Recently, someone posted a thread on the official forums about the issues of Magic Find. Colin Johanson replied to that saying:


Later on in the thread he also mentioned that we'd be getting more information about the first May update soon, along with more blog posts about the direction of the game:


How would you like to see Magic Find changed? What are some things that you're hoping for in the May update? Back to Top

Flame & Frost: Molten Weapons Facility

• Fixed an issue where certain parts of the Molten Facility dungeon would not trigger after the dungeon’s instance creator logged out or left the map.
  
• After an entire party has been defeated, party members should no longer be forced back into the boss arena until entering of their own free will.
  
• Fixed the transformation sequence visuals for the final bosses of the Molten Facility dungeon.

Structured Player vs. Player

• Fixed crash in custom arenas with spectators enabled.

General

• Wayfarer’s Foothills: Fixed an issue where Cragstead was sometimes revealed for the player before they discovered the area, resulting in an undiscovered point of intrest marker to not appear.

Source. Back to Top

Over in the land of the official forums, Colin Johanson has posted a short summary of what the living world means to ArenaNet, and what to expect from it further down the road. He emphasized their goals of using the living story as a means to tell a story that changes the game world on a larger scale rather than just cycle through content updates on a monthly basis. Specifically,


Another interesting tidbit is the potential to have living world content return to the permanent world in some form of another. Colin gives the example of adding bosses to guild mission challenges, but that's really just the tip of the iceberg. Fractals anyone?

[source]

Back to Top

LIVING STORY
Flame & Frost: Retribution
In secret foundries deep beneath the Shiverpeaks, the Molten Alliance forges deadly new weaponry that combines the fiery power of the Flame Legion with the iron might of the dredge. There, Alliance weaponsmiths test their creations on innocent captives, perfecting their cruel technology until it is ready to unleash on all of Tyria.

In the last chapter of the Flame and Frost series, you’ll strike at the heart of the Molten Alliance with your comrades, Rox the charr and the norn Braham. Take the battle into the enemy’s weapons facilities and defeat a final hybrid menace unlike any Tyria has ever seen!

Molten Weapons Facility

• The Vigil has pinpointed the first of what may be several entrances to the weapons facilities where the Molten Alliance has been creating their fearsome technologies.
  
• The Molten Weapons Facility is a level-80 single-path dungeon experience where players fight alongside Rox Whetstone and Braham Eirsson.
  
• All players who enter are scaled up to level 80.
  
• Entrances to the Molten Weapons Facility change over time as new locations are found.
  
• Information on the map where the dungeon is located is in the Living World UI on the top right of the screen.
  
• A wide variety of new and unique rewards are available by defeating the challenging encounters within.
  
• This content is available from April 30 to May 12.

Achievements

• New achievements have been added to the Living Story category: “Rage Against the War Machine,” “Avenger of the Dispossessed,” “A Rallying Flame,” and “Alliance Breaker.”
  
• Completing the meta-achievement for Flame and Frost, “Alliance Breaker,” awards you a Fused Gauntlet Ticket. Use this item to exchange it for your choice of Fused Gauntlets, a unique exotic item. Completion of this achievement requires all of the other Flame and Frost achievements except “A Rallying Flame.”
  
• A new title, “Avenger of the Dispossessed,” has been added for players who see Rox and Braham’s stories to completion.
  
• The final Flame and Frost achievement, “A Rallying Flame,” is not available until the conclusion of the story arc.

NEW FEATURES AND CONTENT
Structured Player vs. Player

• Custom arenas!
  
  • Soon, you’ll be able to host private matches, hone your skills, and build your own community in rentable custom PvP arenas!
    
  • Initially, renting a custom arena will be available on an invitation basis, but custom arena play and spectator mode will be available to all PvP players.
    
  • Once this feature leaves beta, the ability to run a custom arena will be available to any player as a gem purchase.
• Spectator mode!
  
  • View any non-tournament match in real time from several fixed camera locations or from the perspective of players in the match.
    
  • Inspect the statistics, equipment, traits, and skills of players you are watching.
    
  • If spectator mode is enabled on an arena, players can select which team they are on when the map begins.
• Map pings and drawing now work for your team instead of only your party.
  
• Clicking the score UI at the top of the screen opens the scoreboard.
  
• The PvP browser now provides filtering options and favorites for custom arenas.

World vs. World

• Added the following rare weapon skin sets to the Weapon Master:
  
  • Aureate
    
  • Flame
    
  • Verdant
    
  • Norn
• Added new abilities:
  
  • Arrow Cart Mastery
    
    • Increase range on all arrow-cart skills.
      
    • Increase damage on all arrow-cart skills.
      
    • Increase effectiveness of applied conditions.
      
    • Increase radius on all arrow-cart skills
      
    • New skill (slot 4): Toxic Unveiling Shot. Removes stealth and applies poison to targets.
  • Guard Killer
    
    • All Guard Killer bonuses now also apply to enemy lords and supervisors.
      
    • 7% damage to guards, lords, and supervisors.
      
    • Gain endurance after killing guards, lords, and supervisors.
      
    • 10% damage to guards, lords, and supervisors.
      
    • Add 1 stack of Guard Leech on killing a guard, lord, or supervisor.
      
      • Guard Leech: Gain health when attacking guards, lords, or supervisors.
• Added the following guild siege weapons as rewards for completing guild missions:
  
  • Trebuchet
    
  • Ballista
    
  • Arrow cart
    
  • Catapult
• Added WvW Rank progress to the WvW Dashboard UI (see top center of the screen while in WvW).
  
• Siege weapons provide World XP when destroyed.
  
• Siege weapons placed by Commander Siegerazer and Commander Siegecrusher now provide XP and World XP when destroyed.
  
• Players now receive World XP for repairing gates and walls in WvW.
  
