More characters! Wheee.........

So, after trial and error the last few days, I realized that Elementalist and Thieves are not at all for me. I got them to 10! I think that's a fair amount of time to figure out if I don't enjoy something! Properly trying a Warrior and an Engineer no, so we'll see how that goes.

Here's updated pictures of my characters!



This is my Ranger, Iris Sunpetal. She is level 15, and uses a main Shortbow and alternate Longbow. Her pet is a Fern Hound.
 



This is my Mesmer, Dahlia Pebbleroot. She  is level 13, and uses a main Scepter + Sword, and an alternate Staff. She is shatter-focused.

This is Lady Elza, my Necromancer. She is level 11. Her main is Staff, and alternate is Scepter + Dagger. She is whatever my usual Necromancer build is...so conditions and Death Shroud, mostly.

This is Mari Snapdragon, my Warrior. She is level 7. She uses a main Greatsword and an alternate Sword + Warhorn.
 



And this is Willow Twigsnap, my new Engineer. She's only level 2, so I don't know much about her yet. She uses dual-pistols.

I'm bad at this

I'm really bad at just keeping Necromancers. I love playing a Necromancer, and they're my absolute favorite class in GW2, it's just that...I can never be happy with their appearance! I want a Necromancer to be my main, but I just can't seem to settle with an appearance. And I don't want to spend a ton of money on gems to change it. I know I want a Sylvari, but I just can't seem to settle on a nice appearance. I'm happy with the appearances for all my other classes, but I just can't seem to settle on something that is elegant and dark like I want it to be.
I know I would be happy with a Sylvari that looks exactly like my Ranger, but then I'd have two of, basically, the same character. That would get boring fast. My Ranger's my favorite appearance-wise, but I want my Necromancer to surpass that.

I'm okay with the one I just remade.

But I don't know how I'll feel a day or so from now, you know?
I just want to get a light armored character to max level so I can get pretty clothes...

:(

I think I've figured out my ideal Mesmer playstyle

I think I've gotten the hang of this whole Mesmer-thing. No saying how well this will do in dungeons or anything, but for now, I've got it!

Defensive Mesmer play, basically, based on shatters and illusion DPS. Start in Scepter + Sword, use Phantasmal Swordsman and start Ether Bolt>Ether Blast>Ether Clone-ing. If something is targeting you, use Illusionary Counter and Illusionary Riposte interchangeably. Use Decoy whenever necessary to generate another illusion. At three illusions, shatter with whatever shatter ability is useful at that moment. If you need more illusions quickly (as in, not enough time to Ether Bolt chain or wait for Decoy/Swordsman to be up), switch to Staff and Phase Retreat and Phantasmal Warlock.
Staff is also the support weapon. More for supporting by giving boons and conditions than shattering, which, while possible in Staff, is harder due to the lack of Ether Bolt.

Reason for using Scepter instead of a main-hand sword is because you can create more illusions quickly with Ether Bolt. And that's with auto-attack. As far as I can tell so far, creating a Clone doesn't override any created Phantasms, but I may be wrong on that. So if you already have a Phantasmal Swordsman up, auto-attacking with Ether Bolt won't make the Swordsman disappear, instead you'll just keep overwriting your Ether-Bolt-Clones over and over until the Swordsman disappears naturally (or you shatter, of course). While with Sword you're only generating illusions through Illusionary Leap, Phantasmal Swordsman, and the occasional Illusionary Riposte. With Scepter I can spam Ether Bolt for quick clones and Illusionary Swordsman, plus I can use Illusionary Counter and Illusionary Riposte on occasion.
It looks to me like Swords are better for a more condition-focused build, which I'm sick of from playing Necromancer.

I'm still working out what I want the traits to look like though. I know I want the most shatter damage I can get.

I might just be crazy though.

Revised Mesmer Build

Been working on my Mesmer's build more. Did some more research into what's considered "viable." I was looking at the popular Shatter builds, but they don't quite sit with me quite right. I don't like the play style of main-hand Sword, nor do I like the play style of off-hand Torch. At this point, I'm really in love with main-hand Scepter with off-hand Sword. I'm fine with alternate Staff though.

I messed around in Heart of the Mists a bit, and sorted out my own Shatter build. It's still in the testing stages. I'll mess with it a bit out in WvW, but I need to eventually get to the point where I can test it in dungeons, so I guess I'll work on Dahlia more. Maybe I'll revise my other characters' builds too.

So, keeping with my Scepter + Sword with alternate Staff build, my traits are laid out 4/4/0/6/0.
4 into Domination and Dueling, 6 into Inspiration, and none into Chaos or Illusions.

