A message from the Competitive and Skills & Balance Teams:

Hi folks! The Competitive team and the Skills & Balance team have been working together closely on a future balance release that focuses almost entirely on PvP and WvW skill splits. As part of this, we wanted to switch things up and approach this release similar to how we approached the PvP sigil changes we did a while back, when we released our first draft of the proposed changes.

With this set of proposed changes, we'd like to get your thoughts and ideas on both our high level goals and how we're going about accomplishing them. You guys may bring up concerns or thoughts we didn't consider. While reviewing these changes, please consider them as a whole rather than focusing on individual classes.

We're looking forward to a productive discussion!

High Level Goals

Reduce influence of passive traits. (PvP not WvW)

Passive skills make the game less skillful.

The prevalence of passives is a common competitive player complaint. (PvP only)

Increase build diversity

By decreasing the power of some of the more dominant builds, we hope to give increased viability to builds that previously were pushed out by these dominant specs. We're also increasing power levels in some targeted areas that previously were underperforming.

Reduce effectiveness of offensive instant cast skills/traits

Instant cast spells don't give players an opportunity to respond. While we don't want to remove combos utilizing instant cast abilities, we wanted to reduce the impact they have.

General

Rune of Surging has been removed from the PvP build panel

Magi Amulet has been removed from the PvP build panel

Warrior

Skills

Full Counter: Reduced the power coefficient from 1.75 to 1.5 (-14%) in PvP and WvW

Dagger Autoattack chain: Reduced the power coefficients from 0.55, 0.55, 0.85 to 0.4, 0.4, 0.85 (-15% overall) in PvP and WvW

Aura Slicer: Increased cooldown from 6 seconds to 8 seconds in PvP and WvW

Disrupting Stab: Reduced stun duration from 1.5 seconds to 1 second in PvP and WvW

Breaching Strike: Reduced the power coefficient from 1.5 to 1.2 (-20%) in PvP and WvW

Break Enchantments: Reduced the power coefficient from 1.0 to 0.5 (-50%). Increased the number of boons removed from 2 to 3 in PvP and WvW

Featherfoot Grace: Increased the cooldown from 30 seconds to 40 seconds in PvP and WvW

Frenzy: Reduced the cooldown from 50 seconds to 40 seconds in PvP and WvW. Increased Might granted from 5 stacks to 10 stacks in PvP and WvW

Rampage Reduced the cooldown from 180 seconds to 100 seconds in PvP and WvW. Reduced transform duration from 15 seconds to 10 seconds Kick: Reduced the cooldown from 6 seconds to 4 seconds in PvP and WvW Dash: Reduced the cooldown from 6 seconds to 4 seconds in PvP and WvW Throw Boulder: Reduced the cooldown from 12 seconds to 8 seconds in PvP and WvW Seismic Leap: Reduced the cooldown from 15 seconds to 10 seconds in PvP and WvW

Battle Standard: Reduced the cooldown from 240 seconds to 180 seconds in PvP and WvW

Crushing Blow: Increased the power coefficient from 1.2 to 1.5 (+25%) in PvP and WvW. Adjusted Vulnerability applied from 10 stacks for 10 seconds to 15 stacks for 6 seconds in PvP and WvW

Tremor: Increased knockdown duration from 2 seconds to 3 seconds in PvP and WvW

Sword Autoattack chain: Increased the power coefficients from 0.6, 0.6, 0.6 to 0.6, 0.6, 1.0 (+22%) in PvP and WvW

Flurry: Increased the power coefficient from 1.04 to 2.0 (+92%) in PvP and WvW

Savage Leap: Increased the power coefficient from 0.75 to 1.0 (+33%) in PvP and WvW

Flaming Flurry: Increased the power coefficient from 1.04 to 2.0 (+92%) in PvP and WvW

"To the Limit!": Increased endurance granted from 50 to 100

Blood Reckoning: Increased damage to healing conversion from 20% to 25% in PvP and WvW. Increased Adrenaline gained from 10 to 30 in PvP and WvW

"On My Mark!:" Adjusted Vulnerability applied from 10 stacks for 10 seconds to 15 stacks for 6 seconds in PvP and WvW. Reduced ammo recharge from 30 seconds to 25 seconds in PvP and WvW.

