update Mesmer blocking/remove Chrono

The changes in the July 16, 2019 patch have killed Chronomancer
blocking, at least in the way that it used to work. Therefore, we now do
either base Mesmer blocking, or Mirage blocking.

4 files changed, 33 insertions, 28 deletions

diff --git a/blocking/blocking.tex b/blocking/blocking.tex
index 6098dd1..f73cec3 100644
--- a/blocking/blocking.tex
+++ b/blocking/blocking.tex
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 \usepackage{csquotes}
 \usepackage[many]{tcolorbox}
 \usepackage{xcolor}
-
+\usepackage[normalem]{ulem}
 
 \setlength{\parskip}{1em}
 
@@ -397,12 +397,14 @@ If you want, you can bring a \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Staff#Revena
 \subsection{Mesmer}
 \label{ss:mesmer-class-guide}
 
-Mesmers are the undisputed kings of blocking at Triple Trouble, as they are able to block every egg, husk and AoE spit on their own.
+Mesmers are the \sout{undisputed}
+\footnote{The July 16, 2019 patch has killed Chronomancer blocking.}
+kings of blocking at Triple Trouble, as they are able to block every egg, husk and AoE spit on their own.
 They have access to one of the best reflect skills in the game, \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Feedback}{\uskill{Feedback}}, while also having access to one of the best invulnerability skills, \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Distortion}{\uskill{Distortion}}.
 \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Mimic}{\uskill{Mimic}} allows them to use \uskill{Feedback} twice, which is perfect for eggblocking, while \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Signet_of_Illusions}{\uskill{Signet of Illusions}} allows them to use \uskill{Distortion} twice, which is perfect for husk blocking.
 In addition, the trait \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Blurred_Inscriptions}{\uskill{Blurred Inscriptions}} gives them access to a lot of short duration invulnerabilities, which can be used to either check a spit, or to block AoEs.
 
-And if that wasn't enough, they also have a high amount of blocks and evades by taking a sword main-hand for \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Blurred_Frenzy}{\uskill{Blurred Frenzy}} and a shield offhand for \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Echo_of_Memory}{\uskill{Shield of Memory}} (requires the Chronomancer elite specialization).
+And if that wasn't enough, they also have a high amount of blocks and evades by taking a sword main-hand for \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Blurred_Frenzy}{\uskill{Blurred Frenzy}} and a sword offhand for \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Illusionary_Riposte}{\uskill{Illusionary Riposte}}.
 Alternatively, you can also use the Mirage elite specialization, which allows you to dodge without moving from the Sweet Spot.
 
 
@@ -435,9 +437,12 @@ It allows you do dodge them while not moving from your position.
 \uskill{Illusionary Leap} is used for clone generation.
 This is not important for core Mesmer egg blocking, but it will be important later when we take a look at husk blocking.
 
-For the off-hand weapons, a good choice is a \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Shield#Chronomancer}{Shield} (requires the Chronomancer elite specialization).
-The reason for that is that you will get access to another block in the form of \skill{Shield}{4}{\href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Echo_of_Memory}{Echo of Memory}}.
-\uskill{Echo of Memory} is a long channeled block, and if you successfully block an attack, you will be able to re-cast the skill to block for a second time.
+For the off-hand weapons, a good choice is a \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Sword#Mesmer}{Sword}.
+The reason for that is that you will get access to another block in the form of \skill{Sword}{4}{\href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Illusionary_Riposte}{Illusionary Riposte}}.
+\uskill{Illusionary Riposte} is a long channeled block, and if you successfully block an attack, you will generate a clone.
+Keep in mind that using \uskill{Illusionary Riposte} to block something will teleport you away slightly.
+You can avoid getting teleported by \emph{jumping} in the right moment, i.e. when the attack is getting blocked.
+That way you can use \uskill{Illusionary Riposte} to block something without getting moved.
 
