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But this:
Shroud skill 1 inflicts burning on your target. All other Shroud skills have a 33% chance to burn on critical hit.
Is clearly OP.
Yeah that’s a fair point. Honestly I just wanted Dhuumfire to retain its current effect.
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Shadow Torch. Because I’m an edgelord and proud.
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I’d like it only if it were a melee weapon. Else we’ll have 2 ranged 1h condi weapons.
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snip
Well its a nice change to see a lot of effort put into a balance suggestion, much of which I approve of ^^
For Curses, I was actually thinking 33% would be a good spot for it.
For Vital Persistence, my idea was to swap parts of it with Strength of Undeath. So we’d end up with VP as the 3rd baseline trait granting 50% less life force degen and +15% life force pool. Then SoU as a mid tier trait granting +10% damage (or +5% damage and condi damage to go along with your suggestion) and 20% recharge reduction on shroud skills.
For Dhuumfire, that’s exactly what I meant. So it would read something like:
Shroud skill 1 inflicts burning on your target. All other Shroud skills have a 33% chance to burn on critical hit.
That’s understandable with Signet of Spite, it was bad design to begin with. I honestly don’t like signets at all, but since we have them we best use them.
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I think Absolver would be a nice name.
Even if you disagreed with the whole, “witch hunter” concept of the Dragonhunter themed name, Firebrand complements it in terms of it metaphorically “branding” enemies with purifying flames (or something to that extent).
How exactly does one “brand” someone with purifying flames? :p
If a name for a class (or the like) needs an explanation in the first place, it probably isn’t very good.
I mean you could use that argument against any of the original elite spec names.
“Why is it called Berserker?”
Well Berserker comes from the words bjorn (bear) and serkr (coat), which is a reference to the bearskins worn by Danish champions in the Dark Ages.
Anyone who knows what a Firebrand is will know its a reference to rebellious orators, which works well alongside the theme of fire and tomes.
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Reaper
Nothing really to compliment given the small amount of changes.
I kind of like the Soul Eater change (very much like its beta form) but that might be just because I hate its current form. I think more can be done with it to make it a contender with Decimate Defence/Chilling Victory. Deathly Chill should remain the same until the new expac (likely a new condi spec). Then they should implement your change but make it scale from power instead of condition damage.
Shroud
All changes are a good idea. Base shroud is in need of some love. With Life Blast, given my suggestion for Dhuumfire, I’d remove the burn on hit but keep the explosion (much better than piercing). Dark Path is a must. Tainted Shackles should really do 2 stacks of torment per pulse though.
Utilities
Signets
Signet of Horrors is a great addition, giving us a viable solo condi dps elite.
I’m very much against the Signet of Spite change though. Reason? Because power is already in the shadow of condi necro. This change would be like stealing from the poor to give to the rich. I’m fine with giving condi a signet but use one of the others.
Corruptions
Plague Form makes for a great party support condition elite, and removes the nasty form aspect of it.
Your Epidemic and Blood is Power changes just ruin the skills however. Epi is one of the few reasons we aren’t a complete pariah. And I really don’t like the idea of self inflicting conditions. Yes I know we have lots of transfer skills, but I’d prefer to use them on conditions enemies inflict on me, not self inflicted ones.
Minions
Summon Flesh Wurm is of course a yes from me.
Shadow fiend change seems like it could be a bit too OP though or useless, depending on the passive tick from the blind/torment.
Wells
Loving the Well of Blood change as expected from a life stealing lover like myself. Well of Profane is also a much needed additional Elite. I guess the effect wouldn’t stack with itself though? Cooldown reductions approved too
As I said before, Well of Suffering is purely a power damage skill. No need for any frills or additions, except either more damage or cooldown reduction. I’d change Well of Power so that it converts 2 conditions per pulse instead.
Spectral
Every addition is just great. And Spectral Fury is something that would likely never leave my bar. Now I’ve seen this idea, I want it so badly!
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(edited by Lahmia.2193)
Summary of what I liked and didn’t like:
Weapons
Changing Dagger to a condi bleed weapon and sceptre to poison is an interesting idea.
I don’t like the dark pact cast increase, purely because it would remove the insanely cool cast animation. But again if I have to choose between looks or ability, I will choose ability.
I’m against most of the other non-qol changes though. Some changes I’m just not a fan of whilst others I think are a bit daft (like changing axe to projectile based, giving conditions to it). Greatsword auto would be faster than any weapon in game, which is a bit much (just keep the first 2 attacks at 3/4s cast and do the same for 3rd attack). Gravedigger should just be reduced to 3/4s cast and keep the <50% recharge effect. Since its meant to replace auto attack on foes <50% it makes sense to have the same cast time.
