Guild Wars 2

I admit to have been looking forward to this new Arcing Slice design, yet I was extremely disappointed by the damage it puts out even on targets below 50%.

Let’s consider the classic GS + Axe/Mace build right now for instance:
1. Berserker’s Power is hit by the Adrenaline system re-design;
2. Greatsword Burst, namely Hundred Blades and Whirlwind Attack have had their damage output reduced;
3. Signet of Rage’s boon duration was reduced as well.

These are the 3 factors that impact this specific build post-patch.

Points 1. and 3. can be worked around quite easily, point 2. however there’s nothing that be done concerning a plain damage nerf.

1. Working with Berserker’s Power in any build post-patch:
A: Use Healing Surge as your healing skill so you don’t have to kitten your crit chance by activating Signet of Fury to maintain Berserker’s Power’s bonus whenever you get out of combat.

2. Managing Fury uptime with the reduced fury production of Signet of Rage:
A: Arcing Slice, however disappointing still is quite the DPS increase when cast on a target below 50% health in comparison to your auto-attack. I advise casting it while Healing Surge is available so you can instantly replenish your adrenaline to benefit from the Berserker’s Power’s bonus.

Wrapping up:
The adrenaline change is felt in both group and solo-play alike, the reduced fury duration from Signet of Rage is really only an issue in solo-play.
Builds that don’t trait for Berserker’s Power can still take Healing Signet for the luxury of having passive healing or take Healing Surge if you’re cycling through your burst skills often e.g. EA Axe build.
Be sure to pop Healing Surge after being in combat, otherwise your adrenaline will start decaying instantly.
If anyone has noticed anything else worth mentioning, it would be very appreciated that they share it as well.

how about stop being passive and start demanding ANET either fix warriors now or un due bad changes.

Warlord.9074:

how about stop being passive and start demanding ANET either fix warriors now or un due bad changes.

That would imply ArenaNet is listening which… they’re most likely not. Also if their track record is any sort of indication any fixes will be very slow in coming. So we either have to adapt or die, that’s the nature of the beast my friend.

Veckna.9621:

Let’s consider the classic GS + Axe/Mace build

1. Working with Berserker’s Power in any build post-patch:
A: Use Healing Surge as your healing skill so you don’t have to kitten your crit chance by activating Signet of Fury to maintain Berserker’s Power’s bonus whenever you get out of combat.

2. Managing Fury uptime with the reduced fury production of Signet of Rage:
A: Arcing Slice, however disappointing still is quite the DPS increase when cast on a target below 50% health in comparison to your auto-attack. I advise casting it while Healing Surge is available so you can instantly replenish your adrenaline to benefit from the Berserker’s Power’s bonus.

… Why not just use offhand axe? Whirling axe got a buff of 17% more damage and has a 15 second cooldown, which will instantly fill up your entire adrenaline bar in a fight. Just start off combat with it. And duel strike will cover the fury up time no problem, especially if you hit more than 1 enemy. You’ll have more than before actually. You also won’t have to waste a heal and utility just to keep up adrenaline.

… Why not just use offhand axe?

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO

Loki.8793:

Veckna.9621:

Let’s consider the classic GS + Axe/Mace build

1. Working with Berserker’s Power in any build post-patch:
A: Use Healing Surge as your healing skill so you don’t have to kitten your crit chance by activating Signet of Fury to maintain Berserker’s Power’s bonus whenever you get out of combat.

2. Managing Fury uptime with the reduced fury production of Signet of Rage:
A: Arcing Slice, however disappointing still is quite the DPS increase when cast on a target below 50% health in comparison to your auto-attack. I advise casting it while Healing Surge is available so you can instantly replenish your adrenaline to benefit from the Berserker’s Power’s bonus.

… Why not just use offhand axe? Whirling axe got a buff of 17% more damage and has a 15 second cooldown, which will instantly fill up your entire adrenaline bar in a fight. Just start off combat with it. And duel strike will cover the fury up time no problem, especially if you hit more than 1 enemy. You’ll have more than before actually. You also won’t have to waste a heal and utility just to keep up adrenaline.

Because it’s still worse dps than axe auto attack.

Atticus.7194:

Warlord.9074:

how about stop being passive and start demanding ANET either fix warriors now or un due bad changes.

That would imply ArenaNet is listening which… they’re most likely not. Also if their track record is any sort of indication any fixes will be very slow in coming. So we either have to adapt or die, that’s the nature of the beast my friend.

They might listen if overnight 95% of the warriors stopped playing them. A boycott like that is not likely to happen though.

fellyn.5083:

Loki.8793:

Veckna.9621:

Let’s consider the classic GS + Axe/Mace build

1. Working with Berserker’s Power in any build post-patch:
A: Use Healing Surge as your healing skill so you don’t have to kitten your crit chance by activating Signet of Fury to maintain Berserker’s Power’s bonus whenever you get out of combat.

2. Managing Fury uptime with the reduced fury production of Signet of Rage:
A: Arcing Slice, however disappointing still is quite the DPS increase when cast on a target below 50% health in comparison to your auto-attack. I advise casting it while Healing Surge is available so you can instantly replenish your adrenaline to benefit from the Berserker’s Power’s bonus.

… Why not just use offhand axe? Whirling axe got a buff of 17% more damage and has a 15 second cooldown, which will instantly fill up your entire adrenaline bar in a fight. Just start off combat with it. And duel strike will cover the fury up time no problem, especially if you hit more than 1 enemy. You’ll have more than before actually. You also won’t have to waste a heal and utility just to keep up adrenaline.

Because it’s still worse dps than axe auto attack.

But the purpose isn’t for dps, the purpose is to be efficient at gaining the fury we lost and start a fight with as much adrenaline as possible. The 4 vulnerability from mace 4 isn’t that huge of a lose, and mace 5 was situational at best and not effective in most situations. People who use offhand axe for the damage are using it wrong. (Of course, this is meant strictly in a PvE perspective. I would never touch offhand axe in PvP)