Domination: IV, VII (Rending Shatter, Shattered Concentration)
Dueling: IV, X (Blade Training, Deceptive Evasion)
Inspiration: III, VI, XI (Vigorous Revelation, Compounding Celerity, Shattered Conditions) (Actually, I can't decide between XI and XII. Both Shattered Conditions and Restorative Illusions sounds nice.)

So, basically, while my illusions are up I am moving faster due to Inspiration VI. My sword skills are boosted by default due to Dueling IV. I can create more illusions when I dodge with Dueling X. When I shatter, it not only does damage, but it also inflicts Vulnerability, removes a Boon, grants Vigor to allies, and removes a condition from Allies.

Support shattering? Perhaps.

I can't decide if I want Utilities to spawn even more illusions, or if I want to go for a more support-ey set-up. And by that, I mean that I'll probably use Signet of Inspiration either way. I think I read somewhere that I need to have Portal too, so that's a keeper. It's more of a matter of "Do I want Mirror Images and Null Field?" Actually, I just figured out a solution. Perhaps Phantasmal Disenchanter? That way I'm supporting and summoning an illusion, so it's multitasking!

Is this decent? Or am I just messing with things that shouldn't be messed with? I love the concept of Mesmer, especially shatter builds, but I enjoy scepter + sword. I mean, is this viable? I'm not going to be kicked from dungeons, am I? That's like a nightmare to me. It would seriously freak me out. I'm also used to playing a healer, so a support-ish role is nice. I'm I hybridizing this too much?

Update!

All my characters are now level 10 and have completed the first part of their Personal Stories!

Of course, there have been some amendments to the builds, as expected with use.

Iris Sunpetal, my Ranger is using a Shortbow as her main weapon, her alternate weapon is a Longbow. She is still using her Fern Hound, Lichen. Her healing skill is Heal As One. Utilities are Flame Trap and Signet of the Hunt. Equips are Rawhide Vest, Rawhide Bracers, Rawhide Leggings, Mossy Leather Boots, 2 Turquoise Copper Studs, Garnet Copper Ring, and Hero's Band. Weapons are Avenger's Short Bow, Precise Soft Wood Longbow, and Mighty Speargun. Color scheme is Camel with Antique Gold accents.

Orchid Forsythia, my Necromancer is using a Staff as her main weapon. I haven't picked an alternate weapon yet. Her healing skill is Well of Blood. Utilities are Signet of Spite and Signet of the Locust. Equips are Wraith Masque, Mighty Country Coat, Cloth Gloves, Velvet Hose, Malign Country Boots, Turquoise Copper Stud, Amber Copper Stud, Garnet Copper Ring, and Amber Copper Wings. Weapons are Avenger's Staff and Cracked Harpoon. Color scheme is Ebony with Jalapeno accents.

Dahlia Pebbleroot, my Mesmer is using a Scepter + Sword as her main weapons, her alternate weapon is a Staff. Her healing skill is Ether Feast. Her Utilities are Signet of Inspiration and Decoy. Equips are Phantasm's Mask, Mighty Embroidered Coat of Life, Cloth Gloves, Velvet Hose, Frayed Cloth Shoes, and Hero's Band. Her weapons are Mighty Scepter, Hemlocked Sword, Avenger's Staff, and Mighty Black Earth Trident. Color scheme is Olive Tint with Scenic accents.

Willow Twigsnap, my Thief is using dual-Daggers as her main weapons, her alternate weapons are dual-Pistols. Healing skill is Hide in Shadows. Utilities are Spider Venom and Assassin's Signet. Equips are Mighty Rawhide Mask, Rawhide Vest, Malign Studded Gloves, Midnight Leather Leggings, Leather Boots, and Hero's Band. Weapons are Dull Dagger, Dull Knife, 2 Mighty Pistols, and Mighty Speargun. Color scheme is Ebony with Camel accents.

Mari Snapdragon, my Elementalist is using dual-Daggers. Healing skill is Glyph of Elemental Harmony. Utilities are Storm and Signet of Air. Equips are Stone Eye, Linen Garment, Cloth Gloves, Velvet Hose, Frayed Cloth Shoes, and Hero's Band. Weapons are Dull Dagger, Mighty Dagger, and Mighty Black Earth Trident. Color scheme is Matte with Persephone accents.

Out of all of them, I'd say Willow is actually the best equipped. She seems to be getting all the drops...

This time's goal was to hit level 10 and complete part 1 of Personal Stories. I think this next goal is going to be to meet the Priory, Order, and Vigil. So, whatever level that is.

