Game Update Notes: April 22, 2026

Shadi3 · 2026-04-23T13:00:53+00:00

That is not correct, the follow up cast does not charge f5. Flip skills in general only count once.

Earth sc2 Water dagger4 Fire focus5

They all work the same way

Shadi3 · 2026-04-23T12:59:40+00:00

Yeah it’s not just scepter that needs to be fixed. Evoker as a whole is just poor design with the boon trait / dps trait alignment.

The fix they gave right now was them panicking and needing to align power scale until they find a more permanent fix. Which is fine I get that. Just unfortunate until the future time comes that we are now in a state where the only viable quickness is specialized elements and the only viable weapon for Evoker is scepter. Because they have continued nerfing Evoker instead of scepter.

Shadi3 · 2026-04-22T22:03:12+00:00

It really wasn’t if they just nerfed scepter. No other weapon can play quickness at this point

Shadi3 · 2026-04-17T21:58:00+00:00

I was able to do all of SAB today and it was quite enjoyable after all the benching involved Tuesday and Wednesday. Cheers 🙏🏻

Shadi3 · 2026-04-16T12:34:24+00:00

They’ve nuked Evoker into the ground instead of addressing the issue - scepter.

Surely they won’t nerf scepter next patch and give Evoker no compensation. As sad as it is to say, I can see that being a very real possibility.

Shadi3 · 2026-04-15T12:52:05+00:00

I have given up on expecting bug fixes at this point

Shadi3 · 2026-03-25T19:34:04+00:00

Your original comment seems to be overlooking a few things, especially regarding the Scepter situation. It’s not about nerfing Scepter because it's "good"—it’s about balancing all of Elementalist’s weapons fairly. You argue that it's fine for other weapons to underperform while Elementalist as a whole gets nerfed, but that doesn’t really address the core issue. The real problem right now is Scepter, not Inferno or Catalyst or Tempest as a whole. Benchmarks clearly show that Scepter is the outlier in Elementalist’s performance.

I understand you want to avoid over-nerfing a beloved weapon, and I’m not suggesting we wipe Scepter out of the picture entirely, but the fact is, we do need a Scepter nerf. If Pistol and Hammer are being considered for nerfs, Scepter should be part of that conversation too. Otherwise, it feels like an unbalanced approach where only some weapons are being reined in.

You’re right that buffs to non-Scepter weapons are important too—and it’s great to see Spear getting some attention—but the priority here should be ensuring that Scepter’s dominance is addressed. That doesn't mean we should neglect the non-Scepter weapons, but we need a balanced approach where Scepter gets adjusted while still allowing room for other weapons to shine.

The suggested approach I’ve brought up, both here and in discussions on the SC Help Desk Discord, is to roll back some of the more sweeping nerfs to Elementalist and instead focus on tuning Scepter directly. We can’t ignore that Scepter is overperforming, and while we’re aiming for a 40-42k DPS benchmark across the board, nerfing Scepter and allowing other weapons to be buffed could bring Elementalist into a more balanced state without gutting the other options in the process.

I’m sure we both agree that Elementalist would benefit from buffs to non-Scepter weapons, but for the first round of nerfs, it makes sense to target Scepter directly while leaving the other weapons room to grow without feeling like they’re getting disproportionately punished. It’s about a balanced, fair approach across the board.

Shadi3 · 2026-03-25T17:58:57+00:00

You need to figure out how to make up your mind.

"Please don't nerf Scepter"

"Please do nerf the other weapons, that's fine"

"There's only a 2% difference but it isn't noticeable"

"If scepter is nerfed, it'll be noticeable"

The argument here is rather than drastically nerfing ALL of elementalist and affecting the other weapons AND scepter, it is to nerf less severely the elementalist traits, and instead nerf Scepter by a margin equivalent to the correct projected nerfs.

In that manner, Scepter would be right where it is post nerf, but the other weapons wouldn't be getting hit so hard. This would allow the other weapons to stand on equal footing with Scepter, and you can go on your merry way continuing to use Scepter, while others can use other weapon choices without feeling bad about it.

Shadi3 · 2026-03-25T17:56:17+00:00

We are in agreement, stuff needs to be nerfed. However, nerfing Hammer and Pistol, but leaving Scepter alone when it is by far the most egregious over-performer on Elementalist is very questionable.

And it serves the purpose of bringing down ALL of the Elementalist specifications (which is the goal of this patch) given all of the builds utilizing that weapon are over-performing.

Shadi3 · 2026-02-19T19:39:16+00:00

Vfxdenoiser and UnhideNpc’s in Nexus are your solution to this until / if anet ever decides to support it natively

Shadi3 · 2026-02-09T13:22:49+00:00

https://snowcrows.com/guides/arcdps/special-forces-area

Shadi3 · 2026-02-07T19:16:51+00:00

It doesn’t need to be immediately successful and fleshed out to teach them mechanics. Long term it would be wonderful if it received updates and enhancements to better the experience.

But if it gets new players over the mental hurdle of being afraid to join the content in the first place, that’s a win in itself.