• Players now receive World XP for defending supply dolyaks from ambushes in WvW.

Guild Content

• Moved guild-mission information from Upgrades to its own tab.
  
• Guild treks now award influence on successful completion:
  
  • Tier 1 awards 400 influence.
    
  • Tier 2 awards 500 influence.
    
  • Tier 3 awards 700 influence.
• Added 30 new guild-trek targets across Tyria.
  
• Added a new guild rush near Talabaroop Waves in Frostgorge Sound.
  
• Added new guild banner back-slot items to the guild commendation vendor.
  
• Half-Baked Komali’s fire shield now applies vulnerability to attackers instead of might and stability to herself.
  
• Reduced the possible spawning area and count of Sottz the Scallywag’s barrels.
  
• Sottz the Scallywag no longer despawns too fast after being discovered.
  
• Sottz the Scallywag’s barrels can no longer be destroyed by players who do not have him targeted by their current mission.
  
• “Hiding” bounty targets will now appear when a majority of their spawn locations have been searched.
  
• “Ambushing” bounty targets such as Big Mayana will no longer despawn as fast as standard targets.
  
• Corrected the Guild Truncheon’s price from 3 gold + 7 commendations to 3 gold + 5 commendations.

BALANCE, BUG-FIXING, POLISH
World Polish

• Bloodtide Coast:
  
  • Fixed an errant UI marker during the event to destroy Psylithium Generators.
    
  • Living Covington pirates no longer respawn while players are helping Bill and Hekja fight Risen pirates.
• Brisban Wildlands:
  
  • On completion of the skritt/bandit event, the crate vanishes, preventing a bug during repeated runs of the event.
• Caledon Forest:
  
  • The event to slay the Risen drake broodmother is now correctly marked as [Group].
    
  • The great jungle wurm can no longer be killed before its event starts. Increased the scaling cap on the wurm.
• Cursed Shore:
  
  • Reduced density of spawns in the event to collect glands for Merla.
• Diessa Plateau:
  
  • Fixed an event-progression issue with the Cattlepult.
• Dredgehaunt Cliffs:
  
  • Fixed tooltips for the jotun greatsword environment weapon.
• Fields of Ruin:
  
  • Fixed a stall in the “Assist the Foulbear Kraal” event.
    
  • Messenger Laren and her bodyguards now revive each other between fights.
    
  • Speaking to Legionnaire Riptooth now correctly starts the Bloodgorge Watch event.
• Fireheart Rise:
  
  • Made some polish changes to the Vidius Castrum event chain.
    
  • All NPCs in the Battle of Buloh Crossing can now be revived and will revive each other.
    
  • Brakkurn and Jhalles are now marked by Protect NPC markers during their event to repair machinery.
    
  • Haki Wolfwatcher stops announcing that the gates of the Citadel of Flame are open when they are not.
    
  • Increased toughness of Agent Marrick’s pack marmox.
    
  • Players can now use the cannon in the siege of Vidius Castrum without being kicked off.
    
  • The monstrous tar elemental now has standard event UI.
• Frostgorge Sound:
  
  • Icebrood no longer clump up during their attack on the Moshpoipoi if they have no nearby targets.
• Iron Marches:
  
  • Fixed an event-progression issue with Victurus the Shattered.
• Lion’s Arch:
  
  • Map-marker tooltips for asura gates now state their destinations.
• Malchor’s Leap:
  
  • Reduced the creatures in the “Kill the Corrupted High Priestess” event at high scales.
    
  • Adjusted the spawn density and respawn rate in the Bauxite Alchemicals plant.
    
  • Collecting spectral weapons and omnomberries for Byanca now uses standard collection UI.
    
  • NPCs in the Dwayna Temple events can now revive each other.
    
  • Reduced range of the Risen catapult near Doric’s Waypoint so it cannot knock players into Bloodtide Coast.
    
  • Skills for the spectral jammer environmental weapon now display the correct tooltips.
• Metrica Province:
  
  • Collecting eggs for Plink now correctly starts the subsequent event even if the collection is done solo.
    
  • Fixed an event-progression issue with LUM0009 golems.
    
  • Added additional event UI to the Imbued Mark I Golem event.
    
  • Minor UI adjustment for the Luminates Plant event.
    
  • Reduced the contribution required to earn a silver or gold medal in the fire elemental event.
    
  • Researcher Orl is now correctly identified as a karma merchant.
• Mount Maelstrom:
  
  • Added additional UI for the event to prevent the Inquest from contaminating the Whitland Flats.
    
  • Added an overhead marker to the bosses in the Terror 7 event chain.
    
  • Fixed a UI bug in the “Toil for the Coil” meta-event.
• Plains of Ashford:
  
  • Roefire Hauntclase appears as a vendor only when he has something to sell.
• Queensdale:
  
  • Fixed an event-progression issue with Sister Brenda.
    
  • Reviving Moa Trainer Kappa now correctly updates her event UI.
• Sparkfly Fen:
  
  • Adjusted levels of some spawns near Brooloonu Waypoint to better match the area’s level.
    
  • Adjusted the UI for the Swampwatch events.
    
  • Fixed a possible stall in the “Defend Shorewatch from the Risen” event.
    
  • The steward who becomes a (normal) merchant after the Ocean’s Gullet event no longer appears as a karma merchant.
• Straits of Devastation:
  
  • Fixed an event-progression issue with the Pact escort to Temple of Balthazar.
    
  • Reduced the respawn rate of enemies around Agent Raia.
    
  • Replaced a couple of underwater Risen giants with sharks.
• Timberline Falls:
  
  • Dobbs and his krewe now revive each other between fights.
    
  • Fixed a minor display bug in the “Assist Dobbs in the ruins” meta-event.
• Wayfarer Foothills:
  
  • Bolt throwers used by the Sons of Svanir no longer trap players who destroy them if they are standing on the thrower.
    
