On the PTR of the new patch for World of Warcraft, Blizzard is adjusting the threat. Taunting might become weaker. What does this mean for tanks?
The next update for World of Warcraft, the Patch 8.1 Tides of Vengeance, brings some changes to the threat system (“Aggro”). Tanks will generate slightly less threat in the future.
Tooltip caused a stir: A change to the descriptions of taunting abilities caused an uproar. Blizzard removed from some tooltips the indication that players generate additional aggro for a few seconds after taunting an enemy. However, this was just a cleanup of the tooltip, as the community manager Lore explained.
Weakening is still coming: Nevertheless, Blizzard wants to weaken the aggro bonus that a taunting ability grants for a few seconds. Currently, taunting generates 500% additional threat for the following attacks for a few seconds. Although Blizzard does not provide specific numbers, the community has calculated that the new value results in “only” 300% additional threat. Tank gameplay was made a bit more challenging only with Battle for Azeroth.
No impact on gameplay? According to the community manager, the developers assume that the changes will not have a significant impact on gameplay. These changes are merely experiments.
They want to find out how far they can lower the once very high value of additional aggro before it noticeably affects gameplay. They do not intend to make tanking less pleasant.
Remnants from Pandaria: The current bonuses from taunting are a remnant from the expansion Mists of Pandaria. Back then, tanks could deal a lot of damage thanks to the vengeance mechanic, and during tank swaps, it was nearly impossible to maintain aggro without the 500% bonus. This is no longer the case today, without the vengeance mechanic.
What do you think of the planned changes? Do you think it’s okay for Blizzard to experiment a bit? Or should they just keep their hands off aggro?
Our comprehensive overview article reveals what other changes Patch 8.1 Tides of Vengeance brings.
