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Update - Thursday January 8
Updated Zaishen Rewards

* Updated the Zaishen Chest drops to replace the Abominable Tonic with a new tonic for the month of January. More information on Zaishen Rewards can be found here.

Automated Tournaments

* Updated Automated Tournament map rotations.

Skill Updates

PvE and PvP

Assassin

* Palm Strike: decreased Crippled duration to 1..5 seconds; decreased damage to 10..65.

Bug Fixes

* Fixed a bug that prevented some Item Spells from executing their drop effect at the end of their held duration.

Miscellaneous

* Xunlai Tournament Agents now offer prizes for the December tournament. These agents can be found in the Great Temple of Balthazar, Lion's Arch, Kaineng Center, and Kamadan.

February PvE and PvP Skill Balances

There are a couple of main goals to this month's balance update. First, we want to encourage faster victories in GvG (without reverting to ganging up on a defenseless Guild Lord, which was a popular strategy in early Guild Wars GvG). Second we wish to review skills that are performing better on secondary professions than on primaries.

While Guild Wars PvP focuses a lot on character combinations and build-making decisions, some skills that are balanced and designed with their primary profession in mind become used more frequently by secondaries. This is due to a number of factors:

* Some professions rely more on elite skills than others. For example, many of the best Mesmer skills are non-elite, but Assassins and Dervishes get unique, important functionalities from their elite skills.

* Different professions manage Energy pools differently, so high-cost skills are more readily-available to some primary professions than others.

* Professions that can use secondary skills that behave more like primary skills are more likely to take them. For example, an Elementalist or Mesmer can use Assassin skills easily within their arsenal of other spells. Typically, spells designed for melee classes are faster because their reliance on positioning makes long-casting skills undesirable.

Measures that allow characters to be proficient using skills within their primary profession let us balance those skills better. This narrows down the hundreds-of-thousands of possibilities, making it easier to reign in skills when there's an issue. This update includes a few different methods we use to enforce primary profession choice.

Assassin

Mark of Insecurity: now disables your non-Assassin skills for 10 seconds.

Mark of Insecurity was designed to give Assassins an anti-protection option if they decided to eschew a powerful shadow step skill or attack. Having it disable non-Assassin skills keeps it off of caster primaries who can both afford the elite slot and cast it more safely than an Assassin can. This change shouldn't hinder Assassin primaries because most strong Assassin builds do not use any secondary profession skills.

Mesmer

Signet of Humility: now disables your non-Mesmer skills for 10 seconds.

Unlike the changes to Mark of Insecurity, Signet of Humility is actually more powerful on a Mesmer because Fast Casting improves casting time of signets. This skill, however, is very powerful, especially when used en masse by an entire team. By discouraging its use on secondary Mesmers, we limit the number of copies that can be practically used to the number of Mesmer primaries on the team.

Necromancer

Lingering Curse: reduced Health degeneration to 0..3.
Faintheartedness: reduced Health degeneration to 0..3.
Suffering: reduced Health degeneration to 0..3.

Attribute investment is another way we encourage primary professions to use skills. In the above examples, a scale of 0..3 requires a player to invest a 13 in Curses to get 3 Health degeneration. A Necromancer secondary can't reach 13 Curses, so by default these skills become more powerful on a Necromancer primary than secondary. This was done to keep fast-casting Mesmer/Necromancers from being better at these skills than those who invested deeply in Curse attribute point allocation.

Ritualist

Protective Was Kaolai: reduced armor bonus to 10.

The armor bonus on Protective Was Kaolai made it difficult to attack the person holding this bundle item. We wanted to encourage people to pressure players using this skill a bit more, so we dropped the extra armor to 10.

Warrior

Primal Rage: reduced movement speed boost to 25%.

Primal Rage can be permanently maintained, so a 33% movement speed increase made it too hard to escape Warriors without a number of methods to slow or Cripple them. We've decided to reduce it to 25%.

Guild Battles

* Removed the additional Health bonus Guild Lords received from morale boosts.

* Amulet of Protection: increased the rate at which the Amulet of Protection buff reaches maximum damage. It will now reach maximum damage around 12 minutes instead of at 22 minutes.

The Amulet of Protection does a good job of preventing teams from rushing the Guild Lord within the first minute or so of a match, but its impact also tends to deter more aggressive play during the middle portion of the game. We wanted to increase the impact of teams splitting up to harass the Guild Lord earlier, and so have scaled the damage reduction accordingly. By reducing the protection effect more quickly, such "split" teams can attack the Guild Lord directly instead of just attacking other NPCs. This should support shorter games as well as increase the number of valid strategies.


Updated Zaishen Rewards

* Updated Zaishen Chest drops to replace Cerebral Tonic with a new tonic for the month of February.

Automated Tournaments

* Updated Automated Tournament map rotations.