  • Bear Shaman Marge is now always responsive during her skill challenge.
    
  • Increased max event scale for the Svanir Shaman Chief in the Frozen Maw meta-event.
    
  • It is now possible (but difficult) to catch kegs thrown by Volden.
    
  • The roadblock built by the Sons of Svanir outside Hoelbrak is now attackable from either side.
    
  • Players can no longer get stuck in snow-leopard form after leaving the Snow Leopard Shrine area.

General

• Added increased scaling to several new events.
  
• Instances now display an exit even if players have completed their personal story.
  
• Reduced the chatter frequency of player characters.
  
• Fixed mouse-based target selection while using the “look behind” key.
  
• An error message now appears for disconnections during character creation.
  
• Fixed a progress-blocking issue in dungeon-related Explorer achievements.
  
• Updated the number of tiers on the Centaur Slayer and Zhaitan’s Bane achievements to be consistent with other achievements in the Slayer category.
  
• Updated Drake Slayer achievement tiers to match other achievements in the Slayer category.
  
• Players cannot use transformation tonics when already in a transformation, and leaving these transformations has a 3-second cooldown.
  
• Blowout effect: Renamed to Launch.
  
• Summoned creatures and pets can no longer draw aggro from enemies that have not already aggroed on their master.
  
• Adjusted ranger pet AI when fighting enemies in PvE. Melee pets now attempt to move behind enemies as long as they are not actively being targeted by the creature.
  
• Retaliation now has its own iconic damage floater.
  
• Hero Panel now displays magic find.

Dungeons

• Ascalonian Catacombs:
  
  • Players can no longer fall through the map when standing above graveling burrows when they appear in the Ascalon Catacombs dungeon.
    
  • The Lovers can now be knocked back consistently.
• Honor of the Waves:
  
  • Andal the Thug’s skill that buffs Oolon and Poroo now matches the visual effects.
• The Ruined City of Arah:
  
  • Warden Illyra now looks correct when she carries a Risen chicken.

Fractals

• Mossman no longer becomes unresponsive in combat.
  
• Cliffside: Players can no longer exploit the final boss by keeping him stunned in an emote loop.

Personal Story

• “Among the Kodan”: Boosted the power of the Overminer’s Boomstick (but only when used by a player).
  
• “Armor Guard”: Pact soldiers now revive each other. Tegwen’s behavior is now consistent.
  
• “Deadly Force”: Fixed a bug when using the Ghostbore cannon.
  
• “Don’t Leave Your Toys Out”: Adjusted difficulty. The charr now revive each other.
  
• “On Red Alert”: All of the Priory Novices are now using the correct voices.
  
• “The Championship Fight”: Players are no longer blocked if they ask Eir to wait a minute before proceeding.
  
• “The Sad Tale of the Ravenous”: Adjusted story-step difficulty.
  
• “The Stone Sheath”: Increased size of the escape region so it is not possible to accidentally run past it.
  
• “Through the Looking Glass”: Adjusted timing of the subtitles to match the spoken VO.
  
• “Untamed Wilds”: Increased scaling to keep the story step challenging for multiple players.
  
• “Where Life Goes”: The NPCs in the story step can now revive each other and be revived by players.
  
• “Ships of the Line”: Goop dropped by the oozes now time out and disappear after 15 seconds, preventing the hold from filling with infinite goop.
  
• “What the Eye Beholds”: Fixed a possible stall if the player talked to Trahearne during the testing process.

Items

• Corrected Rune and Sigil tooltips to say “chill” instead of “freeze” or “frozen.”
  
• Sigil of Water: Tooltip now correctly states % Chance on Critical instead of just % Chance.
  
• Time remaining on buffs now display with increased resolution.
  
• Bolt, Incinerator, Rodgort, and Frostfang now have a base elemental damage type. Note: This is a visual change only.
  
• PvP: Weapon-upgrade bonuses no longer disappear when players die while transformed.
  
• Updated many item icons.

Profession Skills
Elementalist (PvE Forums // PvP Forums // Skill Calc)

• Comet skill: Blast finisher now occurs at the comet’s location rather than at the elementalist’s location.
  
• Conjure Flame Axe skill: Updated the Flame Leap skill fact to display the proper burning duration.
  
• Rock Blade skill: Projectiles now correctly hit targets up to the intended 1200 range.
  
• Mist Form skill: Activation now locks heal, utility, and elite skills.
  
• Ride the Lightning skill:
  
  • Increased recharge increased 20 seconds to 40 seconds.
    
  • Recharge is now halved if the player strikes a foe.
    
  • Reduced the range to 1200 from the previous (hidden) 1550.
• Signet of Earth skill: Passive stat bonus increased by 100%.
  
• Signet of Fire skill: Passive stat bonus increased by 100%.
  
• Glyph of Elemental Power skill: Added a skill fact to indicate the percent chance.
  
• Signet of Restoration skill: Reduced the passive healing by 18% in PvP.
  
• Cleansing Water trait: Can now trigger only once every 5 seconds (only in PvP).
  
• Glyph of Storms skill: Increased duration of Lightning Storm by 50%, Ice Storm by 50%, Firestorm by 25%, and Sandstorm by 11%.
  
• Glyph of Lesser Elementals skill: Increased the health of summoned elementals by 33%.
  
• Glyph of Elementals skill: Increased the health of the summoned elementals by 33%.
  
• Conjure Fiery Greatsword skill: The Fiery Rush skill no longer consumes a warrior’s adrenaline pool.
  
• Swirling Winds skill: No longer destroys unblockable missiles.

Engineer (PvE Forums // PvP Forums // Skill Calc)

• Flame Turret skill: Now has the proper recharge when the Deployable Turrets trait is equipped.
  
