Patch 3.1.3 is live!

All our eyes are set for patch 3.2, the next major content patch, ever since Blizzard unveiled the key features that it will showcase such as the new battleground and the upcoming Crusader’s Coliseum dungeon in the Argent Tournament grounds. But that doesn’t mean we can’t make at least a little of a buzz about the new minor patch that just came out.

patch 3.1.4 download

Admittedly though, I’m finding it quite hard to get excited about the release of patch 3.1.3 especially since the last minor patch that came out was pretty good with the release of the Equipment Manager feature and the new Argent Tournament mount models. But it’s not just that the last minor patch was good, it’s that this one doesn’t only have just a few buffs but it comes with a bunch of nerfs too. That’s not exactly something to get excited about, unless it’s something you’ve been whining about because you’ve been getting creamed in PvP or something.

For example, I’m pretty sure the Death Knight tanks out there aren’t pleased with the nerf to the armor bonus Frost presence gives. Or Resto druids aren’t too pleased by the armor nerf improved Tree of Life form gives and that the warlock chaos bolt spell no longer ignores damage reduction effects.. But I guess some guys can be quite joyous with this patch too. For example hunters get 200 more attack power from Hunter’s Mark. [edit: changed something based on something I read wrong the other day]

Of course it’s wrong to look at a patch’s worth based on who got the most buffs or who got the most nerfs but it really doesn’t help much when you seem to see more nerfs than buffs throughout the whole patch. I guess the “buzz” I can give about this patch is this: A new patch is out… woo. Now can we get on with our lives and wait for patch 3.2?

Patch notes for patch 3.1.3 after the break.

Patch 3.1.3

The latest patch notes can always be found at http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/patchnotes/
The latest test realm patch notes can always be found at http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/patchnotes/test-realm-patchnotes.html

Death Knights

* Frost Presence: Armor bonus is now 60% down from 80%.

Druids

* Improved Barkskin: This talent now also grants 80/160% additional armor while in Travel Form or not shapeshifted.
* Improved Tree of Life: The armor bonus to Tree of Life Form from this talent has been reduced to 67/133/200% bonus armor.

Hunters

* Hunter’s Mark: The ranged attack power bonus from this ability has been increased from 300 to 500.
* Master Marksman: This talent now also decreases the cost of Aimed Shot and Chimera Shot by 5/10/15/20/25%.

Paladins

* Eye For An Eye: This talent now deals 5/10% of the critical strike damage taken by the paladin back at the attacker.
* Hand of Freedom: The base duration of this buff has been reduced from 10 seconds to 6 seconds.

Rogues

* Overkill: Talent redesigned. Now increases energy regeneration by 30% while stealthed, and for 20 seconds after breaking stealth.

Warlocks

* Chaos Bolt: This spell no longer ignores damage reduction effects of the target.

Warriors

* Blood Frenzy: This talent now provides 5/10% haste instead of 3/6%.
* Bloodthirst: Cooldown reduced from 5 seconds to 4 seconds, and rage cost reduced from 30 rage to 20 rage.
* Juggernaut: This talent now also increases the cooldown on Charge by 5 seconds.

Items

* Death Knight PvP Gauntlets: The chance to refresh a Frost Rune when casting Chains of Ice has been removed. When equipped, these gloves now generate 5 additional runic power whenever Chains of Ice is used.

Dungeons

* Ulduar

o Mimiron

+ The flight time of Rocket Strikes has been increased, and Rocket Strikes will try to prefer players at range.
+ The Leviathan Mk II component of the V-07-TR-0N will become stunned during Phase 4 when the VX-001 component begins to cast the P3Wx2 Laser Barrage ability.
+ Proximity mines now deal less damage and have a lower duration. A small arming time has also been added so proximity mines will not immediately detonate on creation.

Bug Fixes

* Druid Tier 8 Balance Set: The 4-piece bonus no longer has its effect consumed by Starfire casts in progress when it triggers. The chance for the effect to be triggered has been reduced down to 8%, as it was originally inflated to compensate.
* Ice Layered Barrier: Upgraded to item level 232. In addition, the stats in the tooltip have been correctly adjusted to 78 spell power, 48 haste rating, 16 mana per 5 seconds, 52 Intellect, and 50 Stamina.
* Pulsing Spellshield: The stats listed in the tooltip for this item were incorrect and have been adjusted. This item provides 69 spell power, 34 haste rating, 42 critical strike rating, 45 intellect, and 45 stamina.