Guild Wars 2

One week from launch let us make some fun threads while we wait to retry the balance on Dragon Hunter.

So about 1 year before Expansion launch we got the update that rearranged(/forced) our heals and elites into the predefined utility classes.
Given(pure opinion) that we will be working with an average 2 year cycle from now on,
I think it is healthy to expect a “Mid season” update that will bring new shake ups to the already available skills in a year. (lower production cost than full new utility sets)

So let’s invent some Spirit Weapon and Consecration Heals and Elites :-)
(Signets also as bonus content)

Spirit weapon Staff:
Heal skill that is slow but extremely strong
On cast healing approximately half of Shelter, then summons a staff that stays in place and pulses approximately one Shelter worth of heal split to every second for 8seconds to aoe, approximately PvP cap point size, with 40ish seconds cool down.
Command:
Personally I like condition removal on command but maybe that is too strong.
Traits:
Since the duration trait is gone this won’t scale out of control (could have had interesting interactions) however reducing cool down is already good. On the other hand the burning doesn’t synergise for a heal unless it could also pulse burn within the range to enemies, making it a very strong point defence option (PvP is the focus here because shelter has such dominance)
Counter:
The counter to this is obvious and the same as every other Spirit Weapon, if you push through it or even better focus fire the Spirit Weapon Staff then all of the benefits go away.
Balance Recommendations:
Space for suggestions

Spirit Weapon Companion/Clone/Core/Soul/Shard/etc.
Elite skill that copies your own weapon or whole character in shinny blue flame
This Elite summons a full copy of you that includes all weapon skills for example spin to win and symbols. If possible it would engage the target even if you are not in melee and would preform your weapons auto if nothing else is in queue. Lasting perhaps 20-30 seconds with approx 50% uptime I think is okay. Also 50% damage or balance like that could be required.
Command:
Not sure what to place here, maybe a suicide mechanic, or a “return piece of soul” for healing mechanic, or some play on Popping Virtues since it is a Guardian also.
Traits:
Simple burn on attack and cool down reductions.
Counter:
Not sure if this one is too easy to counter so I add my favorite SW buff idea to this Clone, low health but can only be damaged if it is the primary target of attacks. Meaning if ignored it cannot be cleaved but if noticed and they swap target to it it dies easily. (Raising amount of things you need to be aware of in PvP against a Guardian)
Balance Recommendations:
Space for suggestions

Consecration Heal
Well Shelter is one of only 3 skills in the game that have no category so it is almost a consecration. Now that the ground targeting only on trait has been removed I believe it could be balanced to accept the cool down reduction trait.(a bit over tuned as it is now) And I recently found out that “extend length” traits could work also by using quickness with shelter which means you channel for 3/4 second receive the heal but the block lasts a further 1/2 of a second.

However this thread is open to new ideas for consecration heals, eg. Fire themed burn away conditions, remove 5 conditions but self burn 3 stacks of burning. (us and thieves are the only professions with no on command condi remove on heal skills)
Effects:
Traits:
Counter/Weakness:
Balance Recommendations:

Consecration Elite: Sanctuary
Move Sanctuary to elite spot adding a different consecration utility
Return Sanctaury to its pre nerf size but with high cool down and in the elite slot.
A Ward with a Projectile reflect attached and pulsing healing inside for maximum point defence. Lasts 5 seconds with 180 cool down with (I believe it was approximately) 3/4 Cap Point sized Bubble. The balance is based on Moa, which is an auto win against a single target, while this is a guaranteed delay at defence against any amount of targets.
Traits:
Upping duration to 6 seconds and reducing cool down to 144 is not going to break it.
Counter:
It no longer needs to be this unique “cannot enter” skill, let stability be the easy counter, however providing pulsing knockback that can strip the stability. It is elite after all.
Balance Recommendations:
Space for suggestions