• Static Shot skill: Changed the maximum targets skill fact to number of bounces to better indicate its actual effect.
  
• Elixir U skill: Now always applies quickness correctly.
  
• Reserve Mines trait: Updated description to be more accurate.
  
• Elixir S skill: Activation now locks heal, utility, and elite skills.
  
• Incendiary Powder trait:
  
  • Increased burning duration from 2 seconds to 4 seconds.
    
  • Increased internal cooldown from 3 seconds to 10 seconds.
    
  • Increased activation chance from 33% to 100%.
• Cloaking Device trait: Increased cloaking duration from 2 seconds to 5 seconds. Added internal cooldown of 25 seconds.
  
• Regenerating Mist skill: Reduced Healing Turret Toolbelt skill recharge from 60 seconds to 25 seconds.
  
• Healing Turret skill:
  
  • Reduced the deployed heal by 50%.
    
  • Healing range is now 2520-3270.
    
  • No longer applies 2 stacks of regeneration every time the turret fires. Now applies 3 seconds of regeneration every 3 seconds.
    
  • No longer passively creates a water field.
    
  • Normalized the ranges of all aspects to 480 (previously 240, 360, or 480).
• Cleansing Burst skill:
  
  • Reduced Healing Turret overcharge skill recharge from 60 seconds to 15 seconds
    
  • Now heals as much as deploying does.
    
  • Healing range is now 2520-3270.
    
  • Now applies 5 seconds of regeneration.
    
  • Removes 2 conditions when activated.
    
  • Now deploys a 5-second water field.
    
  • Normalized the ranges of all aspects to 480 (previously 240, 360, or 480).
• Glue Shot skill: Added an unblockable skill fact to this skill to represent its actual nature.
  
• Elixir X skill: No longer fails if the player is in midair when it activates.
  
• Kit Refinement trait: Now displays on the player’s buff bar when it is out of cooldown.
  
• Low Health Response System trait: Now has a 10-second recharge.
  
• Thumper Turret skill: Updated skill facts to reflect cripple while Deployable Turrets is equipped.
  
• Toss Elixikittenll: No longer destroys unblockable missiles.
  
• Picking up a turret no longer triggers effects from the Accelerant-Packed Turrets and Shrapnel traits.
  
• Elixikittenll:
  
  • Increased duration by 1 second.
    
  • When gaining Haste, players now take regenerate endurance at 50% effectiveness (increased from 0%) when under the effects of this skill.
    
  • When gaining Frenzy, players now take 25% more damage (reduced from 50%) when under the effects of this skill.

Guardian (PvE Forums // PvP Forums // Skill Calc)

• Perfect Inscriptions trait: Recharges can no longer be refreshed.
  
• Wrath skill: Updated the damage skill fact to indicate that the damage is done incrementally during the skill’s channel.
  
• Pure of Voice trait: Now properly converts fear.
  
• “Hold the Line!” skill: This shout now converts a condition only if the Pure of Voice trait is equipped.
  
• Bane Signet skill: Increased passive stat bonus by 100%.
  
• Signet of Mercy skill: Increased passive stat bonus by 100%.
  
• Signet of Wrath skill: Increased passive stat bonus by 100%.
  
• Hammer of Wisdom skill: Increased health of this summoned spirit by 25%.
  
• Shield of the Avenger skill: Increased health of this summoned spirit by 14%.
  
• Healer’s Retribution trait: Now functions with racial healing skills.
  
• Sanctuary skill: No longer destroys unblockable missiles.
  
• Shield of Absorption skill: No longer destroys unblockable missiles.

Mesmer (PvE Forums // PvP Forums // Skill Calc)

• Reduced mantra cast times from 3.25 seconds to 2.75 seconds.
  
• Confounding Suggestions trait: Now functions with the Chaos Storm and Counter Blade skills.
  
• Clones wielding a spear underwater now execute the full spear combo.
  
• Mirror Blade skill: Added an unblockable skill fact.
  
• Into the Void skill: Updated description to be more accurate (“Temporal Curtain”).
  
• Mind Stab skill (one-handed sword combo): Renamed to Mind Spike.
  
• Arcane Thievery skill: Now correctly transfers the boons removed from enemies and the conditions removed from the mesmer.
  
• Moa Morph skill: Can be used while moving.
  
• Moa transform flee: Reduced run distance and reduced cooldown from 15 seconds to 10 seconds.
  
• Blinding Befuddlement trait:
  
  • Increased duration of applied confusion from 1 second to 4 seconds.
    
  • Can now trigger only once every 5 seconds on any target that is blinded by the mesmer.
• Signet of Domination skill: Passive power increase now scales from 20-180, up from 10-90.
  
• Illusion of Life skill: Players can no longer circumvent the vengeance properties. Increased cast time by 0.5 seconds.
  
• Distortion skill: No longer allows capture of control points in all formats or communing in PvP.

Necromancer (PvE Forums // PvP Forums // Skill Calc)

• Well of Corruption skill: Updated damage skill fact to indicate the correct number of attacks.
  
• Well of Suffering skill:
  
  • Updated damage skill fact to indicate the correct number of attacks.
    
  • Updated the number of attacks to be consistent when affected by Focused Rituals.
• Spinal Shivers skill: Updated damage facts to indicate damage dealt based on boons removed.
  
• Signet of Spite skill: Updated the skill facts to indicate the passive effect of this skill. Increased the passive power boost by 100%.
  
• Corrupt Boon skill: No longer causes odd interactions with Aegis. Now unblockable.
  
• Epidemic skill: Now unblockable.
  
• Flesh Wurm minion: Increased health by 25%.
  
• Flesh Golem minion: Increased health by 25% and toughness by 10%.
  
• Lich Form skill: The Grim Specter skill now strips boons from enemies and conditions from allies when it reaches its target point instead of only when the missile hits a target.

