I don't know if I'm alone or not on this, but I really really enjoy the current heart strike debuff.

It plays a key role in my pvp build, and I feel any good pvp spec will have it because it's one of the only way we have to help us against healers (not to mention all the other things the debuff helped against).

Does the new ability do nothing but regular damage to a single target now? So the change is a nerf to single target DPS but a help to aoe? There are so many other easier ways to do this..... why take away the only way our class has to add a substantial pvp debuff.

Please.....

I could have sworn I saw a thread all about upcoming DK changes...

Are there any plans to make Heart Strike ignore CC'd mobs? That would definitely make it look more attractive for tanking, if that is the motivating force behind the change.

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Q u o t e:
The Heart Strike debuff never actually worked correctly. As we thought about it some more, we didn't know if we really needed another debuff mechanic for the DK when they are already sporting so many.

It's still an interesting idea and might resurface somewhere in the future, but we think the cleave version of Heart Strike is more useful, easier to understand and actually works.

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But I will miss doubling mob cast times. :(

The only thing I don't like, is that we HAVE to switch to Blood Strike, an ability we're supposed to be able to completely remove from our bars and replace with Heart Strike, if we don't want to break any nearby CC. I'm all for a cleave, especially one that does decent damage, but as my main dps strike, I don't know if I like being a CC terror. It's like a dps warrior being able to WW/Cleave on every attack. :(

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Q u o t e:
Are there any plans to make Heart Strike ignore CC'd mobs? That would definitely make it look more attractive for tanking, if that is the motivating force behind the change.

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I think the change is more intended to boost blood's AoE damage than to help it's tanking.

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Q u o t e:


I think the change is more intended to boost blood's AoE damage than to help it's tanking.

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Blood AE tanking is a concern they were wanting to address, as well. This is a two birds with one stone issue.

I believe theres going to be an issue with Blood's DPS since they get a cleave effectively every 5 seconds.

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Q u o t e:
I believe theres going to be an issue with Blood's DPS since they get a cleave effectively every 5 seconds.

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It will be more than every 5 seconds especially on their second rotations. They will be able to spam 4 in a row. I agree, their dps is going to skyrocket on AoE trash but honestly trash isn't how most people measure their dps.

I'm concerned about this change. It sounds like it will be great for soloing, but DPSing in instances will be a nightmare since I'll have to be very cautious about hitting CC targets or pulling aggro. It could also be a problem in PvP (planning on trying Blood Spec for PvP) for the same reasons.

So to sum up:

Great for: Holding aggro, Solo
No Great for: Breaking CC, Pulling Aggro

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Q u o t e:


It will be more than every 5 seconds especially on their second rotations. They will be able to spam 4 in a row. I agree, their dps is going to skyrocket on AoE trash but honestly trash isn't how most people measure their dps.

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It's about 6 every 2 rotations. However. CC in close proximity to mobs means we have to downgrade and use an inferior damage ability to avoid breaking the CC.

Compare Heart Strike cleaving 2 targets and consuming a Blood Rune to say, Unholy Blight, or Howling Blast, which hits EVERYTHING nearby.

Also consider that Blood Runes are used in Death and Decay and Pestilence, both used BEFORE Heart Strike would be in an AOE-fest.

Also consider that Blood Boil (using a Blood Rune again) is another 'deal damage to EVERYTHING nearby' when used in the second set of runes. This will probably generate more damage/threat than a single Heart Strike.

I mean, really, the end result is

1) Blood DK tanks can generate pretty decent threat on 2-3 targets, but still pale in comparison to HUGE cluster%**#s (whelps on Sartharion for example)

2) When you want to use Heart Strike for single-target DPS, it cleaves. Most of the time, it won't hit anything, but occasionally you have to worry about CC and then gimp your DPS by being safe and using Blood Strike instead.

Personally, I think its a bad change. Blood Boil should have been looked at and used instead. Heart Strike cleaving is unnecessary and awkward.

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Q u o t e:
The Heart Strike debuff never actually worked correctly. As we thought about it some more, we didn't know if we really needed another debuff mechanic for the DK when they are already sporting so many.

It's still an interesting idea and might resurface somewhere in the future, but we think the cleave version of Heart Strike is more useful, easier to understand and actually works.

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ya i was sure it never worked, though i like the idea of stoping haste that is used against me. if ya can get it working, it might be interesting to add back into the new heart strike but make it only a 20 or 30% reduction in haste. not complete prevention.

you could try moving the mob a little bit away from the CCed mob i dunno just an idea maybe sorta kinda

I'm also wary of this change simply because it means there are CC situations where Blood has to lean on a weaker strike. That does not seem optimal at all, unless Heart Strike has the ability to ignore CC'd targets (which it should).

I also think you guys have missed an opportunity to give Blood Boil some real purpose. Blood Boil was already a very poor ability and was a baseline AoE that could have solved two problems at the same time. With this change along with the change to Pestilence, people will probably be taking Blood Boil off their bars, if just to make room for Blood Strike somewhere.

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Q u o t e:
you could try moving the mob a little bit away from the CCed mob i dunno just an idea maybe sorta kinda

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You can, no problem. But, its awkward. If you're a DPS Blood DK, you have to tell the tank "Hey, can you move the mob further away so I don't cleave that sheep? Sorry, my main attack does a Cleave now. Its a bit silly, I know, but could you do that for me? Thanks."

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Q u o t e:
Seriously who CCs?

I can't think of any instance or any raid where this would cause a problem? No one CCs anymore unless your raid party or group sucks.

This is a awesome change, and I really hope some of your failboats don't get this taken away. This is exactly what Blood has been needing to be competative in AoE dps.

I mean please name these CC events that would cause Heart Strike to be a liability? Of all the 25man and 10man raids, I cant think of one fight where this would be a issue.

I haven't used CC in a heroic ever in this expansion...it's just AoE spam.

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Do you think the rest of the content from here on out is going to be as faceroll-friendly, though?