Battle for Azeroth: Class Abilities Scale with Attack Power Instead of Weapon Damage

Beta Posted 2018/02/10 at 7:38 PM by perculia

ArchimtirosBuild 26010Battle for Azeroth Q&ABuild 26010

Class Tools

Blood

Frost

Unholy

Heart Strike Instantly strike the target and 1 other nearby enemy, causing (69%31.05% of Attack power) Physical damage, and reducing enemies' movement speed by 20% for 8 sec.
Generates 5 bonus Runic Power

Marrowrend Smash the target, dealing (107%48.15% of Attack power) Physical damage and generating 3 charges of Bone Shield.
Bone Shield Surrounds you with a barrier of whirling bones, increasing Armor by 50% of your Strength, and your Haste by 10%. Each melee attack against you consumes a charge. Lasts 30 sec or until all charges are consumed.

Scourge Strike An unholy strike that deals (44%27.28% of Attack power) Physical damage and (23%14.26% of Attack power)% Shadow damage, and causes 1 Festering Wound to burst.

Clawing Shadows Deals (56%34.72% of Attack power) Shadow damage and causes 1 Festering Wound to burst.

Death Strike Blood, Unholy: Focuses dark power into a strike that deals 96%1 Physical damage and heals you for 30% of all damage taken in the last 5 sec, minimum 10% of maximum health.
Frost: Focuses dark power into a strike with both weapons, that deals a total of (96% + 85%1 + 0%) Physical damage and heals you for 30% of all damage taken in the last 5 sec, minimum 10% of maximum health.
NEW Effect #2 School Damage
Value: 0 (AP mod: 0.5952)

Frost StrikeFrostscytheFestering StrikeObliterateRune of Razorice

Class Tools

Havoc

Vengeance

Demon's Bite Quickly attack for (129% Physical damage.58.05% of Attack power) Physical damage.
Generates 20 to 30 Fury.

Essence Break Slash an enemy for (153%68.85% of Attack power) Physical damage, and increase the damage your Chaos Strike deals to them by 40% for 8 sec.

Shear Shears an enemy for (115%51.75% of Attack power) Physical damage, and shatters a Lesser Soul Fragment from your target.
Generates 10 Pain.

Throw Glaive Vengeance: Throw a demonic glaive at the target, dealing (45%20.25% of Attack power) Physical damage. The glaive can ricochet to 2 additional enemies within 10 yards. Generates high threat.

Throw Glaive Havoc: Throw a demonic glaive at the target, dealing 119%0 Physical damage. The glaive can ricochet to 2 additional enemies within 10 yards.
NEW Effect #2 School Damage
Value: 0 (AP mod: 0.5355)

FelbladeFractureVengeful Retreat

NEW Effect #3 School Damage
Value: 0 (AP mod: 0.153)

Blade Dance

Class Tools

Balance

Feral

Guardian

Restoration

Maim Finishing move that causes Physical damage and stuns the target. Damage and duration increased per combo point:
1 point : (238%40.46% of Attack power)% damage, 1 sec
2 points: (238%40.46% of Attack power)% damage, 2 sec
3 points: (238%40.46% of Attack power)% damage, 3 sec
4 points: (238%40.46% of Attack power)% damage, 4 sec
5 points: (238%40.46% of Attack power)% damage, 5 sec

Shred Shred the target, causing * ((min(Level - 1, 19) * 18 + 353) / 695)] Physical damage to the target.
Deals 20% increased damage against bleeding targets
While stealthed, Shred deals 50% increased damage, and has double the chance to critically strike
Awards 1 combo point.
NEW Effect #3 School Damage
Value: 0 (AP mod: 0.4879)

SwipeBrutal SlashMangleMaulPulverizeStrength of the Wild

Class Tools

Beast Mastery

Marksmanship

Survival

Barrage Rapidly fires a spray of shots for 3 sec, dealing an average of 35%18.2% of Attack power)% * 10] Physical damage to all enemies in front of you. Usable while moving.

Chimaera Shot A two-headed shot that hits your primary target and another nearby target, dealing (195%101.4% of Attack power)% Nature damage to one and (195%101.4% of Attack power)% Frost damage to the other.
Generates 10 Focus for each target hit.

