Timewalking Content Will Scale to Player Level in Patch 11.0.5 – Goodbye to Timewalking Gear Minmaxing

A recent update announced in Patch 11.0.5 will significantly alter how Timewalking Dungeons operate. Instead of players being scaled down to the dungeon's level, dungeons will now scale to the player's current level.

This change aims to help Blizzard maintain balance and ensure the intended tuning of Timewalking dungeons. However, it does come with a downside for a niche activity: minmaxing gear for Timewalking content.

Key Changes

• Scaling Update: Timewalking dungeons will now adjust enemy levels to match the player's current level. For example, Level 30 players will face Level 30 mobs, while Level 80 players will encounter Level 80 mobs. This new scaling system resembles the mechanics seen in Chromie Time, allowing for better management and tuning of Timewalking dungeons.

Impact on Minmaxing

Previously, Timewalking dungeons scaled players down to the dungeon's level, which meant that any items, enchants, and gems equipped were also reduced in power. This system had a unique, fun side effect: it made items from past expansions relevant again. Players could benefit from:

• Effects from crafted gear of the past, including old enchants and gems.

• Azerite Gear and Traits from Battle for Azeroth.

• Gear with guaranteed multiple sockets from Mists of Pandaria and earlier expansions.

• Items with powerful effects, such as old Legendaries and Trinkets.

This dynamic fostered a dedicated community focused on minmaxing their gear to enhance effectiveness in Timewalking content. The introduction of the Timewalking version of theMage Towerhelped popularize this trend, as players sought to optimize their gear for its challenging encounters.

Is This Change Necessary?

While Timewalking content is generally considered easy, the excitement of maximizing gear and achieving aBest in Slotsetup, which is less common in modern gearing systems, adds an enjoyable challenge. This niche has led to the formation of communities, such as theTimewalking Discord, which offers gear guides for all classes and regularly hosts competitions like Timewalking dungeon and raid speedruns.

What About the Mage Tower and Deaths of Chromie?

Currently, it’s unclear if these changes will impact theMage Toweror theDeaths of Chromiescenario, as the hotfix specifically mentions only Timewalking dungeons. The PTR has been unstable this week, so further testing is needed to confirm any effects on these activities.

Stay tuned for updates as we continue to explore the implications of these changes!