February 11 Balance Update Preview

Hi, everyone, Welcome to the preview for the February 11 balance update! As always, the goal of previewing these changes is to gather your feedback before the live release. We'll be following the conversation and making further adjustments as needed. Thanks, Taylor "Trig" Brooks Competitive Designer General One of the main initiatives in this update is to reduce the overall strength of survivability via support (aka Sustain) that we're currently seeing in the WvW gameplay meta. While we are happy to see melee damage builds have viability in a large-scale game environment, it is clear to us that the support options that enable this are too powerful. We will be making a functional change to barrier, culling alacrity access, and starting to tone down boon applications in WvW. Reduced the barrier cap from 50% of maximum health to 25% of maximum health in WvW only. Relic of the Flock: Increased the cooldown from 10 seconds to 20 seconds in WvW only. Relic of Rivers: Reduced the alacrity duration from 2 seconds to 1 second in WvW only. Artillery Barrage: Fixed an issue that caused this skill to always strike in the center of the targeted area. Elementalist With the addition of spear, the change to Sphere Specialist, and improvements to Overload Air and scepter, elementalists have been performing well recently in PvE. This update includes some tuning for those builds to bring them more in line with their competition. Warhorn is being adjusted to make it a more potent support weapon in exchange for a damage reduction. Persisting Flames is getting an additional trigger to function better with all elementalist weapons instead of requiring a pulsing fire field. Spear will receive slight damage increases in competitive modes where we haven't seen it take off yet. Fire Grab: Increased the power coefficient vs. burning enemies from 2.8 to 3.5 in PvE only. Frozen Burst: Increased the cooldown from 12 seconds to 15 seconds in PvP and WvW. Transmute Frost: Increased the cooldown from 3 seconds to 6 seconds in WvW only. Cleansing Wave: Increased the cooldown from 20 seconds to 25 seconds in PvP only. Ride the Lightning: Increased the power coefficient from 1.0 to 1.5 in PvE only. Shatterstone: Reduced the power coefficient from 1.0 to 0.8 in PvE only. Water Trident: Reduced the power coefficient from 2.0 to 1.6 in PvE only. Arc Lightning: Reduced the power coefficient from 0.4/0.45/0.5 to 0.35/0.4/0.45 in PvE only. Lightning Strike: Reduced the power coefficient from 1.5 to 1.2 in PvE only. Tidal Surge: This skill is now a blast finisher. Water Globe: The water orb created by this skill will now follow the elementalist instead of traveling in a line. Cyclone: This skill now grants superspeed to nearby allies in addition to swiftness. Lightning Orb: Reduced the power coefficient from 1.0 to 0.8 in PvE only. Dust Storm: This skill now also grants resistance to nearby allies when activated. Blazing Barrage: Reduced the power coefficient from 2.5 to 2.2 in PvE only. Increased the power coefficient from 1.05 to 1.2 in WvW only. Meteor: Reduced the cooldown from 20 seconds to 15 seconds in PvP and WvW. Increased the power coefficient from 1.2 to 1.35 in PvP. Volcano: Reduced the power coefficient from 1.26 to 1.1 in PvE only. Derecho: Reduced the power coefficient from 5 to 4 in PvE only. Increased the power coefficient from 1.6 to 1.8 in WvW and from 1.4 to 1.8 in PvP. Fissure: Increased the power coefficient from 1.15 to 1.35 in WvW only. Persisting Flames: This trait now also triggers when inflicting burning on an enemy. Increased the bonus damage per stack from 1% to 2%. Reduced the maximum number of stacks from 10 to 5. Earthen Blast: Reduced the base barrier from 1,302 to 800 and the healing power scaling from 0.75 to 0.5 in PvP only. Overload Air: Reduced the power coefficient from 0.951 to 0.85 in PvE only. Invigorating Torrents: Reduced the regeneration and vigor durations from 3 seconds to 2 seconds in WvW only. Deploy Jade Sphere: Reduced the power coefficient from 0.35 to 0.25 in PvE only. Spectacular Sphere: Reduced the might stacks from 8 to 5 in PvE only. Sphere Specialist: This trait now increases