Big Update & Feedback: rant or praise [MERGED]

Teh Monkeys

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Sep 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ollj
hillarous how many players here demonstrate to delete their character just becaue one , maybe 2, of its skills got slighly changed.
Excuse the profanity, but that's bullshit in my case.

Mantra of persistence was the backbone of ANY illusion mesmer. I am now forced to recast MoP every 30 seconds. 15 energy every 30 seconds. I can no longer bring any elite illusion skills anymore because I'm forced to waste my elite on energy regain.

I can't even begin to understand why the illusion line, the most underused mesmer line, would have to take such a devastating hit with the nerf bat.

I can no longer effectivly play a pure illusion build. I'm forced to become a domination mesmer. Great, I get to babysit and interrupt monks and elementals.

Thanks Anet.

FalconDance

FalconDance

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Sep 2005

...deep within the sylvan splendor...

Order of the Migrating Coconuts [ALBA]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Teh Monkeys
Well, so much for illusion magic. What I don't get is why. Why on earth nerf illusion mesmers? Wasn't one punch in the stomach enough?

Great, now Anet is basicly forcing me to go babysit casters.

*deletes mesmer*
How funny! I usually have to save a warrior's beaten butt with my illusion and dom casts rather than him/her saving mine with brute force.

ttujc

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Aug 2005

Council of Exiles [CX]

Mo/

why are the rangers pissed that they can't fire their bow faster than the bow can fire?
Shouldn't it have been like that in the first place?

cyberzomby

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Mar 2005

Netherlands

The Heroics

N/Me

Just take a look at the skills and figure out what you can do now.

Would you like this game to be the same all the time
Just look at the current fashion in pvp ( well the last one anyways before the balance )
There was smiting groups all over the place. Some ranger builds as well.
Before that we had that Air ele rage with timed chainlightning attacks. Before that there was the monk busines.

In this way you have to think about how you can still get a nice combo and team build. If they didnt do anything about the skills than we would still be here using the first flavour of the month

OHW and another thing I LOVE about the update is the cheating of the high ranked guilds. Like positive zero and negative zero. GREAT JOB Anet on making the ladder fair now ^^

striderkaaru

striderkaaru

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Aug 2005

Scars Meadows [SMS], Retired Officer

W/

anet, i love you. awesome balance changes.

and seriously, to all of the people complaining about skill changes, what do you expect? in any multiplayer online game, things change all of the time. this is what separates the people who can adapt to change and those who do nothing but sit and complain.

User Name

Banned

Join Date: Sep 2005

ehhh. They screwed up the ranger interrupt nerf. The way they "fixed" it actually hurts players that were using interrupts in a legitemate way. But atleast they addressed the issue.

Smite took a hell of a beating...doesn't even seem like a viable build anymore, PvE OR PvP.

I'd like to thank you personally Anet for making my Necro godly where can I send the brownies?

MarkyX

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jul 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by User Name
ehhh. They screwed up the ranger interrupt nerf. The way they "fixed" it actually hurts players that were using interrupts in a legitemate way.
I play interrupt ranger and I don't see a huge deal with it.

Read the wind + recurve bow + interrupts = pwned.

Arcanis the Omnipotent

Arcanis the Omnipotent

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Sep 2005

Nova Alliance

Me/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Saerden
Primary mesmers got hit hard, because everyone will perceive the changes to be mesmer nerfs. They hit secondary mesmers much harder then primary ones though. They can still forget PUG play - and i would not take them along in guild teams without pity being involved (or hex-heavy high areas ). While 3s on diversion makes it primary only, why bother when you can just use another ele/me nuker? Dead mobs are shut down for good. Imho mesmers now have only one role to play in pve: shatter hex the warrior and backfire and interupt everything that the warrior failed to herd into an AoE trap.
Once again, you've proved what an utter stupid tank you really are.

Rusty Deth

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jul 2005

Woodland Realm

Mo/N

Anyone besides me pissed that the Prima Guide is worthless now...?

