Buffs are Coming to Non-Meta Items & No Huge Nerfs This Time | Albion Online Horizons NDA Patch #3

Summary

Patch number three brings several significant changes, mostly aimed at improving **ZVZ** (large-scale battle) dynamics. Key updates include buffs to **Scholar Sandals** and **War Gloves**, along with adjustments to items like **Demon Boots**, **Raven Strike**, and **Frazzle** on the **Arcane Staff**. Potions such as the **Hellfire Potion** also receive notable changes, making them more viable. While most of these updates focus on **ZVZ** and larger-scale content, there are also tweaks to smaller mechanics like **Mend Wounds**. The patch reshapes the meta by rebalancing underused items and skills, increasing strategic depth for group-based battles.

Takeaways

• 😀 Arcane Staff's Frazzle is getting a burst damage increase to compete better with Enigma Blade in small-scale fights, though Enigma Blade remains superior in 1v1s.
• 😀 Bridal Fury is receiving resilience penetration buffs to improve its performance in ZVZs, though it's unlikely to become a top DPS weapon just yet.
• 😀 Frost Staff's Ice Storm is being adjusted to reduce its travel distance but improve its effectiveness in area denial and controlling chokes in ZVZs.
• 😀 Holy Staff's Sacred Pulse animation and stand time are being improved for smoother use in both PVE and PVP situations.
• 😀 War Gloves' Counter ability now has a 75% defense buff that lasts 2 seconds, significantly improving survivability and follow-up in corrupted dungeons.
• 😀 Earth Crusher's Raven Strike will no longer be reflected, making it more viable in ZVZs and reducing the risk of dying to reflect damage, despite a slight damage reduction.
• 😀 Royal Helmets' cooldown is reduced from 40 seconds to 30 seconds, making them more useful for tank and support roles outside of one-shot combos.
• 😀 Dynamic Defense is being nerfed from 20% damage reduction based on the opponent's weapon to a flat 10% for all damage types, maintaining defensive strength but reducing offensive potential.
• 😀 Scholar Sandals are receiving a major buff to energy regeneration, making them more effective for energy-hungry builds, especially in ZVZs.
• 😀 Demon Boots' cooldown is being reduced to 30 seconds, aligning it with other sprint abilities, making it a more reliable escape tool in various combat scenarios.
• 😀 Various potions, including Acid Potion, Cleansing Potion, and Hellfire Potion, are getting significant buffs to make them more competitive in both large-scale and small-scale fights.
• 😀 Men Wounds will no longer interrupt movement, improving the ability's usability when moving in combat, which was a long-standing issue for players.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Patch 3 in the game?

Patch 3 primarily focuses on balancing underused items and abilities, particularly in large-scale group battles (ZvZ), and introducing quality of life improvements. There are also some tweaks aimed at enhancing gameplay in smaller-scale fights and PvE/PvP scenarios.

How is the Arcane Staff being changed in Patch 3?

The Arcane Staff's Frazzle ability is being reworked to reduce enemy defenses before dealing damage, similar to the Carving Sword. This should make it more competitive in smaller-scale fights, though the Enigma Blade remains superior in DPS for 1v1 and ZvZ situations.

What change is being made to the Bridal Fury ability for daggers?

Bridal Fury is receiving a resilience penetration increase to improve its performance in ZvZs. This should help it become more viable, though it is unlikely to surpass other top DPS options.

How are Frost Staff's Ice Storm and its mechanics changing?

The travel distance and cast time of Ice Storm are being reduced to allow it to cover chokepoints for a longer time. This adjustment makes it more useful for area denial in ZvZs by keeping enemies in place for longer durations.

What improvement is being made to the Holy Staff's Sacred Pulse?

Sacred Pulse’s animation and stand time are being adjusted to make it feel smoother to use in both PvE and PvP. The stand time is being slightly reduced from 0.5 to 0.3 seconds.

What change is happening to War Gloves' Counter ability?

War Gloves' Counter ability now provides a 75% defense buff for a full 2 seconds, improving survivability, particularly in smaller-scale fights like Corrupted Dungeons.

What are the adjustments being made to Raven Strikes with the Earth Crusher?

Raven Strikes are no longer reflected by enemies, making them more viable in ZvZ situations. The ability's damage has been slightly reduced, but the change to make it non-reflectable should make it more effective overall.

How is the Royal Helmet's cooldown changing in Patch 3?

The cooldown of the Royal Helmet is being reduced from 40 seconds to 30 seconds, allowing for more frequent use, particularly in tank and support builds.

What is the impact of the Dynamic Defense changes in Patch 3?

The maximum damage potential from Dynamic Defense is being reduced from 20% to 10%. This change reduces its impact on magic damage builds in ZvZs while preserving its defensive value.

What changes are being made to the Scholar Sandals in Patch 3?

The Scholar Sandals' energy regeneration is being significantly increased, almost doubling its energy per tick. This makes it a much stronger option for healers and energy-hungry builds, particularly useful in smaller-scale fights.

What adjustments are being made to the Demon Boots?

Demon Boots now have a reduced cooldown of 30 seconds. While still primarily used for escapes, this change makes the boots a more viable option for players who want to engage and disengage more fluidly in fights.

How are potions being changed in Patch 3?

Several potions are being buffed to increase their competitiveness. For example, the Acid Potion and Cleansing Potion receive stronger effects, while the Hellfire Potion now adds a 35% healing reduction effect to targets hit. The cooldown for some potions like Hellfire and Sticky Potions has also been adjusted.

What is the quality of life improvement regarding the Mend Wounds ability?

Mend Wounds will no longer interrupt movement when used, allowing players to move freely while casting the ability. This quality of life change is particularly useful for maintaining mobility during healing.