Sidenode Virtuoso

October 2024

Virtuoso is a sidenoder heavily based on projectiles. As mesmer it has access to a potentially game-breaking elite: . This version is an excellent matchup into condition-based builds and offers good utility in team fights.

Build Fundamentals

Virtuoso doesn’t have clones, instead, it stores up to 5 blades. Every core Mesmer skill that would usually give you a clone now gives you a blade, you also have access to , which is your main way to build up blades.

Blocking not only stocks up 3 blades but gives you via , which creates very interesting counterplays.

Your main sources of damage are your Shatters (Bladesongs) and , which you’ll want to use with a high amount of Blades to deal as much damage as possible.

When you can’t use Bladesongs, cycle through your weapon skills.

On Scepter, you should spam , if you won’t proc the block effect of it, remember to use the 2nd part of the skill for and additional Blade. is a very good damage skill but it makes you very exposed, don’t be scared to cancel it for a block or an evade.

On Axe, is a very powerful damage skill but it locks you in animation so use it with care. scales with your blades like you shatters but unlike them it doesn’t consume the blades. and are better used in melee to get the full effect of it. Those skills deal considerable burst damage thanks to .

Sustain

Virtuoso survivability is based on blocks, a lot of them. Every Bladesong gives you . You want to use every time you’re about to get pressured, its cooldown is quite low so you can afford to spam it. Note that you don’t need more than 1 Blade to get full defensive value from it, using with extra Blades will only increase the duration of the spinning blades, which don’t hit very hard.

On top of their effects and damage, all your Bladesongs will also heal and cleanse you because of , which paired with their cumulative low cooldown, create sort of “defense through offense” gameplay.

is your get-out-of-jail card, you should be able to escape any sort of pressure after using it, avoid using it if not absolutely necessary. Another great defensive tool is , which should be used for the distortion it gives you as stocking Blades on this build is very easy with blocks and clones.