Rapid Fire Shoot a stream of arrows at your target, dealing (11%5.72% of Attack power)% Physical damage every 0.3 sec for 3 sec.
Each arrowshot generates 3 Focus.
Usable while moving.

Flanking Strike When you Kill Command you will also strike the enemy for (100%62% of Attack power)% Physical damage and generate 10 Focus, if you are within melee range.

Cobra Shot A quick shot causing 35.36% of Attack power) * ((min(Level - 1, 19) * 12 + 112) / 340)] Physical damage.
Reduces the cooldown of Kill Command by 1 sec.

Multi-Shot Fires several missiles, hitting your current target and all enemies within 8 yards for (27% Physical damage14.04% of Attack power) Physical damage and triggering Beast Cleave

Aimed Shot A powerful aimed shot that deals * ((max(0, min(Level - 10, 10)) * 8 + 130) / 210)] Physical damage. Damage increased by 50% against a target you have not yet damaged.
NEW Effect #2 School Damage
Value: 0 (AP mod: 1.43)

Bursting ShotMulti-ShotArcane ShotSteady ShotPiercing ShotRaptor StrikeSerpent StingArctic BolaButcheryMongoose Bite

Class Tools

Brewmaster

Mistweaver

Windwalker

Fist of the White Tiger Strike your target with the technique of the White Tiger, dealing 250%112.5% of Attack power) + 3%] Physical damage to your target while generating 3 Chi.

Wind Strikes When you use Fists of Fury, you next 3 Tiger Palm attacks release a gust of wind that deals (150%67.5% of Attack power)% Physical damage to all enemies 8 yards in front of you.

Class Tools

Holy

Protection

Retribution

Hammer of the Righteous Hammers the current target for (38% Physical damage.17.1% of Attack power)% Physical damage.
Protection (Level 14)
Hammer of the Righteous also causes a wave of light that hits all other targets within 8 yds for (18% Holy damage11.16% of Attack power)% Holy damage
While you are standing in your Consecration, Hammer of the Righteous also causes a wave of light that hits all other targets within 8 yds for (18% Holy damage11.16% of Attack power)% Holy damage

Divine Storm Unleashes a whirl of divine energy, dealing (83%51.46% of Attack power)% Holy damage to all nearby enemies.

Templar's Verdict A powerful weapon strike that deals 130.2% of Attack power)% * ((max(0, min(Level - 10, 10)) * 11 + 290) / 400)] Holy damage.

Divine Hammer Divine Hammers spin around you, damaging enemies within 8 yds for 7 * 20%] Holy damage over 9 sec.
Generates 2 Holy Power.

Eye for an Eye Reduces Physical damage you take by 35%, and instantly counterattacks any enemy that strikes you in melee combat for (73%45.26% of Attack power)% Physical damage. Lasts 10 sec.

Blade of Justice Strikes an enemy with the Blade of Justice, dealing 158.72% of Attack power) * ((max(0, min(Level - 16, 4)) * 12 + 352) / 400)] Physical damage.
Generates 2 Holy Power.

Zeal Strike the target for (153% Physical damage. Maximum 2 charges.94.86% of Attack power) Physical damage.
Grants Zeal, causing Zeal attacks to chain to an additional nearby target per stack. Maximum 3 stacks. Each jump deals 40% less damage.
Generates 1 Holy Power.

Class Tools

Assassination

Outlaw

Subtlety

Sinister Strike An instant strike that causes (242% Physical damage.27.9% of Attack power) Physical damage.
Awards 1 combo point.

Blindside Exploits the vulnerability of foes with less than 30% health, causing (240%74.4% of Attack power) Physical damage to the target.
Mutilate has a 35% chance to make your next Dispatch free and usable on any target, regardless of their health.
Awards 1 combo point.

Toxic Blade Stab your enemy with a toxic poisoned blade, dealing (272% Nature damage.84.32% of Attack power) Nature damage.
The damage of your poisons against the target is increased by 30% for 9 sec.
Awards 1 combo point.