Sigh

So, I deleted Lady Elza. I wasn't playing her because I didn't like how she looked compared to my others. I remade a Necromancer though, because I love them. She's just a Sylvari this time, is all.

This is Orchid Forsythia, my new Necromancer. I don't like the name so much, but I love her otherwise. She's level 7 so far, which is only a couple levels below my others. Same build as Lady Elza though, so that hasn't changed.

Dahlia, Iris, and Mari (Mesmer, Ranger, and Elementalist, respectively) are all level 9. Willow is level 8, even though she's at the exact same point as the others. I think I mustn't have run into many events with her, or something. She's done the exact same number of hearts. I'm honestly surprised Iris isn't at level 10 already since I keep running into events with her everywhere I go.
And, like I said above, Orchid is level 7. A couple of hearts left to do and then she'll be equal with the others.

Basically, I'm getting them all up to 9 (or 8, in Willow's case). Do all the personal story quests up until then, and then reach Mabon Market. Once they're at Mabon Market, they're good to go and it's on to the next one.
The first checkpoint of mine was to complete all Personal story quests and hearts up until the one over by Morgan's Spiral. Complete the personal story quest over there, do the skill point and jump quest, then complete the nearby Nightmare Court quest to get karma pants. That was checkpoint one.

We'll see what checkpoint 2 ends up being. Probably level 15 or so.

Problem

So with all my new characters at level 8, I've started to run into some difficulties.

I keep dying! Any time I have to fight Nightmare Court anything, I just die. No chance at all. On any of them. Which is weird, because I was fine on my Necromancer.

It makes me sad :(

Progress!

All of my characters are now at least level 5, so that's a start! This is, of course, excluding Lady Elza, who is still level 24. Also, Dahlia somehow got one level higher than the rest of them. I think there must have been more events going when I was leveling her or something.

I have come to the conclusion that the Sylvari questline if you chose The Green Knight is really, really hard! That level 4 mission is killer! The other two questlines do not even compare when it comes to difficulty! I think I died once as my Mesmer against that Veteran Risen, but it wasn't quite as bad as my Elementalist. Actually, I had a really easy time as the Elementalist. I'm not sure if that was due to good flower placement or if it was the dual-dagger Ele skills or what. I thought it would be easier on my Mesmer, but it wasn't.

I'd say it would be more manageable if he didn't restore health. That makes it practically unbearable on some classes, if I remember correctly.

GW2 Character Changes and More In-Depth Stuff

Redid Willow Twigsnap because I wasn't feeling the Engineer playstyle. She now looks exactly the same except she's a Thief instead.

Switched around some. Redid Iris Sunpetal as a Ranger, and made a new Elementalist named Mari Snapdragon, who has replaced Lylibeth because after experimenting with builds, I discovered that Warriors are just not for me.

I just did some more in-depth posts so I could bounce ideas off of myself.

Mari Snapdragon, Iris Sunpetal, and Willow Twigsnap In-Depth Theorizing

Mari Snapdragon
Purely theorizing here, since she's only level 2!

Weapons: Dagger + Dagger

Healing Skill: Signet of Restoration

Utility Slot 1: Conjure Frost Bow
Utility Slot 2: Glyph of Storms
Utility Slot 3: Arcane Shield

Elite Skill: Conjure Fiery Greatsword

Traits:
Fire Magic: 0
Air Magic: 6
Earth Magic: 6
Water Magic: 0
Arcana: 2

Air Magic Traits: IV, X, XI (One with Air, Air Training, Tempest Defense)
Earth Magic Traits: III, IX, XI (Earth's Embrace, Geomancer's Freedom, Diamond Skin)
Arcana Traits: III (Final Shielding)

Very defensive focused. I feel like a more tanky-Elementalist sounds nice. I don't know, maybe I'm crazy.

Iris Sunpetal
Still theoretical...

Main Weapon: Longbow
Alternate Weapons: Sword + Torch

Healing Skill: Healing Spring

Utility Slot 1: Flame Trap
Utility Slot 2: Spike Trap
Utility Slot 3: "Search and Rescue"

Elite Skill: Rampage as One

Traits:
Marksmanship: 6
Skirmishing: 6
Wilderness Survival: 0
Nature Magic: 0
Beastmastery: 2

Marksmanship Traits: V, VII, X (Predator's Instinct, Spotter, Eagle Eye)
Skirmishing Traits: III, VIII, X (Trapper's Defense, Trapper's Expertise, Quick Draw)
Beastmastery Traits: II (Master's Bond)

A large focus on traps here, because I figure the playstyle will be more similar to my staff Necromancer, which I enjoy. The other focus is on bow strength. I went with Master's Bond because it seemed useful. Do pets have different abilities in this game, like WoW, or can I just choose one for aesthetics?


