Patch Notes 19/03/2025

[Nameless]

tried chalice dok and healing rotation feels much more dynamic and fun overall. Added tactics bring more options some are more situational some less. Bound By Blood looks like must have for all heal setups which make doks balance between heal power and heal crit.

Terrifying Aura is very good addition to dok arsenal although seems the cd should be abit longer

Soul Energy is very interesting concept that add more depth to dok healing. Overall like it but this fixed number increase feels abit too good when combine with Khaine refreshment. 3-4 doks casting that at funnels looks too solid.

Covenant of Tenacity is bugged and works only for the dok who cast it and ignore rest of the group but seems abit lackluster. Reduced armor pen should be permanent not based on you hitting the enemy after all this is covenant from heal tree and that make it less useful for healers. We already have 2 covs that are hit based, new tactic that again relay on hit so the heal cov could give permanent effect.

P.S. now i see that wp prayer is activating at being hit imo dok should got same for his covenant from heal tree so heal and reduce armor pen when being hit instead of when you hit the enemy

[ppagli74]

• Lambent Aura - No longer heals two additional allies.

• Light of Isha - New core tactic at level 26: Lambent Aura now heals two additional allies within 15 feet of your target.

Lambent Aura got a slight buff via the mechanic change, but losing the baseline splash effect is an overall nerf to the spell compared to prepatch. The developers adding the splash effect back at the cost of a tactic is just an awful design choice.

Thumbs down.

[amaroq]

I'm a bit disheartened in the release of this patch. There is a lot of great stuff worked in here a lot of flavor for keeping things fresh. The changes feel entirely focused on WB play to the extent that mechanics/specs/skills/funcationality being KILLED for any smallscale players.

Specifically speaking to the DPS DoK/WP changes. WP didn't get hit as bad as DoKs DPS spec but neither one plays very well at all. DoK is virtually useless as DW spec unless you're only looking to play exactly 2buttons in a blob. More "engaging"? you removed the engagement from both specs in favor of mindless and easy aoe spam to the point that the new skills and mechanics leave the class in a much worse position than they were before outside of AoE (in fact even w/ these changes their AoE "burst" is actually considerably lower than it was before).
I won't outline the countless issues with the specs this was already done weeks ago on the PTR forum post. And not a single issue was addressed pre-releasing the patch live.

Myself and several other DPS WP/DoK players tested and replied with the issues of resource management. What was the response? They removed the resource cost of Lacerate and that is it, LOL. Thanks for virtually nothing.
They nerfed their detaunt to the point it was basically not even worth pressing as DPS and the response? They gave us TWO crappy detaunts on seperate buttons. Basically, combined, the detaunts work like the old one but now require 2 GCDS, 2 targets, and have a LOWER duration than the old one. So literally nerfed the detaunt in EVERY way possible way LMAO.

Overall the dps of the classes, lower. Their ability to supply on demand burst healing (you know, the part making the class actually UNIQUE) has been all but completely removed thanks to the resource management issues. I had a fight earlier today where I went from 250-0 soul essence just in dps rotation of a target within a few seconds. Leaving no room for cleanse, root release, Rend Soul, etc. And if I had use my utility abilities I'd had been left with no kill pressure/burst/dmg.
Oh and the new "burst" of Drowning in Blood + Wracking Agony the only way to really make this combo work is to use sequencer to put both in a single button in hopes you get that crit hit off before the next incoming heal lands. That is if you've been fortunate to just sit and hold your resources the entire time until needed. Also the OLD Drowning in Blood gave more burst dmg to both single target and AoE than this new one, gg.

Given ample ideas over the past weeks to make it more playable(though still probably sucky compared to old but maybe viable) and all we got was a minor tweak to 1-2 abilities resource costs which had such a low impact on the playability of the class I'd go so far as to say it pretty much doesn't even matter we got that. Re-worked a core ability into 2 buttons, wtf? But not a single consideration or mention that any good changes were yet to come? Only for RP/Zealot have further planned changes coming, so this is here to stay as is?

I for one will not be back. Im not a lose to RoR I know but still feels bad that smallman content is always tossed in the garbage bin in favor or zerg play. Why? No smallscale players are asking for nerfs to zerg but why not take the extra step and time needed to fit both positive changes to WB play for the specs without totally gutting their unique playstyles outside of that? We really can't have both here?

Good luck folks and I hope DPS DoK enjoyers turn out to be better players than I am and can find a way to still have fun with the class - its been great fun streaming and playing with you guys over the years!

I've tried in the test server the dok to make it work you need to go the +5 crit for bis from the victo set high crit build. But they need to change the new mecanic soo yes it drain 20 resource but you can still gain resource while doin it. that's what i would change i mean you can still test and give your opinion what you would preffer. I dont think this patch is absolute they probably gonna tweak stuff.

