Reviewing the Hero Talents of Scalecommander: An Evoker's Perspective

Blizzard recently unveiled the Scalecommander Hero Talents in World of Warcraft's upcoming expansion, The War Within. These Hero Talents are an exciting addition to the game, offering players a third talent tree that explores class fantasy. One of the showcased Hero Talents is the Scalecommander Evoker, which our Devastation Evoker guide writer, Preheat, has reviewed in detail. In this review, Preheat highlights the straightforward tree with interesting talent interactions and discusses the potential of Scalecommander as a powerhouse in the game.

The War Within Hero Talents Overview

The Hero Talent Trees revealed so far in The War Within expansion have generated a lot of buzz among players. Our Guide Writers have provided their initial first impressions on these new Hero Talents. You can check out all of our released editorials below:

• San'layn Death Knight:
• Blood
• Unholy
• Elune's Chosen Druid:
• Guardian
• Keeper of the Grove
• Druid:
• Balance
• Restoration
• Wildstalker
• Evoker:
• Augmentation
• Preservation
• Scalecommander (Devastation)
• Dark Ranger Hunter:
• Beast Mastery
• Marksmanship
• Frostfire
• Mage:
• Fire Mage
• Frost Mage
• Herald of the Sun Paladin:
• Retribution
• Lightsmith (Holy)
• Protection
• Templar (Protection)
• Oracle Priest:
• Discipline & Holy
• Trickster Rogue:
• Subtlety Rogue
• Diabolist Warlock:
• Destruction
• Colossus Warrior:
• Protection
• Mountain Thane
• Warrior
• Fury
• Devastation Scalecommander Evoker

Devastation Scalecommander Evoker Review

Blizzard has introduced the Scalecommander Hero Talent for Devastation and Augmentation Evokers in The War Within expansion. Preheat provides an in-depth review of this new talent tree, discussing its origins and the unique gameplay it offers. As a Scalecommander, Evokers become battle-hardened leaders with immense power to decimate enemies. The Scalecommander tree focuses on blue and black spells, upgrading abilities like Disintegrate and Deep Breath to deal additional damage or affect multiple targets. The talent interactions in this tree add depth and complexity to the gameplay, making it an exciting and well-crafted talent tree.

• What is Scalecommander?

The concept of Scalecommander comes from the division of dracthyr, which were created by Neltharion and enlisted in his army. Each faction of dracthyr had a leader known as a Scalecommander. In the Hero Talent system, Scalecommander represents a higher level of specialization for Evokers. Players who choose Scalecommander become battle-hardened leaders with exceptional abilities to lead their allies into battle. The Scalecommander tree for Devastation Evokers focuses on blue and black spells, enhancing their power and introducing new mechanics.

• Scalecommander Traits and Upgraded Abilities

Scalecommander traits primarily relate to blue and black spells, with a focus on enhancing Disintegrate and Deep Breath for Devastation Evokers. When empowered, Disintegrate is upgraded to Mass Disintegrate, allowing it to cleave additional targets or deal increased damage. The target hit by Mass Disintegrate is also marked for Bombardments, which triggers a damage proc by the Evoker and their allies. Deep Breath, on the other hand, is reworked into a proper cooldown ability. With the addition of Maneuverability, players can now steer their Evoker while in the air and increase the damage taken by enemies standing in the fire. These upgraded abilities, along with talent interactions, make the Scalecommander tree engaging and enjoyable to play.

First Look at Devastation Evoker Hero Talents

In this section, Preheat provides a detailed breakdown of the Scalecommander Evoker Hero Talents. The Core Components of the talent tree include Mass Disintegrate, Maneuverability, Melt Armor, and Bombardments. Preheat discusses the interactions and potential impact of each talent, explaining how they enhance the gameplay experience for Devastation Evokers.

• Mass Disintegrate

The first talent in the Scalecommander tree is Mass Disintegrate. When empowered, Disintegrate can strike up to 3 additional targets. Each missing target increases the damage of Disintegrate by 25%. This talent provides a significant damage increase in single target encounters and offers additional damage and utility in AoE situations. Preheat analyzes the potential effects of Mass Disintegrate on the rotation and damage output of Devastation Evokers.

• Maneuverability

Deep Breath is a problematic ability for Devastation Evokers, as it often doesn't activate due to range or terrain limitations. With the Maneuverability talent, Deep Breath is transformed into an ability with directional movement that can be controlled by the player. Preheat speculates on the mechanics of this talent and discusses its potential impact on the gameplay of Devastation Evokers.

