Mesmer - PvE boon exploit?

[Angkar]

Just something I stumbled upon just now, apologies if it's been posted before, but my searches turned up nothing.

As you might guess I play Mesmer, I use Arcane Thievery frequently in PvP and usually carry it with me in PvE as well.

Some mobs have long duration buffs that can be stolen, i'll use the basilisks in Orvanic Shore (Sparkfly Fen) as an example.

They have a buff that damages and causes the weakness debuff to nearby foes, I can steal this using Arcane Thievery and then buff other players with it using Signet of Inspiration. The buff lasts for 9 hours.

So, my question... is it supposed to be working like this?

[Wethospu]

Doesn't really sound intentional.

[shawn]

Sounds awesome though.

Depends on how strong the conditions are though. Maybe you apply bleeding for nine hours but it only does 10 damage per second, in which case it's hardly exploitational.

[Alaris]

I think he means the buff stays 9 hours, so you only need to steal it and share it once (unless removed). The weakness probably lasts much less, but re-applies whenever near.

[shawn]

Yes, I gathered that. But regardless, if it's only some low level bleeding damage/weakness percentage then it doesn't matter.

[Alaris]

Or rather, is it really worth using a skill slot or two, especially since not all maps have this...

[Mehtis]

You could easily, recharge-times excluded, swap those skills in for the needed moments and then just take out something else when you've gotten and shared the love enough.

[Alaris]

Wait, you can swap skills while in a PvP map?

If so, you can get those 9h buffs at the beginning of the match, and then swap those two skills for whatever. You'll be (however slightly) stronger than mesmers who don't do that.

Oooooo, I think this might get fixed.

[shawn]

Uhh.. wait, what?
There aren't any booned mobs in spvp..

[Alaris]

The OP talked about PvE and PvP, so I got confused.

Still, I can see people feeling that getting this team buff becomes manditory for dungeons, even if it means getting a mesmer to get the buff and then switching that to something else... so I hope it gets fixed.

It's funny how somethings become "obligatory" even if the buff is very trivial... but in this case the buff might even be worth it.