Ursan....Thoughts?

People complain about the HA meta, the GvG meta, the PvE meta... this game is made of metas. I've learned that if you want to want to stop playing the "meta" at some point (or at least variations in the metas - such as a N/R b/p amongst the R/X b/p's), play with people who have a similar mindset as yours. And that's partially why I love my alliance - even though we're not high-end PvE, we don't believe in the holy trinity. We've all had to learn playing uncommon but effective builds, and we love it. Back when we were doing ToPK daily, they wouldn't run if I wasn't puller; and they knew I'd be N/R.

Just showing how there ARE variations in the meta/cookie cutter itself, at one point where there's a line whether it is cookie cutter or not. For the heck of it we've tried a X/R b/p ToPK run. We had a E/R, a Mo/R, a N/R (might have had a R/Rt in there for FW duration purpose only, if not it was another E/R), rest were normal professions (N/Mo MM, N/Rt orders, Mo/X healer). We did our average time. It's cookie cutter if you think of it (we spam barrage!) but when you think again, we were running with uncommon builds. Builds that might have been laughed at, and we did our average alliance run time (an hour).

I'll give that Ursan sets EVERYONE with same skills once you're in bear mode, however. Ursan is a meta in itself, you can't change the skills once you're in Ursan mode. And it DOES make a difference.

I agree. Norn rank.

Same as me playing another build: let's take the N/R b/p I've been talking about for a while. I'm a necromancer with a bow. I'm not a ranger. I have to meet my bow requirement yet have a decent Barrage damage (11 Marks) and have a reason to be a N/R instead of R/N (Curses: 11+3+1). Then enough SR to keep the build running without energy problems (6+1 is enough) and the remaining in a speed boost (Wilderness Survival: 2), so I choose Storm Chaser because it has the longest duration (25% speed boost is enough, 10 seconds is alright).

The thing is that in Ursan I have my Norn attribute only that determines my damage, health, armor. Outside Ursan, I behave like a normal necromancer. As a N/R, I'm a necromancer playing a ranger build. I'm not a ranger.

I'm a necromancer. Nothing's gonna change that. I just have the choice of playing different builds.

Why has this gone for 14 pages? UB is a ridiculously stupid skill just because of how it functions and should be deleted from the game. The effect it has on the economy is minimal. People who play balanced builds, by PvE standards, learn a lot more than they do running Ursan. The people justifying Ursan's existance as a skill are either bad at GW or simply rely on it because they don't have the time/patience/whatever to play "proper" builds, which is understandable. Btw, the first time I saw someone asking for a R7+ Norn Ursan I found it so very, very ironic.
Yes, you can always choose not to play meta. The problem is, though, the majority of players choose to go with the meta, and if ANet do not change anything that meta will not change (stacking orders + 50% ias iway ownz).

I can say with great confidence that there is NO variant of the current PvE meta, which is UB. Also, simply changing from a R/X to an X/R and using the exact, or almost, same bar shouldn't be called a variant.

As Kus said - he gains the benefit of SR. Also CS triggers. So should Leadership. And ES. The others primary attributes don't trigger because the skills on the skillbar don't trigger them - eg. you aren't using any spells so FC can NOT trigger!
The primary attribute is still present that way and isn't replaced by the Norn title track.
The skill does get better without investing attribute points into it. Same way as ANY PvE only skill.

The armour and hp buff is gained as a result of using a skill. Once again - completely in tune with using ANY other skill with such a description.

The way I see it - an Ursan necro is still a necro. It just isn't using necro skills.
BUT like you established - that doesn't make it into a non-necro.

Also if you can't compare players and mobs, and you can't bring PvP rules into PvE - then what rules do we have then that would establish how insane Ursan is?

It's working as intended - thus it's not an exploit.
What gives you the privilege to define what a "stupid" or a "smart" idea is especially if it was implemented by the people that HAVE the right to define that?

Define "broken" and "not broken" IN PvE.

I am neither.
Which makes me wonder - what part of your theories is false also.

I agree with Shanaeri. At this point, however, you have two choices.

You can play with a guild that enjoys a balanced team and is innovative, and you can Hero/hench for most areas.

Or...you can find another game that doesn't insert "God-mode" skills for c-space gamers. You want a mature, challenging game? Age of Conan comes out in March.

Agreed about the meta thing. People choose to go for it because it's effective. It's just that in PvE, your enemy's build doesn't change (and THAT'S what I wanted in HM - better AI, better builds. Something challenging, and not because they had faster cast times...) so the people won't complain much. It's always the same enemies, always the same builds.

