View source for Mirage - Condi DPS Chaos

{{MBuild
| profession = Mesmer
| specialization = Mirage
| designed for = Raid
| rating = archived
| focus = condition damage
| xpac = pof, hot
}}

==Overview==
: A condition DPS Mirage build. This build provides very high single target damage with the ambush skill {{Skill|Imaginary Axes}}. It excels against bosses that move or attack a lot due to a large portion of its damage coming from {{gw2skill|Confusion}} and {{gw2skill|Torment}}. It is also highly survivable and can easily avoid boss attacks because it is in {{trait|Mirage Cloak}} for most of its rotation.

:For a more {{gw2skill|Confusion}} heavy variant that pulls ahead on Mursaat Overseer, Soulless Horror, and Largos, see [[Build:Mirage - Condi DPS Illusions]].

:This guide is focused on raids. For the fractal version see [[Build:Mirage - Condi DPS Chaos (Fractal)]].

==Skill Bar==
{{Skillbar
| profession = Mesmer
| specialization = Mirage
| set1 = axe, torch
| set2 = x, pistol
| healing = False Oasis
| utility1 = Signet of Midnight
| utility2 = Signet of Domination
| utility3 = Crystal Sands
| elite = Jaunt
}}


===Slot Changes===
* {{Skill|Feedback}} over {{Skill|Crystal Sands}} if you need reflects.
* {{Skill|Signet of Humility}} over {{Skill|Jaunt}} if you need large amounts of CC instead of movement.

==Specializations==
{{Specialization|Dueling|bot|top|top}}
{{Specialization|Chaos|top|mid|bot}}
{{Specialization|Mirage|bot|bot|top}}
===Variants===
* {{Trait|Self-Deception}} over {{Trait|Riddle of Sand}} if you're struggling to keep 3 clones up.

==Equipment==
{{PvE equipment
| stats = Viper
| rarity = Ascended
| runes = 6 Superior Rune of the Elementalist
| infusions = 18 Spiteful +5 Agony Infusion
| s1w1 = Ascended, Viper, Axe, Superior Sigil of Bursting
| s1w2 = Ascended, Viper, Torch, Superior Sigil of Energy
| s2w1 = Ascended, Viper, Pistol, Superior Sigil of Energy
| legs = Ascended, Sinister
}}

==Consumables==
'''Food:'''
* {{food|Plate of Beef Rendang}}
* {{food|Bowl of Orrian Truffle and Meat Stew}} is also viable

'''Utility:'''
* {{Gw2food|Toxic Focusing Crystal}}
** {{Gw2food|Tuning Icicle}} or {{Gw2food| Potent Master Tuning Crystal}} for a cheaper alternative

==Usage==
===Opener===
# {{Skill|The Prestige}}
# {{Skill|Phantasmal Mage}}
# {{Skill|Lingering Thoughts}} -- Spawns the first clone.
# {{Skill|Crystal Sands}}  -- Spawns a second clone.
# {{Skill|False Oasis}} -- Spawns a third clone. 
# {{Gw2skill|Weapon swap}}
# {{Skill|Phantasmal Duelist}}
# Collect the {{Skill|Mirage Mirror}} left from {{Skill|Crystal Sands}} and {{Skill|False Oasis}} to gain access to {{Skill|Imaginary Axes}}
<br />
===Rotation===
After the opener above the rotation involves primarily autoattacking and dodging to trigger {{Skill|Imaginary Axes}}. Try to complete an auto-attack chain each cast of {{Skill|Imaginary Axes}} to ensure that all your clones have time to cast it as well.
* Use {{Skill|Phantasmal Mage}} amd {{Skill|Phantasmal Duelist}} off cooldown. With alacrity you should be able to cast {{Skill|Phantasmal Mage}} every time that you swap to torch, although you may have to delay a second on the {{Gw2skill|Weapon swap}}.
* Use {{Gw2skill|The Prestige}} off cooldown and be sure to press autoattack immediately to remove your stealth and continue attacking.
* Use {{Skill|False Oasis}} and {{Skill|Crystal Sands}} off cooldown. Be mindful of your where you place the {{Skill|Mirage Mirror}} from each skill, as you will want to be able to access them later.
** {{Skill|False Oasis}} will spawn a {{Skill|Mirage Mirror}} in the location you were standing when you originally cast the skill
** {{Skill|Crystal Sands}} will spawn a {{Skill|Mirage Mirror}} in the center of the skill's AoE marker
*{{Skill|Jaunt}} should only be used for damage if the boss frequently attacks to proc extra damage from the Confusion, otherwise it should be saved for mobility.
*{{Skill|Axes of Symmetry}} should be used with discretion, if you use it during periods where the boss is not attacking to trigger the extra damage it will be an overall DPS decrease. However, if the bonus damage ticks can be triggered by the boss attacking frequently {{Skill|Axes of Symmetry}} will be a DPS increase.<br />

===Tips===
* Dodge as much as possible while leaving yourself endurance to evade attacks. Be sure to only weapon swap when below 50% endurance so as not to waste any of the endurance gained from {{Sigil|Superior Sigil of Energy}}.
* Make sure to never break your auto-attack chain that includes: {{Skill|Lacerating Chop}}, {{Skill|Ethereal Chop}} and {{Skill|Mirror Strikes}}. 
** Entering Mirage cloak and casting {{Skill|Imaginary Axes}} will not interrupt your auto-attack chain
** All your skills other than {{Skill|False Oasis}} and {{Skill|Jaunt}} will interrupt your auto-attack chain.
* Save {{gw2skill|Jaunt}} for movement. Note: It is instant cast, so it can be cast during other skills' channels.
* Make sure to never use {{gw2skill|Jaunt}} during {{Skill|Imaginary Axes}} and {{Skill|Axes of Symmetry}} as this will create new clones due to the {{Trait|Self-Deception}} and will cancel the clones attack.
* Make sure to never {{Gw2skill|Weapon swap}} during the animation of {{Skill|Imaginary Axes}} as this will cancel the Ambush attack.
* Clones provide higher damage when auto-attacking and performing {{Skill|Imaginary Axes}} than when shattered in most scenarios, even with the low ramp up time that this build enjoys.