One of the suggestions made by myself as well was to make resource generation during DiB but that alone wouldn't be enough to make it very viable outside of AoE blob spam. The crit requirement on Wracking Agony being tied to DiB AND having a resource cost is honestly mind blowing. 140 resources to trigger an ability thats not THAT strong? And not to mention the entire re-design of Drowning in Blood is completely inferior to the old version. So this patch is meant to be a "nerf" to the dps spec then in yours and the dev teams eyes? Because this buff is noticeably weaker than our old one for both AoE and single target with the one exception being MAYBE a full glass cannoned crit build again WB max AoE dmg build. That kind of build will be unplayable outside WB with the lack of defense or healing ability.
I understand they need to bring this kind of content to the live servers. I'd love to sit here and preach that the testing environment should be used longer but without a sizable chunk of the player community going into the PTR to properly play it out, theres just no other choice. So, yes, I imagine there will be even a string of "changes" to come following the patch.
It feels to me like they took BIG swings and missed BIG in doing so. This is the same feeling I got when reading through the pages of RP/Zealot rants on the PTR forum. And what happened? They decided to post pone and re-design the RP/Zeal stuff. But they are not showing that same approach to the DPS DoK/WP at all. Not even a whisper or rumor, nadda. So that has me thinking these changes are, largely, here to stay. Minus some small tweaks here n there. These are not small handicaps placed on these 2 specs, especially DoK and even more so to the smallscale players(roamers/6man/SC). And its not like there wasn't multiple instances on the PTR thread shining light on this and outlining not only the main issues but also structured ideas on what could be different. But again no mention anywhere - so only RP/Zeal are special? Why? Because they are staple in zergs? Because they had a "louder" voice on the forums?
Maybe I'm over thinking it or miss reading it but I know I'm not alone thinking this feels a lot "like the same" when it comes to smallscale consequences following these big patches.
I think they've done a lot of super cool stuff not just with this patch but many before it. In all honesty I think DPS DoK/WP (prior to this patch) was even better than on the live game! The changes they made along the way i.e. the execute abilities, their original DiB changes, the CC release, tactics, and so on. I think that version of the spec/class is the best I've ever seen it in Warhammer Online history. It wasn't OP broken but it wasn't "bad" either. It wasn't super simple to play it required a lot of movement offensively/defensively, solid group play, and BiS gear to be actually "good" in a group. Now it feels super clunky, "weak" its like flinging some wet noodles around in terms of DPS, over complex for no reason, and you're having to pick if you're a dps or healer in the fight.

If ppl are enjoying it that's great! I enjoyed the previous iteration of the class for the past few years. It was probably some of the best fun I've had in RoR. If my time is over and the player base takes to this version then so be it. Enjoy it guys, I really hope you do!

[Mournblade]

So my initial reaction is that shield DoK feels completely gutted after this patch. I will spend some time digging into it, but I'm pretty underwhelmed so far. The patch seems to imply that the changes make shield DoK more viable in all game modes, yet all I'm seeing is my dmg and healing have been nerfed across the board, I lost some really useful abilities, and gained some abilities I have no use for. Thanks I guess?

[Endari]

One of the suggestions made by myself as well was to make resource generation during DiB but that alone wouldn't be enough to make it very viable outside of AoE blob spam. The crit requirement on Wracking Agony being tied to DiB AND having a resource cost is honestly mind blowing. 140 resources to trigger an ability thats not THAT strong? And not to mention the entire re-design of Drowning in Blood is completely inferior to the old version. So this patch is meant to be a "nerf" to the dps spec then in yours and the dev teams eyes? Because this buff is noticeably weaker than our old one for both AoE and single target with the one exception being MAYBE a full glass cannoned crit build again WB max AoE dmg build. That kind of build will be unplayable outside WB with the lack of defense or healing ability.
I understand they need to bring this kind of content to the live servers. I'd love to sit here and preach that the testing environment should be used longer but without a sizable chunk of the player community going into the PTR to properly play it out, theres just no other choice. So, yes, I imagine there will be even a string of "changes" to come following the patch.
It feels to me like they took BIG swings and missed BIG in doing so. This is the same feeling I got when reading through the pages of RP/Zealot rants on the PTR forum. And what happened? They decided to post pone and re-design the RP/Zeal stuff. But they are not showing that same approach to the DPS DoK/WP at all. Not even a whisper or rumor, nadda. So that has me thinking these changes are, largely, here to stay. Minus some small tweaks here n there. These are not small handicaps placed on these 2 specs, especially DoK and even more so to the smallscale players(roamers/6man/SC). And its not like there wasn't multiple instances on the PTR thread shining light on this and outlining not only the main issues but also structured ideas on what could be different. But again no mention anywhere - so only RP/Zeal are special? Why? Because they are staple in zergs? Because they had a "louder" voice on the forums?
Maybe I'm over thinking it or miss reading it but I know I'm not alone thinking this feels a lot "like the same" when it comes to smallscale consequences following these big patches.
I think they've done a lot of super cool stuff not just with this patch but many before it. In all honesty I think DPS DoK/WP (prior to this patch) was even better than on the live game! The changes they made along the way i.e. the execute abilities, their original DiB changes, the CC release, tactics, and so on. I think that version of the spec/class is the best I've ever seen it in Warhammer Online history. It wasn't OP broken but it wasn't "bad" either. It wasn't super simple to play it required a lot of movement offensively/defensively, solid group play, and BiS gear to be actually "good" in a group. Now it feels super clunky, "weak" its like flinging some wet noodles around in terms of DPS, over complex for no reason, and you're having to pick if you're a dps or healer in the fight.

