Spell Variance Returning in Shadowlands

[chaud]

Spell Variance in Shadowlands

In an upcoming build, most non-periodic abilities on all classes will have a small amount of variance on the damage or healing of each individual use.

This was standard behavior in WoW for many years (and has its roots in familiar mechanics from many RPGs), but recently was lost as a side effect of some under-the-hood mechanical changes. We’re restoring this behavior now to bring back the small bit of texture, and avoid the result where using the same spell repeatedly results in exactly the same 3- or 4-digit number every time.

We’re keeping the amount of variance small (5% currently), so that the impact on total performance, over the course of a combat with many events, is negligible.

[Relapses]

If they're gonna do this they may as well bring back DoT snapshotting.

I, for one, would welcome our new Affliction Warlock overlords.

[taishar68]

This is a very minor change that will not have a major impact to anyone.



So expect a sea of criticism in 1...2...3...

[Saverem]

If they're gonna do this they may as well bring back DoT snapshotting.

I, for one, would welcome our new Affliction Warlock overlords.

No thanks

[Demsi]

I really wish they would bring back weapon scaling on abilites and weapon speed back, made weapons far more interesting rather than the stat sticks they are now

[Laqweeta]

If they're gonna do this they may as well bring back DoT snapshotting.

I, for one, would welcome our new Affliction Warlock overlords.

Yes please! Separate the bads from the goods.

[klogaroth]

Like...fine, but why? Is this a thing for people who fill their screen with yellow numbers instead of watching the game?

[LordVargK]

If they're gonna do this they may as well bring back DoT snapshotting.

I, for one, would welcome our new Affliction Warlock overlords.

Yes please! Would make DoT based classes interesting again.

[Mivoc]

If they're gonna do this they may as well bring back DoT snapshotting.

I, for one, would welcome our new Affliction Warlock overlords.

Uhm, hasnt Affliction rained supreme the last couple expacs even without DoT snapshotting?

[Cosmic Janitor]

I frankly never noticed. Our characters are riddled with random procs, buffs and debuffs that I don't think Ive hit for the same number twice in a row in the last couple of years.

[Omedon]

I love this, I love how much Blizz are doing to poke at the idea of "solving" the game and showing how silly it is. Calm down, play with friends, or solo. All three options are supported.

[Makabreska]

I frankly never noticed. Our characters are riddled with random procs, buffs and debuffs that I don't think Ive hit for the same number twice in a row in the last couple of years.

Still have SoO PTSD from afflocks dominance.

[Cosmic Janitor]

Still have SoO PTSD from afflocks dominance.

Not sure why you quoted me .

[Autoriot]

Doesn't matter much, so odd that they would go back and make this change that seemingly nobody was asking for.

If they make the variance too much, it brings too much RNG into the equation (Hello Infinite Stars) and people dislike it and if it is too little variance, it doesn't do anything.

[Aeluron Lightsong]

I really wish they would bring back weapon scaling on abilites and weapon speed back, made weapons far more interesting rather than the stat sticks they are now

Weapon speed doesn't need to be a thing, it wasn't really that important.

[Thetruth1400]

Perfectly acceptable if they can get the balance right, but it's going to feel bad doing exactly the same thing as someone identical to you in every aspect but pulling out less DPS all because you got a string of bad RNG.

[Cosmic Janitor]

I love this, I love how much Blizz are doing to poke at the idea of "solving" the game and showing how silly it is. Calm down, play with friends, or solo. All three options are supported.

This does nothing of the sort. It's like auto attacking, it averages out to the point that even a min-maxer won't care. All that happens is that they need to determin a (statistical) median value that they need to use instead in their calculations, instead just directly loading the database value.

If I had to classify this change then I would call it pointless window dressing, so that they put another thing onto the "look how RPG we are" list.

[Sithalos]

Don't really see the point of this, but whatever. It doesn't affect anything.

[Demeisen]

Some of the takes on this thread are bizarre. 5% variance on a per-ability doesn't, in any way, make it easier or harder to "solve" the game. It has no impact on any meaningful content in terms of RNG. It's essentially a purely cosmetic change.

Not everything has to be about the current hot topic.

[xblubbx]

I don't like this. There is enough RNG already about random proccs lining or not lining up with your cooldowns.