Mythic+ Great Vault Update: +10 Cap Jumps to +18s at Midnight
How the WoW Midnight Great Vault overhaul works: which key levels award Myth-track gear, crest costs by rank, and the optimal weekly strategy for crest savings.
By:
John Langan
Key Takeaways
- The Great Vault in Midnight Season 1 now scales from Myth 1/6 (272 ilvl at +10) all the way to Myth 4/6 (282 ilvl at +18) — four distinct tiers replace the old single ceiling.
- Completing a +18 key saves approximately 60 Crests weekly by awarding the top vault tier directly.
- Fully upgrading a piece of gear costs 150 Crests total (ranks 1–6), doubling the previous requirement.
- Starting item level from crafted gear and Mythic Zero runs is around 245–246; targeting +18s comfortably requires 255–260.
- +18 keys will be challenging for most players in the first weeks — beta conditions used higher gear than players will start with at launch.
- The crest saving at +18 makes it a meaningful weekly milestone, not just a prestige key level.
The full breakdown of key level breakpoints, crest costs, and strategy follows below.
Mythic Plus Key Level Changes and Their Impact
The latest updates in the Midnight beta introduced major changes to Mythic Plus key levels and their corresponding rewards. Previously, completing a +10 key granted the highest item level from the Great Vault, but the reward structure now scales further — all the way to +18.
Changes in Mythic Plus Rewards
In the updated system, the Great Vault offers four distinct Myth-track tiers above +10, each awarding progressively better gear:
- Key Level Breakpoints and Vault Tiers:
- +10 and above: 272 item level (Myth 1/6).
- +12 through +14: 276 item level (Myth 2/6).
- +15 through +17: 282 item level (Myth 3/6).
- +18: 282 item level (Myth 4/6 — top vault tier).
These changes mean players can now advance seven key levels further than before to unlock the top Great Vault reward, offering a clear gear-progression ladder from Mythic Plus activities.
With the vault now rewarding Myth-track gear all the way from +10 to +18, the incentive to push higher keys is direct and tangible rather than gated behind a single ceiling.
Crest Upgrades and Costs
A change in crest upgrades accompanies the new vault structure:
- Crest Cost Per Upgrade Level:
- One to two: 10 crests
- Two to three: 20 crests
- Three to four: 30 crests
- Four to five: 40 crests
- Five to six: 50 crests
The revised system doubles the total crest cost compared to previous requirements, making early upgrades from rank one to three more valuable and rewarding consistent week-over-week participation.
Strategy Optimization
With these adjustments, completing a +18 key saves players roughly 60 crests by directly providing a Myth 4/6 vault slot instead of a lower tier. This creates a concrete weekly target for dedicated Mythic Plus players:
- Benefit of Completing +18 Keys:
- Saves approximately 60 crests weekly compared to selecting a lower-tier vault item.
- Allows more efficient use of upgrade resources on the gear that actually needs it.
Players who can reliably clear +18s each week will stretch their crest budget further than those capping at +10, compounding across the entire season.
Assessing the Difficulty of Plus 18 Keys
Entering Mythic Plus in the beta presents real challenges, with players starting at an average item level around 245–246 from crafted gear and Mythic Zero runs. The scaling adjustments and gear floor mean early +18 attempts will be demanding:
- Projected Difficulty and Starting Gear:
- Average starting gear sits around 245–246.
- Players are expected to use crafted gear and raid progression to approach 255–260 before targeting +18s comfortably.
The adjustments to the vault ladder make starting item level a real factor in which keys players should target first.
The changes to Mythic Plus create meaningful aspirational content, focusing players on a higher difficulty ceiling with tangible vault rewards. This addresses criticism that earlier seasons did not sufficiently incentivize pushing beyond easier key levels.
Challenges and Opportunities in Reaching Plus 18 Keys
Beta testing reveals that very few players will complete +18 keys in the opening weeks. Test conditions during beta give participants access to optimized gear sets and trinkets that most players will not have at season launch:
- Initial Difficulty Expectations:
- Most players will find +18s challenging through the first few weeks of the season.
- The item level available during beta testing is higher than what typical players will start with.
Planning to push Mythic+ keys with a carry group can bridge the gear gap early in the season and help you hit the vault tiers that matter.
| Mythic Plus Key Level | Difficulty Expectation | Great Vault Tier |
|---|---|---|
| +10 | Moderate for experienced players | Myth 1/6 (272 ilvl) |
| +12 | Intermediate | Myth 2/6 (276 ilvl) |
| +18 | Challenging for most players early in the season | Myth 4/6 (282 ilvl) |
The future difficulty of +18 content will depend on Blizzard's tuning adjustments across the season. If beta conditions hold, clearing +18s in the first week will remain a milestone for only a small percentage of players — but the reward structure makes it a goal worth pursuing once your gear foundation is in place.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest Great Vault reward available in WoW Midnight?
The top Great Vault reward in Midnight Season 1 is Myth 4/6 gear at 282 item level, unlocked by completing a +18 Mythic Plus key.
Do I need to complete +18 keys every week to get the best vault loot?
Yes — only completing a +18 key during the week gives you a Myth 4/6 vault slot (the highest available). Lower key levels award lower Myth-track tiers, so consistent +18 completions maximise your weekly vault value.
What item level do I need to start Mythic Plus in Midnight?
The starting gear floor from crafted items and Mythic Zero runs is around 245–246. Most players will want to reach 255–260 before reliably completing +18s.
How are Great Vault rewards different in Midnight compared to previous expansions?
The vault now scales across four Myth tiers from +10 to +18, replacing the earlier single-ceiling design where +10 was the only threshold that mattered. Players must push higher keys to access the top reward tiers.
How many Crests does it take to fully upgrade a piece of gear in Midnight Season 1?
Upgrading a piece from rank 1 to rank 6 costs 150 Crests in total (10 + 20 + 30 + 40 + 50). Completing a +18 key can save approximately 60 Crests per week by directly awarding a higher vault tier.
When do Mythic Plus keys reset in WoW Midnight?
Mythic Plus keys reset weekly on Tuesday (NA) or Wednesday (EU), resetting your best key completion for Great Vault purposes and refreshing the vault selection.