4 Mez 3-3
Tactics being reworked
Due to the June 24, 2026 game update, all tactics are currently being reworked.
3-3 is the baseline teaching format. It introduces the core DoA rhythm: communication, spike discipline, clean aggro and targeting while being fast and safe.
Roles
Team build
Arcane EchoMesmer / Enchantment SpellE 15Cast 2Recharge 20If you cast a Spell in the next 20 seconds, Arcane Echo is replaced with that Spell for 20 seconds. Arcane Echo ends prematurely if you use a non-Spell skill.
Energy SurgeElite / Mesmer / Domination Magic / SpellE 5Cast 2Recharge 15Target foe loses 1..10 Energy. For each point of Energy lost, that foe and all nearby foes take 9 damage.
Unnatural SignetMesmer / Domination Magic / SignetCast 1Recharge 10Target foe takes 15..75 damage. If that foe is under the effects of a hex or enchantment, foes adjacent to your target take 5..50 damage.
Ebon EscapeEbon Vanguard rank / SpellE 5Cast 0.25Recharge 10Shadow Step to target other ally. You and that other ally are healed for 70..110 health.
EmpathyMesmer / Domination Magic / Hex SpellE 10Cast 2Recharge 10For 5..15 seconds, whenever target foe attacks, that foe takes 10..55 damage and target foe deals 1..15 less damage with attacks.
MistrustMesmer / Domination Magic / Hex SpellE 10Cast 2Recharge 12For 6 seconds, the next spell that target foe casts on one of your allies fails and deals 10..100 damage to that foe and all nearby foes.
"You Move Like a Dwarf!"Norn rank / ShoutE 10Recharge 10Target foe is knocked down and takes 44..80 damage. When that foe gets up, it is Crippled for 8..15 seconds.
Spiritual PainMesmer / Domination Magic / SpellE 5Cast 1Recharge 7Target foe takes 15..75 damage. All hostile summoned creatures in the area of that foe take 25..125 damage.Arcane EchoMesmer / Enchantment SpellE 15Cast 2Recharge 20If you cast a Spell in the next 20 seconds, Arcane Echo is replaced with that Spell for 20 seconds. Arcane Echo ends prematurely if you use a non-Spell skill.Energy SurgeElite / Mesmer / Domination Magic / SpellE 5Cast 2Recharge 15Target foe loses 1..10 Energy. For each point of Energy lost, that foe and all nearby foes take 9 damage.Unnatural SignetMesmer / Domination Magic / SignetCast 1Recharge 10Target foe takes 15..75 damage. If that foe is under the effects of a hex or enchantment, foes adjacent to your target take 5..50 damage.Ebon EscapeEbon Vanguard rank / SpellE 5Cast 0.25Recharge 10Shadow Step to target other ally. You and that other ally are healed for 70..110 health.
BackfireMesmer / Domination Magic / Hex SpellE 15Cast 3Recharge 20For 10 seconds, whenever target foe casts a Spell, that foe takes 35..140 damage.MistrustMesmer / Domination Magic / Hex SpellE 10Cast 2Recharge 12For 6 seconds, the next spell that target foe casts on one of your allies fails and deals 10..100 damage to that foe and all nearby foes."You Move Like a Dwarf!"Norn rank / ShoutE 10Recharge 10Target foe is knocked down and takes 44..80 damage. When that foe gets up, it is Crippled for 8..15 seconds.
Wastrel's DemiseMesmer / Domination Magic / Hex SpellE 5Cast 0.25Recharge 3For 5 seconds, target foe is hexed with Wastrel's Demise. Each second while hexed, target foe and all foes adjacent to that foe take 1..10 damage and an additional 1..10 damage for each second this spell is in effect. This hex ends prematurely if target foe uses a skill. Arcane EchoMesmer / Enchantment SpellE 15Cast 2Recharge 20If you cast a Spell in the next 20 seconds, Arcane Echo is replaced with that Spell for 20 seconds. Arcane Echo ends prematurely if you use a non-Spell skill.Energy SurgeElite / Mesmer / Domination Magic / SpellE 5Cast 2Recharge 15Target foe loses 1..10 Energy. For each point of Energy lost, that foe and all nearby foes take 9 damage.Unnatural SignetMesmer / Domination Magic / SignetCast 1Recharge 10Target foe takes 15..75 damage. If that foe is under the effects of a hex or enchantment, foes adjacent to your target take 5..50 damage.
Arcane MimicryMesmer / SpellE 15Cast 2Recharge 60For 20 seconds, Arcane Mimicry becomes the non-Form Elite skill from target other ally.
Pain InverterAsura rank / Hex SpellE 10Cast 1Recharge 20For 6..10 seconds, every time target foe deals damage that foe takes 100..140% of the damage it causes (maximum 80 damage).MistrustMesmer / Domination Magic / Hex SpellE 10Cast 2Recharge 12For 6 seconds, the next spell that target foe casts on one of your allies fails and deals 10..100 damage to that foe and all nearby foes.
