Here's the full text:
If you're wondering what "some very large encounter-based damage buffs in the new content" refers to I strongly suggest you take a look at this: https://www.warcraftlogs.com/reports/YZ ... e&source=2" target="_blank#160 - 2017/06/27 03:02:00 AM
One other change that is currently in testing:
Frost Mage:
Glacial Spike: the stored Icicle damage component no longer benefits from %-damage buffs on the caster.
Glacial Spike damage increased by 50%.
This is to prevent Glacial Spike from "double-dipping" %-damage buffs. That is, since the Icicles have already been buffed by things like Versatility or Incanter's Flow, that portion of Glacial Spike's damage should not benefit again. This matches the behavior of regular Icicles, which do not benefit from those types of buffs.
This has been a live issue through the expansion, and we know it's slightly last-minute for a fix now, but we grew concerned about Glacial Spike's interaction with some very large encounter-based damage buffs in the new content. Since fixing the double-dip behavior is the correct long-term solution, it was best to do it now, and compensate Glacial's Spike's own damage to account for the loss of Icicle damage. The goal is not to meaningfully nerf Frost in any normal situation (if fact, Glacial Spike should get somewhat stronger in any setup that's not heavily built around it). We welcome any rigorous feedback on whether the above number correctly accomplishes that goal.
In this fight (Maiden of Vigilance) the mage stacked all of our buffs (RoP, IV, Orb, etc.) during her orbs and hit a serious of insane Glacial Spikes. Aside from the record of 61,5 million there was another one with 60,7 and one with 58 million, leaping to a sick 1,8m DPS overall.
With an item level of only 918 you can see where this would be going without a fix. I suspect you could similarly cheese Mistress Sassz'ine if you manage to stack up the bufferfish. Meanwhile, could someone confirm whether or not GS crits like this are still possible on live?