gww>Soldier198: /* Guild Wars Wiki Notes */

2026-04-12T13:05:21Z

Guild Wars Wiki Notes

New page

== Update, February 5, 2026 ==

We have two updates today. One is a skill update and the other is that we are going to start rolling out the Steam-based in-game store.

The first is a special surprise. As some of you know, as a studio we've avoided skill balance updates because doing a good job takes a lot of time, concentration, and knowledge of the complete database of skills.

It turns out a former ArenaNet staff member, [[Isaiah Cartwright]], still had all the knowledge in his head to make balance changes, and, on his own initiative, volunteered to do a balance pass for us! Our strategy was to data mine the least popular skills and improve many of them which increases the number of viable skill options. That way the main ‘meta’ of the game remains the same (well, mostly) and the net effect is that the game has more useful skills. [[Richard Foge]] partnered on this update to help roll it out. Here are the details:

=== Balance pass - February 2026 ===
==== Warrior ====
* {{skill icon|"I Meant to Do That!"}}: increased adrenaline gain to {{gr|1|6}} (from {{gr|1|5}}).
* {{skill icon|"You Will Die!"}}: increased health threshold to 90% (from 50%).
* {{skill icon|Charging Strike}}: increased damage bonus to +{{gr|10|90}} (from {{gr|10|40}}).
* {{skill icon|Headbutt}}: reduced recharge to 15 seconds (from 20); daze duration reduced to 5 seconds (from {{gr|5|20}}).
* {{skill icon|Rage of the Ntouka}}: decreased duration to 8 seconds (from 10); decreased recharge on adrenal skills to 3 seconds (from 5).

==== Ranger ====
*{{skill icon|Arcing Shot}}: reduced recharge time to 3 seconds (from 6); increased damage bonus to +{{gr|10|35}} (from {{gr|10|25}}).
*{{skill icon|Marauder's Shot}}: decreased energy cost to 5 (from 10); increased damage bonus to +{{gr|25|55}} (from {{gr|10|35}}); decreased disable on non-attack skills to 5 seconds (from 10).
*{{skill icon|Marksman's Wager}}: decreased activation time to 1 second (from 2).
*{{skill icon|Practiced Stance}}: increased preparations duration increase to {{gr|30|300}}% (from {{gr|30|150}}%).
*{{skill icon|Splinter Shot}}: now deals damage to foes in the area (previously adjacent).

===== [[Nature ritual]]s =====
* {{skill icon|Brambles}}: decreased activation time to 3 seconds (from 5); increased duration to {{gr|30|240}} seconds (from {{gr|30|150}}).
* {{skill icon|Conflagration}}: decreased activation time to 3 seconds (from 5); increased duration to {{gr|30|240}} seconds (from {{gr|30|150}}); range increased to 3500 (from 2512).
* {{skill icon|Edge of Extinction}}: decreased activation time to 3 seconds (from 5); increased duration to {{gr|30|240}} seconds (from {{gr|30|150}}); range increased to 3500 (from 2512).
* {{skill icon|Equinox}}: increased duration to {{gr|30|240}} seconds (from {{gr|30|150}}).
* {{skill icon|Famine}}: increased duration to {{gr|30|180}} seconds (from {{gr|30|150}}); increased damage to {{gr|20|70}} (from {{gr|10|35}}).
* {{skill icon|Fertile Season}}: decreased activation time to 3 seconds (from 5); increased duration to {{gr|15|90}} seconds (from {{gr|15|45}}); range increased to 3500 (from 2512).
* {{skill icon|Frozen Soil}}: decreased activation time to 3 seconds (from 5); increased duration to {{gr|30|180}} seconds (from {{gr|30|90}}); range increased to 3500 (from 2512).
* {{skill icon|Greater Conflagration}}: increased duration to {{gr|30|240}} seconds (from {{gr|30|150}}); range increased to 3500 (from 2512).
* {{skill icon|Infuriating Heat}}: increased duration to {{gr|30|120}} seconds (from {{gr|30|60}}); range increased to 3500 (from 2512).
* {{skill icon|Lacerate}}: increased duration to {{gr|30|240}} seconds (from {{gr|30|150}}).
* {{skill icon|Muddy Terrain}}: decreased activation time to 3 seconds (from 5); increased duration to {{gr|30|180}} seconds (from {{gr|30|90}}); range increased to 3500 (from 2512).
* {{skill icon|Pestilence}}: decreased activation time to 3 seconds (from 5); increased duration to {{gr|30|180}} seconds (from {{gr|30|90}}); range increased to 3500 (from 2512).
* {{skill icon|Predatory Season}}: decreased activation time to 3 seconds (from 5); increased duration to {{gr|30|240}} seconds (from {{gr|30|150}}); range increased to 3500 (from 2512).
* {{skill icon|Quicksand}}: decreased activation time to 3 seconds (from 5); increased duration to {{gr|30|180}} seconds (from {{gr|30|90}}); range increased to 3500 (from 2512).
* {{skill icon|Roaring Winds}}: decreased activation time to 3 seconds (from 5); increased duration to {{gr|30|180}} seconds (from {{gr|30|60}}).
* {{skill icon|Symbiosis}}: decreased activation time to 3 seconds (from 5); increased duration to {{gr|30|240}} seconds (from {{gr|30|150}}); range increased to 3500 (from 2512).
* {{skill icon|Toxicity}}: decreased activation time to 3 seconds (from 5); increased duration to {{gr|30|180}} seconds (from {{gr|30|90}}); range increased to 3500 (from 2512).
* {{skill icon|Tranquility}}: decreased activation time to 3 seconds (from 5); increased duration to {{gr|30|120}} seconds (from {{gr|30|60}}); range increased to 3500 (from 2512).
* {{skill icon|Winter}}: increased duration to {{gr|30|240}} seconds (from {{gr|30|150}}); range increased to 3500 (from 2512).

