World of Warcraft News and Raiding Strategies

Classes

• Paladin
  
  • Templar
    
    • An issue causing Divine Hammer and Shield of the Rightheous to not cast Empyrean Hammer has been resolved.
• Shaman
  
  • Enhancement
    
    • An issue causing Static Accumulation to not grant Maelstrom Weapon charges has been resolved.
  • Restoration
    
    • Resolved an issue causing Earth Shield to be removed from allies after entering or exiting an instance with Therazane's Resilience talented.
    • Resolved an issue causing Water Shield to have 9 stacks while talented for Therazane's Resilience.

Items

• Fixed an issue where Cauterizing Bolts from the D.I.S.C. belt was not hitting players outside your party.
• Fixed an issue where some delve equipment was not requiring player level 80 to be equipped.

Lorewalking

• Players that are in both a Timewalking Campaign and Lorewalking should be able to complete their Lorewalking experiences as expected.

Quests

• Exile’s Reach
  
  • Fixed an issue where players who were wearing Heirloom gear could not complete “Repair Yourself”.

After some testing, we decided there were additional areas we wanted to look at for classes and specs.

As always, a reminder that these:

• Are subject to change.
• The changes only affect PvE and have zero impact on Arenas and Battlegrounds.
• The changes under each spec’s name are only active for that spec even if the ability is available to multiple specs.

Death Knight

• Frost
  
  • Soul Reaper now scales with your Mastery. [New]
  • Obliterate now scales with your Mastery. [New]

Hunter

• Marksmanship
  
  • Steady Shot damage increased by 10%. [New]
  • Aimed Shot damage increased by 10%. [New]
  • Barrage damage increased by 15%. [New]
  • Chimera Shot damage increased by 15%. [New]

Mage

• Arcane
  
  • Arcane Barrage damage increased by 19%. [5.2 Revert]
  • Arcane Blast damage increased by 29%. [5.2 Revert]
  • Arcane Blast mana cost lowered by 10% to 1.5% of base mana (was 1.666%). [5.2 Revert]
• Fire
  
  • Pyroblast damage increased by 12%. [5.2 Revert]
  • Critical Mass’s increase to Critical Strike increased to 1.5x (was 1.3x). [5.1 Revert]

Monk

• Brewmaster
  
  • Blackout Kick damage increased by 25%. [New]

Paladin

• Holy
  
  • Holy Insight now increases your chance to hit with Crusader Strike by 7.5%. [New]
  • Casting Crusader Strike throughout an encounter causes the Holy Paladin to be considered a Melee character when it comes to targeting for boss mechanics. If the Paladin does not cast Crusader Strike or doesn’t cast Crusader Strike for an extended period of time, the Paladin goes back to being considered a Ranged character for boss mechanics. [New]

Arena

With the reintroduction to titles in 2s and 5s, we have made some adjustments to how Dampening works compared to the Original Mists of Pandaria.

• Dampening starts at 10% and increases by 6% per minute. (Note that this stacks with the ever present 30% healing reduction from Battle Fatigue).
• Dampening in 2s, 3s, and 5s now starts at 3 minutes.
• Dampening in 2s when there is a healer on both teams now starts immediately after the gates open.
• Maximum game time is now 15 minutes (was 20 minutes).

The Durable Information Storage Container belt effects will have the following adjustments with weekly restarts on June 24:

• Critical Chain – Increased by 25%.
• Static Charge – Increased by 50%.
• Charged Crystal – Decreased by 24%.
• Charged Bolt – Decreased by 62%.
  
  • Developers’ notes: A couple of bug fixes alongside tuning changes caused the power of the Charged Bolt effect to go far beyond the other choices and so we are bringing it more in line with the other choices in the upcoming weekly restarts. This will remain top for specs that favor damage procs, but may adjust desired choices for other specs. We are also buffing Static Charge a bit after the ICD change has put it well behind.

Take part in a time of merriment and celebration dedicated to the hottest season of the year. The Midsummer Fire Festival brings with it a variety of activities and rewards to light up Azeroth’s summer.

When: June 21–July 5
Where: Major Horde, Alliance, and Neutral Cities
Currency: Burning Blossom

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New in 2025: The Midsummer Fire Festival comes to Khaz Algar!

