User:ShenBear/Domination Mesmer

Mesmer direct damage is useful for its ability to do consistant damage regardless of enemy profession or level. A Surge of Pain mesmer takes advantage of this feature to deal significant AoE spikes against PvE groups of enemies.

Attributes and Skills
Kurzick Build [build prof=Mesmer/any Domination=12+1+3 FastCasting=12+1 ][Energy Surge][Energy burn][Ether Nightmare (Kurzick)][Cry of Pain][Light of Deldrimor][Empathy][Backfire][Optional][/build] Luxon Build [build prof=Mesmer/any Domination=12+1+3 Fast Casting=12+1 ][Energy Surge][Energy burn][Ether Nightmare (Luxon)][Cry of Pain][Light of Deldrimor][Empathy][Backfire][Optional][/build]

Equipment

 * Full Radient armor with Attunements
 * An Insightful/Adept Domination staff with an of Fortitude or of Domination suffix

Usage
Usage of the skill chain depends on the group of enemies aggroed. When healers are present, lead with Backfire on the monk, followed by Cry of Pain, Energy Surge/Burn. When facing large, homogenous groups that clump, such as raptors, lead with Ether Nightmare/Cry of Pain, then Energy Surge/Burn/Empathy. Ether Nightmare is a great boon to any group running Cry of Pain, as the AoE mesmer hex provides pressure and gives multiple targests for Cry if the hexed enemy is killed. Empathy can be thrown on any enemy, as even casters will wand frequently. Light of Deldrimor is used as a large area PBAoE effect for a small energy requirement.

Counters

 * Hex removal will significantly limit your damage potential - This is rare in PvE, and covering key hexes will prevent this
 * Interrupts and Daze will hurt.
 * Energy Denial may stop your chain.

Variants

 * Bring Resurrection Chant or Rebirth if needed in your party
 * Replacing Light of Deldrimor with Necrosis for fast, cheap, hard hitting repeatable damage
 * Pain Inverter or Radiation Field is another effective substitute. Watch out for disease on human enemies, however.
 * Bring Auspicious Incantation if energy is a problem or you do not have a necromancer with Blood is Power or Blood Ritual. This will require reducing points in Fast Casting to boost Inspiration
 * It is possible to bring Mantra of Recovery in place of Energy Surge, though damage will be lowered and energy will become an issue without support
 * Cry of Frustration if an extra interrupt is needed.
 * Suffering instead of Ether Nightmare for a longer lasting AoE hex if Fast Casting is reduced to increase Curses. This will provide less pressure but give more opportunity to use Necrosis.
 * Arcane Echo for Cry of Pain.