Hit Cap - Asking for some clarification

[heffner]

After researching a bit about hit caps, I am a bit confused as to what it is.

In BC, you had a 83% chance to hit a mob 3 levels higher than you (i.e., 17% hit required). It looks like this is not the case in WoTLK?? Supposedly its now 8 [or 9%??] hit to reach 100% hit chance on a mob 3 levels higher than you. That works out to 210 spell hit (26.232 X 8) or 267 melee hit (32.79 X 8) without talents etc. Anyone have any info on this?

Also, if this is true, does this mean that the chance to hit a mob 2 levels higher than you has also changed? It was 94% (or 6% hit required) in BC. This is 158 spell hit or 197 melee hit without talents (I think anyway).

Just trying to figure out what I need to start heroics.

Thanks.

[Bollwerk]

The concept of hit cap/rating has not changed since BC. The cap is still the same. Mobs 3 levels higher than you still put you at 83% to hit (for spells). It just takes more hit rating to get to the cap. However, many classes have talents to help bridge the gap. Of course, being a Draenai (or with one) helps too. I would suggest doing some research on places like the Elitist Jerks forums for more detailed info.

http://elitistjerks.com/f31/

Edit - At level 80, 26.23199272 hit rating equals 1% spell hit. So, to find out how much hit rating you need, figure out how much you get from Draenai / talents, then multiply the remaining by 26.23 (or so).
For example, a Draenai Elemental Shaman with the talent Elemental Precision has a base of +4% to hit with spells. So he needs another 13% for raid bosses, which works out to 341 hit rating.
Source - http://elitistjerks.com/f31/t29453-combat_ratings_level_80_a/

Edit 2 - Note that for heroics, bosses are no higher than 82, so you don't need as much hit rating. At lvl+2, you're at 94% to hit, so the Draenai Shaman above only needs 2% more hit.

[Allesarelle]

Hit cap can be a real pain because of the various numbers thrown about.

For Spells
Level 83 mob (?? boss mob) - 17% chance to miss
Following pulled from warlock guide:

17% = 446 spell hit rating (rounded up)
14% = 368 spell hit rating (this assumes +3% from talents OR raid buffs)
13% (alliance only) = 341 spell hit rating (this assumes +3% from talents OR raid buffs, and +1% from draenei racial)
11% = 289 spell hit rating (this assumes +3% from talents AND +3% from raid buffs)
10% (alliance only) = 263 spell hit rating (this assumes +3% from
talents AND +3% from raid buffs AND +1% from draenei racial)

For Melee

This is where your 8% number you heard came from. This is the cap for 2-handers and I believe main hand when duel wielding.
Special Attacks are the same 8%
Off-hand is 27%

Some Melee have spells that use the same spell cap of 17% spell slingers use.

Allesarelle

[heffner]

Thanks for the info!!

Cheers.

[Stealthy]

Further to this there are two classes that have abilities that affect the hit cap for casters as well -

Shadow Priests with the Misery talent reduce the hit cap by 3% and Balance Druids with the Improved Faerie Fire talent reduce the hit cap by 3% as well. Both buffs stack with each other, which makes them very popular in raid makeups.

Cheers,

S.

[nomenquis]

This is where your 8% number you heard came from. This is the cap for 2-handers and I believe main hand when duel wielding.
Special Attacks are the same 8%
Off-hand is 27%That's wrong, 8% is only (!) for special attacks if you're dual wielding. White damage (both from main and offhand) has 27.
Afaik 8% is also what hunters need for ranged attacks.

kind regards

[Dominian]

Further to this there are two classes that have abilities that affect the hit cap for casters as well -

Shadow Priests with the Misery talent reduce the hit cap by 3% and Balance Druids with the Improved Faerie Fire talent reduce the hit cap by 3% as well. Both buffs stack with each other, which makes them very popular in raid makeups.

Cheers,

S.

This is wrong actually!

Misery and Imp Faerie Fire do NOT stack!