Activation time

Activation time is a resource cost, the length of time it takes a skill to be executed after a character has selected it. In Guild Wars, the term is synonymous with casting time and is denoted in-game as .

A skill's activation time begins as soon as a character selects that skill; if the period elapses successfully, the skill is executed. The activation time is halted and the skill fails if it is interrupted or canceled. This wait time is a key vulnerability of every skill: the longer the activation time, the more opportunities opponents have to prevent the skill from operating successfully.

Like many things in the game, activation is handled by the game's servers rather than the player's computer, making skill use subject to lag. Often players will not notice any resultant latency, since it is typically less than 400 milliseconds.

After the activation time of a skill with a stated activation time, there will almost always also be an aftercast delay of 3/4s before the skill user can act again.

Attack skills[edit]

Attack skills follow two different timing rules, depending on whether or not the skill explicitly states an activation time. For skills with unstated amounts, the skill will use the first half of the character's next attack interval (the remaining half will be the time it takes the character to return to the neutral state). For example, an axe-wielding character will take half of 1.33 seconds to activate Body Blow; it will take them half of 1.75 seconds to activate the same skill while swinging a hammer.

Skills with an explicit activation time work similarly: half-way through the interval, a melee attack will connect with its target and a ranged attack will launch its projectile; the remaining half will be used to return the character to a neutral state. For example, a Savage Shot is fired after 0.25¼ seconds after it is initiated (half the stated 0.5½ second ) and Belly Smash will connect after 0.5½ seconds, rather than the stated 1 second. These skills also bypass the return-to-neutral delay from the previous attack (assuming it did not have an aftercast delay).

Other attack skill mechanics[edit]

Activation times for all attack skills are affected by any effect that alters attack speeds. For example:
- Using Protector's Strike while in a Frenzy reduces the attack interval to 0.33⅓ second and the attack connects after ~0.166 second after activation.
- Devastating Hammer while hexed with Faintheartedness connects after 1.3 seconds (with a full interval of about 2.6 seconds).
Pet attacks function more like shouts that affect the pet's next attack.
Effects and skills (such as Migraine) that affect the activation time of any skill, does not affect the activation time of attack skills.

Other skill types[edit]

All other skills use their stated activation time (after modifications) unless otherwise noted below.

Spells and signets[edit]

Spells and Signets use the stated activation time. Spell casting time can be modified by half casting time weapon upgrades, Fast Casting, and skills or effects that explicitly reduce it (e.g. Healer's Boon). Signets are also affected by Fast Casting and a different set of skills or effects. In addition, all signets and nearly all spells suffer from aftercast delay.
Flash enchantment spells have no activation time or aftercast delay, but cannot be activated while activating other skills or while knocked down.
Dolyak Signet and Signet of Suffering activate instantly, but cannot be activated in mid-action or while knocked down. Although they do not have stated activation time, they work within the skill queue; they will overwrite any previously queued actions, including movement.
Asuran Scan is the only hex without a specified activation time. It casts instantly, but it has an aftercast delay and cannot be used in mid-action.
Spells under the effects of Glyph of Sacrifice cast nearly at once and instantly for Glyph of Essence, but still suffer aftercast delay and are subject to queuing.

Preparations[edit]

Preparations use their stated activation times after any modifiers. However, preparations from Factions and Nightfall also suffer aftercast delay (those from Prophecies or Core do not).

Traps[edit]

Trapper's Speed is the only skill that specifically modifies trap activation time.

Other skills[edit]

Shouts, Pet attacks, and Stances activate immediately, outside the queue; they can be activated in the middle of other actions or while knocked down.
Some skills have no stated activation time, but suffer aftercast delay, notably: Celestial Stance, Scavenger's Focus, Angelic Protection, and Air of Superiority.
Some skills without a listed activation time cannot be activated in mid-action, even though they do not have an aftercast delay: Protector's Defense, Feral Aggression, Inspirational Speech.

Notes[edit]

The decrease in activation time for attack skills under an IAS is useful in landing interrupts on your foe's faster-activating skills.
Ranger skills with activation times have an aftercast delay to hinder damage compression.
Any skill with an explicit activation time can be used to bypass the second half of a previous attack interval (after that attack has hit). For example, a Warrior using Executioner's Strike after Eviscerate at normal speed will land Executioner's Strike 1.33 seconds after Eviscerate, while a Warrior using Agonizing Chop instead of Executioner's will land it 0.5½ second after Eviscerate, which is almost three times as fast. This is also what makes certain dagger-spamming builds effective.

Effects that modify activation time[edit]

Skills and effects can influence non-attack skill activation times; times are capped at -25% and +150% of the original amount.

The Mesmer's Fast Casting primary attribute reduces the activation time of spells and signets and is not affected by the cap.
Dazed increases casting time.

Skills that reduce activation time[edit]

Healer's Boon (elite) affects Healing Prayers spells
Holy Haste affects Healing Prayers spells
Jaundiced Gaze affects the next enchantment if an enchantment is removed from target foe
Celestial Haste affects spells, PvE only
Stolen Speed (elite) affects spells targeting target foe cast by you (and allies in PvE)
Time Ward (elite) affects spells cast by allies in the ward, PvE only
Glyph of Essence next spell activates instantly, you lose all energy
Glyph of Sacrifice next spell activates instantly, increases recharge time
Iron Mist affects Air Magic spells that target a foe
Over the Limit (elite) affects spells, PvE only
Deadly Haste affects half-ranged spells
Deadly Paradox affects Assassin skills
"Help Me!" affects spells targeting you cast by allies
Natural Healing half casting time if you are not enchanted
Signet of Mystic Speed next self-targeting enchantments cast instantly
"There's not enough time!!" affects all skills
Mindbender affects spells, PvE only