Willow Twigsnap
Still theoretical...

Main Weapons: Dagger + Dagger
Alternate Weapons: Gun + Gun

Healing Skill: Signet of Malice

Utility Slot 1: Spider Venom
Utility Slot 2: Roll for Initiative
Utility Slot 3: Signet of Shadows

Elite Skill: Thieves Guild

Traits:
Deadly Arts: 6
Critical Strikes: 0
Shadow Arts: 0
Acrobatics: 6
Trickery: 2

Deadly Arts Traits: V, IX, XI (Potent Poison, Dagger Training, Panic Strike)
Acrobatics Traits: IV, VIII, X (Assassin's Retreat, Pain Response, Hard to Catch)
Trickery Trait: III (Uncatchable)

I'm really liking this. It looks like everything I wanted my WoW Thieves to be, but better.

In-Depth Theories for Lady Elza and Dahlia Pebblefoot

Lady Elza

Main Weapon: Staff
Alternate Weapons: Dagger + Focus

Healing Skill: Well of Blood

Utility Slot 1: Signet of Spite
Utility Slot 2: Signet of the Locust
Utility Slot 3: Well of Power? I currently switch between Summon Bone Fiend and Summon Shadow Fiend, but I really don't want to use them. I just keep forgetting to change and learn how to use Well of Power instead.

Theoretical Territory

Elite Skill: Plague? I don't know much about Lich Form and I know that Summon Flesh Golem freaks me out, so Plague sounds like my best bet, at least until I know more about Lich Form.

Traits:
Spite: 0
Curses: 0
Death Magic: 6
Blood Magic: 2
Soul Reaping: 6

Death Magic Traits: V, VII, IV (Staff Mastery, Greater Marks, Ritual of Protection)
Blood Magic Trait: V (Vampiric Precision)
Soul Reaping Traits: II, X, XII (Vital Persistence, Soul Marks, Deathly Perception)

I'm kind of aiming towards a Death Shroud and Marks focused build, can you tell? Basically, place marks down, switch to Death Shroud and attack, switch back, put marks down, repeat. Still need to work out things.


Dahlia Pebbleroot
Purely theoretical thinking right now, since she's only level 3...

Main Weapon: Scepter + Focus
Alternative Weapon: Staff

Healing Skill: Signet of the Ether

Utility Slot 1: Mirror Images
Utility Slot 2: Phantasmal Defender
Utility Slot 3: Seed Turret

Elite Skill: Time Warp?

Traits:
Domination: 2
Dueling: 0
Chaos: 0
Inspiration: 6
Illusions: 6

Domination Trait: III (Empowered Illusions)
Inspiration Traits: V, VII, XII (Persisting Images, Malicious Sorcery, Restorative Illusions)
Illusion Traits: III, VI, X (Compounding Power, Illusionary Invigoration,  Phantasmal Haste)

I'm aiming for a Illusion heavy build with a focus on Shatter skills as well. I think it will be quite fun! My original Mesmer was quite Illusion heavy as well, although I want this one to be almost entirely Illusion based! I love Illusion skills! If I go into WvW I would definitely switch out Phantasmal Haste for Illusionary Persona though!

Ugh

As much as I'm enjoying playing Lady Elza, I need to work on one of my other characters right now.

Reason being that I want to continue on in Lady Elza's Tailoring and Jewelcrafting, but I don't have the materials. And the only materials I seem to be getting on her I can't use yet because I'm not high enough leveled in my trades.

So, time to work on another character so I can collect more materials, I suppose. I don't feel like spending money to buy the materials off of other people, so I guess this is the best alternative.

Still going!

Still working on Lady Elza, surprisingly!

Disregard the bucket; I'm doing a quest.

I'm level 24!

Currently wearing a Fine Circlet, Cloth Shoulders, Linen Garment, Malign Country Gloves, Seraph-Issue Light Leggings, and Mighty Apprentice Shoes.
Using a Honed Soft Wood Staff as my main weapon...let's disregard secondary weapons, because I haven't found anything good for them. Except my Trident! I'm using a Mighty Black Earth Trident.

I'm also using an Amber Copper Ring, Garnet Copper Ring, Amber Copper Stud, and Garnet Copper Stud. I'm not entirely sure of what stats I'm supposed to be using, but I assumed Condition Damage and Power, and it's been working for me so far. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong though!

I've taken up Jewelcrafting and Tailoring on this character, and it's not going wonderfully, but it's okay.

