Patch 2.6.8 Balance changes Nerfs/Buffs

[MicroRNA-1507]

@Shark-1739

I think many would agree that the number of players playing barb has skewed those 125+ GR clears and makes the situation look worse than it really is.

I agree. If you look at the thread I created for my era 11 and 12 data analysis, I will quote starting the beginning of my initial post (starting at the second sentence).

@MicroRNA-1507

The datasets being analyzed are imperfect in that there are biases in the number of players pushing each class. As an example, demon hunters and necromancers did not receive any buffs or nerfs in patch 2.6.7; however, it is much easier (i.e. lower GR clears are needed to get onto their respective leaderboards).

I am trying to be as transparent as possible. That is why I provide links to where the data was obtained, how the data was analyzed, limitations of the datasets/potential biases, and quotes to verify what others have written including the game designer in December where he defined Blizzard’s formula about nerfs/buffs going forward. Importantly, I looked at GR efficiency (the way Prokahn analyzed the data) to correct for biases in the number of players.

@Shark-1739

continues this crusade

I would not call it a crusade. As Bubu and/or Poconut noted, there are many players/posters who:

1. Either do not know or do not care that Blizzard has given their formula for nerfs/buffs going forward in December (A blog post on game balance is forthcoming soon).

2. Do not know the data (such as historical leaderboard/GR efficiency calculations, 4 man meta compositions, or the current non-season leaderboard). As an example, several posters did not realize that crusaders have cleared GR 150 in non-seasons.

If you recall, I advocated against the removal of the rend damage modifier from lamentation during the PTR and thereafter. I suggested a 100% rend damage bonus. During the PTR, I and others deduced that barbs would clear in non-season GR 144-146 with rend @ 200%. The current non-season solo leaderboard has a GR 146 clear with rend @150%.

@MicroRNA-1507

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.

I have advocated for game balance often including nerfs to wizard pre-patch 2.6.7 and now crusaders. It is not about barbs. I feel that there is observational bias. Did you know that the very, very first thread after the bazooka build was discovered, it asked Blizzard if it was an exploit. Although they answered no at the time, I advocated for a nerf even then as I foresaw the true power of the build even before its widespread adoption.