ArenaNet:Skill feedback/Ranger/ArenaNet:Skill feedback/Ranger/Incendiary Arrows

Jack Spinner - Recent nerf of Incendiary Arrows -- 21:05, 31 October 2008 (UTC)
Discussion
 * Issue
 * In the 7 August 2008 skill update IA was significantly changed in order to make it a viable Elite skill option. With a three second recharge, and ability to be used in tandem with preparations, it certainly succeeded in this. Rangers could again get into teams in advanced areas, IA now allowing the flexibility in builds that was once the ranger's greatest asset. Now we could again get away from having to have high att points in marksmanship in order to be effective as a strike force, though strike power itself of IA is quite tame compared with almost all main strike elites of other professions. IA gives the ability to inflict certain conditions on up to 3 enemy with one shot, and with the 3 second recharge, this averages out to one condition per second, roughly the same as Poison Arrow. No-one seems to be complaining that Poison Arrow is excessive in condition distribution. Used with Ignite Arrows, IA gives a relatively modest AOE option, nowhere near the raw power of the Splinter Weapon / Barrage combination, but still quite useful. In comparison to many other professions, eg necromancer, elementalist or mesmer, IA's condition spreading potential is quite modest. In short, IA with a 3 second recharge gave the ranger a simple flexibility in build design.

The recent nerf to IA, increasing recharge to 5 seconds has made this skill almost as poor as it was before the August 7th update. Remember, this is an elite skill, and should be worthy of having a build based upon it.
 * Suggestion
 * Return recharge to 3 seconds, reduce burning to 1...2 seconds.