The foes WILL NOT COMPLAIN when they have had 200 million MSes cast on them.

However, I behave differently as a X/R than a R/X. I have to take care of other things - energy when I'm playing as a Rt/R since I don't have any benefit oustide zealous bowstring, maybe. Amor level on a Rt/R isn't the same, you have to be more careful. If you get hit with MS as a R/Rt, let's say, you won't take as much damage as the Rt/R who doesn't have the elemental bonus damage, and I got killed a few times trying to pull stuff like a ranger. It's part of it. Changes a bit your exp. from the typical b/p meta.

A Rt/N MM is made more for damage than a typical N/X MM - you need to have higher death magic so that the minions will live long enough to absorb damage, and not just create it, as the Rt/N is made to bomb the **** out of your enemies. But they both remain MMs, true.

And there are X/E I don't exactly wish to see out there because they don't synergize well (W/E, D/E, R/E nukers).

Ok: "Just let me the tittle, mkkay!"
Shout: for each minute you were running threadmill, one enemy in compas range dies.

---

Okay:

Skill that alows 100% of population complete normal mode campaign is not broken.

Skill that allows 100% of population complete simple challenges with same player skill requirement as simple campaign stuff smells of broken.

Skill that allows 100% of population complete hardest challenges with same player skill requirement as normal campaign pass IS definitelly broken.

Because they're well thought-out builds. Why would you nerf being creative?

The thing about Ursan is it's the easiest to use with a limited amount of counters, large amount of overrides, and most basic build formula (makes its own skillbar, strength lies in a title.)

And in the process of playing the game, you *will* learn, you *will* get better when you play through one or numerous builds. As Shanaeri has posted, you're pretty much not really playing the game when you play Ursan.

i.e. just give up?

Agreed, which is why I said what I said above.

Actually, class discrimination can be overcome by playing a different class. Both situations are relatively the same because, no matter what, the person is being told to be something else.

Not to mention, to be "fine" for UB means having to dish out 40 bucks.

To have you understand what you're playing with.

So again you're making a broad assumption? I thought you told me not to do that.

Nonetheless, the world is a lot meaner than nicer. Online communities are no different.

There's a lot left, just not a whole lot for you, it seems.

Because Timmy isn't so much as "playing the game" but more that he's nearly "playing on spectator mode."

Which will give you no in-game advantage whatsoever. ANet's been very clear about that.

Okay. So don't criticize me for talking about HA in here when you yourself have talked about it as well.

You asked "where are these people?" so I showed you a few of them. Am I saying everyone is against it? No.

If you're saying that UB is not the quickest and easiest route than you are in a very strict path of denial. If UB was not one of the most damaging aspects of this game you would not see me posting, there would not be huge long threads about it, and you would see its use less frequently.

If Ursan was fine we wouldn't be having this conversation.

Next to "we're poor as hell," saying "we don't care about everyone" is the LAST thing a game company would say.

...What? For one, it helps *enforce* the skill > time motto because you no longer have to spend huge chunks of time and money unlocking those skills. Secondly, the largest problem for PvP's accessibility is the huge reliance on having all unlocked skills. This is a good thing, do not think it otherwise.

"Nothing will change???" Guild Wars is a game that's constantly changing, it relies heavily on it. How can you say that?

So therefore: Because it has the possibility to apply to more people, it's safer to make a very, very broad assumption.

(Sigh! I'm starting to make a name for myself with these Post-Wars.)

I have the same right to tell you its stupid just as you have the same right to say its smart. The difference is, my reasoning has a more solid foundation to build itself on it.


[skill]Protective Spirit[/skill]
Now this is a skill that works great. Its a cool skill and very useful. However players have found a way to exploit it. By lowering their health using multiple/redundant superior runes, they can negate damage to almost zero and create an unkillable character.

Lets look at soul reaping (before the SR nerf)
Lets look at spirits (before the spirit nerf)
Lets look at expertise (before the expertise re-write)
Lets look at interrupts (before the interrupt aftercast nerf)

Just because its working as intended doesnt mean its being USED as intended. Thats an exploited game mechanic.

What we cannot define is what was Ursan designed for. This is up to Anet. And this is what is arguable. This is where you can disagree with me.

However we CAN define what it IS being used for. And judging from that, I think it is being exploited.

I consider Protective Spirit with 55 health a SMART exploit (someone had to sit down and experiment and figure it out). While Ursan is a DUMB exploit.

