Overview Before Patch 11.0.5 - DPS Specs Performance & Popularity

As we stand on the brink of World of Warcraft’s upcoming patch 11.0.5, this guide offers a detailed examination of the current state of Mythic Raid Week 4. This analysis focuses on the DPS specifications in terms of both popularity and performance, serving as a baseline to compare against the anticipated changes post-patch. Here’s everything you need to know before the new patch shakes up the raid meta.

Setting the Scene: The Last Reset Before Patch 11.0.5

With the release of patch 11.0.5 imminent, we're taking a final look at the current raid meta. This snapshot will provide a reference point to analyze the impact of the patch once it launches. As the last wave of balance tuning rolls out, we’re closely observing which specs are on the rise and how they perform in the current progression phase.

Current DPS Performance Highlights

1. Assassination Rogue Surge:

   • Assassination Rogues have climbed significantly in the rankings from 16th to 5th place in just one week, despite no changes being made to the spec. This rise is largely due to the increased number of boss kills, allowing for a more representative damage profile across different encounters.

2. Balance in DPS Rankings:

   • The overall DPS rankings remain tightly packed, with a mere 4% difference between the top and bottom specs in median DPS. However, specific boss encounters can reveal larger discrepancies, particularly in pure single-target fights.

3. Single-Target vs. Multi-Target Dynamics:

   • Specs like Beast Mastery Hunter perform exceptionally well in single-target scenarios but may fall behind in multi-target encounters, illustrating the nuanced balance required in different fight profiles.

Popularity Shifts

1. Rising Stars - Shadow Priest and Fire Mage:

   • Recent buffs have lifted Shadow Priest and Fire Mage in both performance and popularity. Although Fire Mage is less popular compared to Arcane, its competitive performance is enticing more players to give it a try.

2. Healer Meta Adjustments:

   • Despite nerfs, Preservation Evoker remains popular, though the gap between it and other healers has narrowed. Restoration Druids, with their synergy alongside Preservation Evokers, have also seen improved rankings.

Preparing for Patch 11.0.5

1. Anticipated Spec Changes:

   • The upcoming patch will introduce adjustments to several specs, including buffs and nerfs for Elemental and Enhancement Shamans, Balance Druids, and Beast Mastery Hunters.

2. Progression Buffs:

   • The introduction of weekly raid buffs that increase damage and healing by 2.25% will offer guilds more leeway in optimizing their strategies, especially for challenging bosses.

3. Boss Adjustments:

   • Notable nerfs to bosses such as Queen Anor and Silen Court are expected to influence progression, which may alter spec performance as more data emerges.

As we anticipate the changes that patch 11.0.5 will bring, the current state of the raid environment shows a well-balanced competition among specs.