Patch 5.04 – Buffs and Debuffs

It’s patch day. If you’re looking for a guide on what to expect, I recommend you listen to our latest podcast filled with all of the information you need to know to survive patch 5.04. In the meantime, I’d like to focus on one specific area of the game that’s changing and will have an impact on our stables – buffs and debuffs.

The good news is the buffs and debuffs have been streamlined for MoP. The even better news is that Hunter pets will continue to bring buffs and debuffs through their special abilities. In fact, the only buff that Hunters cannot provide is Spell Haste.

Just like in Cataclysm, you will need a BM spec if you want the complete arsenal of buffs and debuffs at your disposal. Due the changes to buffs and debuffs you may have to reevaluate your stable and make room for some new additions.

For example, Water Striders are one of the new pet families that will be available for taming in this patch. In addition to the cool water walking ability, they provide the Crit and Spell Power buff, and are on the list of mandatory pets. Water Striders can be found in Zangarmarsh in Outland.

If you wish to have all the raid buffs and debuffs covered then at a minimum you will need the following for your stable (E = exotic pet).

• Crit Chance – Quilen (E), Devilsaur (E), Water Strider (E) or Wolf
• Mastery – Cat or Spirit Beast (E)
• Melee/Ranged Attack Speed – Hyena or Serpent.
• Raid-Haset Cooldown (i.e., Heroism) – Core Hound (E)
• Stamina – Silithid (E)
• Spellpower – Water Strider (E)
• Stats – Shale Spider (E)
• Magic Vulnerability – Dragonhawk or Wind Serpent
• Mortal Wounds – Hunter, Devilsaur (E)
• Physical Vulnerability – Boar, Ravager, Rhino (E) or Worm (E)
• Slow Casting Speed – Core Hound (E), Fox, Goat or Sporebat
• Weakened Armor – Raptor or Tallstrider
• Weakened Blows – Bear or Carrion Bird
• Combat Res – Quilen (E)

If you don’t plan on raiding as BM then the list looks like this,

• Crit Chance – Wolf
• Mastery – Cat
• Melee/Ranged Attack Speed – Hyena or Serpent.
• Magic Vulnerability – Dragonhawk or Wind Serpent
• Mortal Wounds – Hunter (Widow Venom)
• Physical Vulnerability – Boar, Ravager
• Slow Casting Speed – Fox, Goat or Sporebat
• Weakened Armor – Raptor or Tallstrider
• Weakened Blows – Bear or Carrion Bird

Non-BM raiders will not be able to bring Spellpower, Stamina, Stats, and Combat Res.

Also, you might want to consider adding a Wolf and Cat to your stable for those times when the Crit and Mastery buff are needed but you aren’t using a BM spec.

For reference, I’ve put together a little chart that shows the buffs and debuffs and which Hunter pets and support classes bring them.