The catalyst improvements for this latest beta have been amazing. I played exclusively in roaming scenarios in WvW, small team fights, and about 100 duels. I used the hammer as my only weapon.
My only focus was to test a fresh air power build, using berserker armor, marauder hammer and trinkets, scholar runes. Energy and cleansing on the hammer. I used the usual arcane traits and Catalyst 3 2 1.
Jade orb - The change to deploy jade orb is great, and its usage and flow in combat feels very good. Since the field lasts 5 fixed seconds now, I do think that the field should pulse damage like it does in PvE, this would maybe help alleviate a little bit of a lack of damage compared to marauder sword weaver for example. Otherwise jade orb is amazing.
Hammer - Hammer 3 is pretty much perfect now. I think if it lasted 6 or 7 seconds it would add a bit more flexibility for people in different combat scenarios. The additions to survivability are perfect. I think it would be nice if Fire hammer 5 had a ranged component or a very large radius, just to add a bit more utility at range to fire attunement, and to normalize the attunement themes. Compared to other profession 600 range weapon abilities, I think the hammer lacks a bit of damage, especially on the auto attack. As it stands right now, the ranged auto lacks the pressure to force people away, or draw them into melee range.
Augments - All of these feel appropriately powered now. The stun-break cooldown is difficult to take advantage of, but that seems fine.
Traits - Due to the instant cast and separate instances of jade orb, I do not feel as forced into empowered empowerment now, as it is easier to get might and elemental empowerment stacks through the natural flow of combat.
A big problem is a lack of energy generation on hammer compared to other weapons, maybe due to how hard it is to land the multi-hit attacks.
Catalyst is great fun and with mainly just a bit more of a tweak to damage, and energy generation on hammer, It would feel perfect.
I think most peoples problem with catalyst is their lack of practice or understanding what ele is all about. Hammer is a 2 handed weapon, therefore it is a HUGE change in the way ele plays. Ele is always about the weapon skills, and especially with a new 2 handed weapon, it creates a large learning curve.
As Grimjack said, and I agree,
"CATALYST DOES NOT NEED NOR SHOULD GET SWEEPING FUNCTIONAL CHANGES."