Blue just posted this on the pally Seal of Command concern:
"The old proc rate was 5 per minute, the new rate should be 7 per minute. Some tests seem to validate this, others here do not.
We'll do some more testing to make sure that this is working correctly.
We don't intend to decrease the dps of SoC, we're trying to make SoC less of a gamble. In addition, the judgement damage is significanly higher and more controllable than it used to be (and still crits off of melee crit, not spell crit). The judgement change is intended to be a straight "buff" to JoC, and thus a buff to the SoC paladin's overall dps. We understand that judging more frequently implies a higher degree of mana usage to gain the additional dps from SoC/JoC, but this is something we'll continue to evaluate while 1.9 is in testing to see whether the costs are appropriate."
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My base melee crit is 25. My base spell crit is 5 in my current build. It has been confirmed that seal of command and judgement of command are both based on melee crit and will stay that way. Whew!
It is also confirmed that the proc rate of SOC is supposed to be 7, even though it is testing out at 6-6.5. I assume that is a bug.
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This is the good news I am looking for... a step in the right direction. Now, if they can tone down the mana used for rank 5 SOC then that would be helpful too.
I will be testing out a 21 0 30 build. This will give me sanctity aura in the holy tree, which is a 10% increase in holy damage. It will also give me +10% str (+24.4) in the holy tree ... both of these should be a increase in damage for me. Previously, I had to take 5 pts in seal of righteousness (yuck) but now I can put 5 holy points in divine strength. Additionally, they combined both talents for Lay On Hands together and buffed the armor increase as well - 5 minutes 50% armor increase. In this build I will also have the free crit heal and will take improved holy light too, a 15% increase.
If it is true that the SOC dmg is 70% less and SOC proc rate went from 5 to 7, then that is a 4.3% reduction in damage as follows:
60/3.9 = 15.38 swings per sec
5/15.38 = 32.5% proc chance with a 3.9spd weapon
60/3.9 = 15.38
7/15.38 = 44.3% proc chance with a 3.9spd weapon
100% of SoC proc damage x .325 proc rate = 32.5 relative Soc effectiveness
70% of SoC proc damage x .443 proc rate = 31.1 relative SoC effectiveness
((32.5 - 31.1) / (32.5) = 4.3% damage reduction
So ... if I have an additional 10% in strength and 10% in holy damage ... and we are able to judge SOC for instant damage ... then these should more than offset the 4.3% nerf to SOC. However, I will be losing kings, 8% toughness (AC increase), and putting away improved devotion aura to do so. This will make me and the 5 man team more susceptible to melee hits. Ahhh ... life is a tradeoff!
Sorry for all of the data but a few of us (Allanon, Osk, Grymorgan, etc.. ) pay attention to this stuff and this will allow them to check my math, and theory.
Kevin
"The old proc rate was 5 per minute, the new rate should be 7 per minute. Some tests seem to validate this, others here do not.
We'll do some more testing to make sure that this is working correctly.
We don't intend to decrease the dps of SoC, we're trying to make SoC less of a gamble. In addition, the judgement damage is significanly higher and more controllable than it used to be (and still crits off of melee crit, not spell crit). The judgement change is intended to be a straight "buff" to JoC, and thus a buff to the SoC paladin's overall dps. We understand that judging more frequently implies a higher degree of mana usage to gain the additional dps from SoC/JoC, but this is something we'll continue to evaluate while 1.9 is in testing to see whether the costs are appropriate."
-----------
My base melee crit is 25. My base spell crit is 5 in my current build. It has been confirmed that seal of command and judgement of command are both based on melee crit and will stay that way. Whew!
It is also confirmed that the proc rate of SOC is supposed to be 7, even though it is testing out at 6-6.5. I assume that is a bug.
-----------
This is the good news I am looking for... a step in the right direction. Now, if they can tone down the mana used for rank 5 SOC then that would be helpful too.
I will be testing out a 21 0 30 build. This will give me sanctity aura in the holy tree, which is a 10% increase in holy damage. It will also give me +10% str (+24.4) in the holy tree ... both of these should be a increase in damage for me. Previously, I had to take 5 pts in seal of righteousness (yuck) but now I can put 5 holy points in divine strength. Additionally, they combined both talents for Lay On Hands together and buffed the armor increase as well - 5 minutes 50% armor increase. In this build I will also have the free crit heal and will take improved holy light too, a 15% increase.
If it is true that the SOC dmg is 70% less and SOC proc rate went from 5 to 7, then that is a 4.3% reduction in damage as follows:
60/3.9 = 15.38 swings per sec
5/15.38 = 32.5% proc chance with a 3.9spd weapon
60/3.9 = 15.38
7/15.38 = 44.3% proc chance with a 3.9spd weapon
100% of SoC proc damage x .325 proc rate = 32.5 relative Soc effectiveness
70% of SoC proc damage x .443 proc rate = 31.1 relative SoC effectiveness
((32.5 - 31.1) / (32.5) = 4.3% damage reduction
So ... if I have an additional 10% in strength and 10% in holy damage ... and we are able to judge SOC for instant damage ... then these should more than offset the 4.3% nerf to SOC. However, I will be losing kings, 8% toughness (AC increase), and putting away improved devotion aura to do so. This will make me and the 5 man team more susceptible to melee hits. Ahhh ... life is a tradeoff!
Sorry for all of the data but a few of us (Allanon, Osk, Grymorgan, etc.. ) pay attention to this stuff and this will allow them to check my math, and theory.
Kevin