 For the second weaponset, we're going to take a \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Focus#Mesmer}{Focus} off-hand.
 The reason for this is the skill \skill{Focus}{4}{\href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Temporal_Curtain}{Temporal Curtain}}.
@@ -468,9 +473,9 @@ The reason why we choose \uskill{Signet of Midnight} over the other signets is t
 As such, timing the \uskill{Signet of Midnight} is way easier than timing the other signets.
 In addition, it has the second-lowest cooldown, which means it is available every 30 seconds.
 
-This means we've chosen Inspiration and Chronomancer as our traitlines now, which leaves us with a third one to pick.
+This means we've chosen Inspiration as one of our traitlines now, which leaves us with two more which we can pick.
 For this build, Dueling offers some utility through \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Fencer%27s_Finesse}{\trait{Fencer's Finesse}} (Dueling, middle column down).
-  This trait reduces your sword skill cooldowns (such as \uskill{Blurred Frenzy}) by 20\%, which means you can use it more often to evade.
+  This trait reduces your sword skill cooldowns (such as \uskill{Blurred Frenzy} and \uskill{Illusionary Riposte}) by 20\%, which means you can use it more often to evade.
 
 As for the actual blocking, it is \emph{exactly the same} as the base Mesmer egg blocking described in Section \ref{sss:mesmer-basic-eggblocking}.
 All we've done so far is to add some utility, which can help you stay in place (on the Sweet Spot) and block some AoEs through the use of Signets.
@@ -488,16 +493,18 @@ All we've done so far is to add some utility, which can help you stay in place (
 \end{figure}
 
 
-\subsubsection{Professional Mode - Chronomancer Full Blocking}
+\subsubsection{Professional Mode - Mesmer Full Blocking}
 
-In order to full block on a Chronomancer, we're going to take the same build as in the previous section, but we're going to modify it slightly.
+In order to full block on a Mesmer, we're going to take the same build as in the previous section, but we're going to modify it slightly.
 
 This build relies on the invulnerability that you get from using \uskill{Distortion} (F4) in order to block husks.
 Since the invulnerability lasts longer the more clones you have up, you want to keep generating clones with your \skill{Sword}{3}{Illusionary Leap}.
-In addition, we want to take the trait \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Illusionary_Reversion}{\trait{Illusionary Reversion}} (Chronomancer, middle column middle).
-This trait will automatically generate a new clone if you shatter three of them at the same time, which means you will start with one clone instead of no clones after you've used \uskill{Distortion}.
+In addition, we want to have a second skill to instantly create a clone.
+For that, we will switch out the Focus off-hand with a \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Torch#Mesmer}{Torch}.
+The Torch alone will not allow you to generate any clone, but we can combine the skill \skill{Torch}{4}{\href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/The_Prestige}{The Prestige}} with the trait \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Escape_Artist}{\trait{Escape Artist}} (Illusions, middle column top).
+This means that whenever you use \uskill{The Prestige}, you will generate a clone.
 
-As for the skills, we're going to swap out Feedback for \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Signet_of_Illusions}{\uskill{Signet of Illusions}}.
+As for the skills, we're going to swap out \uskill{Mimic} for \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Signet_of_Illusions}{\uskill{Signet of Illusions}}.
 This Signet allows you to recharge your \uskill{Distortion}.
 
 The idea behind this build is the following:
@@ -506,26 +513,29 @@ If the spit was a husk spit, you have successfully blocked it, and you can use \
 If the spit was an egg spit, you can use \uskill{Signet of Illusions} to recharge \uskill{Distortion}, and you can distort the next spit again.
 
 In the second case, you should generate some clones fast, as you will need them for the increased invulnerability duration.
-However, \trait{Illusionary Reversion} and \uskill{Signet of Illuisions} (due to \trait{Blurred Inscriptions}) will give you one clone each, so you can generate the third one by just using \uskill{Illusionary Leap} once.
+However, \uskill{Signet of Illuisions} (due to the trait \trait{Blurred Inscriptions}) will give you one clone for free, so you can generate the second one by just using \uskill{Illusionary Leap} once, and the third one by using \uskill{The Prestige}.
 
