Guild Wars 2

With the upcoming changes, two of eles three efficient pve builds are being destroyed, along with nerfs to pvp builds. I’ve been reading many ele forums and agree with several suggestions that will help retain diversity for ele.

S/D or S/F – The proposed nerf to lightning hammer will render this pve build useless. LH autoattack is core to the build and most people seem confused as to how this conjure is ‘problematic and cheesy’. Furthermore, this builds only real viability comes from the might stacking it provides in group play. When taken in context with the upcoming warrior buffs, it will already be significantly weakened.

If possible, hold back on changes to LH or at least provide further clarity on why this conjure is considered problematic in current gameplay.
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D/F – This build was already weak compared to staff in PvE and only really taken for the extra survivability it provided in more challenging content. However, it is critical for each profession to at least provide decent dps to remain viable and wanted in group play. Staff now totally overshadows D/F due to the dps nerfs in air and earth trait line and its likely this build will now become obsolete.

To preserve this build, air trait line needs an additional dps modifier. General consensus seems to agree the return of air training even at 5% dps increase, would allow D/F to remain a viable choice for eles. This trait could be merged with fresh air to make eles choose between the two dps options.
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Finally, moving elemental attunement to a GM trait creates an issue where eles must choose between one of two traits that are core to their build. Without both of these traits the viability of many pvp builds is significantly reduced.

If anet is unwilling to reconsider Elemental attunements rank in traits, then arcane master traits will require a rework to provide more game changing options. Right now most are simply gap fillers and dont give any meaningful options. Better synergy with other trait lines is necessary to make arcane master traits a worthwhile investment.

Honestly I think it’s too early to really tell what will and won’t be viable in PvE in HOT. They’ve already stated they understand why Berserker meta has developed (simple encounters that can be easily bursted down thus bypassing most of their mechanics) and aim to fix that from being the case in HOT.

For all we know it could be PvE that requires high burst damage in phases similar like you see with the later Living Story Episodes (few seconds DPS, then mob invuln again for a bit) and a weapon like Scepter is preferred.

I am more concerned with the rather lackluster DPS trees that we now have in Fire and Air.