Patch notes
Buffs and nerfs
Which classes and races came out ahead before launch. A buff adds 1 to the score and a nerf takes 1 away, plus up to one more point the further its number moved (a doubled or halved value counts 2).
Classes
31 updates, Sep 12–Oct 30.
- Druid: 20 buffs, 5 nerfs, 29 other changes, score+18
- Mage: 26 buffs, 10 nerfs, 20 other changes, score+17.7
- Warrior: 19 buffs, 5 nerfs, 21 other changes, score+14.7
- Shaman: 15 buffs, 5 nerfs, 12 other changes, score+11.7
- Priest: 14 buffs, 8 nerfs, 10 other changes, score+6.6
- Hunter: 14 buffs, 10 nerfs, 8 other changes, score+1
- Warlock: 5 buffs, 5 nerfs, 5 other changes, score+1
- Rogue: 1 buff, 4 nerfs, score−3
- Paladin: 17 buffs, 22 nerfs, 44 other changes, score−5
Races
Biggest changes
The largest buffs and nerfs for each class and race, linked to the update that made them.
Warrior+14.719 buffs, 5 nerfs, 21 other changes
- Buff:
Raging Blows2→ 3Oct 1 - Buff:
Bloodthirst35%→ 45%Oct 1 - Nerf:
Slam15 sec→ 18 secSep 24 - Buff:
Berserker Rage32→ 30Oct 1 - Buff:
RevengeOct 30
- Buff:
Paladin−517 buffs, 22 nerfs, 44 other changes
- Buff:
Redoubt20%→ 30%Oct 30 hotfix - Buff:
Improved Righteous Fury6%→ 9%Oct 30 hotfix - Buff: Righteous Fury
60%→ 90%Oct 15 - Nerf:
Retribution AuraMax rank 30→ 20Oct 8 - Buff:
Holy Shield20%→ 30%Oct 1
- Buff:
Hunter+114 buffs, 10 nerfs, 8 other changes
Rogue−31 buff, 4 nerfs
- Nerf:
PoisonsOct 15 - Nerf: EnergyOct 15
- Nerf:
Cold BloodOct 15 - Buff:
Expose ArmorOct 1 - Nerf:
SetupOct 1
- Nerf:
Priest+6.614 buffs, 8 nerfs, 10 other changes
- Nerf:
Shadow Word: Death10%→ 30%Oct 30 hotfix - Buff:
Devouring Plague1 min→ 24 secOct 15 - Buff:
Vampiric Embrace1 min→ 30 secOct 15 - Buff:
Lesser HealMax rank 138 to 160→ 157 to 181Oct 8 - Nerf:
Holy Fire57–70→ 53–65Oct 18 hotfix
- Nerf:
Shaman+11.715 buffs, 5 nerfs, 12 other changes
- Buff:
Disease Cleansing Totem2 min→ 5 minOct 1 - Buff:
Chain LightningMax rank 485→ 315Oct 15 - Buff:
Lava Burst99 to 127→ 114 to 145Sep 24 - Buff:
Elemental MasteryOct 15 - Buff:
Elemental ReachOct 15
- Buff:
Mage+17.726 buffs, 10 nerfs, 20 other changes
- Buff:
Winter's Chill5%→ 20%Oct 30 hotfix - Buff:
Ice Lance200%→ 300%Oct 30 hotfix - Buff: Wake of Fire
20 sec→ 30 secSep 24 - Nerf:
Combustion4→ 3Oct 1 - Buff: Hot Streak
15 sec→ 20 secSep 24
- Buff:
Warlock+15 buffs, 5 nerfs, 5 other changes
- Nerf:
Amplify Curse50%→ 20%Oct 16 hotfix - Buff:
Shadow MasteryMax rank 5%→ 10%Oct 15 - Buff:
Soul LinkOct 15 - Nerf:
Summon IncubusOct 15 - Nerf:
Portal of SummoningOct 15
- Nerf:
Druid+1820 buffs, 5 nerfs, 29 other changes
- Buff:
Genesis1–5%→ 2–10%Oct 30 hotfix - Buff:
Naturalist1–5%→ 2–10%Oct 30 hotfix - Buff:
Primal Bite26→ 42Oct 1 - Buff:
WrathMax rank 58 to 64→ 92 to 102Sep 24 - Nerf:
ThornsMax rank 22→ 18Oct 8
- Buff:
Human0
2 buffs, 2 nerfs, 1 other change
- Buff:
The Human Spirit5%→ 10%Oct 30 hotfix - Nerf:
Ruthless2%→ 1%Oct 30 hotfix
- Buff:
Orc+2.5
3 buffs, 1 nerf, 3 other changes
- Buff:
Blood Fury3 min→ 2 minOct 28 hotfix - Buff: SavageOct 30 hotfix
- Change:
Shatter Curse15%→ 5%Oct 15
- Buff:
Dwarf+2
2 buffs, 2 other changes
- Buff: Earth FuryOct 30 hotfix
- Buff:
Find TreasureOct 15
Undead+2.3
3 buffs, 2 nerfs, 3 other changes
- Buff:
Touch of the Grave25 sec→ 15 secOct 30 hotfix - Nerf:
Will of the ForsakenOct 15 - Nerf: CannibalizeOct 1
- Change:
Dark SacrificeMax rank 1600→ 1920Sep 24
- Buff:
Tauren+3
3 buffs, 3 nerfs, 3 other changes
- Buff:
Plainsrunning30%→ 60%Oct 30 hotfix - Buff:
Cultivation60 min→ 15 minOct 15 - Buff:
War Stomp2 min→ 90 secOct 15 - Nerf:
EnduranceOct 30 hotfix
- Buff:
Troll+5
3 buffs
- Buff:
Regeneration10%→ 20%Oct 15 - Buff:
Berserking10 sec→ 15 secOct 30 hotfix
- Buff:
Skyborne+4
5 buffs, 2 nerfs, 4 other changes
- Buff: Walk on Air
2 min→ 90 secOct 15 - Nerf: Wind Blessed
3%→ 2%Oct 30 hotfix - Buff: Read Leyline
20 sec→ 30 secOct 15 - Buff: SkysightOct 15
- Buff: Elemental InsightOct 15
- Buff: Walk on Air
Gnome−1
1 buff, 2 nerfs, 1 other change
- Nerf:
Eureka!Oct 1 - Buff:
Contingency PlanSep 24
- Nerf:
Night Elf+2
2 buffs
- Buff:
QuicknessOct 15 - Buff:
StarshardsSep 24
- Buff:
Classes
16 updates, Oct 15–30.
- Mage: 20 buffs, 6 nerfs, 17 other changes, score+14.2
- Priest: 10 buffs, 3 nerfs, 9 other changes, score+8.4
- Druid: 8 buffs, 2 nerfs, 19 other changes, score+8
- Shaman: 9 buffs, 2 nerfs, 6 other changes, score+7.5
- Warrior: 6 buffs, 1 nerf, 1 other change, score+5
- Warlock: 3 buffs, 3 nerfs, 3 other changes, score+1
- Hunter: 8 buffs, 6 nerfs, 7 other changes, score−0.3
- Paladin: 11 buffs, 14 nerfs, 40 other changes, score−1.9
- Rogue: 3 nerfs, score−3
Races
Biggest changes
The largest buffs and nerfs for each class and race, linked to the update that made them.
- Warrior+5
6 buffs, 1 nerf, 1 other change
- Paladin−1.9
11 buffs, 14 nerfs, 40 other changes
- Buff: Redoubt
20%→ 30%Oct 30 hotfix - Buff: Improved Righteous Fury
6%→ 9%Oct 30 hotfix - Buff: Righteous Fury
60%→ 90%Oct 15 - Nerf:
Seal of Fury4 sec→ 3 secOct 30 hotfix - Nerf:
Seal of RighteousnessMax rank 21.6 to 75.2→ 23 to 76Oct 15
- Buff:
- Hunter−0.3
8 buffs, 6 nerfs, 7 other changes
- Nerf: Dismember
50%→ 25%Oct 15 - Nerf: Sonic Blast
60%→ 30%Oct 15 - Nerf: Mine!
