Patch 3.3 PTR: Fine threads and feisty pets for warlocks
Felhunter's have also had a buff but this one seems slightly odd. On paper it looks exactly the same as the the one for the imp -- Pandemic has been extended to include Shadow Bite in dealing 100% extra damage on a critical strike. The confusion lies in that Shadow Bite seems to be doing that on the live servers already. When tested on the PTR with Pandemic, however, its criticals are looking like they are doing 150% extra damage. It seems this change is going to need some further work, even if it is just to clarify the language. With this confusion, I'm less certain what impact the change will have on affliction DPS but expect it to be something like half of that for destruction. However it shakes out, this is a further buff for warlock damage. It's certainly nice to see some continued attention being applied to lock mechanics as we progress with the patch testing.
As well as the pet changes the warlock tier ten models have been added. Datamined images have made their way onto the World of Raids and MMO-Champion websites. I would be lying if I said I was blown away by the models but they are nice. I will certainly be glad to get out of my mage-a-like tier 9 and put on something that feels more like a warlock's garb. The checks on the trim seem to evoke images of a court jester that I'm not overjoyed about and I wonder how a belt will fit with the robe that seems to have it's own belt built in. The stitching, while it does cry out "dilapidated", gives a nice touch I feel.
As for the set bonuses, I expect the mechanics of these bonuses to stay the same but the values may well come in for further changes before they go live.
- 2 Pieces: The critical strike chance of your Shadow Bolt, Incinerate, Soul Fire, and Corruption spells is increased by 5%.
- 4 Pieces: Each time your Immolate and Unstable Affliction spells deal periodic damage, you have a 15% chance to gain 10% damage done by you and your pet for 10 seconds.
The 4 piece bonus looks to give 10% to all your damage while the buff is up. In order for it to be as good as the 2 piece bonus the buff would need a 25% uptime. Initial indications suggest that it could well be more like 30-40% This is assuming that the buff doesn't have an internal cooldown (a period of time after it triggers in which it can't trigger again). So that's a 3-4% DPS gain, which sounds very nice indeed -- slightly better for affliction and destruction than demonology, due to their spell priorities. Bear in mind though, these figures are the kind of values that may well change before we see the patch go live.
Filed under: Warlock, Patches, Analysis / Opinion
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 3)
Ryan Dec 8th 2009 11:13AM
re: KKK thing.
No, actually, the design is based on the goblin and the Hobgoblin. Seriously guys? KKK?
Skem Oct 17th 2009 2:24PM
OMG... T10 looks awsome- the pets are acutally going to be awsome.
Is it gonna be to late to reroll for Ice Crown?
Jagoex Oct 17th 2009 2:37PM
Mad props to the Tier set designers - Warlock T8-T10 have just been amazing to look at!
"The Imp, the affliction lock's pet of choice..."
On the PTR, I see the Succi and Fel Hunter doing more for Affliction overall than the Imp. I still think the verdict is up in the air on this one. Of course, if that was a typo, just ignore my rambling. :)
duffry Oct 17th 2009 2:42PM
Yup, my bad, was supposed to be destruction; I blame it on the headache.
It certainly looks like the aim is to make the pets be clearer choices for each build:
Affliction - Felhunter
Demonology - Felguard
Destruction - Imp
xavierlives Oct 21st 2009 10:45AM
I think it was more of an opportunity to plug a website than actually discuss all things warlock.
Like... when I am cursing with my tongue of corruption i like to visit www.hackmywow.com
RogueJedi86 Oct 17th 2009 2:42PM
I like the Warlock Tier 10, it looks like a "bad wizard", which is basically what warlocks are when you simplify it. It's fitting and looks sweet. It sure looks better than the Mage Tier 10, which looks just like the PvP sets Mages have had throughout all all of LK.
Finnicks Oct 17th 2009 6:21PM
My first thought was Nightmare Before Christmas or even 9.
Yes, I think a 9ian Warlock would look like that.
Endless Oct 17th 2009 6:29PM
Well, bad wizard... looks more like bad tailor to me.
Brunesgoth Oct 17th 2009 2:50PM
My first thought was a Death Eater from Harry Potter.
youd agree too.
Doberbane Oct 17th 2009 3:12PM
Having just watched Half-Blood Prince last night, a Death Eater was exactly what I first thought when I saw this. I so totally want.
dlpoep Oct 17th 2009 3:43PM
I completely agree and was just about to post a comment with the same observation! lol
darkwater Oct 17th 2009 2:57PM
my demonology build is starting to be a viable dps build, AND i get to look like a badass? PLUS I finally get to take on Arthas (more like Jerk@$$)? sounds like 3.3 is my new favorite patch of all time. w00t!
Direwoe Oct 17th 2009 2:59PM
I'm sorry...But I am alone in thinking that Gnomes look like Kids @ Halloween in any Tier set?
Sepkoski Oct 17th 2009 3:07PM
I really like the look of this armor. A big improvement over T9 imho. I'm wondering though, what mount would go best with this? I think the purple doesn't quite fit with the felsteed's fire. It would look sweet with the onyxia mount though.
Sepkoski Oct 17th 2009 3:11PM
Following that up, I see there are multiple color schemes. I'd love to see gear that changed color based on your spec: purple for affliction, red for destruction, and maybe the green for demonology?
Ugress Oct 17th 2009 3:37PM
Now gief Warlock tier 10 on Undeads image! :D
rawrawrawr Oct 17th 2009 4:04PM
That comes in male (http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2009/october/tier10_warlock_male.jpg) or female (http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2009/october/tier10_warlock_female.jpg). Take your pick.
Monica Dickey Oct 17th 2009 3:30PM
that looks pretty badass. cyberskeletor!
Go-Go Gadget Oct 17th 2009 3:40PM
Reminds me of Doctor Doom.
Groxxy Oct 17th 2009 4:01PM
I was hopinh they'd go back to the 8 piece set like they did for Sunwell, being this is the last raid and all. Maybe that belt is part of the Tier 10 as well?