Patch 11.0.5 PTR: Major Class Overhauls and Ability Adjustments for Enhanced Gameplay Balance

In the latest update for Patch 11.0.5 PTR, significant modifications have been made across a variety of classes and their abilities. Notably, adjustments have been introduced for the Hunter class, particularly affecting the Marksmanship tier set, and a reduction in target soft caps for key Warrior AoE abilities. Furthermore, these updates continue to incorporate recent tuning hotfixes, aligning with the changes highlighted in the latest Development Notes.

Hunter Changes:

Beast Mastery: The Barbed Shot ability now causes your pet to enter a frenzy, increasing attack speed by 30% for 12 seconds. Additional adjustments include the Basilisk Collar talent, which now increases damage taken by your pet’s attacks based on the number of damage over time effects on a target.
Marksmanship: The tier set bonus has been enhanced, allowing Precise Shots to boost the damage of your next Aimed Shot by up to 20%, stacking up to twice.

Warrior Adjustments:

The AoE effectiveness of key Warrior abilities has been reduced by adjusting their target soft caps, aiming for a more balanced damage output in multi-target situations.

Druid Updates:

Balance: The Astronomical Impact talent now increases critical strike damage of Astral spells by 20%, while Rattle the Stars boosts the damage of Starsurge and Starfall by 12% and reduces their cost by 10%.
Feral: The Sabertooth talent has been enhanced, increasing the damage of Ferocious Bite by 15% and further boosting damage dealt to the primary target by bleed effects. The Taste for Blood talent also receives similar enhancements.

Mage Tweaks:

Arcane: Arcane Barrage and Arcane Blast have received damage adjustments, with Arcane Barrage now dealing significantly increased damage with each Arcane Charge consumed.
Fire: Flamestrike's base damage has been increased, and the Living Bomb talent now causes greater damage spread among multiple targets.

Paladin Enhancements:

Holy: The Avenging Crusader talent has been modified, reducing the cooldown faster and improving healing efficiency linked to Crusader Strike and Judgment.
Protection: New effects have been added to the Shield of the Righteous, enhancing both its damage and its periodic effect.

Priest Improvements:

Holy: Talents such as Holy Word: Sanctify and Holy Word: Serenity now have reduced cooldowns upon casting other healing spells, providing greater flexibility in healing strategies.

These changes reflect Blizzard's ongoing efforts to ensure balanced gameplay and enhance overall player experience. As the PTR continues to receive updates, players are encouraged to test these changes and provide feedback for further refinements.