For my Healing spell I've been using Well of Blood. My slot skills are Signet of Spite, Signet of the Locust, and Summon Bone Fiend. I've only been using Bone Fiend because it was helpful during Story Missions, and I just kept forgetting to change it. I'm thinking of changing it Well of Power for non-Story stuff, but I don't know. He is awfully useful, even if he freaks me out a bit.

ISN'T MY PINK NECROMANCER SO DARK AND EDGY? Okay, honestly, she's wearing pink because I hate the top she's wearing and I can never find good color combinations for it. Persephone and Glory was working though, so that's her color-scheme right now. My old orange, red, and brown scheme wasn't really working with the new skirt.

What I find odd is that in the last Story Quest I did (Brute Strength, I think it was called?), my character said something about wondering if the one controlling the Risen was a necromancer. Isn't my character a necromancer? Shouldn't they be a bit more suspicious of me? What makes it okay that my character controls undead thingies? I may be missing something because I know very, very little about the GW lore, but why is my running around with a Blood Fiend considered not suspicious at all? I mean, I walk around with that thing out in cities and such. You'd think someone would be suspicious!

GW2 Characters!

I've made five characters that I really like the looks of, so I'm going to really really try to keep them this time! I know, empty promises. But I can dream!

So, besides Lady Elza, my lovely level 18 Necromancer, I've got...

Dahlia Pebbleroot, a level 3 Sylvari Mesmer. Currently dual-wielding swords, although I'm not liking it so much. Might do Scepter + Sword instead. For set two I'll probably do either a Greatsword or a Staff. Not sure which. She's a white Sylvari with the kind of rocky hair, and pink eyes. I believe I made her glow blue.

Iris Belladonna, a level 2 Sylvari Elementalist. I've never enjoyed an Elementalist besides occasional forays into WvW, but I'm going to give it a go! I currently have a Scepter + Dagger on her, although if I switch Dahlia to Scepter+Sword, I'll probably switch Iris here to Dagger+Dagger. Not sure which element I'm going to main yet. I've been liking fire, but I know I've enjoyed Lightning in the past. Maybe Earth this time? She's a dark red Sylvari with the mushroom hat and gold eyes. She glows yellow.

Lylibeth, a level 2 Norn Warrior. I'm using a Longbow on her. I would play a Ranger, but I hate pet classes, no matter which game I'm playing. I just don't like them. So Bow-Warrior it is! I'll probably use a Greatsword as her second weapon later.

Willow Twigsnap, a level 2 Sylvari Engineer (I'm really into making Sylvari today). I'm dual-wielding guns on her. Not sure if I'll get much into kits, I'm more feeling like using Turrets or something. But maybe! Who knows! She's a dark purple-blue color with the tree hair (with purple leaves). She glows blue, and has black eyes, so she looks kind of creepy.

I like all my characters right now, aesthetically at least. Except for Lady Elza, at the moment. I love playing her and I love that I got to level 18, but it's just...her clothes She reminds me of Sailor Moon!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you don't really get many armor sets from leveling in GW2, right? That's why I keep getting upgraded versions of the original clothes instead of new things? I'm in love with the Cabalist outfit, but I'm not sure where to get it. I'm assuming it's a crafted set, but I have no clue.

Back to Guild Wars 2!

Sorry for the delay! I've been busy with college applications and such...again. Found a nice computer animation course that I've been applying to!

Anyway, I'm back to Guild Wars 2 again!
I'm still on Isle of Janthir, playing a new Necromancer named Lady Elza. I'm level 15 at the time of writing this, although I'm very near 16.

I think I read somewhere that you can no longer receive dyes as random drops? That makes me a bit sad. I really liked collecting dyes, so it's a shame I won't really be able to anymore. Ah well, I'll stick with what I've got (which are the default dyes + one that I got in a Black Lion box, which was Persephone dye).

I use a Staff as my main weapon, off weapon is Dagger + Focus. Healing skill is Well of Blood. I've also been using Signet of Spite and Signet of the Locust.

I went into the Heart of the Mists to figure out a build (I see builds have also been changed since I last played? Less points, it looks like). I settled on max Death Magic and Soul Reaping, with the remaining points into Blood Magic. In Death Magic I'm going for V, VII, and IV (Staff Mastery, Greater Marks, and Ritual of Protection). In Blood Magic I'm going for V (Vampiric Precision). In Soul Reaping I'm going for II, X, and XII (Vital Persistence, Soul Marks, and Deathly Perception).

Still going strong on this character! Of course, every time I write that it seems to be my downfall, but we'll see how it goes...