World of Warcraft Class Balance Adjustments in Patch 11.0.7 Revealed

Overview of Upcoming Changes in World of Warcraft Patch 11.0.7

Class tuning adjustments aimed at buffing underperforming specializations in both PvE and PvP environments.
The anticipated Siren Isle update introduces a fresh zone alongside quality-of-life enhancements.
The patch features buffs for numerous specializations as well as some targeted nerfs.

World of Warcraft recently announced significant class tuning set to be implemented in Patch 11.0.7, which will primarily enhance the performance of certain specializations in both Player versus Environment (PvE) and Player versus Player (PvP) gameplay. These updates will be activated on December 17, coinciding with the launch of Patch 11.0.7.

The forthcoming Siren Isle patch, marking the conclusion of Season 1 in World of Warcraft: The War Within, promises a new gameplay zone brimming with activities and rewards. Moreover, this update brings quality-of-life improvements and expanded character customization options. Though Blizzard published preliminary patch notes listing buffs to some racial abilities, detailed class balance modifications were absent.

However, further details have emerged regarding the class tuning accompanying the update. A majority of the changes consist of buffs for several classes, including Unholy Death Knights, Havoc Demon Hunters, Devastation Evokers, Marksmanship Hunters, Holy Paladins, Holy Priests, Restoration Shamans, and Affliction Warlocks. Additionally, over a dozen specializations are set to receive buffs tailored to PvP scenarios.

While numerous classes are receiving boosts, some specializations will face nerfs as well. Despite enhancements, the Lightsmith Holy Paladin specialization’s Tempered in Battle no longer activates during hard crowd control effects in PvE. Likewise, damage for the Blackout Kick of Windwalker Monks and Wither ability of Hellcaller Destruction Warlocks has been reduced within PvP contexts. Notably, the Augmentation Evoker is the only specialization facing changes purely in the form of nerfs.

The implementation of these class alterations on December 17 aligns with the launch of the Siren Isle content update. Given that most of the adjustments are numerical buffs, players using the affected classes can expect to retain their talent points, as no significant changes have been made to the talent trees.

This round of adjustments likely marks the final major class balance updates until the arrival of Patch 11.1 titled Undermined. With the previous patch cycle averaging an eight-week interval, the next patch is projected for mid to late February 2025, especially keeping in mind the passing holiday season. This timeline aligns well with the current schedule for the second Plunderstorm event in World of Warcraft, which runs from January 14 through February 18, reinforcing the expected release window.

Class Balance Adjustments for Patch 11.0.7

Regular evaluations of class balance are conducted using gameplay data and player feedback regarding class effectiveness. Below are the forthcoming changes targeting both over-performing and under-performing classes, effective with the 11.0.7 patch on December 17:

Detailed Class Changes

Death Knight
- Unholy
  - Increased damage for Apocalypse’s ghoul by 30%.
  - Rotten Touch now boosts Scourge Strike damage against the target by 60% (up from 50%).
  - Death Coil damage raised by 8%.
  - Scourge Strike, Clawing Shadows, and Vampiric Strike damage increased by 10%.
Demon Hunter
- Felblade damage increased by 10%.
- Initial damage from The Hunt raised by 10%.
- Havoc
  - Damage for Chaos Strike/Annihilation increased by 10%.
  - Damage for Demon’s Bite/Demon Blades raised by 10%.
Evoker
- Devastation
  - Overall damage increased by 4%, excluding PvP scenarios.
  - Pyre damage boosted by 20%.
Hunter
- Marksmanship
  - Trick Shots damage percentage rises to 75% (formerly 65%).
  - AOE damage for Razor Fragments increased to 35% (up from 25%).
  - Damage for Black Arrow increased by 15%.
  - Damage for Shadow Surge increased by 25%.
  - Damage for Bleak Powder increased by 25%.
Paladin
- Holy
  - Veneration now converts 225% of damage dealt into healing (previously 200%).
  - Absorb amount for Saved by the Light raised by 15%, not applicable in PvP.
  - Damage for Consecrate increased by 30%.
  - Lightsmith: Tempered in Battle no longer triggers during crowd control effects.
    - No longer activates if the target is affected by Cyclone, Detainment Imprison, or Diamond Ice Freezing Trap.
Priest
- Holy
  - Flash Heal healing raised by 15%.
  - Holy Fire damage increased by 15%.
Shaman
- Restoration
  - Surging Totem mana cost decreased by 25%.
Warlock
- Affliction
  - Haunt damage increased by 75%, not applicable in PvP.
  - Focused Malignancy now grants Malefic Rapture an additional 25% damage to targets affected by Unstable Affliction (up from 15%).
  - Oblivion damage raised by 25%.
  - Xavius’ Gambit now enhances Unstable Affliction damage by 20% (previously 15%).
  - Perpetual Unstability damage increased by 25%.
  - Siphon Life now boosts Corruption damage by 30% (previously 20%).

PvP Changes

Death Knight
- Blood
  - Damage for Reaper’s Mark increased by 20% in PvP.
  - Wave of Souls damage raised by 20% in PvP.
- Frost
  - Damage for Reaper’s Mark increased by 20% in PvP.
  - Wave of Souls damage raised by 20% in PvP.
Druid
- Balance
  - Elune’s Chosen: Lunar Calling effectiveness in PvP adjusted to 80% (previously 62%).
- Restoration
  - Overall healing boosted by 5% in PvP.
Evoker
- Augmentation
  - Damage of Deep Breath reduced by 15%.
  - Molten Embers decrease damage taken from Black magic by up to 20% in PvP (down from 40%).
Mage
- Sunfury: Burden of Power now enhances the subsequent damage of your Pyroblast or Arcane Blast by 40% in PvP (was 20%).
Monk
- Mistweaver
  - Celestial Conduit healing increased by 50% in PvP.
- Windwalker
  - Fists of Fury damage raised by 30% in PvP.
  - Blackout Kick damage reduced by 15% in PvP.
  - Touch of Karma’s absorption limit now at 50% of maximum health in PvP (previously 80%).
  - Shadow Flurry Strike damage from Wisdom of the Wall increased by 30% in PvP.
Priest
- Discipline
  - Inner Quietus enhancement increases Power Word: Shield absorption by 40% in PvP (up from 20%).
Shaman
- Elemental
  - Tempest damage raised by 15% in PvP.
- Restoration
  - Riptide healing increased by 15% in PvP.
  - Healing Surge’s effectiveness enhanced by 20% in PvP.
Warlock
- Destruction
  - Chaos Bolt damage raised by 20% in PvP.
  - Immolate’s damage over time increased by 20% in PvP.
  - Hellcaller: Wither damage over time cut by 25% in PvP.
Warrior
- Arms
  - Rend damage raised by 15% in PvP.
  - Overpower damage increased by 20% in PvP.
- Fury
  - Strength of the Mountain ability now boosts Rampage and Bloodthirst damage by 45% in PvP (previously 30%).