Loot Bonus Rolls Arrive April 21 | 12.0.5 Kicks Off Season 1

Patch 12.0.5 Release Features

The long-awaited Patch 12.0.5 for Blizzard's game is scheduled for release on April 21st or 22nd. This update arrives very close to the beginning of the season due to Blizzard's tradition of releasing new patches every two months. Despite the countdown which hinted at its release, many players are excited to dive into the new content and features.

Key Features of Patch 12.0.5

1. Void Forge System: The introduction of the Void Forge system is perhaps the most anticipated feature. While it's initially not possible to increase item levels, it sets up the groundwork for future upgrade capabilities post-construction.
2. Void Events: Alongside the new patch, the game will feature open-world activities like Void Strike and Void Incursion events which follow the completion of the March of Talonas storyline.
3. Prop Hunt Mini-Game: A new team-based hide and seek mini-game set in Silver Moon, where players disguise and identify props, providing a casual and entertaining diversion.

The Bonus Roll System

Coinciding with the patch release, the bonus roll system will also be introduced. This will allow players to enhance their loot acquisition efforts.

• Nebulous Void Cores: The currency required for bonus rolls can be acquired from the NPC Desimus in exchange for simple in-game resources like gold or by completing quests.
• Weekly Freebie: Players will receive two currency items each week, with the flexibility to stack them. This means if you miss collecting these for several weeks, you can later purchase all the missed items at once.

Bonus Roll Mechanics

The bonus roll system introduces a strategic layer for loot acquisition:

• Bad Luck Protection: Similar to previous features in raids, bonus rolls allow players to target specific boss drops.

• Decreasing Pool of Eligible Items: Each time an item is received, it is removed from that boss’s loot pool until all possible items have been collected. This ensures that eventually, players will receive the sought-after item.

Here's a concise breakdown of how the bonus rolls work:

This system adds an exciting layer of predictability to loot collection, offering players both additional reward opportunities and a method to mitigate bad luck over successive weeks. However, comprehensive details about how many rolls can be done weekly, or further updates, remain to be clarified by Blizzard.

Bonus Roll Mechanics in Raids and Mythic Plus

The new bonus roll system doesn't consider previously acquired items. For instance, even if you've already received three out of four possible items from a particular loot pool, the bonus roll will still present all four options, including duplicates. This means players might face lower odds of obtaining the exact item they desire if they already possess other items in the pool.

Weekly Bonus Roll Allocation

The bonus roll system's mechanics differ between raid and Mythic Plus activities:

1. Raid:
   • Costs two currencies per roll.
   • Offers one bonus roll per week.
   • Rewards item levels based on the specific boss defeated.
2. Mythic Plus:
   • Costs one currency per roll.
   • Provides two bonus rolls per week.
   • Item levels match the rewards from completing the Mythic Plus activities, typically at an item level of 272.

   These variations ensure that while Mythic Plus players receive more gear, raid rewards maintain a higher item level. The discrepancy in item levels reflects the fact that the most valuable trinkets often drop from raid bosses, emphasizing their significance for character optimization.

Raid vs. Mythic Plus Loot Pool Size

A critical distinction lies in the size of the loot pool:

• Raid: Players target specific bosses, leading to a smaller, more precise pool of items.
• Mythic Plus: Covers the entire run's bosses, enlarging the available loot pool with multiple potential items from each dungeon.

Factors Affecting Gear Acquisition

• Gear Upgrades: Mythic Plus gear starts at a lower item level but can be upgraded, albeit with certain limitations.
• Item Level Gaps: Raiders benefit from higher item levels due to the direct association with boss difficulty and loot quality.

While this system introduces an improved approach to gear acquisition, detailed mechanisms and future updates are pending. This change is expected to be live with patch 12.0.5 but excludes any immediate additional item level increases. The main feature going live initially will be the structured release of bonus rolls, enhancing the targeting and acquisition of desired gear.

Overall, the forthcoming patch provides a balanced shift in gameplay dynamics regarding gear acquisition for both raiders and Mythic Plus enthusiasts, offering diverse paths to gear up efficiently.