jade sphere cooldowns in PvP only. Reduced the boon duration increase from 150% to 100% in PvE only. Staunch Auras: Increased the stability duration from 1 second to 1.5 seconds in PvP only. Fixed an issue that prevented etchings from being able to be charged after a certain duration. Fixed an issue that prevented etchings from being charged when multiple etchings existed at once. Engineer We're reducing the amount of barrier that support-focused scrappers can apply in WvW in addition to other small changes. Duelist Holosmith in PvP will receive boosts with increased healing from Heat Therapy, changes to Hard Light Arena, and some additional improvements to Elixir Gun synergies. Kinetic Accelerators will now trigger when performing whirl finishers (within limitations) to better align with all of scrapper's toolbox. Spear is getting a couple of tweaks to be more user friendly. Conduit Surge: This skill has been condensed into a single dash. Reduced the cooldown from 6 seconds to 5 seconds in PvE only. Lightning Rod: Increased the cooldown from 15 seconds to 18 seconds in PvP only. Roiling Skies: Increased the angle of this skill's hit box. Essence of Animated Sand: Reduced the might duration from 8 seconds to 5 seconds in WvW only. Reduced the base barrier from 1,285 to 645 in WvW only. Essence of Liquid Wrath: This skill's chain reaction now grants resolution instead of protection in WvW only. Glob Shot: This skill now immobilizes the first enemy struck. Acid Bomb: This skill now does increased damage on the first pulse. Comeback Cure: Reduced the regeneration duration from 1.5 seconds to 1 second in WvW only. Bulwark Gyro: Reduced the initial base barrier from 1,140 to 740, the pulsing base barrier from 560 to 410, and the pulsing barrier's healing-power multiplier from 0.25 to 0.1 in WvW only. Hard Light Arena: Increased the duration from 3 seconds to 6 seconds in PvP and WvW. Increased the boon application interval from 1 to 2 in PvP and WvW. The duration is no longer extended when used above 50% heat; instead, this skill now applies barrier to the user when used above 50% heat. Reduced the cooldown from 60 seconds to 45 seconds in PvP only. Heat Therapy: Increased the healing per unit of heat from 30 to 34 in PvP only. Kinetic Accelerators: This trait now triggers when performing whirl finishers in addition to its previous effect. Whirl finishers cannot trigger this trait more than once every 3 seconds. This trait no longer grants fury in WvW. Reduced the might duration from 8 seconds to 5 seconds in WvW only. Crisis Zone: This skill no longer applies alacrity in WvW only. Guardian Willbender has been a powerful force in competitive modes lately. In WvW, willbender's movement abilities will receive increased cooldowns to raise the opportunity cost of both engaging and disengaging in battle. In PvP, we're toning down the amount of area damage it is able to deal as well as the utility willbender gained from spear. On the PvE side, dragonhunter is receiving some damage increases to better compete with other elite specializations. Mighty Blow: Reduced the power coefficient from 1.82 to 1.65 in PvP only. Glacial Blow: Reduced the power coefficient from 2.0 to 1.8 in PvP only. Zealot's Embrace: Reduced the power coefficient from 1.2 to 1.0 in PvP only. Advancing Strike: This skill no longer slows enemies. It now immobilizes on the first hit instead of the second. Increased the cooldown from 20 seconds to 25 seconds in WvW only. Helio Rush: Increased the ammo cooldown from 8 seconds to 10 seconds in PvP only. Gleaming Disc: Reduced the power coefficient from 0.8 to 0.7 in PvP only. Solar Storm: Increased the cooldown from 15 seconds to 18 seconds in PvP only. Symbol of Luminance: Increased the cooldown from 20 seconds to 25 seconds in PvP and WvW. Reduced the duration of resistance from 4 seconds to 3 seconds in PvP only. Pure of Sight: Increased the minimum damage from 5% to 10% in PvE only. Big Game Hunter: Increased the damage modifier from 20% to 25% in PvE only. Heavy Light: Increased the damage modifier against disabled enemies from 15% to 20% and the damage modifier against defiant enemies from 10% to 15%. Portent of