"Finish Him!"Norn rank / ShoutE 10Recharge 15If target foe has less than 50% Health, that foe takes 44..80 damage and suffers from Cracked Armor and a Deep Wound for 12..20 seconds.
RecallAssassin / Enchantment SpellE 15Cast 1Recharge 10While you maintain Recall, nothing happens. When Recall ends, you Shadow Step to the ally you targeted when you activated this skill and all of your skills are disabled for 10 seconds.
Visions of RegretElite / Mesmer / Domination Magic / Hex SpellE 10Cast 2Recharge 20For 10 seconds, target foe and adjacent foes take 15..45 damage whenever they use a skill and 5..50 damage if not under the effects of another Mesmer hex.
Shatter DelusionsMesmer / Domination Magic / SpellE 5Cast 0.25Recharge 6Remove one Mesmer Hex from target foe. If a Hex was removed, that foe and all adjacent foes take 15..75 damage.Unnatural SignetMesmer / Domination Magic / SignetCast 1Recharge 10Target foe takes 15..75 damage. If that foe is under the effects of a hex or enchantment, foes adjacent to your target take 5..50 damage.
OverloadMesmer / Domination Magic / Hex SpellE 5Cast 0.25Recharge 5For 5 seconds, target foe suffers -1..3 Health degeneration. If target foe is using a skill, then Overload deals 15..75 damage to that foe and all adjacent foes.
Air of SuperiorityAsura rank / SkillE 5Recharge 20For 20..30 seconds you gain a random Asura benefit every time you earn experience from killing an enemy.MistrustMesmer / Domination Magic / Hex SpellE 10Cast 2Recharge 12For 6 seconds, the next spell that target foe casts on one of your allies fails and deals 10..100 damage to that foe and all nearby foes."You Move Like a Dwarf!"Norn rank / ShoutE 10Recharge 10Target foe is knocked down and takes 44..80 damage. When that foe gets up, it is Crippled for 8..15 seconds.Ebon EscapeEbon Vanguard rank / SpellE 5Cast 0.25Recharge 10Shadow Step to target other ally. You and that other ally are healed for 70..110 health.
Shield of AbsorptionMonk / Protection Prayers / Enchantment SpellE 5Cast 1Recharge 10For 3..7 seconds, damage received by target ally is reduced by 5 each time that ally is hit while under the effects of this Enchantment.{target}
Seed of LifeMonk / Sunspear rank / Enchantment SpellE 5Cast 0.25Recharge 20For 2..5 seconds, whenever target other ally takes damage, all party members are healed for 2 Health for each rank in Divine Favor.{target}Pain InverterAsura rank / Hex SpellE 10Cast 1Recharge 20For 6..10 seconds, every time target foe deals damage that foe takes 100..140% of the damage it causes (maximum 80 damage).
Edge of ExtinctionRanger / Beast Mastery / Nature RitualE 5Cast 5Recharge 60Create a level 1..10 Spirit. If a non-Spirit creature within range dies, Edge of Extinction deals 14..50 damage to all creatures of the same type that are below 90% Health and within range of the Spirit. This Spirit dies after 30..150 seconds.Ebon EscapeEbon Vanguard rank / SpellE 5Cast 0.25Recharge 10Shadow Step to target other ally. You and that other ally are healed for 70..110 health.
Unyielding AuraElite / Monk / Divine Favor / Enchantment SpellE 5Cast 0.25Recharge 10While you maintain this enchantment, your Monk spells heal for +15..60% more Health. When this enchantment ends one random other party member is resurrected with full Health and Energy and teleported to your location.{self}
Blessed AuraMonk / Divine Favor / Enchantment SpellE 10Cast 2Recharge 2While you maintain this Enchantment, Monk Enchantments you cast last 10..35% longer.{self}
Aura of StabilityMonk / Protection Prayers / Enchantment SpellE 5Cast 0.25Recharge 12For 3..8 seconds, target other ally cannot be knocked down.{target}
Spirit BondMonk / Protection Prayers / Enchantment SpellE 10Cast 0.25Recharge 2For 8 seconds, whenever target ally takes more than 50 damage from the next 10 attacks or Spells, that ally is healed for 30..90 Health.{target}
Burning SpeedElementalist / Fire Magic / Enchantment SpellE 10Cast 0.25For 7 seconds, you are set on fire and move 30..45% faster. When Burning Speed ends, all adjacent foes are set on fire for 3..9 seconds.
Infuse HealthMonk / Healing Prayers / SpellE 10Cast 0.25Lose half your current Health. Target other ally is healed for 100..136% of the amount you lost.{target}
Ether RenewalElite / Elementalist / Energy Storage / Enchantment SpellE 10Cast 1Recharge 30For 5..20 seconds, each time you cast a Spell, you gain 1..4 Energy and 5..20 Health for each Enchantment on you.Ebon EscapeEbon Vanguard rank / SpellE 5Cast 0.25Recharge 10Shadow Step to target other ally. You and that other ally are healed for 70..110 health.