Bug Fixes

* Fixed a bug that caused Pulverizing Smash to fail when used on a foe who wasn't knocked down.
* Fixed a bug that required players to equip a hammer when activating Dwarven Battle Stance.
* Fixed a bug that caused Protector's Defense effects to linger after the skill user died.
* Fixed a bug that caused Dancing Daggers to count as a lead attack when daggers missed their target.
* Fixed a bug that caused Restoration and Lively Was Naomei to be disregarded when determining whether or not a party had remaining resurrection skills.
* Fixed a bug that prevented Symbols of Inspiration from copying avatar forms.

Miscellaneous

* Xunlai Tournament Agents now offer prizes for the January tournament. These agents can be found in the Great Temple of Balthazar, Lion's Arch, Kaineng Center, and Kamadan.
* The description for Frozen Soil now clarifies that creatures cannot activate resurrection skills within its range.
* The description for Rend Enchantments now clarifies that the skill causes Health loss, not damage.
* The description for Strike as One now clarifies that the target needn't be a foe.
* The description for Mistrust has been reworded for clarity.
* The description for Psychic Distraction now clarifies that targeted skills will be disabled for a few seconds in addition to the skill's standard recharge.
* The description for Agnar's Rage now clarifies that the skill affects foes within earshot.

Update - Thursday, June 11
Updated Zaishen Rewards

* Updated the Zaishen Chest drops to replace the Phantasmal Tonic with the Automatonic for the month of June. More information on Zaishen Rewards can be found here.

Automated Tournaments

* Updated Automated Tournament map rotations.

Bug Fixes

* Fixed a bug that allowed players to have multiple copies of the Heroes' Ascent Zaishen Combat Quest.
* Fixed a bug that caused effects that are conditional upon critical hits to trigger even if critical hits were prevented with a skill.
* Fixed a bug that caused "We Shall Return!" to affect allies instead of party members.
* Fixed a bug that caused Res Orbs to resurrect dead NPCs in Alliance Battles.

Miscellaneous

* Budger Blackpowder will now wait a few seconds between dispensing Powder Kegs in Explorable Areas.
* The Merchants in the Great Temple of Balthazar now offer late-game items.
* Added a confirmation box for Name Changes.
* Removed festival decorations from Kaineng Center and Shing Jea Monastery.
* The Treasure Hunter and Wisdom title tracks now count toward Favor of the Gods.
* Reduced the Zaishen Coin reward for the Hero Battles Zaishen Combat quest.

Update - Friday, June 19
Bug Fixes

* Fixed a bug that caused "We Shall Return!" to bypass Frozen Soil.
* Fixed a bug that caused the Flux Matrix to damage party members.
* Fixed a crash bug associated with "Brace Yourself!"
* Fixed a bug that caused Order of the Vampire to give stolen health to the caster rather than the party member that was attacking.
* Fixed the recharge time on Signet of Spirits by increasing it to the intended 20 seconds.
* Fixed a bug when using Signet of Binding that prevented a spirit's defensive effects from applying properly.
* Fixed a bug that prevented some players from turning in their Random Arena Zaishen Combat quests.
* Updated the inaccurate descriptions for Well of Blood, Well of Power, Well of Suffering, Well of the Profane, and "Incoming!" (PvP).


Update - Thursday, June 18
Bug Fix

* Fixed a bug with Hero and NPC AI which would prevent them from effectively utilizing minion skills.


Update - Thursday, June 18
Skill Updates


PvE and PvP

Assassin

* Palm Strike: increased recharge time to 7 seconds.

Elementalist

* Ether Prism: increased recharge time to 20 seconds.

Mesmer

* Visions of Regret: functionality changed to: "For 10 seconds, target foe and adjacent foes take 15..45 damage whenever they use a skill and 5..50 damage if not under the effects of another Mesmer hex."

Necromancer

* Lingering Curse: increased Energy cost to 15.
* Suffering: increased recharge time to 10 seconds.
* Weaken Knees: decreased duration to 1..16 seconds; decreased Health degeneration to -1..4; decreased damage to 5..10.

Ritualist

* Brutal Weapon: decreased duration to 10..40 seconds.
* Guided Weapon: decreased duration to 4..10 seconds.
* Resilient Weapon: decreased duration to 5..15 seconds.
* Signet of Binding: functionality changed to: "You lose 200..50 Health. Gain control of target spirit."
* Spawning Power: increased effect on Weapon Spells to 4% per rank.
* Spiritleech Aura: functionality changed to: "Skill. For 5..20 seconds, all of your spirits within earshot deal 5..20 less damage and steal 5..20 Health when they attack."
* Spirit Siphon: functionality changed to: "The spirit nearest you loses all Energy. You gain 15..50% of that Energy."
* Vital Weapon: decreased duration to 5..30 seconds.
* Wailing Weapon: decreased duration to 3..9 seconds.
* Warmonger's Weapon: decreased duration to 3..13 seconds.
* Weapon of Shadow: decreased duration to 3..8 seconds.
* Weapon of Warding: decreased duration to 3..8 seconds.