Freedom: Increased the stability duration from 2.5 seconds to 3.5 seconds in PvP only. Unhindered Delivery: Increased the stability duration from 4 seconds to 5 seconds in PvP only. Swift Scholar: Increased the quickness duration from 2 seconds to 3 seconds in PvP only. Stoic Demeanor: Increased the internal cooldown from 1 second to 5 seconds in WvW only. Rushing Justice: Increased the cooldown from 18 seconds to 22 seconds and reduced the power coefficient from 1.5 to 1.2 in WvW only. Flowing Resolve: Reduced the ammunition count from 2 to 1 in WvW only. Crashing Courage: Increased the cooldown from 30 seconds to 40 seconds in WvW only. Holy Reckoning: Reduced the might duration from 4 seconds to 3 seconds in WvW only. Phoenix Protocol: This trait now applies resolution instead of alacrity in WvW only. Mesmer In PvE, dagger and spear outclassed the other power-focused weapons while also making some power-based builds too strong. We'll be reducing their damage while bringing up main-hand sword damage so that all options are closer together and more in line with other builds. The functionality of Illusionary Defense is being changed to lower its number of boon applications while also making the choice to use it more intentional. In WvW, we want virtuoso to remain in its high single-target burst damage niche, but it's currently too good at its job. We are lowering Bladesong Harmony's damage while bringing up some area damage skills so that it remains useful in large-scale combat situations. Blurred Frenzy: Increased the power coefficient from 0.3846 to 0.45 in PvE only. Bladecall: Reduced the power coefficients on outgoing and returning hits from 0.5 to 0.35 in PvE only. Unstable Bladestorm: Reduced the power coefficient of the storm from 0.45 to 0.25 and the damage coefficient of the blades from 0.66 to 0.5 in PvE only. Mind the Gap: Reduced the power coefficient from 2.5 to 2.0 in PvE only. Illusion of Life: Fixed an issue that prevented this skill from returning players with barrier to the downed state. Increased the cooldown from 75 seconds to 90 seconds in WvW only. Illusionary Defense: This trait now only applies protection when using the second shatter skill. Increased the base protection duration from 1 second to 4 seconds. Increased the protection per clone from 1 second to 2 seconds in PvE and WvW and from 0.5 seconds to 1 second in PvP. Bountiful Disillusionment: Reduced the vigor duration from 8 seconds to 5 seconds in WvW only. Reduced the fury duration from 10 seconds to 6 seconds in WvW and PvP. Mental Defense: Reduced the resistance duration from 4 seconds to 2.5 seconds in WvW only. Flow of Time: Increased the alacrity duration from 0.75 seconds to 1 second in WvW only. Stretched Time: This trait no longer causes Flow of Time to affect nearby allies. It now causes shattering to apply its boon to other nearby allies. This trait now applies might instead of alacrity in WvW only. Mirage Mantle: This trait now causes Chaos Vortex to apply vigor instead of alacrity in WvW only. Nomad's Endurance: This trait no longer grants additional condition damage. It now increases outgoing strike and condition damage when you have vigor, starting at a base of 10%. Sharp Edges: Increased the damage multiplier from 15% to 25% in PvE only. Bladesong Harmony: Reduced the power coefficient from 0.55 to 0.45 in WvW only. Bladeturn Requiem: Increased the power coefficient 0.3 to 0.5 in PvE and from 0.2 to 0.35 in WvW and PvP. Thousand Cuts: Increased the projectiles' hit-box size. Rain of Swords: Increased the power coefficient from 0.8 to 1.2 in PvE and from 0.66 to 0.8 in WvW and PvP. Jagged Mind: Reduced the bleeding duration from 4.5 to 4.0 in PvE only. Infinite Forge: Reduced the damage increase from 10% to 7% in PvE only. Necromancer In WvW, support-focused scourges will see some key cooldowns increased to lower their overall output, and damage-focused necromancers will have their damage and boon removal capabilities increased. Overflowing Thirst will receive a rework to enhance dagger with support capabilities. Soul Shards: Reduced the bonus damage modifier from 50% to 20% and the bonus healing modifier from 50% to 20% in PvP