==== Monk ====
''(Monk elites are so good we need to buff other elites to see any play)''

* {{skill icon|Amity}}: reduced recharge time to 20 seconds (from 45); reduced duration to {{gr|4|12}} seconds (from {{gr|8|20}}).
* {{skill icon|Boon Signet}}: reduced recharge time to 6 seconds (from 8); increased bonus healing to {{gr|20|100}} (from {{gr|20|80}}).
* {{skill icon|Divert Hexes}}: reduced energy cost to 5 (from 10).
* {{skill icon|Mark of Protection}}: reduced activation time to {{1/4}} seconds (from 1); reduced recharge time to 15 seconds (from 45).
* {{skill icon|Pacifism}}: reduced recharge time to 15 seconds (from 30); reduced duration to {{gr|4|8}} seconds (from {{gr|8|20}}).
* {{skill icon|Scourge Sacrifice}}: reduced energy cost to 5 (from 10).
* {{skill icon|Smiter's Boon (PvP)}}: reduced duration to 4 seconds (from 5).
* {{skill icon|Word of Censure}}: increased damage to {{gr|30|130}} (from {{gr|15|75}}); increased target health threshold to 50% (from 33%).

==== Mesmer ====
* {{skill icon|Confusing Images}}: reduced activation time to 1 second (from 2).
* {{skill icon|Feedback}}: reduced activation time to 1 second (from 2).
* {{skill icon|Fevered Dreams}}: reduced energy cost to 5 (from 10); reduced activation time to 1 second (from 2).
* {{skill icon|Fevered Dreams (PvP)}}: reduced energy cost to 5 (from 10); reduced activation time to 1 second (from 2).
* {{skill icon|Hex Eater Vortex}}: reduced energy cost to 5 (from 10); reduced activation time to {{1/4}} seconds (from 1); now deals damage to foes in the area (previously nearby).
* {{skill icon|Hypochondria}}: reduced activation time to {{1/4}} seconds (from 1).
* {{skill icon|Ignorance}}: reduced energy cost to 10 (from 15).
* {{skill icon|Mantra of Signets (PvP)}}: added functionality of "you have +3 armor for each signet equipped". (This skill now functions the same in PvE and PvP.)
* {{skill icon|Persistence of Memory}}: reduced energy cost to 5 (from 10).
* {{skill icon|Shared Burden}}: now affects foes in the area (previously nearby).
* {{skill icon|Shared Burden (PvP)}}: now affects foes in the area (previously nearby).

==== Necromancer ====
* {{skill icon|Jagged Bones}}: reduced recharge time to 10 seconds (from 15); increased duration to 60 seconds (from 30).
* {{skill icon|Jaundiced Gaze}}: reduced energy cost to 5 (from 10); increased duration to {{gr|1|20}} seconds (from {{gr|1|15}}).
* {{skill icon|Order of Apostasy}}: reduced maximum health loss to {{gr|10|3}}% (from {{gr|25|15}}%).
* {{skill icon|Spinal Shivers}}: decreased triggered energy cost to {{gr|8|3}} (from {{gr|10|5}}).
* {{skill icon|Ulcerous Lungs}}: reduced energy cost to 10 (from 15); reduced activation time to 1 second (from 2).

