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by Published on 2023-06-05 06:05 PM

This Week in WoW - June 5, 2023
Originally Posted by Blizzard (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)
Each week we’ll look ahead to what’s in store for World of Warcraft, share the latest news, and keep you in the know byte by byte. Raid Finder Wing 3 opens in Aberrus, the Shadowed Crucible, this week, allowing players to face Magmorax and the Echo of Neltharion.



WoW Esports Sign-Ups Open for North America and Europe


Sign-ups for the Arena World Championship & The Great Push for Dragonflight Season 2 are now open! Eligible participating players will be invited to Tournament Realms and can earn the in-game toy “Smoldering Banner of the Aspects.”

Don’t delay, sign up on GameBattles before it’s too late. Sign-ups for the first AWC Cup of the Season close on June 9, and sign-ups for TGP Season 2 close on June 30. Learn more about these events from our previously published article.



News and Events This Week

  • June 5
    • (Article) Battle.net Authenticator Update
  • June 6
    • (Event) Thousand Boat Bash Micro-Holiday
    • (Event) Dragonflight Dungeon Event
    • (Event) Pet Battle Bonus Event
    • (Event) PvP Brawl: Gravity Lapse
    • (Event) Aberrus, the Shadowed Crucible Raid Finder Wing 3 Opens
  • June 9
    • (Article) Blues News
    • (Reminder) Last Day for AWC Cup sign-ups.



Stay tuned here to the official World of Warcraft news site as we journey through the week together.
by Published on 2023-06-03 09:24 AM

Upcoming Class Tuning on June 6
Originally Posted by Blizzard (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)
As we continue to monitor class performance in instanced group content as well as PvP, we regularly adjust classes that are over- or under-performing. Based on recent data, observations, and feedback from players, we intend to make the following adjustments during scheduled weekly maintenance (on June 6 in this region).

Classes

Death Knight
  • Blood
    • All damage abilities increased by 8%.

Druid
  • Feral
  • Developers’ notes: The following set bonus changes will increase the average number of stacks of the (2) Set Bonus and cause the (4) Set Bonus to trigger less often, but provide more Agility when it does.
    • Aberrus (2) Set Bonus: Chance for Shadows of the Predator stacks to reset reduced by 15%.
    • Aberrus (4) Set Bonus: Now increases Agility by 8% (was 5%).

Evoker
  • Preservation
  • Developers’ notes: We would like there to be more of a reward to using Disintegrate over Living Flame as a Preservation Evoker, since it has a high Essence cost.
    • Disintegrate damage has been increased by 15% for Preservation Evoker.

Hunter
  • Beast Mastery
    • All damage dealt by you and your pet’s abilities increased by 5%.

Mage
  • Fire
    • Pyroblast damage increased by 5%. This does not apply to PvP combat.
    • Fire Blast damage increased by 10%. This does not apply to PvP combat.
    • Fireball damage increased by 10%. This does not apply to PvP combat.
    • Phoenix Flames damage increased by 10%. This does not apply to PvP combat.
    • Scorch damage increased by 10%.

Monk
  • Brewmaster
    • All ability damage increased by 3%.
    • Rising Sun Kick damage increased by 10%.
    • Blackout Kick damage increased by 30%.
    • Tiger Palm damage increased by 30%.
  • Mistweaver
    • All healing abilities increased by 3%. This does not apply to PvP Combat.

Rogue
  • Assassination
    • All ability damage increased by 5%.

Warlock
  • Developers’ notes: The high frequency of Amplify Curse has been problematic in PvP combat, so its cooldown has been increased. These changes are also noted in the PvP section below.
    • The cooldown of Amplify Curse is now 60 seconds (was 30 seconds).
    • Teachings of the Satyr now reduces the cooldown of Amplify Curse by 15 seconds (was 10 seconds).

Warrior
  • Arms
  • Developers’ notes: Arms Warriors are not performing as well as we would like in single target or low-target-count situations.
    • All ability damage increased by 4%.
    • Fatality Fatal Mark damage increased by 15%.
    • Deep Wounds periodic damage increased by 5%.
    • Rend periodic damage increased by 5%.
  • Protection
  • Developers’ notes: Protection Warriors are not currently performing as competitively as we would like compared to most other tanks in terms of damage and survivability.
    • All damaging abilities increased by 8%.
    • Auto-attack damage increased by 10%.
    • Spell Block’s duration increased to 30 seconds (was 20 seconds).
    • Thunderlord now causes each enemy hit by Thunder Clap to reduce the remaining cooldown of Demoralizing Shout by 1.5 seconds, up to 4.5 seconds (was 1.0 seconds, up to 3.0 seconds).