Ranger (PvE Forums // PvP Forums // Skill Calc)

• Tail Wind trait: Now has an internal cooldown of 9 seconds.
  
• Furious Grip trait: Now has an internal cooldown of 9 seconds.
  
• “Guard” skill: Reduced cooldown from 30 seconds to 15 seconds.
  
• “Sic ’Em” skill: Reduced cooldown to 40 seconds from 60 seconds.
  
• Lightning Reflexes skill: Reduced cooldown from 45 seconds to 40 seconds.
  
• Signet of Stone skill:
  
  • Reduced cooldown from 120 seconds to 80 seconds.
    
  • Increased passive toughness by 100%.
    
  • Now allows capture of control points in all formats and communing in PvP.
• Signet of the Wild skill: Reduced cooldown from 120 seconds to 60 seconds and duration from 12 seconds to 8 seconds.
  
• Spiritual Knowledge trait: Increased activation chance from 15% to 35%.
  
• Swoop skill: Corrected the damage indicated in the skill fact.
  
• Increased health of all non-elite spirits by 60%.
  
• “Search and Rescue” skill:
  
  • Increased cooldown from 85 seconds to 180 seconds in PvP.
    
  • No longer revives defeated allies.
• Point Blank Shot skill: No longer has an increased cast time when the Eagle Eye trait is equipped.
  
• Quickening Zephyr skill:
  
  • Increased duration by 1 second.
    
  • Players are now healed at 50% effectiveness (increased from 0%) when under the effects of this skill.

Pet Attributes

• Adjusted health and/or armor of ranger pets:
  
  • Ursine pets: health increased from 26,000 to 29982; armor is now 2061 (up 687). Polar bear’s power now matches that of all other bear pets.
    
  • Dogs: health increased from 13,000 to 14,868; armor is 2061 (no change).
    
  • Cats: health increased from 13,000 to 14,868; armor is 1374 (no change).
    
  • Devourers: health increased from 11,089 to 14868; armor is 2748 (no change).
    
  • Birds: health increased from 11,894 to 14,868; armor is 1374 (no change).
    
  • Drakes: health increased from 11,683 to 22,425; armor is 2061 (no change).
    
  • Spiders: health increased from 18,646 to 22,425; armor is 1374 (no change).
    
  • Pigs: health increased from 20,538 to 22,425; armor is now 2061 (up 687).
    
  • Moas: health increased from 16,781 to 22,425; armor is 1374 (no change).
    
  • Armor Fish: health increased from 16,781 to 22,452; armor is now 2748 (up 343).
    
  • Jellyfish: health increased from 11,089 to 22,425; armor is 1374 (no change).
    
  • Shark: health increased from 13,000 to 22,425; armor is now 2061 (up 687).

Canine Skills

• Intimidating Howl skill: Reduced cast time from 2 seconds to 1.5 seconds.
  
• Regenerate skill: Reduced cast time from 2 seconds to 1.5 seconds.
  
• Howl of the Pack skill: Reduced cast time from 2 seconds to 1.5 seconds.
  
• Chilling Howl skill: Reduced cast time from 2 seconds to 1.5 seconds.
  
• Terrifying Howl skill: Reduced cast time from 2 seconds to 1.5 seconds.

Drake Skills

• Lightning Breath skill: Reduced cast time from 2.7 seconds to 1.5 seconds. The lightning from this attack no longer tracks targets.
  
• Fire Breath skill: Reduced cast time from 2.7 seconds to 1.5 seconds.
  
• Insect Swarm skill: Reduced cast time from 2.7 seconds to 1.5 seconds.
  
• Frost Breath skill: Reduced cast time from 2.7 seconds to 1.5 seconds.

Feline Skills

• Icy Pounce skill: Reduced cast time from 2 seconds to 1.5 seconds.
  
• Rending Pounce skill: Reduced cast time from 2 seconds to 1.5 seconds.

Jellyfish Skills

• Immobilizing Whirl skill: Now sticks on its target instead of passing through.
  
• Chilling Whirl skill: Now sticks on its target instead of passing through.
  
• Poisoning Whirl skill: Now sticks on its target instead of passing through.

Thief (PvE Forums // PvP Forums // Skill Calc)

• Skills that must be performed from stealth are now labeled as “Stealth Attack.”
  
• Vigorous Recovery: Improved accuracy of description.
  
• Cloak and Dagger skill: Now functions with the Hidden Killer trait.
  
• Needle Trap skill: Removed the duration skill fact as being misleading.
  
• Shadow Shot skill: The projectile portion is now unblockable.
  
• Choking Gas skill: Added an Unblockable skill fact to reflect functionality.
  
• Flanking Strike skill:
  
  • Now evades and delivers one strike instead of delivering two attacks.
    
  • Removed boon removal.
    
  • Reduced initiative cost from 4 to 3.
    
  • Now toggles for 5 seconds to a second skill, Larcenous Strike, if the attack hits an enemy.
    
  • Improved reliability of flanking strike.
• Larcenous Strike: Deliver a quick strike that steals up to two boons from an enemy. Costs 1 initiative.
  
• Larcenous Strike, Stab skills: Reduced aftercast by 0.5 seconds.
  
• Mug trait: Can no longer critically hit. Now heals the thief from a range of 1980 health to 2700 health.
  
• Leeching Venoms trait: Increased the damage scale from power by 33%. Increased range from 325-400 to 325-425.
  
• Signet of Agility skill: Increased passive stat bonus by 100%.
  
• Assassin’s Signet skill: Increased passive stat bonus by 100%.
  
• Revealed effect: Reverted duration to 3 seconds in PvE.
  
• Trick Shot skill: First arrow is no longer heat-seeking.
  
• Smoke Screen skill: No longer destroys unblockable missiles.
  