Ambush Ambush the target, causing (289% Physical damage.25% of Spell power + 89.59% of Attack power) Physical damage.
Awards 1 combo point.

Sinister Strike Viciously slash an enemy, causing * ((max(0, min(Level - 10, 10)) * 8 + 195) / 275)] Physical damage.
Saber Slash has a 35% chance to strike an additional time, making your next Pistol Shot free.
Awards 1 combo point each time it strikes.
NEW Effect #3 School Damage
Value: 0 (AP mod: 0.5805)

Killing SpreeGhostly StrikeBackstabShadowstrikeShadow BladeGloombladeMain GaucheMutilate

Class Tools

Elemental

Enhancement

Restoration

Crash Lightning Electrocutes all enemies in front of you, dealing (40%18% of Attack power) Nature damage. Hitting 2 or more targets enhances your weapons for 10 sec, causing Stormstrike and Lava Lash to also deal 51%0% Nature damage to all targets in front of you.

Lava Lash Charges your off-hand weapon with lava and burns your target, dealing (134 to 156% Fire damage.119.25% of Attack power) Fire damage.

Frostbrand now also enhances your weapon's damage, causing each of your weapon attacks to also deal (30%4.5% of Attack Power) Frost damage.

Windfury Attack Each of your main hand attacks has a 20% chance to trigger two extra attacks, dealing (34%15.3% of Attack power)% Physical damage each.

Forceful Winds Drop a Windfury Totem at your side, enhancing the next 20 auto-attacks of all allies within 20 yards to deal an additional 75%33.75% of Attack power)% * 2] Physical damage to the target.

Windlash A massive gust of air that deals (34%15.3% of Attack power) Physical damage.

Windstrike Hurl a staggering blast of wind at an enemy, dealing a total of 255% + 255%114.75% of Attack power)% + (114.75% of Attack power)%] Physical damage, bypassing armor.

Class Tools

Arms

Fury

Protection

Colossus Smash Smashes the enemy's armor, dealing 210%0 Physical damage, and increasing damage you deal to them by 30% for 10 sec.
NEW Effect #2 School Damage
Value: 0 (AP mod: 1.302)

HamstringMortal StrikeOverpowerSlamCleaveRendSkullsplitterWarbreakerBloodthirstExecuteFurious SlashDevastateBladestormHeroic ThrowRaging BlowWhirlwindDevastator

Claw Claw the enemy, dealing (42%14.28% of Attack power)% of normal melee damage.

Cleaver Hack at the enemy, dealing (42%14.28% of Attack power)% of normal melee damage.

Felstorm The Felguard recklessly swings its weapon, striking all nearby targets within 8 yards for (100%34% of Attack power)% weapon damage every sec for 5 sec. The Felguard cannot take any other action during Felstorm.

Gnaw Bite and tear at a target's limbs, stunning it for 1 sec and dealing damage.

Legion Strike A sweeping attack that does (200%68% of Attack power)% of the Felguard's weapon damage to all enemies in front of it, and reduces the effectiveness of any healing the victim receives by 10% for 6 sec.

Monstrous Blow Strike an enemy with a smashing attack, dealing (42%14.28% of Attack power)% of normal melee damage and stunning for 2 sec.

Mortal Cleave A sweeping attack that does (81%27.54% of Attack power)% of the Wrathguard's weapon damage to all enemies in front of it, and reduces the effectiveness of any healing received by 10% for 6 sec.

Powerful Smash
Unholy: Smash the target with the blunt side of the cleaver, dealing light damage and stunning for 1 sec.
Dark Transformation: Strike an enemy with a smashing attack, dealing (42%14.28% of Attack power)% of normal melee damage and stunning for 2 sec.

Pursuit The Felguard charges an enemy, causing (50%17% of Attack power)% weapon damage and increasing its movement speed by 30% for 8 sec.
Auto-Cast: Use anytime the Felguard's target is further than 8 yards away.

Smash
Unholy: Smash the target with the blunt side of the cleaver, dealing light damage and stunning for 1 sec.
Dark Transformation: Strike an enemy with a smashing attack, dealing (42%14.28% of Attack power)% of normal melee damage and stunning for 2 sec.

