Fire Attunement.9835

The Warbler has become too powerful. We can't allow it to keep warbling maps out of existence, so we're disabling it (and some other stuff) for a bit while we figure out what sort of Halloween shenanigans are happening here.

[Our roadmap to The Icebrood Saga‘s final arc](https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/the-icebrood-saga-champions/).


# 10/27/2020—October 27 Release Notes

## World Polish

### Thunderhead Peaks

- Fixed an issue that prevented characters from completing the Chasing Tales: Katarin the Bonecrusher achievement after unlocking Chasing Tales: Thundering Blow in rare situations. Characters currently affected by this issue will be able to update this achievement after returning to Thunderhead Peaks.

### Bjora Marches

- Fixed a bug that caused multiple norn chests to share a daily cooldown.

## General

- Removed duplicate level-78 crafted exotic backpack recipes.

- The Mystic Forge refill button has been improved and will no longer lose track of an item stack if the output matches one of the input items. The Mystic Forge refill button will now use the first matching item stack in your inventory.

- Some inventory menu options have been moved out of the menu and into buttons for better visibility.

- The categories listed under the Equipment section of the Hero panel have been reorganized. The new arrangement is now:

- Equipment

- Wardrobe

- Outfits

- Dyes

- Glider Skins

- Mounts

- Novelties

- Miniatures

- Finishers

- Mail Carriers

## Items

The existence of consumables that equip players with high control skills creates an unintended play pattern involving combat with the inventory panel open. It's our goal that encounters with substantial defiance bars be addressed by build changes rather than reliance on consumables, and for this reason we are disabling several items in dungeon and fractal content. The following consumable items are no longer usable in dungeons or fractals:

- Metal Rod

- Power Matrix

- Rock

- Wooden Plank

- Sentinel Rifle

- Termite Shovel

## BLACK LION TRADING COMPANY GEM STORE

### New Items and Promotions

- The new Dark Wing Throne is now available in the Style category of the Gem Store for 600 gems.

- Limited-time holiday sales:

- The Noble Count Outfit and Lunatic Guard Outfit are available on sale in the Style category of the Gem Store for 525 gems each, a savings of 25%.

- The Permanent Mad King Finisher and Permanent Scarecrow Finisher are available on sale in the Style category of the Gem Store for 350 gems each, a savings of 30%.

- The Mordremoth Dye Kit, Jormag Dye Kit, and Shadow Dye Kit are available on sale in the Upgrades category of the Gem Store for 100 gems each, a savings of 20%.

- For a limited time, the Awakened Mounts Pack returns to the Style category of the Gem Store for 1,600 gems.

- For a limited time, the Magic Carpet Glider Combo, Shattered Bloodstone Ascender Combo, and Electromagnetic Ascender-Descender Combo return to the Style category of the Gem Store for 500 gems each.

Back in August, we let you know that we're working on the gameplay performance issues that some of you are experiencing, and we want to give you an update on our progress.

We’ve made a number of changes that have improved general performance, but as we mentioned in our previous update, there are a lot of factors that cause lag and our changes haven't had the impact we were hoping for.

We know the persistent issues are frustrating and we want them improved as much as you do, so we're now looking into bigger changes with broader impact on the problem. These changes take longer to test and implement, and we appreciate your patience as we continue working on solutions.

As we do this work, please keep using the in-game reporting system when you experience latency issues. The information in the reports is very helpful to us in our investigations!

10/13/2020—October 13 Release Notes

## Living World

### Halloween

Once again, the gates of the Mad Realm have opened and Kryta's most infamous monarch, Mad King Thorn, has returned to hold court in Lion's Arch! Loyal vassals of the king are strongly encouraged to enjoy the festivities: meet the denizens of the Mad Realm in events across Kryta; tour the Mad Realm itself in the Mad King's Labyrinth and fearsome Mad King's Clock Tower; compete with your fellow mortals in Lunatic Inquisition, Reaper's Rumble, and the Mad King's Raceway; attend to the king's whims in his notorious pastime of Mad King Says; or match wits and blades against royalty in Ascent to Madness.

\*Willing adventurers are encouraged to meet with Magister Tassi of the Durmand Priory in Lion's Arch for an exciting research opportunity. The Lunatic Court is also seeking to confirm disturbing rumors from Elona—adventurers who have met Palawa Joko face-to-face in the Living World Season 4 episode "Long Live the Lich" may debrief with Brigadier General Kernel in Lion's Arch.

\*\*The Lion's Arch Captain's Council wishes to remind its populace that they are not affiliated with the Krytan monarchy and cannot guarantee the safety of any citizens who choose to dabble in dangerous realms, mad or otherwise.

- The Halloween Rituals (Annual) meta-achievement has been updated with a fashionable new reward, the Lunatic Court Cape! Earn your own cape by completing a variety of Halloween activities, and show your allegiance to the Mad King's court with pride. Last year's meta-achievement reward, the Pumpkin Crown, can now be purchased at Halloween vendors if you missed it.