only. Extirpate: Increased the power coefficient from 2.0 to 2.25 in PvP only. Path of Gluttony: Reduced the dash velocity by 25%. Gorge: Reduced the dash velocity by 25%. Increased the base health cost from 8% to 12% in PvP only. Gravedigger: Increased the radius from 180 to 240. Death Spiral: Increased the angle of this skill's hit box. Nightfall: Increased the cooldown from 30 seconds to 40 seconds in WvW only. Grasping Darkness: Fixed an issue that caused this skill to have a lower cooldown than intended in WvW. Devouring Darkness: Reduced the cooldown from 18 seconds to 15 seconds in WvW only. Well of Suffering: Increased the power coefficient from 0.65 to 0.75 in WvW only. Spiteful Spirit: Increased the number of boons removed from 1 to 2 in WvW and PvP. Overflowing Thirst: This trait has been reworked. It now causes dagger skills to grant other nearby allies stacks of Taste for Blood. Taste for Blood causes your next strike to siphon health. Executioner's Scythe: Increased the power coefficient from 0.01/0.015/0.02 to 0.91/1.364/1.82. Serpent Siphon: Increased the cooldown from 30 seconds to 40 seconds in WvW only. Sandstorm Shroud: Increased the cooldown from 35 seconds to 45 seconds in WvW only. This skill no longer applies protection in WvW only. Sand Cascade: Increased the cooldown from 18 seconds to 25 seconds in WvW only. Ranger In large-scale WvW combat, ranger pets are very fragile. This is a long-standing problem that we'd like to address. We are starting by reducing the penalty when your pet is defeated, and we'll keep an eye on the results while we consider other solutions. Untamed will receive a damage increase and a new way to strip boons to give it a better chance in WvW. Spear is being adjusted in both PvE and PvP to help make it a viable option. Eclipse is getting new functionality to help condition-based druid builds function in situations where it can be difficult to generate astral force. Frost Spirit: Reduced the resistance duration from 4 seconds to 2 seconds in WvW only. Reduced the cooldown of pet swapping with a defeated pet from 60 seconds to 25 seconds in WvW only. Panther's Prowl: Reduced the cooldown from 25 seconds to 20 seconds in PvP only. Spider's Web: Reduced the cooldown from 25 seconds to 20 seconds in PvP only. Falcon's Stoop: Increased the power coefficient from 1.25 to 1.375 in WvW and PvP. Owl's Flight: Increased the power coefficient from 1.5 to 1.65 in WvW and PvP. Drake's Swipe: Increased the power coefficient from 0.9 to 1.1 in PvE only. Wyvern's Lash: Increased the power coefficient from 1.2 to 1.4 in PvE only. Cheetah's Strike: Increased the power coefficient from 1.6 to 1.8 in PvE only. Bee's Sting: Increased the power coefficient from 1.2 to 1.4 in PvE only. Wolf's Onslaught: Increased the power coefficient from 1.25 to 1.5 and the final strike power coefficient from 2.5 to 3.0 in PvE only. Warclaw's Engage: Reduced the cooldown from 15 seconds to 12 seconds in PvE only. Predator's Ambush: Reduced the cooldown from 15 seconds to 12 seconds in PvE only. Farsighted: Increased the minimum damage bonus from 5% to 10% and increased the maximum damage bonus from 10% to 15% in WvW only. Rejuvenating Tides: This skill no longer applies might in WvW and PvP. Natural Convergence: This skill no longer applies might in WvW and PvP. Eclipse: This trait now increases the amount of astral force gained per strike in addition to its previous effects. Grace of the Land: Reduced the might duration from 6 seconds to 4 seconds in WvW only. Glyph of the Stars: Increased the cooldown from 60 seconds to 75 seconds and reduced the revive amount per pulse from 8% to 5% in WvW only. Exploding Spores: This skill now removes boons from enemies struck. Enemies can only have boons removed by this skill once per cast. Blinding Outburst: Increased the damage modifier from 10% to 15% in WvW only. Natural Fortitude: Increased the life-stealing damage from 1,000 to 1,764 in PvP only. Vow of the Untamed: Increased the outgoing damage modifier from 15% to 20% and the incoming damage modifier from 10% to 15% in WvW only. Revenant Herald has been a popular pick in instanced PvE due to its strength and consistency. Its