Traits
Spite
Close to Death and Siphoned Power are 2 great changes. Offensive traits that only kick in at <50% enemy health, can be annoying especially on long fights where they aren’t used for half the fight.
Reaper’s Might seemed like a big nerf, since we can gain far more might out of the previous incarnation.
Curses
Removing the abysmal Furious Demise and slotting a modified Lingering Curse is nice, though 50% on all base conditions might be a bit much. Toxic Tongue works with the whole Sceptre/poison change, so I’m on board.
No real gripes though.
Death
Yes please to Soul Comprehension, though they should code it so it only occurs if the minion is killed by an enemy or by a skill you used. So people can’t abuse it with out of combat skill switching. Unholy Sanctuary makes for a great party damage shield, compared to the old terrible healing. Also liking Lich’s Protection, very ranger-ish.
Again no real gripes.
Blood
Absolutely adore Vampiric Presence. The separation of vampiric/vamp aura life stealing always did baffle me. Ritual Master is a much needed replacement for the somewhat odd Vampiric Rituals (protection on well, wat?). Creature of the Night brings back my dearly missed life steal on crits. Life from Death is also a great buff, upping our much needed party support.
For Bloodthirst, I think it should just be identical to the current Barbed Precision.
Soul Reaping
Speed of Shadows compliments Relentless Pursuit perfectly. Foot in the Grave is the missing Stability we need to survive in the frontline.
Vital Persistance really needs to become a baseline trait, at least the 50% degen part of it. It’s quite literally the reason to take Soul Reaping in the same way as a thief takes Trickery for +3 Initiative. Small gripe in that, for the sake of being fair make SoU give +5% instead of +6% condition damage. With Dhuumfire, I’d retain the original effect of auto doing burning, but disqualify it from having the 33% chance of burning on crit.
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Screw the new spec. I’m sticking with Reaper.
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snip
Crusader would work considering they named the warrior elite spec Berserker, and we now have a stat called Crusaders. Then we just need the new thief espec to be called Assassin!
edit: I was joking btw. Naming specs after already existing gear is a silly idea.
Firebrand or Justiciar (White Mantle vibes ftw) get my vote.
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(edited by Lahmia.2193)
Yeah, there’s lots of necros who would want to see Mark of Horrors moved out of Lich Form as it really is Lich’s only claim to usability at this point and having that massive cooldown just for 5 jagged horrors is so wrong. Making it signet elite seemed the most logical choice.
I would actually concede that Well of Suffering does not necessarily need a change, but I personally liked the idea of making it stop normal condi cleansing too good to pass up, so to balance it a bit I chose lowering damage would be better than making its cooldown go above 40 sec. But yes, in context of PvE stopping condi cleansing makes no sense as there is no mobs that do that (yet), so it might be better to leave Suffering as is and change nothing.
You could always add it to Well of Darkness. Its a pretty useless skill and the butt of many jokes.
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On a personal note, I’d say Dark Pact for wvw. Immobilise can be a killer if timed right and the 2 boon corrupts are great for resistance/stability spammers.
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You really should get that rainbow stick out of your…
:p
Fixed it for you ^^
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I’m really liking the Blood Magic changes. The idea of bleeding being much more of a theme is something I’m surprised Anet has never done. Creature of the Night is just awesome, reintroducing the much missed (in my opinion) life stealing on crits. Vampiric Aura (and in fact every profession aura) as a baseline trait is a great idea too as said auras are just too good not to take.
Not a fan of the Well of Suffering change. Its a pure power/damage skill, nothing more. Well of Blood is a lovely change though.
Your elites are also fantastic. Plague form is an actually desirable condition elite, though I’d likely never take Spectral Fury off my bar (I love power necro too much but I’ve never been a big shroud fan). And Signet of Horrors, well its very much like what I suggested but being a very common request I shan’t sue you for plagiarism ^^
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(edited by Lahmia.2193)
Ermm, Zeal is a must for dps DH
only in raids. so thats for 5% all guardians that even raid.
What is that supposed to mean?
It’s used in raids because you need it to maximise your power damage as a DH. It’s not like it offers a raid-exclusive perk.
So, in pve, where dps is king, you go Zeal.
GL with that in new maps or HoT maps.
Cleared the HoT maps just fine with Zeal. Died a few times as expected, but nothing a switched out traitline would have saved me from.
edit: this was a zeal/virtue/dragonhunter, full zerker, greatsword/longbow build
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(edited by Lahmia.2193)
Ermm, Zeal is a must for dps DH
only in raids. so thats for 5% all guardians that even raid.
wat
I mean in wvw and pvp I can understand not bringing it. But it is kind of a must, where you want to do the highest dps you can.
