Brain Freeze makes you use a spell that you don't normally use, similar to how Hot Streak works. Both are random procs based upon normal spell use. The 4t8 bonus provides a benefit to one of our normal spells. Rotations are complex enough and have enough variety for the average moonkin that we don't need another spell, especially one that copies another classes mechanics. Think about our arsenal for damage: We have two DoT spells (Moonfire and IS), two nukes (Wrath and Starfire), one direct non-channelled AoE with a short cooldown (Starfire), one no-cooldown channelled AoE (Hurricane), one direct non-channelled burst AoE (Typhoon). It doesn't really need another spell just for the sake of it, especially when we have Eclipse which encourages use of both of our primary nukes.

The closest relative mechanic is Nightfall for Warlocks, which is a chance on a DoT tick to provide an instant shadowbolt. I do not know if this is correct, but I've been told that they don't have the problem with the effect being consumed when a shadowbolt is mid-cast, so the problem has apparently already occurred once and been solved once. Hopefully they will solve the problem with the set bonus too.

Cynex, how much testing did you do? Was this a single run or did you do 20+ tests? Did you compare with and without the bonus? If it's a single run it doesn't tell us anything because variance in factors such as crit percentage will drown out any actual difference between using 4t8 and not using 4t8. If you didn't do a comparison then there's no real value in the results.

I have been testing it for about 2 hours now. As solar eclipse rotation with 4pset bonus is clearly an upgrade than solar rotation without set bonus. When i went without set bonus i used 2p t7 set bonus. I have compared 2 tries with pretty much same crit rate on wrath and starfire (1-3%difference), the dps difference is around 400. I am still overcapped with haste, and a bit low on crit, in my opinion if itemizing is done properly for solar eclipse it is far better than lunar with the same itemizing level atm (untill they fix set bonus bug, if it is bug).

I presume there is several issues revolving around the use of a solar rotation that is favored by the tier set:

1) 15% dmg bonus to eclipse vs the 15% crit bonus for lunar.

2) As you will be near the 400 haste cap, greater "time" saved per proc.

3) IS will be up a higher percentage of the time do to being refreshed early on in a solar eclipse if it drops

4) Faster proccing of a new eclipse if procs are used right as the eclipse CD ends. Now a number is needed on how many IS ticks before the end of eclipse cd a proc can be saved and still result in a "net" dps gain for the technique.

note: may also be beneficial to save an eclipse when the solar eclipse buff is active. Issues I see are when IS falls off during eclipse or IF its refreshed, as well as the standard practice of refreshing dots after the end of eclipse cd.

Nightfall does work just like that.

While this is correct, I would not say that it is indicative that Solar rotations will be better once they fix the bug. Using Solar means you encounter the bug less often, so naturally you'll get more DPS using 4T8. One of the problems with doing only solo tests though is that you're missing a lot of raid buffs, which can easily tip the scales towards one rotation over another.

Dummies are great for some forms of testing, but I would certainly not base my rotation off of dummy testing unless I was in a very unique situation.

The major problem I have with 4t8 is that to use those extra 2 pieces the itemization is so bad that it drags the dps value of the 4t8 bonus down so much that its just about not worth it. Even if it did work perfectly. On the flip side of the coin it does raise your mobile dps a decent amount so that is something to consider also.

If the 4T8 set bonus was un-bugged, the 15% proc rate is plenty more than enough to make up for any lack of itemization, even versus the ilevel 239 hard-mode gear. My current guesstimates put it at nearly 200 dps, on par with the 2T8 bonus.

To expand on what dopefish was saying, initial reports of 4pct8 being worth 200 DPS what are we really giving up? It is pretty safe to assume that everyone is wearing at least 2 pieces for that bonus. So in reality you are only giving up 2 non-set items to get the 4pc.

So, personally I am thinking the Denizens Chest will be my off set item (especially with the restrictions in my guild on cloth gear)

Meaning I will be running helm/shouders/gloves/legs. Since I already had gloves/legs as my 2 main pieces I am really only picking helm/shoulders over the alternative. So what do I lose?

Item Comparison Tool - World of Warcraft

-6 int
-68 haste
-2 sp
-1 blue socket

+52 spi
+9 hit

With 30% of that spirit being spellpower the only real lose comes from the ~2% haste we will lose. the 200 DPS still overcomes this pretty soundly. Of course numbers may change based on the pieces of t8 you choose, however I am struggling to find a set up (of just 2 pieces) that will net you more.

Let's not stray back into the BiS listings. I'm over haste cap (not intentionally) and just on dummies I hit the 1sec Wrath with Nature's Grace up. In a raid enviroment given the 5% haste buff from Grace of Air and all the crit buffs a Solar rotation just isn't a good option. They will still need to fix the set bonus for it to be completely viable, just increasing the proc rate three times doesn't change that. Three times Zero is still Zero.

Nightfall used to have the same bug 4T8 has as well and they eventually fixed it. It makes me curious how this one managed to get through in this state, but hopeful that they have got the ability/willingness to fix it.

I keep seeing people talk about keeping there haste rating at or close to 400 to keep wrath from clipping. I was wondering if anyone had tried dropping a point or two in Starlight Wrath in order to keep a high haste rating for the lunar eclipse. Considering how much movement is required for most Ulduar fights it would seem to help in two ways. Also, can someone direct me to 3.1.2 talent discussion? I haven't been able to find if the regen talents are still the same as 3.0.

As far as I can tell, those relative values don't even change much based on what rotation you're using.