- A new weapon set upgrade is now available! If you have added Haunted weapons to your wardrobe by completing Halloween daily achievements, speak with Lunatic Weaponsmith Markham in Lion's Arch to trade your hard-earned Candy Corn for the even more disturbingly ignited Demon-Haunted weaponry!

- The Grand High Viscount of Candy Corn, the Skeletal Lich, and the Labyrinthine Horror have had their health and damage scaling per player lowered and their base health and damage increased to provide a more even challenge across group sizes.

- This trio of enemies now also grants a temporary stacking boost to magic find when defeated.

- New Halloween-themed guild decorations have been added.

- Personalized Trick-or-Treat Bags will now be account bound rather than soulbound.

- The Shadow of the Mad King global event now displays the time remaining for the Halloween festival.

- Many minor bugs have been fixed to ensure a festival that is more fun than ever for all visitors to the Mad Realm.

The gates to the Mad Realm will be open for three weeks, from October 13 until November 3. Have a happy Halloween!

## General

- Weekly Fractal Fighter achievements have been moved into their own Weekly Fractals achievement tab.

- Added consumable descriptions to Gold Fractal and Abyssal Fractal weapon skin consumables.

- Updated the names of the Gold Fractal and Abyssal Fractal weapon skin consumables to more accurately reflect their functionality.

- Fixed an issue in which a retired achievement would affect some players during the daily reset.

- Sarettokk, the Lion's Arch's Lost and Found Shinies vendor, will now sell players the Invitation to the Party item if they have previously earned but misplaced it.

## Profession Skills

### Elementalist

- Tornado: Increased cooldown from 90 seconds to 120 seconds in PvP only.

### Engineer

- Enhanced Capacity Storage Unit: Reduced might stacks per pulse from 2 to 1 in PvP only.

- Lesser Grenade Barrage: Reduced power coefficient per grenade from 0.5 to 0.3 in PvP only.

- Flashbang: Reduced blind duration from 2 seconds to 1.5 seconds in PvP only.

- Supply Crate: Increased cooldown from 90 seconds to 120 seconds in PvP only. Reduced stun duration from 3 seconds to 2 seconds in PvP only.

- System Shocker: Reduced base barrier gained from 724 to 362 in PvP only.

- Bulwark Gyro: Increased cooldown from 25 seconds to 30 seconds in PvP only.

- Throw Mine: Increased cooldown from 15 seconds to 30 seconds in PvP only.

- Personal Battering Ram: Increased ammo recharge from 20 seconds to 30 seconds in PvP only.

### Guardian

- Writ of Persistence: In PvP only, this trait no longer increases the radius of symbols.

### Revenant

- Sevenshot: Reduced power coefficient per hit from 0.31 to 0.24 in PvP only.

- Scorchrazor: Increased cooldown from 12 seconds to 18 seconds in PvP only.

### Thief

- Hidden Thief: Reduced base stealth duration from 2 seconds to 0.25 seconds in PvP only.

- Concealing Restoration: Reduced base stealth duration from 1 second to 0.5 seconds in PvP only.

## BLACK LION TRADING COMPANY GEM STORE

### New Items and Promotions

- To celebrate Halloween, one free Hallows Fortune Fireworks bundle per account is available in the Toys category of the Gem Store.

- The new Sand Lion Warclaw skin is available in the Style category of the Gem Store for 1,600 gems.

- For a limited time, items from the new Dark Matter Weapon Collection are available from Black Lion Weapons Specialists in exchange for 1 Black Lion Claim Ticket. Keys are available in the Utility category of the Gem Store for 125 gems each.

- For a limited time, the Ghostly Outfit is available in the Style category of the Gem Store for 700 gems.

- For a limited time, the Candy Corn Gobbler Pack is available in the Utility category of the Gem Store for 300 gems.

- During the Halloween event, the items from the Gargoyle Weapon Collection will be available from Black Lion Weapons Specialists for 2 Black Lion Claim Tickets each.

### Black Lion Chest

- The Black Lion Chest has been updated to the Vermilion Autumn Chest and can be previewed for a full list of its contents.

- The Evon Gnashblade Trick-or-Treat Bag has been added as the guaranteed item for the duration of the Vermilion Autumn Chest.

- The new Vermilion Throne and Sand Lion Warclaw skins are available as uncommon drops for the duration of this chest.

- The Dark Matter Cape remains as an uncommon drop for the duration of this chest.

- The Merciless Weapon Collection, the Shadow of the Mad King weapons, and the Blood and Madness weapons are available for the duration of this chest.

- Unused versions of the Glyph of the Leatherworker and Glyph of the Tailor are available as rare drops for the duration of this chest.

**Bugs Fixes:**

- Fixed an issue that could cause the final boss fight of the Sunqua Peak fractal to stall if the party was defeated in a previous attempt under specific circumstances.

- Fixed an issue that prevented party member locations from syncing correctly in the Sunqua Peak fractal.

