A new hotfix has caused an uproar among rogues. In PvP of World of Warcraft, they have now lost up to 25% of their striking power.
The current PvP season is only three days old, but Blizzard is already implementing a major PvP hotfix for World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth. The aim of this change primarily affects Outlaw Rogues. They are in for a significant nerf, as they will be taking massive hits. But Frost and Arcane Mages are also being weakened and losing a lot of power in PvP.
The PvP changes from 07.09.2018
The PvP adjustments have been active since last night (from September 6 to September 7). Here are all the changes that are now live:
Player versus Player
Healing specializations now regenerate 30% less mana while engaged in combat with enemy players.
Druid
Balance
- Starlord (Azerite ability) now deals 50% less damage in PvP situations
Mage
Arcane
- Overpowered increases damage from Arcane Power by 40% in PvP situations (previously 60%)
- Mana Shield now drains 150% of the absorbed damage as mana in PvP situations (previously 50%)
- Rune of Power increases spell damage by 30% in PvP situations (previously 40%)
- Conflux increases damage by up to 15% in PvP situations (previously 20%)
- Arcane Pressure (Azerite ability) is now 50% less effective in PvP situations
- Electrifying Spark is now 25% less effective in PvP situations
Frost
- Glacial Spike deals 20% less damage to enemy players
- Frostbolt deals 15% less damage to enemy players
- Concentrated Cold (PvP talent) now only increases the damage of Frozen Orb by 10% (previously 30%)
Monk
Windwalker
- Chi Wave (Azerite ability) is 60% less effective in PvP situations
Assassination, Subtlety
- Sharpened Blades (Azerite ability) is 65% less effective in PvP situations
Outlaw
- The effect of Deadly Strike (Azerite ability) has been reduced by 45% in combat with other players
- Turn the Tide (PvP talent) now only increases damage by 10% (previously 15%)
- Killing Spree deals 15% less damage in PvP situations
- Murderous deals 20% less damage in PvP situations
- Between the Eyes deals 20% less damage in PvP situations
Subtlety
- Phantom Assassin (PvP talent) now only increases critical strike chance by 10% (previously 35%)
- Shadow Strike deals 10% less damage in PvP situations
- Gutting deals 15% less damage in PvP situations
Were the nerfs necessary? Definitely in response to the uproar from the community. Particularly rogues have been a thorn in the side of many players. Rogues could stack the effect of “Sharpened Blade” three times and deal up to 100,000 damage – with just one attack. This corresponds to about 80% of most players’ health points.
What nerfs are coming next? Next, Blizzard is targeting Arms Warriors, Beast Mastery Hunters, and Discipline Priests. They are expected to face significant cuts in one of the next hotfixes as well to reduce their dominance in PvP.
What do you think about these changes? A good thing or too exaggerated? Is the rogue now “unplayable”?