Well at least for checking and reading about skills. But i think this latest update makes my passive reading of skills and stuff a thing of the past.

All well at least I got my nifty world map out of it. And it still sort-of helps on missions.

But I like the necro updates. Good thing i planned on spending more time playing with mine. This latest update makes it a priority. lol

Arcanis the Omnipotent

Arcanis the Omnipotent

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Sep 2005

Nova Alliance

Me/

I hope they put out a second, extended guide with Chapter 2, because the one that's out now isnt even worth buying anymore.

kawaii_bat

kawaii_bat

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Sep 2005

Canada, Gatineau

None

Mo/R

H*ly shit!

My E/Ne Farming build is actually better now that Parasitic bond casting time is down, magnetic aura's duration is up and it's casting is down to 5!

Yesssssssssss Yesssssssssssss Thank You!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mayar third Keeper

Mayar third Keeper

Academy Page

Join Date: Apr 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by octaviancmb
There are now only seven Mesmer skills with recharge times of five or less: Soothing Images (mana-nerfed), Mind Wrack (energy denial-nerfed), Illusion of Haste, Conjure Phantasm, Distortion, Wastrel's Worry, and "inspired hex/enchantment" (which really don't count, b/c they actually have 20+second 'cooldowns'). So of the FIVE skills a Mesmer can spam, two actually do something. ...and there are *Rangers* complaining that they have to sit around and look at the scenery? At least they have some skills that recharge faster than once every 15-20 seconds.

cmb
You are completely right. Perhaps i should go and buy a book for the time i like to play my mesmer... it gets boring.


another Mesmer

Weazzol

Weazzol

Academy Page

Join Date: May 2005

Over all I am happy with the patch, especially being able to see pet damage. My E/Mo smiter has been humbled a bit, but still effective. Little dissappointed over the mesmer changes, but oh well. My W/E might be a little more interesting to play now, might have a couple new builds to try.

Bread Fan

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jul 2005

I am with you 100% Mayar. I am/was an Illusion Mesmer but thanks to assnet I am deleting him and going with a Necro. My smite monk is useless which is not surprising cause anything that becomes relatively decent and enjoyable assnet patches the game and destroys that. I enjoy PvE a lot and hardly play PvP, it was to my understanding that assnet would make the game balanced for each. It seems every patch is leaning towards PvP. Well time to go make my Necro and play that till assnet decides to nerf that as well.

dargon

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: May 2005

The Seraphim Knights [TSK]

R/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Theus
Cleave – Increased damage to 10..30.
-Eviscerate is still better.
You may want to check that math

Eviscerate - 7 addren max 40 dmg
Cleave - 4 addren max 30 dmg

So in the space of time that you can do 4 Ev's, you can do 7 Cl's

4*40 = 160
7*30 = 210

the only advantage that Cl has is the deep wound, which lowers max hp by 20% or 100, whichever is lower for a max of 20 seconds.

Looks to me like they are pretty much the same now. The 20 seconds will be ending right around the same time you get that 50 extra dmg from cleave. Which makes them virtually identical in where your target ends up healthwise.

Arcanis the Omnipotent

Arcanis the Omnipotent

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Sep 2005

Nova Alliance

Me/

Am I like the only Mesmer completely unaffected by the changes? Cause I seem to be the only one not deleting their Mesmer because of this.

kawaii_bat

kawaii_bat

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Sep 2005

Canada, Gatineau

None

Mo/R

Bah if any of the skills ever don't work out they'll just change em again.

I think they tweaked Earth and Ice and downed differed skills to incourage people to try different things and discourage others from just using what everyone else uses because of over-powering and/or popularity.

And yeah the it's sad that they nerfed down 2 energy draining skills but it's not the end to *that* line of thinking.

Smiting monks for PvE can still smite if they tweak their builds around. But Anet will continue downgrading the skills they primarily use until they *stop* working for solos. Notice how Protective bond, balthazar's aura and Zealot's fire are primary targets. They don't *WANT* a solo build. It's a team-game not a solo farming adventure.