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I mean its kinda true that they’re doing joke/serious for each legendary. So far we’re had:
bifrost / nevermore
I guess it doesn’t work for the axes, at a stretch you could say astralia was jokish.
quip / hope
dreamer / the tiger bow
moot / eureka
shooshadoo / flameseeker prophecies
hms divinity / predator
flames of war / rodgortAll except axe.
Bifrost is not a joke. Just because it has a rainbow on it does not mean it is a joke (the Bifrost as in the bridge to Asgard is a rainbow bridge). I would say that FoW is serious as well. It is litterally a ton a zealots worshiping Balthazar, god of fire. Yes it might be large, and you might not like it, but that doesn’t make it not serious.
Edit: If anything, Rodgort is the joke because it is named after Trogdor the Burninator.
I’m talking purely looks here. Joke, light hearted, whatever. Bifrost is a rainbow buttplug. Flames of War is your aunties favourite lamp and Rodgort, well again, only the name seems jokey.
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I mean its kinda true that they’re doing joke/serious for each legendary. So far we’re had:
bifrost / nevermore
I guess it doesn’t work for the axes, at a stretch you could say astralia was jokish.
quip / hope
dreamer / the tiger bow
moot / eureka
shooshadoo / flameseeker prophecies
hms divinity / predator
flames of war / rodgort
All except axe.
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It does sound basic, but at least it actually really fits guardians, although I find it ironic how you can say “Purifier sounds like it was thought of by a 12 year old” when you’re literally defending “Dragonhunter” in the same post. .
Just using your own argument and showing you what it looks like.
Your own 3 ideas are better than Purifier I will admit, though they are a bit on the passive side. Demagogue or Firebrand conjure up much more active visions of a profession out in the field using tomes to obliterate their foes rather than someone who spends their life inside a monastery, studying.
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The problem with doing anything is that it will upset a large portion of the wvw playerbase. The last time they did something big (Desert Borderlands) it killed off many wvw players. And if they did start listening to our ideas, who would they listen to? The roamers who want to punish all zerg play? The players who want condi removed? The K trainers who play for loot?
It seems the safest course of action for Anet is to do nothing.
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This is truly one of the most odd reasons not to play a game.
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The Dragonhunter name was inspired by medieval witch hunters. Guardians consider themselves protectors of the innocent, and the dragonhunter faction believes justice is the eradication of dragons and their minions – gw2wiki
It’s still a terrible name that only the whitest of knights find appealing, not that I agree with that justification in the first place. DH’s terrible name has basically become a meme as far as I know.
So now your opinion is fact, is it? The reason people didn’t like Dragonhunter was because they said “aren’t we all dragonhunters?” without knowing the name was inspired by medieval Witch hunters. So it seemed a bit redundant at the time.
Also Purifier sounds so kitten basic, like something a 12 year old would come up with.
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(edited by Lahmia.2193)
How does purifier correlate to tomes?
A firebrand is a demagogue, and books have been historically used to spread ideology and belief.
And even if you take purifier seriously, it’s like they just wanted a synonym for healer. I would rather they called it priest and be done with it, if that was the case.
Sounds like using terrible pokemon weakness/resistance logic to justify a bad name, kind of like Dragonhunter. :0
I don’t particularly like “Purifier” but it’s still miles better than “Firebrand”. Purifier obviously correlates to the spec’s focus on “purifying” by burning (probably) and “purifying” by healing/cleansing, both of which are done by tomes.
The Dragonhunter name was inspired by medieval witch hunters. Guardians consider themselves protectors of the innocent, and the dragonhunter faction believes justice is the eradication of dragons and their minions – gw2wiki
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Step 1 to making your character look good:
Remake as a Human or Norn.
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Hopefully the name goes back to the previous leak name of “Purifier,” because “Firebrand” would make the Guardian the consecutive winner of the “Worst E-Spec Name” award.
firebrand
noun
1.
a person who is very passionate about a particular cause.
purifier
noun
1.
a machine or a substance that removes harmful substances from something.
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The Gods are magical beings that are powered by (you guessed it) magic!
Dragons consume magic. Gods don’t like this. Gods want their power back.
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SPOILER TO WHO LAZARUS IS.
It was Balthazar. Illusional mirror blessed by Lyssa.
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I wonder if we will be able to use Dragon Hunter along with Firebrand? I don’t want to lose my legendary bow but Firebrand sounds very interesting.
No you won’t be able to since they are both elite specs.
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Necros are actually great at dungeons now since they do have great burst with power setups.
