Preview of Phase 2 Runes for SoD - Rallying Call, Pain Relief, Maelstrom Blade

Season of Discovery Phase 2 is fast approaching in the world of Azeroth, and Blizzard has given us a sneak peek into some of the new features and content that will be available. One exciting addition is the introduction of new Runes for classes as they progress towards the new level cap of 40. These new Runes will offer unique abilities and enhancements to help players on their journey. Let's take a closer look at some of these new Runes and discuss their potential impact on gameplay.

Druid

One of the standout abilities for Druids is Eclipse, a fan-favorite ability from future expansions that has been brought back for Season of Discovery. Eclipse increases the critical strike chance of the next two Wrath abilities by 30%. Additionally, Wrath increases the critical strike chance of the next Starfire by 30%, with each effect stacking up to 4 times. This powerful ability offers Druids increased damage potential and the opportunity to unleash devastating attacks on their enemies.

Another intriguing Rune for Druids is King of the Jungle, which fundamentally alters Tiger's Fury. This Rune increases all physical damage dealt by 15% and instantly grants 60 energy. However, Tiger's Fury now has a 30-second cooldown, providing a trade-off for the significant damage boost. For Druids who prefer a more aggressive playstyle, King of the Jungle offers a compelling choice.

Hunter

Hunters have some exciting new abilities to look forward to in Phase 2. Melee Specialist is a passive ability that reduces the cooldown on Raptor Strike and causes it to trigger instantly. With this ability, each usage of Raptor Strike also has a chance not to trigger its cooldown. Additionally, Melee Specialist removes the cooldown of Mongoose Bite, allowing hunters to unleash a flurry of quick attacks on their enemies.

Another noteworthy Rune for Hunters is Trap Launcher, which grants the ability to place traps at any location within 40 yards, even while in combat. Additionally, fire-based and frost-based traps have separate shared cooldowns, offering hunters more flexibility and strategic options in battles with their foes.

Mage

Mages receive some intriguing new abilities in Phase 2. Missile Barrage adds an exciting twist to Arcane Blast, Fireball, and Frostbolt spells. These spells have a chance to reduce the channeled duration of the next Arcane Missiles spell by half while reducing its mana cost to 0. Additionally, this Rune causes missiles to fire every 0.5 seconds, allowing mages to unleash a flurry of powerful magical attacks upon their enemies.

Another notable ability for Mages is Chronostatic Preservation, which allows them to store arcane, fire, and frost energy for later use. While this energy has a limited duration before it combusts and expires, Mages can utilize it to heal friendly targets, providing valuable support to their allies in the heat of battle.

Paladin

Paladins have some exciting additions to their arsenal in Phase 2. Sheath of Light is a unique ability that causes damage dealt with the melee weapon to increase spell power. Additionally, critical heals apply an additional heal over time effect on the target, offering Paladins increased versatility and healing potential.

Guarded by the Light is another intriguing Rune for Paladins. This ability causes melee weapon hits to restore mana over time. However, the amount healed by Flash of Light, Holy Light, and Holy Shock is reduced by half. This Rune provides Paladins with enhanced mana management options, allowing them to sustain their healing and support abilities for longer durations.

Priest

Priests receive some powerful new tools in Phase 2. Mind Spike is a potent ability that blasts the target with Shadowfrost damage and applies a debuff that increases the critical strike chance of the next Mind Blast. This debuff can stack up to 3 times, providing Priests with the opportunity to unleash devastating attacks on their foes.

Another notable ability for Priests is Pain Suppression, a fan-favorite ability from later expansions. This ability can be cast on a friendly target to significantly reduce their damage taken and increase their resistance to Dispel mechanics for a short time. Pain Suppression offers Priests the ability to protect and support their allies in times of need.

Rogue

Rogues gain some exciting new abilities in Phase 2. Shuriken Toss allows Rogues to throw a shuriken at their enemies, dealing damage to the target and up to 4 additional nearby enemies. This ability provides Rogues with a ranged attack option, expanding their combat capabilities.

Master of Subtlety is another intriguing Rune for Rogues. This ability causes attacks made while stealthed, and for a short time after exiting stealth, to deal additional damage. Master of Subtlety rewards Rogues for their cunning and stealthy approach to combat, enhancing their burst damage potential.

Shaman

Shamans have several exciting new abilities to enhance their gameplay in Phase 2. Maelstrom Weapon is a powerful ability that has a chance to reduce the cast time of Lightning Bolt, Chain Lightning, Lesser Healing Wave, Healing Wave, Chain Heal, or Lava Burst spells by 20%. This cast time reduction can stack up to five times, allowing Shamans to unleash a flurry of quick and powerful spells on their enemies.

Spirit of the Alpha offers Shamans a unique ability that can increase the threat generated by a friendly target. This ability casts a 30-minute buff on the target, increasing their threat generation. Spirit of the Alpha provides Shamans with additional utility in group encounters, allowing them to draw enemies' attention and protect their allies.

Another exciting Rune for Shaman is Two-Handed Mastery, which enhances the damage output of Shamans who prefer wielding two-handed weapons. Each time a Shaman strikes an enemy with a two-handed weapon, they gain a 30% attack speed boost for that weapon, lasting for 10 seconds. Two-Handed Mastery empowers Shamans to deliver devastating blows with their preferred weapon of choice.

Warlock

Warlocks gain some exciting new abilities in Phase 2. Invocation offers Warlocks a more flexible approach to managing their damage over time effects. When refreshing these effects while they have less than 6 seconds remaining, instant damage is dealt to the target equal to one tick of the spell's periodic damage. This ability allows Warlocks to focus more on their offensive strategies without the need to perfectly time their DoT spell refreshes.

Dance of the Wicked is another intriguing Rune for Warlocks. This ability triggers a buff that increases the player's and their pets' dodge chance any time a critical strike is landed on an enemy. Additionally, the player gains 2% of their maximum mana whenever this buff activates. Dance of the Wicked offers Warlocks increased survivability and resource regeneration, making them formidable adversaries in battle.

Warrior

Warriors gain some powerful new defensive abilities in Phase 2. Rallying Cry is a valuable defensive ability that can be activated to increase the health of all party and raid members within 40 yards. This ability can turn the tide of battle and provide vital support during challenging encounters.

Blood Surge offers Warriors enhanced offensive capabilities by granting a chance to make the next Slam ability instant and cost no Rage. This ability allows Warriors to unleash devastating attacks on their enemies with minimal resource costs, ensuring they maintain a relentless onslaught in combat.

Conclusion

With Season of Discovery Phase 2 just around the corner, players can look forward to an array of new abilities and enhancements to their favorite classes. Whether you're a Druid harnessing the powers of Eclipse, a Mage wielding the forces of Chronostatic Preservation, or a Warrior rallying your allies with Rallying Cry, these new Runes will add depth and excitement to your gameplay experience. So, which Runes will you choose as your best-in-slot options? Explore the possibilities and prepare for an epic adventure in Phase 2 of Season of Discovery!