Block Rating == Mastery

All standard “this is subject to change” disclaimers apply, but here’s some food for thought of how things stand right now in the Alpha.

We have one stat which will be featured on tanking gear called Block Rating. This will increase our chance to block, and when a block occurs a flat 30% damage reduction will occur. We increase this stat through gear with Block Rating.

There is also a stat called Mastery that we’ll we accumulating. According to the Class Preview, Mastery will affect “block amount”. Blizz clarified this by noting the thematic difference between Warriors and Paladins, as the former blocks for more reduction, and the latter blocks more often.

That’s all well and good, but if you look at the Alpha spells they say our third Mastery is “Increases your chance to block melee attacks.” And, more succintly, “Block chance %”.

So–and maybe I’m jumping the gun a bit here–but doesn’t it seem that Block and Mastery are the same stat?

I know it’s early, and like I disclaimed earlier, everything is subject to change, but hopefully they’re planning to change this. Having two stats do the same thing makes Mastery beyond boring for us, plus will eventually lead to a point where we will likely have “too much” block and have to get nerfed accordingly. Likewise, we could be the only spec with a cap of some sort on the value of our Mastery. That’s not cool.

I’m sure this will change. Right now though, I am filled with trepidation.

6 Comments to “Block Rating == Mastery”

  1. Veneretio 11 May 2010 at 1:09 pm #

    That’s weird because mastery was suppose to act like Block value not Block rating for Pallys. That said, both I feel are significantly more powerful than improved Critical Block so I don’t feel like Paladins have cause for complaint even if it ends up making mastery boring.
    Veneretio’s last blog ..ICC25… Not an Upgrade My ComLuv Profile

    • Rhidach
      @Rhidach
       11 May 2010 at 1:33 pm #

      I think it’s the other way around. Based on the description given about our Masteries it seemed like we were going to be blocking more often. I figured they’d make that based on some proc or something, not just a straight carbon copy of block rating. I also think it’s way to early to play the “warrior vs. paladin” game and compare whose toys are better.

      Nonetheless, a redundant third Mastery is reason enough for complaint.

      • Joe Ego 11 May 2010 at 3:31 pm #

        It might be boring, but do you really think you’ll be complaining if you are blocking 50% of the time instead of a warrior’s 30% (SWAG in full effect)? Will we be able to reach the new “block cap” with this mastery? Will the two different styles be better for different encounters? Will you still be able to solo MC? Will Holy still have two baseline taunts?!?!?!?!

        These are the important questions!

        …sorry. Getting a little overboard there, eh?

        • Rhidach
          @Rhidach
           11 May 2010 at 3:44 pm #

          I can’t imagine block cap would be remotely possible. A baseline 30% damage reduction would be about 12 different shades of OP.

          Thankfully this is still Alpha. Nothing is final.

  2. Tweets that mention Block Rating == Mastery | Righteous Defense -- Topsy.com

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Rhidach. Rhidach said: New post: Block Rating == Mastery – http://tinyurl.com/23sr794 [...]

  3. Mastery and inconsistencies | Righteous Defense

    [...] Turns out that was not the case. According to the datamined Alpha Mastery values, our third mastery definitively increases our block chance. This corroborates what was datamined by MMO-Champ, which I mentioned in my last post. [...]