Also it takes some bit of coordination to use the PS 55 builds and Anet has added monsters in areas to keep the build from running completely unchecked. This keeps the exploit from being too powerful, because of its limited scope PLUS theres other alternatives to it. Its powerful yes, but it has a weakness and it is in balance and harmony with the rest of the game.

This is not being done to Ursan.

I actually agree with that. Strongly agree. It can be a problem, and I bet it is already. I don't PUG too much aside FoW and UW, Slaver's Exile...

Timmy the noob has never played this game yet can do the same thing as me in DoA. It's a good thing because he CAN.

Bad thing because he just joined GW, went to EotN level 10, got to R5 Norn finishing the storyline with little exeperience of how his warrior works, picks up Ursan, finishes NF and ends up killing Mallyx in my group. Do you think I KNOW that when he invites to my group? Timmy The Noob and Tommy The Noob are both spamming (Tommy is actually an experienced player, playing Ursan for the hell of it, but I don't know any TBH - never played with any). Timmy self-invites in my 7/8 party after a spam. Ok, he's got a decent Ursan build, gogogog kill mallyx!!1.

Now, I keep Timmy in my f-list because he was a decent Ursan - he actually listened during the run and despite having made mistakes every now and then, didn't cause too much problems. If I need a tank, or just need someone to fill up a spot, I call for Timmy. We're not running Ursan, so he comes with his HH/Healing Breeze/Mending wammo...

Something's wrong. Yes, this guy didn't get too much experience. I totally agree.

While Tommy's used to tank in DoA and does Ursan every now and then. Maybe Tommy doesn't have the time to kill Mallyx with a normal team (never done Mallyx btw, just an example) today, or maybe he'd figured that he doesn't wanna play the kind of tank he uses to play.

So you have experienced player base who will run Ursan just for the hell of it. They can kill Mallyx with an average group. They don't necessarily run Ursan all the time. Maybe they're there just for the heck of it, want something new, I don't know...

Idiocracy is already here .. "no child left behind".

You shouldn't do _______ because I think it is wrong.
I think it's harming the gaming experience of others.
I am better because I don't use that option.
I know how others should play.
I know what is best for the game.

Those are the arguments that I am reading from the nerf UB side. No matter how much twisting or sugar coating goes into the post .. doesn't change the base motivations. The weakest arguments yet are about what it is doing to the game .. this game is a dead end. No new chapters no new skills coming. Can you hear the fat lady warming up? Or is this your "rage against the dying of the light"?

Anet could nerf this skill without ANY changes to any other skill .. nothing to balance it against (would take all of 5 minutes). Yet they don't. Perhaps they feel the skill is working as intended. Or the positive effects it has had far out weighs any of your imagined negatives.

Everyone keeps talking about the long term effects of UB on the playerbase. What long term is there? GW2 is approaching Beta stage. So my 9k hours played doesn't matter if I use UB in UW with friends for fun I lose IQ points? I forget how to make bars and run them? Please. Most of the posts here read like former debate team kids .. high on fluff low on actual logic.

None of you have anything beyond your opinion (which is often clouded by ego) to base these arguments on. Produce hard data to support your position like server log files showing skill use per player per zone. What you can't get these? Then what are you using to base these arguments on? Your opinions? So your opinions are better suited than my own or others in the game as to how my instance and theirs should be played?

Only the last one applies to me. ;P

While we do not have hard data that Anet does, we as players often see things they do not. Or we see things that they see, but do not see as an immediately important issue.

My arguments stem from understanding of existing game mechanic and understanding of game design in general, as well as observation of game mechanic and game mechanic change trends such as nerfs and other decisions.

For example.

A little while back, you could swap armors out in PvP. Players would change headgear for more health, energy, different attributes, etc. while in the middle of gameplay. This was an existing game mechanic.

This became such a common tactic, that some players were suggesting an "armor swap" hot key.

This created an advantage to PvE characters who could have multiple armor sets while PvP characters could not. The game mechanic became exploited.

Players could no longer play on the same playing field as other players without having this same advantage since everyone is using it.

I created a thread suggesting that Anet equalize the PvP and PvE characters. I had no hard data, just my own observations and heresay, as well as understanding of game mechanics and human nature in general.

Many players disagreed with me, insisting that PvE characters deserved such an advantage, since they took a much longer time to build up for PvP.

I chose to stand my ground and back up the idea that was balanced and a better game design decision in general.

