Understanding Xal'atath's Bargain: Devour and the Void Rift Debuff

This week, we encounter the affix Xal'atath's Bargain: Devour, which applies a Void Rift debuff to all five players in the party. Here’s how to effectively remove this debuff and the benefits of doing so.

What is Xal'atath's Bargain: Devour?

The Void Rift debuff can be removed in two primary ways:

  1. Healing: Applying a certain amount of healing to each player's Void Rift.

  2. Dispelling: Using specific abilities to dispel the Void Rift.

When a Void Rift is successfully removed, the party gains a stack of Lingering Void, which provides bonuses to maximum health and Critical Strike. If all five Void Rifts are cleared, the party can achieve up to +10% maximum health and +20% Critical Strike.

Dispel Options for the Void Rift

Dispelling is the most efficient way to deal with this affix, and nearly every class can contribute. Here's a breakdown of available dispel methods by class:

  • Death Knight:

    • Use Anti-Magic Shell before the shields are applied to prevent them. However, this won’t grant a stack of Lingering Void. To gain that stack, spec into Unyielding Will and then use Anti-Magic Shell after the shields are out.

  • Demon Hunter:

    • Unfortunately, Demon Hunters do not have any dispel options for this affix.

  • Druid:

    • All Druid specializations can use Remove Corruption. Restoration Druids also have Nature's Cure for additional dispelling.

  • Evoker:

    • Use Cauterizing Flame or Expunge. It’s advisable to use Expunge first due to its shorter cooldown, reserving Cauterizing Flame for other critical situations.

  • Hunter:

    • Hunters need to spec into Emergency Salve, which enables Feign Death and Aspect of the Turtle to remove the Void Rift when used.

  • Mage:

    • Mages can use Remove Curse to eliminate the affix from any target.

  • Monk:

    • All Monks have access to Diffuse Magic and Detox. Mistweaver Monks can also save Revival to remove all five debuffs simultaneously, though it has a three-minute cooldown.

  • Paladin:

    • All Paladins can utilize Cleanse Toxins and Divine Shield, while Holy Paladins can also use Cleanse. Favor Cleanse Toxins for its quicker availability over Divine Shield’s five-minute cooldown.

  • Priest:

    • Priests can use Purify and Purify Disease for Shadow Priests, but the most effective option is Mass Dispel, which removes all debuffs and has a two-minute cooldown.

  • Rogue:

    • Rogues can use Cloak of Shadows to handle this affix, but it may be wise to save it for other critical moments in the dungeon.

  • Shaman:

    • Restoration Shamans can use Purify Spirit, but the standout option for all Shamans is Poison Cleansing Totem. With a 45-second cooldown, this totem can cleanse all five debuffs instantly, making it the strongest choice.

  • Warlock:

    • Warlocks can use Singe Magic, but it requires an Imp pet, which is generally not recommended due to the better utility of Felhunter or Felguard pets for interrupts.

  • Warrior:

    • Warriors have Bitter Immunity available, but it is often not recommended due to its position in the talent tree and three-minute cooldown.

12 Oct 2024