Introduction
So I wanted to make a consolidation thread which allowed people to talk constructively about where they feel Windwalkers can be improved and how. I do not want this to turn into a bitch fest, that is the domain of blizzard forums. If we can put some constructive thoughts down, preferable backed up with logs and numbers then hopefully we will have something productive to put to Blizzard, even if all someone does is copy and paste this into the US forum. I will update this post as and when changes happen and also edit it to reflect the current concerns as we go hopefully providing somewhere where anyone and jump into the fold without having to read back through 30 pages on 3 different forums.
Major Areas of Concern
Raid Utility
Utility Defined
Update - Still a very current issue
For the sake of clarity the term "utility" in this thread refers to an ability that has a posative effect on the raid and will be used in most or all fights. For instance Cone of Cold I would not consider to be raid utility but Shattering Throw would be. Something that would make a monk be considered for a raid for reasons more than just their primary role (in this case dps).
I have compiled a list of all DPS raid utility. Only spells that are usable in all specs or specifically DPS specs are on the list as this is a thread about where Windwalkers are and not Brewmaster and Mistweaver.
Druid
Innervate
Rebirth
Stampeding Roar
Tranquility
Symbiosis
Cenarion Ward
Nature's Vigil
Death Knight
Raise Ally
Unholy Frenzy
Anti-Magic Zone
Gorefiend's Grasp
Hunter
Misdirection
Aspect of the Pack
Ice Trap
Entrapment
Mage
Time Warp
Ring of Frost
Paladin
Devotion Aura
Hand of Sacrifice
Hand of Protection
Hand of Freedom
Lay on Hands
Sacred Shield
Hand of Purity
Clemency
Priest
Hymn of Hope
Leap of Faith
Void Shift
Angelic Feather
Rogue
Tricks of the Trade
Poisons
Smoke Bomb
Shaman
Stormlash Totem
Heroism
Healing Tide Totem
Warlock
Create Healthstone
Soulstone
Demonic Gateway
Warrior
Rallying Cry
Intervene
Shattering Throw
Demoralizing Banner
Skull Banner
Mass Spell Reflection
Safeguard
Vigilance
Monk
Zen Meditation
Tiger's Lust
So, it's pretty clear that from all the dps classes Windwalker really do have underwhelming utility. Compared to other classes, with the possible exception of rogues and mages, Windwalkers have arguably the weakest raid utility of all classes. Zen Meditation went from a very strong CD to a very limited one, one which in most cases will be used as a personal CD which actually crosses over into one of Windwalkers strengths, survivability.
Discussions on what Windwalker monk would need to make them comparable to other classes would be appreciated.
Option 1
Bring back Invoke Chi-Ji, the Red Crane or a remodeled version of this.
Addition of alternative idea from other thread
Option 2
Redesign Zen Meditation to something useful. Not asking for the original version back, because that was crazy strong, but something useful.
Option 3
Lack of Cleave/AoE
Update - Whilst we do lack cleave, our AoE has proven to be pretty strong, conclusion: concerns in this area were probably unwarrented
So currently we have Xuen as one of our cleaves once very 3 mintues, which is far from viable for normal cleave type fights. Secondly we have FoF which spread it's damage across all targets therefor not a classical cleave and also not very effective.
So what are the options to change this?
Option 1
Bring back Tigereye Brandy
Tigereye Brandy (LVL 64)
1 Chi, Instant, 90 second cooldown
Requires Tiger Stance
Causes your Tiger Palm and Blackout Kick to also hit 3 additional nearby enemies within 5 yards when they deal damage for 20 seconds.
Option 2
A viable AoE/cleave Chi dump. Since our level 30 talents have been heavily nerfed damage wise, we really don't have a great option for dumping chi
Single Target DPS
25/08/2012
Update - Whilst we do lack any real burst our single target damage is very competative right now, with the fix to FoF scaling and new Ascension allowing gearing towards crit, our scaling with gear seems to be in a better place too, conclusion: Single target dps is not a problem for monks atm
I am currently in contact some of the top guilds to get feedback on Windwalkers. One thing that is coming up atm is that WW single target dps seems to be very competitive (top melee single target dps). This is anecdotal and has not been backed up with logs as of yet but as this thread is not really focusing on single target dps it will do for now, I will continue to update this as and when more feedback comes in.
Viable Interupt
Update - Blizzard have recognised the issue and reduced the cost, problem solved
A quick comparison with other melee interrupts reveals one that stands out significantly by means of cost:
Mind Freeze -No cost
Pummel - No cost
Skull Bash - 15 Energy or 10 Rage
Kick - 15 energy
Rebuke - 11.7% of base mana
Wind Shear - 9.4% of base mana
Spear Hand Strike - 30 Energy
As you can see the monk interrupt is twice as expensive as the next closest melee interrupt.
*added suggestions for Raid Utility
*added suggestions for Cleave
*added Viable Interrupt section
*added Utility Definition
*added updates for current build 5.1
*added some interesting ideas from other threads