Morning all,

This is a post to inform you all that in an effort to insure our raiding encounters are challenging and interesting we have had to make some adjustments to the way some ability types work. In every case we tried to make sure that the group environment was not affected much as these changes are directly linked to stuff we have seen and had reported to us while testing both overland and APW raids.

The changes are as follows:

Incoming Critical Chance

The following class abilities that modify the chance for everyone to critically hit an NPC will now apply a buff to the mob. This buff is a temporary invulnerability that will cause any other spell of the same type cast while it is active to receive the affects of diminishing returns. For example the Rakurr shaman ability called Hamstring has a 2 minute refresh which means for 2 minutes from the time it is applied to the NPC any other hamstring cast will be diminished in effectiveness to 0. This affects abilities that modify incoming critical chance by 100%. This buff is only being added for abilities that do not already have an indicator for the duration of the immunity like cleave whose immunity duration is as long as the effect remains on the NPC.

This change affects the following class abilities:
Cleave
Hamstring
Blindside
Imperil

Any non class ability or class ability that does not increase incoming crit chance by 100% will have a max number of hits duration added to it if there is not one already.

This change affects the following abilities:
Item effects:
Mark of the Assassin
Justice
Voice of Justice
Soulsting
Thundering Impact
Lightning Strike
Thunderclap

Class Ability:
Lightning Kisses the Ground

Force Target Abilities

All force target abilities will now apply a force target immunity buff to NPCs that are affected by the ability. This will prevent the NPC from being forced to switch targets for this duration. If an ability has other effects on it they will be executed still.

This change affects the following class abilities:

Warrior:
Protect
Overwhelm
Shout of Defiance
Mountainous Barrier
Coercion

Psioniscist:
Lure

Paladin:
Shining Beacon
Entwine
Contrition
Protector's Fury

Monk:
Foolhardy Swagger
Trap Hands
Jeering Kick

Dread Knight:
Scourge
Nexus of Hatred
Seething Hatred
Inflame

Cleric:
Protection
Spiritual Guardian I

Shaman:
Intimidate (Pet)
Growl (Pet) (Edit: Forgot to put this on the list)

Modular Defense Abilities

All modular defense abilities have been given a 30 second refresh timer and had their penalties removed (like reducing hate).

This change affects the following class abilities:
Adamant Foeman
Devout Foeman
Bleak Foeman
Parry
Deter
Swaying Step
Fence
Dodge

***Update ***

Cleric Invulnerability Abilities
Divine Barrier and Divine Aura are being adjusted to resolve an exploit associated with these two abilities.
Here are the details:
Divine Barrier now lasts 10 seconds, down from 18. Its refresh has been lowered to compensate. It is now 8 minutes, down from 10
Divine Aura (preservation affinity) will now root the caster in place for the duration of the invulnerability. This effects can still be cancelled at any time.

These changes are being made based on testing and feedback. It is our obligation to support the ongoing health of Vanguard as it matures and as such we will continue to make adjustments where we see problems. If you have any questions regarding this subject please ask. I will be watching the thread off and on all day trying to answer what questions I can.