Curse

Raven Wing · Aug 07, 2009, 01:57 AM // 01:57

I think its funny that some people watch the world of GW each from their narrow angle and if it doesnt suit them they think its uber crap, i actually laughed at some of these posts.
well, I might be guilty of the same since im not much interested in pvp.
I tested out the masochism, and its nice, but i think mm is strong enough already.
My friend is happily exerimenting on his derv.
I took my ranger to Scoundrels rise (nm) and had my pet clear all of it pretty easily.
That means its now a viable option to be a beastmaster. For 4 years I have been wondering why you could have pets, but they werent much more useful than a mini.
Now its time to experiment with it. New combos and skills to be used, maybe new team builds. I like that.
I have a feeling that the pvp people are very hard to please, I just hope there is something they like, if not maybe it will come in next update?

Chocobo1 · Aug 07, 2009, 02:07 AM // 02:07

New update just now, fixed Golden Phoenix and Jungle. Not sure if Jungle was bugged though. Jagged is also now 1/2 activation.

smilingscar · Aug 07, 2009, 02:11 AM // 02:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by byteme!

But if the AI is programmed to go after the weakest targets in your party, wouldn't having lvl 21 minions be some what counter-productive? The enemies would rush your party as opposed to the minions now wouldn't it? I'm just theory crafting at the moment. Haven't got the time to check the update out yet.

But it could help keep the enemy off fiends. Having, say, 4 lvl 14 bone minions and 7 lvl 20 fiends could could be a nice middle ground.

[DE] · Aug 07, 2009, 02:13 AM // 02:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raven Wing

I tested out the masochism, and its nice, but i think mm is strong enough already.

Masochism was a freaking amazing skill until this update, now it's just Awaken the Blood Part 2 that lets players achieve a little bit bigger numbers and add another level to their minions.

Needless to say I'm quite bitter about the whole thing.

HawkofStorms · Aug 07, 2009, 02:17 AM // 02:17

Masochism went from being an awesome skill for a niche build and turned it into something anybody can just haphazardly throw on their bars for bigger numbers. Agreed, not great.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racthoh

No one will use Shroud of Distress because its counterproductive to Shadowform's health loss which is necessary for "By Ural's Hammer!" to work.

No one will use Signet of Deadly Corruption because Shadowform assassins use Sliver Armor to deal damage.

No one will use Unseen Fury because why you'd bother wasting a skill slot blinding enemies that can't hit you through Shadowform anyway is beyond me.

Sad but true.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fenix

Well, me and some friends used to run Invoke spike in HA, and I gotta say, killing 5 targets with one Invoke spike on an altar; it's amazing.

I remember that too. Will be fun running that again.

Generally I agree with Arktantos. An okay update... It's always fun to play around with new skills/abilities. Ie, I haven't played a pet bar in PvE in years. But still, doesn't really address any real issues.

Edit: @Star Gazer: No, we who want a nerf to an invincibility skill KNOW we are in the minority. After all, people want their shinies. The masses will obviously not want that removed. We are just the small few who know that it is better for people in the long term (via deflation) and are willing to actually be harmed for our own good.

therangereminem · Aug 07, 2009, 02:27 AM // 02:27

the skillz having issues where fixed

Racthoh · Aug 07, 2009, 02:33 AM // 02:33

Quote:

A while back, we dramatically reduced the Energy costs of Health-sacrifice skills.

No, you reduced the energy cost of the skills no one used. No one cares that Demonic Flesh or Dark Pact are 1 energy. Sure Enfeebling Blood was changed from 5 energy to 1 but I was hardly bringing Masochism to fuel it considering I was using Enfeebling Blood long before Masochism was introduced. If I have a necromancer sacrificing health it's because they're using Dark Fury and Order of Pain, neither of which were reduced with the sacrifice update.

Let me put it another way. Minions didn't exactly need another buff and neither did Discord. Dark Fury and Order of Pain can get expensive, especially if nothing is dying. Masochism helped maintain Dark Fury and Order of pain even when Soul Reaping was not going off which made it useful. Now it no longer serves that purpose.

Quote:

We decided to rework the skill as a Death Magic and Soul Reaping equivalent of Awaken the Blood.

Right because 50% more of 17% is the same as 3% flat, 10 energy cost to 5, and maintainable if I hit on recharge with 12+ blood magic and enchanting mod vs. "I have a 20 second window to recast this thing".

PowerRAV · Aug 07, 2009, 03:07 AM // 03:07

PWWWEEEEEEEAAAAAAASSSSSSSEEEEEEEEE Bring Tonic Sounds Back!!!!!~~~!!~!~!!~!!!

I is sad until they are back or an option to enable them is added. Why remove content thats just counter productive. =\

pumpkin pie · Aug 07, 2009, 03:15 AM // 03:15

yay lava arrows and elemental flames!

Snow Bunny · Aug 07, 2009, 03:20 AM // 03:20

So boonprot is still bad, ArenaNet buffs assassins and dervishes, and takes good skills (masochism) and turns them into shite.

I reinstalled, found all this out, and uninstalled again.

Also - why did you not touch fire eles? OH OK I FORGOT THAT BUFFING LAVA ARROWS WAS A CRITICAL PART OF THE BALANCE. UPGRADING THE RANGE OF A CRAPPY LOW-POWER AOE FLARE VALIDATES MY EXISTENCE AS A GUILD WARS ELITIST. THANK YOU ARENA NET.

