Fire Mage Patch 9.1 Changes Analysis — Shadowlands 9.0.5

This page will go over how the changes currently on the Patch 9.1 Public Test Realm (PTR) will affect Fire Mages. specifically how the changes impact the playstyle, best Legendaries, Covenants, etc. If you are simply interested in what the current changes are for Fire Mage on the 9.1 PTR, you can read our Patch 9.1 Mage Changes.

Because the changes discussed on this page are on the PTR, there is a high likelihood of things changing before Patch 9.1 goes live. Additionally, as there is still a lot of time left until 9.1 goes live, things that might currently appear best might not end up being best due to continued theorycrafting discovering better builds. Due to this, we strongly suggest that you check back when 9.1 is fully live for the latest state of Fire Mages.

The Kindling nerf does not currently kick it off its throne as the strongest talent in the Level 50 row. However, it is definitely much closer now. It is very possible that, depending on the gear that will come from the raid in 9.1, and how exactly fight times end up working out, Kindling might not be taken anymore or at least be taken more situationally.

The rest of the changes in 9.1 do not have any impact on talent balance.

None of the newly-added Legendaries currently appear to be better than Disciplinary Command, which will thus most likely remain best-in-slot in 9.1.

Since none of the new Legendaries appear better than our current best-in-slot, they do not impact our best Covenant. However, the Kindling nerf might have impact on our best Covenant, as it changes the timings of Combustion.

Depending on the type of trinkets and other on-use items released in Patch 9.1, it is possible Fire might opt into a standard 2-minute Combustion cycle by swapping away from Night Fae and instead going Venthyr. There is currently not enough information available yet about the type of gear we will have available in 9.1 and whether or not Venthyr might turn into the best Covenant to know for sure.