 This method of blocking requires you to be on the Sweet Spot, so make sure to use your evading tools and your invulnerability from Signets to avoid moving too much.
-You should be able to block every big spin with either \skill{Sword}{2}{Blurred Frenzy} or \skill{Shield}{4}{Echo of Memory}, and every small spin with either \uskill{Signet of the Ether} or \uskill{Signet of Midnight}.
+You should be able to block every big spin with either \skill{Sword}{2}{Blurred Frenzy} or \skill{Sword}{4}{Illusionary Riposte}, and every small spin with either \uskill{Signet of the Ether} or \uskill{Signet of Midnight} (which will also block the AoEs).
 
 \begin{figure}[ht]
   \centering
-  \includegraphics[width=0.3\textwidth]{images/chrono-skills.png}
-  \caption{Utility skills for Chronomancer blocking. \gwtskills}
+  \includegraphics[width=0.5\textwidth]{images/mesmer-fullblock-traits.png}
+  \caption{Traitlines for Mesmer fullblocking. \gwtskills}
 \end{figure}
 
+\begin{figure}[ht]
+  \centering
+  \includegraphics[width=0.3\textwidth]{images/mesmer-fullblock-skills.png}
+  \caption{Utility skills for Mesmer fullblocking. \gwtskills}
+\end{figure}
 
-\subsubsection{Alternation - Mirage Full Blocking}
 
-As we can see from the previous guide, we don't really need anything Chronomancer specific.
-The only extras that Chronomancer gives us are an extra clone after shattering, and the ability to use a Shield for some more blocks.
+\subsubsection{Alternation - Mirage Full Blocking}
 
-Mirage can easily fill in those gaps due to its special class mechanic - \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Mirage_Cloak}{\trait{Mirage Cloak}}.
-This replaces your dodge so that you can dodge in-place.
-Therefore, you can easily make up for the loss of blocks by having two dodges that will not move you away from the Sweet Spot.
+As we can see from the previous guide, we don't really need anything limited to core Mesmer.
+As such, Mirage can make blocking easier due to its special class mechanic - \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Mirage_Cloak}{\trait{Mirage Cloak}}.
+This replaces your dodge so that you can dodge in-place, which means you don't have to rely on weapon skills to evade.
 
 As for clone generation, you can get get some extra clones with the trait \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Self-Deception}{\trait{Self-Deception}} (Mirage, first column top).
 This will generate a clone if you use a deception skill, such as \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Jaunt}{\uskill{Jaunt}}.
@@ -534,11 +544,6 @@ Keep in mind the UI trick to cast \uskill{Jaunt} in-place, without moving!
 Additionally, you can take \href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Deceptive_Evasion}{\trait{Deceptive Evasion}} (Dueling, last column down).
 This will generate a clone whenever you dodge.
 
-Since you cannot take a Shield off-hand anymore, you can use a second Sword as a replacement.
-This will give you access to another block: \skill{Sword}{4}{\href{https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Illusionary_Riposte}{Illusionary Riposte}}.
-The downside of this block is that it will move you a bit upon blocking an attack, which means you have to reposition yourself.
-You can avoid the teleport by jumping in the right moment, but it is better to not rely on that if possible.
-
 \begin{figure}[ht]
   \centering
   \includegraphics[width=0.5\textwidth]{images/mirage-traits.png}
diff --git a/blocking/images/chrono-skills.png b/blocking/images/mesmer-fullblock-skills.png
index 57a211a..57a211a 100644
--- a/blocking/images/chrono-skills.png
+++ b/blocking/images/mesmer-fullblock-skills.png
diff --git a/blocking/images/mesmer-fullblock-traits.png b/blocking/images/mesmer-fullblock-traits.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..07b967f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/blocking/images/mesmer-fullblock-traits.png
diff --git a/blocking/images/mesmer-traits.png b/blocking/images/mesmer-traits.png
index 3e47f79..b7771b8 100644
--- a/blocking/images/mesmer-traits.png
+++ b/blocking/images/mesmer-traits.png