**Bug Fix:**

- Fixed issues with the special event UI for the upcoming PvP tournament week.

**Bug Fix:**

- Fixed a server error.

# Late Notes: September 29, 2020

# 09/29/2020—Late Notes

## General

- Items can now be marked as favorites in the Black Lion Trading Post.

## Fractals

- Fixed an issue that prevented party member locations from syncing correctly in the Sunqua Peak fractal.

# 09/29/2020—September 29 Release Notes

## General

- Depositing materials from the inventory will now automatically move overflow items into any slots that are freed up.

## Fractals

Fractal Rush begins today, September 29, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time (UTC-7), and runs until October 6 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time (UTC-7). Help stabilize the Fractals of the Mists to earn Sense of Community Trophies, which can be traded to fractal researchers just outside the Mistlock Observatory asura gates for rewards and community goal progress! This is an excellent opportunity for both seasoned fractal stabilizers and those who have never run fractals before to lend aid and earn rewards.

### General

- A new mistlock instability, Toxic Sickness, has been added. This instability will appear in select fractals starting at tier 3.

- Simon's taste buds have evolved, and the cat now accepts 40 Unstable Fractal Essences instead of 1 Unstable Cosmic Essence.

### Sunqua Peak

- Mistlock Instability: Vengeance has been removed from the list of instabilities for Sunqua Peak.

- Sunqua Peak will now correctly cycle through instabilities on daily reset.

- The following instabilities will appear starting at tier 3:

- Mistlock Instability: Frailty

- Mistlock Instability: Afflicted

- Mistlock Instability: Toxic Sickness

- The following instabilities will appear starting at tier 4:

- Mistlock Instability: Stick Together

- Mistlock Instability: Hamstrung

- Mistlock Instability: Fractal Vindicators

- Voltaic Expulsion will now repeat after a short cooldown if all storm clouds have not been dispersed.

- Tidal Bargain: Fixed a bug that prevented players from intercepting tethers to orbs on tiers 1, 2, and 3.

- Tidal Bargain now prioritizes players who are not affected by a Tidal Bargain tether and are not downed.

- If no active targets match this priority, Tidal Bargain can target downed players.

- Tidal Bargain now persists through the downed state until the target is defeated or the tether is intercepted by another player.

- Tidal Bargain will not continue to stack on downed players, but will instead deal a flat 10% damage to the affected player per tick.

- Tidal Bargain will continue to periodically damage nearby players when affecting a downed player.

- This damage is less potent than the initial tick for reaching 10 stacks.

- Upon revival from the downed state, Tidal Bargain stacks are reset.

- Negative Burst now floats the target for 1 second.

- Overwhelming Sorrow now dazes for 1 second. It also now deals increased damage.

- The damage inflicted by Crushing Guilt has been increased. The damage is now tracked in the combat log.

- Focused Wrath can no longer be avoided by jumping.

- Empathic Manipulation's pulsing damage has been increased.

### Bug Fixes

- Fixed an issue in which the Sorrowful Spellcaster would not appropriately exit her Whirlwind Shield after all the storm clouds were dispersed.

- Fixed an issue in which Sorrow, Guilt, and Fear would not disappear after resetting the encounter.

- Fixed an issue in which Negative Burst was able to hit players multiple times from one attack.

## Items

- Tonics: Added text for some tonics that were missing descriptions.

- Mariner's Horn: This item can no longer be used in combat or while transformed.

- Super Boom Boxes: These items can no longer be used while in combat.

- Fixed a bug that prevented Tonics of Icebrood Corruption from properly progressing the End of the Road achievement.

- Fixed an issue with the Fractal Fighter achievements.

## Profession Skills

### General

- Spectral Agony: This skill has been renamed Channeled Agony, and it has been significantly reworked. Its base damage has been increased by 77%, from 0.9 to 1.6 multiplier. The baseline damage over time from agony has been increased by 100%, from 500 per second to 1,000 per second at level 80. This skill no longer inflicts confusion or cripple. The duration of torment has been increased from 3 seconds to 6 seconds. It now grants 3 stacks of stability for 3 seconds when the skill is activated. The visual effect has been sped up to better match with the filling circle, and the animation length has been aligned to match that, reducing the casting time from 3 seconds to 2 seconds. The tooltip description of this skill has been fixed.

### Guardian

- Wrath: Fixed a bug that caused the beam's visual effects timing to not match the actual skill effect.

### Mesmer

- Jaunt: Fixed an issue in which the tooltip of the skill displayed an incorrect maximum count in PvP and WvW.

### Revenant

- Bloodbane Path: Fixed a bug that could cause this skill to have difficulty striking moving targets.

### Thief

- Infiltrator's Arrow: Fixed a bug that caused this skill to be able to be reflected in a disorienting fashion. When the projectile from this skill is reflected, it will now be destroyed instead.

