I have advocated for barb buffs. I am glad to see that multiple items for barbs are being buffed this patch. These include:
- Wrath of the Wastes
- Lamentation
- Ambo’s Pride
- Remorseless
- Fjord Cutter
- Bracers of Destruction
- Fury of the Ancients
Many had well-justified concerned about extent of the barb buff relative to ww/rend build in particular. For patch 2.6.6, several classes have never cleared a GR 140 in the America/EU/Asia regions in non-season, irrespective of their paragon levels. There are currently 19 players who have cleared 141 or greater in these 3 regions. These represent three classes: wizard, necromancers, and witch doctors. Two of these classes are being nerfed in patch 2.6.7.
I wonder if a reduction in the rend damage affix to a flat 100% would be better than removing the rend damage altogether. It makes sense to me why the extent of the barb buff was reduced but I wonder if it was a bit too extensive. Certainly, you have data analytics that are not available to players and know what your goal is relative to class balance. Many understand that the PTR is the public test realm and things change relative to the preliminary patch notes upon testing.
Irrespective, I truly appreciate your efforts in making new 6 piece class sets, supporting legendaries, and improving class balance as we wait for D4.