Tested it in full ascended berserker and minstrel gear, for DPS and SUPPORT builds, with proper runes and such. Random exotic vipers for Condi.
The toolbelt scenario is actually fine for both builds. Playing it for a few hours in a bunch of content, I can see what they are going for.
First of all, this spec definitely feels like it's meant to be played for it's support aspect. In that regard, it's fine, but I have other issues.
Alchemy, Tools, and Mechanist. Med Kit, Elixir Gun, Barrier Signet, Elixir U, and Mortar Kit, with maximum boon duration allows me to still retain a lot of the self quickness I lost from switching out of scrapper. I found the Inventions trait line not necessary, as there's hardly any incoming healing to spread anymore thanks to barrier. Many boons. Okay self condi-clear and still great ally condi-clear. Med Kit fills in for any damage going past barriers.
However, whether or not groups want to bring one into higher tier content is another story.
DPS build (Power) ... right off the bat, this is definitely not going to even come close to Holosmith at max efficiency, which seemed concerning at first.
However, when you actually stop and look at what you are actually doing as a DPS mechanist... you realize you are able to put out decent damage with practically no effort. I'm talking about 20 actions-per-minute for an easy 15-20k DPS with full buffs depending on your setup. (For reference, Holosmith is able to put out 30K+ with good rotations and full buffs)
DPS build (Condi) ... definitely has more potential for damage. I can easily hit about 19-20k but with much more effort using SC Signet, Flamethrower, and Grenades, and could probably squeeze out much more damage with better equipment.
The real issues tend to be:
AI control, which a lot has already been said.
My biggest issue are signets. In most cases, I wouldn't (want to) use most of them. Some of these seem okay for PvP, but for PvE the only one really worth taking is the barrier signet for support builds and SC signet for condi. I have absolutely no need for a shadowstep, the knockback messes things up in PvE (especially when it's based around my mech that I have little control over it's positioning), and the condi-field is pointless on a non-condi build. That leaves barrier signet, which I only take because it pulses barrier.
I have an idea: if this spec is all about customizing your mech through traits, why don't they also apply something to signets as well?
For example, the jade buster cannon elite can change based on the grandmaster trait. Healing signet can do different things on activation depending on which build you are going for (power, condi, support).
Because right now, the signets are extremely lackluster, and losing toolbelts (while I did say for mechanist, it's not a big deal) causes issues with the fact that a lot of utility skills on engineer really shine through their toolbelt abilities.
Personally, I think it doesn't matter if toolbelt is given off mech cooldown or not.
And just to throw it out there: I think mace 2 should be a blast finisher rather than a leap. Seems more appropriate.