• Haste skill:
  
  • Increased duration by 1 second.
    
  • Players now regenerate endurance at 50% effectiveness (increased from 0%) when under the effects of this skill.

Warrior (PvE Forums // PvP Forums // Skill Calc)

• Arcing Arrow skill: Added a radius skill fact. Removed the burning skill fact on the traited version because it did not actually burn.
  
• Fan of Fire skill:
  
  • Updated the cast time and aftercast to match other fan skills.
    
  • Reduced cast time by 0.5 seconds and aftercast by 0.5 seconds.
• Earthshaker skill:
  
  • Fixed the attack radius to correctly match the ground targeted decal radius.
    
  • Added a radius skill fact.
    
  • Fixed the damage displayed in the skill fact at zero adrenaline to be consistent with the skill at all adrenaline levels.
• Throw Boulder skill: Added a knockdown skill fact.
  
• Call to Arms skill:
  
  • Now a blast finisher.
    
  • Updated the radius skill fact to be consistent with the skill’s effects.
    
  • Removed extraneous 500-millisecond aftercast.
• Added new Adept major trait, Defense (II): Dogged March—Incoming immobilize, chill, and cripple conditions are reduced by 33%. Gain 3 seconds of regeneration when you are crippled, chilled, or immobilized. This effect can trigger only once every 10 seconds. This trait replaces Turtle’s Defense.
  
• Quick Bursts and Adrenal Reserves traits: Combined into one trait, Burst Mastery (XI).
  
• Added new Grandmaster major trait, Discipline (XII): Destruction of the Empowered—Damage is increased by 3% per unique boon on the warrior’s target.
  
• Endure Pain skill: Players can now capture points while under its effects.
  
• Leg Specialist trait: No longer functions when controlling turrets such as the WvW Arrow Cart.
  
• Brutal Shot (Rifle) skill: Increased vulnerability duration from 10 seconds to 12 seconds. Increased vulnerability stacks from 5 to 8.
  
• Signet of Fury skill: Increased passive stat bonus by 100%.
  
• Signet of Might skill: Increased passive stat bonus by 100%. The new active is the player’s next 3 attacks are unblockable. This effect lasts for 10 seconds.
  
• Dolyak Signet skill: Increased passive stat bonus by 100%.
  
• “On My Mark!” skill: Now uses its actual range instead of infinite range. Increased the range of the shout from 900 to 1200.
  
• Frenzy skill:
  
  • Increased duration by 1 second.
    
  • Players now take 25% more damage (reduced from 50%) when under the effects of this skill.

Structured Player vs. Player

• Minimap icons for team members now show their profession icon instead of a dot.
  
• Updated requirements for PvP daily achievements.
  
• Heart of the Mists:
  
  • The PvP locker now has a tab for back-slot items.
    
  • Glory vendors now sell PvP guild banner back-slot items.
    
  • Added new Fused Gauntlets to the Match Win Reward Chest.
    
  • Players can now use transformation tonics here.
    
  • PvP Steady weapons are now Basic rarity and have had their damage increased.
• Spirit Watch:
  
  • Ride the Lightning distance is reduced by 40% while carrying the orb.
    
  • Tornado move speed is now correctly reduced while carrying the orb.
    
  • The orb is dropped if the orb carrier uses an invulnerability skill.
    
  • The orb now spawns 10 seconds after match start instead of immediately.
    
  • Increased altar commune time from 2 seconds to 3 seconds.
    
  • Fixed multiple locations where teleport skills would fail for no visible reason.
• Minimap and Party UI now display all allies on map.
  
• Kill Spam now displays all kills on map.

World vs. World

• Updated confusion and retaliation effects to do the same damage as they do in sPvP.
  
• Added a buff to display time remaining before siege weapons are destroyed from inactivity.
  
• Siege sites are now destroyed 2 minutes after being placed if they receive no supply.
  
• Increased arrow-cart damage:
  
  • Increased Fire damage by 80%.
    
  • Increased Fire Crippling Arrows damage by 17%.
    
  • Increased Fire Barbed Arrows damage by 60% and increased the Bleed duration to 15^^seconds.
• The “under attack” notice at objectives now displays 30 seconds after it is first attacked. Does not affect waypoint usage.
  
• Siege weapon blueprints are now account-bound instead of soulbound.
  
• Killing a supply dolyak now awards 3 points to the team that lands the deathblow.
  
• Righteous Indignation now ignores damage from all sources.
  
• Players can now deploy siege sites on enemy walls.
  
• Siege weapons can no longer be built in no-siege areas.
  
• Increased radius of cannon basic shot from 240 to 360.
  
• Lotus Poison (thief minor trait, 15 in Deadly Arts) no longer applies to a trebuchet’s poison shot.
  
• Frost Spirit (ranger utility skill) no longer applies 10% damage buff to siege weapons.
  
• Increased boon resistance of siege golems so players can’t apply swiftness to them with increased boon duration.
  
• Picking up supply while holding more than current capacity (due to a capacity buff going away) no longer reduces the supply down to current capacity.
  
• WvW dialogue will now reopen to the last-viewed page.

BLACK LION TRADING COMPANY GEM STORE
New Items and Promotions

• You can now purchase Braham and Rox’s weapon skins in the Gem Store! Braham’s Mace and Shield and Rox’s Short Bow and Quiver are each available in the Style category for 600 gems. Apply each skin to any weapon of the same type to change its appearance. Skins can either be applied to a PvE item or added to your PvP locker for use in the Mists.
  
• There is now a rare chance to get the Cheetah Charr or Killer Whale Quaggan backpack covers from the Black Lion Chest. Black Lion Chest Keys can be obtained from the Gem Store in the Consumable category for 1 for 125 gems or 5 for 450.
  