Long story short. Things have been changed. My suggestion, which was based on ZERO hard data was validated.


So no, im not just pulling stuff out of my ass when I say, that I think Ursan is a bad idea. I do actually think about this shit like it matters.

The point you are missing is .. UB does not have any effect on other skills. Anet could nerf it with no changes to any other skills. Unlike the other examples you gave .. prot spirit etc. I see pugs forming in a dead game .. sorry this will always be a positive.

PvP does not apply to this skill so that is a very bad example. UB can be used by the masses or NOT used. Comes down to choice for your own instance. There is the epic flaw in your arguments. EVERYONE has the same choice to use or not nobody that owns the chapter is limited.

That's why you FEEL Ursan is broken because of how YOU see the game.
Because you want the game to cater the people that want to to spend months playing the game to be the best.
How about if the game is supposed to be easy?

I doubt I ever said it was smart. (I hope not atleast!)
I said that I consider it as bad as PvE is and because A.Net is to lazy to fix PvE I don't mind having it in the game.
I'd rather have a shitty fix - then no fix. Because let's cut to the chase. If they remove Ursan - they won't fix PvE instead.

And PS is a very cute skill. And very useful.
And like I said - it made Ursan possible.

I also don't see how the use of Ursan can be different to how it was envisioned. As far as I can see - people are using it as as described with no strange builds or anything. You transform and run to the foe and beat the shit out of them. There is no high science to that. Heck - one can not even imagine that they wouldn't consider Ursan being run in full Ursan parties - just because we have seen so many examples of this same thing happening before!
It's just REALLY strong.
But why is that bad in a game where the player is designed to win? Especially if the game is as RED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GOed up as GW PvE?

To all those defending UB, just face it : its overpowered.

Don't just say that it doesn't harm the game. It is way more overpowered than what LoD was, and yet LoD got nerfed (half for PvP I agree but still). Every single nerfs anet did are almost nothing to what UB deserves. period

guide for ursan?
pretty straight-forward... just spam all the skills when they recharge, nothing too demanding.
Well, having someone with QZ in your team halves recharge -> doubles strengh. Beside that, I can't think of any "tip" for mashing buttons.

faf, ursan is a pve skill. lod isnt. therefore, lod overpower is much worse than ursan overpower.
play some pvp and you'll understand that.

Please ArenaNet, give us feedback on this.



I'm wondering how much testing went into 6 UB / 2 Monk teams in HM.

Probably the same amount of testing that went into 8 Paragon teams in PvP.

Wrong. I believe in game with little necesary preparation time (aka, downtime).

GWs is great because i can zone to highlevel area (or jsut switch HM on), and i dont have to spend time leveling to be fit for it, i dont have to train tradeskills to be able to craft stuff my group/guild needs to complete challenge. All i need to do is to put together good skillbar(s) and its done.

I strongly support "gifted newbie" thing: Player with little time wise experience beating elite area and flawessly fitting into experienced veteran team. GWs is (was) all about enabling this. What i dont support giving people who proved several years in row that they are simply bad players win button.

Not only is ursan lame as already described in many ways, it basically rewards grind with power. You NEED to spend Months playing game to "be the best" (casual time shedule grinding slowly to norn 10 and lightbringer where aplicable).

If game was supposed to be easy, it would not be designed in this way:

Alpha tester: This doa is just impossible without BAMPH!
Dev: Great, working as intended, call it a day.

(yes, this conversation reportedly happened.)

We would not have nasty surprises in elite areas (some surprise spawns in urgoz where you get wiped no matter what you do). We would not get 400 damage on hit warriors in start of UW.

Game might be designed (it should be) to be easy in normal mode storyline (in true casuall friendly spirit), but it was easy enough before ursa as proved by quality pugs in finall mision areas. Hell, i have seen rangers spamming aegis and heal party in hells and they got it done.

But ursan makes game simple to wrong crowd: people who spent significant online time without becoming good or "enlightened" players.

Well Ive never said Ursan should be removed nor did I say balancing it is easy. But I think it is possible to make Ursan a good skill thats not overpowered into broken-ness.

And pugs forming in the game. Good.
Pugs are forming in areas where there didnt used to be players. Good.
Pugs are forming solely because of this skill. Bad.

The effect is GOOD. The cause is not.

Detrimental to the game. Good for the community.

I've made this distinction. Do you agree or disagree?