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I laugh at warrior players who fight me only with ranged weapons and never get over to melee combat for what their class is mainly designed for, when you just look at their weapons and their skills.
I laugh at warriors who use sword #2 and greatsword #3 and #5 to run away. Seems all too common for this brave honourable profession.
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Very very likely that this is completely or mostly fake news.
Just FYI for anyone curious, this is a supposed leak that was posted on the GW2 reddit some hours ago.
I doubt this is anything more than a dubious rumour though:
A lot of the info presented in the leak highly contradicts leaked info that other players have. Namely, the “papaya” leak which is from the same guy who leaked the gen 2 legendary mace and eternal coliseum pvp map.
Just from the perspective of guardian leaks alone though:
They are highly unlikely. The leak mentions nothing of tomes (which we are most likely going to receive in some form or fashion for this expac). It’s preposing we get shortbow which is extremely unlikely given that we just got longbow. Also, a second minion utility (spirits) seems very unlikely given that we already have spirit weapons. Taken together though: giving guardians shortbow AND spirits would push us even further into becoming rangers…. we already got longbow and traps last expac, it would be a very odd and ill-received move on the dev team’s part.
Engineer’s already had an AI creature and got Gyros with Scrapper. So the idea of 2 AI’s isn’t a long shot.
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Not sure why people are so opposed to support. It generally means you’ll have a far better chance to join groups for high end stuff. Better than being stuck with a “dps” spec that doesn’t do much dps (no I’m not referring to Dragonhunter).
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YES THIEF RIFLE! Now to prayer that the leaks are true.
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Beta “Piercing Light” trait caused bleeding on trap attacks.
With how bad slow is on traps right now, I would love to have that trait back.
6 second bleeds.
All glory to the condi trapper dragonhunter!
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Beta “Piercing Light” trait caused bleeding on trap attacks.
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Also, focusing an e-spec on specific damage (aka condition here) is definitely a bad idea. A perfect e-spec work with all other traitline regardless of what damage you want to focus on. In this regard, Reaper do an amazing job.
I dont think i agree with that. I think a e-spec should always be more focused to a certain play style (i always thought reaper should be power based). So i am glad Anet is going with that design decision.
Its a double edged sword to be honest. If it caters to only a single aspect of gameplay, then it will often be ignored and not used in many builds (a bit like scrapper). Whereas something that caters to most aspects of play will be seen as a power creep and always be taken whatever the build.
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I agree with Dadnir. Though the way I’d redesign them is make it so each skill gives you a chance on hit effect (and have the weapons appear by your side in smaller forms). So like sword could have 50% chance to inflict burning on hit, Hammer could do KD etc etc.
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Whole life stealing should be changed to work off of bleeding instead of whatever pittance of a scaling we currently have from power. For example, life stealing could be set to deal 4% more damage for each bleed stack on the enemy you are attacking, capping at 25 stacks for total of 100% damage (and heal) increase. This would require some changes to MH dagger so you stack bleeds with it, but dagger is already in a weird place when it is the top power dps weapon and it is linked to the support traitline so it is due for some clarity of purpose.
For further support play make the healing portion of life stealing gain benefits from healing power on top of the bleed scaling so a necro can run somewhat competent
offensive healing support.This in my opinion is the very least necromancer needs. If it were up to me I’d drag
the entire profession towards conditions with axe becoming a medium range torment cleaver, scepter mainly inflicting poison and as mentioned, dagger inflicting bleeds. With changes to all traitlines to support the heavier condition focus, of course.
The damage part of Life stealing was designed as a power scaling effect and should stay as such.
edit: and we already have healing that scales from condition damage. 10% healing in fact.
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(edited by Lahmia.2193)
They are still in game and haven’t been changed since 2015.
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Gleam (Glint’s first surviving egg) would definitely benefit from absorbing the magic of the bloodstone, and would have a reason to protect Aurene … if she’s not evil. If she is, Aurene would be competition and first on Gleam’s dinner plate. In either case, a dragon champion has no reason to pose as Mursaat or need the support of the White Mantle, so it doesn’t fit.
Gleam is almost certainly dead already. I mean do you think the Master of Peace would go to all the effort in getting one of Glint’s eggs if the first scion of Glint was still alive?
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8 seconds ICD? That would be an over the top nerf.
If that would be an over the top nerf to a trait every necro is forced to use just because its so kittening OP I really wonder how Anet reasoned when removing daze from final salvo that few picked over adaptive armor.
I mean it was Anet that buffed Deathly Chill to 3 bleed stacks to begin with (pve only – though not bothering to exclude wvw from this buff). The ONLY options they should consider are:
1 – revert to 1 bleed stack in wvw (same as in pvp).