If ppl are enjoying it that's great! I enjoyed the previous iteration of the class for the past few years. It was probably some of the best fun I've had in RoR. If my time is over and the player base takes to this version then so be it. Enjoy it guys, I really hope you do!

+1
This patch just gutted my favorite toon 2h DPS WP, my first RR80 on this server and the only RR80+ toon that I actually played in hopes to finish my BiS set and get that damned ring but no more. In order to get close to my previous dps(still 10+% less) I don't have the resources to use Divine Assault or cleanse or root break, so absolutely no sustain for dps that's significantly worse than an RR60 WE in vanq with subj weapons. To be able to use DA/cleanse/root break ect dps drops down below what my sub RR50 2h slayer does with the t4 epic weapon and still No KD, No charge, No disarm...

What was gained that warranted such a huge dps/sustain loss? A armor debuff that we did not ask for? A 2sec cast MELEE ability that is not usable for people in high ping areas that STILL does less dps than the previous Hammer of Sigmar and stops AA during cast? Ruined Hammer of Sigmar? Ruined Guilty Soul? Lost AA Haste? Ah its that sweet sweet AoE that you love so much isn't it, so we can spam that sub 400 dmg ability around and join the crowd of 2 button spammers you have created, fun does not matter, effectiveness does not matter just BRRRRR goes the number spam!! You have a sickness. Please get help. I am sure there is a AoE anonymous group you can find.

Yes this is Warhammer but even in war there are many smaller skirmishes that help decide the overall war, please remember that.

[tukayo]

there are only minor changes on rp but I liked it, it really improved healing because of the new formula, I hope on the next patch they wont nerf master runes

[shoelessHN]

Resource generation on shield dok is beyond silly. The only heal that does anything requires 80 and the spammable generation provides 30?

I guess it's a spec for farming lairs now.

[Neznan]

I have 9800 crests for my DD Shaman and I was so happy, waiting to buy 10k Ring....
But after patch, I am kinda lost. Don't want to play Shaman anymore

[vitaka]

• Lambent Aura - No longer heals two additional allies.

• Light of Isha - New core tactic at level 26: Lambent Aura now heals two additional allies within 15 feet of your target.

Lambent Aura got a slight buff via the mechanic change, but losing the baseline splash effect is an overall nerf to the spell compared to prepatch. The developers adding the splash effect back at the cost of a tactic is just an awful design choice.

Thumbs down.

You got a group HoT in return. I think that’s a fair trade.

All I've seen so far, is people being unhappy because there is a trade-off.

Willpower scales better now and thus some base heals got reduced. Therefore, just stacking defensive stats may no longer be the best choice.
Lambent Aura no longer hits 2x other targets, but we got a Group HoT in return at 13pts in Isha.
Etc, etc

Playing a character in a MMO is about trade-offs. If we're no longer forced to make choices, we'll basically be looking at an OP toon.

[georgehabadasher]

I have 9800 crests for my DD Shaman and I was so happy, waiting to buy 10k Ring....
But after patch, I am kinda lost. Don't want to play Shaman anymore

That's a huge issue with these kinds of massive overhauls in such a grindy game.

A short story to illustrate the point:
One of the guys in my guild is a father of three and keeps pretty busy with work. He started playing around three years ago and instantly fell in love. He hit 40 on his first character after about a year, but is still nowhere close to his 10k ring on that character. He's began to focus on his zealot over a year ago and really enjoys the class. He spent tons of his rare gametime farming to get gold for armor talismans. He's finally got his tri ring and has it basically bis after almost two years of work. If the proposed ritual changes had gone through, the class would have been completely gutted. He's not the kind of guy to complain about stuff, but I'm not sure he would have kept playing the game.

I hope the devs can take to heart that they're stewards of a great game and respect the responsibility of keeping it fun and accessible for everyone.