damage is being adjusted to account for that consistency. Spear's utility-focused skill cooldowns will be increased[AI1] while we improve the potency of power-focused revenants. Like other professions, revenant's boons will be adjusted in WvW, and we are boosting Legendary Assassin Stance to make it a more viable option next to Legendary Dwarf Stance and Legendary Dragon Stance. Abyssal Blitz: Increased the cooldown from 15 seconds to 18 seconds in PvP only. Abyssal Blot: Increased the cooldown from 15 seconds to 20 seconds in PvP only. Echoing Eruption: Reduced the ammunition from 2 to 1 in PvP only. Mender's Rebuke: Increased the power coefficient from 0.91 to 1.09 in PvP and WvW. Preparation Thrust: Increased the power coefficient from 0.4 to 0.466 in PvP and WvW. Brutal Blade: Increased the power coefficient from 0.466 to 0.535 in PvP and WvW. Rift Slash: Increased the power coefficient from 0.6 to 0.7 in PvP and WvW. Inspiring Reinforcement: Increased the cooldown from 10 seconds to 15 seconds in WvW only. Increased the energy cost from 30 to 40 in WvW only. Protective Solace: Increased the upkeep cost from 6 to 8. Pain Absorption: This skill now has a 5-second cooldown in WvW only. Riposting Shadows: Reduced the energy cost from 40 to 30 in WvW only. Impossible Odds: Reduced the upkeep cost from 8 to 6 in WvW only. Jade Winds: Reduced the energy cost from 50 to 35 and increased the cooldown from 5 seconds to 10 seconds in PvE only. Reduced the energy cost from 50 to 40 and increased the damage multiplier from 0.01 to 2.0 in WvW only. Burst of Strength: Reduced the power damage bonus from 15% to 10% and reduced the condition damage bonus from 15% to 5% in PvE only. Shared Empowerment: Reduced the might duration from 12 seconds to 8 seconds in PvE only. Reinforced Potency: Reduced the damage bonus from 1.5% to 1% in PvE only. Forceful Persistence: Increased the damage bonus from 20% to 25% and the herald skill damage bonus from 7% to 10% in PvE only. Orders from Above: This skill now applies resolution instead of alacrity in WvW only. Increased the boon duration from 0.75 seconds to 1.5 seconds in WvW only. All for One: Increased the damage modifier from 10% to 15% in PvE only. Amnesty of Shing Jea: Bonuses for activating Legendary Alliance Stance skills no longer affect nearby allies. Alliance Tactics and Energy Meld will still affect nearby allies. Thief Specter's support functionality in Shadow Shroud is being reworked to make it more intuitive and less finicky. In WvW, thief's changes are similar to willbender's; the initiative costs of skills that allow them to freely enter stealth and move are being increased to create more moments where they're open to counter-pressure. Shadow Sap: Reduced the base barrier from 812 to 652 and the healing power multiplier from 0.5 to 0.25 in WvW only. This skill no longer applies might in WvW only. Endless Night: This skill now applies vigor instead of quickness in WvW only. Black Powder: Increased the initiative cost from 6 to 8 in WvW only. Death's Retreat: Increased the initiative cost from 6 to 7 in WvW only. Death's Advance: Increased the initiative cost from 2 to 5 in WvW only. Shadowstep: Increased the cooldown from 50 seconds to 60 seconds in WvW only. Shadow's Rejuvenation: Reduced the initiative granted when entering stealth from 2 to 1 in WvW only. Haunt Shot: Increased the torment duration from 5 seconds to 6 seconds in WvW and PvP. Grasping Shadows: Increased the torment duration from 5 seconds to 6 seconds and the torment stacks from 2 to 3 in WvW and PvP. Thrill of the Crime: This trait now triggers with lower durations when Siphon is used on an ally target. Bountiful Theft: This trait now triggers with lower durations when Siphon is used on an ally target. Traversing Dusk: Reduced the resistance duration from 3 seconds to 2 seconds in WvW only. Shallow Grave: This trait now cleanses nearby allies when Siphon targets an ally. Increased the number of conditions transferred and removed from 1 to 2 in WvW and PvP. Shadestep: This trait no longer causes the beneficial effects of Shadow Shroud skills to affect allies around the tethered ally. Shadow Shroud skills