2 – do nothing and let roaming Necros be as cancerous as condi mesmers.
3 – nerf to 2 stacks of bleed in wvw only (the first 3 mode split).
edit: also they didn’t remove daze from Final Salvo, it was taken directly from Gyro Self-Destruct.
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(edited by Lahmia.2193)
Vampiric : swap siphons value from minion and necromancer. The actual value almost force you to play minion master to have an almost descent amount of siphon.
That’s… actually a really good idea.
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That’s odd. I tried the same test on the dps golem and dagger won by 1 second. I left out any traits that may have given one an advantage though (vampiric/vamp aura/deathly chill etc.)
If you are using Spite, remember that you also have minor traits that give might and vulnerability when the enemy has low health, the higher speed and number of strikes per second of the dagger give it a little advantage here.
Remove Spite or add to yourself 25 stack of might and to the golem 25 stack of vulnerbility before testing.
Aye I did try it will 25 might/vuln but tested it again and they killed at the same time. First test must have just been an oddity.
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There’s a lot to go through, so to save time I’ll just list the changes I really like (as opposed to the ones that are good but I don’t feel they must change it).
Spiteful Talisman – more/better damage modifiers is what we need.
Rending Shroud
Chilling Darkness – my baby needs to be herself again
Soul Comprehension
Reaper’s Protection – Well of Power gets my vote. Spectral armour is already used in Last gasp. CPC could work. “YAAW” is Reaper exclusive so unless they unbind all utilities and weapons from elite specs then I’m dead against this.
Unholy Sanctuary swap with Unholy Martyr
Mark of Evasion
Vampiric/Vampiric Presence – Life stealing is my favourite thing in gw2, so I’m always happy to see buffs.
Vital Persistance – I don’t think the degen reduction should be baseline but they should make it part of one of the minor traits (like thieves +3 initiative in Trickery). My idea would be to swap parts of VP with Strength of Undeath so we then have VP as a minor trait granting -50% LF degen and +15% LF pool. Then SoU as a mid tier trait granting +10% damage whilst in shroud and 20% reduction on shroud skill cooldowns.
All 3 reaper traits: Though with Soul Eater, I’d add a damage buff instead of a Gravedigger bonus.
All the changes to skills though I’m still for removing Lich Form and Plague in favour of 2 more useful skills.
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While on topic, Signet of courage is awful, even if the active is really powerful, the passive AoE is terrible and so is the 3.75sec cast time.
It’s not like Guardian is lacking a powerful elite skill since the 3 other ones are very viable, but changing signet of courage into a buff that reduce condition duration by like 15% for 5 targets(at 600 radius) and the active be 5sec resistance to 5 targets with a 2-3sec cast being able to cast on the move, would make it an option to consider in WvW or PvP, with same 180sec cd.
I mean they could easily fix the passive so it procs every 3 seconds instead of 10.
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Also unbind current elite spec weapons and utilities from elite specs, so you can use them on vanilla professions (though you’d still require HoT to use them).
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It will be a great axe that you can dual wield.
Edit
Would be quite funny, I mean since greatsword got 3 already and a fourth in the making whats stoping them from making a second axe you can fuse with astraliaBetter yet a scythe.
scythes now would be wierd to add doe since there are staff skins that ook like scythes so if i want that particular scythe skins what do i do?
Tormented scythe from gw1. I used it all the time on a necro/dervish build I made.
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Ok, I’ve made some test with the golem…
1) GS AA damage is exatly the same of Dagger AA (but just that, they differ by number of targets hit, the chill, LF generation and fluidity);
That’s odd. I tried the same test on the dps golem and dagger won by 1 second. I left out any traits that may have given one an advantage though (vampiric/vamp aura/deathly chill etc.)
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Is it really that hard to pair BG with enough enemies that they don’t automatically win the matchup in under 24 hours?
Shouldn’t that be…. like a thing you focus on when balancing?
I mean if any borderland should get a free ride it should be an alliance of all the little guys that always lose.
What they did to Yaks bend the last few weeks was decent ‘at the start’. Just it turned absolutely brutal for them when they closed the server…cutting off all their oxygen and escape routes.inb4 one grain of salt procs moderator missile strike
Without a doubt.
I’m still not sure how BG wins so easily. They’ve been one of the few servers we managed to paper EVERY single one of their objectives during SEA time.
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It will be a great axe that you can dual wield.
Edit
Would be quite funny, I mean since greatsword got 3 already and a fourth in the making whats stoping them from making a second axe you can fuse with astralia
Better yet a scythe.
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