Disable

To disable a skill is to make that skill unavailable to use by adding recharge time to it. A skill can be disabled permanently or temporarily based on the skill's description and your circumstances. Knowing which skills cause your other skills or themselves to be disabled will help you put together your build effectively. Also, knowing what skills disable a foe's skill(s) will help you in putting together a good shutdown build.

All skills have very specific wording to describe exactly what they do. Disable is a specific term that differs from other similar terms (such as fail, interrupt, and the term cannot). Another similar term that skills refer to is recharge time. A quick note: skills that decrease recharge time do not affect disabled skills.

The following information refers to skills with the specific word disable in their description.

Cause and effect of disabled skills

A skill can be disabled due to the following:

• Circumstances or location (you)
• Effects of a skill on a foe
• Effects of a skill on your other skills
• Effects of a skill on itself

Circumstances or location

• If your skill bar contains a PvE-only skill and you enter a PvP arena, that skill will appear grayed out.
• If an adrenal skill is disabled, that skill's adrenaline will be lost. While an adrenal skill is disabled, it cannot gain adrenaline until it has recharged.
• If you equip a skill that requires a specific weapon and do not equip the correct weapon, that skill will be grayed out. For example: You cannot use Savage Slash (a Sword Attack) while wielding a staff. This is different than the normal "disable" mechanic, as such skills do not enter recharge and do not lose accumulated adrenaline. This is used by Warriors to build adrenaline for their melee skills using a spear, for instance.
• In PvE and in PvP-arenas where their owner suffers Death Penalty, the owner's skills are disabled for a duration based on their Beast Mastery rank when their animal companion dies. The exception to this is when the owner is not primary or secondary ranger (i.e., before they choose their secondary profession).

Effects of a skill on a foe

Some skills cause a foe's skills to be disabled for a certain amount of time. If the skill specifically mentions that it will disable a foe's skill for an "additional amount of time," then that time will be added to the normal recharge time of the disabled skill.

Effects of a skill on your other skills

Some skills cause your other equipped skills to be disabled for a certain amount of time.

Effects of a skill on itself

Some skills, notably Dervish Avatars, will disable themselves for a certain amount of time after they are activated. This differs from normal skill recharge in that it is not subject to reduction by other effects (e.g. Quickening Zephyr), but does not trigger if the skill does not successfully activate.

Skills

Disabling skills either disable another skill or themselves.

