It can’t be overstated how absolutely awful this change has been for Elemental.
There is a myriad of posts about Pwave for Elemental. Even when the change was first announced, it received nothing but negative feedback from dedicated Elemental players.
The spell, and the spec, desperately needs attention. The spec has taken a massive step backwards since its Season 1 rework.
Below I have suggested some changes to both the Elemental Talent tree and Primordial Wave that could allow the spell to shine without reverting, but blending what made the old great with the simplicity of use from the new.
The TLDR (Numbers would obviously need tuning, but it’s not about numbers, it’s about how the spec feels and looks to play. No one sensible wants their spec to be broken, but just for the buttons to feel good to press).
1. LMT made baseline and moved out of capstone territory
Liquid Magma Totem being our only way to apply Flame Shock to multiple targets is not strong enough to justify its current placement as a capstone. It should be made baseline or moved to a more accessible part of the talent tree. Further, it should apply 6 Flame Shocks on placement up from the current 3.
2. Flame Shock duration to refresh or extend when target is struck with Lava Burst
Combined with point 3, this eliminates awkward Flame Shock downtime between LMT uses and keeps the rotation flowing smoothly in AOE.
3. Replace the current LMT capstone with a new talent: Farseer’s Fury or to even bring back a household name Windspeaker’s Lava Resurgence
This new capstone causes the next 2 (or, if we’re getting excited, 3) Lava Bursts to hit all Flame Shock affected targets after casting Primordial Wave. Additionally, grants Lava Surge immediately and then again every 3 seconds for 12 seconds (up to 3 times).
If this is too much Lava, make it only every 5 seconds and 2 times total, and leave it at 100% damage and Maelstrom generation.
The interplay between changes 2 and 3 maintains Flame Shock in AOE and allows for the return of that iconic Lava Burst cleave.
These Lava bursts could deal X% less damage and generate less Maelstrom, giving opportunities for easy tuning. More importantly though, it would allow us to fish for Power of the Maelstrom procs and play around Master of the Elements, creating more opportunities for skill expression without overwhelming the rotation.
These changes preserve Elemental’s uniqueness from Enhance. They keep the initial interaction of casting Pwave the same, but offer a completely different and more thematically fitting capstone. They restore Flame Shock’s AOE presence, allow for proper multi-target Lava Burst cleave, and gives each element their place in the rotation again.
Please don’t leave the spell how it is for another season.
Elemental is not a Lightning mage. Actioning the above suggestions meaningfully differentiates us from Enhance, maintains the initial goals of making Pwave easier to use and restores our Elemental identity.