• New faction achievements to gain from honoring the flames in the four major zones—Azj-Kahet, Hallowfall, Isle of Dorn, and The Ringing Deeps:
  
  • Flame Keeper of Khaz Algar (Horde)
  • Flame Warden of Khaz Algar (Alliance)
• New Items Available from the Holiday Vendor:
  
  • Grand Helm of the Fire Festival Transmog (Head)
  • Grand Mantle of the Fire Festival Transmog (Shoulders)
  • Grand Belt of the Fire Festival Transmog (Waist)
• New Cosmetic Drops from Frost Lord Ahune:
  
  • Crown of the Frost Lord (Head)
  • Glazfuris, Scythe of the Deep Chill (Two-Hand Polearm)
  • Rethfuras, Scorched Scythe of Cinders (Two-hand Polearm)
  • Glazfuris, Spire of the Deep Chill (Two-Hand Staff)
  • Rethfuras, Scorched Stave of Cinders (Two-Hand Staff)

Holiday Event Boss

Use the Group Finder (I) to participate in an encounter against Ahune, granting a Satchel of Chilled Goods (which contains holiday loot) as a daily reward. This is available to characters level 10 and above.

Daily Quests

Complete special daily quests to obtain experience, gold, and Burning Blossoms to purchase holiday items. For detailed information about the quests, check out the Midsummer Fire Festival guide on Wowhead.

Extinguishing Bonfires Achievements

• Extinguishing Kalimdor
  Horde: Desecrate the Alliance's bonfires in Kalimdor: Ashenvale, Azuremyst Isle, Bloodmyst Isle, Darkshore, Desolace, Dustwallow Marsh, Feralas, Silithus, Southern Barrens, Stonetalon Mountains, Tanaris, Teldrassil, Un'Goro Crater, Winterspring
  Alliance: Desecrate the Horde's bonfires in Kalimdor: Ashenvale, Azshara, Desloace, Durotar, Dustwallow Marsh, Feralas, Mulgore, Northern Barrens, Silithus, Southern Barrens, Stonetalon Mountains, Tanaris, Un'Goro Crater, Winterspring.
• Extinguishing Eastern Kingdoms
  Horde: Desecrate the Alliance's bonfires in Eastern Kingdoms: Arathi Highlands, Badlands, Blasted Lands, Burning Steppes, Dun Morogh, Duskwood, Elwynn Forest, Loch Modan, Northern Stranglethorn, Redridge Mountains, Swamp of Sorrows, The Cape of Stranglethorn, The Hinterlands, Western Plaguelands, Westfall, Wetlands.
  Alliance: Desecrate the Horde's bonfires in Eastern Kingdoms: Arathi Highlands, Badlands, Blasted Lands, Burning Steppes, Eversong Woods, Ghostlands, Hillsbrad Foothills, Northern Stranglethorn, Silverpine Forest, Swamp of Sorrows, The Cape of Stranglethorn, The Hinterlands, Tirisfal Glades, Western Plaguelands.
• Extinguishing Outland
  Horde: Desecrate the Alliance's bonfires in Outland: Blade's Edge Mountains, Hellfire Peninsula, Nagrand, Netherstorm, Shadowmoon Valley, Terokkar Forest, Zangarmarsh.
  Alliance: Desecrate the Horde's bonfires in Outland: Blade's Edge Mountains, Hellfire, Peninsula, Nagrand, Netherstorm, Shadowmoon Valley, Terokkar Forest, Zangarmarsh.
• Extinguishing Northrend
  Horde: Desecrate the Alliance's bonfires in Northrend: Dragonblight, Borean Tundra, Howling Fjord, Sholazar Basin, Storm Peaks, Zul'Drak, Grizzly Hills, Crystalsong Forest.
  Alliance: Desecrate the Horde's bonfires Northrend: Borean Tundra, Storm Peaks, Zul'Drak, Grizzly Hills, Howling Fjord, Crystalsong Forest, Sholazar Basin, Dragonblight.
• Extinguishing the Cataclysm: Desecrate the Horde's/Alliance's bonfires in zones opened by the cataclysm:
  Twilight Highlands, Uldum
• Extinguishing Pandaria: Desecrate the Horde's/Alliance's bonfire in Vale of Eternal Blossoms.
• Extinguishing Draenor: Desecrate the Horde's bonfire in Frostfire Ridge or the Alliance's bonfire in Shadowmoon Valley.
• Extinguishing the Broken Isles: Desecrate the Horde's/Alliances bonfire in Suramar.
• Extinguishing Kul Tiras
  Horde: Desecrate the Alliance's bonfires in Kul Tiras: Tiragarde Sound, Stormsong Valley, Drustvar.
• Extinguish Zandalar:
  Alliance: Desecrate the Horde's bonfires in Zandalar: Zuldazar, Nazmir, Vol'dun
• Extinguish the Dragon Isles: Desecrate the bonfires in The Waking Shores, The Azure Span, The Forbidden Reach, Ohn’ahran Plains, Thaldraszus, Zaralek Cavern.
• Extinguishing Khaz Algar: Desecrate the bonfires inAzj-Kahet, Hallowfall, Isle of Dorn, and The Ringing Deeps

Desecration of the Alliance/Desecration of the Horde: Completing the achievements Extinguishing the Cataclysm, Extinguishing Eastern Kingdoms, Extinguishing Kalimdor, Extinguishing Northrend, and Extinguishing Outland will reward the meta-achievement Desecration of the Alliance or Desecration of the Horde. Required for the Flame Keeper/Flame Warden meta-achievement (see below).