have been adjusted to affect nontethered allies. Their behavior is unchanged for the tethered ally. Haunt Shot: This skill now heals and grants might to nearby allies. Grasping Shadows: This skill now removes conditions from allies in the target area. Dawn's Repose: This skill now grants barrier to nearby allies at the end of the leap. Eternal Night: This skill now heals nearby allies for each enemy struck. Mind Shock: This skill now grants stability to nearby allies. Warrior Rifle is being adjusted to provide a smoother gameplay experience, and changes to the Dual-Wielding trait will add an option to the Arms specialization to help you stay in the fight. In PvE, condition-based berserkers are raging longer with a change to Last Blaze, while bladesworn is getting additional power to its gunsaber outside of Dragon Slash. In WvW, we're increasing the damage of key spellbreaker skills so they can strip boons while being competitive with other damage-focused builds. Rampage is becoming more potent to give it greater potential for play in PvE. Explosive Shell: The explosion from this skill will now also strike enemies in a small circle around the initial target. Brutal Shot: This skill will now fire its shot during the evasion instead of after it. Rifle Butt: This skill now always recovers ammunition for your other rifle skills instead of requiring an enemy to be struck. Striking an enemy will reduce the cooldown of this skill. This skill will now also recharge Kill Shot. Kill Shot: This skill now deals increased damage against enemies that are affected by crowd control or below 50% health. Banner of Tactics: Reduced the resistance duration from 2 seconds to 1 second in WvW only. Rampage: Increased the cooldown from 60 seconds to 90 seconds in PvE only. Rampage skills have been adjusted as follows: Smash: Increased the power coefficient from 1.6 to 2.0 in PvE only. Bash: Increased the power coefficient from 1.6 to 2.0 in PvE only. Uppercut: Increased the power coefficient from 2.0 to 2.4 in PvE only. Kick: Increased the power coefficient from 1.2 to 2.2 in PvE only. Dash: Increased the power coefficient from 2.4 to 2.6 in PvE only. Throw Boulder: Increased the power coefficient from 2.0 to 2.4 in PvE only. Seismic Leap: Increased the power coefficient from 1.6 to 3.0 in PvE only. Dual-Wielding: The attack-speed bonus from this trait now stacks with other attack-speed bonuses. While wielding a main-hand weapon in your off hand, this trait will now also heal the user when they critically strike. This heal is improved if the struck enemy is bleeding. Scorched Earth: Increased the burning duration from 2.5 seconds to 3 seconds in PvE only. Fixed an issue that could cause overlapping uses of this skill to fail to strike a target. Flaming Flurry: Increased the burning duration from 2.5 seconds to 3.5 seconds in PvE only. Last Blaze: This trait now causes rage skills to extend berserk by an additional second in addition to its previous effects. Natural Healing: This skill no longer removes boons or conditions. It now heals the user for a percentage of their maximum health. Reduced the casting time from 1.2 seconds to 1 second. Imminent Threat: This skill now grants barrier to the user for each affected enemy. Reduced the cooldown from 35 seconds to 30 seconds. Break Enchantments: Increased the power coefficient from 0.5 to 1.0 in WvW only. Winds of Disenchantment: Increased the duration from 4 seconds to 5 seconds and increased the power coefficient from 0.2 to 0.45 in WvW only. Swift Cut: Increased the melee power coefficient from 0.7 to 0.9 and the ranged power coefficient from 0.6 to 0.75 in PvE only. Steel Divide: Increased the melee power coefficient from 0.95 to 1.1 and the ranged power coefficient from 0.6 to 0.75 in PvE only. Explosive Thrust: Increased the melee power coefficient from 1.1 to 1.35 and the ranged power coefficient from 0.9 to 1.2 in PvE only. Artillery Slash: Increased the damage per ammo count from 1.15/1.76/2.2 to 1.25/2.0/3.0 in PvE only. Cyclone Trigger: Increased the power coefficient from 1.5 to 2.5 in PvE only. Daring Dragon: This trait no longer applies alacrity. It now applies might and fury in WvW only.