Class Changes in Patch 12.1 for August 26, 2026

Developers' Notes

Death Knight (Frost) is performing below our expectations at the start of Curse of Ula'tek, especially in the Venomous Abyss raid.

Frost

• All ability damage and melee damage increased by 6%.
• Obliterate damage increased by 15%.

Havoc

• All damage increased by 3%.

Vengeance

• Mastery: Fel Blood effectiveness increased by 24%.

Restoration

Developers' Notes

These changes are intended to address the fact that Rejuvenation and Wild Growth feel weak in Season 2, especially in dungeons. We are also strengthening the class 4-piece set bonus so that it becomes noticeable and meaningful. These changes come alongside small nerfs to raid healing to maintain roughly the same power in raids while increasing it in dungeons.

• The class 4-piece set bonus increases the duration of Genesis by 8 sec. (previously: 4 sec.).
• Rejuvenation and Germination healing increased by 15%.
• Wild Growth healing increased by 10%.
• Nature's Bounty copies 10% of Regrowth healing (previously: 20%).
• Everbloom heals 5 targets (previously: 6 targets).
• Everbloom heals for 48% of Lifebloom final healing (previously: 40%).

Preservation

Developers' Notes

We are further increasing part of Preservation's triage healing so that it does not fall behind other healers in dungeons.

• Verdant Embrace healing increased by 25%. Does not affect PvP.
• Living Flame healing increased by 20%. Does not affect PvP.
• Dream Simulacrum increases Verdant Embrace healing by 40% (previously: 30%).

Beast Mastery

Developers' Notes

We want to increase the area damage and cleave capability of Beast Mastery.

• Wild Thrash now deals 300% more damage when hitting more than 2 targets (previously: 200%).
• Beast Cleave now causes your pets to strike nearby enemies for 70% of the damage dealt (previously: 55%).

Survival

• All damage dealt by you and your pets increased by 4%.

Frost

Developers' Notes

We are primarily interested in the effectiveness of Frost in Mythic+ dungeons (M+). The recent removal of the health bonus from Improved Ice Barrier affected Frost's survivability more than intended. We like the symmetry of the three “Improved Barrier” talents, each of which has one additional effect, and Frost has historically had a slightly larger absorb than Arcane and Fire, so we are baking this into the base absorb value rather than returning it to Improved Ice Barrier. We are also making a targeted increase to Frost's area damage.

• The absorb amount of Ice Barrier increased to 35% of maximum health (previously: 30%). Does not affect PvP.
• Blizzard damage increased by 10%.
• Frostbite: Shatter damage to nearby enemies increased by 10%.
• Frostfire — Isothermic Core: Meteor damage increased by 25%.

Brewmaster

Developers' Notes

We are adjusting the absorb of Celestial Brew and Celestial Infusion to strengthen their role as a defensive option and to relieve pain points that players encounter in certain fights.

• All damage increased by 3%.
• The absorb amount of Celestial Brew and Celestial Infusion increased by 20%.

Retribution

Developers' Notes

We are significantly increasing the damage of the Curse of Ula'tek 4-piece set bonus — Divine Arbiter — so that weaving it into the rotation is worth the effort.

• Divine Arbiter damage to the primary target from the 4-piece set bonus increased by 150%.
• Divine Arbiter damage to secondary targets from the 4-piece set bonus increased by 75%.

Developers' Notes

We are increasing the effectiveness of Affliction and Demonology, primarily through single-target tools and secondarily through multi-target tools. In addition, we are noticeably increasing the damage of the warlock's demons so that they contribute more to overall damage. This will also help a bit with threat issues in solo play.

• Damage of the Imp, Voidwalker, Sayaad, and Felhunter increased by 350%.

Affliction

• Unstable Affliction damage increased by 15%. Does not affect PvP.
• Hellcaller — Blackened Soul damage increased by 20%. Does not affect PvP.
• Wrath of Nathreza damage increased by 35%. Does not affect PvP.
• Shadow of Nathreza damage increased by 25%. Does not affect PvP.
• Agony damage increased by 20%. Does not affect PvP.
• Corruption damage increased by 15%. Does not affect PvP.
• Hellcaller — Wither damage increased by 10%. Does not affect PvP.

Demonology

• Shadow Bolt damage increased by 35%. Does not affect PvP.
• Demonbolt damage increased by 30%.
• Wild Imp damage increased by 20%.
• Summon Felguard damage increased by 20%.
• Damage of the demons summoned by Dominion of Argus increased by 20%. Does not affect PvP.
• Call Dreadstalkers damage increased by 30%.

Destruction

• Rain of Fire damage increased by 30%.

Protection

• Fight Through the Flames reduces magic damage taken by 8% (previously: 6%).