4 sec→ 3 secOct 15 - Nerf:
Aspect of the HawkOct 28 hotfix - Nerf:
Trueshot AuraOct 28 hotfix
- Nerf: Dismember
- Rogue−3
3 nerfs
- Nerf: PoisonsOct 15
- Nerf: EnergyOct 15
- Nerf: Cold BloodOct 15
- Nerf:
- Priest+8.4
10 buffs, 3 nerfs, 9 other changes
- Nerf: Shadow Word: Death
10%→ 30%Oct 30 hotfix - Buff: Devouring Plague
1 min→ 24 secOct 15 - Buff: Vampiric Embrace
1 min→ 30 secOct 15 - Nerf: Holy Fire
57–70→ 53–65Oct 18 hotfix - Buff:
Cure DiseaseOct 30 hotfix
- Nerf:
- Shaman+7.5
9 buffs, 2 nerfs, 6 other changes
- Buff: Chain LightningMax rank
485→ 315Oct 15 - Nerf: Lava BurstOct 21 hotfix
- Buff: Elemental MasteryOct 15
- Buff: Elemental ReachOct 15
- Buff:
Lightning OverloadOct 15
- Buff:
- Mage+14.2
20 buffs, 6 nerfs, 17 other changes
- Buff: Winter's Chill
5%→ 20%Oct 30 hotfix - Buff: Ice Lance
200%→ 300%Oct 30 hotfix - Buff: Ice Barrier
448→ 493Oct 20 hotfix - Buff:
Frost Ward162→ 178Oct 20 hotfix - Buff:
Arcane Resilience2 ranks→ 3 ranksOct 30 hotfix
- Buff:
- Warlock+1
3 buffs, 3 nerfs, 3 other changes
- Nerf: Amplify Curse
50%→ 20%Oct 16 hotfix - Buff: Shadow MasteryMax rank
5%→ 10%Oct 15 - Buff: Soul LinkOct 15
- Nerf: Summon IncubusOct 15
- Nerf: Portal of SummoningOct 15
- Nerf:
- Druid+8
8 buffs, 2 nerfs, 19 other changes
- Buff: Genesis
1–5%→ 2–10%Oct 30 hotfix - Buff: Naturalist
1–5%→ 2–10%Oct 30 hotfix - Buff:
Moonkin FormOct 30 hotfix - Buff: Leader of the PackOct 30 hotfix
- Buff:
Ferocious BiteOct 30 hotfix
- Buff:
Human0
2 buffs, 2 nerfs, 1 other change
- Buff: The Human Spirit
5%→ 10%Oct 30 hotfix - Nerf: Ruthless
2%→ 1%Oct 30 hotfix
- Buff:
Orc+2.5
3 buffs, 1 nerf, 3 other changes
- Buff: Blood Fury
3 min→ 2 minOct 28 hotfix - Buff: SavageOct 30 hotfix
- Change: Shatter Curse
15%→ 5%Oct 15
- Buff:
Dwarf+2
2 buffs, 2 other changes
- Buff: Earth FuryOct 30 hotfix
- Buff: Find TreasureOct 15
Undead+2.3
2 buffs, 1 nerf, 1 other change
- Buff: Touch of the Grave
25 sec→ 15 secOct 30 hotfix - Nerf: Will of the ForsakenOct 15
- Buff:
Tauren+4
3 buffs, 2 nerfs, 3 other changes
- Buff: Plainsrunning
30%→ 60%Oct 30 hotfix - Buff: Cultivation
60 min→ 15 minOct 15 - Buff: War Stomp
2 min→ 90 secOct 15 - Nerf: EnduranceOct 30 hotfix
- Buff:
Troll+5
3 buffs
- Buff: Regeneration
10%→ 20%Oct 15 - Buff: Berserking
10 sec→ 15 secOct 30 hotfix
- Buff:
Skyborne+4
5 buffs, 2 nerfs, 4 other changes
- Buff: Walk on Air
2 min→ 90 secOct 15 - Nerf: Wind Blessed
3%→ 2%Oct 30 hotfix - Buff: Read Leyline
20 sec→ 30 secOct 15 - Buff: SkysightOct 15
- Buff: Elemental InsightOct 15
- Buff: Walk on Air
Gnome0
1 other change
- Change: Eureka!Oct 15
- Change:
Night Elf+1
1 buff
Classes
13 updates, Oct 18–30.
