Game updates/20100521

Skill Balance
For more information on these changes, please see the Developer Updates page.

Fast Casting

 * Fast Casting: functionality of this attribute changed to: "Fast Casting decreases the activation time of your Spells and Signets. (No effect for non-Mesmer skills with an activation time less than 2 seconds.) In PvE, each rank of Fast Casting decreases the recharge time for your Mesmer Spells by 3%."

Activation Time Cap

 * Items and skills that improve skill activation time can no longer stack higher than 25%. Single effects that improve skill activation over 25% can exceed this cap. (Fast Casting is not included in this cap.)

PvE and PvP Changes
Assassin
 * Seeping Wound: increased Energy cost to 15; increased recharge to 12 seconds; reduced movement-speed decrease to 33%.

Elementalist
 * Blinding Flash: increased recharge to 6 seconds.
 * Blinding Surge: increased recharge to 6 seconds; increased blind duration to 3...7...8.
 * Mirror of Ice: changed duration to 36...55...60 seconds; duration is no longer affected by Energy Storage.

Mesmer
 * Arcane Conundrum: added the following functionality: "When this hex ends, you gain 1...6...7 Energy."
 * Aneurysm: added the following functionality: for each point of Energy gained by the target foe, all adjacent foes lose 1 Energy (maximum 1...24...30).
 * Chaos Storm: changed functionality to: "Spell. Create a Chaos Storm at target foe's location that lasts for 10 seconds. Each second, foes adjacent to this location take 5...21...25 damage and lose 0...2...2 Energy."
 * Clumsiness: reduced recharge to 8 seconds.
 * Complicate: changed functionality to: "Spell. If target foe is using a skill, that skill is interrupted and disabled for target foe and all foes in the area for an additional 5...11...12 seconds."
 * Cry of Frustration: increased damage to 15...63...75.
 * Energy Surge: reduced Energy cost to 5; reduced recharge to 15 seconds.
 * Fevered Dreams: increased recharge to 10 seconds; the Dazed condition is now applied both at the time this hex is cast—if the target has 2 or more conditions—and whenever the target receives 2 or more conditions.
 * Hypochondria: reduced recharge to 7 seconds; updated description to reflect its actual behavior.
 * Ineptitude: reduced recharge to 15 seconds; now also hexes adjacent foes.
 * Keystone Signet: changed attribute to Fast Casting; reduced recharge to 15 seconds; changed functionality to: "Elite Signet. All of your signets except Keystone Signet are recharged. For 20 seconds, the next 0...5...6 times you use a signet that targets a foe, all other foes adjacent to your target are interrupted and take 15...51...60 damage."
 * Leech Signet: reduced recharge to 20 seconds.
 * Mantra of Inscriptions:reduced duration to 5...21...25 seconds; reduced recharge improvement to 10...34...40%.
 * Mantra of Persistence: reduced duration to 5...21...25 seconds, reduced Energy cost to 5; reduced hex duration increase to 10...34...40%.
 * Mantra of Recall: increased recharge to 30 seconds.
 * Mantra of Recovery: reduced recharge to 15 seconds.
 * Mind Wrack: changed duration to 5...33...40 seconds; increased damage to target at 0 energy to 15...83...100; added the following functionality: "Whenever that foe is the target of one of your Mesmer skills, that foe loses 1 Energy and takes 5...21...25 damage per point of Energy lost."
 * Overload: increased recharge to 4 seconds; changed functionality to: "Spell. Target foe takes 5...33...40 damage. If that foe is using a skill, you deal +5...41...50 damage to that foe and all adjacent foes."
 * Panic: reduced Energy cost to 10; increased recharge to 15 seconds; changed functionality to "Elite Hex Spell. For 1...8...10 seconds, target foe and all nearby foes are hexed with Panic. When a foe hexed with Panic successfully uses a skill, all other nearby foes are interrupted."
 * Phantom Pain: reduced Energy cost to 5; increased Health degeneration to 1...3...4.
 * Power Lock: reduced Energy cost to 5.
 * Power Return: increased recharge to 7 seconds.
 * Shatter Enchantment: reduced recharge to 20 seconds.
 * Signet of Disruption: reduced recharge to 15 seconds.
 * Signet of Distraction: reduced recharge to 15 seconds.
 * Signet of Weariness: changed functionality to: "Signet. Target foe and all nearby foes lose 3...7...8 Energy and suffer from Weakness for 1...8...10 seconds."
 * Soothing Images: increased recharge to 8 seconds.
 * Spirit Shackles: increased recharge to 8 seconds.
 * Sum of All Fears: reduced duration to 1...8...10; increased speed reduction to 33%.
 * Symbolic Celerity: increased duration to 36...55...60; increased Energy cost to 15; increased recharge to 30; changed functionality to: "Enchantment Spell. For 36...55...60 seconds, all of your signets use your Fast Casting attribute instead of their normal attributes."
 * Tease: changed functionality to: "Elite Spell. If target foe is using a skill, that foe and other foes in the area are interrupted and you steal 0...4...5 Energy from all foes in the area."
 * Wastrel's Worry: now also deals its damage to all adjacent foes.
 * Web of Disruption: reduced Energy cost to 5.