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Honoring the Flame Achievements

• Flame Keeper/Warden of Eastern Kingdoms: Honor the flames of Eastern Kingdoms
  Horde: Arathi Highlands, Badlands, Blasted Lands, Burning Steppes, Eversong Woods, Ghostlands, Hillsbrad Foothills, Northern Stranglethron, Silverpine Forest, Swamp of Sorrows, The Cape of Stranglethorn, the Hinterlands, Tirisfal Glades, Western Plaguelands
  Alliance: Arathi Highlands, Badlands, Blasted Lands, Burning Steppes, Dun Morogh, Duskwood, Elwynn Forest, Loch Modan, Northern Stranglethorn, Redridge Mountains, Swamp of Sorrows, The Cape of Stranglethorn, The Hinterlands, Western Plaguelands, Westfall, Wetlands
• Flame Keeper/Warden of Kalimdor: Honor the flames of Kalimdor
  Horde: Ashenvale, Azshara, Desolace, Durotar, Dustwallow Marsh, Feralas, Mulgore, Northern Barrens, Silithus, Southern Barrens, Stonetalon Mountains, Tanaris, Un'Goro Crater, Winterspring
  Alliance: Ashenvale, Azuremyst Isle, Bloodmyst Isle, Darkshore, Desolace, Dustwallow Marsh, Feralas, Silithus, Southern Barrens, Stonetalon Mountains, Tanaris, Teldrassil, Un'Goro Crater, Winterspring
• Flame Keeper/Warden of Outland: Honor the flames of Outland.
  Horde: Blade's Edge Mountains, Hellfire Penninsula, Nagrand, Netherstorm, Shadowmoon Valley, Terokkar Forest, Zangarmarsh
  Alliance: Blade's Edge Mountains, Hellfire Penninsula, Nagrand, Netherstorm, Shadowmoon Valley, Terokkar Forest, Zangarmarsh
• Flame Keeper/Warden of Northrend: Honor the flames of Northrend.
  Horde: Dragonblight, Borean Tundra, Howling Fjord, Sholazar Basin, Storm Peaks, Zul'Drak, Grizzly Hills, Crystalsong Forest
  Alliance: Dragonblight, Crystalsong Forest, Howling Fjord, Sholazar Basin, Storm Peaks, Zul'Drak, Grizzly Hills, Borean Tundra
• Flame Keeper/Warden of Cataclysm: Honor the flames of zones opened by the cataclysm.
  Horde: Vashj'ir, Twilight Highlands, Hyjal, Deepholm, Uldum
  Alliance: Uldum, Deepholm, Twilight Highlands, Vashj'ir, Hyjal
• Flame Keeper/Warden of Pandaria: Honor the flames of Pandaria.
  Horde: Dread Wastes, Jade Forest, Krasarang Wilds, Kun-Lai Summit, Townlong Steppes, Vale of Eternal Blossoms, Valley fo the Four Winds
  Alliance: Dread Wastes, Jade Forest, Krasarang Wilds, Kun-Lai Summit, Townlong Steppes, Vale of Eternal Blossoms, Valley of the Four Winds
• Flame Keeper of Draenor: Honor the flames of Draenor.
  Horde: Spires of Arak, Talador, Nagrand, Gorgrond, Frostfire Ridge
  Alliance: Spires of Arak, Talador, Nagrand, Gorgrond, Shadowmoon Valley
• Flame Keeper of the Broken Isles: Honor the flames of the Broken Isles.
  Horde: Azsuna, Val'sharah, Highmountain, Stormheim, Suramar
  Alliance: Azsuna, Val'sharah, Highmountain, Stormheim, Suramar
• Flame Keeper Zandalar: Honor the flames of Zandalar
  Horde: Zuldazar, Nazmir, Vol'dun
• Flame Warden of Kul Tiras: Honor the flames of Kul Tiras.
  Alliance: Tiragarde Sound, Stormsong Valley, Drustvar

The Fires of Azeroth: Completing the achievements Flame Keeper of Cataclysm, Flame Keeper of Eastern Kingdoms, Flame Keeper of Kalimdor, Flame Keeper of Northrend, and Flame Keeper of Outland will reward the meta-achievement The Fires of Azeroth. Required for the Flame Keeper/Flame Warden meta-achievement (see below).

