challenge mode group comp

[Itschrismang]

Looking for some advice for my upcoming challenge mode run attempts. Got a couple of buddies that will be joining me and we're preparing by watching/reading strats, stocking up on potions/flasks/etc. Just thought id post here to see what you guys thought about the open slot i have left to fill for a dps.

Currently plan to run with dk tank, hpally (myself), a hunter and a rogue, and last spot is open at the moment.
Looking to optimize the group and what would be best in your opinions, pref a strong aoe dps imo. Im thinking either an ele or frost mage. Interested in hearing what you guys suggest and why.

Also, I believe the hunter is mm/sv so no lust from him.

Thanks for your help and suggestions!

[sylaar]

id go with the mage personally with a Ilvl of over 535 atleast

[Itschrismang]

id go with the mage personally with a Ilvl of over 535 atleast

Right on thanks for the reply.
Quick question tho does an ilvl matter for anyone since challenge mode scales down anyways? Not that it applies to anyone I already plan to run with, just curious in general.

[Daetur]

Right on thanks for the reply.
Quick question tho does an ilvl matter for anyone since challenge mode scales down anyways? Not that it applies to anyone I already plan to run with, just curious in general.

Ilvl itself doesn't matter as far as I know. What does matter is the stat allocation and budget on the gear, and the number of sockets the gear has. SoO gear, especially tier, tends to have really, really good sockets on it, so that's a big plus, and may be why he's trying to give you an ilvl 'requirement.' Stay away from Timeless gear, it's stat budget is awful, and look for epic gear in all slots.

And yes, mage is great. Make sure the hunter stays Surv. imo, if he's Surv./MM. Survival AoE is very consistent and Entrapment's handy.

[mistahwilshire]

Ele Shaman are also very very strong.

[Itschrismang]

Lush. Yeh all the research I've done thus far definitely promotes socket stacking. As well, I've heard sha weps are bis (for the socket) and darkmoon trinkets are helpful too.

[Daetur]

Lush. Yeh all the research I've done thus far definitely promotes socket stacking. As well, I've heard sha weps are bis (for the socket) and darkmoon trinkets are helpful too.

Garrosh Heirloom weapons are BiS I think, since Sha-touched gems don't 'work' in Challenge Modes as far as I know- nor does the Legendary cloak proc or the legendary meta gem. I could be mistaken about the weapon gem, though. The Garrosh 'looms often have 2 sockets.

[Frozendekay]

The 500 stat gems don't work, and your BiS weapon is a well itemised 2 socket - either BoA or t14/t15 weapon with a normal socket and eye of the black prince extra socket.

[Dristereau]

Ele Shammy or Frost Mage are extremely strong. Best gear is ones with lots of Gem Slots, more gem slots the better IMO. DK Tank is also extremely strong, from my experience so far (Tanked as Paladin, DK and some Warrior). They're possible if you have enough focus. Communicating is key, and also Invis Pots/Flasks/Food and DPS/Mana Pots.

Our first group was: Prot Paladin, Destro Lock (x2), Assas Rogue and MW Monk. Major trouble was Stormstout, Mogu'shan Palace and Gate timing felt harsh. Easiest was Jade Serpent and Shado-Pan Monastery (Have yet to complete it on less than gold with 3 Chars )

[Rixis]

Aren't the Sha weapons best not becausde of the sha socket, but that you can add the legendary prismatic to it for an extra 160 agi (or whatever).

[Libretto]

Yes, ToT weapons are generally the best because they have one socket and can have the additional prismatic socket added.

Garrosh heirlooms are an okay alternative as they have two sockets, they're just not quite as good because more of their item budget is lost to the second socket.

[solvexx]

You can use what ever comp you want.
People say 3 melee DPS is rubbish, but I recently did it as ret/warr/ww and got really good times.
Granted, I've done 9/9 gold runs for about 15-20 characters.. It would still be easy for newer people to CMs.

Strats are far more important than group composition and whether you have an extra slot on your weapon or not.

[cFortyfive]

An ele pressing that one button is probably easier to get than a decent mage and has those nice healing cds if someone screws up. Both work.

You can use what ever comp you want.
People say 3 melee DPS is rubbish, but I recently did it as ret/warr/ww and got really good times.

Who cares wow is not a super hard game so a lot works in the hands of the right player and obviously the execution is the important part. It still doesn't make much sense to recommend an average group of players you don't know with zero experience that setup so sticking with classes who work well like hunter/ele/lock is fine if you have the access to those anyways.

[Kassina]

I would say go with an ele shammy because those extra CDs can help a lot if there's a pack you struggle with

[Xalzel]

My current group is DK tank, ret (me) rogue, hunter, and Hpally. No lust (hunter switches to BM occasionally) and we're 5/9 gold so far. Most important thing is skill, if you're in a group of good players you shouldn't have much trouble.

[yeryerdude]

The only thing I'd say about comp is if you run frost mage its annoying to also have any melee as they rely on frost novaing to up their dps which will get your melee dps killed a bit.

We did them all with 3 melee comp and the only ones that were a bit annoying were ssb and msp.

[Quenden]

Elemental Shamans are basically the best DPS you can run with. Not much arguing there.

Have your hunter run SV - rogue would probably be best as Assassination.

[Xiun]

Hpal and rogue are both pretty crummy, my vote is ele shaman. You NEED a lust and making hunter go bm is just going to make the group weaker.

Ele provides extremely powerful healing cds that make difficult pulls non trivial, can rez while healer drinks/moves on with tank (if someone dies) can reincarnate and on top of it all, bring amazing aoe dps which you're going to need a lot of to overcome the rogues weak aoe capability

Your comp should be able to work for golds, itll be a little rough at the start. Good luck!

[Deleted]

you don't "need" a lust for CM in thier current state. I did all 9 today with a trade pug and we finished all of them well above the time required. . You only need lust if your going for server best time. Any comp will do at this lvl.

[Paula Deen]

Ele Sham, Frost Mage, and a DK are a pretty good investment. The rest are fairly optional, with the exception of maybe a Warlock for dem stones.