Skills that disable foe's skills

Icon	Name	Description						Prof.	Attribute	Campaign
	Arcane Larceny	Spell. (5...29...35 seconds.) Disables one random spell. This skill becomes that spell.	0	10	1	0		mesmera	Domination MagicZ	Factions
	Arcane Thievery	Spell. (5...29...35 seconds.) Disables one random spell. This skill becomes that spell.	0	10	1	0		mesmera	Domination MagicZ	Prophecies
	Blackout	Touch Skill. (2...5...6 seconds.) Disables skills. Your skills are disabled (5 seconds).	0	10	1	12		mesmera	Domination MagicZ	Prophecies
	Complicate	Spell. Interrupt a skill. Interruption effect: disables interrupted skill (+5...11...12 seconds) for target foe and all foes in the area.	0	10	0.25¼	20		mesmera	Domination MagicZ	Factions
	Disarm	Sword Attack. Interrupts target foe. Interruption effect: disables this foe's attack skills (0...2...3 second[s]) if that action was an attack.	0	5	0.5½	20		warriora	StrengthZ	Eye of the North
	Disrupting Chop	Axe Attack. Interrupts an action. Interruption effect: interrupted skill is disabled for +20 seconds.	6	0	0	0		warriora	Axe MasteryZ	Core
	Disrupting Lunge	Pet Attack. Deals +1...10...12 damage. Interrupts a skill. Interruption effect: interrupted skill is disabled for +20 seconds.	0	5	0	20		rangera	Beast MasteryZ	Core
	Disrupting Stab	Lead Attack. Interrupts an action. If the interrupted action was a spell, it is disabled (3...9...10 seconds).	0	5	0	10		assassina	Dagger MasteryZ	Factions
	Distracting Shot	Bow Attack. Interrupts an action. Interruption effect: interrupted skill is disabled for +20 seconds. Hits for only 1...13...16 damage.	0	5	0.5½	10		rangera	ExpertiseZ	Core
	Distracting Strike	Melee Attack. Interrupts an action. Interruption effect: Disables interrupted skill (20 seconds) if target foe has Cracked Armor. Deals no damage.	0	5	0.5½	15		warriora	Z	Eye of the North
	Lyssa's Assault	Scythe Attack. Interrupts an action. If you are enchanted, the interrupted skill is disabled for an additional 1...8...10 second[s]. This attack does 50% of normal damage.	0	5	0.5½	15		dervisha	Scythe MasteryZ	Nightfall
	Magebane Shot	Elite Bow Attack. Interrupts an action. Interruption effect: an interrupted spell is disabled for +10 seconds. Unblockable.	0	10	0.5½	5		rangera	Z	Nightfall
	Power Block	Elite Spell. If target foe is casting a spell or chant, that skill and all skills of the same attribute are disabled (1...10...12 seconds) and that skill is interrupted.	0	15	0.25¼	20		mesmera	Domination MagicZ	Prophecies
	Power Lock	Spell. Interrupts a spell or chant. Interruption effect: interrupted spell or chant is disabled for +5...11...13 seconds.	0	5	0.25¼	12		mesmera	Domination MagicZ	Eye of the North
	Psychic Distraction	Elite Spell. Interrupts a skill. Interruption effect: disables interrupted skill (+5...11...12 seconds). Your other skills are disabled (8 seconds).	0	10	0.25¼	2		mesmera	Domination MagicZ	Factions
	Rust	Hex Spell. Deals 10...58...70 cold damage to target and adjacent foes. Hexes target and adjacent foes (5...17...20 seconds). Doubles signet activation time. Interrupts and disables signets for 1...8...10 second[s] if you are Overcast.	0	10	1	8		elementalista	Water MagicZ	Core
	Shield Bash	Skill. (5...10...11 seconds.) You block the next attack skill. Causes knock-down and +15 second recharge if it was a melee skill. No effect unless you are wielding a shield.	0	5	0	20		warriora	StrengthZ	Core
	Signet of Distraction	Signet. Interrupts a spell. Interruption effect: target foe's spell is disabled for 1...4...5 seconds for each signet you have equipped.	0	0	0.25¼	15		mesmera	Domination MagicZ	Eye of the North
	Signet of Humility	Signet. Disables elite skill (1...13...16 second[s]). Disables your non-Mesmer skills (10 seconds).	0	0	3	20		mesmera	Inspiration MagicZ	Core
	Simple Thievery	Elite Spell. Interrupts an action. Interruption effect: If a skill was interrupted, that skill is disabled and Simple Thievery becomes that skill (5...17...20 seconds).	0	10	0.25¼	10		mesmera	Domination MagicZ	Nightfall
	Smooth Criminal	Spell. (10...20 seconds.) Disables one Spell. This skill becomes that Spell. You gain 5...10 Energy.	0	5	1	20		a	Asura rankZ	Eye of the North

