Game updates/20091217

Wintersday 2009
''Can you feel that crisp chill in the air? It's that time of year when the cities of Tyria shine like beacons with festive decor, and the gods Dwayna and Grenth fight over who will control the weather during the coming months. Holiday vendors sell seasonal treats, and the air is full of snowballs and the sound of laughter. Wintersday is almost here!''

Wintersday Event

 * Preparations have been made for Wintersday 2009.
 * Holiday quests are now available throughout the land.
 * Players can enter PvP Snowball Fights by speaking with Wintersday Priests.
 * 8v8 ATS-style Snowball Tournaments are accessible through guild halls.

Costumes

 * Grenth and Dwayna costumes are available for purchase from the In-Game Store and the NCsoft Store.
 * Costume slots have been added to the Character panel.
 * Hats given by Festival Hat NPCs have been updated to work with the new costume slots.
 * For more details about costumes and costume slots, see the costume gameplay article.

Snow Fighting Skill Updates

 * : reduced activation time to 3/4 second; reduced Cripple duration to 7 seconds.
 * : increased Health gain to 30 per skill; reduced activation time to 1 second.
 * : increased Health stolen to 15 per skill; reduced activation time to 1 second.
 * : increased damage to 50 per snowball.
 * : reduced Health sacrifice to 50%; reduced effect duration to 30 seconds; increased activation time to 1 second; increased recharge time to 45 seconds.
 * : increased recharge time to 25 seconds.
 * : increased Health gain to 250; increased recharge time to 25 seconds.
 * : this skill is now a Shout; removed activation time; reduced recharge time to 5 seconds.
 * : this skill is now a Preparation; reduced casting time to 3/4 second; increased recharge time to 12 seconds.
 * has been removed from the following creatures and character:
 * Dodgy Grentch now uses Hidden Rock.
 * Playful Snowman now uses Hidden Rock.
 * Vael (Snowball Dominance quest only) now uses

Snowball Fight Updates

 * Dwayna vs Grenth 4v4: increased Gamer point reward to 15 per win.
 * Dwayna vs Grenth 8v8 (Automated Tournament): increased Gamer point reward to 40 per win; increased Candy Cane Shards to 7 per win.