Warlock Cataclysm Preview Discussion - READ THE FIRST POST - Page 15

Flamingcloud · 09/24/10, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by Madlax

I'm curious where you get that number from - the SF <-> IC dpct difference is the key question on what to use as the filler. If SFs dpct(without dot that is) were higher than IC(under backdraft even) then you would only spam SF(literally).
As far as I see it, Blizzard balanced, or still is trying to balance, the tree around IM, SF once while letting the imp refresh it, Conf(not even looking into which has higher prio there), IC filler spam, occasional CB and Fel Flame. Use the Imp proccs for insta SFs, granted(and likely) they do more dpct than a IC.
Use the Soul Burn SFs if you know your dot will drop(running, silence, long stuns) to reapply it - if that wont be the case in a fight, use them at will.

The number comes from beta and ptr testing, which is why I said "right now". It is obviously possible that a non-backdraft IC will have a higher dpct than SF after the numbers are finished, but I think it is more likely SF will end up the filler (and really this is max 1-2 SF per 10 seconds) A 3 second SF would have to be pretty dramatically nerfed for its non-dot damage to be worse than a 2.25 second.

Scaron · 09/24/10, 1:27 PM

It appears that on the PTR as of a few minutes ago, the Burning Embers "Bug" has been addressed. Now, the total damage "cap" for BE applies to the total 7 second duration of the dot. That is, if the spell cap listed in the tooltip is at 3500, BE will tick (after ramp up) at a maximum of 500 damage every second for 7 seconds to reach the "cap".

Cap is in quotes above, because that value isn't really a hardcap. It can go up and down depending on buffs, etc. Also, casting a soulfire no longer resets your "stacks" of BE. Soulfires (at least instant ones) should now be a dps gain rather than a loss. Although, I only really noticed a beneficial effect on BE when soulfire was a crit. That's how it is...at least for now.

A second question is this: Has anyone else noticed that when firing on a target dummy above 80% the haste buff from Improved Soul Fire isn't working. I reported as a bug, but I wanted to know if anyone had any non-target dummy experiences with this one.

Mystearica · 09/24/10, 3:47 PM

Originally Posted by Kilroggmama

Remember that some DoTs now have two separate parameters: Tick interval and Duration. In this case, only the Duration is affected. Example:

When you apply Unstable Affliction it will have 15 seconds duration and X second tick interval based on all the haste modifiers at the time (unless I'm mistaken?). Normally a DoT will therefore have extra duration at the end that is wasted unless the DoT is somehow renewed before it falls off. Fel Flame will in this case simply change the total duration to 21 seconds when applied anytime during those 15 seconds. If applied after 8 seconds, with 7 seconds left, the duration will be 7 + 6 = 13 seconds from that point. It does not affect tick intervals (unless ALL spell hits update spell power/haste/crit on the DoT?).

If I'm wrong about haste on UA, then it's simply 6 seconds = 2 ticks extra.

Fel flame just increases the current duration by 6sec & caps at its maximum duration of 18sec. I assume the duration changes to 18sec due to the added time from blizz's removal of clipping dots. Corrution's duration, when refreshed by haunt in increased to 21sec, & Immolate's duration can also be increased up to 18sec by Fel Flame & set to 18sec when refreshed by Hand of Gul'dan.

Haste effects all DoT's interval of ticks.

Also it seems that a DoT's haste is updated in real time. Meaning a DoT already on target will tick faster when eradication procs w/o having to recast or refresh it. This however does not include SP or Damage bonus buffs such as Demon Soul, you have to recast/refresh your DoTs to benefit from them.

Erowulf · 09/26/10, 6:43 PM

Originally Posted by Scaron

A second question is this: Has anyone else noticed that when firing on a target dummy above 80% the haste buff from Improved Soul Fire isn't working. I reported as a bug, but I wanted to know if anyone had any non-target dummy experiences with this one.

I have noticed the same thing on both dummies and during BG PvP, and likewise, reported it. I didn't see any obvious buff and none of the character sheet numbers or spell tooltip numbers seemed to be modified.

krilz · 09/27/10, 5:21 AM

Tier11 is available for viewing and after taking a glance on the set bonuses, the 4p reads: "Periodic damage from your Immolate and Unstable Affliction spells has a 2% chance to cause your next Fel Flame spell to have a 100% increased critical strike chance."

Now what I'm wondering is this: How much damage is Fel Flame doing on it's own currently (in say... 85 pre-raid gear?), what is the spell damage modifier on this particular spell, and how often is a lock using it on an average encounter? I know that this particular bonus could be changed before release but I'm interested to see if the current implementation is better than I think it is.

skumm · 09/27/10, 7:59 AM

Originally Posted by krilz

Tier11 is available for viewing and after taking a glance on the set bonuses, the 4p reads: "Periodic damage from your Immolate and Unstable Affliction spells has a 2% chance to cause your next Fel Flame spell to have a 100% increased critical strike chance."

