Frost has received new target caps on a total of three abilities. This is both big nerfs (
Foice Gélida) but also big buffs (
Sopro de Sindragosa).
Foice Gélida is now capped at 5 targets, a significant nerf to the ability on multiple levels.
- Damage doesn't scale past 5 targets.
- Gelâmina application isn't done as effectively (Previously spread to all targets with Gelâmina equipped on your mainhand).
- Fewer hits means fewer crit opportunities. Crosta de Gelo CD reduction now doesn't scale past 5 targets.
The damage reduction is in itself very significant. With a 2H equipped, the total damage of a
Máquina Assassina buffed
Foice Gélida on 5 targets is only ~25% more than a single target
Obliterar Máquina Assassina Critical Strike. With Dual Wield, the damage difference is 55% in
Foice Gélida's favor. This will definitely open up for other talent combinations. Neither
Avalanche nor
Pulso Gélido has an AoE cap.
Gelâmina application can be done with
Avanço Glacial instead, pushing this talent forward in the new meta!
Sopro de Sindragosa and
Impacto Uivante now follow the sqrt-formula
The total damage output of an ability that scales with the sqrt-formula is the following:
damage ~ 1 + (n - 1) / sqrt(n)
Where n is the number of targets. The abilities deal the same amount of damage to a single target, but scale differently on subsequent targets. This used to be linear.
In our case,
Impacto Uivante will be somewhat better at 3 or fewer targets, equal at 4 and worse beyond.
Sopro de Sindragosa will be significantly better at low target counts. It's only at 11 targets that it'll deal less damage than the BFA version. The overall output at 2 targets is
30% higher compared to BFA. It looks to me like
Sopro de Sindragosa will be the king of cleave in Shadowlands!