Ascended Vending, ArenaNet is referring to Fractals and sPvP merchants that allow you to purchase ascended gear.  Next week, ascended vending will requires max level crafting, players that obtain ascended gear via vending will see a moderate discount in cost over traditional crafting. Ascended vending was not intended to be the optimal path for acquiring ascended gear, but rather a way for players to acquire the gear through time spent playing their preferred game mode.
Skill Changes. "We’ll be making a game update on Wednesday, February 22 that will include skill balancing. Members of our skills and balance team will be on the official forums for a while after the build goes live to discuss those changes with you. To take part, please join the new thread we’ll post after the build goes live."
http://dulfy.net/2017/02/17/gw2-ascended-vending-and-skill-balance-changes-next-patch/#more-171019