Patch 4.2: Changes made to tier 12 set bonuses
by Dawn Moore 
May 13th 2011 at 11:00AM
Zarhym explains that the developers are still in the process of testing the bonuses for all classes and that if your class isn't listed in this particular post, then they're probably still working on it. As always, he adds, they're taking player feedback into account. From my own limited perspective as a priest, I'd say they've been listening quite well to community discussion on the matter.
Read Zarhym's full post after the cut.
A Word on Tier 12 Set Bonuses
We've seen a lot of discussion and debate over the new set bonuses. Just so everyone is aware, we're still assessing the set bonuses for tier 12 as we go through more testing and gathering more feedback.
To give you a heads up on what we're looking at so far though, here are the most recent bonuses we have in mind for some of the sets (some of what's listed below are amendments to the existing bonuses on the PTR).
Some of these bonuses might already be live as of the build pushed earlier this week, while some are yet to be implemented. If your class/specialization isn't listed here, it means the bonuses either haven't changed, or the changes haven't been solidified. Just the same, all of this is subject to ch-ch-changes over the course of the PTR process. Your feedback is appreciated!
▪ Blood Death Knight 4-Piece: The bonus to parry from Dancing Rune Weapon now begins when Dancing Rune Weapon wears off, instead of lasting while Dancing Rune Weapon is active.
▪ Frost/Unholy Death Knight 4-Piece: Old bonus removed and replaced -- Your Obliterate and Scourge Strike abilities deal 6% additional damage as Fire damage over 4 seconds.
▪ Feral Druid 4-Piece: The bonus to dodge from Barkskin now begins when Barkskin wears off, instead of lasting while Barkskin is active.
▪ Restoration Druid 4-Piece: Old bonus removed and replaced -- Your Swiftmend also heals an injured target within 8 yards for the same amount.
▪ Holy Paladin 2-Piece: Old bonus removed and replaced -- Healing with Holy Shock has a 40% chance to grant you 6% of your base mana.
▪ Holy Paladin 4-Piece: Old bonus removed and replaced -- Your Divine Light, Flash of Light, and Holy Light spells also heal an injured target within 8 yards for 10% of the amount healed.
▪ Protection Paladin 4-Piece: The bonus to parry from Divine Protection now begins when Divine Protection wears off, instead of lasting while Divine Protection is active.
▪ Holy/Discipline Priest 2-Piece: Now also triggers from casting Prayer of Mending.
▪ Holy/Discipline Priest 4-Piece: Old bonus removed and replaced -- You have a chance when you cast a helpful spell to summon a Cauterizing Flame at the target's location. Each second the Cauterizing Flame will heal an injured party member within 20 yards for 9250 to 10750 health. Lasts 5 seconds.
▪ Shadow Priest 2-Piece: Now requires the priest to be in Shadowform to be active.
▪ Warlock 4-Piece: Now also triggers from casting Drain Soul.
▪ Arms/Fury Warrior 2-Piece: Old bonus removed and replaced -- Your Battle Shout and Commanding Shout abilities grant you an additional 35 rage. Cannot occur more often than once every 60 seconds.
▪ Protection Warrior 4-Piece: The bonus to parry from Shield Wall now begins when Shield Wall wears off, instead of lasting while Shield Wall is active.
To give you a heads up on what we're looking at so far though, here are the most recent bonuses we have in mind for some of the sets (some of what's listed below are amendments to the existing bonuses on the PTR).
Some of these bonuses might already be live as of the build pushed earlier this week, while some are yet to be implemented. If your class/specialization isn't listed here, it means the bonuses either haven't changed, or the changes haven't been solidified. Just the same, all of this is subject to ch-ch-changes over the course of the PTR process. Your feedback is appreciated!
▪ Blood Death Knight 4-Piece: The bonus to parry from Dancing Rune Weapon now begins when Dancing Rune Weapon wears off, instead of lasting while Dancing Rune Weapon is active.
▪ Frost/Unholy Death Knight 4-Piece: Old bonus removed and replaced -- Your Obliterate and Scourge Strike abilities deal 6% additional damage as Fire damage over 4 seconds.
▪ Feral Druid 4-Piece: The bonus to dodge from Barkskin now begins when Barkskin wears off, instead of lasting while Barkskin is active.
▪ Restoration Druid 4-Piece: Old bonus removed and replaced -- Your Swiftmend also heals an injured target within 8 yards for the same amount.
▪ Holy Paladin 2-Piece: Old bonus removed and replaced -- Healing with Holy Shock has a 40% chance to grant you 6% of your base mana.
▪ Holy Paladin 4-Piece: Old bonus removed and replaced -- Your Divine Light, Flash of Light, and Holy Light spells also heal an injured target within 8 yards for 10% of the amount healed.
▪ Protection Paladin 4-Piece: The bonus to parry from Divine Protection now begins when Divine Protection wears off, instead of lasting while Divine Protection is active.
▪ Holy/Discipline Priest 2-Piece: Now also triggers from casting Prayer of Mending.
▪ Holy/Discipline Priest 4-Piece: Old bonus removed and replaced -- You have a chance when you cast a helpful spell to summon a Cauterizing Flame at the target's location. Each second the Cauterizing Flame will heal an injured party member within 20 yards for 9250 to 10750 health. Lasts 5 seconds.