It's like a parent knows somethign is bad for their teen, but the teen will continue doing it (like drugs, cigarettes or alchool) in excess sometimes because they either have fun doing it or just do it to piss off their parents.

Anets' the parent and we are the children. So just try to figure different ways to bug em this time

lol

Arton

Academy Page

Join Date: Jul 2005

Ancient Spirits

E/Me

I have heard a lot of people say they like the new skill build up bar that appears when someone targeted or yourself is using a skill. It looks nifty, but is to distracting for me. I tried to turn it off in my customize menu and can't seem to get it to go away.

If anyone knows what I need to do to get rid of it please let me know. I went into UW as a stance warrior and died because I was looking at all the flashy skill lights and didn't notice my stance had worn off.

FalconDance

FalconDance

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Sep 2005

...deep within the sylvan splendor...

Order of the Migrating Coconuts [ALBA]

No, Arcanis---I play a Mesmer primary and will NOT delete her . In fact, I may even build another with a different speciality.

I just spent an hour or two of completely enjoyable fighting (and a little dying when I wasn't paying attention :/) and I must say I didn't notice much difference in the mesmer effectiveness. Of course, it could be that the skills affected are not ones I use right now.....

Strangely enough, I couldn't sell any of the Smiting Staffs I was 'liberating' today. BUT the trade-off was a couple of sweeeeeet drops.

id0l

id0l

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jul 2005

Austin, Texas, ya'll.

A/D

Quote:
Originally Posted by dargon
You may want to check that math

Eviscerate - 7 addren max 40 dmg
Cleave - 4 addren max 30 dmg

So in the space of time that you can do 4 Ev's, you can do 7 Cl's

4*40 = 160
7*30 = 210

the only advantage that Cl has is the deep wound, which lowers max hp by 20% or 100, whichever is lower for a max of 20 seconds.

Looks to me like they are pretty much the same now. The 20 seconds will be ending right around the same time you get that 50 extra dmg from cleave. Which makes them virtually identical in where your target ends up healthwise.
You haven't taken into account the actual spammability of cleave. At 4 adrenaline (much lower than other adrenal-based axe attacks), it hurts more than helps -BECAUSE- of it's innate spammability (regarding adrenaline skills). Remember, every time you spam it...it costs you one adrenaline strike. So if you have another adrenal skill that requires, say, 8 adrenaline - and you spam cleave when it comes up - you have to wait till you have gained 10 adrenaline before you can use this other skill.

It comes down to this.

Eviscerate is for Axe Spikers.
Cleave is for Axe users who don't rely on other adrenal skills.

Cleave is just too spammable. It hurts your other adrenal skills. Which screws up your damage over time. Like I said, it's great if you don't rely on other adrenal skills. That's what it's made for. But any "in the know" axe spiker will stick with Eviscerate - and justly so - because it works way better for that cause. Regardless of the damage buff to Cleave, it still hurts more than it helps when it comes to having more than just Cleave on your skillbar as your adrenaline skill.

Perhaps we will see Ensign update his little guide soon. He can go way more in-depth with it than I can, and show you actual numbers.

The New Guy

The New Guy

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Sep 2005

Southern CALI

Eraserheads

N/Me

:d Bork Bork Bork!! :d

Ayashi

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Aug 2005

Tenth Man Down

Me/N

Mmm I like the update.

Nuff said

Sanji

Sanji

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jun 2005

Mo/

I love patch time. Not only does it add variety to the game, it also creates a bunch of hilarious forum drama.

I am both amused inside and outside the game.

calamitykell

Banned

Join Date: Aug 2005

N.Y.C.

That new skill monitor bar is sooooo seksay.

I think overall the update is good. I don't understand the whining about Mesmers being nerfed. I think people find one thing that's good, and anything else isn't worth their time or effort.

Water! OMG yay! I may actually get back to my W/E now that all my water skills have been improved (in theory.) Good job, ANet!