Skills that disable your other skills

Icon	Name	Description						Prof.	Attribute	Campaign
	Auspicious Incantation	Enchantment Spell. (20 seconds.) Your next spell gives you 110...182...200% of its Energy cost. That spell takes 10...6...5 seconds longer to recharge.	0	5	1	25		mesmera	Inspiration MagicZ	Factions
	Blackout	Touch Skill. (2...5...6 seconds.) Disables skills. Your skills are disabled (5 seconds).	0	10	1	12		mesmera	Domination MagicZ	Prophecies
	Deadly Paradox	Stance. (5...13...15 seconds.) Your Assassin skills activate and recharge 33% faster. Disables your attack skills (10 seconds).	0	15	0	10		assassina	Deadly ArtsZ	Nightfall
	Expunge Enchantments	Touch Skill. Removes one enchantment for each non-attack skill you have. All your non-attack skills are disabled (10...6...5 seconds).	0	10	0.75¾	30		assassina	Deadly ArtsZ	Factions
	Focused Shot	Bow Attack. Deals +10...22...25 damage. Your other attack skills are disabled (5...3...3 seconds) if this attack hits.	0	5	0	2		rangera	MarksmanshipZ	Factions
	Gift of Health	Spell. Heals for 15...123...150. Disables your other Healing Prayers skills (10...6...5 seconds). Cannot self-target.	0	5	0.75¾	5		monka	Healing PrayersZ	Factions
	Healing Burst	Elite Spell. Heals for 10...130...160. Party members in earshot of your target gain Health equal to the Divine Favor bonus. Disables your Smiting Prayers (20 seconds).	0	5	0.75¾	4		monka	Healing PrayersZ	Factions
	Hidden Caltrops	Elite Hex Spell. (1...8...10 seconds.) Causes 50% slower movement. End effect: inflicts Crippled condition (1...12...15 seconds). Your non-Assassin skills are disabled (10 seconds.)	0	5	1	12		assassina	Shadow ArtsZ	Nightfall
	Light of Deliverance (PvP)	Elite Spell. Heals entire party for 5...57...70. Disables your Smiting Prayers (20 seconds).	0	5	1	10		monka	Healing PrayersZ	Nightfall
	Lion's Comfort	Skill. You are healed for 50...98...110 and gain 0...2...3 strike[s] of adrenaline. Disables your signets (12 seconds).	4	0	1	1		warriora	StrengthZ	Nightfall
	Marauder's Shot	Bow Attack. Deals +10...30...35 damage. Your non-attack skills are disabled (10 seconds) if this attack hits.	0	10	0	6		rangera	MarksmanshipZ	Factions
	Mark of Insecurity	Elite Hex Spell. (5...21...25 seconds.) Causes 1...3...3 Health degeneration. Enchantments and stances expire 30...70...80% faster on target foe. Disables your non-Assassin skills (10 seconds).	0	5	1	10		assassina	Deadly ArtsZ	Nightfall
	Mark of Protection	Elite Enchantment Spell. (10 seconds.) Converts incoming damage to healing (maximum 6...49...60). All your Protection Prayers are disabled (5 seconds).	0	10	1	45		monka	Protection PrayersZ	Prophecies
	Needling Shot	Bow Attack. Fast-moving arrow. Deals 10...26...30 damage. Recharges instantly if target foe is below 50% Health. Your other attack skills are disabled (2 seconds).	0	5	0.75¾	4		rangera	MarksmanshipZ	Factions
	Oath Shot	Elite Bow Attack. Recharges all skills except Oath Shot if it hits. Disables all skills if it misses (10 seconds). 50% miss chance unless Expertise 8 or higher.	0	10	0	25		rangera	ExpertiseZ	Prophecies
	Peace and Harmony	Elite Enchantment Spell. Target ally loses 0...7...9 condition[s] and hex[es]. Conditions and hexes expire 90% faster on that ally (1...3...3 second[s]). Disables your Smiting Prayers (20 seconds).	0	5	0.25¼	10		monka	Divine FavorZ	Prophecies
	Psychic Distraction	Elite Spell. Interrupts a skill. Interruption effect: disables interrupted skill (+5...11...12 seconds). Your other skills are disabled (8 seconds).	0	10	0.25¼	2		mesmera	Domination MagicZ	Factions
	Recall	Enchantment Spell. End effect: Shadow Step to target ally. Cannot self-target and disables all of your skills for 10 seconds when it ends.	-1	15	1	10		assassina	Z	Factions
	Shadow Walk	Stance. (15 seconds.) Shadow Step to target foe. End effect: return to your original location. Disables your attack skills for 1 second. Disables your stances and enchantments for 10 seconds.	0	5	0	30		assassina	Z	Nightfall
	Shroud of Silence	Elite Touch Hex Spell. (1...3...3 second[s].) Target foe cannot cast spells. Your spells are disabled for 15 seconds.	0	10	0.75¾	30		assassina	Deadly ArtsZ	Factions
	Signet of Humility	Signet. Disables elite skill (1...13...16 second[s]). Disables your non-Mesmer skills (10 seconds).	0	0	3	20		mesmera	Inspiration MagicZ	Core
	Spell Shield	Enchantment Spell. (5...17...20 seconds.) While casting spells, you cannot be the target of spells. End effect: your skills are disabled (10...6...5 seconds).	0	10	2	30		monka	Divine FavorZ	Factions
	Tiger's Fury	Stance. (5...10...11 seconds.) You attack 25% faster. Disables your non-attack skills (5 seconds).	0	10	0	10		rangera	Beast MasteryZ	Prophecies
	Unnatural Signet (PvP)	Signet. Deals 10...50...60 damage. Deals 10...50...60 damage to other adjacent foes if the target is hexed or enchanted. Your non-Mesmer skills except signets are disabled (10 seconds).	0	0	1	20		mesmera	Domination MagicZ	Factions
	Wastrel's Collapse	Elite Skill. Shadow Step to target foe. Causes knock-down if target foe is not using a skill. Disables your non-dagger attack skills (10 seconds).	0	5	0.25¼	20		assassina	Z	Nightfall
	Wild Throw	Spear Attack. Deals +5...17...20 damage. Unblockable. Ends target's stance.Disables [sic] your non-spear attack skills for 3 seconds.	7	0	0	0		paragona	Spear MasteryZ	Nightfall