Necromancer
 * Spoil Victor: reduced duration to 3...13...15.

PvE-Only Changes
Mesmer
 * Accumulated Pain: reduced Energy cost to 5; reduced recharge to 12 seconds; increased damage to 15...63...75.
 * Calculated Risk: increased duration to 3...20...24 seconds; reduced Energy cost to 5; reduced recharge to 7 seconds; changed functionality to: "Hex Spell. For 3...20...24 seconds, target foe's attacks do +10 damage, but there is a 50% chance that the damage from each attack will be done to that foe instead. (Maximum 15...100 damage.)"
 * Crippling Anguish: reduced Energy cost to 5; reduced recharge to 12 seconds; increased Health degeneration to 1...7...8; changed duration to 5...17...20; added the following functionality: target foe attacks 50% slower.
 * Cry of Pain: increased recharge to 15 seconds.
 * Empathy: added the following functionality: target foe deals 1...12...15 less damage with attacks.
 * Enchanter's Conundrum: reduced recharge to 10 seconds; increased casting penalty for enchantments to 100...180...200%; changed functionality to: "Elite Hex Spell. For 10 seconds, target foe casts enchantments 100...180...200% slower. If target foe is not under the effects of an enchantment when this hex is applied, that foe and all adjacent foes take 10...82...100 damage."
 * Energy Drain: increased recharge to 30 seconds.
 * Energy Tap: increased recharge to 30 seconds.
 * Ether Nightmare: increased recharge to 25 seconds.
 * Frustration: reduced recharge to 7 seconds; this skill now deals double damage whenever a skill is interrupted.
 * Illusionary Weaponry: added the following functionality: you have +5 armor for each Illusion Magic skill you have equipped.
 * Mantra of Signets: reduced cost to 5 Energy; reduced recharge to 20 seconds; changed functionality to: "Stance. For 10...34...40 seconds, you have +3 armor for each signet you have equipped. Whenever you use a signet, 5...49...60 Health."
 * Migraine: increased Health degeneration to 1...7...8; reduced recharge to 12 seconds; changed functionality to: "Elite Hex Spell. For 5...17...20 seconds, target foe suffers -1...7...8 Health degeneration and takes 100% longer to activate skills."
 * Mirror of Disenchantment: reduced Energy cost to 5; reduced recharge to 15 seconds.
 * Mistrust: reduced recharge to 12 seconds; increased damage to 30...114...135.
 * Psychic Instability: increased recharge to 12 seconds; changed functionality to: "Elite Spell. Interrupts the target foe's action. If that action is a skill, that foe and all nearby foes are knocked down for 2...4...4 seconds. (50% failure chance with Fast Casting 4 or less.)"
 * Shared Burden: reduced Energy cost to 5; reduced recharge to 15 seconds; increased slow percentage to 50%.
 * Shatter Delusions: reduced recharge to 6 seconds; now deals damage to adjacent foes.
 * Signet of Clumsiness: reduced recharge to 8 seconds; changed functionality to: "Signet. If target foe is attacking, that foe and all adjacent foes are interrupted and take 15...51...60 damage. Any foes using attack skills are knocked down."
 * Spiritual Pain: reduced Energy cost to 5; reduced recharge to 7 seconds; changed functionality to: "Spell. Target foe takes 15...63...75 damage. All hostile summoned creatures in the area of that foe take 25...105...125 damage."
 * Stolen Speed: increased recharge to 12 seconds; changed functionality to: "Elite Hex Spell. For 1...8...10 seconds, spells cast by the target foe and all adjacent foes take 100% longer to cast. Spells targeting these foes that are cast by you or your allies take 50% less time to cast."
 * Unnatural Signet: reduced recharge to 10 seconds; changed functionality to: "Signet. Target foe takes 15...63...75 damage. If that foe is under the effects of a hex or enchantment, foes adjacent to your target take 5...41...50 damage."
 * Wandering Eye: reduced Energy cost to 5; increased recharge time to 12 seconds; increased damage dealt to 30...94...110.

Common Skills
 * Mindbender: reduced spell activation time decrease to 20%.

Consumable Items
 * Blue Rock Candy: reduced skill activation time decrease to 20%.
 * Pumpkin Pie: reduced skill activation time decrease to 15%.
 * Red Rock Candy: reduced skill activation time decrease to 25%.

PvP-Only Changes
Elementalist
 * Ward Against Melee (PvP): merged with PvE version; this skill now functions the same in PvE and PvP.