Theos

Theos

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2005

River Dancing

Eternal Treachery [TimE]

Me/E

Great Update, I love this skill monitor thing... total love...

My mesmer is no longer "godlike" in PvE to mursaat/jades... though many may see this is bad to me its great... I should not be able to utterly destroy mursaat without breaking a sweat :P Witht he changes to pets I may just get a way with running Me/R beastmaster O_o What a great energy engine that will make

Fyre Brand

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Sep 2005

Shadowlight Order [SoR]

I like the updated material.

From a ranger's perspective. The beastmaster changes are great. The interupt changes are needed, but the delay after attack is going to take some figuring out. It would be nice to see an attack cooldown after use so you know when yo u can attack next.

Thankfully the PvE environment is becoming much more challenging. I like that.

IxChel

IxChel

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Apr 2005

http://sof-guild.com/

Servants of Fortuna

Mo/R

Quote:
Originally Posted by lord_shar
Almost the same adrenelin gain, but cycles faster, better damage bonus, better average damage + range, omnidirectional...
So, why is Hundred Blades an elite?
In PvE, where the mobs are stupid enough to gather around you, Cyclone Axe is better; however in PvP, I think HB is superior. You can run up to the "first-person" in a group and start swinging -- the result is that you hit all of them. That's quite nice, IMHO.

Hundered blades:

--------
-xxx -
-xTx--
-x@x-
--------

vs Cyclone Axe

--------
--------
-xxx--
-x@x-
--------

IxChel

IxChel

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Apr 2005

http://sof-guild.com/

Servants of Fortuna

Mo/R

Quote:
Originally Posted by NightOwl
Is upping the casting time of Balths Aura to 2 seconds really necessary? It certainly isn't spammable anymore, with a 25 energy cost. Aegis...being a skill that affects the entire team, when you're seeing health bars drop across the board and need to prop people up, a 2 second casting time isn't going to cut it.
Both of those skills are now very interruptable. Consider it a "buff" to the mesmer and ranger. Before, with a 1s cast, the only solution was to try to catch them with diversion; but now these are ripe targets. Yea!

Quote:
Originally Posted by NightOwl
Again, more relatively pointless buffs. The down side of Dolyak Signet, for example, is the snare not the amount of armor it provides. -75% movement speed is pretty rough for something you use upon yourself. Personally, I don't think I'd tote this bad boy around if it gave me 500 armor unless it came with an off button. Even then it would be iffy.
Perhaps in PvP it is a pointless buff; but in PvE, the Dolyak Signet was often already on my skill bar before the buff. Now it has a permanent home; IMHO, this is the single biggest pro-monk buff in the game. When I play in a PvE group, I "sprint" into the group; hit Dolyak Signet and let them aggro around me. You use Endure/Defy pain to withstand the extra beating you take before your monk plops down some serious healing on you. After I've got a serious clump; the elementalists come in and nuke like mad. The +40 armour now gives you another 5s or so to make that clump.... it's perfect. Try it.

Yamat

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jun 2005

San Diego, USA

I don't understand the Aegis nerf... a 2 second cast pretty much guarantees this is getting interrupted.

I haven't been doing much PvP lately... was Aegis overpowered?

Xue Yi Liang

Xue Yi Liang

Jungle Guide

Join Date: May 2005

Northern CA

Outlaws of the Water Margin

Mo/Me

Aside from characters that rely on Energy Tap/Drain or Ether Feast to augment their denial builds, most players will benefit from the changes to these skills.

Here's why.

Anybody who uses Tap/Drain for energy (e.g. monks) or health knows that these skills are only useful with a considerable investment of attribute points to Inspiration. Now, it's possible to get the same amount of energy back with a lower Inspiration attribute level since the skill is adjusted by the amount of energy drained. It's easier to understand if you try it out.

