PVE Spec Discussion - Page 50

wyre · 05/22/09, 1:53 PM

Imps get an extreme increase from raid buffs which is not represented on training dummies. I have not retested since BC, back then they received almost a 1:1 increase to firebolt from external spellpower.

Evidicus · 05/27/09, 11:54 PM

I have a side topic question about what I call "gimmick" fights and the best specs to use for them. For example, I normally run deep destro for most raid encounters, but I found my DPS and raid damage jumped on Vexax 10 Hard Mode when I went Meta and only spammed shadow bolts in crashes. (I term it a gimmick since there is no mana return, and it is extremely buff dependant based on the encounter mechanics.)

I tried to use the same setup for Hard Mode Hodir this week and didn't break 7k, which was about 3-4k shy of our top performers. Now maybe it is because we had all casters on Flash Freeze duty and I was swapping targets a lot to bust out NPCs, or maybe it was because I was more focused on keeping Singed up via Toasty Fires than chasing whoever had Storm Power, but I still feel like I could consistently do more damage on that fight.

My specific question is, for those of you who have completed or put a lot of time in on these "gimmick" encounters, is which spec are you seeing the highest raid damage with consistently? Is there a modified rotation you're using outside of what you'd run with on a normal fight that didn't have encounter-specific buffs?

Thanks in advance for your time.

Menestheus · 05/28/09, 2:40 AM

I don't see why you can't do just as well on Vezax as deep destro as you can as meta. I did 10man Vezax hard mode and had 2mil damage dealt (top). It's surprisingly mana efficient and does good burst damage, if you aren't making good use of the crashes (being in one most of the time) then perhaps Meta would go better because your Felguard is always there dealing damage. The only spec that would really lose out on Vezax and Hodir is Affliction.

Madlax · 05/28/09, 3:01 AM

http://www.wowmeteronline.com/combat/4570064
I did the fight as Affliction before and rocked the Animus with close to 1 mio damage - but less total damage done.

Deep destro is definitly ok on Vezax 25.

Evidicus · 05/29/09, 9:20 PM

Originally Posted by Menestheus

I don't see why you can't do just as well on Vezax as deep destro as you can as meta.

At the time we were splitting ranged into 2 groups and kiting him through the middle when he gained Surge. That meant RNG could play hell with how often crashes fell on your side. This meant using a cooldown like Meta once I was in a crash made for better DPS. This past week we finally convinced our druid tank (nicknamed "OSHA, The Safety Bear") to skip kiting all together and just have one ranged group. This did in fact make Deep Destro a better build for the fight in 25 man. I still may use Meta for 10s where I don't have an Elemental Shaman just so caster DPS and healers can benefit from the spellpower buff.

Ok, so Vezax aside, any other specs and/or modified rotations working out really well on Hodir? I'm watching our Elemental Shaman and Boomkin put up exceptional numbers on this fight by spamming nukes, and I'm wondering if rolling in with normal Deep Destro will do the trick or if there is something I can do differently to better take advantage of the fight mechanics (other than just being better at getting all 3 buffs up as often as possible).

Menestheus · 05/30/09, 1:09 AM

I've had good success doing Hodir as deep Destro. And when I tried going for spotlights over fires I got even better. This makes sense when you see the scaling factor for haste for this build (1.5!). Getting the crit buffs is a little random as even in a good group you might not be one of the 6 people (4 in 10man) it gets passed to so while it's amazing you can't rely on it.

realCool · 05/30/09, 6:24 AM

@Menestheus This only works if there are still enough people standing near the fire who damage Hodir, otherwise the singed effect won't stack which results in a dps loss.

Menestheus · 05/30/09, 11:26 PM

Originally Posted by realCool

@Menestheus This only works if there are still enough people standing near the fire who damage Hodir, otherwise the singed effect won't stack which results in a dps loss.

We normally have at least one hunter (who doesn't benefit much from the haste buff) and you can get it stacked up quickly at the beginning and then he can maintain it.