World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria patch 5.1 hit the PTR with a host of changes and updates this week – a new series of daily quests in Krasarang Wilds, the Brawler’s Guild underground fighting rings and a few changes to Monk talents.
Monk Skill Changes 5.1
The Monk abilities Expel Harm and Touch of Karma and the talent abilities Chi Burst, Chi Torpedo, Chi Wave and Zen Sphere now do Nature damage.
Healing Spheres now last 3 min, up from 10 sec. The healing amount has been doubled. If the sphere expires without being used, a nearby injured ally will be healed for X.
Windwalker Monks get a nice quality of life improvement with a change to Tiger Palm. You will no longer need to stack the Tiger Palm armor ignore buff. The first Tiger Palm will apply the 30% debuff at full strength.
The chance for Soothing Mist to generate 1 Chi has been increased to 35%, up from 25%. A nice change for non-melee Mistweaver Monks.
Monk Talent Changes 5.1
The tier three talent Power Strikes has been altered. The Power Strikes effect now causes the Monk’s next attack to generate one additional Chi every 22 seconds, up from 20 seconds. If Monk mechanics stay the same, this change will result in a dip in our DPS. However, the change brings Power Strikes closer in line with Chi Brew. As such I assume this change is aimed at balancing Monk talents rather than nerfing Monk DPS.
The level 75 talent The Healing Elixirs has similarly been altered. The Healing Elixir effect now causes the next Brew or Tea consumed to heal the Monk for 10% of maximum health every 18 seconds, up from 15 seconds. If Monk mechanics remain unchanged, this alteration will result in a minute dip in our self-healing. I assume this change is likewise aimed at balancing Monk talents rather than nerfing Monk healing.
Ascension in 5.1
The change to tier three talent Ascension is however the most notable, particularly for Windwalker Monks. Ascension has been altered to increase maximum mana by 15%, and energy regeneration by 15%. Ascension should be the strongest tier three talent when it comes to increasing sustained damage.
I assume it will affect the soft cap for Haste.
Mistweaver Mastery Gift of the Serpent
The duration of the Mistweaver Mastery Gift of the Serpent sphere has been reduced to 30 sec, down from 60 seconds. Considering the change to Healing Spheres and the buff to the base amount the spheres heal for, this change should push Mastery ahead of Crit.
For patch notes and other updates, please check Battle.net
