Mythic+ Great Vault Update: +10 Cap Jumps to +18s at Midnight

Mythic Plus Key Level Changes and Their Impact

The latest updates in the midnight beta have introduced noteworthy changes to Mythic Plus key levels and their corresponding rewards. Previously, completing a plus 10 key granted the highest item level from the Great Vault, but this will now progress differently.

Changes in Mythic Plus Rewards

In the new system:

1. Key Levels and Item Level Equivalents:
   • Plus 10 and 11 provide a 272 item level (mid track 1/6).
   • Plus 12, 13, and 14 upgrade to a 276 item level (mid track 2/6).
   • Plus 15, 16, and 17 advance to a 282 item level (mid track 3/6).
   • Plus 18 reaches 282 item level (mid track 4/6).

   These changes mean players can now advance seven key levels further than before, offering greater item level progression from Mythic Plus activities.

Crest Upgrades and Costs

A significant change in crest upgrades has also been introduced:

• 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 from previous requirements, making early upgrades from one to three more valuable and emphasizing the acquisition of multiple pieces.

Strategy Optimization

With these adjustments, completing a plus 18 key saves players a substantial 60 crests by directly providing mid track four out of six gear. This offers a strategic advantage during the season:

• Benefit of Plus 18 Keys:
• Saves 60 crests weekly.
• Allows for more efficient use of resources in upgrading gear.

Assessing the Difficulty of Plus 18 Keys

Entering Mythic Plus in the beta presents challenges, with players starting at an average item level of 245. This is due to the scaling adjustments and the initial gear expected from Mythic Zero and normal raid gear. It's essential to consider:

• Projected Difficulty:
• Average starting gear will be around 245.
• Players are expected to leverage crafted gear and raid progression to approach 255-260 item levels.

The changes in Mythic Plus are set to shift player objectives and strategies, focusing on efficiently maximizing gear upgrades and tackling higher difficulty keys to optimize rewards.

Challenges and Opportunities in Reaching Plus 18 Keys

The beta testing phase reveals significant challenges for players attempting Mythic Plus +18 keys right away. Current testing conditions afford players access to optimal gear sets and trinkets, which might not align with what most players will possess when the season officially begins. Consequently, a minimal percentage of players are expected to actually complete +18 keys in the first week.

1. Initial Difficulty:
   • The majority of players will find +18s challenging during the first few weeks.
   • Difficulty is exacerbated by average item levels set during testing, which are unlikely to be available to most players initially.

   Mythic Plus keys at +18 are designed to be formidable, not becoming weekly farmable content for the majority. The challenge remains consistent throughout the season, with expectations for players to progress through a range of keys before achieving comfort at +18.

   • Reward Structure:
   • The Great Vault changes introduce incentives by offering significant discounts for players reaching +18.
   • Players will receive a 60% discount on weekly crest caps if they manage to select a usable vault item, which encourages aiming for higher key completions.

The changes to Mythic Plus effectively create aspirational content for players, targeting a higher difficulty level for meaningful rewards. This update addresses previous criticism that Mythic Plus did not incentivize players to push beyond easier key levels. Though achieving +18s is not expected to be easily attainable, these updates encourage players to strive for higher goals, providing a tangible objective at the season's start.

The future of Mythic Plus and its end-season difficulty level will depend on further tuning by Blizzard. If challenges remain as test conditions indicate, +18 will continue to be a significant milestone. Conversely, balance adjustments could modulate difficulty, making high-tier keys more accessible. This anticipation adds an exciting element of strategy and planning for Mythic Plus players.