==== Elementalist ====
* {{skill icon|Energy Blast}}: reduced energy cost to 5 (from 10).
* {{skill icon|Ether Renewal (PvP)}}: increased duration to 10 seconds (from 7).
* {{skill icon|Magnetic Aura}}: increased duration to {{gr|1|8}} seconds (from {{gr|1|5}}).
* {{skill icon|Mind Freeze (PvP)}}: increased conditional damage to {{gr|10|60}} (from {{gr|10|40}}).
* {{skill icon|Slippery Ground (PvP)}}: reduced recharge time to 15 seconds (from 20).
* {{skill icon|Swirling Aura}}: increased duration to {{gr|3|7}} seconds (from 5).
* {{skill icon|Teinai's Prison}}: increased duration to {{gr|1|8}} seconds (from {{gr|1|6}}).
* {{skill icon|Ward Against Elements}}: reduced energy cost to 10 (from 15).
* {{skill icon|Ward of Weakness}}: reduced energy cost to 5 (from 10).

==== Assassin ====
* {{skill icon|Dark Apostasy}}: reduced triggered energy cost to {{gr|10|3}} (from {{gr|10|4}}).
* {{skill icon|Expose Defenses}}: reduced energy cost to 5 (from 10).
* {{skill icon|Hidden Caltrops}}: reduced disable of non-assassin skills to 3 seconds (from 10).
* {{skill icon|Mark of Death}}: increased healing reduction to 50% (from 33%).
* {{skill icon|Sadist's Signet}}: increased health gain per condition to {{gr|10|45}} (from {{gr|10|40}}).
* {{skill icon|Shadow Meld}}: reduced energy cost to 5 (from 10).
* {{skill icon|Signet of Shadows}}: reduced recharge time to 15 seconds (from 30).
* {{skill icon|Shroud of Silence}}: increase duration to {{gr|1|6}} seconds (from {{gr|1|3}}).
* {{skill icon|Signet of Twilight}}: reduced activation time to 1 second (from 2).
* {{skill icon|Siphon Strength}}: increased critical hit chance bonus to +50% (from 33%).

==== Ritualist ====
* {{skill icon|Consume Soul}}: reduced activation time to {{1/4}} seconds (from 1); increased life steal to {{gr|5|70}} (from {{gr|5|60}}); now deals conditional damage to foes in earshot (previously in the area) of the target .
* {{skill icon|Doom}}: increased damage to {{gr|10|60}} (from {{gr|10|40}}).
* {{skill icon|Dulled Weapon}}: increased duration to {{gr|5|20}} seconds (from {{gr|5|15}}); increased damage reduction to -{{gr|3|20}} (from {{gr|1|15}}).
* {{skill icon|Feast of Souls}}: reduced energy cost to 5 (from 10).
* {{skill icon|Ghostly Haste}}: increased duration to {{gr|5|30}} seconds (from {{gr|5|20}}).
* {{skill icon|Pure Was Li Ming}}: reduced energy cost to 5 (from 10).
* {{skill icon|Restoration (PvP)}}: reduced activation time to 3 seconds (from 5).
* {{skill icon|Wailing Weapon}}: reduced recharge time to 15 seconds (from 25); increased duration to {{gr|3|14}} seconds (from {{gr|3|9}}).
* {{skill icon|Weapon of Quickening}}: reduced activation time to 1 second (from 2).
* {{skill icon|Weapon of Renewal}}: increased duration to {{gr|5|20}} seconds (from {{gr|4|10}}).
* {{skill icon|Wielder's Zeal}}: reduced energy cost to 5 (from 10); increased duration to {{gr|10|40}} seconds (from {{gr|10|30}}).

==== Dervish ====
* {{skill icon|Arcane Zeal}}: increased energy gain to 2 (from 1); increased maximum energy gain to {{gr|2|7}} (from {{gr|1|7}}).
* {{skill icon|Dwayna's Touch}}: changed heal per enchantment amount to 60 (from {{gr|15|60}}); changed maximum heal to {{gr|60|240}} (from 150).
* {{skill icon|Ebon Dust Aura}}: increased earth damage to {{gr|3|30}} (from {{gr|3|15}}).
* {{skill icon|Featherfoot Grace}}: increased condition expiration speed to 50% (from 25%).
* {{skill icon|Grenth's Grasp}}: increased maximum number of conditions transferred to {{gr|1|3}} (from 1).
* {{skill icon|Mystic Corruption}}: reduced energy cost to 5 (from 10); increased duration to {{gr|1|10}} seconds (from {{gr|1|2}}).
* {{skill icon|Natural Healing}}: reduced activation time to 1 second (from 2).
* {{skill icon|Pious Restoration}}: increased maximum number of hexes removed to {{gr|1|3}} (from {{gr|1|2}}).
* {{skill icon|Signet of Pious Restraint}}: reduced recharge time to 10 seconds (from 20); now affects foes in the area (previously nearby).
* {{skill icon|Test of Faith}}: reduced adrenaline cost to 5 (from 7); increased cold damage to {{gr|15|75}} (from {{gr|15|65}}).
* {{skill icon|Winds of Disenchantment}}: reduced energy cost to 5 (from 10).

