New trait systems, specialisations, builds, all really exciting stuff! I had a few suggestions I think that might go a long way in helping certain classes. These might be completely off base, but it doesn’t hurt to share especially in a time where we’re about to see some major overhauls.
Necromancer: Remove the CD on swapping into Death Shroud. Adjust Life Force generating skills accordingly.
The deal with Necromancers is the fact that A-Net is trying to balance it as a class with damage absorption through it’s “second health bar” rather than giving it sources of damage mitigation. Removing the CD on entering Death Shroud makes the Necromancer class actually do that and gives it options on how to react to various situations. Mitigating burst by quickly going in and out of DS and managing the amount of DS left would promote skilful play. Along with this, there could be combos that generate Death Shroud which would make the gameplay a little more fun. For example, Feast of Corruption on Sceptre could have some prerequisite like gain “10% Life Force if your target has 3 or more conditions, 3% if not” etc. Obviously Life Force through Staff autos etc would have to go. It needs to be a precious resource that you need to manage well.
Mesmers – Move Portal to Elite skill slot.
Mesmers at the moment almost always NEED to take Portal and Blink to be effective at high tier play. Well, moving Portal to Elite would let Mesmers have 3 utilities besides Portal at the cost of sacrificing Moa or Mass Invis, which I think most Mesmers might find okay. Apart from Blink and Decoy, Mesmers get the choice of taking Cleanse Mantra, Mirror Images or Feedback in shatter builds and Daze Mantra in lockdown builds while still keeping Portal. I think this might even help the Thief hard countering Mesmer somewhat as Mesmers now have the option of counter-pressuring Thief hard with Mirror Images or removing their annoying poison with Cleanse Mantra while still keeping their defenses and team utilities.
Rangers – Shout Changes
The reason Rangers find it hard to keep up in any meta is the fact that most their skills, their profession mechanic and almost all their utilities are single target and selfish (besides spirits). It has mostly taken a skirmisher or 1v1 role since launch. We have grown out of the phase where we dedicate a back point bunker and Rangers lack the mobility to make work as a far point skirmisher. There needs to be a reason for Rangers to be picked for team fights, and I believe the new Spirit changes might help with that (as long as they get a good health pool). Apart from that, there are a few shout changes I think might help bring Ranger into the meta. These might be a little far fetched, but it’s just an example. Anything that’s unique and provides something to team fights would work.
Sic Em – Cause AoE reveal. Stealth openers is something that definitely requires some sort of counterplay, imo. Giving Rangers that makes them unique.
Guard – Increase CD to 60 seconds and give it a big red circle in the radius. “Your Pet actively circles around the big red circle dealing devastating damage to those that enter it”. Lich like damage, maybe. This helps peel for teammates, secure stomp, avoid melee cleave, area denial etc. Kind of like a Ring of Warding/Slick Shoes but dealing damage instead of CC.
Search and Rescue – Adjust CD, give it a big tell and make it work like banner? Except you need to CC the pet instead of the ranger.
Thief seems fine (except OP after the new suggested changes), Ele is pretty okay spot post changes and honestly I have no clue on Warrior and Guardian.