Player versus Player

Druid
  • Balance
  • Developers’ notes: Balance Druids have been overperforming due to their ability to generate so much Astral Power and deal high damage by applying dots and casting Starfall repeatedly. We’d like to reduce the effectiveness of that playstyle since it’s difficult for opponents to stop. Goldrinn’s Fang also became much more effective in Embers of Neltharion, and includes some randomness and ability to score kills unexpectedly. Finally, Owlkin Adept has been a locked-in talent for a while now and has been propping up their control a bit more than we’re comfortable with.
    • Moonfire and Sunfire generate 4 Astral Power when cast in PvP combat (was 6).
    • Stellar Innervation increases Astral Power generation of Moonfire and Sunfire by 50% in PvP combat (was 100%).
    • Star Burst grants 8 Astral Power (was 15).
    • Owlkin Adept reduces the cast time of Cyclone and Entanglng Roots by 20% (was 30%).
    • Goldrinn’s Fang damage is reduced by 50% in PvP combat.
    • Wrath and Starfire deal 60% increased damage in PvP combat (was 50%).

Hunter
  • Marksmanship
  • Developers’ notes: Marksmanship Hunters have been underperforming in different forms of PvP content.
    • Aimed Shot damage increased by 25% in PvP combat (was 15%).
    • Rapid Fire damage increased by 25% in PvP combat (was 15%).
    • Arcane Shot damage increased by 25% in PvP combat (was 16%).

Priest
  • Discipline
  • Developers’ notes: Discipline has been more reliant on shields this season than we’d like. We’re increasing Atonement healing while bringing down the power of shields, with the goal of the preferred playstyle being an offensive one. We’re also targeting the mana reduction from Inner Light, as Discipline has been more mana efficient than we’d like.
    • Power Word: Shield now absorbs 15% less damage in PvP combat.
    • Inner Light now reduces the mana cost of the affected spells by 10% (was 15%).
    • Atonement healing is now 50% more effective in PvP combat (was 40%).

Mage
  • Fire
  • Developers’ notes: Glass Cannon is intended to have high risk and high reward with its gameplay, and we feel the risk is too low for the benefit it provides, especially when paired with Flamecannon.
    • Glass Cannon now decreases maximum health by 20% (was 15%)
    • Flamecannon now increases maximum health by 2% per stack (was 3%).

Monk
  • Mistweaver
  • Developers’ notes: Mistweavers have been overperforming compared to other healers, especially due to their mana efficiency.
    • Soulfang Infusion now regenerates 75% less Mana in PvP combat (was 50%).
    • Zen Spheres now cost 0.5% base Mana.
    • Enveloping Mist now heals for 5% more in PvP combat (was 20%).
    • Mistweaver Monks now regenerate 15% less Mana in PvP combat (was 10%).
  • Windwalker
  • Developers’ notes: Whirling Dragon Punch has felt underwhelming and we’d like it to feel impactful to use without being a major portion of a Windwalker’s damage profile.
    • Whirling Dragon Punch damage increased by 80% in PvP combat.

Shaman
  • Enhancement
  • Developers’ notes: There are a few talents that are leading to fast kills that can feel unfair when facing an Enhancement Shaman. We’re aiming to bring down the burst potential from cooldowns and increase sustained DPS.
    • Forceful Winds is now 75% effective in PvP Combat.
    • The damage increase to Lava Lash from Ashen Catalyst is now 33% effective in PvP combat.
    • Lava Lash now deals 35% increased damage in PvP combat (was 15%).
    • The Physical damage increase from Feral Spirit is now 33% effective in PvP combat.
    • The Fire, Frost, and Lightning damage increase from Elemental Spirits is now 50% effective in PvP combat.
    • Stormstrike now deals 75% increased damage in PvP combat (was 50%).
    • Windstrike now deals 75% increased damage in PvP combat (was 50%).
  • Restoration
  • Developers’ notes: We feel Restoration Shaman is in a good spot. Rain Dance wasn’t as valuable as we were anticipating, so we’re aiming to increase its viability.
    • Rain Dance now increases the healing done by Healing Rain by 30% (was 20%).
    • Rain Dance now reduces the mana cost of Healing Rain by 45% (was 30%).

