Chaos Storm

Description
Create a Chaos Storm at target foe's location. For 10 seconds, foes adjacent to this location suffer 5...12 damage each second. Chaos Storm drains 1...6 Energy whenever it strikes a foe casting a spell.

Usage Notes
This is the staple area of effect damage skill of the mesmer's diet. It creates a Chaos Storm (which looks like a bunch of swirling purple circles) around whoever your target is when you cast it. It will hit all foes within 20 feet of the location it is cast.

In PvP this skill is useful in a few different situations, such as when a few enemy casters decide to stay in a group. Throw this near them and they will be forced to move away. Also, although perhaps not as efficient, Chaos Storm can be used in the primary battle between Warriors. Its energy draining side effects won't be realized, but as Warriors fighting each other don't tend to move around too much it is more likely that this skill will output its full damage. You can also cast Chaos Storm on an attacker who is targeting you at melee range. This will severely damage and drain the foe, or force that player and other enemies to stay away from you.

In PvE Chaos Storm is useful to hurt and disrupt groups of enemy spellcaster standing in clusters. However, note that the spell will be detected as AoE damage by the enemy AI, so foes will try to move out of the range of effect.

The primary drawback to the skill is its weighty 15 energy cost. Skills like the Elementalist Glyph of Lesser Energy can help greatly.

Since the AOE change, it is advisable to bring movement debuffs, as monsters will flee the area.

Acquisition
Skill Quests: Skill Trainers:
 * Trying Times (Sardelac Sanitarium)
 * Captain Osric (Yak's Bend)
 * Dakk (Ember Light Camp)

Related Skills

 * Glyph of Lesser Energy