Strongly recommended full uptime of Alcohol. For increased DPS and IMS from Drunken Master and the HP boost from Feel No Pain.
This team does require the binding of one hero skill. “Action: Order Hero 1 to use skill 1” needs to be bound to a key, so that you can target yourself, and have Your ST Rit use Vital Weapon. You will need full upkeep of this weapon spell for the build to work. This method frees up attribute points on your bar, so you can spec into Tactics so that “To the Limit!” and Req 9 Tactics shields can be utilized. Or if using Daggers, then both Dagger Mastery and Shadow Arts can be used. Your ST Rit is already invested into Communing, and Micro-ing from their bar frees you up for more freedom of movement.
Equipment
Sword, Axe, or Daggers. Hammer will work, but with the increased damage on actual attacks the team comp has, faster attack speed is rewarded.
Usage
With full Ghost Forged Insignias, extra HP and HP regen from Feel No Pain, and HP from Vital Weapon, you’re easily 950hp+, and realistically tanky like a Warrior since your increased max HP cannot be stripped. This allows you to C+Space, turn brain off, and proc fewer times on the ST’s Shelter, allowing it to live longer.
Weapon Variants
Sword/Axe: Any Req 9 Sword or Axe will work. It’s up to you which Sword Pommel/Axe Grip you use. + Armor, + HP, or even Of the Warrior, Ranger, Assassin, Necro, etc… are all good.
Daggers: Any Req 9 Daggers with a Zealous Dagger Tang, and any Dagger Handle equivalent to the ones listed under Sword/Axe. If you have an Of the Necro Dagger Handle, then Golden Lotus Strike can be swapped for Jagged Strike for slightly increased DPS. If you don’t have one, then keep Golden Lotus. It’s only 7-10 less DPS, and Jagged Strike without an Of the Necro destroys your energy.
Other Notes
If you want greater synergy in the team, then MoP, Barbs, or Order of Pain, can be added to one or more of the Mesmers. In most cases, using these skills does not improve clear speed, as you are the only source of mele attacks. If swapping one of the E-Surgers for a Minion Master, then this method works well.
Other Weapon Spells as an alternative to Vital Weapon unfortunately are not effective for this build. Vital Weapon is low cost, long duration, and extremely short recharge. Others have either a very short duration and long recharge time, or end after X amount of attacks. The only other viable Weapon Spell would be Wailing Weapon. If used immediately after cool-down however, you would still have 1-2 seconds of no Weapon Spell coverage. But if used in addition to Vital Weapon, it could be extremely effective for hard hitting mele foes or bosses.