Class and Talent Revisions in The War Within Alpha - Druids, Monastics, Guardians, Warrior

Hey there, adventurers! WowCarry here with some exciting news for all you World of Warcraft fans. The latest alpha build of the War Within expansion has brought about some significant changes to several classes and their talent trees. In this blog post, we'll be taking a closer look at the reworks for Feral Druids, Windwalker Monks, and more!

Death Knight

• Unholy

Class Tuning:

• Festering Strike: damage reduced by 17%

Demon Hunter

• Vengeance

Talent Tuning:

• Fiery Demise: increases damage done by 20%/40% (was 25%/50%)

Druid

• New Abilities

• Fluid Form: Shred and Rake can be used in any form and shift you into Cat Form. Mangle can be used in any form and shifts you into Bear Form. Wrath and Starfire shift you into Moonkin Form, if known.
• Oakskin: Survival Instincts and Barkskin reduce damage taken by an additional 10%.
• Instincts of the Claw: Shred, Brutal Slash, Swipe, Rake, Mangle, and Thrash damage increased by 5%/10%.
• Lore of the Grove: Moonfire and Sunfire damage increased by 5%/10%. Rejuvenation and Wild Growth healing increased by 3%/5%.
• Ursoc's Spirit: Stamina in Bear Form is increased by 10%.
• Starlight Conduit: Wrath, Starsurge, and Starfire damage increased by 5%. Starsurge's cooldown is reduced by 4 sec and its mana cost is reduced by 50%.

• Talent Changes

The Druid class tree has undergone a major rework. Here are some of the notable removals and changes:

• Feral Druid

• Tireless Pursuit: removed
• Moonkin Form: moved to Balance Druid baseline
• Swiftmend: moved to Restoration Druid baseline
• Feline Swiftness: now 1 point for 15% movement speed (was 2 points)
• Lycara's Teachings: now a 2 point node (was 3 points)
• Forestwalk: now increases your movement speed and healing received by 8% for 6 sec (was 5% for 6 sec with 2 points)
• Astral Influence: now only costs 1 point for 5 yards (was 2 points)
• Thick Hide: reduces damage taken by 4% for 1 point (was 6% for 2 points)
• Improved Swipe: removed
• Protector of the Pack: removed

• Balance

• New Abilities

• Stellar Amplification: Starsurge increases the damage the target takes from your periodic effects and Shooting Stars by 12% for 5 sec. Reapplying this effect extends its duration, up to 20 sec. Replaces Stellar Innervation.
• Greater Alignment: Incarnation: Chosen of Elune and Celestial Alignment last 40% longer. During Incarnation: Chosen of Elune and Celestial Alignment, Solar Eclipse increases Nature damage done by an additional 5% and Lunar Eclipse increases Arcane damage done by an additional 5%. Replaces Primordial Arcanic Pulsar.
• Nature's Grace: When Eclipse ends or when you enter combat, enter a Dreamstate, reducing the cast time of your next 2 Starfires or Wraths by 40% and increasing their damage by 50%. Replaces Nature's Grace.
• Umbral Embrace: Wrath and Starfire have a 20% chance to cause your next Wrath or Starfire cast during an Eclipse to become Astral and deal 100% additional damage. Reworked Umbral Embrace.
• Umbral Inspiration: Consuming Umbral Embrace increases the damage of your Moonfire, Sunfire, Stellar Flare, Shooting Stars, and Starfall by 20% for 5 sec. Row 8, Middle.
• Astral Communion (Passive): Increases maximum Astral Power by 20. Entering Eclipse grants 12 Astral Power. Reworked Astral Communion. Row 8, Far Right.
• Harmony of the Heavens: Starsurge or Starfall increase your current Eclipse's Arcane or Nature damage bonus by an additional 1%, up to 5%. Row 9, Far Left.
• Touch the Cosmos: Casting Wrath in an Eclipse has an 8% chance to make your next Starsurge free. Casting Starfire in an Eclipse has a 10% chance to make your next Starfall free. New Location - Row 6, 6th Left.