Finally Signet Buff to Signet of Courage
Combine this full heal aspect with the Resurection Signet from Utilities
180 cool down with 4 second cast time, does it seem too much to add a bit more utility to this skill? Perhaps give it a ground targeting circle to balance it similar to warrior ultra banner. (This suggestion is stemming more from our lack of good signet utilities and perhaps one strong utility slot signet could swing that balance, Move speed anyone?)
Traits:
Signets have nothing interesting so balance not an issue.
Counter:
Same as it currently is easy to interrupt, just a little more all in.
Balance Recommendations:
Space for suggestions

Oh i love posts like these, I’ll chime in

Spirit weapon Staff:

Summon a Spirit Staff that follows the Guardian, firing off the staff 1 auto from guardians staff that heals allies and dazes foes for 1 second, firing the skill every 4 seconds. Staff can be destroyed, like other spirit weapons.

Command: Ground target, staff leaps into the air and descends at target location, applying 3 second daze and begins to cast the Empower animation, healing nearby allies significantly over three pulses. Heals less than “Receive the Light” but wider area and lower recharge.

Traits:
The staff’s healing Arc and Daze on Command would apply Burning from the trait.

Ancestral Spirit – Elite

Summon a Spirit Warrior that assaults foes and redirects 50% of damage from allies to itself. Very, very durable companion that is summoned as a randomized ghostly character of your race. Default summons is dual wielding swords and does leaps and auto attacks, sticking to foes well. Spirit Weapons used while Ancestral Spirit is summoned are instead wielded by the Spirit Warrior and are improved. Ancestral Spirit’s duration is 45 seconds, with a 2 minute recharge that begins upon summoning.

Command:
Command becomes what ever the most recently used Spirit Weapon is, but if none are summoned, it defaults to Ancestral Gift – Heal the Guardian for 50% of the Ancestral Spirit’s remaining health and consume the spirit.

Traits:
Simple burn on attack and cool down reductions.

Counter:
Foes would be highly encouraged to focus down the Ancestral Spirit, as leaving it alive in a prolonged fight is to the Guardian’s favor, particularly as damage is redirected to it anyway. Focusing down the Guardian may work if you are condition damage heavy. As always, Moa Morph is freaking op as hell to counter.

Sanctuary – Elite

Simply put, I’d hardcore buff Sanctuary to be the premier bad-kitten super saver skill as the Elite. Area increased to cover a capture point’s worth of space, and it would have an improved heal and pulse Aegis to all allies within every second, and would prevent Downed allies from losing health naturally while also healing them for 4% per pulse (20% total over the 5 second duration of Sanctuary.

This would make it worth its 180 cool-down and worth competing with our very nice Elite options.

Replace Sanctuary’s now vacant slot with:

Arena of Courage – 45 second Recharge.

Create an Arena at your location that pulses Protection to allies for 2 seconds each second. Foes who attempt to leave the Arena are Taunted (3s). Lasts for 6 seconds.

I like your version of Staff, mine was very immobile point defence heavy whereas yours is more like other spirit weapons. I am just scared that daze or interrupt on heal might be a bit too aggressive, both good options

The elite one is probably too open to different versions but I think we will all agree that it should be a spirit weapon skinned humanoid, it will be glorious. Your suggestion was more tanky which could be interesting, maybe it only redirects damage from other SW and full heals them on command? Meaning 90% of the time the spirit weapons are cleaved but when the Ancestral Spirit is up you can actively maintain them and let them do their damage.

Glad we agree on Sanctuary, The prenerf version was just so fitting for elite skill status.
I love your idea for Arena of Courage I might add that to the initial post with credit to you, I like the new buff of protection on consecration, and the access to taunt, and even that Hallowed Ground counters this skill totally. It would need to let players in but not out of the circle.

Honestly before they make more new stuff I would love for them to fix the numerous existing things that need fixed.

Otherwise they will never fix them.

Ragnar the Rock.3174:

Honestly before they make more new stuff I would love for them to fix the numerous existing things that need fixed.

Otherwise they will never fix them.

I understand but if they see ideas that can actually inspire them they might be more motivated.
There are enough please fix threads, it is good to branch out to other type threads.