Balthazar's SpiritMonk / Smiting Prayers / Enchantment SpellE 10Cast 2While you maintain this Enchantment, target ally gains adrenaline and Energy after taking damage. (The amount of adrenaline gained increases depending on your rank in Smiting Prayers.){target}
Life BondMonk / Protection Prayers / Enchantment SpellE 10Cast 2While you maintain this Enchantment, whenever target other ally takes damage from an attack, half the damage is redirected to you. The damage you receive this way is reduced by 3..30.{target}
Protective BondMonk / Protection Prayers / Enchantment SpellE 10Cast 2While you maintain this Enchantment, target ally cannot lose more than 5% max Health due to damage from a single attack or Spell. When Protective Bond prevents damage, you lose 6..3 Energy or the Spell ends.{target}
"I Am Unstoppable!"Norn rank / ShoutE 5Recharge 30For 16..20 seconds, you have +24 armor and cannot be knocked down or Crippled.
Shadow FormElite / Assassin / Shadow Arts / Enchantment SpellE 5Cast 1Recharge 30For 5..21 seconds, you cannot be the target of enemy Spells, and you gain 5 damage reduction for each Assassin enchantment on you. You cannot deal more than 5..25 damage with a single skill or attack.
Dark EscapeAssassin / Shadow Arts / StanceE 5Recharge 30For 5..15 seconds, you move 25% faster and take half damage. Dark Escape ends if you successfully hit with an attack.
Heart of ShadowAssassin / Shadow Arts / SpellE 5Cast 0.25Recharge 15You are healed for 30..150, and you Shadow Step to a nearby location directly away from your target.
Death's ChargeAssassin / Shadow Arts / SpellE 5Cast 0.25Recharge 30Shadow Step to target foe. If that foe has more Health than you, you are healed for 65..200."You Move Like a Dwarf!"Norn rank / ShoutE 10Recharge 10Target foe is knocked down and takes 44..80 damage. When that foe gets up, it is Crippled for 8..15 seconds.
Shroud of DistressAssassin / Shadow Arts / Enchantment SpellE 10Cast 1Recharge 45For 30..60 seconds, if you are below 50% Health, you have 3..8 health regeneration and a 75% chance to block attacks.RecallAssassin / Enchantment SpellE 15Cast 1Recharge 10While you maintain Recall, nothing happens. When Recall ends, you Shadow Step to the ally you targeted when you activated this skill and all of your skills are disabled for 10 seconds."I Am Unstoppable!"Norn rank / ShoutE 5Recharge 30For 16..20 seconds, you have +24 armor and cannot be knocked down or Crippled.Shadow FormElite / Assassin / Shadow Arts / Enchantment SpellE 5Cast 1Recharge 30For 5..21 seconds, you cannot be the target of enemy Spells, and you gain 5 damage reduction for each Assassin enchantment on you. You cannot deal more than 5..25 damage with a single skill or attack.Death's ChargeAssassin / Shadow Arts / SpellE 5Cast 0.25Recharge 30Shadow Step to target foe. If that foe has more Health than you, you are healed for 65..200.Heart of ShadowAssassin / Shadow Arts / SpellE 5Cast 0.25Recharge 15You are healed for 30..150, and you Shadow Step to a nearby location directly away from your target.Dark EscapeAssassin / Shadow Arts / StanceE 5Recharge 30For 5..15 seconds, you move 25% faster and take half damage. Dark Escape ends if you successfully hit with an attack.
Shadow of HasteAssassin / Shadow Arts / StanceE 5Recharge 45For 10..40 seconds you move 15% faster than normal. When Shadow of Haste ends, you shadow step to your original location.Shroud of DistressAssassin / Shadow Arts / Enchantment SpellE 10Cast 1Recharge 45For 30..60 seconds, if you are below 50% Health, you have 3..8 health regeneration and a 75% chance to block attacks.RecallAssassin / Enchantment SpellE 15Cast 1Recharge 10While you maintain Recall, nothing happens. When Recall ends, you Shadow Step to the ally you targeted when you activated this skill and all of your skills are disabled for 10 seconds.Teach discords
Teach discords will help you learn the basics of the role and the build.
Your first role will be EmpathyEmpathyMesmer / Domination Magic / Hex SpellE 10Cast 2Recharge 10For 5..15 seconds, whenever target foe attacks, that foe takes 10..55 damage and target foe deals 1..15 less damage with attacks., which is the easiest to learn.
Ensure you have the required gear, pcons and titles from the Mesmer gear page and ask for a gear check in those discords.
Take a look at the fundamentals page before your first run here.
Role progression
Spiking guide
Open the 3-3 spiking sheet Open the 3-3 spiking sheet in frenchIt tries to theorycraft the optimal spikes for each role on each situation by avoiding overlaps and separating concerns but be ready to improvise as every run is different.