• To celebrate spring, the Gem Store will make available one miniature baby animal each week for the next 5 weeks. The first of these adorable additions is the Mini Hippo Calf, which is now available in the Minis category of the Gem Store for 400 gems each.
  
• The Sonic Tunneling Tool can now be purchased from the Style category of the Gem Store for 250 gems each. This neat piece of tech lets your character move just under the surface instead of running. Simply equip the item in the toy slot of your town clothes and use the skill to start tunneling. The item does not change obstacles, and entering combat makes you resurface.

  

  

Improvements

• A pack of 8000 gems can now be purchased through the Gem Store. Select Get Gems in the upper-left corner of the Gem Store to start the gem-purchase process.
  
• Dancing Spirit skills now have a 2-second recharge time.
  
• Increased duration of summoned Merchant Express and Trading Post Express NPCs from 5 minutes to 15 minutes.
  
• Increased duration of spawned Boxes o’ Fun from 10 minutes to 15 minutes.
  
• Backpack straps that come with backpack skins no longer require typing the name to delete them.
  
• Boxes o’ Fun now drop from the Black Lion Chest.
  
• Reduced the drop rate of Name Change Contracts from the Black Lion Chest to reduce duplication.

Bug Fixes

• All sell listings are now shown for Instant Buy on the Trading Post, instead of only the 20 lowest prices.
  
• An active customer-support link now appears when attempting to purchase gems fails.
  
• The Cook’s Boots town clothes items no longer look corrupted when worn by a charr character.

Source.

UPDATES

• Re-enabled spectator mode
  
• Fixed a bug with spectator mode preventing players from joining a team
  
• Fixed PvP daily achievements not incrementing at the end of matches

Trait Changes
Recipe Changes
Achievement Changes
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Alongside a slew of new PvE and WvW information you'll see coming out in the April 30th patch, we have even more to talk about. That's right, folks; two of the biggest, long-awaited structured PvP (sPvP) features will be introduced at the end of this month: custom arenas and spectator mode.

For those of you that are unfamiliar with either of these features, custom arenas will allow any Guild Wars 2 player to create, host, and customize their own private sPvP matches while spectator mode, fairly self-explanatory, will allow anyone to observe those matches as they are happening.

Custom Arenas
Not only do custom arenas provide a platform for those that have been aching for smaller fights, such as 1v1 dueling, or even team scrimmages (without affecting your place on the leaderboards), you can also use custom arenas to create private and public tournaments. This by itself opens up an assortment of opportunities, but we'll touch on those later.

New Gem Store Items
Once the limited beta ends, you will be able to purchase a starter kit from the Gem Store that will be used to create custom arenas. Another purchasable item you’ll find are time tokens. These tokens will allow you to add more time to your custom arena rental or to someone else's if you wish to help support the players you enjoy watching and/or tournaments that you enjoy playing in or watching.

As far as customization options go, here are a few that will be available to you once you start the arena creation process:

• Ability to name your arena;
  
• Ability to choose which map(s) are playable;
  
• Ability to set a password;
  
• Members whitelist;
  
• Members blacklist (ban list).

Spectator Mode
While we haven’t had a chance to test spectator mode just yet, and therefore cannot attest to the customizable options that will be available for it, even at its basic implementation it’s not hard to grasp the importance of adding such a feature alongside custom arenas.

With spectator mode it will finally be possible to shoutcast live matches without having to rely on pre-recorded footage, which in turn opens up some interesting possibilities for those wanting to host tournaments, or perhaps for players that might be looking to produce high-quality videos for their team, guild, or the community in general.

Another great way to utilize spectator mode is that those new to the sPvP scene, or those that wish to brush up on their performance, can always pull up a custom arena from the PvP interface and observe higher ranked teams to watch an assortment of high level gameplay. This, in turn, provides the observer with the ability to learn new tactics and strategies as well as learn how they can play their profession more effectively and efficiently.

Limited Beta
With that being said, here comes the catch: custom arenas will first roll out as a limited beta feature. Creating custom arenas will only be available to a small pool of players - specifically, those that placed in the top 50 for both NA and EU in Qualifying Points and a few chosen media sites - but anyone can play in a player-created arena and have access to spectator mode.

Unfortunately we don't know how long the beta will last, but seeing as everything tested just fine internally, ArenaNet just wants to make sure that everything is on the up-and-up before releasing custom arenas to the entire in-game populace.

In Closing
What does this mean for Guild Wars 2 and e-Sports? Well, frankly, a lot. Both of these new features are a big step in the right direction for ArenaNet and will no doubt provide a solid foundation for those who wish to build a larger competitive e-Sports scene around the game.

However, there is still a lot in the air in regards to of both of these features. If you have any specific questions on your mind that you still need answered, what are they? What are you still waiting to hear about in hopes of it being implemented with either, or both, of these features?

---

ArenaNet has since updated the official site with more detailed information about custom arenas and spectator mode. You can find that article here, but I'll be highlighting a few of the more important details.

Introducing Custom PvP Arenas and Spectator Mode Beta

Custom Arena Permissions

• Custom Arena Name
  
• Password
  
• Message of the Day
  
• Team Size
  
• Score Limit
  
• Time Limit
  
• Respawn Time
  
• Respawn Type: (Wave vs. individual)
  
• Minimum players
  
• Reserved Slots
  
• Spectators: Y/N
  
• Ready Button
  
• Auto Balance
  
• Lock Gear
  
• Lock Skills
  
• No Stats
  
• Map selection
  
• Member players
  
• Member Guilds
  
• Banned Players

Spectator Mode
Anyone in a hot-join game or a custom arena game (as long as spectator is enabled in the arena’s settings) can use spectator mode.

Spectator mode will not be available for games that affect the leaderboard due to the possibility of cheating and to help foster the shoutcasting community.

