Long time Destruction Warlock here. Been handling my own in Mythic since week 1, pre buffs and all. I've done quite well with the underperforming spec and know it in and out.
I'm concerned about this wreak havoc change and I'm concerned about the reduction of passive shard generation in favor of 'bits'. I'm not that excited about the new "Embers" based on this announcement and I dread the incoming Wreak Havoc.
1.
Shard Generation: Are you going to be able guarantee that the loss of shards overall due to this shift to embers is not going to result in a net loss because of the damage buff? Embers are fine (I'm indifferent on them as I believe shard generation is absolutely fine as is) but if we end up losing damage because of this shift, then it is a bad change. We are already behind in damage done. We cannot afford to lose because of this change.
2.
Wreak Havoc Cooldown: Please reconsider the cooldown of Wreak Havoc. I think most Destruction Warlocks would agree that a lower cooldown paired with a slightly lower duration would be better. Our niche isn't just two target cleave (there are typically very few fights with constant 2 target), it's on demand two target cleave. With this new WH, if there is a situation where more than two adds spawn every 20 seconds that need to be cleaved down.. our output on them is hurt considerably. A 40% damage buff to CB does not change that and I believe that would effectively put us out of our niche which was finally starting to see some love again with NH in Elisande and Gul'Dan progression.
3.
Lvl 60 Talent Row: What happens to Cata/SH/FnB tier? Cata becomes effectively useless if FnB generates that many bits, plus its original luster came from its pairing with SH. Now that they've been in the same tree, that's gone. No one will take it; there's no reason to. Does it get buffed? Moved to baseline? Or does FnB become a baseline toggle again?
4.
Conflag only 6 bits??: this is a BIG change. We've gone three full raids with conflag consistently generating a shard.. now it only generates 60% of one? This is going to feel really awkward for a long time.
I know people will be happy for nostalgias sake (even though I believe what people really liked about MoP Destruction was it's OP damage.. not it's resource being time to 'bits') but I have concerns moving forward for progression raiding/challenging PvE content if these are the only changes to Destro.
the tl;dr is that this change
as is it doesn't really fix anything that's been holding us back, could potentially be a net loss in damage done if the CB buff doesn't offset the passive generation nerfs, and our niche of on demand 2 target is hit hard and in no way does the CB buff (if it is a buff; the damage boost might not off-set the shards lost) make us a lucrative single target spec. Another frustrating concept is that a reduction in passive generation means we're going to be hurt by movement as we won't be generating bits.
These changes alone aren't going to do much for us in the grand scheme of things. It may even be an overall nerf. To supplement these changes, I hope to see:
[ul]-some changes to Tier 1 (BD is always the clear winner; please do not take this as 'nerf BD.' RB is too frustrating to manage and the Shadowburn change killed it)
-better Dimensional Rift recharge rates, as well as faster damage output from the rifts to allow them to be used on faster-dying priority targets ESPECIALLY if we're receiving a WH nerf. this would also offset some of the loss of throughput movement is going to dump on us as when we're moving we won't be able to cast incinerate.. and if we're not casting incinerate, we're not generating bits.
-Stronger Grimoires all around. Service could use a damage boost, GSac
defnitely could use a damage boost, and I don't really know any Destro lock using Grimoire of Sup mostly because of the extremely poor Lord of the Flames synergy
- Compensation for the WH nerf. We need to be able to dish out on demand priority add damage. A WH every 20 seconds doesn't cut it. Perhaps this could be seen in a buff to the legendary bracers and cloak, as both are underwhelming at this point in time and a WH nerf will not help them in any way. Same goes for Cry Havoc.
-Changes to SH and Cataclysm to put them in line with FnB as it will be very strong with the new change to ember bits, or FnB a toggle baseline ability again.[/ul]
To the Warlocks: please don't be short sighted and settle for this solely because they're going back to the
beloved MoP generation; there's a chance we are about to become a mediocre cleave spec and a mediocre single target spec.