▪ Shadow Priest 2-Piece: Now requires the priest to be in Shadowform to be active.
▪ Warlock 4-Piece: Now also triggers from casting Drain Soul.
▪ Arms/Fury Warrior 2-Piece: Old bonus removed and replaced -- Your Battle Shout and Commanding Shout abilities grant you an additional 35 rage. Cannot occur more often than once every 60 seconds.
▪ Protection Warrior 4-Piece: The bonus to parry from Shield Wall now begins when Shield Wall wears off, instead of lasting while Shield Wall is active.
A first glance, I'd say the developers have really put some effort into balancing the output on the four-piece bonuses for healers. Let us know what you think of the rest.
The news is already rolling out for the upcoming WoW Patch 4.2! Preview the new Firelands raid, marvel at the new legendary staff, and get the inside scoop on new quest hubs -- plus new Tier 12 armor!Filed under: News items
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
alex.george May 17th 2011 3:42AM
I like how they changed the Shadow 2 set so they didn't get priests using it for the mana regen, as well as not giving an extra lightwell that people will refuse to click.
Shuckles May 13th 2011 11:05AM
I know you know that the current change to Cauterizing Flame is a really, really nice one. Yeahhh buddy. ;D
Cheb May 13th 2011 11:18AM
It certainly sounds nice. Has anyone seen the visual effect for it though? I fear some of my raid members seeing it and running away. At least if the range is 20 yards, they could move away from it and hopefully still get the heal.
BB Crisp May 13th 2011 4:17PM
It plops down on the person you're healing and only lasts 5 seconds with a 20 yard radius. Even if it showed up as a giant skull and crossbones, no way your entire raid will be getting that much distance on it. It'll still get the job done.
(cutaia) May 13th 2011 11:09AM
Man, that's a good lookin' tier set.
Hal May 13th 2011 11:13AM
Paladin, I do believe. Although I think it looks like it has flaming antlers.
Tribunal May 13th 2011 11:32AM
That floating piece is much more in-scale (imo) on the male-human preview, plus it's missing the spell effect.
I dunno, hoping it's a bit bugged on our lady belf, looks a little too detached.
http://media.mmo-champion.com/images/news/2011/april/t12paladin.jpg
Arrohon May 13th 2011 3:42PM
I simply don't care for the brown version. Blue however is very beautiful. Red isn't too bad either.
Apple May 13th 2011 5:33PM
The Wowhead model viewer no longer has this set (as of this writing the models have mostly been replaced with the tier 11 set), but as you can see in the middle shot above the "antlers" actually hover behind the Paladin's head. It looks like a large, metallic halo, so I'm guessing rather than being "too detached" it's Working As Intended. Also, when the 3D model was first datamined both the spaulders and the center of the halo were on fire, so the complete effect is a bit different from the picture. We'll see how it looks with the next PTR build, though.
I agree that the blue set is far prettier looking. Which is good, because:
1) It's probably the Holy version of the armor.
2) Your average healadin is much less likely to care that they're basically wearing a dress.
3) Ret and Prot pallies will be sharing offtier pieces with Death Knights and Warriors, so a lot of them won't look like this anyway.
Skill May 13th 2011 11:12AM
I think they have missed out Resto-Shammies
Darian May 13th 2011 11:38AM
They only mentioned 4pcs in the blue post that changed. The Resto Shaman 4pc is still an additional jump to Chain Heal.
Dawn Moore May 13th 2011 12:25PM
If you read the text of the article and the blue post, Zarhym says that if your class isn't listed they're still working on you. With the effort they've done to balance the other healers, the resto shaman will probably still get looked at. =)
Saeadame May 13th 2011 11:15AM
Shadow Priest 2-Piece: Now requires the priest to be in Shadowform to be active.
Sad healing priests are sad...
Imnick May 13th 2011 11:19AM
You mean you actually have to use YOUR OWN tier set??
OH NO!!!
LynMars May 13th 2011 11:21AM
Yeah, somehow, after seeing it discussed on EJ, I am not surprised the tier bonus got changed.
Saeadame May 13th 2011 11:25AM
@Imnick - it just would have been nice to have the option. It wouldn't have been good for every fight anyway.
Darian May 13th 2011 11:40AM
The change to the healing 4pc MORE than makes up for it imo.
Homeschool May 13th 2011 12:49PM
In most of the discussions by my guild, the attraction of the Shadow 2-piece was primarily because of the deterrence of our own 4-piece. With Cauterizing Flame being a smart-heal robot, I think we're much more likely to aim for the 4-piece instead of mixing - tank, melee, or ranged, if we're healing someone, they're probably going to need more. The only time it won't be optimal is during movement, and even then, chances are SOMEONE will benefit from at least the first couple ticks.
As for the graphic... Well, I'm not super worried. It should have enough range that people won't have to stand right on top of it to get the heal. And they'll eventually learn what the "good" fire looks like.
Again.
shatto.a May 13th 2011 11:15AM
Aaaw, but my DK was looking forward to 75% avoidance :(
Imnick May 13th 2011 11:20AM
More avoidance for longer still sounds very attractive though