How it Works
When you start a game with spectator enabled, you are given a choice as to which team you want to join:

• Red
  
• Blue
  
• Spectator

When you enter as a spectator, you can click on a person to "follow" in the game, or choose to click on one of the many camera icons on the mini-map. Following a person allows you to view their choice of amulets, traits, slotted skills and weapon choice.

---

Red Posts by ArenaNet

For those that are wondering if they will be able to use the custom arena starter kits that they bought way back when the Gem Store was bugged and showing them:


Will ArenaNet staff have their own custom arenas for people to join?

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Last week, we were briefed by ArenaNet on what will be included in the final Flame and Frost update. April 30th will introduce a lot of new content, including a new dungeon (complete with its own unique rewards), more living world events, a fresh batch of gem store goodies, some new guild missions and World Vs World abilities, and even a few exciting sPvP goodies I think a few of you might like. I'll be covering the PvE additions here, while Khalija will explain the PvP content in a separate article here. I’ll promise to contain my excitement, but if you stumble upon any wild spouts of text I apologize in advance.

Let’s get started.

Flame & Frost: Retribution
The living story concept that Flame and Frost has been built around is a bit different than the personal story some of you might be more familiar with. Rather than being confined to the boundaries of an instance, what happens in the Flame and Frost story missions is reflected out in the explorable world. World events will come and go, and the entire game world is fair game for new content and experiences. This first round of living story content has brought players east to the Shiverpeaks and plains of Ascalon, where a deadly alliance between the Flame Legion and dredge has been forged. In this installment, Rox and Braham will lead the charge into an entirely new dungeon; the Molten Weapon Facility.

  

In addition to the events that will be added throughout the world, there’s a new dungeon that players will be able to experience. Unlike the original set of dungeons, this dungeon has a single main path; however, the dungeon itself will change upon re-entry. Voice-over dialogue will alternate, enemy combinations will change, and even the location of the dungeon itself will vary. New mechanics and challenges will also make their way into the dungeon to provide a fresh new challenge for everyone.The developers also made note of a unique instance of the dungeon that contains new dialogue and cutscenes to provide closure for the entire Flame and Frost story arc.

Once the roughly 40-50 minute dungeon instance has been completed, it will be time to bask in the sweet rewards that you can only find in this dungeon. ArenaNet was pretty tight-lipped on the specifics, so it’s unclear what the rewards will be or how they will be given to each member of the party.

New Gem Store Items
Bust out your gem cards and grab your gold, because the Black Lion Trading Company has some exciting new goodies to sell you! Whether you’re looking to add to your plush backpack collection, or just want to channel your inner-mole with the Sonic Tunneling Toy you’ll never want to leave town to use any of the four new weapon skins that will be available for a limited time. Yes, you can finally wear Rox’s quiver. Rangers rejoice!

Wait,There’s More!
Yes, that’s right! Guild missions and World Vs World are also getting some love this month. There will be a new quaggan-themed guild rush available in Frostgorge Sound, and 24 new guild treks will scattered around the world for you and your fellow guildies to enjoy. On the WvW front, arrow carts will receive their own dedicated ability line, and the existing guard killer ability will be extended by another five tiers. While you’re at it,  rake in the World XP with new guild siege equipment while sporting a “guild back banner” that’s hot off the assembly line.

With only one week to go before this colossal patch squeezes its way into our hard drives, there’s still time to catch up on the previous entries in the Flame and Frost storyline. There’s also plenty of room for a healthy amount of discussion and mild-mannered speculation. Are you and your guildies already planning a night of dungeon shenanigans? Will you buy any of the new backpack covers? Are guild back banners capes in disguise?! The answers to all these burning  questions will reveal themselves in a mere seven days. Are you ready for it?

- - -

Official Updates
Here's an official look at what the new back banners will look like.


-Paul Belz

-Paul Belz Back to Top

Devon Carver has hinted about this change a few times in the past few weeks, but it wasn't highlighted before now because it was never confirmed to be possible until today:


He also makes sure to mention later on in the thread that this change only affects the WvW timer, and not the daily reset timer. Back to Top

Running from today, April 19th, until April 28th, Daniel Frozenwind will be hosting a new event for the Guild Was community - The Wickerwind Carnival. Now this is not your average community event. The idea is to not only to encourage community interaction across the game, but to use that interaction to influence the path the event takes as it unfolds. Mr. Frozenwind has crafted an elaborate story to tie in with the event, and it'll be up to the players to play along to see how it all turns out.

As one of the community sites that have partnered up with Daniel Frozenwind and the event, we have a new dedicated forum for the event and the activities we will be sponsoring. For a full schedule of the event's happenings (including what server to guest on), you'll want to check out the dates and locations thread here.

Once you've all had a chance to visit the new forum, be sure to head over to the official site of the Wickerwind Carnival for a complete overview of what the event will have to offer. In my experience, Guild Wars events are always ridiculous fun, and I expect this to be no different! Hope to see you all there!

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This Saturday, April 20th 1pm - 5pm CDT, Gamers Giving Back and GW-EN are hosting an in-game event to raise awareness and support for those who are affected by Multiple Sclerosis.

To participate, you need to be on or guest to the following servers: Henge of Denravi (NA) or Desolation (EU). Both events will be held in Divinity's Reach, so make sure you're early to get a spot!

Event Activities

• Costume Contest
  
• In-game Trivia (Guild Wars)
  
• Battle for Balthazar
  
• Roman Chariot Race
  
• Scavenger Hunt

That's right, they are also hosting the event in Guild Wars, as well. If you wish to join you need to be present in the international districts of Chahbek Village.

For more information about the event, including on how you can help and/or donate, check out this thread here.

Hey everyone! The time has come for Curse's yearly gaming preferences poll. If you could spare a few minutes, we'd like you to help us out with our survey by answering a few questions. Thanks for your help! Back to Top