Players logging into Guild Wars 2 yesterday might have found that their classes were changed quite a lot, thanks to a rather extensive balance patch. It appears that there are more buffs than nerfs going on in this update, although change is never universally embraced.
All nine classes received a host of adjustments, each with their own explanation as to why the developers thought these changes were necessary. Elementalist’s got nerfed in PvP, Engineers saw a change to turrets, Guardians’ signets were reworked, Mesmer phantasms received new attacks, Necromancer revamped Epidemic, Ranger attempted to draw focus off the torch, Revenant got more trait synergy, Thief’s short bow was upgrade to do AoE damage, and Warrior’s axe was improved.
“In this update, you’ll see some changes aimed at normalizing how certain types of skills work,” the team explained. “Skills that tether players together now apply Revealed to provide a stronger window of opportunity to players who can successfully land them. Skills and traits that previously granted pulsing stability now grant a block of stability up front in order better allow for counterplay through boon removal. Finally, we are increasing the casting time of many skills that apply effects like daze or stun in order to give the player on the receiving end of these skills time to react and defend.”
The patch also nerfed some food effects, made new accounts wait for three days before participating in the gem exchange, and protected legendary armor from being salvaged.