==== Paragon ====
* {{skill icon|"Make Your Time!"}}: reduced recharge time to 10 seconds (from 30).
* {{skill icon|Angelic Protection}}: reduced incoming damage per second threshold to {{gr|250|80}} (from {{gr|250|100}}).
* {{skill icon|Anthem of Guidance}}: reduced adrenaline cost to 2 (from 4).
* {{skill icon|Energizing Chorus}}: reduced adrenaline cost to 3 (from 4).
* {{skill icon|Energizing Finale}}: increased energy gain to {{gr|1|2}} (from 1).
* {{skill icon|Hasty Refrain}}: increased duration to {{gr|3|15}} seconds (from {{gr|3|11}}).
* {{skill icon|Inspirational Speech}}: increased adrenaline gain to {{gr|1|8}} (from {{gr|1|4}}).
* {{skill icon|Leader's Zeal}}: increased energy gain to {{gr|2|4}} (from 2).
* {{skill icon|Purifying Finale}}: reduced activation time to {{1/4}} seconds (from 1); reduced recharge time to 5 seconds (from 10).
* {{skill icon|Song of Power}}: reduced energy cost to 15 (from 25).
* {{skill icon|Song of Purification}}: reduced adrenaline cost to 3 (from 5); increased number of activations to {{gr|1|6}} (from {{gr|1|3}}).

=== 60/60 Exploit ===
A bug in the PvP Equipment panel allowed for non-PvP items to be customized, and in some cases would apply item upgrades that were incompatible with the customized item. This resulted in items being created that couldn't be obtained through natural play (this includes what the community refers to as [[60/60]] items). This change fixes the bug, and a later update will remove invalid item upgrades from items previously created via the bug.

=== New Steam-based In-Game Store Rolling Out ===

We've built an in-game store that integrates with the Steam Wallet / Billing System. The code is shipping today but disabled. Over the next few days we'll be testing it on the live systems and then steadily increasing access to all Steam players. To use the new store, you need to log into the game via Steam (i.e., not with an email address). You'll know the store is enabled for you because a prompt will appear in the upper right corner of the character select screen. The new store is tightly integrated with Steam and does not support our first party site – players who login with an email address will still need to use the web store. During this testing phase you might see the store button but the store might be in 'maintenance mode'. You'll be notified as soon as you press 'Enter Store' if that's the case. Oh, and the store button might disappear even after you've seen it, if we decide to reduce the number of players accessing the store, as we evaluate the performance.

=== Guild Wars Wiki Notes ===
These skills were also changed:
* {{skill icon|Magehunter Strike}}: Bonus damage increased to {{gr|7|25}} (from {{gr|5|20}}).
* {{skill icon|Mind Freeze (PvP)}}: The unconditional damage was also increased to {{gr|10|60}}.
* {{skill icon|Shivers of Dread}}: Decreased triggered energy cost to {{gr|8|3}} (from {{gr|10|5}}).
* {{skill icon|Signet of Mystic Wrath}}: Now deals a flat 25 holy damage per enchantment on you. Maximum damage now scales to {{gr|30|100}} holy damage.
* {{skill icon|Signet of Pious Restraint (PvP)}}: Also had its recharge reduced to 10.
* {{Skill icon|Sloth Hunter's Shot (PvP)}}: Decreased unconditional damage to {{gr|5|15}}; increased conditional damage to {{gr|5|20}}.
* {{skill icon|Word of Censure}}: The health threshold is actually 20%, and it is checked ''after'' the damage occurs.
** This was [[Feedback:Game updates/20260209|fixed]] in a later update.
* Though the update notes stated that the range of many nature rituals were increased, this change did not occur in game.
<noinclude>[[Category:2026 updates]][[Category:Balance_updates]]</noinclude>

Feedback:Game updates/20260205 - Revision history

gww>Soldier198: /* Guild Wars Wiki Notes */