"For Great Justice!": Adjusted Might granted from 6 stacks for 25 seconds to 12 stacks for 15 seconds in PvP and WvW

"Shake It Off!:" Increased the number of conditions cleansed from 2 to 3 in PvP and WvW

Traits

Defy Pain: Increased the cooldown from 60 seconds to 90 seconds in PvP only

Last Stand: Increased the cooldown from 40 seconds to 90 seconds in PvP only

Shrug it Off: Increased the cooldown from 25 seconds to 60 seconds in PvP only

Dead or Alive: Increased the cooldown from 30 seconds to 60 seconds in PvP only

Revenant

Skills

Coalescence of Ruin: Reduced the power coefficient of the second impact from 1.75 to 1.5 (-14%) in WvW only. Reduced the power coefficient of the third impact from 2.25 to 1.75 (-22%) in WvW only.

Razorclaw's Rage: Increased the Bleeding duration from 2 seconds to 4 seconds in PvP and WvW

Icerazor's Ire: Increased the Power coefficient from 3.7 to 4.6 (+24%) in PvP and WvW

Soothing Stone: Increased the number of conditions cleansed from 3 to 5 in PvP and WvW

Vengeful Hammers: Reduced the upkeep cost from 7 to 6 in PvP and WvW

Forced Engagement: Reduced the energy cost from 25 to 10. Increased the cooldown from 10 seconds to 20 seconds in PvP and WvW

Embrace the Darkness: Increased the attribute bonus from 10% to 15% in PvP and WvW

Banish Enchantments: Increased the number of boons removed from 2 to 3 in PvP and WvW

Pain Absorption: Reduced the energy cost from 35 to 30 in PvP and WvW

Traits

Eye for an Eye: Increased the cooldown from 45 seconds to 90 seconds in PvP only

Versed in Stone: Increased the cooldown from 60 seconds to 90 seconds in PvP only

Soothing Bastion: Increased the cooldown from 25 seconds to 60 seconds in PvP only

Guardian

Skills

Tome of Resolve – Epilogue: Eternal Oasis: Reduced the bonus heal effectiveness from 33% to 20% in PvP and WvW

Tome of Resolve – Chapter 2: Radiant Recovery: Reduced the healing power coefficient per condition cleansed from 0.77 to 0.5 (-35%) in PvP and WvW

Tome of Resolve – Chapter 1: Desert Bloom: Reduced the healing power coefficient from 0.96 to 0.8 (-17%) in PvP and WvW

Signet of Resolve: Reduced the cooldown from 35 seconds to 30 seconds in PvP and WvW

Leap of Faith: Increased the power coefficient from 1.1 to 1.25 (+14%) in PvP and WvW

Signet of Mercy: Reduced the cooldown from 150 seconds to 90 seconds in PvP and WvW

Sword of Justice: Reduced the ammo recharge time from 25 seconds to 20 seconds in PvP and WvW

Bow of Truth: Reduced the ammo recharge time from 30 seconds to 25 seconds in PvP and WvW

Hammer of Wisdom: Reduced the ammo recharge time from 30 seconds to 25 seconds in PvP and WvW

Feel my Wrath: Reduced the cooldown from 45 seconds to 35 seconds in PvP and WvW

Traits

Virtuous Solace: Increased the cooldown from 75 seconds to 90 seconds in PvP only

Hunter's Determination: Increased the cooldown from 75 seconds to 90 seconds in PvP only

Zealous Blade: Increased the bonus damage from 5% to 10% in PvP and WvW

Thief

Skills

Dagger Autoattack chain: Reduced the power coefficients from 0.8, 0.85, 1.1 to 0.6, 0.65, 1.1 (-15% overall) in PvP and WvW

