So, as we know, 7.2 has been on the background downloader for a while now and it's bound to be released relatively soon.
Also, 7.2 brings big changes to Artifacts, in the sense that more knowledge levels and traits are available.
When Legion hit, after various studies, the optimal artifact progression paths have been figured out.
How about we do the same for 7.2?
So, let's start with a bit of info and maths. Players with artifact rank 54 will be refunded the 20 points spent in the big trait and will be able to purchase 4 new traits. The possible choices vary between purchasing new traits or the 4th rank (which has been added to all the existing 3/3 traits).
Currently, when maxed out we have ~65.256 mil AP while the total cost of getting to 36 traits is 6.851 mil AP.
Therefore, after the reset we'll have ~58.405 mil AP to spend.
After purchasing the now one rank of Unbreakable Bulwark which costs 1.635 mil AP, we'll be left with 56.770 mil AP.
I have no sims or anything and this is purely a guess, but I'd say the best path would be:
- First new trait (Protection of the Valarjar) - 1.915 mil AP
- Toughness 4/4 - 10 mil AP
- Dragon Skin 4/4 - 13 mil AP
- Second new trait (Bastion of the Aspects) 1/4 - 17 mil AP
Total spent on the first 4 traits is: 41.915 mil AP, leaving us with 14.855 mil AP.
The price of the next trait is 22 mil AP, therefore a 7.145 mil AP grind for the 5th point, which I'd put in Bastion of the Aspects 2/4.
God knows how long this grind will take and whether it's feasible before learning the 26th AK rank.
The reasoning behind my choices is as follows:
- Our main problem at the moment is constant magic dmg, therefore toughness and dragon skin would immediately improve that.
- The AP curve is pretty steep, especially at low AK levels, so getting to Gleaming Scales and Neltharion's thunder will take ages, while the benefits are kinda comparable. So why not get better at tanking magic dmg now rather than later?
Have a play for yourself here: http://ptr.wowhead.com/artifact-calc/warrior/protection
Looking forward to this conversation and perhaps we can dive into calculating averages of time frames for AK rank-ups and so on