Rogue
  • Subtlety
  • Developers’ notes: Burst damage from Subtlety has been higher than we’d like this season. We’re looking to keep the spec in a strong position while toning down their burst potential in short windows.
    • Secret Technique damage is now reduced by 33% in PvP combat (was 25%).
    • Shadowstrike and Backstab damage from Weaponmaster is now 50% effective in PvP combat.
    • Flagellation’s Mastery bonus is now 80% effective in PvP combat.
    • Dark Shadow is now 67% effective in PvP combat (was 80%).

Warlock
  • Developers’ notes: Inquisitor’s Gaze has been dealing a sizeable portion of Warlock damage this season, and we’d like damage to come primarily from active spells.
    • Fel Barrage from Inquisitor’s Gaze now deals 40% reduced damage in PvP combat.
    • Developers’ note: The high frequency of Amplify Curse has been problematic in PvP combat.
    • The cooldown of Amplify Curse is now 60 seconds (was 30 seconds).
    • Teachings of the Satyr now reduces the cooldown of Amplify Curse by 15 seconds (was 10 seconds).
  • Affliction
  • Developers’ notes: We are increasing the damage of Unstable Affliction’s backlash effect to lessen the value of dispelling Affliction’s damage over time effects. It’s been lower than we’d like, in addition to healers gaining extra health this season. Additionally, we’re increasing Shadow Bolt damage as the reward for casting it is lower than we’d like.
    • Unstable Affliction backlash damage increased by 50%.
    • Shadow Bolt damage increased by 30% in PvP combat.
  • Destruction
  • Developers’ notes: Destruction’s sustained DPS has been high and we feel this is mainly due to Shadowburn’s high multiplier. We would like for instant casts to be strong but not be the primary way to land kills.
    • Conflagration damage is now reduced by 15% in PvP combat (was 9%).
    • Shadowburn damage is now increased by 15% in PvP combat (was 45%).
  • Demonology
  • Developers’ notes: Demonology’s healing reduction effect from their Felguard was one of the best healing reductions in the game, which didn’t feel appropriate given the class identity, how easy it is to apply, and how it can be applied to multiple targets at a time. Along with Affliction, we’re also increasing the damage of Shadow Bolt in PvP, as the reward for casting it is low.
    • Legion Strike reduces healing taken by 20% in PvP (was 25%).
    • Shadow Bolt damage increased by 30% in PvP combat.
by Published on 2023-06-02 02:43 AM

Building Azeroth - Airlock Tech
Blizzard shared a video about the new tech used to avoid loading screens.



WoW Hotfixes - June 1, 2023
Originally Posted by Blizzard (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)
Items and Rewards
  • Prismatic Bauble's cooldown has been reduced to 60 seconds (was 120 seconds) for one month.
    • Developers’ notes: For one month, the Prismatic Bauble's cooldown has been reduced and can be purchased from Jepetto Joybuzz and his Clockwork Assistant in The Wonderworks in Dalaran, floating above the Broken Isles. The Wonderworks can be found down the steps from the Violet Citadel and across the street from Simply Enchanting. Be warned! This very expensive cosmetic item will only have a reduced cooldown and be available from these sources for a month before returning to its original cooldown and being exclusively sold by Dalaran's legendary and elusive Mad Merchant.

Quests
  • Researchers Under Fire
    • Developers’ notes: Players were being delayed by a lack of Altar Stones which we are addressing. Even with more Altar Stones the timer is still super tight. We think another 30 seconds will allow groups to perfect their runs and be more in line with the Titan version once players become more familiar.
    • Added more spawns of Altar Stones as well as made them spawn quicker.
    • The Sundered Flame Forces are being delayed giving players an extra 30 seconds to complete the Investigation of the Djaradin Ruins.

Wrath of the Lich King Classic
  • Commendation of Bravery is again available from Veteran Arena vendors: Argex Irongut in Gadgetzan, Kezzik the Striker in Area 52, and Nargle Lashcord in Dalaran.

Black Temple Temporarily Unavailable
Originally Posted by Blizzard (Blue Tracker)
In order to address issues impacting the game service, we’ve temporarily closed Black Temple.

We intend to deploy fixes for it and then re-open the instance during scheduled weekly maintenance (on Tuesday, June 6 in this region).

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Diablo 4 - Build Tool and Items
Our friends over at Diablofans have released the first version of their Diablo 4 build tool and item listing.

by Published on 2023-06-01 07:30 PM

Diablo IV Anthem Video Teaser - 'Lilith' Date Reveal
Blizzard has posted a video teaser for the upcoming Diablo IV Anthem "Lilith" on June 5.


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