PvP Only

Elementalist

* Savannah Heat: increased Energy cost to 15.

Paragon

* "Help Me!": functionality changed to: "For 1..10 seconds, you gain 5..50 Health and other allies' spells targeting you cast 50% faster."

PvE Only

Sunspear

* Cry of Pain: functionality changed to: "Interrupt target foe's skill. If that foe was suffering from a Mesmer Hex, that foe and all foes in the area take 25...50 damage and -3..5 Health degeneration for 10 seconds."
* Vampirism: decreased casting time to .75 seconds; increased spirit level to 4..14.

Ritualist

* Agony: decreased casting time to .75 seconds; increased spirit level to 1..12.
* Anguish: decreased casting time to .75 seconds; decreased Energy cost to 15; increased spirit level to 1..11.
* Armor of Unfeeling: decreased Energy cost to 5. Functionality changed to: "For 10..35 seconds, your spirits takes 50% less damage and are immune to critical attacks."
* Bloodsong: decreased casting time to .75 seconds; increased spirit level to 1..12.
* Destruction: decreased casting time to .75 seconds; increased spirit level to 1..14.
* Disenchantment: decreased casting time to 1 second; decreased Energy cost to 15; decreased recharge time to 30 seconds; increased spirit level to 1..12.
* Displacement: decreased casting time to .75 seconds; increased spirit level to 1..14.
* Dissonance: decreased casting time to 1 second; increased spirit level to 1..12.
* Earthbind: decreased casting time to 1 second; decreased recharge time to 30 seconds; increased spirit level to 1..14.
* Empowerment: decreased casting time to .75 seconds; increased spirit level to 1..14.
* Gaze of Fury: decreased casting time to .75 seconds; increased spirit level to 1..14.
* Life: decreased casting time to .75 seconds; increased spirit level to 1..14.
* Pain: decreased casting time to .75 seconds; increased spirit level to 1..12.
* Preservation: decreased casting time to .75 seconds; increased spirit level to 1..14.
* Recovery: decreased casting time to .75 seconds; increased spirit level to 1..14.
* Recuperation: decreased casting time to .75 seconds; increased spirit level to 1..14.
* Rejuvenation: decreased casting time to .75 seconds; increased spirit level to 1..20.
* Restoration: decreased casting time to 1 second; decreased recharge time to 30 seconds; increased spirit level to 1..14.
* Shadowsong: decreased casting time to 1 second; decreased recharge time to 30 seconds; increased spirit level to 1..10.
* Shelter: decreased casting time to 1 second; increased spirit level to 1..12.
* Signet of Creation: increased recharge time to 30 seconds. Functionality changed to: "For 5..30 seconds, your next 1..3 Binding Rituals cast instantly."
* Signet of Spirits: increased recharge time to 20 seconds. Functionality changed to: "Create three level 1..12 spirits. These spirits deal 5..30 damage with attacks. These spirits die after 60 seconds."
* Soothing: decreased casting time to 1 second; decreased Energy cost to 15; decreased recharge time to 45 seconds; increased spirit level to 1..12.
* Union: decreased casting time to .75 seconds; increased spirit level to 1..12.
* Wanderlust: decreased casting time to 1 second; increased spirit level to 1..12.
* Weapon of Warding: decreased duration to 3..8 seconds.

Paragon

* "Brace Yourself!": functionality changed to: "For 5..12 seconds, the next time target other ally would be knocked down, all nearby foes take 15..75 damage instead."
* "Can't Touch This!": functionality changed to: "For 20 seconds, the next 1..5 touch skills used against allies within earshot fail."
* "Fallback!": decreased recharge time to 20 seconds.
* "Find Their Weakness!": functionality changed to: "For 5..20 seconds, the next time target ally attacks, that ally also inflicts a Deep Wound and does 5..50 additional damage for 5..20 seconds."
* "Go for the Eyes!": decreased recharge time to 0 seconds; increased chance to land a critical hit to 30..100%.
* "Help Me!": decreased recharge time to 10 seconds. Functionality changed to: "For 1..10 seconds, you gain 15..90 Health and other allies' spells targeting you cast 50% faster."
* "Incoming!": decreased Energy cost to 5; decreased recharge time to 20 seconds.
* "Never Give Up!": decreased recharge time to 15 seconds.
* "Never Surrender!": decreased recharge time to 15 seconds.
* "Stand Your Ground!": decreased Energy cost to 10; decreased recharge time to 20 seconds.
* "We Shall Return!": increased Energy cost to 25; increased recharge time to 30 seconds. Functionality changed to: "All party members in earshot are resurrected with 25..50% Health and 5..20% Energy."
* Anthem of Disruption: decreased casting time to 1 second.
* Bladeturn Refrain: functionality changed to: "For 20 seconds, target non-spirit ally has a 5..20% chance to block incoming attacks. This Echo is reapplied every time a Chant or Shout ends on that ally."
* Blazing Finale: increased Burning duration to 1..7 seconds.
* Defensive Anthem: decreased Energy cost to 10.
* Signet of Return: decreased recharge time to 5 seconds.

