec cd -> ~280 heal/cd second ||+ heal 650 heal per active clone

Signet of Ether: 5679 heal 30 sec cd -> ~334 heal/cd second ||+ passive heal on clone summon 350 ||+ active resets phantasm cd

Mirror: 4400 Heal 15 sec cd -> ~290 heal/cd second || + 2 second reflect

Mantry of Recovery: if we say we use the channel and first charge below 50% and the second charge above 50 heal we have 7680 heal 10 sec cd -> ~ 760heal/cd second || (more than) double the cast time compared to other heals

Well of Eternity: 7200 heal 30 sec cd -> ~240 heal/cd second || locks you in place if you want the full heal + condi cleanse

 

I would recommend anything else than the well. i often change between ether feast, mirror and signet depending which additional effect i need more in the situation, mantra is .. well not my cup of tea

 

I for myself often have one stunbreak in the utiliy bar, mostly mirror images (which are good shatter-fodder if i dont need the stunbreak) or blink, but thats just a preference

of mine

 

If prefer shield over gs try to make it work, but preferably always carry a gs ( in case of a power build) with you and be it in the inventory, since there simply are some enemies which are a heal as meele.

For later gear go as offensiv as just as much defensiv as you need to not feel uncomfortable/dying too often.

For group content chrono is often expected to play as boonsharer which would need gear/sigil with concentration, but there are enough guide in the web for this build

 

 

[torakun.9638]

> @"Ronan.9518" said:

> I would take duelling 1,3,1 over illusion line if you are playing with double sword , that gives you lower cd on all sword skills ,vigor on crit which means you can dodge more often, and a flat dmg increase on your crits

>

> and maybe inspiration 3,2,1 instead of 3,3,1 which would give you more condi-cleanse and a bit heal.

> As heal:

> Ether feast: 5690 Heal 20 sec cd -> ~280 heal/cd second ||+ heal 650 heal per active clone

> Signet of Ether: 5679 heal 30 sec cd -> ~334 heal/cd second ||+ passive heal on clone summon 350 ||+ active resets phantasm cd

> Mirror: 4400 Heal 15 sec cd -> ~290 heal/cd second || + 2 second reflect

> Mantry of Recovery: if we say we use the channel and first charge below 50% and the second charge above 50 heal we have 7680 heal 10 sec cd -> ~ 760heal/cd second || (more than) double the cast time compared to other heals

> Well of Eternity: 7200 heal 30 sec cd -> ~240 heal/cd second || locks you in place if you want the full heal + condi cleanse

>

> I would recommend anything else than the well. i often change between ether feast, mirror and signet depending which additional effect i need more in the situation, mantra is .. well not my cup of tea

>

> I for myself often have one stunbreak in the utiliy bar, mostly mirror images (which are good shatter-fodder if i dont need the stunbreak) or blink, but thats just a preference

> of mine

>

> If prefer shield over gs try to make it work, but preferably always carry a gs ( in case of a power build) with you and be it in the inventory, since there simply are some enemies which are a heal as meele.

> For later gear go as offensiv as just as much defensiv as you need to not feel uncomfortable/dying too often.

> For group content chrono is often expected to play as boonsharer which would need gear/sigil with concentration, but there are enough guide in the web for this build

>

>

 

Thank you very much for the detailed reply! I appreciate it!

 

Changed to signet of ether for now. Got it, I used to have blink, but just used it to break aggro, now gonna bring it again. I will study about the mirror images because I am still unsure about the description and usage of that skill..

 

Yes, both shield and GS are always on my inventory.

 

offensive huh? any suggestion? with the number of runes available, I am honestly having a headache which to choose.. or any gear in general? basically, I dont understand these too much, if you can help me with what kind of gear I should aim for, I will try to get it. So far my runes are just standard "Mesmer rune", on all pieces.

 

thank you once again!