For instance - my monk can have Inspiration = 8 and still pull 12 energy (net 7). Previously, it required Inspiration = 10 to draw 12 energy. This means I can drop my Inspiration to 8 now and have a whopping 20 attribute points free. Now, even having Inspiration = 4 isn't too bad - as you can pull 10 energy (net 5).

Now about the increased recharge times. I think the net effect may be to generate interest in maintaining high energy banks - (e.g. Acetic tattoos and enchanter's armor) and not to rely on Tap/Drain so much. Perhaps there may even be a new interest in high energy wands and off-hand items (even at the expense of -1 energy pip).

lord_shar

lord_shar

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jul 2005

near SF, CA

Quote:
Originally Posted by IxChel
In PvE, where the mobs are stupid enough to gather around you, Cyclone Axe is better; however in PvP, I think HB is superior. You can run up to the "first-person" in a group and start swinging -- the result is that you hit all of them. That's quite nice, IMHO.

Hundered blades:

--------
-xxx -
-xTx--
-x@x-
--------

vs Cyclone Axe

--------
--------
-xxx--
-x@x-
--------
I agree that Hundred Blades and Cyclone axe have their own benefits and disadvantages. However, HB's unique area of effect and primary target double-hit still doesn't warrant "elite" skill status. Hundred Blades can still use a small +4..+8 or similar damage boost to justify its elite label.

From what I understand now, bringing hundred blades to organized (non-PUG) PvP gets you laughed at.

twicky_kid

twicky_kid

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2005

Quite Vulgar [FUN]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Xue Yi Liang
Aside from characters that rely on Energy Tap/Drain or Ether Feast to augment their denial builds, most players will benefit from the changes to these skills.

Here's why.

Anybody who uses Tap/Drain for energy (e.g. monks) or health knows that these skills are only useful with a considerable investment of attribute points to Inspiration. Now, it's possible to get the same amount of energy back with a lower Inspiration attribute level since the skill is adjusted by the amount of energy drained. It's easier to understand if you try it out.

For instance - my monk can have Inspiration = 8 and still pull 12 energy (net 7). Previously, it required Inspiration = 10 to draw 12 energy. This means I can drop my Inspiration to 8 now and have a whopping 20 attribute points free. Now, even having Inspiration = 4 isn't too bad - as you can pull 10 energy (net 5).

Now about the increased recharge times. I think the net effect may be to generate interest in maintaining high energy banks - (e.g. Acetic tattoos and enchanter's armor) and not to rely on Tap/Drain so much. Perhaps there may even be a new interest in high energy wands and off-hand items (even at the expense of -1 energy pip).
the biggest benifit is the gain 2 energy for each one they lose. i noticed alot of times i drained someone to empty. then its recharged and i used it i would barely get my energy back and sometimes nothing. now that they can lose 3-4 enegy and i still gain 6-8 is nice. no longer a wasted skill after i completely drain someone.

MarkyX

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jul 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by Yamat
I don't understand the Aegis nerf... a 2 second cast pretty much guarantees this is getting interrupted.

I haven't been doing much PvP lately... was Aegis overpowered?
It was annoying. It really shut down the warriors and rangers because many people would do a 'cycle aegis', keeping them protected 24/7.

While many argue that "it can be countered", aegis was often replaced quickly with guardian quickly. As soon as guardian went down, another aegis went up.

Now monks need to really time their smiting and protection spells, instead of spamming it to make them immortal. It will also make interrupt rangers/mesmers a viable part in a build.

Theos

Theos

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2005

River Dancing

Eternal Treachery [TimE]

Me/E

Quote:
Originally Posted by Xue Yi Liang
Aside from characters that rely on Energy Tap/Drain or Ether Feast to augment their denial builds, most players will benefit from the changes to these skills.

Here's why.

Anybody who uses Tap/Drain for energy (e.g. monks) or health knows that these skills are only useful with a considerable investment of attribute points to Inspiration. Now, it's possible to get the same amount of energy back with a lower Inspiration attribute level since the skill is adjusted by the amount of energy drained. It's easier to understand if you try it out.