Heartseeker: Increased the power coefficients at all thresholds by 20% in PvP and WvW. The new values are as follows. Above 50%: 1.0 to 1.2 Below 50%: 1.5 to 1.8 Below 25%: 2.0 to 2.4

Sword Autoattack chain: Reduced the power coefficients from 0.8, 0.8, 1.3 to 0.6, 0.6, 1.3 (-14% overall) in PvP and WvW

Roll for Initiative: Increased the cooldown from 35 seconds to 40 seconds in PvP and WvW

Shadow Shot: Increased the initiative cost from 4 to 5 in PvP and WvW. Increased Increased the power coefficient from 1.325 to 1.8 (+36%) in PvP and WvW

Infiltrator's Strike: Increased the power coefficient from .75 to .9 (+20%) in PvP and WvW

Cloak and Dagger: Reduced the initiative cost from 6 to 5 in PvP and WvW

Signet of Shadows: Reduced the cooldown from 30 seconds to 20 seconds in PvP and WvW

Assassin's Signet: Reduced the cooldown from 30 seconds to 20 seconds in PvP and WvW

Smoke Screen: Reduced the cooldown from 30 seconds to 25 seconds in PvP and WvW

Dagger Storm: Reduced the cooldown from 90 seconds to 60 seconds in PvP and WvW

Hide in Shadows: Increased the base healing from 5240 to 6026 (+15%) in PvP and WvW

Skelk Venom: Increased the venom heal per hit from 965 to 1206 (+25%) in PvP and WvW

Traits

Pulmonary Impact: Reduced the power coefficient from 2.8 to 2.0 (-29%) in PvP and WvW

Upper Hand: Increased the cooldown from 3 seconds to 5 seconds in PvP and WvW

Panic Strike: Increased the cooldown from 20 seconds to 30 seconds in PvP and WvW. The WvW version of this trait will now use the PvP immobilize duration of 1.5 seconds

Instant Reflexes: Increased the cooldown from 40 seconds to 90 seconds in PvP only

Pain response: Increased the cooldown from 16 seconds to 40 seconds in PvP only

Hard to Catch: Increased the cooldown from 45 seconds to 90 seconds in PvP only

Ranger

Skills

Seed of Life: Increased the cooldown from 1 second to 3 seconds in PvP and WvW

Rejuvenating Tides: Reduced the base healing per pulse from 650 to 550 (-15%) in PvP and WvW

Solar Beam: Reduced the power coefficient per strike from 0.3 to 0.25 (-17%) in PvP and WvW

Signet of Stone: Reduced the duration from 6 seconds to 3 seconds in PvP and WvW. Reduced the cooldown from 80 seconds to 40 in PvP and WvW

Celestial Avatar: Increased the cooldown from 15 seconds to 20 seconds in PvP and WvW

Ricochet: Increased the power coefficient from 0.7 to 0.8 (+14%) in PvP and WvW. Increased Might duration from 5 seconds to 10 seconds in PvP and WvW

Winter's Bite: Increased the power coefficient from 1.25 to 1.5 (+20%) in PvP and WvW. Increased the Bleeding duration from 8 seconds to 12 seconds in PvP and WvW

Splitblade: Increased the power coefficient per axe from 0.3 to 0.4 (+33%) in PvP and WvW

Instinctive Engage: Increased the power coefficient from 0.6 to 1 (+67%) in PvP and WvW

Healing Spring: Increased the number of conditions cleansed per pulse from 1 to 2 in PvP and WvW

Traits

Stoneform: Increased the cooldown from 70 seconds to 90 seconds in PvP only

Shared Anguish: Increased the cooldown from 60 seconds to 90 seconds in PvP only

Protective Ward: Increased the cooldown from 18 seconds to 30 seconds in PvP only

Refined Toxins: Increased the cooldown from 5 seconds to 15 seconds in PvP and WvW

Rugged Growth: Reduced the healing power coefficient from 0.245 to 0.1225 (-50%) in PvP and WvW