[Ronan.9518]

The probably best rune for dmg would be the [Rune of the Scholar](https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Rune_of_the_Scholar "Rune of the Scholar"), but only if you can manage to keep yourself above 90% Health. Elsewise [Rune of the Ogre](https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Superior_Rune_of_the_Ogre "Rune of the Ogre"), or [Rune of Strength](https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Superior_Rune_of_Strength "Rune of Strength") should be good choices as well.

Or íf you have the PoF Expansion [Rune of the Spellbreaker](https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Rune_of_the_Spellbreaker "Rune of the Spellbreaker") could be worth a thought, since only a few pve-enemies use boons.

Another possibility for open world, if you find yourself still in the need to have more dodges available is the [Rune of the Adventurer](https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Superior_Rune_of_the_Adventurer "Rune of the Adventurer"), but this should be used with [Mirror](https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Mirror "Mirror") as healing skill because of the cooldown.

 

For the gear:

(**Major Stat** , Minor Stat)

As much Beserker (**Power**, Precision, Ferocity) gear as possible, maybe mixed with a few pieces with Assassin (Power, **Precision**, Ferocity).

If you need more defensiv maybe mix some Marauder (**Power**, Vitality, **Precision**, Ferocity), Valkyrie (**Power**, Vitality, Ferocity) or Cavalier (Power,**Thoughness**, Ferocity) in.

If you aim for ascended gear i would go full Berserker on Armor, and if you need it, the other stats on the trinkets. If you own Living World Season 3 you can aquire the trinkets rather easily there with the map currencies

 

Right now, if you have the gear coming with the boost, you should have Soldier (**Power**, Thoughness, Vitality) Armor, Weapons and Trinkets with Valkyrie (**Power**, Vitality, Ferocity) jewels on the Trinkets, That is of course way more defensiv. That means you can take a few hits more, but of course need way longer to kill something.

 

The rather general consensus in this game is, the faster you kill it, the less times it can hit you. And active damage mitigation over passive dmg enduring.

 

Gear that comes with the Boost http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vhUQNAscBA-jBCBwAAOFAHV+lT9nAPBAFm/UpPw5+DTUCCA-e

 

I would suggest to not change all equipment parts at the same time but rather step by step, so you can get used to having less health and armor and find out how much defensiv you need to feel comfortable.

 

 

[crepuscular.9047]

sword / sword is fine in core since all the mobs are pretty weak and just melts when you pump out heaps of dmg in a short time, HoT and PoF you cannot engage too offensive with builds and change your rule of engagements

 

HoT basically forces you to how to play the game properly by learning attack patterns, defensive skills to use and when to use them, and how to time dodges

[Lanhelin.3480]

If you use a Power build and plan to solo a lot I recommend a set of [superior runes of the privateer](https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Superior_Rune_of_the_Privateer "superior runes of the privateer"). They are cheap to get/craft. There were lots of situations in HoT where the bird saved my life. It also has some other advantages like it being summoned when you take hits: in downstate, while you're transformed, while mounted, when you're stunned/incapacitated, when using something that replaces/disables skills, aso. It has the base stats of a ranger bird-pet and can be healed and buffed too. It also can sorta tank a mob for a short while. The 50% chance to appear basically means that in 99,99% of all fights the bird will help you. It does about 1k to 2k direct damage approximately every 1,5 seconds with a little ramp up time as it will start to attack only when you get hit the next time or attack the next time.

 

The only downside is: as long as it is alive it will do its job, which means to attack every mob that attacked you, no matter what your plans are. So from time to time it can happen that range mobs will be attacked by the bird too once the main target was defeated, despite you wanting to end the fight and move on but you'll remain in combat until the bird is dead/disappears or the mob is dead. Nevertheless this actually is a pretty small price in my opinion.

[torakun.9638]

> @"Ronan.9518" said:

> The probably best rune for dmg would be the [Rune of the Scholar](https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Rune_of_the_Scholar "Rune of the Scholar"), but only if you can manage to keep yourself above 90% Health. Elsewise [Rune of the Ogre](https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Superior_Rune_of_the_Ogre "Rune of the Ogre"), or [Rune of Strength](https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Superior_Rune_of_Strength "Rune of Strength") should be good choices as well.

