Cataclysm Leak: Spec-specific mastery bonus info revealed
by Fox Van Allen 
May 6th 2010 at 4:00PM
With the release of the Friends and Family Alpha version of Cataclysm, information about the new expansion is spilling forth like water from a broken dam. MMO-Champion's latest leak concerns the new mastery system, the bonus Blizzard is implementing to encourage players to deep dive into their spec and to wear their class-specific gear.
Standard spoiler alert -- more details and links after the break.
The recent data mined findings show three separate bonuses for each spec. Some of it will be familiar to readers who were paying close attention during the class preview -- the elemental shaman mastery bonus, for example, modifies the percentage for Elemental (Lightning) Overload to occur, as well as increasing spell damage and crit percentage. Other specs will find slightly more specific, new information -- the leak reveals that shadow orb mastery bonus for shadow priests are generated (chance on hit) through Shadow Word: Pain and Mind Flay.
Blizzard previously released information about the mastery bonus system during Blizzcon 2009 and as part of an official sneak preview back in March.
As always, this information was taken from the alpha and is subject to (and probably will) change during the development process.
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm will destroy Azeroth as we know it. Nothing will be the same. In WoW.com's Guide to Cataclysm you can find out everything you need to know about WoW's third expansion. From Goblins and Worgens to Mastery and Guild changes, it's all there for your cataclysmic enjoyment.Filed under: Cataclysm
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
shadowhowl1900 May 6th 2010 4:03PM
uhh...shadow orbs?
u lost me there
Jamie May 6th 2010 4:05PM
http://www.wow.com/2010/04/08/cataclysm-class-preview-shadow-priest-analysis/
Boom!
Urthona May 6th 2010 4:07PM
While 90% of the talent trees are not modified to reflect the changes discussed in the Class reveals (IE DKs still have tanking talents everywhere).
Still, I did find a few talent changes of note:
5/5 Twisted Faith, Priest - Shadow
20% increased damage by Mind Flay if the target has Shadow Word: Pain
20% Spirit = Spell Hit
Considering that both Elemental and Balance are capable healers without regearing, I am pleased that the class designers have chosen to go a similar route with Shadow Priests. I anticipate that the Spirit to Spellhit contribution will increase through the Alpha and Beta process.
LJ May 6th 2010 4:14PM
The talent that caught my eye was Shadowy Apparition. Mirror Image like spell it seems? Not quite, but first thing that popped in my head.
The note of "move" in the discription is interesting. (would qoute the disc, but I'm on a phone :/)
brian May 6th 2010 5:23PM
Shamans also have a few changed or new talents scattered around, Druids have quite a few changes around the Balance and Resto trees, and Rogues got some Combat changes (though mostly about their Recuperation ability). And like you said, Priest changes.
So far, the other classes don't seem to have much changed. Maybe there will be articles for the classes that got some changes? Or maybe they're waiting so they have more to write about. Could get some good speculation though.
Exciting stuff awaits!
nwoods13 May 6th 2010 8:35PM
The shadowy apparitions struck me a suicide bombers without the loss.
N-train May 6th 2010 4:10PM
Now I'm not one to usually QQ at Blizzard over something, but god dammit guys I have like 500 finals to study for and there's absolutely no way I can get anything done when I'm forced to refresh MMO-Champ or Wow.com every 3.5 minutes to see new screenshots or information. I mean, really? You had to start the alpha right now? /headdesk
When I have to spend an extra two semesters in college because of how badly my gpa is about to tank, I'm sending you guys the bill.
Jamie May 6th 2010 4:17PM
In theory, WoW.com, MMO-champions.com & Blizzard are in cahoots, If you fail your finals Blizzard can keep your subscription for the next year or so and the websites get another reader instead of being too busy to play WoW with an illustrious future.
Although I'm sure that's not really WoW.com's intent (right...?)
Stevey May 6th 2010 4:22PM
Or you could just study and read everything after?
Nazgûl May 6th 2010 4:23PM
Shh, don't let them know we're on to them! Otherwise they'll smack us with the... OH GOD IT'S ZIEBA -
*static*
artifex May 6th 2010 4:42PM
It's not coming out til October. You have all summer to agonize over Cataclysm. It'll be a break from thinking about the courses you're retaking. :)
Vandersveldt May 6th 2010 5:30PM
Dude. RSS feed.
Vacasta May 8th 2010 2:10AM
Dude, Warcraft 2 played against my fraternity brothers over dial-up connections screwed me 14 years ago. I hate to say it, but WoW screwing your GPA up now made me feel good in that evil-good sorta way. :)
SpaceGoatPriest May 6th 2010 4:15PM
I was messing around with the Talent Tree earlier and noticed a new talent for Shadow Priests, Shadowy Apparition.
While moving or dealing damage with SW:P, you will sometimes summon a shadow version of yourself which will slowly move towards a target afflicted with SW:P. Once it reaches your target it will deal damage equal to 15% of your Mind Blast damage.
Fox Van Allen May 6th 2010 4:18PM
Shadowy Apparitions: Yessir, DO WANT.
SpaceGoatPriest May 6th 2010 4:28PM
I have always wanted a minion. I wonder if they could do my work that I am supposed to be doing instead of refreshing MMO-Champion, WoW.com, and my RSS feeds....
Ametrine May 6th 2010 4:34PM
Shadowy minon...
Do you also get Friends on the Other Side?
theholyevil May 6th 2010 4:43PM
Actually it stacks 3 times increasing the modifier by 15/30/45% you can test it out on mmo-champion.
Other then that I am excited to see how they work, but am a little disappointed that we still have the "increase damage by X%" talents. I was under the impression that these type of talents would be removed in cataclysm. And shadow priests do have alot of them :\
Also before you start, YES I know it is the alpha.
Fox Van Allen May 6th 2010 4:47PM
My minion is named Dawn Moore. After all, her lolsmites do about 15% of the damage of one of my Mind Blasts.
deluded spider May 6th 2010 5:45PM
Ametrine, I approve of your comment. My boyfriend and I made a chat channel for our RL friends who play Alliance (we're Horde), called "Friends on the Other Side."
Evil Disney is the best Disney.