Ward spell

Ward spell
Number of skills	14
Elite skills	2
Supertype	Spell
Subtype	None

“

Elementalists can cast wards, which create a protected area around themselves and their allies. These wards have varying effects depending on which spell an Elementalist casts, including: increased protection from elemental damage, increased ability to evade melee attacks, and causing all enemies to move slower while within the ward. When an ally casts a ward, stay within its radius to gain the benefit of its protection. On the other hand, you will notice that when an enemy casts a ward, it is more difficult to defeat that enemy while it remains within the ward's radius.

— Tablet of Wisdom

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A ward is a spell that affects a stationary area. Wards can have many different types of effect but are always defensive in nature.

— Kadirah, Expert Elementalist

Skill Type. A Ward spell is a type of spell that creates a long lasting, magical, area of effect centered at the caster's original position. The ward is visible as a glowing ring. In PvE, the color of the ring is red; in PvP, it is the color of the team. Elementalist wards provide protection or support for allies while other wards cause other effects as well.

Characteristics

• Self-targeting and rangeless; the effect always appears at the caster's initial location.
• The area of effect is in the area.
• Always have an effect while active; some also have an end effect.
• Affects either allies or foes, never both.
• Like all spells, they
  • Require energy.
  • Have both an activation and recharge time.
  • Suffer a 0.75¾ second aftercast delay.

Notes

• Since wards cannot be removed once they take effect, they are more reliable than hexes and enchantments when engaged in a hold-the-line type of stationary battles.
• Most wards are connected to the Elementalist's Earth magic attribute. There is one Fire Magic ward, one Water Magic ward, and several Guild Wars Eye of the North PvE-only wards based on titles.

List of ward spells

Icon	Name	Description						Prof.	Attribute	Campaign
	Banner of the Unseen	Ward Spell. (5 seconds.) Heals all allies in its area for 25 each second. End effect: heals for 100.	0	15	1	10		a	Z	Bonus Mission Pack
	Ebon Battle Standard of Courage	Ward Spell. (14...20 seconds.) Allies in this ward have +24 armor and +24 more armor against Charr. Spirits are unaffected.	0	10	1	20		a	Ebon Vanguard rankZ	Eye of the North
	Ebon Battle Standard of Honor	Ward Spell. (14...20 seconds.) Allies in this ward deal +8...15 damage and +7...10 more damage against Charr. Spirits are unaffected.	0	10	1	20		a	Ebon Vanguard rankZ	Eye of the North
	Ebon Battle Standard of Wisdom	Ward Spell. (14...20 seconds.) Spells that allies in this ward cast have a 44...60% chance to recharge 50% faster. Spirits are unaffected.	0	10	1	20		a	Ebon Vanguard rankZ	Eye of the North
	Ebon Vanguard Battle Standard of Power	Ward Spell. (20 seconds.) Allies in this ward deal +15 damage and have +24 more armor. Spirits are unaffected.	0	10	1	20		a	Z	Prophecies
	Radiation Field	Ward Spell. (5 seconds.) Causes -4...6 Health degeneration to foes in the area. End effect: inflicts Disease condition (12...20 seconds) to foes in the area.	0	15	2	12		a	Asura rankZ	Eye of the North
	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 Elements	Ward Spell. (8...18...20 seconds.) Allies in this ward have +24 armor against elemental damage. Spirits are unaffected.	0	15	1	20		elementalista	Earth MagicZ	Prophecies
	Ward Against Foes	Ward Spell. (8...18...20 seconds.) Foes in this ward move 50% slower.	0	15	1	20		elementalista	Earth MagicZ	Core
	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
	Ward Against Melee	Ward Spell. (5...17...20 seconds.) Allies in this ward have a 50% chance to block melee attacks. Allied spirits are not affected.	0	15	1	30		elementalista	Earth MagicZ	Core
	Ward of Stability	Ward Spell. (10...22...25 seconds.) Allies in this ward cannot be knocked-down. Allied spirits are not affected.	0	10	1	30		elementalista	Earth MagicZ	Factions
	Ward of Weakness	Ward Spell. (5...17...20 seconds). Inflicts Weakened condition (5...17...20 seconds) to any foes that take elemental damage in this ward.	0	10	1	20		elementalista	Earth MagicZ	Eye of the North

Trivia

• Despite Kadirah's assertion (above), after the introduction of other wards in Eye of the North and the September 13th 2012 update, ward spells are no longer entirely defensive in nature.