- Mage: 12 buffs, 4 nerfs, 10 other changes, score+8.7
- Druid: 5 buffs, 1 nerf, 15 other changes, score+6
- Warrior: 1 buff, 1 other change, score+1
- Paladin: 9 buffs, 9 nerfs, 35 other changes, score+0.7
- Rogue: no changes, score0
- Warlock: 1 other change, score0
- Hunter: 1 buff, 2 nerfs, 5 other changes, score−1
- Shaman: 1 nerf, score−1
- Priest: 2 buffs, 2 nerfs, 2 other changes, score−1.1
Races
Biggest changes
The largest buffs and nerfs for each class and race, linked to the update that made them.
- Warrior+1
1 buff, 1 other change
- Buff: RevengeOct 30
- Change:
Improved HamstringOct 28 hotfix
- Buff:
- Paladin+0.7
9 buffs, 9 nerfs, 35 other changes
- Buff: Redoubt
20%→ 30%Oct 30 hotfix - Buff: Improved Righteous Fury
6%→ 9%Oct 30 hotfix - Nerf: Seal of Fury
4 sec→ 3 secOct 30 hotfix - Buff: The Quick and the DeadOct 30 hotfix
- Buff:
Reverence3 ranks→ 2 ranksOct 30 hotfix
- Buff:
- Hunter−1
1 buff, 2 nerfs, 5 other changes
- Nerf: Aspect of the HawkOct 28 hotfix
- Nerf: Trueshot AuraOct 28 hotfix
- Buff:
Hunter's MarkOct 21 hotfix - Moved:
PathfindingOct 30 hotfix - Moved:
Improved Revive PetOct 30 hotfix
- Nerf:
- Priest−1.1
2 buffs, 2 nerfs, 2 other changes
- Nerf: Shadow Word: Death
10%→ 30%Oct 30 hotfix - Nerf: Holy Fire
57–70→ 53–65Oct 18 hotfix - Buff: Cure DiseaseOct 30 hotfix
- Buff:
Abolish DiseaseOct 30 hotfix - Change:
Binding HealOct 30 hotfix
- Nerf:
- Shaman−1
1 nerf
- Nerf: Lava BurstOct 21 hotfix
- Nerf:
- Mage+8.7
12 buffs, 4 nerfs, 10 other changes
- Buff: Winter's Chill
5%→ 20%Oct 30 hotfix - Buff: Ice Lance
200%→ 300%Oct 30 hotfix - Buff: Ice Barrier
448→ 493Oct 20 hotfix - Buff: Frost Ward
162→ 178Oct 20 hotfix - Buff: Arcane Resilience
2 ranks→ 3 ranksOct 30 hotfix
- Buff:
- Warlock0
1 other change
- Change:
Improved DrainsOct 30 hotfix
- Change:
- Druid+6
5 buffs, 1 nerf, 15 other changes
- Buff: Genesis
1–5%→ 2–10%Oct 30 hotfix - Buff: Naturalist
1–5%→ 2–10%Oct 30 hotfix - Buff: Moonkin FormOct 30 hotfix
- Buff: Leader of the PackOct 30 hotfix
- Buff: Ferocious BiteOct 30 hotfix
- Buff:
Human0
2 buffs, 2 nerfs
- Buff: The Human Spirit
5%→ 10%Oct 30 hotfix - Nerf: Ruthless
2%→ 1%Oct 30 hotfix
- Buff:
Orc+4
3 buffs, 1 other change
- Buff: Blood Fury
3 min→ 2 minOct 28 hotfix - Buff: SavageOct 30 hotfix
- Buff:
Dwarf+1
1 buff, 1 other change
- Buff: Earth FuryOct 30 hotfix
Undead+3.3
2 buffs
- Buff: Touch of the Grave
25 sec→ 15 secOct 30 hotfix
- Buff:
Tauren0
1 buff, 2 nerfs, 1 other change
- Buff: Plainsrunning
30%→ 60%Oct 30 hotfix - Nerf: EnduranceOct 30 hotfix
- Buff:
Troll+3
2 buffs
- Buff: Berserking
10 sec→ 15 secOct 30 hotfix
- Buff:
Skyborne−3
2 nerfs, 4 other changes
- Nerf: Wind Blessed
3%→ 2%Oct 30 hotfix - Change: Read LeylineOct 30 hotfix
- Change: SkysightOct 30 hotfix
- Nerf: Wind Blessed
Every change, update by update, is in the patch notes.