## BLACK LION TRADING COMPANY GEM STORE

### New Items and Promotions

- The new Stained Glass Wings Backpack and Glider Combo is now available in the Style category of the Gem Store for 700 gems.

- For a limited time, the Devil Horns, Wizard's Hat, and Bunny Ears are available on sale in the Style category of the Gem Store for 140 gems each, a savings of 30%.

- For a limited time, the Furrocious Cat Ears are available on sale in the Style category of the Gem Store for 280 gems, a savings of 30%.

- For a limited time, the Warclaw Frontline Mount Pack returns to the Style category of the Gem Store for 2,000 gems.

- For a limited time, the Mist Stranger Axe Skin, Mist Stranger Shield Skin, and Suntouched Scythe Staff Skin return to the Style category of the Gem Store for 600 gems each.

**Bug Fix:**

- Fixed an issue in which one of the new community achievements was being incorrectly awarded depending on game type.

**Bug Fixes:**

- Fixed a bug in which the final boss of the Sunqua Peak fractal failed to target players with her most powerful attacks.

- Fixed a bug in which the Plea of Tides skill was not scaling damage between Tier 3, Tier 4, and Challenge Mode.

- Fixed a bug in which the final boss of the Sunqua Peak fractal became temporarily unresponsive under certain circumstances.

- Fixed a bug in which Charged Leap effects were not applying correctly under certain circumstances.

# Late Notes: September 15, 2020

# 09/15/2020—Late Notes

## World Polish

- Made performance improvements to the "Use oil reclamation pumps to clean up the spills!" event in Thunderhead Peaks.

# 09/15/2020—September 15 Release Notes

## World Polish

- The Advanced Skimmer Course now has objective text.

- The Advanced Skimmer Course now has boundaries. Straying too far from the course will automatically reset the adventure.

## General

- Fixed a client crash that occurred when changing graphics preferences while using a display with a 300 Hz or higher refresh rate.

## Fractals

### New Fractal: Sunqua Peak

Dessa's krewe has observed a strange disturbance unlike anything seen before. Gather your allies and embark on an adventure of wondrous discovery. But beware…the Harbinger's gaze once again falls upon you.

### Scale Adjustments

To accommodate the release of Sunqua Peak, certain fractals have had their associated scales adjusted.

### Achievements

- The daily fractal rotation has been adjusted to include Sunqua Peak.

- A new Sunqua Peak achievement category has been added under the Fractals of the Mists achievement category.

- Four new repeatable weekly fractal achievements have been added, one for each difficulty tier.

### Rewards

- A new rewards tab for Sunqua Peak has been added to BLING-9009's inventory.

- A new currency, Unstable Fractal Essence, has been added to the wallet.

- Unstable Fractal Essences are earned by completing fractal challenge modes and can be traded for prestigious rewards.

- Unstable Cosmic Essences can be traded to BLING-9009 in exchange for 5 Unstable Fractal Essences.

- In accordance with this change, items purchased using Unstable Cosmic Essences can now be purchased using Unstable Fractal Essences.

- In accordance with this change, Unstable Cosmic Essences can no longer be obtained.

## Raids

### Achievements

- A new achievement category, Weekly Raids, has been added to the Raids achievement category.

- A weekly raid challenge mode achievement, Top-Tiered Terror Toppler, has been added. Players must complete five challenge-mote based raid encounters on the achievement's objective list.

## Items

- Plate of Eggs Benedict: Fixed an issue in which players below level 80 could use this item. Fixed an issue in which players could not use this item in certain instances.

## Structured Player vs. Player

- Living World Portal Tomes can now be used in the PvP Lobby.

- Massive Globs of Ectoplasm can now be used in the PvP Lobby.

- Potions of Ascalonian Mages can now be used in the PvP Lobby.

## BLACK LION TRADING COMPANY GEM STORE

### New Items and Promotions

- This is the last week to purchase the 8th Anniversary Supply Drop Requisition, available in the Utility category of the Gem Store for 3,000 gems. All supply drops from the previous weeks will be delivered at the time of purchase.

- The new Queensdale Academy Outfit is now available in the Style category of the Gem Store for 700 gems.

- The new Queensdale Academy Wand Set is now available in the Style category of the Gem Store for 700 gems.

- The new Queensdale Academy Package is now available in the Style category of the Gem Store for 1,500 gems.

- For a limited time, the Pirate Captain's Outfit is available on sale in the Style category of the Gem Store for 490 gems, a savings of 30%.

- For a limited time, Magnus's Eye Patch is available on sale in the Style category of the Gem Store for 240 gems, a savings of 40%.

- For a limited time, the Peg-Leg Boots Skin, Pirate Hook Skin, and Pirate Corsair Hat Skin are available on sale in the Style category of the Gem Store for 180 gems each, a savings of 40%.

- For a limited time, the Elite Reinforcements Package returns to the Upgrades category of the Gem Store for 3,000 gems.

### Black Lion Chest

- The Black Lion Chest has been updated to the Dark Matter Chest and can be previewed for a full list of its contents.

