Energy denial

Energy denial is a strategy that focuses on draining/stealing the opponents' energy and/or impacting their energy regeneration, which is a very effective method of hindering spellcasters.

Mesmers are best suited for energy denial as they have a large number of energy denial skills, but other professions can also help, for example Rangers with Debilitating Shot, Warriors with "Fear me!" or Necromancers with Malaise and/or Wither.

In PvE, your foes typically have a very high energy regeneration. Therefor it is difficult to deplete their energy reserves. Sympathetic Visages and Spirit Shackles are two skills which are very effective in PvE, as it is usually a relatively easy task to group your foes onto a single target, and enemy casters will attack while they are not casting. This makes spirit shackles particularly powerful against Monks Bosses while attempting to solo, as you can merely apply it and wait until their energy is locked below 5 until you begin damaging them.

For a complete list of all energy denial skills, see: Energy