The latest patch NW.45.20150515a.6 brought a hefty nerf to the CWs main damage source, the Storm Spell passive, and of course is already being discussed in the official forum (1 2 3). I don’t wanna join the grief of CWs or the gloating of everyone else, but instead went to the preview server to test out different builds and enchantments post-nerf to get some solid data on the state of things.

*** UPDATE (06/13) *** User Benio101 hinted that one combination of passives (Swath & CP) was untested. I’ve added the test and updated the guide.

1. The Approach

Currently I’m using a 5-minute scripted routine to get more or less standardized and comparable results. The rotation was Conduit of Ice on Tab, Steal Time, Icy Terrain (IT) and Fanning the Flame or Disintegrate depending on the Paragon Path. Due to the bug that certain powers don’t damage dummies properly after you’ve “killed” them and can’t be frozen either, there are some things to note:

IT did not damage the dummies, but procs stuff. So it’s still closer to an AoE test than using a single target power.

Sudden Storm does not damage dummies properly and therefore wasn’t used.

Oppressive Force does not damage dummies properly and therefore wasn’t used.

Chilling Presence (CP) is undervalued by the tests because dummies can’t be properly frozen.

Thaumaturge is slightly undervalued because some lower tier feats don’t proc.

Exported ACT-Files for each test can be downloaded here.

2. The Nerf

Testing the weapon enchantments this Module I remember DPS coming in around 100k with my routine. Yesterday’s tests were 67k to 93k, making it a 25% damage nerf on average. Overall the Lostmauth set takes over the top DPS spot in any build and contributes up to 30% damage. Because as a PVE CW you are still reliant on procs off crits, Power and Critical Strike are the stats you want to stack after you’ve capped Armor Penetration.

3. Storm Spell (SS) vs The Field

Although nerfed, SS still outperforms any other passive. Within a Renegade build in Combination with Chilling Presence, which remains mandatory, SS returned 80k DPS. Arcane Presence (72k DPS; -10.00%) came in second and Evocation (67k DPS; -16.25%) third. This means SS outweighs the damage boosts you get from any other passive. With Arcane Presence the Lostmauth set contributed a massive 33% to overall damage.

4. Spellstorm Mage (SM) vs. Master of Flame (MoF)

SS was the main reason why MoF has been an afterthought for quite some time now, so the nerf brought the two Paragon Paths closer together. Compared to the best SM combination of SS and CP (80k), Critical Conflagration and CP (75k; -6.25%) as well as Critical Conflagration and Swath of Destruction (78k, -2.50%) performed well and Swath and CP (86k; +7.50%) topped SM. MoF has become a true alternative, especially because Swath is adding DPS to the party with a sizeable debuff that’s not available to Spellstorm Mages.

5. Renegade vs. Thaumaturge

I tested the performance of the feat paths using a MoF setup, but the Paragon doesn’t matter as much. The conclusion should be valid through all builds. Both Thaumaturge with secondary Renegade (78k) and Thaumaturge with secondary Oppressor (74k; -5.13%) could compete with the Renegade build (78k), but given the massive group buffs Renegade provides, Thaumaturge remains non-viable even if you have another source of Combat Advantage in your party.

6. Weapon Enchantment

I tested enchantments within a Renegade build with SS and CP slotted. A Perfect Vorpal (80k) outperformed Transcendent Bronzewood (72k; -10.00%) and Transcendent Plague Fire (70k; -12.50%), but the latter compensates for the personal DPS loss with its group buff (although still bugged and not giving the full 9%). Transcendent Feytouched (93k; +16.25%) performed very well and the test indicates it could actually be/remain the top enchant for a PVE CW if all issues with it have been fully resolved (especially buffing opponents). Not tested were the Transcendent Vorpal and Terror, because both still don’t provide the debuffs and are even buffing opponents.

The reason Feytouched is so good is that Storm Spell remains a major damage source (~20%), but is now unbuffed by Vorpal. The fact that Feytouched’s 20% buff partly offsets Vorpal’s boost to Critical Severity and buffs all non-crit damage as well makes the Enchantment so good for Spellstorm Mages. Since MoF doesn’t have access to Storm Spell, Feytouched (78k) is not as efficient with this Paragon, but still on par with the Vorpal (78k).

7. Conclusion

The test suggests that Renegade remains the top feat path in all scenarios and combined with the SM Paragon and Transcendent Feytouched it results in the most personal DPS, a good amount of group buffs and opposing damage debuffs (if working correctly, which has not been tested). Next to that, I’d personally take a hard look at MoF now, because in some or even most group setups the additional buffs from Swath and/or Plague Fire could be more valuable than the additional personal DPS from SM and Vorpal.