For instance - my monk can have Inspiration = 8 and still pull 12 energy (net 7). Previously, it required Inspiration = 10 to draw 12 energy. This means I can drop my Inspiration to 8 now and have a whopping 20 attribute points free. Now, even having Inspiration = 4 isn't too bad - as you can pull 10 energy (net 5).

Now about the increased recharge times. I think the net effect may be to generate interest in maintaining high energy banks - (e.g. Acetic tattoos and enchanter's armor) and not to rely on Tap/Drain so much. Perhaps there may even be a new interest in high energy wands and off-hand items (even at the expense of -1 energy pip).
Edrain is no longer the superior energy manager... actually... I don't think it ever has been (except for the fact it stole energy). I will stick with my mantra and OoB for now far superior enegry managment :P

ExDeity

Academy Page

Join Date: Aug 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by EndobioticChaos
Or perhaps in your case. Mesmers were already relatively underpowered for PvE. PvP isn't everything, even though the whiners seem to think it is. Since the developers seem intent on destroying anything remotely good, it's time for a game where they aren't constantly changing everything. What use is it trying to come up with a good build any more? They'll just break it tomorrow anyhow.

So go ahead, flame all you like. All you prove is your own ignorance.


Hex breaker is now COMPLETELY useless in PvE. Recharge 15 seconds?? In that time those two heretics and three gnashers will have hexed you 10 times and only one of the hexes get blocked instead of 5+. And that L28 monk boss? Now he'll have all the energy he jolly well wishes because you can't steal energy worth a damn any more.
You bring up a damn good point. All the competitive players around the world like to beat up monsters instead of each other. I mean, beating the computer never gets old. Who needs a PS3, anyway? Let's all just play Sonic the Hedgehog instead. Man, beating unintelligent AI never gets old. I feel like playing some PvE right now, as a matter of fact. I can't wait to see how the enemy intuitively gets caught being stuck on stupid, moving back and forth helplessly as I attack it over and over again. And hey, when I beat PvE, I'll go back and do it again! Playing the computer never gets old, as I said.

Damn, that final ascension mission, it's tricky, I tell ya! You totally can't use 2skills to defeat the UB3R 0M6 D0PP1364N63R!!11oneShiftEleven!1

NightOwl

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Aug 2005

This thread is for feedback...not too helpful to just bash on people who make their comments about dislike of the patch.

Numa Pompilius

Numa Pompilius

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: May 2005

At an Insit.. Intis... a house.

Live Forever Or Die Trying [GLHF]

W/Me

Haha, another PvP player who sees it as a personal insult that someone actually prefers to play PvE. <shakes head>

Anyway, Mesmers are not underpowered in PvE, they weren't before, they're certainly not now. I just did the ring of fire with my W/Mo, and I spent the whole time thinking how much easier that was with my mesmer.
Backfire for 140 damage per cast, empathy for 31 damage per hit, and echo shatter hex for 2x124 damage on all surrounding enemies - that sure beats flailing away with an axe and doing an average of 30 damage per chop.

Teh Monkeys

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Sep 2005

Try playing an illusion mesmer in PvE now. Then we'll talk.

Sister Rosette

Sister Rosette

Lady Fie

Join Date: Aug 2005

Sapporo

Tha Skulls [Ts]

D/W

I play an Illusion Me coupled with Blood Magic for Energy replenishment/
health regen/steal. Still works pretty well. You don't really need your
precious mantras....

Tuoba Hturt Eht

Tuoba Hturt Eht

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jul 2005

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Deimos Tel Arin [CCTV]

W/

Updates are good. Changes are good.
Constant updates, changes = dynamic, non static, non stagnant
Which is a good thing.

Those who cannot cope with the changes, updates, ought to take a break from playing too much of Guild Wars, and go read the book titled:
"Who moved my cheese?"

Cheers to ARENANET.
Cheers to the developers of Guild Wars.

Boo to the ones who complain of the changes.