- The new Fine Black Lion Dye Canister—Yellow has been added as the guaranteed item for the duration of the Dark Matter Chest.

- The new Dark Matter Cape is available as an uncommon drop for the duration of this chest.

- The Ebon Vanguard Elite Outfit and Shoulders Package and the Envoy Scythe Staff Skin return as uncommon drops for the duration of this chest.

- The Devoted Weapon Collection and Balthazar's Weapon Collection are available as uncommon and rare drops respectively for the duration of this chest.

- Unused versions of the Glyph of Flight and Glyph of Industry are available as rare drops for the duration of this chest.

- The items available in exchange for Black Lion Statuettes have been updated. Black Lion Statuettes are redeemable by using the statuette itself or by redeeming one at any of the Black Lion Chest Merchants located in every major city.

- A new selection of outfits has been added, including Marjory's Shrouded Outfit, Kasmeer's Regal Outfit, and the Mursaat Robes, among others.

- The exclusive Iron Beast Greatsword, Etherbound Package, Griffon Hatchling Package, and Mini Awakened Mounts Pack are currently available.

- Additional items including the Mask of the Queen, Abaddon's Mask, and Aetherblade Armor Skins, have been added, among others.

### Improvements and Updates

- The Black Lion Miniature Claim Ticket Vendor has been updated.

- Minis have been recategorized and repriced.

- Minis available in exchange for Black Lion Miniature Claim Tickets will no longer cycle. All minis will be available at all times.

- The new Mini Corrupted Trahearne is now available in exchange for 20 Black Lion Miniature Claim Tickets.

- The Mini Snow Troll and Mini Tsuru Whitewing are now available in exchange for Black Lion Miniature Claim Tickets.

- The following minis have had their rarities upgraded to exotic:

- Mini Belinda Delaqua

- Mini Braham Eirsson

- Mini Caithe

- Mini Forgal

- Mini Holographic Scarlet

- Mini Kasmeer Meade

- Mini Mai Trin

- Mini Marjory Delaqua

- Mini Southsun Faren

- Mini Southsun Kasmeer

- Mini Trahearne

- Mini Vinetooth Faolain

- Mini Sieran

**Bug Fixes:**

- Fixed a bug that caused the Advanced Skimmer Course adventure to prematurely end and prevented players from using the Dive skimmer skill during the adventure.

- Fixed a bug that caused the "Help the Moshpoipoi village guards defend against icebrood" event to stall.

- Fixed an issue that caused the Black Lion Weapon Specialist to incorrectly sell an additional Lorekeeper Greatsword instead of the Lorekeeper Sword.

# 08/25/2020—August 25 Release Notes

## Underwater Skimmer

Skimmers Are Evolving

Sibaha, a talented but arrogant skimmer trainer, has taken a squadron of skimmers with her on a quest to unlock their true potential. Players who have completed _Path of Fire_™ can head to any major city to start the collection to track her down, unlock a new mastery, and teach their own skimmer a few new tricks.

## General

- A new button has been added to the Mystic Forge that allows players to quickly place the same stacking items from their last recipe into the same ingredient slots after accepting the previous output.

- A new filter menu has been added to the Achievements tab of the Hero panel.

- Nearly Completed achievements on the Achievements Summary page can now be sorted by tier completion or total completion.

## Items

- The Portable Composter will now work in the PvP lobby.

- The Ancient Norn Talisman now has the correct list of stats for stat selection.

## BLACK LION TRADING COMPANY GEM STORE

### New Items and Promotions

- For a limited time, items from the new Lorekeeper Weapon Collection are available from Black Lion Weapons Specialists in exchange for 1 Black Lion Claim Ticket, available from Black Lion Chests. Keys are available in the Utility category of the Gem Store for 125 gems each.

- New skins have been added to the Guaranteed Wardrobe Unlock, Guaranteed Armor Unlock, and Guaranteed Weapon Unlock.

- The new Shell Surfer skimmer skin is available in the Style category of the Gem Store for 1,600 gems.

- The Customer Appreciation Package, with one Black Lion Chest and one Black Lion Chest Key, returns for the anniversary at no cost for one week only. Limit one per account. This is not available for Play for Free accounts.

- For a limited time, the Black Lion Garden Plot Deed has returned to the Upgrades category of the Gem Store for 1,000 gems.

- For a limited time, the Total Makeover Kit is on sale for 105 gems, a savings of 70%. Limit of 1 per account.

- The new 8th Anniversary Supply Drop Requisition is available in the Utility category of the Gem Store for a discounted price of 2,400 gems. To celebrate _Guild Wars 2_'s 8th anniversary and gear up for the next chapter of Living World, using this item enrolls your account to receive four weekly supply drops between now and mid-September. Here's what each 8th Anniversary Supply Drop will contain.