Skills that disable themselves

Icon	Name	Description						Prof.	Attribute	Campaign
	Avatar of Balthazar	Elite Form. (10...74...90 seconds.) You gain +20 armor against physical damage, you gain adrenaline 25% faster, your attacks deal holy damage, you inflict Burning (1...3...3 second[s]) on nearby foes whenever you lose a Dervish enchantment. This skill is disabled for 45 seconds.	0	5	2	20		dervisha	MysticismZ	Nightfall
	Avatar of Dwayna	Elite Form. (10...74...90 seconds.) You deal holy damage. Whenever you use a Dervish attack skill, you lose 1 hex. Heal allies in earshot for 5...41...50 Health when you lose a Dervish enchantment. This skill is disabled for 45 seconds.	0	5	2	20		dervisha	MysticismZ	Nightfall
	Avatar of Grenth	Elite Form. (10...74...90 seconds.) Your scythe attacks deal dark damage and steal 0...10...12 Health. You are immune to Disease. Apply Disease to all adjacent foes (3 seconds) when you lose a Dervish enchantment. This skill is disabled for 45 seconds.	0	5	2	20		dervisha	MysticismZ	Nightfall
	Avatar of Lyssa	Elite Form. (10...74...90 seconds.) Your Dervish enchantments recharge 50% faster and deal chaos damage with attacks. Steal 1 Energy from nearby foes when you lose a Dervish enchantment. This skill is disabled for 45 seconds.	0	5	2	20		dervisha	MysticismZ	Nightfall
	Avatar of Melandru	Elite Form. (10...74...90 seconds.) You have +150 maximum Health, +30 elemental armor, and your attacks deal earth damage. Cure 1 condition from all party members in earshot whenever you lose a Dervish enchantment. This skill is disabled for 45 seconds.	0	5	2	20		dervisha	MysticismZ	Nightfall
	Lightbringer's Gaze	Skill. Target demonic servant of Abaddon takes 100 holy damage and is interrupted. Hits one additional foe in the area for each rank of Lightbringer you have attained. This skill is disabled (15 seconds).	0	5	1	15		a	Lightbringer rankZ	Nightfall
	Shatter Storm	Elite Spell. Removes all enchantments. Removal cost: Shatter Storm is disabled for +7 seconds for each enchantment removed.	0	10	1	0		mesmera	Z	Factions
	Teinai's Heat	Ward Spell. (10...14...15 seconds.) Causes -2...4...5 health [sic] degeneration. Weakened foes in the ward attack 33% slower. Disabled for 20 seconds.	0	15	1	20		elementalista	Fire MagicZ	Factions
	Ward Against Harm	Elite Ward Spell. (5...13...15 seconds.) Allies in this ward have +1...3...3 Health regeneration, +12...22...24 armor, and +12...22...24 additional armor against elemental damage. Spirits are unaffected. This spell is disabled for 20 seconds.	0	15	1	20		elementalista	Water MagicZ	Prophecies
	Ward Against Harm (PvP)	Elite Ward Spell. (5...13...15 seconds.) Allies in this ward have +1...3...3 Health regeneration, +12...22...24 armor, and +12...22...24 additional armor against elemental damage. Spirits are unaffected. This spell is disabled for 30 seconds.	0	15	1	30		elementalista	Water MagicZ	Prophecies
	Withdraw Hexes	Elite Spell. Removes all hexes. Also affects adjacent allies. Removal cost: +20...8...5 seconds recharge for each hex removed.	0	15	1	5		monka	Divine FavorZ	Factions

Skills that cannot be disabled

Icon	Name	Description						Prof.	Attribute	Campaign
	Create Light of Seborhin	Skill. Ancient energies are called forth to create the Light of Seborhin. This skill cannot be disabled.	0	0	10	0		a	Z	Nightfall
	Hunger's Bite	Attack. Steal 30 Health for each condition on target foe. This foe randomly gains two of the following conditions (15 seconds): Poisoned, Bleeding, Diseased, Deep Wound, Crippled, Weakness, or Dazed. This skill cannot be disabled.	0	0	0	0		a	Z	Nightfall
	Impossible Odds	Skill. (10 seconds.) All Shiro's attacks are double strikes and hit nearby foes. Shiro transfers conditions from himself to foes he hits. Initial effect: removes all hexes from Shiro.	0	0	0.5½	5		a	Z	Factions

Other

Icon	Name	Description						Prof.	Attribute	Campaign
	Rebirth	Spell. Resurrects target party member (25% Health, 0 Energy). Teleports target to you. Disables target's skills (10...4...3 seconds). You lose all Energy.	0	10	5	0		monka	Protection PrayersZ	Core