Revelations · Aug 07, 2009, 03:22 AM // 03:22

So, good to see the awesome changes to skills such as:

Distortion
Aura of Restoration
Rip Enchant
Corrupt Enchant
Patient Spirit

Also glad the crip reduction stacking was fixed. Aegis was fixed for TA, and necros didn't get the ability to spread poison.

All in all, great update!

The fact that these people meet about balance and actively decide to ignore some of the blatant imbalances amazes me.

headlesshobbs · Aug 07, 2009, 03:25 AM // 03:25

I'm going to be trying some new sin builds with these changes and with the rework done for pets, I can't wait to solo splinter barrage again.

Just topping it off with tonics being silenced is pure bliss! I don't have to do my business in districts anymore with half of my time screaming "SHUT UP YETI!!!!"

Ribos the Mesmer · Aug 07, 2009, 03:29 AM // 03:29

Just yesterday I came up with a Signet of Midnight/Sand Shards dervish build that I was hoping to take to UW.

Today, I find Sand Shards completely overhauled. Well, so much for that thought.

I find myself liking more of the fixes thandisliking them, overall. Pet buff = great, SoS fix = great, the mesmer skills they fixed = great. Don't like the Restoring Finale nerf, though, as that really was the only way Paragons had to go for a soloing build. Assassins also got a bit overbuffed, considering SF is still running around just fine.

chowmein69 · Aug 07, 2009, 03:38 AM // 03:38

love the selfless spirit buff

Inde · Aug 07, 2009, 03:41 AM // 03:41

To continue your SF discussion, please keep it out of the update thread. It's been moved here:

http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...39#post4788239

I Ithorian I · Aug 07, 2009, 04:04 AM // 04:04

What gripes me the most is that the Dev team are spoon-fed the current problems in GvG via the Balance forums - Yet somehow , time after time , manage to ignore them completetly.

The last quarterly update was focused primarily on PvE - You then stated the next major update would be focused on 'PvP Love'. So this quarterly update we have been anticipating consists of 3 Skills that are currently seeing play in GvG - none of which will stop them seeing use.

Here's a novel idea , use the Balance forums izzy setup - you know the one you set up specifically to help you balance the game. Read the problems they are presenting you, Then work towards fixing them.

shoyon456 · Aug 07, 2009, 04:08 AM // 04:08

I was very satisfied with the update, especially since skills like sand shards, vow of piety, and armor of sanctity were extremely impractical. The AoE on sand shards looks VERY fun, and like it will be very useful in PvE, due to not having to be ripped off. Combining it with some cripple so enemies stay in your death zone I imagine will be very effecient. Vow of Piety alone makes wind prayers more appealing for PvE. And Armor of Sanctity looks like a great anti melee skill, with all around damage reduction.

HOWEVER, in all honesty the Conviction PvE update looks terribly OP'd. Personally, I think Conviction served a fine purpose before, and buffing it in the way they did opens it up for E/D's to run around with it and laugh at melee with the 50% block. Although, I guess it is PvE so balance doesnt matter to anet in it.

I also greatly appreciate the ranger PvE pet update. However, in all fairness I think this ability should have been reserved for Ranger primaries. IMO.

I'm very delighted at both the skill updates and the detailed dev notes that specifically address why and what they did to EACH AND EVERY SKILL. They also stated a goal they had for each class in this update, which I found very professional and encouraging for what Anet will do.

10/10 for creativeness with the skills
10/10 on presentation
?/10 on the skill updates themselves - I won't be able to log on till next week, so although the updates LOOK very good, I'll reserve judgement until I actually see the results of these changes.

Great job Linsey and live team. I was very peeved that you held off on an update for the whole month of July because the update you delivered before that was later in the month than normal, and therefore you "needed a few weeks to see the skills play out," but I must say that pumping out this quality and descriptive skill update made the month wait worth it, and makes me eager to see what you will do with the quarterly update. Of course, now that you reminded me you can deliver when given time, I will wait patiently for that quarterly update.

PS: I've been b**ching for well over a year about the tipeetoeing around substantial derv skill updates that changed some of the weaker mechanics (wind prayers) and am finally vindicated.

PPS: Anet's one blatant fault this update... they buff sin skills so they can "run into the thick of things" but all those updates are pointless because you can still perma Shadowform, GG.

pumpkin pie · Aug 07, 2009, 04:18 AM // 04:18

* Comfort Animal: decreased Energy cost to 5. Functionality changed to: "You heal your animal companion for 20..104 Health. If your companion is dead, it is resurrected with 10..58% Health. If you have Comfort Animal equipped, your animal companion will travel with you."

OMG, I TOTALLY MISS this, thank you arena net! Thank you! and you too Linsey, I saw you lurking

Wynthyst · Aug 07, 2009, 04:28 AM // 04:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Ithorian I

The last quarterly update was focused primarily on PvE - You then stated the next major update would be focused on 'PvP Love'. So this quarterly update we have been anticipating consists of 3 Skills that are currently seeing play in GvG - none of which will stop them seeing use.

This is NOT the quarterly update........

Carinae · Aug 07, 2009, 04:37 AM // 04:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racthoh

No, you reduced the energy cost of the skills no one used. No one cares that Demonic Flesh or Dark Pact are 1 energy. Sure Enfeebling Blood was changed from 5 energy to 1 but I was hardly bringing Masochism to fuel it considering I was using Enfeebling Blood long before Masochism was introduced. If I have a necromancer sacrificing health it's because they're using Dark Fury and Order of Pain, neither of which were reduced with the sacrifice update.

I tend to agree. Masochism powered Orders. The new form is decent, but the functionality of the old form will be missed.