- Week of August 25:

- Five Black Lion Chest Keys

- One Golden Black Lion Chest Key

- Two Random Wardrobe Unlocks

- One Lorekeeper Weapon Select Box (NEW)

- Week of September 1:

- One Bizarre Beasts Mount Select License (NEW)

- One Black Lion Outfit Voucher

- Choice of one of the following:

- Exotic Breeds Mount Select License

- Mistborn Mount Select License

- Curious Creatures Mount Select License

- New Horizons Mount Select License

- Bizarre Beasts Mount Adoption License

- Week of September 8:

- One Black Lion Backpack and Glider Voucher

- One Black Lion Weapons Voucher

- One Black Lion Dye Canister Package including two canisters each of Red, Blue, and Green

- Week of September 15:

- Five Black Lion Statuettes

- One Mythic Weapon Choice

- Two Black Lion Miniature Claim Tickets

- A container with one Communal Boost Bonfire and two Heroic Boosters

- Each week the discount of the 8th Anniversary Supply Drop decreases, so the earlier the purchase, the lower the price.

- Week of Aug 25: 2,400 gems (20% discount)

- Week of September 1: 2,550 gems (15% discount)

- Week of September 8: 2,700 gems (10% discount)

- Week of September 15: 3,000 gems

- Note: Purchases made after week one will receive the supply drops from the previous weeks. Act early for the best discount and earliest possible delivery of your supply drops.

### Black Lion Chest

- The Black Lion Chest has been updated to the Ebon Tide Chest and can be previewed for a full list of its contents.

- A second Black Lion Statuette has been added as the guaranteed item for the duration of the Ebon Tide Chest

- The new Ebon Vanguard Elite Outfit and Shoulders Package is available as an uncommon drop for the duration of this chest.

- The new Shell Surfer skimmer skin is available as an uncommon drop for the duration of this chest.

- The Thunderhorse Staff remains available as an uncommon drop for the duration of this chest.

- The Timekeeper Weapon Collection and Scientific Weapon Collection are available as uncommon and rare drops respectively for the duration of this chest.

- Unused versions of the Glyph of the Watchknight and Glyph of Virtue are available as rare drops for the duration of this chest.

- The items available in exchange for Black Lion Statuettes have been updated. Black Lion Statuettes are redeemable by using the statuette itself or by redeeming one at any of the Black Lion Chest Merchants located in every major city.

- The exclusive Seven Reapers Grasps, Starborn Outfit, Envoy Scythe Staff Skin, and Starlight Wings Backpack and Glider Combo are currently available.

- The bonus collection has been updated to a selection of minis including but not limited to the Mini Polar Bear Cub, Mini Fox Kit, and Mini White Kitten.

**Bug Fixes:**

- Fixed an issue that prevented some players from being able to loot chests rewarded for defeating keep lords and Dominion tribunes in Drizzlewood Coast.

- Fixed an issue that prevented the "Find and defuse Dominion mines" events in the southern half of Drizzlewood Coast from progressing.

- Added Memories of Otter and Shards of Crystallized Blood of Jormag to the final reward chest of the repeatable WvW Drizzlewood Coast Reward Track.

- Added a rare chance to obtain Tribune weapons from reward containers in the repeatable WvW Drizzlewood Coast Reward Track.

**Bug Fixes:**

- Fixed a bug that caused the client to disconnect when players used the Invitation to the Party item while in Labyrinthine Cliffs.

- Fixed an issue that prevented enemy keep lords in the southern half of Drizzlewood Coast from dropping reward chests when players completed base-capture events.

- Fixed an issue that caused the Golden Black Lion Chest Key to incorrectly award Gnashblade's Exotic Weapon Grab Bag instead of the Gnashblade Zephyrite Supply Box.

- Fixed blurry user interface elements.

Are you new to Guild Wars 2 or wanting to introduce your friends to the game? We’re here to help! Visit our new player guide to learn about character creation, exploring Tyria, combat, progressing your character, and more!

[New Player Guide](https://www.guildwars2.com/en/new-player-guide)

It's not your eyes! Sorry about that, we're working on it!

We're aware of this and working to get it fixed as quickly as possible!

We're aware that some players have been impacted by ongoing gameplay performance issues due to latency. We know this makes for a frustrating gameplay experience, and we want to let you know what we're doing to find and mitigate those problems.

The reality is there's no single sweeping change that can fix latency issues for all players, or even most players. There are a large number of factors and situations that can cause lag, and so members of our Engineering, Infrastructure, Design, QA, and Production teams are working with a group of affected players to help identify underlying causes and find solutions.

We’ll keep you updated on their progress as we’re able.

There is an issue with the festival item "Invitation to the Party". If you use it while in the Labyrinthine Cliffs, it will return you to the character select screen. We're working on a fix, but in the meantime the "Invitation to the Festival of the Four Winds" can be used normally without issue.

# Late Notes: August 11, 2020

# 08/11/2020—Late Notes

## Living World

- The spawn locations for reward chests for the Assault on the Frost Citadel meta-event finale have been consolidated to a single location in Claw's Roost.