Sweeping Claws Rakes an enemy with deformed claws, dealing 80%9.18 of normal damage as Shadow to the target and nearby enemies.

Vile Gas Hack at the enemy, dealing (42%14.28% of Attack power)% of normal melee damage.

Wrathstorm The Wrathguard recklessly swings its weapon, striking all nearby targets within 8 yards for (100%34% of Attack power)% weapon damage every 1 sec for 5 sec. The Wrathguard cannot perform any other abilities during Wrathstorm.

Comment by Rexnoct2000What exactly does this mean? Is this like the way it was in vanilla? Are we stronger this way or nah?Comment by perculiaWhat exactly does this mean? Is this like the way it was in vanilla? Are we stronger this way or nah?With this change, it appears that the majority of abilities will be based on Attack Power, rather than Weapon Damage, which should help address the issue of power imbalance between classes which favor weapons and those who don't. Recently at the Battle for Azeroth Q&A, Blizzard also announced that weapon Warforging would be capped at +10 ilvls, as players getting Titanforged weapons could lead to a large power imbalance as some specs scale better with weapons than others. Keep in mind that alpha is still in early development, and other factors could influence weapon power, such as the amount of primary stats budgeted to weapons.Comment by GremmWhat exactly does this mean? Is this like the way it was in vanilla? Are we stronger this way or nah?Comment by kjn2day1Orc Racial Buff.Comment by SilverDragon234Weapon damage empowers class abilities, perc. You know the rules.Comment by ArrayaI hope they bring back the Attack Power / Spell Power stat in gear... idk it would be a nice throwback.Comment by DragonjtsSeems like a good time to be an orc.Comment by MaskSo with this change the titan forging cap on weapons doesn't make sense anymore. If abilities don't scale with weapon damage then weapons are no longer so important as they have been the previous 14 years and no longer represent such a huge spike in power like they did before. Seems a case of different design decisions not communicating with each other before making their choices.

If weapons are just a stat stick now, and their DPS doesn't matter anymore, then why is titanforging a weapon to +15 so different than titanforging a robe or a boots to +15?

This is a huge change to combat and all the other smaller changes (like the titanforging cap discussed on stream) really need to be considered and tested *after* the impacts of this change go through - not before.Comment by SilverDragon234But this change won't bug me, but if does bug out on me, I'll just refrain from attacking.Comment by lesliejoBeen there and done that way back in the day....somewhere around vanilla that was a thing....WTF is with Blizz trying to re live the past?Comment by brekthegreatYou know, they should just make it obvious which item is an upgrade and which isn't. Especially with the new Azurite armor it's gonna be impossible to know without using addons or sites.Comment by lesliejoI think they should bring back "Gear Score"....I really loved it the first time.Comment by JohnCrichtonSo no matter u have the best weapon if i have 3-4 bad epics with huge stats overpowering ur weapon...great blizz :D from somewhat unbalance up to total unbalanced game :)Comment by SaltLBNo priest changes?Comment by DakotaLewis95I assume casters will use spell powerComment by elvor0So no matter u have the best weapon if i have 3-4 bad epics with huge stats overpowering ur weapon...great blizz :D from somewhat unbalance up to total unbalanced game :)Comment by valky94i welcome this change, getting bad rng on weapon drops rly cucked some specsComment by EneathrieliaI think they are trying to make primary stat to matter more. At the moment it is way better for many classes to just seek secondary stat + weapon ilvl rather than primary stat that is the lowest priority. Often 30-40 ilvl higher items with "wrong" secondary stat are worse than the equipped ones.Comment by lovelywazWas this really the case in vanilla or people are just saying? If I remember correctly, until now all the damage has been based on weapon. I remember even back in vanilla, slower weapons were always considered better because they had slightly more weapon damage and they will swing slow and hit harder.

Still remember 3.4 weapon speed for 2h in TBC and 3.8 in Wrath were very sought after even with 10 ilvls difference. No warforge / titanforge back in the day which means an older raid tier 2h weapon with lower ilvl could still be better than newer depends on weapon damage and speed.Comment by knewaldamn time, now the weapon dmg, speed, dps, wont matter, it will be all based on your ap. higher ilvl better stats win