As we eagerly await the release of World of Warcraft’s next expansion, The War Within, the beta is in full swing, bringing with it a wave of class changes that are shaking up the meta. Some classes are celebrating newfound power, whilst others are finding themselves in need of significant adjustments. So, which classes are rising to the top, and who’s struggling to keep up? Let’s dive right in and explore the winners and losers of the pre-patch class changes.
Winners
- Warlock: Affliction Warlocks have seen their damage amplified across the board, with several key abilities receiving buffs. Agony, their primary DoT, now deals significantly more damage over time, whilst Corruption has also been enhanced. Additionally, their survivability has improved with a buff to Soul Leech.
- Mage: Fire Mages have been set ablaze with buffs to their critical strike chance and overall damage output. Pyroblast now hits harder than ever, and Combustion has been reworked to provide a more consistent burst window.
- Rogue: Assassination Rogues are enjoying a resurgence thanks to enhanced poison damage and improved utility. Rupture, their primary bleed, now deals more damage, and Vendetta has been reworked to provide more consistent damage amplification.
Losers
- Paladin: Retribution Paladins have been hit hard by nerfs to their burst damage and survivability. Templar’s Verdict, their signature ability, now deals less damage, and Divine Shield has been nerved to provide less protection.
- Hunter: Marksmanship Hunters have seen a decline in their overall damage output, primarily due to nerfs to key abilities like Aimed Shot and Rapid Fire.
- Druid: Feral Druids are experiencing a decrease in their single-target damage due to nerfs to abilities like Rake and Shred. This puts them at a disadvantage in both PvE and PvP scenarios.
The Verdict
The War Within class changes that are currently in beta testing are undoubtedly shaking up the class balance, with some classes seeing significant buffs whilst others are facing a more challenging landscape. It’s important to note that this is just what we’re seeing on beta, and further adjustments are likely to come with the full expansion release.
For now, it seems that Warlocks, Mages, and Rogues are among the top contenders, whilst Paladins, hunters, and Druids are facing an uphill battle. However, the ever-evolving meta means that anything can change, so stay tuned for more updates as The War Within draws nearer!
What do you think of the class changes? Are you chuffed with how your main is performing? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
