Questionable recent change with Subject Alpha

Questionable recent change with Subject Alpha

in Fractals, Dungeons & Raids

Posted by: Tken.1986

Tken.1986

I don’t know if its just me or Anet did something sinister here. It’s harder to deal with alpha than before.

Path 1: subject alpha only uses Vertical Earth Spike now, and it’s very FREQUENT. It’s an instant cast skill, 90% of majority would not be able to even see that one coming. I remembered this one will also use AoE earth spike.

Path 2 ice blast vs. AoE earth spike: I used to tell the difference between them, but now I don’t. I remembered when using ice blast, the ground will have actual ice crystallizing, but now the ground have some little and not very visible small crystals. Before, I can avoid ice blast by moving to the outer circle, but now no longer safe.
If I’m correct, when the ground is like a snowy field, that means it’s AoE earth spike.
And what killed me is when both showed up at the same place, which the snowy field is the only visible one, so of course I stay inside.

After those changes, path 1 now needs AoE healing class to stay alive while constantly being hit by vertical ES. I wouldn’t say front door is easier, but definitely not harder than the sub for now.

It’s been at least 2-3 weeks since I notice the changes, or did I miss some path notes?