The PvP argument stands because you insist that people that are arguing against Ursan have no basis for argument since it is all their opinion. I posted it to show that even though an argument seems opinionated (like being FOR or AGAINST Ursan), it CAN still be based on something solid like observation and understanding of the game.

Its not just an opinion for opinions sake.

I dont mean smart as in, the skill is smart. I mean smart, as in a smart decision to put it in.

Well I guess youre more pessimistic than me.

I'd rather have a proper fix. Looks like you are more pessimistic. ;p

Ursan is VERY VERY powerful. The closest comparison would be the Dervish avatar skills. Those skills are balanced even with the application of the Sunspear skill Eternal Aura.


My ideas to balance it would include:

-Make it more difficult to keep up.
-Make it end after a certain amount of time instead of just when energy reaches zero.
-Lower weakness duration and damage Ursan Roar
-Lower KD time of Ursan Rage
-Make Ursan Strike a physical attack instead of armor ignoring damage.
-Disable this skill for a certain amount of time after it has ended.

I like this quote the best:

Most of ursan team lease ursan after battle anyway for some reason. IT would be only "superficial nerf"

Ursan-grade palyer dont understand value of weakness and dont spam roar anyway, and they dont swing weapons either.

It would skill do Damage and interupt

Bingo, we have winner, but not quite.

It already happens

Proper Ursan nerf would be making it prone to shutdown and allow enemies to resist it:

Ursan Blessing -> Enchantement Spell.

Ursan strike -> Meele Attack Skill, deals two packets of damage, one Piercing, one slashing.

Ursan Rage -> deals Blunt damage.

Making it an enchantment is kinda interesting.

Monsters could remove it, and players would need proper cover enchants to keep it up.

It would essentially then become a "super tank".

Agreed, except the enchantment part. Possible, and might be reduced to it, but IMHO it's going too far. Limited amount of time in UB would sound better (probably because I seriously hate how enemies LOVE to strip enchantments *mumbles*).

If the game is too easy, it loses a lot of appeal.

Would the game be as enjoyable if all enemy mobs would be level 5 max? No, it would not.

On the other hand we have bad players that feel they deserve to be able to do everything and win everything in this game because they want to have fun and paid for it!

Any WIN button you can imagine will destroy a game in the medium to long run. The fun will not last long.

GAMES and FUN belong together, but no game is fun if you win it too easy, almost by default.

Any nerf to the skill will make it worthless. If it is easy to strip it WILL be stripped in pugs. ROFL @ cover enchants .. we already have the ob build. If it takes even longer to recharge .. there would be no point to using it. If it does less damage. Why would people use it to take longer in a zone?

The beauty of UB is it is noob friendly and doesn't care what class you are .. NEITHER DO THE PEOPLE GROUPING. If they tone it down and make it AI friendly like you suggest. Why would random pugs continue to use it and group together? They wouldn't.

The cookie cutter builds would then once again be the most logical option. Then the threat of Timmy the noob farming your area would be over. Yay! *vomits* Don't get me wrong an ob tank is really fun to play .. right up there with afking the nine rings. OMG the skill level required is insane! I sure do feel like a warrior spamming ele skills! Wait that is almost as bad as being an Ursan and spamming bear skills *GASP*. Only difference is .. I get to actually attack like a warrior should be.

Anet already adjusted it as much as needed when they killed the ranged attack. If they felt other adjustments were needed why didn't they correct it at that time? Perhaps because it is working as intended.

Your rants against UB are obvious attempts to force your view points on other players. That is the worst thing about gw. Those that cry the loudest on fansites often get their way even if it does not happen to be the majority opinion. Anet had a great idea called instanced play. You should try it sometime you will notice that what other people are doing in their instance really doesn't have ANY impact on your instance.

Now who's ranting?

In fact...telling me that im forcing my point of view is forcing YOUR point of view on me.

LOL.

Wasn't really directed at anyone in particular Hell yeah it was a rant

On this I disagree. I could care less what you run in your instance. I am in no way trying to dictate YOUR instance. The same cannot be said for those crying for change to a skill they admit not even using.

Yays!

And by the way: Sup Kusandaa : ) ?

This happens EVERY friggin day. What else is new? In each and EVERY topic there is always 2 sides. It's like you whiners are taking turns.

Side 1: Comes to forum to whine
Side 2: In-game playing

*Anet listens to side 1 and makes adjustments*

Side 2: Comes to forum to whine
Side 1: In-game playing

Ursan isn't the problem. It's this lousy community that can't seem to figure out what the $%% they want. PvE/PvP will NEVER be balanced. Not because of the so-called design flaws.....it's because this anal community won't let it happen. No matter how balanced this game can get some idiot is gonna come up with something original to "female dog" about. This thread was over before it even started.

