Sidenode Virtuoso

February 2023

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

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 Psychic Riposte, which is your main way to build up blades.

Blocking not only stock up 3 blades but gives you Quickness via Duelist's Reversal, which creates very interesting counterplays.

Your main sources of damage are your Shatters (Bladesongs) Bladesong Sorrow and Bladesong Harmony, 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. Your biggest damage abilities after Bladesongs will be your blocks and evade skills: Illusionary Riposte,Illusionary Counter, and Blurred Frenzy.
Remember to use the 2nd part if the block won’t proc.

On Swords set, it might be tempting to use Phantasmal Swordsman only in melee range because of the initial sword strike and Might, but using it in range will still spawn the Phantasm and give you Quickness.

Illusionary Leap can hit pretty hard but it’s very unreliable so it is better to keep it for mobility most of the time.

Sustain

Virtuoso survivability is based on blocks, a lot of them. Every Bladesong gives you Aegis. You want to use Bladeturn Requiem 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 Bladeturn Requiem 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 Restorative Illusions, which paired with their cumulative low cooldown, create sort of “defense through offense” gameplay.

Signet of Midnight 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 Blade Renewal, which should be used for the distortion it gives you as stocking Blades on this build is very easy with blocks and clones.