Guild Wars 2

During the livestream, it was mentioned by the dev that they were looking into tweaking the new Chronomancer Elite “Well of Gravity”. Currently it deals damage per tick in addition to pulling affected foes that do not have the stability boon to the center of the well. At the end of the well, it applies a ~2s Float to affected enemies. It was a concern that the ability would be too much CC on a single ability in terms of competitive play — after all it would be cc’ing the target every second for a total of 5s (3 individual pulls plus the 2s float), and that is a very strong aoe ability. It was mentioned that presently they might remove the final CC, the float, and do something different.

Here is my suggestion: keep the float, alter the 3 ticks that precede it. Float on land is a unique effect to have, and its very interesting and flavorful. I, personally, would love it if they would keep the float effect as the final portion of the skill. But if the current effect is thought to be too strong something must be done. In order to keep the float, I suggest that the 3 pulls and damage on the first 3 ticks are removed and replaced with pulses of a 2s duration application of both chill and the new slow condition.

This works thematically as the targets are ‘weighed down’ by the gravity and move and act slower, this would also help land the final effect without completely shutting out counter play — after all the enemy can still move and act, so they can actually escape if they use their dodgerolls and counterplay wouldn’t be restricted to the stability boon. This would also give a large and long-lasting (7s total) aoe chill and slow effect, which is very powerful for control and utility.

While I personally think this change by itself would be both interesting and powerful, perhaps they could also add a 5-10stacks of vulnerability for 2s while the float is applied — as they are ‘helpless’ in midair. Most elites in this game do not deal direct damage, and I think it an odd choice for the devs to include it here. Again, I’d be very happy with simply the slow/chill and float, but if I’m going to be asking anyway, might as well ask for a bit of vuln as well xD.

Thoughts? Changes?

Your design is rather cool. However, I think that one of the well already applies slow on ennemies.

I don’t think that the amount of CC on this elite is too much. Unlike on “Entangle” for example, or any transformation elites, the ticks on the Gravity Well are easy to see, so it’s easy to stun-break just after the first tick, and dodge out of the well during the second. If you don’t have any stun-breaker, tough luck, but in that case the well is only a tad more powerful than, say, Slick Shoes, Ring of Warding, Entangle, Earthshaker, and other lower CD disabling abilities.

Sorel.4870:

Your design is rather cool. However, I think that one of the well already applies slow on ennemies.

I don’t think that the amount of CC on this elite is too much. Unlike on “Entangle” for example, or any transformation elites, the ticks on the Gravity Well are easy to see, so it’s easy to stun-break just after the first tick, and dodge out of the well during the second. If you don’t have any stun-breaker, tough luck, but in that case the well is only a tad more powerful than, say, Slick Shoes, Ring of Warding, Entangle, Earthshaker, and other lower CD disabling abilities.

That’s true, Well of Action does apply slow as well, but we have very little information on other ways to apply it as the Chronomancer (well, other than the shield #4). I suppose one utility, one weapon skill and most likely a trait or two will be enough, I don’t particularly see a problem with another way to apply it — it seems to me that the slow condition is meant to be an integral part of Chronomancer play.