Mesmer
 * Accumulated Pain (PvP): reduced energy cost to 5; reduced recharge to 15 seconds.
 * Calculated Risk (PvP): increased duration to 3...10...12 seconds; increased recharge to 12 seconds, changed functionality to: "Hex spell. (3...10...12 seconds.) Target foe deals +10 damage. Whenever target foe hits with an attack, there is a 50% chance the damage will be redirected to that foe (maximum 10...60)."
 * Crippling Anguish (PvP): increased health degeneration to 1...7...8; changed duration to 5...17...20; added the following functionality: target foe attacks 50% slower.
 * Enchanter's Conundrum (PvP): increased casting penalty for enchantments to 100...180...200%; changed functionality to: "Elite Hex Spell. For 10 seconds, target foe casts enchantments 100...180...200% slower. If target foe is not under the effects of an enchantment when this hex is applied, that foe and all adjacent foes take 10...100 damage."
 * Empathy (PvP): split for PvP; retains original functionality.
 * Energy Drain (PvP): merged with PvE version; this skill now functions the same in PvE and PvP.
 * Energy Tap (PvP): merged with PvE version; this skill now functions the same in PvE and PvP.
 * Frustration (PvP): split for PvP; retains original functionality.
 * Illusionary Weaponry (PvP): split for PvP; retains original functionality.
 * Mantra of Inscriptions (PvP): merged with PvE version; this skill now functions the same in PvE and PvP.
 * Mantra of Signets (PvP): reduced cost to 5 energy; reduced recharge to 20 seconds; changed functionality to: "Stance. For 10...34...40 seconds, whenever you use a signet, you gain 5...49...60 Health."
 * Migraine (PvP): reduced recharge to 12; increased health degeneration to 1...7...8; reduced duration to 3...10...12 seconds; changed functionality to: "Elite Hex Spell. For 3...10...12 seconds, target foe suffers -1...7...8 Health degeneration and takes 100% longer to activate skills."
 * Mirror of Disenchantment: split for PvP; retains original functionality.
 * Mistrust (PvP): increased damage to 10...90...110.
 * Psychic Instability (PvP): increased recharge to 12 seconds; changed functionality to: "Elite Spell. Interrupts the target foe's action. If that action is a skill, that foe and all adjacent foes are knocked down for 2...3...3 seconds. (50% failure chance with Fast Casting 4 or less.)"
 * Shared Burden (PvP): split for PvP; retains original functionality.
 * Shatter Delusions (PvP): now deals damage to adjacent foes.
 * Signet of Clumsiness (PvP): reduced recharge to 12 seconds; changed functionality to: "Signet. If target foe is attacking, that foe and all adjacent foes are interrupted and take 15...51...60 damage. Any foes using attack skills are knocked down."
 * Spiritual Pain (PvP): reduced Energy cost to 5; reduced recharge to 20 seconds; changed functionality to: "Spell. Target foe takes 15...63...75 damage. All hostile summoned creatures in the area of that foe take 25...105...125 damage."
 * Stolen Speed (PvP): increased recharge to 12 seconds; changed functionality to: "Elite Hex Spell. For 1...8...10 seconds, spells cast by the target foe and all adjacent foes take 100% longer to cast. Spells you cast that target these foes take 50% less time to cast."
 * Unnatural Signet (PvP): reduced recharge to 20 seconds; changed functionality to: "Signet. Target foe takes 15...63...75 damage. If that foe is under the effects of a hex or enchantment, foes adjacent to your target take 5...41...50 damage."
 * Wandering Eye (PvP): increased recharge to 12 seconds.

Skill-Related Changes

 * Hard Mode no longer affects monsters' activation speed for skills with default activation times under 2 seconds.
 * Monsters in the Underworld and Fissure of Woe now have innate health regeneration in Hard Mode only.
 * Monsters in the Underworld and Fissure of Woe now have reduced health totals in Hard Mode only.
 * Improved the durability of King Frozenwind and his Ice Elemental allies in the quest "Servants of Grenth."
 * Improved the skill bars of King Frozenwind and his Ice Elemental allies in the quest "Servants of Grenth."
 * Reduced the number of Skeletons of Dhuum in the quest "Servants of Grenth."
 * Reduced the number of Terrorweb Dryders in the quest "Four Horsemen."
 * Improved the skill set used by Mindblade Specters in the Underworld.
 * Improved the skill set used by Spectral Vaettir in Jaga Moraine.
 * Improved the skill set used by Wind Riders in the Maguuma Jungle.

Bug Fixes

 * Fixed a bug that caused Ebon Vanguard Assassin Support (NPC) to summon an incorrectly named Assassin.
 * Fixed a bug that allowed characters with Shadow Form to exceed its damage cap with some skills.
 * Fixed a bug that caused Sliver Armor to always deal damage to the same foe.
 * Fixed a bug in the description for Symbol of Wrath by removing the reference to double damage.
 * Fixed a bug that prevented Lawrence Crafton from using his custom skill.
 * Fixed a bug that caused Shining Blade allies to occasionally use incorrect dialogue.