Grace of the Land: Reduced the number of Might stacks applied from 3 to 2 in PvP and WvW

Fortifying Bond: Reduced duration of shared Might stacks from 10 seconds to 5 seconds in PvP and WvW

"We Heal as One!:" Reduced duration of copied Might stacks from 10 seconds to 5 seconds in PvP and WvW

Fresh Reinforcement: Reduced shared Might duration 10 seconds to 5 seconds in PvP and WvW

Ambidexterity: Increased the Condition Damage granted from 150 to 240 in PvP and WvW

Two-Handed Training: Increased the bonus damage from 5% to 10% in PvP and WvW

Engineer

Skills

Crystal Configuration: Eclipse: The stability portion of this trait will now be applied only upon successful hits of Corona Burst

Light Strike: Reduced the power coefficient from 1.0 to 0.6 (-40%) in PvP and WvW

Holo Leap: Reduced the power coefficient from 1.8 to 1.5 (-17%) in PvP and WvW

Corona Burst: Reduced the Might stacks granted per pulse from 2 to 1 in PvP and WvW

Holographic Shockwave: Reduced the power coefficient from 0.96 to 0.75 (-22%) in PvP and WvW

Spectrum Shield: Increased the shield duration from 3 seconds to 4 seconds in PvP and WvW. Increased the cooldown from 30 seconds to 40 seconds in PvP and WvW

Poison Dart Volley: Reduced the cooldown from 10 seconds to 8 seconds in PvP and WvW

Glue Shot: Reduced the cooldown from 25 seconds to 20 seconds in PvP and WvW

Mortar Shot: Increased the power coefficient from 0.8 to 1.0 (+25%) in PvP and WvW

Poison Gas Shell: Increased the power coefficient from 0.75 to 1.0 (+33%) in PvP and WvW. Reduced the cooldown from 12 seconds to 10 seconds in PvP and WvW

Endothermic Shell: Increased the power coefficient from 0.75 to 1.0 (+33%) in PvP and WvW. Reduced the cooldown from 20 seconds to 15 seconds in PvP and WvW

Flash Shell: Increased the power coefficient from 0.75 to 1.0 (+33%) in PvP and WvW. Reduced the cooldown from 25 seconds to 20 seconds in PvP and WvW

Box of Nails: Reduced the cooldown from 10 seconds to 8 seconds in PvP and WvW

Magnet: Reduced the cooldown from 25 seconds to 20 seconds in PvP and WvW

Throw Mine: Increased the damage from 1.8 to 2.0 (+11%) in PvP and WvW

Static Shock (A.E.D.): Increased the stun duration from 1 second to 2 seconds in PvP and WvW

Elixir X: Reduced the duration of Tornado and Rampage transforms from 15 seconds to 10 seconds in PvP and WvW. Reduced the cooldown from 105 seconds to 75 seconds in PvP and WvW

Traits

Aim Assisted Rocket: Reduced the power coefficient from 1.0 to 0.5 (-50%) in PvP and WvW

Minesweeper: Reduced the power coefficient of each mine from 1.0 to 0.67 (-33%) in PvP and WvW

Vent Exhaust: Reduced the power coefficient from 1.1 to 0.75 (-32%) in PvP and WvW

Protection Injection: Increased the cooldown from 10 seconds to 20 seconds in PvP only

Self-Regulating Defenses: Increased the cooldown from 75 seconds to 90 seconds in PvP only

Reactive Lenses: Increased the cooldown from 40 seconds to 90 seconds in PvP only

Elementalist

Skills

Glyph of Renewal: Reduced the cooldown from 165 seconds to 90 seconds in PvP and WvW

Stone Resonance: Increased the base Barrier granted per pulse from 972 to 1069 in PvP and WvW

Lesser Stone Resonance: Increased the base Barrier granted per pulse from 972 to 1069 in PvP and WvW

Shatterstone Increased the power coefficient from 1.0 to 1.66 (+66%) in PvP and WvW