• Melt Armor

Melt Armor is a talent that enhances Deep Breath, marking targets to increase the damage they take from Disintegrate, Pyre, and Bombardments. This talent synergizes with other abilities in the Scalecommander tree, further enhancing the potency of Deep Breath and allowing Devastation Evokers to deal significant damage to their enemies.

• Bombardments

Bombardments is a talent that triggers a damage proc when attacking marked targets with Mass Disintegrate. This talent provides additional damage and utility to the Evoker and their allies. Preheat highlights the need for more information about the proc rate and damage of Bombardments and discusses potential interactions and cooldowns related to this talent.

• Other Components and Talent Choices

In addition to the core talents, Preheat discusses other components of the Scalecommander tree, such as Might of the Black Dragonflight, Onslaught, Unrelenting Siege, Hardened Scales, and Menacing Presence. These talents provide various enhancements and choices for the Devastation Evoker, allowing them to tailor their gameplay experience to their preferences and playstyle.

Putting It All Together

In this section, Preheat discusses how the talents in the Scalecommander tree can be combined with other talents and abilities to create effective rotations and gameplay strategies for Devastation Evokers. Preheat provides an example build focusing on AoE damage and explains the sequence of abilities and rotations in an AoE scenario. This section gives players a comprehensive understanding of the potential of Scalecommander as a powerful and enjoyable talent choice for Devastation Evokers.

Verdict

In the final section of the review, Preheat offers their verdict on the Scalecommander tree for Devastation Evokers. Preheat praises the tree for its well-thought-out design, interesting talent interactions, and the potential it holds to make Devastation Evokers competitive with Augmentation. However, Preheat also raises some concerns regarding agro management and raid disadvantages that Devastation Evokers currently face. Preheat suggests solutions to address these concerns and emphasizes the importance of addressing them in the upcoming expansion. Before the War Within release you can prepare your own Evoker for the upcoming expansion with the help of our leveling services.

About the Author

This detailed review of the Scalecommander Evoker Hero Talents was written by Preheat, a seasoned World of Warcraft player with extensive experience in end-game content and competitive events. Preheat specializes in Evoker and Mage gameplay and has participated in numerous prestigious events like the MDI and Race to World First. Preheat's expertise and insights provide valuable information for players looking to optimize their Devastation Evoker gameplay. You can find more content from Preheat on their Discord, Twitter, YouTube channel, and Twitch stream.

• Mass Disintegrate

Hero Talent

Empower spells cause your next Disintegrate to strike up to 3 targets. When striking less than 3 targets, Disintegrate damage is increased by 25% for each missing target.

• Might of the Black Dragonflight

Hero Talent

Black spells deal 10% increased damage.

• Bombardments

Hero Talent

Mass Disintegrate marks your primary target for destruction for the next 10 seconds. You and your allies have a chance to trigger a Bombardment when attacking marked targets, dealing Volcanic damage split amongst all nearby enemies.

• Onslaught

Hero Talent

Entering combat grants a charge of Burnout, causing your next Living Flame to cast instantly.

• Melt Armor

Hero Talent

Deep Breath cause enemies to take 20% increased damage from Bombardments and Essence abilities for 12 seconds.

• Wingleader

Hero Talent

Bombardments reduce the cooldown of Deep Breath by 1 second for each target struck, up to 3 seconds.

• Unrelenting Siege

Hero Talent

For each second you are in combat, Azure Strike and Living Flame deal 1% increased damage, up to 50%.

• Hardened Scales

Hero Talent

Obsidian Scales reduces damage taken by an additional 5%.

• Menacing Presence

Hero Talent

Knocking an enemy up or backward reduces their damage done to you by 15% for 8 seconds.

• Extended Battle

Hero Talent

Essence abilities extend Bombardments by 1 second.

• Diverted Power

Hero Talent

Bombardments have a chance to generate Essence Burst.

• Nimble Flyer

Hero Talent

While Hovering, damage taken from area of effect attacks is reduced by 10%.

• Tailwinds

Hero Talent

Deep Breath reset the cooldown of Hover.

• Maneuverability

Hero Talent

Deep Breath can now be steered in your desired direction. In addition, Deep Breath burn targets for Volcanic damage over 12 seconds.