WoW SoD Phase 4 PTR: Class Changes (July 3, 2024)

• Pyroblast now has no mana cost if cast using a Hot Streak proc.
• Brain Freeze now also makes Balefire Bolt instant and have no mana cost.
• The base damage of Frostfire Bolt has been reduced by 16%

Developer’s Notes: We’ve seen extremely high performance from mages on the PTR and while we are comfortable with mages doing lots of damage, we wanted to tone down Frostfire Bolt slightly while making Hot Streak procs even more satisfying and also giving Balefire Bolt a better interaction with Brain Freeze.

• Malleable Protection now grants 4 Attack Power per excess point of defense when Holy Shield is used instead of Spell Power.

Developer’s Notes: Many paladins have pointed out that they would like to see the additional benefit from defense when using Holy Shield to increase attack power rather than spell power and while we aren’t going in that direction for now, as a compromise, we are allowing Malleable Protection rune to essentially grant the same desired effect in addition to the baseline spell power benefit that Holy Shield grants from defense. This should make this rune more attractive to tanking paladins who it is designed for and still allow paladins using holy shield to gain a chunk of the Spellpower they would lose when not using Sheathe of Light.

• Mutilate’s damage reduced from 100% to 80% weapon damage, and it’s bonus damage decreased by 20%.
• Envenom’ base damage reduced by 20% and Attack Power contribution to
  damage reduced by 20%.

Developer’s Notes: Similar to Mages we are becoming concerned about the overall damage output of rogues in relation to other classes going into Phase 4. Mutilate has dominated the last few phases and while its still likely to slightly edge out other choices such as Saber Slash, this should help tone Rogues ouput down slightly while also helping to bring mutilate more in line with other Rogue options.

• Way of Earth now reduces to the range of Lightning Bolt, Chain Lightning, Lava Burst, Healing Wave, and Chain Heal by 20 yards.

Developer’s Notes: Shaman has become quite opporessive in PvP and the usage of Way of Earth by Restoration and Elemental shamans contributes heavily to this. This change should not lower the overall output potential of shamans in PvP who are using this rune, but it should make applying that damage significantly less flexible and more dangerous for the Shaman themselves. We will continue to monitor shaman performance in PvP and make additional adjustments as needed.

• Molten Blast now gains additional damage equal to 14.3% of Fire Spell Power. Please note that this extra damage is not reflected in the tooltip at this time.

• Thunder Clap now gains additional damage equal to 5% of Attack Power. Please note that this extra damage is not reflected in the tooltip at this time.