01/19/2011 12:23 PMPosted by Jimmyjingle
I don't like the idea of making a list of abilities to nerf before there's ANY evidence they need it. This sort of thing leaves me really disgruntled with blizzard support of WoW.

That's not really how it works. Balance is an ongoing, iterative process, and we continually examine how class abilities interact and scale with one another. Even when we're not actively developing a patch, it's not like we just sit around with our hands over our eyes and wait for something to happen. We consider alternatives and monitor areas of balance that we feel may need further finessing if things don't stay at the status quo.

So, simply because we have an idea on how we might be able to tone down paladin damage in the future -- if it becomes necessary -- that doesn't mean change is imminent. It also doesn't mean that we've made some fancy list with little empty checkboxes on one side and paladin abilities on the other, and are now sitting perched with a big red pen in our hand, just waiting to draw an X through the one labeled "Hammer of Wrath." No, all it means is that we feel Hammer of Wrath may be a reasonable candidate for adjustment should we need to reexamine paladin DPS sometime down the line. Your fellow posters have offered counters as to why that may not be best approach, of course, and we absolutely appreciate the feedback.

01/19/2011 12:25 PMPosted by Kasio
Apologies for hijacking the thread a bit, but since my question is essentially the same as this, I'd really like to have confirmation. Dreadblade (Unholy DK Mastery) says it increases all Shadow damage, but currently does not increase the Shadow damage portion of Scourge Strike. Is this intentional or a bug (as many of us presume)?

Popular question! I actually just responded to another thread here: http://us.battle.net/wow/en/forum/topic/1869224488?page=2#21

Your instincts were right, though. The Shadow portion of Scourge Strike should be affected by mastery. :)

50% Hammer of Wrath nerf going live?