AI Updates

The following AI updates apply to Heroes and Hard Mode NPCs.

Assassin

* Heroes are more likely to use offensive Shadow Step skills before their Health reaches 50%.
* Heroes will now use Black Lotus Strike against non-hexed foes when appropriate.

Dervish

* Heroes are more likely to use Attacker's Insight during combat.

Elementalist

* Heroes are more likely to use attunement skills during combat.

Mesmer

* Heroes will now more appropriately use hex spells that require an interrupt to take effect.
* Heroes will now maintain Mantra of Inscriptions both in and out of combat.

Monk

* Heroes are more likely to scatter appropriately when affected by Ray of Judgment.
* Heroes will now use Life Sheath to remove conditions out of combat.
* Heroes will now use Boon Signet more frequently.
* Heroes are now more likely to use Spotless Mind and Spotless Soul in conjunction with other hex and condition removal skills.
* Heroes are now more likely to use Restore Condition if their target is suffering from multiple conditions.
* Heroes will now use Dwayna's Kiss more frequently when hexes and enchantments are present on the target.
* Heroes will now use Words of Comfort more frequently on characters suffering from conditions.
* Fixed a bug where the AI only used Healing Burst as a self-targeting spell.
* Fixed a bug where the AI did not recognize Unyielding Aura as a hard resurrection skill.

Necromancer

* Heroes can now cast Lingering Curse off-target.
* Heroes will now use Blood is Power and Blood Ritual on casters holding bundle items.
* Heroes will now maintain Aura of the Lich in and out of combat.

Paragon

* Heroes will now check if Angelic Bond is active on all party members before using the skill.
* Heroes will only activate Angelic Bond if a party member is under 50% Health.
* Heroes are more likely to use "Incoming!" outside of combat.
* Heroes will only use Chest Thumper against foes that are suffering from Cracked Armor.
* Heroes will now use "Never Surrender!" both in and out of combat.

Ritualist

* Heroes will now use Resilient Weapon, Spirit Light Weapon, and Weapon of Warding to overwrite non-defensive weapon spells when the target's Health is at critical levels.
* Heroes will now use Offering of Spirit more frequently and will now use it out of combat.
* Heroes will now use Mending Grip as a self-targeting spell.
* Heroes will now only use Brutal Weapon on targets who are engaged in combat.
* Heroes will now cast Weapon of Quickening on spell-casting classes regardless of weapon type equipped.
* Fixed a bug where the AI would not use Renewing Memories while holding a bundle item.

Warrior

* Heroes are more likely to use Defy Pain at 95% Health to make better use of its damage-reduction feature.
* Heroes will use "or Great Justice!" as is appropriate for their weapon type.
* Heroes are less likely to overwrite Rush with other stances.
* Heroes are less likely to overwrite Frenzy with other stances unless Health is low.

General

* Fixed a bug where Heroes would not use zero-Energy skills when low on Energy.


Bug Fixes

* Fixed a bug that would cause GvG matches to end in a tie if a Guild Lord died when the tiebreaker triggered. All Guild Lords will now become non-combatants when the match ends after 28 minutes according to the server clock. Note that this time may differ slightly from your client's timer.
* Fixed a bug that prevented Depravity and Ether Phantom from displaying Energy loss.
* Fixed a bug that caused Depravity to affect all nearby foes.
* Fixed a bug that caused the following Ritualist skills to use an incorrect casting animation: Agony, Anguish, Empowerment, Gaze of Fury, Recovery, and Rejuvenation.


Miscellaneous

* Xunlai Tournament Agents now offer prizes for the May tournament. These agents can be found in the Great Temple of Balthazar, Lion's Arch, Kaineng Center, and Kamadan.
* Reduced the amount of wins needed for the base objective and second bonus objective on the Random Arenas Zaishen quest.
* Increased the Zaishen Coin rewards for all Zaishen Mission quests and Zaishen Bounty quests.

Update - Tuesday, September 1
Miscellaneous

* Nicholas the Traveler has been brushing up on his language skills.
* Kun Shao has gone on vacation until the Xunlai Tournament House is able to distribute points for the month of May.
* Fixed a bug that allowed teams to sync join in random PvP.