- Fixed an issue in which players could get stuck in the ice that grows out of the cannons during the Assault on the Frost Citadel meta-event.

## World vs. World

### General

- No Downed State week is coming back to WvW from August 14 to August 21. For the duration of the event, players will skip being in the downed state and go directly into defeat. Additionally, players will receive double WXP, increased reward track progress, and increased magic find.

# 08/11/2020—August 11 Release Notes

## Festival of the Four Winds

On behalf of Queen Jennah of Kryta and the Captain's Council of Lion's Arch, you are cordially invited to participate in the return of the Festival of the Four Winds!

High atop the Labyrinthine Cliffs, our Zephyrite friends have been working in tandem with Lion's Arch to host an incredible variety of fun vendors and events to entertain visitors from all across Tyria. This celebration of unity and peace between our cultures is more important than ever before, and we hope that you will join us in the festivities.

In this spirit of cooperation, Queen Jennah has personally overseen the reopening of the Crown Pavilion, featuring a variety of challenges for Tyria's finest to test their mettle!

Transportation to the festivities couldn't be easier! Special hot air balloons are now stationed in each nation's capital city. Visitors can also sail directly from the ship in Lion's Arch.

We look forward to seeing you at the festival!

—Captain Ellen Kiel

- The Zephyrite bazaar has returned to the Labyrinthine Cliffs! Visitors to the Labyrinthine Cliffs can try their hand at many festival activities, including adventures, races, and scavenger hunts:

- Show your skill with the Zephyrite crystals in the Flying Dolyak race!

- Enjoy the sights of the sea in the bay-spanning Skimmer Slalom race!

- Team up with your friends to plunder lost treasure in the Treasure Hunt meta-event!

- Scramble to set a high score in the Crystal Collection adventure!

- Demonstrate your aviation ability in two griffon adventures!

- Compete to take the lead in the Sanctum Sprint activity!

- Challenge the competition with unique Zephyrite skills in the returning Aspect Arena!

- Leap across the Labyrinthine Cliffs to recover Zephyrite crystals and discover the fate of the bazaar's fallen star, Kookoochoo the Incredulous!

- Trade materials with the Zephyrites for a new Zephyrite Supply Box containing a wide variety of possible items, including exceptionally rare skins and equipment from distant lands.

- For combat-inclined festivalgoers, the Crown Pavilion has reopened in Divinity's Reach. Challenge re-creations of humanity's greatest foes, legendary champions, and notorious figures!

- The renowned Boss Blitz returns! Organize your companions to challenge six legendary foes—they'll gain strength as other bosses fall, so plan your battle carefully!

- Adventurers yearning to show their skills at a solo challenge, rejoice! The Queen's Gauntlet has been reopened!

- Between blitzes, blow off some steam in the most hazardous festival race since Halloween: the infamous Pavilion Pursuit!

- New updates and prizes this year:

- Complete the Annual Four Winds Customs meta-achievement to earn the Sun-Blessed Vision, a helmet based on the Zephyrites' elemental magic!

- Last year's meta-achievement reward, the Winged Lantern back item, can now be purchased from the festival reward vendors.

- A new Zephyrite Weapon Enchanter has set up shop in the bazaar in the Labyrinthine Cliffs. If you have unlocked a Zephyrite weapon, you can use Festival Tokens to purchase a stylish Sun-Blessed version that glows with Zephyrite magic.

- Bosses in the Boss Blitz have been rebalanced with slightly lowered health.

- Sparcus Firesplash's delay when jumping between platforms has been increased.

- Boom Boom Baines's healing turret has been modified to a Shielding Turret that reduces her damage taken.

- Three new weapons have been added to the Zephyrite weapon set: the greatsword, hammer, and scepter.

- The traders at the bazaar in the Labyrinthine Cliffs have updated their trading prices.

- Several low-value items have been removed from the Zephyrite Supply Box and Zephyrite Curio Box.

- Zephyrite Supply Boxes and Zephyrite Curio Boxes now have a chance to drop a container that allows armor-weight selection for the Monocle instead of dropping each weight class separately. The drop rate for the new Monocle container is equal to the total drop rate of all three Monocle weights from previous years.

- Mini Molten Firestorm has been added as a rare reward from the Zephyrite Curio Box and a super-rare reward from the Zephyrite Supply Box.

- Scarlet's Rainbow has been added as a rare reward from the Zephyrite Curio Box and a super-rare reward from the Zephyrite Supply Box.

- A new festival invitation, Invitation to the Festival of the Four Winds, will be included in the festival announcement mail for easy travel directly to the Labyrinthine Cliffs and the Crown Pavilion. If you misplace your invitation, it can be repurchased from Sarettokk in Lion's Arch.

- A new daily bonus achievement, Daily Bonus Rewards: Boss Blitz, will reward you with extra Boss Blitz Chests for your first three completions per day.

- New guild hall decorations based on the Zephyrite style have been added to craft for your guild hall.