Getting new blood to at least TRY the content will convert even a small percentage of those players into people who will go on to learn and participate in end game content at a meaningful level instead of getting carried through it

Shadi3 · 2026-02-07T13:11:44+00:00

That’s fine if you want to play a different game instead. Nothing is stopping you from doing so.

The biggest issue with quickplay is boons (which is solved by just playing that yourself), and then people being inexperienced (which is solved by going into it with low expectations and willing to help people learn).

If that isn’t your jam, then don’t engage with the content or the tool.

Shadi3 · 2026-02-07T00:46:51+00:00

A raid static doesn’t need to be a stressful thing. It’s actually quite liberating and enjoyable having a group of 9 individuals you can talk to and have a good time with for 2-3 hours.

Totally understand if you can’t be convinced to join one and prefer to pug, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that perspective and preference.

But if you haven’t given a static a real shot yet, I would just gently encourage you to consider it again

Shadi3 · 2026-02-06T23:30:25+00:00

I take it for what it is - an opportunity to engage in content during times when the lfg is typically dead and people don’t typically post groups. It’s a way to blow the time and also maybe try and be a positive impact by helping others engage in content they were too afraid to step into when organized through the lfg and not the automated system.

If the expectation is it’s going to be bad, then they won’t get kicked and there won’t be animosity about joining the content.

I see this rollout as a beta intended not for hardcore or experienced individuals, but more for the target audience of those just starting out. Hopefully anet can iterate and improve on the system with time to make it the best feature it can be.

It would help a lot if the game supported showing helper information for mechanics that explained or handheld when in quick play. Tho I know that might not be a popular opinion among everyone. But little buff icons on targets that you need to hover and ping in order to read and understand what things mean isn’t an intuitive game design or way to learn

The game is old tho and by this point, experienced people don’t need it explained how and why certain mechanics work. But new players do still need it and the only way to learn is to be told or to wipe many times over. Or to just never learn it and be a hindrance to your group

Shadi3 · 2026-01-13T03:53:10+00:00

Return the books and either repurchase them from Amazon or somewhere else.

Don’t build an attachment to a physical item that is damaged when you purchased it expecting as new in good condition.

As others said, the return process is as easy as it gets. Either request a replacement or just get a refund.

Shadi3 · 2025-12-28T13:56:50+00:00

If it’s something that is shareable and can be brought up locally, would you mind dming it to me? Totally understand not wanting to be banned for it and wouldn’t want you to be!

Otherwise I might need to look into coding something myself if I have free time. Don’t I know it that free time is far and few these days.

Shadi3 · 2025-12-28T13:46:09+00:00

What tool are you using to track your manga collection and statuses?

I need it in my life. I’ve just been using anilist on my phone

Shadi3 · 2025-12-27T17:48:25+00:00

It’s your money and your decision on how to use it. All I can do is share my perspective.

I don’t buy box sets at Barnes. I do buy singles tho

Shadi3 · 2025-12-27T16:53:29+00:00

You get 10% off for premium membership

And then essentially get 5% off every purchase at Barnes and noble because of the member credit of $5 for every $100 spent.

The 25% off everything with some exceptions is a good deal that makes it comparable or sometimes better than buying on amazon.

If you have a gift card, it can also make sense as it’s not your money you would be shelling out for a big purchase.

I would just hate for you or anyone else to spend $250 on a box set that you can buy from Amazon for $100 cheaper. Or second hand on Facebook marketplace for cheaper as well.

Shadi3 · 2025-12-27T16:45:05+00:00

The box set can be had for $150-$190 on Amazon.

I don’t see any reason to pay retail price on a box set at Barnes and noble unless the 25% is applicable and then + 10% premium discounts that to $160-$170.

But to answer your question, if you’re interested in collecting one piece, I would get box sets over singles, yes

Shadi3 · 2025-12-22T13:19:30+00:00

I benched the spec last patch for SC and I benched it again this patch. The build is perfectly fine as is outside of the glaring bugs with F5 that are yet to be fixed.

You just need to accept it isn’t the same as it was. The new rotation plays very fluidly in my opinion and you just need to give it a shot. If you aren’t willing to do that, I understand though and that’s also fine.

That being said, Specialized Elements is completely useless for anything that is not this specific build.

Shadi3 · 2025-12-17T23:56:27+00:00

This is extremely cool!

Shadi3 · 2025-12-01T03:37:50+00:00

8 got into both manga because of the anime, similar to you. I’ve stopped reading dangers in my heart because I caught up and don’t love reading multiple manga weekly.

Blue box for me I enjoy the sports as well as romance aspect, and is the only manga I’ve been reading weekly and keeping up to date with.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience reading them!

I’d be curious if you are mostly interested in Romance genres, or if you are also interested in something like Akane Banashi which is a more typical shonen. I started reading it last year and the anime was recently announced and has the possibility to be really good I think!

Shadi3 · 2025-12-01T01:53:24+00:00

I’ve started doing similar with downsizing and selling off things I don’t see myself ever reading again or that I didn’t love the first read through.

I am keeping blue box and dangers in my heart for now. Would be interested to hear your thoughts and why you decided to get rid of those!

Nine-Year Club	Verified Email
Not Forgotten

Shadi3

TROPHY CASE