Now what I'm wondering is this: How much damage is Fel Flame doing on it's own currently (in say... 85 pre-raid gear?), what is the spell damage modifier on this particular spell, and how often is a lock using it on an average encounter? I know that this particular bonus could be changed before release but I'm interested to see if the current implementation is better than I think it is.

My 85 affliction lock hits with fel flame for approx. 2k (4-4500 when it crits depending on other procs of course). Since Cataclysm feels more like dance dance revolution (not so much having rotations but it feels like whacking the button on whatever happens to be off cooldown) I am really only hitting it when I need to move, as it's instanct cast is quite handy on heavy movement fights when you are repositioning. While I am not 100% happy with my "rotation" as of yet, you will find you'll get a ton more milage out of a glyphed soul swap, where the dots are not removed from the initial target anymore. Overall, as far as damage goes, it currently "feels" a little weak.

Flamingcloud · 09/28/10, 9:16 AM

Even in the best case scenario where it is worth hitting fel flame even when standing still if you get an automatic crit there is still a problem. 2% chance is only going to get you a 0-4 procs an entire boss fight. 2% is half the proc rate of nightfall for reference, and nightfall has been one of the weakest talents historically due to the low proc rate.

With an extremely weak 2pc and 4pc I would imagine we are almost certainly going to be better off mixing and matching offset pieces.

Naforce · 09/28/10, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by Flamingcloud

Even in the best case scenario where it is worth hitting fel flame even when standing still if you get an automatic crit there is still a problem. 2% chance is only going to get you a 0-4 procs an entire boss fight. 2% is half the proc rate of nightfall for reference, and nightfall has been one of the weakest talents historically due to the low proc rate.

With an extremely weak 2pc and 4pc I would imagine we are almost certainly going to be better off mixing and matching offset pieces.

They're probably just placeholders, nothing to put too much emphasis on right now.

Kilroggmama · 09/30/10, 11:33 AM

How is Simulationcraft coming along? With a 4.0.1 release possible next week, I'm eagerly looking forward to some new numbers. :-)

Has anyone on PTR tested best affliction DPS spec at level 80?

Zurriel · 09/30/10, 2:16 PM

Heh, I was on my way to the target dummies and foolishly jumped into the UC goo...now I am a victim of the "instant disconnect upon touching water" bug. Ouch.

Moreover, does anyone know whether affliction will still have rolling crit numbers in 4.0.1, or will they refresh on the fly like haste does? Ghostcrawler said crit would refresh after each corruption duration in Cata (so you could still game the first several hits with trinkets or w/e), but I'm wondering if the math is adjusted in 4.0.1. Also, same question about spell % damage increases, mainly 4-piece tier 10.

Anyone know?

Talon · 09/30/10, 3:13 PM

The only spec that will be completely playable with 4.01 is Destro... Demo and Afflic would be missing some important points at 80. Where Destro will not be... 2/3/31 is a complete spec for destro. considering there are 5 "free points". On the other hand Afflic would be missing one pt in either Bane or Shadow and flame. Not to mention Dark Arts. Same for Demo but w/o Doom and Gloom.

Zurriel · 09/30/10, 3:43 PM

Originally Posted by Talon

The only spec that will be completely playable with 4.01 is Destro... Demo and Afflic would be missing some important points at 80. Where Destro will not be... 2/3/31 is a complete spec for destro. considering there are 5 "free points". On the other hand Afflic would be missing one pt in either Bane or Shadow and flame. Not to mention Dark Arts. Same for Demo but w/o Doom and Gloom.

I'm not entirely certain which is point is better-spent at 80--SaF or Bane--but missing the single point won't make affliction inviable. Affliction just has more to look forward to

Onorvele · 09/30/10, 5:50 PM

Originally Posted by Zurriel

I'm not entirely certain which is point is better-spent at 80--SaF or Bane--but missing the single point won't make affliction inviable. Affliction just has more to look forward to

It's the same tossup for Demo - tho I'd tend toward a 4% boost in raw SBolt DPS, plus guaranteed application of Imp SBolt debuff from the extra SaF point over a 200ms reduction in base SBolt cast time from the Bane point - especially since you're still going to be wearing all your ICC +haste gear (instinct says that with 35% haste, that 200ms base improvement becomes 140ms effective improvement).

Mystearica · 09/30/10, 7:06 PM

Originally Posted by Talon

The only spec that will be completely playable with 4.01 is Destro... Demo and Afflic would be missing some important points at 80. Where Destro will not be... 2/3/31 is a complete spec for destro. considering there are 5 "free points". On the other hand Afflic would be missing one pt in either Bane or Shadow and flame. Not to mention Dark Arts. Same for Demo but w/o Doom and Gloom.

Reforge your gear to have mastery, don't get bane, & use DL as a filler.

Burberri · 09/30/10, 7:07 PM

Missing 1 point in SnF doesn't break affliction. SB is less than 35% of your damage, you are talking about 1.25% of your damage. Its a bit more for demon, but its not the end of the world.

My question is how potent is mastery. Do we want to runeforge all our crit into mastery?