> Or íf you have the PoF Expansion [Rune of the Spellbreaker](https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Rune_of_the_Spellbreaker "Rune of the Spellbreaker") could be worth a thought, since only a few pve-enemies use boons.

> Another possibility for open world, if you find yourself still in the need to have more dodges available is the [Rune of the Adventurer](https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Superior_Rune_of_the_Adventurer "Rune of the Adventurer"), but this should be used with [Mirror](https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Mirror "Mirror") as healing skill because of the cooldown.

>

> For the gear:

> (**Major Stat** , Minor Stat)

> As much Beserker (**Power**, Precision, Ferocity) gear as possible, maybe mixed with a few pieces with Assassin (Power, **Precision**, Ferocity).

> If you need more defensiv maybe mix some Marauder (**Power**, Vitality, **Precision**, Ferocity), Valkyrie (**Power**, Vitality, Ferocity) or Cavalier (Power,**Thoughness**, Ferocity) in.

> If you aim for ascended gear i would go full Berserker on Armor, and if you need it, the other stats on the trinkets. If you own Living World Season 3 you can aquire the trinkets rather easily there with the map currencies

>

> Right now, if you have the gear coming with the boost, you should have Soldier (**Power**, Thoughness, Vitality) Armor, Weapons and Trinkets with Valkyrie (**Power**, Vitality, Ferocity) jewels on the Trinkets, That is of course way more defensiv. That means you can take a few hits more, but of course need way longer to kill something.

>

> The rather general consensus in this game is, the faster you kill it, the less times it can hit you. And active damage mitigation over passive dmg enduring.

>

> Gear that comes with the Boost http://gw2skills.net/editor/?vhUQNAscBA-jBCBwAAOFAHV+lT9nAPBAFm/UpPw5+DTUCCA-e

>

> I would suggest to not change all equipment parts at the same time but rather step by step, so you can get used to having less health and armor and find out how much defensiv you need to feel comfortable.

>

>

 

Thank you very much! Sorry for the late reply, I just got back from a vacation away from home. This is really helpful, I will gear my chrono as you suggested!

 

cheers!

[torakun.9638]

> @"crepuscular.9047" said:

> sword / sword is fine in core since all the mobs are pretty weak and just melts when you pump out heaps of dmg in a short time, HoT and PoF you cannot engage too offensive with builds and change your rule of engagements

>

> HoT basically forces you to how to play the game properly by learning attack patterns, defensive skills to use and when to use them, and how to time dodges

 

> @"Lanhelin.3480" said:

> If you use a Power build and plan to solo a lot I recommend a set of [superior runes of the privateer](https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Superior_Rune_of_the_Privateer "superior runes of the privateer"). They are cheap to get/craft. There were lots of situations in HoT where the bird saved my life. It also has some other advantages like it being summoned when you take hits: in downstate, while you're transformed, while mounted, when you're stunned/incapacitated, when using something that replaces/disables skills, aso. It has the base stats of a ranger bird-pet and can be healed and buffed too. It also can sorta tank a mob for a short while. The 50% chance to appear basically means that in 99,99% of all fights the bird will help you. It does about 1k to 2k direct damage approximately every 1,5 seconds with a little ramp up time as it will start to attack only when you get hit the next time or attack the next time.

>

> The only downside is: as long as it is alive it will do its job, which means to attack every mob that attacked you, no matter what your plans are. So from time to time it can happen that range mobs will be attacked by the bird too once the main target was defeated, despite you wanting to end the fight and move on but you'll remain in combat until the bird is dead/disappears or the mob is dead. Nevertheless this actually is a pretty small price in my opinion.

 

thank you very much guys! I will keep all of that in mind!

 

Cheers!