Blizzard has announced major difficulty adjustments to tier 9, 10, and 11 delves in the latest Patch 11.1 development notes. These changes aim to make higher-tier delves more accessible while introducing new rewards.
Delve Difficulty Adjustments
In Season 1, delve tiers above 8 were designed purely for challenge-seeking players and only provided cosmetics. However, in Season 2, Blizzard is introducing Gilded Crests at tier 11, shifting the balance philosophy. Now, tier 11 will serve as the highest challenge specifically within the delve ecosystem, rather than being tuned for high-mythic-level players across the game.
Key Changes
- Tier 9, 10, and 11 are now easier. These adjustments ensure that players with fully upgraded delve gear can complete them without requiring external high-end gear.
- Tank Brann now receives 50% reduced healing while unconscious. This change aims to make healing-focused gameplay more engaging by requiring players to use their full healing toolkit rather than relying on quick recovery.
PTR Testing Insights
Recent testing on the Patch 11.1 PTR showed that these adjustments significantly improved the delve experience. Previously, even at the recommended item level (ilvl 649 fort tier 9), completing a delve was nearly impossible. Brann would lose health too quickly, and melee DPS players, like our DH, struggled to recover him. With the difficulty tuning, tier 9 and 10 delves now feel much more manageable. However, healers may still have an easier time supporting Tank Brann compared to melee DPS players without healing abilities.