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Additional Midsummer Fire Festival Achievements

• Torch Juggler: Juggle 40 torches in 15 seconds in Dalaran.
• Ice the Frost Lord: Slay Ahune in the Slave Pens.
• King of the Fire Festival: Complete the quest, "A Thief's Reward", by stealing the flames from your enemy's capital cities.
• Burning Hot Pole Dance: Dance at the ribbon pole for 60 seconds while wearing the completed Midsummer set.
• The Fires of Azeroth*

*The achievements The Fires of Azeroth, Desecration of the Alliance/Horde, Burning Hot Pole Dance, Ice the Frost Lord, King of the Fire Festival, and Torch Juggler are required to earn the meta-achievement The Flame Keeper (Horde) or The Flame Warden (Alliance), which grants the title rewards: Flame Keeper (Horde) or Flame Warden (Alliance).

Pets

• Igneous Flameling: Who’s ready for a hot stone massage?
• Frigid Frostling: While not nearly as destructive as its original master, the Ice Lord Ahune, the frostling has been known to lob chilly snowballs at unsuspecting adventurers.
• Spirit of Summer: This little piece of summer smells of warm evenings and lightning storms. If you look closely, you might be able to make out a face.
• Blazing Cindercrawler: Tiny, incinerated corpses of various insects line its cage.

Summer Wear and Fun

• Summer Wear: Mantle of the Fire Festival, Vestments of Summer, Sandals of Summer, Helm of the Fire Festival, Tabard of Summer Skies, Tabard of Summer Flames
• Heirlooms: Ancient Heirloom Armor Casing, Timeworn Heirloom Armor Casing, Weathered Heirloom Armor Casing
• Toys: Fire Eater's Hearthstone, Cozy Bonfire, Brazier of Dancing Flames, Set of Matches, Burning Defender’s Medallion, Summer Cranial Skillet, Flamin’ Ring of Flashiness
• Other: Juggling Torch x5, Fiery Festival Brew, Handful of Summer Petals, Bag of Smorc Ingredients x5, Elderberry Pie x5, Fire-Toasted Bun x5, Midsummer Sausage x5, Toasted Smorc x5

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WoW Classic

When: June 21–July 5
Where: Major Horde, Alliance, and Neutral Citites

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Midsummer Fire Festival

Across Azeroth and beyond, brilliant bonfires have been lit to rekindle people’s spirits and ward off ancient evils. Each year, new guardians are chosen to watch over the sacred flames and ensure that they are never extinguished.



Called "Flame Keepers" or "Flame Wardens," these chosen few request the aid of brave adventurers to traverse the land and journey into the dark recesses of Azeroth's dungeons. It is rumored that any heroes who are willing to brave the terrors placed before them will be rewarded for their efforts through the power of the flames.

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Activities


The festivities have begun as the citizens of Azeroth celebrate the hottest of seasons by playing with fire all across their worlds! Stop by a capital city to begin the event’s main quests. While in each of the capital cities, be on the lookout for enemy players; stealing the flames from capital city bonfires. Through your participation in festival quests, you'll collect Burning Blossoms, a special holiday currency you’ll spend to purchase various items and pets available from Midsummer suppliers and merchants.

• Burning Blossoms–By Fire Be Blessed: Complete quests to earn Burning Blossoms then throw them into the bonfires to receive the buff, "Fire Festival of Fury" which increases melee/spell critical chance by 3% for 1 hour.
• Holiday Boss: The Frost Lord Ahune: Use the Group Finder (I) to participate in an encounter against Ahune, the Frost Lord. Once Ahune is defeated, you'll be able to loot a Satchel of Chilled Goods (which contains Justice Points, Burning Blossoms, and a chance of gaining the Frostscythe of Lord Ahune). This is a daily reward available to characters level 84 and above.
• Dance Around the Ribbon Pole: At every festival camp, one of these traditional decorations stands tall beside the bonfire. Take up one of the multi-colored ribbons and dance around the pole with your friends and fellow celebrants for a 10% experience buff!
• Stealing The Flames: Members of the Horde and Alliance can visit the bonfires of the opposing faction and steal them, depriving their enemies of the blessings of the fire spirits! Take care, because each side will defend its own flames.
• Fire Juggling: Speak with the Master Fire Juggler near your capital's bonfire in order to juggle flaming torches in this daily quest!
• Fire in the Sky: The lengthy Midsummer Fire Festival traditionally ends with the sky itself being set alight on the last night of the festival. You won't want to miss it!

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Warning: Play with fire at your own risk. Playing with fire could get you burned. Fire is hot. Love is a burning fire. Please don't fall into the ring of fire. In case of fire, stop, collaborate, and listen . . . then drop and roll. Please enjoy the Midsummer Fire Festival responsibly.