- The treasure hunt reward vendor now sells Embroidered Coin Purses in addition to their existing wares.

- Festival Tokens rewarded from adventure chests will now immediately be added to the wallet.

- Numerous bugs and glitches have been fixed to ensure a safer and more pleasant festival for all participants.

- Complete festival daily achievements to earn the Four Winds Zephyr daily achievement, contributing to the Four Winds Gale achievement, which rewards your choice of weapons based on Zephyrite crafts!

- Earn Festival Tokens and Favors of the Festival throughout the festival events to trade for exciting prizes, including Zephyrite backpacks, the illustrious Sovereign weapon set, and items based on the latest wonder of the Crown Pavilion, the Watchknight Mk II.

- Zephyrite Kite Baskets have been scattered across Tyria. Open them to claim prizes from the Zephyrite stockpiles.

- The Festival of the Four Winds will be available for three weeks, from August 11 until September 1. Enjoy the festivities!

## Living World

- Fixed an issue in which Ember Doomforge was using the wrong character model in the episode "Jormag Rising."

- Fixed an issue in which the Remote Charge 2.0 skill was not accurately displaying the maximum number of targets in its tooltip.

- Fixed an issue in which the Frost Legion Phalanxes in the "Assault on the Frost Citadel" meta-event in "Jormag Rising" would sometimes have their knockback persist after the first line was defeated.

- Fixed an issue in the Behind Enemy Lines story chapter in which the player's allies could be attacked by Dominion soldiers even while disguised.

- War Supplies no longer give credit for the A Wrench in the Works story chapter.

- Fixed an issue in which players would sometimes lose key plates in Thunderhead Peaks after logging out.

- All map announcements in Drizzlewood Coast are now suppressible for players who have the Hide Optional Announcements option set in their game settings.

- Fixed an issue that caused the "Find and defuse Dominion mines" events in Sentinel Bay to require too few mines to be defused when attempted with large groups.

## World Polish

- Fixed an issue in which Ember Doomforge was using the wrong character model in the personal story instance Minister's Defense.

- Fixed a bug that prevented Boneskinner Ritual Vials from dropping after certain conditions were met.

- Fixed a bug that caused the Boneskinner Strike Mission to award 30 Boneskinner Ritual Vials instead of 9 on gold-level completion.

## Profession Skills

### Ranger

- Viper's Nest: Fixed a bug in which this skill would apply more poison than expected when traited with Trapper's Expertise.

### Revenant

- Soulcleave's Summit: Fixed a bug that could allow the Soulcleave spirit to remain after switching away from Legendary Renegade Stance.

### Thief

- Improvisation: Updated this trait's description to clarify that in the case of sequence skills, only the currently visible skill will be recharged.

## World vs. World

### General

- Equipment no longer takes damage in World vs. World maps when players are defeated.

- World vs. World ascended armor now requires rank 500 to purchase, down from rank 1,500–2,000.

- A new title, God of WvW, has been added. To earn this title, players must attain rank 10,000 in WvW and then purchase a title scroll from the Legendary Vendor located in WvW maps.

- Fixed a bug in which players could gain access to their profession mechanic while holding a banner after mounting and dismounting.

## BLACK LION TRADING COMPANY GEM STORE

### New Items and Promotions

- The new Ice Reaver Pauldrons skin is now available in the Style category of the Gem Store for 500 gems.

- For a limited time, the Zephyrite Color Swatches: Blue, Green, Red, and Yellow are available on sale in the Style category of the Gem Store for 175 gems each, a savings of 30%.

- For a limited time, the Lightning Kite, Sun Kite, and Wind Kite are available on sale in the Style category of the Gem Store for 250 gems each, a savings of 50%.

- For a limited time, the Zephyrite Aspect Helm Pack and the Zephyrite Paraglider return to the Style category of the Gem Store for 500 and 400 gems respectively.

- For a limited time, the Black Lion Outfit Voucher and Black Lion Weapons Voucher return to the Style category of the Gem Store for 630 and 540 gems respectively.

### Black Lion Chest

- The Black Lion Chest has been updated to the Dark Storm Chest and can be previewed for a full list of its contents.

- The returning Gnashblade Zephyrite Supply Box has been added as the guaranteed item for the duration of the Dark Storm Chest.

- The new Thunderhorse Staff skin is available as an uncommon drop for the duration of this chest.

- The Vermilion Wings Backpack and Glider Combo and the Storm Dagger skin return as uncommon drops for the duration of this chest.

- The Sclerite Weapon Collection and the Shadow Weapon Collection are available as uncommon and rare drops respectively for the duration of this chest.

- Unused versions of the Glyph of Overload and Glyph of Alchemy are available as rare drops for the duration of this chest.

- The items available in exchange for Black Lion Statuettes have been updated. Black Lion Statuettes are redeemable by using the statuettes themselves or by redeeming them at any of the Black Lion Chest Merchants located in every major city.