Impale: Increased the power coefficient from 0.6 to 0.77 (+28%) in PvP and WvW

Ashen Blast: Increased the power coefficient from 0.77 to 1.1 (+43%) in PvP and WvW

Steam Surge: Increased the power coefficient from 1.0 to 1.5 (+50%) in PvP and WvW

Lightning Touch: Increased the power coefficient from 1.0 to 1.5 (+50%) in PvP and WvW

Ring of Earth: Increased the number of Bleeding stacks from 1 to 3 in PvP and WvW

Tornado: Reduced the cooldown from 150 seconds to 100 seconds in PvP and WvW. Reduced the transform duration from 15 seconds to 10 seconds in PvP and WvW. Elemental Requiem: Reduced the cooldown from 5 seconds to 3 seconds in PvP and WvW Dust Charge: Reduced the cooldown from 10 seconds to 7 seconds in PvP and WvW



Traits

Burning Fire: Increased the cooldown from 40 seconds to 60 seconds in PvP only

Tempest Defense: Increased the cooldown from 25 seconds to 60 seconds in PvP only

Earth's Embrace: Increased the cooldown from 75 seconds to 90 seconds in PvP only

Soothing Ice: Increased the cooldown from 20 seconds to 30 seconds in PvP only

Final Shielding: Increased the cooldown from 60 seconds to 90 seconds in PvP only

Gale Song: Increased the cooldown from 60 seconds to 90 seconds in PvP only

Pyromancer's Puissance: Adjusted the Might granted from 1 stack for 15 seconds to 2 stacks for 10 seconds in PvP and WvW

Mesmer

Skills

Illusion of Life: Reduced the cooldown from 120 seconds to 75 seconds in PvP and WvW

Phantasmal Disenchanter – Increased the cooldown from 20 seconds to 25 seconds in PvP and WvW

Traits

Elusive Mind: This trait now applies 4 seconds of Exhaustion when breaking a stun

Compounding Power: Reduced the outgoing damage buff per stack from 3% to 2% in PvP and WvW

Phantasmal Force: Reduced the Might granted from 3 stacks to 2 stacks in PvP and WvW

Mirror of Anguish: Increased cooldown from 60 seconds to 90 seconds in PvP only

Necromancer

Skills

Garish Pillar: Increased the cooldown from 15 seconds to 20 seconds in PvP and WvW

Desert Shroud: Increased the cooldown from 20 seconds to 30 seconds in PvP and WvW

Ghastly Breach: Increased the cooldown from 75 seconds to 90 seconds in PvP and WvW

Plague Signet: Increased the cooldown from 30 seconds to 40 seconds in PvP and WvW

Trail of Anguish: Increased the cooldown from 25 seconds to 35 seconds in PvP and WvW

Signet of Undeath: Reduced the cooldown from 150 seconds to 90 seconds in PvP and WvW

Life Siphon: Reduced the cooldown from 12 seconds to 10 seconds in PvP and WvW

Dark Pact: Reduced the cooldown from 25 seconds to 20 seconds in PvP and WvW

Signet of Vampirism: Reduced the cooldown from 35 seconds to 30 seconds in PvP and WvW. Increased the base heal from 3960 to 4950 (+25%) in PvP and WvW

Well of Blood: Increased the base heal from 5240 to 6026 (+15%) in PvP and WvW. Increased the heal per pulse from 280 to 490 (+75%) in PvP and WvW

Spectral Grasp: Reduced the cooldown from 50 seconds to 35 seconds in PvP and WvW

Blood is Power: Adjusted the Might granted from 10 stacks for 10 seconds to 15 stacks for 6 seconds in PvP and WvW

Well of Suffering: Reduced the cooldown from 35 seconds to 30 seconds in PvP only. Increased the amount of Vulnerability applied per pulse from 2 stacks to 4 stacks in PvP only.

Signet of the Locust: Increased the power coefficient from 0.65 to 1.0 (+54%) in PvP and WvW. Increased the base heal per hit from 970 to 1455 (+50%) in PvP and WvW

Traits