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First Impressions of the 10.2 Havoc Demon Hunter Rework - Talent Changes & Revolutionized Resource Management
Havoc Demon Hunters have undergone significant changes in Patch 10.2 Guardians of the Dream. These changes include a reformatting of the Havoc specialization and Demon Hunter class talent trees, as well as the addition of new talents. In this blog post, we will explore these changes and discuss their impact on the gameplay of Havoc Demon Hunters.
Introduction
Havoc Demon Hunter is receiving significant changes in Patch 10.2 Guardians of the Dream. Most of these changes come in the form of reformatting of both the Havoc specialization and the Demon Hunter class talent trees, however, some new and exciting talent additions are coming bundled with the changes.
Havoc Tree Changes
The changes to the Havoc talent tree are a significant buff for Havoc Demon Hunters in terms of survivability, utility, mobility, and overall damage. The changes allow for more flexibility in talent choices and provide important quality-of-life improvements. Mobility is also improved with talents such as Inertia and Dash of Chaos.
Havoc Tree Change Thoughts
The changes to the talent tree open up new options for Havoc Demon Hunters without sacrificing important defensive abilities. The removal of some underused talents and the addition of baseline abilities like Fel Eruption make talent choices more meaningful. However, there are some minor issues with the pathing of certain talents and some talents, like Critical Chaos, are relatively weak compared to others.
What's Changed?
A significant number of changes have been made to the Havoc talent tree. Some talents have been removed, such as Felfire Heart and Fodder to the Flame, while others have been reworked. The tree now has more one-point talents, allowing for more flexibility in talent choices. Some talent locations have also been changed to improve pathing.
What's New?
Several new talents have been introduced to the Havoc talent tree. These include Dash of Chaos, which allows for a second Fel Rush back to the starting position; Demon Hide, which increases magical damage dealt and reduces physical damage taken; Deflecting Dance, which provides a short-term shield for Blade Dance; Scars of Suffering, which increases versatility and reduces threat generated; Inertia, which provides a short-term burst window buff; and A Fire Inside, which adds additional charges to Immolation Aura.
Demon Hunter Class Tree Changes
The Demon Hunter class tree has also undergone significant changes, including the addition of new talents and the repositioning of existing talents. These changes provide more options for talent choices and improve the overall gameplay experience for Demon Hunters.
Class Tree Changes Thoughts
The changes to the Demon Hunter class tree are mostly positive, as they provide more freedom in talent choices and address some issues with the previous talent placements. The addition of new talents and the repositioning of existing talents allow for a more versatile and flexible playstyle. However, there are still some minor issues with certain talents, such as Inner Demon and The Hunt.
What's Changed?
The changes to the class tree include the removal of certain talents, such as Misery in Defeat, and the repositioning of others. Some talents have been nerfed or changed in functionality, such as Fel Barrage and Shattered Destiny. The Hunt now applies a damage over time effect to the target, and Elysian Decree has been moved to the class tree as a keystone talent.
What's New?
There are only a few new talents added to the Demon Hunter class tree. These include Live by the Glaive, which heals the player when an attack is parried; and Champion of the Glaive, which increases the range of Throw Glaive.
Gameplay & Problems
With the changes to the talent trees, Havoc Demon Hunters have experienced a shift in their fury economy. The changes to talents like Demonic Appetite and Critical Chaos, as well as the addition of Sigil of Flame, have impacted the amount of Fury generated and the overall gameplay experience. While most of the changes have been positive, there are still some issues with certain talents, such as Inner Demon and The Hunt, that need to be addressed.
Problems
There are still some issues with certain talents, such as Inner Demon and The Hunt. Inner Demon can miss its target if they are moving while the ability is cast, and the hitbox is too small to reliably hit all enemies in large AoE scenarios. The Hunt is also limited to 5 targets and requires stepping through mobs to apply the damage over time effect, which can be inconvenient in melee situations.
Closing Thoughts
Despite some minor issues, the changes to Havoc Demon Hunters in Patch 10.2 Guardians of the Dream are mostly positive. The new talents, improved pathing, and overall improvements in survivability, utility, and mobility make Havoc Demon Hunter an exciting and powerful specialization. With these changes, Havoc Demon Hunters are well-positioned for future content. Speaking of future content: we've launched pre-orders for the upcoming Amirdrassil raid, you can check them out here and prepare yourself to conquer the content as soon as it releases.