• Talent and Class Tuning

• Mastery nerfed by 20% down to 4% baseline (was 5%)
• Waning Twilight now is a 1 point talent at 6% (was 2 points for 10%)
• Wrath damage buffed ~23%
• Aetherial Kindling extends duration by 3 sec (was 4 sec)
• Astral Smolder no longer procs from critical strikes, but has a flat 45% chance to trigger.
• Balance of All Things now increases crit chance by 10%/20%, decreasing by 1%/2% every sec.
• Celestial Alignment now lasts for 15 sec (was 20 sec)
• Fury of Elune damage increased by 6%, but Astral Power generation reduced to 40 (was 48). Now a Magic Dispel.
• Incarnation: Chosen of Elune duration is now 20 sec (was 30 sec)
• New Moon damage increased by 6%, but Astral Power generation reduced to 10 (was 12).
• Orbital Strike damage reduced by 13.5%
• Power of Goldrinn damage increased by 8%
• Shooting Stars damage increased by 22%
• Starfall damage increased by 6%
• Soul of the Forest no longer increases Starfire's damage.
• Stellar Flare damage increased by ~6%
• Umbral Intensity primary target damage increased by 20%/40% (was 15%/30%)
• Wild Mushroom initial damage increased by 32%, periodic damage increased by 21.5%, Astral Power generated capped at 16 (was 20)

• Feral

• New Abilities

• Coiled to Spring: If you generate a combo point in excess of what you can store, your next Ferocious Bite or Primal Wrath deals 10% increased direct damage. Replaces Dire Fixation. Row 2, Middle.
• Savage Fury: Tiger's Fury increases your Haste by 8% and Energy recovery rate by 20% for 6 sec. Replaces Rampant Ferocity. Row 5, 2nd Left.
• Resourceful Hunter: Leech increased by 2%. Versatility increased by 2%. In Row 5, 4th Left.

• Talent Changes and Tuning

• Adaptive Swarm damage buffed by ~30%
• Apex Predator's Craving now has a 6% chance to make Ferocious Bite free (was 7.2%)
• Berserk duration reduced to 15 sec (was 20 sec) and increases all attack and ability damage by 10% (was only Shred and Rake by 50%)
• Berserk: Frenzy additional Bleed damage increased to 150% (was 100%)
• Berserk: Heart of the Lion reduces Incarnation/Berserk cooldown by a flat 60 seconds
• Brutal Slash damage increased by ~187%
• Feral Frenzy damage increased by ~30%
• Incarnation: Avatar of Ashamane duration reduced to 20 sec (was 30) and increases all attack and ability damage by 10% (was only Shred and Rake by 50%)
• Predator now increases combo point generator's direct damage by 40% of Haste (was cooldown on Tiger's Fury resets when a target dies with Bleed active)
• Primal Wrath energy cost increased to 30 (was 20) and damage increased by ~97%
• Raging Fury causes Tiger's Fury to last 5 additional seconds (was only increased by finishing moves per combo point spent)
• Sabertooth now causes Ferocious Bite to deal 15% increased damage. Each Combo Point spent causes Ferocious Bite's primary target to take 3% increased damage from Bleed and other DoTs for 4 sec.
• Soul of the Forest causes finishing moves to grant 2 Energy (was 3 Energy) per combo point spent.
• Tear Open Wounds now includes a bonus effect during Incarn/Berserk: Rip duration consumed is increased to 6 sec.
• Tireless Energy maximum energy increased by 20/40 (was 30/60) and Energy regen increased by 8/15 (was 10/20)

• Restoration

• New Abilities

• Call of the Elder Druid: When you shift into a combat shapeshift form or cast Starsurge, you gain Heart of the Wild for 10 sec, once every 1 min. Balance: Cast time of Balance spells reduced by 30% and damage increased by 20%. Feral: Gain 1 Combo Point every 2 sec while in Cat Form and Physical damage increased by 20%. Guardian: Bear Form gives an additional 20% Stamina, multiple uses of Ironfur may overlap, and Frenzied Regeneration has 2 charges. Replaces Adaptive Swarm. Row 8, 3rd Left.
• Dream of Cenarius: While Heart of the Wild is active, Wrath and Shred transfer 150% of their damage and Starfire and Swipe transfer 100% of their damage into healing onto a nearby ally. Replaces Unbridled Swarm. Row 9, 6th Left.
• Thriving Vegetation: Rejuvenation instantly heals your target for 15%/30% of its total periodic effect and Regrowth's duration is increased by 3/6 seconds. Replaces Luxuriant Soil. Row 9, 7th Left.
• Prosperity: Swiftmend now has 2 charges. Takes the spot of Flourish in the Choice Node. Row 8, Far Right.

