Mythic+ Pre-Turbo Boost: Arcane and Resto Benched Week 8
Mythic+ Pre-Turbo Boost: Arcane and Resto Benched Week 8 – Get practical tips, fresh ideas and expert insights from Wowcarry. Read the full article now.
By:
John Langan
Shifts in Mythic Plus Meta
As the new season of Mythic Plus approaches with the anticipated Turbo Boost, we find ourselves at a pivotal juncture. This season is poised to shake up the current dynamics significantly, bringing substantial power boosts to players. With the imminent release of uncapped Gilded Crests still 20 days away, players are gearing up for a dramatic shift that could equate to a couple of key levels' worth of increased power.
Shifts in DPS Spec Popularity
Recently, we’ve received confirmations regarding the rise of two new specs solidifying their spots in the current meta. Particularly noteworthy is the Beast Mastery (BM) Hunter's climb in popularity, surpassing both Havoc Demon Hunter and Arcane Mage. Arcane Mage has seen a noticeable decline in representation, dropping from 49% down to 33% over the past month. This raises questions about which specs are losing ground to make way for BM Hunters.
- Arcane Mage: Suffering the most decline in the meta, with BM Hunter taking its place in many group compositions.
- Havoc Demon Hunter: Also seeing some displacement, though not as significantly as Arcane.
- Frost Death Knight: Maintains its position, benefiting from its robust overall damage capabilities.
Changes in Tank and Healer Dynamics
The popularity trends for tanks have remained stable, with Protection Warrior holding its ground. However, the healer meta is experiencing significant shifts:
- Resto Shaman, previously dominant, has seen its popularity fall from 66% to 44%, succumbing to the rise of Resto Druid.
- High-level keys (19s and 20s) are increasingly favoring Resto Druid over Resto Shaman, though Resto Shaman retains a presence in slightly lower keys.
Comparing DPS Profiles
BM Hunters are proving their worth by matching and exceeding the priority damage once associated with Arcane Mages. Here’s how these changes stack up in terms of damage profiles:
| Spec | Priority Damage | Overall AoE Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Arcane Mage | High | Low |
| Frost DK | Moderate | High |
| BM Hunter | Moderate | Moderate-High |
The BM Hunter leverages abilities like Black Arrow and Bleak Powder to apply consistent DOTs across multiple targets while maintaining focused priority damage. This makes BM Hunters a well-rounded replacement for Arcane Mages and a viable alternative to Havoc Demon Hunters, thanks to their balanced damage output and increased overall damage potential.
In summary, the Mythic Plus environment is witnessing a reshaping, with BM Hunter emerging as a formidable contender in the DPS meta, setting the stage for exciting shifts in group composition strategies.
Improving BM Hunter DPS Strategy
The current meta emphasizes effective trinket management for BM Hunters, utilizing a cycle between two-minute cooldown trinkets and the one-minute cooldown ability, Call of the Wild. By alternating trinkets for every Call of the Wild, BM Hunters can maximize uptime and damage output:
- Use the first trinket with your initial Call of the Wild.
- Switch to the second trinket when Call of the Wild is off cooldown but the first trinket is still on cooldown.
- Repeat this cycle to maintain constant cooldown availability.
The Call of the Wild lasts for 20 seconds, providing a 33% uptime that significantly boosts the impact of abilities like Black Arrow and Bleak Powder, enhancing AoE and priority damage.
Durability and Defense of BM Hunters
Contrary to the perception of Hunters being squishy, they now possess robust defensive capabilities:
- Two charges of Survival of the Fittest
- Exhilaration for healing
- Aspect of the Turtle for damage immunity
- The Dark Ranger's Smoke Screen adds defensive versatility
These abilities collectively mitigate damage effectively, making Hunters far less fragile than before.
Resto Druid vs. Resto Shaman
While both Resto Druid and Resto Shaman perform similarly in damage, their key differences lie in healing capabilities. Resto Druids boast exceptional healing output, termed "infinite healing," due to powerful abilities like Symbiotic Bloom and Bursting Growth.
- Healing Enhancements:
- Symbiotic Blooms scale healing exponentially.
- Skills like Vigorous Creepers provide significant healing multipliers.
Comparison Table: Resto Druid vs. Resto Shaman Healing Capabilities
| Aspect | Resto Druid | Resto Shaman |
|---|---|---|
| Top Healing Spells | Burst with Symbiotic Blooms | Consistent AoE and spot healing |
| Healing Over Time | High scaling with mastery and hots | Stable, moderate output |
| Utility | Synergistic with other skills | Direct, straightforward utility |
The Resto Druid shines particularly in scenarios demanding dynamic and scalable healing, elevating its position within Mythic Plus compositions.
Resto Druid's Dominance
The Resto Druid has established itself as a powerful choice within the Mythic Plus healing community. Its robust healing arsenal, combined with effective spot healing and a range of supportive tools, ensures survivability even under intense damage.
Key Features of Resto Druid:
- Dynamic Spot Healing: With tools like Regrowth, which boasts a swift cast time, and Swiftmend, allowing for instant heals, Resto Druids can react rapidly to sudden drops in group health.
- Defensive Capabilities: Resto Druids possess options like Ironbark and Bear Form to mitigate incoming damage, offering a level of durability not found in Resto Shamans.
- Utility and Buffs: The Mark of the Wild provides a notable 3% damage boost to all group members, enhancing overall damage output significantly.
- Synergistic Mastery: Particularly beneficial for specific DPS classes like Frost DKs, the mastery buff strengthens the group's damage capabilities.
Survivability in Mythic Plus is not solely reliant on healing output; defensive options and damage contributions are equally essential. The defensive versatility and offensive buffs make Resto Druid a compelling choice over the Resto Shaman, which lacks similar defensive capabilities.
Implications for Shaman Players
The rise of the Resto Druid poses challenges for Resto Shamans, traditionally a strong choice in Mythic Plus settings. Despite these challenges, opportunities for Shaman players remain:
- Elemental Shaman Growth: As the Resto Druid becomes a more consistent choice, there's potential for Elemental Shamans to fill vacated roles, offering their unique utility.
- Focus on Utility: Resto Shamans can still bring valuable group capabilities, including totems and interrupt abilities, though their healing role may be lesser emphasized.
Recent Meta Developments
The past ten days have highlighted pivotal shifts within the Mythic Plus meta:
- Beast Mastery Hunter's Rise: Their presence in higher key groups has become more pronounced, offering a broader range of DPS options alongside healing changes.
- Resto Druid's Ascension: With definitive advantages in both healing potency and utility, they are chosen more frequently over Resto Shamans.
Looking ahead, these evolving dynamics may lead to further role expansions for Elemental Shamans and potentially other classes impacted by these shifts. As we anticipate the impending release of Turbo Boost and patch 11.2.5, the current landscape suggests exciting changes on the horizon for group compositions in Mythic Plus adventures.