It's simple logic really in the eyes of the blind. I don't/can't/won't use X skill for my own reasons and I think they are valid in my world so therefore NO ONE else should use it either. I think if everyone plays the game my way we'll all be pro instead of dumbed down drones who just like to have fun and play the game. I want this to be a job or chore for everyone and nothing should be easy especially in a virtual world. You are NOT ALLOWED TO MAKE YOUR OWN INSTANCE EASIER THEN MINE! Fun is overated. What?! Ursan is fun for you? That is unacceptable!!!! ANET!!!! NERF NOW!

We are forgetting that not everyone has been playing GW for almost 3 years now.
So the new players need a "sweet" skill that will keep them interested in this hell-hole that is PvE long enough to consider buying all 3 chapters BEFORE GW2 comes out.
Because PvE in in its current state without Ursan and other insane PvE skills - is just something that new players would not be able to digest.
It just became so bad.
Ursan gives the newer players something that makes them skip two years of training and gives everyone that isn't as godly as the best a way to be actually able to play this game.
Because otherwise - these people would have nothing to do. And because there is no fee - there is no reason to stick around.
And that would be worse imo then them having a crutch that I don't need to use!

I am in no way denying that!
I've bitched about Aspy for a year - and then - instead of fixing the game - they gave us the report system that doesn't fix anything.
So you can report someone that has trashed my game! Big deal! Doesn't change the fact that the game was still unplayable!
And I've stopped playing pretty much everything other then W/P/Ne - just because other classes have bigger issues then these guys.
This game should be fun - but swimming against the tide isn't!

It's not so much that Ursan makes it easier as it is that people don't know that. Kusandaa makes a good point in what I'm talking about.

Where's the obligatory picture of the special needs kid running in the race when you need it, completion with caption on internet discussions....

I nominate this single post for post of the year on so many levels.

Sorry, he called Ursan balanced. I'm pretty sure posts of the years don't contain dumb information in them.

man.. this is a hard one... but what i dont understand is... wtf anet nerfed TNTF (theres nothing to fear) and Seed of Life.. when Ursan is absolutely more 'powerful', and they do nothing about it??

i guess my point is.. ANET do care about balance in PvE... otherwise they wouldnt hav nerfed those skills.. but they are probably scare of upsetting too many ppl if they change ursan now. i dont think they are willing to take that risk

Although it's not post of the year I don't think it calls Ursan balanced, just that no matter what Anet do or don't do someone will whine about it.The reason we got Ursan in the first place was because people protested about class discrimination and how some areas deliberatly excluded some professions. Thing is, and here's where Upier and I agree they did'nt fix PvE to include mobs which the shunned professions could really help in, they gave us a skill that removed the need for different professions..

I don't think they designed it to work in any particular way. They threw some skills together there and it became a PVE meta build hit.

Personally I think it's fun. Should they balance it? Perhaps if they absolutely feel the need. I'm missing the convincing arguments of what devastation it has brought... but I've seen in game the biggest community building and amount of new relationships in PVE in years, so in that bias I would say no don't reduce it so much that we can't enjoy ourselves anymore.

So Anet decided that the solution to Mesmers and Ritualists not getting into PUG's was to remove those classes from the game with a skill which insta-transforms them to rushing uber-wammos?

That's like curing headache with a shotgun.

If ANet wanted mesmers and ritualists to find PUGs, they should've added mobs to the areas which are best tackled by a mesmer or a ritualist. Create a need.

No, Ursan Blessing was IMO created because they think that's what the PvE community wants: an instawin button which does not require any thinking at all.

Ah but creating mobs and areas best tackled by shunned professions would take lots of work, it seems like every man,woman and his cat at Anet is working on GW2 so that was'nt an option. Fixing mobs may have been the right thing to do for Gw1, but would have delayed GW2 and therefore any income from it.

Certainly atm GW seems like it's being developed by a skeleton crew. Now if thats right or wrong is for another topic, but quick fixes with little regard to the impact on the game as a whole would seem to bear that proposition out.

As to the damage the skill is doing, I would think the enclosed screenshot of DoA would be enough.

As to changes to the skill, make it an enchant. That way it can be stripped, shattered and Mallyxed in the same way as other skills would be that would otherwise break the game.