• Talent Changes and Tuning

• Rejuvenation healing increased by 30%
• Shred and Rake damage reduced by 9%
• Sunfire damage increased by 6%
• Abundance cost and critical chance increased by 8% (was 5%)
• Efflorescence mana cost increased to 3.4% (was 3.0%) base mana
• Grove Guardian healing reduced by 15%. Mana cost increased to 1.2% (was 1.0%)
• Nurturing Dormancy maximum total capped at 4 sec (was 6 sec)
• Verdant Infusion extends duration of heal over time effects by 8 sec (was 12 sec)
• Evoker Preservation

• Priest

• Mindgames

Damage buffed by 33% and now lasts for 7 sec (was 5 sec)

• Discipline

• Talent Tuning

• Expiation: now increases Mind Blast and Shadow Word: Death damage by 10%/20% (was 15%/30%)

• Holy

• Talent Tuning

• Prismatic Echoes: now increases healing done by Mastery by 6%/12% (was 4%/8%)

Warrior

• Arms

• New Talents

• Finishing Blows: Overpower generates 8 Rage when used on enemies below 35% health. Replacing Improved Slam on Row 6, 3rd Left
• Ravager: Throws a whirling weapon at the target location that chases nearby enemies, inflicting Physical damage and applying Deep Wounds to all enemies over 12 sec. Deals reduced damage beyond 8 targets. New choice node with Bladestorm on Row 9

• Moved Talents

• Collateral Damage replaces Strength of Arms in the choice node with Improved Sweeping Strikes on Row 6
• Strength of Arms is now a choice node with Dreadnaught on Row 7
• Odyn's Fury and Dancing Blades/Titanic Rage choice node moved to the left branch beneath Deft Experience
• Anger Management/Reckless Abandon choice node and Unbridled Ferocity, Depths of Insanity moved left of center

• Talent and Class Tuning

• Barbaric Training now affects Thunder Clap for Mountain Thane hero specializations
• Crackling Thunder now increases Thunder Clap damage by 10%, in addition to its previous effects
• Champion's Spear now generates 10 Rage (down from 20)
• Endurance Training is now a two-point talent, for up to 10% increased stamina
• Frothing Berserker (Arms) and Frothing Berserker (Fury) Rage refund reduced to 10% (down from 20)
• Reinforced Plates armor bonus reduced to 10% (down from 20)
• Seismic Reverberation now affects Thunder Clap for Mountain Thane hero specializations
• Shockwave no longer generates Rage (previously 10)
• Thunderous Roar no longer generates Rage (previously 10)
• Thunder Clap Rage cost reduced to 20 (down from 30)
• Thunderous Words now increases all bleeding damage by 30% only while Thunderous Roar's bleed is active (previously +15% bleed damage at all times)

• Fury

• New Talents

• Powerful Enrage: Enrage increases the damage your abilities deal by an additional 15% and Enrage's duration is increased by 1 sec. Now a choice node with Improved Enrage. Row 3, 1st Left.
• Bladestorm: Become an unstoppable storm of destructive force, striking all nearby enemies for Physical damage over 6 sec. Deals reduced damage beyond 8 targets. You are immune to movement impairing and loss of control effects, but can use defensive abilities and can avoid attacks. Shares a new Choice node with Ravager. Row 9, Far Right.

• Moved Talents

• Improved Raging Blow and Cruelty swapped locations
• Meat Cleaver, Improved Whirlwind, and Wrath and Fury shuffled on Row 6 and 7 Right Side
• Odyn's Fury and Dancing Blades/Titanic Rage choice node moved to the left branch beneath Deft Experience
• Anger Management/Reckless Abandon choice node and Unbridled Ferocity, Depths of Insanity moved left of center

• Talent and Class Tuning

• Anger Management now affects Bladestorm, in addition to Recklessness and Ravager
• Deft Experience now increases Bloodthirst's chance to trigger Enrage by 2%/4% (previously reduced the cooldown of Bloodthirst)
• Improved Enrage name changed to Frenzied Enrage
• Single-Minded Fury now increases auto-attack damage with 1-Handed weapons by 30% and auto-attack crits have a 50% chance to Enrage, in addition to its previous effects
• Storm of Steel now affects Bladestorm as well as Ravager, but bonus Rage generation reduced to +10 (was 20)
• Tenderize no longer increases Enrage duration (previously +2 seconds)
• Wrath and Fury tooltip clarified to increase Raging Blow's chance to reset by an additional 10% (no functional change)

• Protection

• Talent and Class Tuning

• Rend: Rage cost reduced to 20 (down from 30)