World of Warcraft’s September 22 tuning pass buffs several underperforming specs

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Blizzard’s September 22 class tuning pass for World of Warcraft is mostly aimed at specs and hero talent builds that have been lagging behind in Mythic+, raids, and PvP. The changes touch a wide spread of classes, with a clear focus on bringing weaker options closer to their alternatives rather than shaking up the whole meta.

For PvE, many of the buffs are targeted at single-target raid damage, Mythic+ AoE, or hero talent trees that haven’t been keeping up. Blood Death Knights are getting a damage reshuffle, with lower overall ability and minion damage but stronger Death Strike and several Deathbringer buffs. Frost and Unholy Death Knights also get damage increases, including help for Unholy’s Blightfall setup.

  • Demon Hunter’s Aldrachi Reaver gets buffs for both Havoc and Vengeance, including stronger Reaver’s Glaive and Reaver’s Mark.
  • Restoration Druid healing is up 4% outside PvP, while Mistweaver Monk gets a broader 5% healing buff plus stronger Vivify and Sheilun’s Gift.
  • Devastation Evoker gets several Mythic+ focused AoE buffs, including Pyre, Azure Strike, Azure Sweep, and Unbound Flame.
  • Marksmanship Hunter, Fire Mage, Frost Mage, Protection Paladin, Windwalker Monk, Shadow Priest, Subtlety Rogue, and Mountain Thane Warrior all receive targeted damage buffs.
  • Discipline Priest gets a major dungeon-focused boost, with Atonement healing increased by 40% when not in a raid or battleground.

The PvP side is a mix of buffs and nerfs. Restoration Druid takes a hit, with Swiftmend healing reduced in PvP and Nature’s Swiftness pushed to a longer cooldown through Call of Ohn’ahra. Survival Hunter’s burst is also being toned down, while Fire Mage’s Pyroclasm bonus is reduced again.

Other PvP changes lift underused options. Unholy San’layn Death Knights, Beast Mastery Dark Ranger Hunters, Outlaw Rogues, Enhancement Shamans, Affliction Warlocks, and Arms Colossus Warriors all get improvements. Assassination Rogue damage is reduced by 4% in PvP, though Deathmark will now show as a large aura on raid frames.

Overall, this is less of a sweeping balance reset and more of a cleanup pass for specs and hero talents that Blizzard says are falling behind their peers.

Further reading: Official Blizzard class tuning notes