Brewmaster Monk Tank Guide (Legion 7.3.5)

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Last updated on Jun 21, 2018 at 07:27 by Furty 90 comments

General Information

Welcome to our Brewmaster Monk tank guide for World of Warcraft Legion 7.3.5. Here, you will learn everything you need to know about playing a Brewmaster Monk in a raid environment and in Mythic+ dungeons.

About Our Author and Reviewers

This guide has been written by Furty, who has an illustrious history in the World of Warcraft raiding scene and race for World First. He has been a member of guilds such as Serenity, Midwinter, and many more, and is currently raiding in Future. He plays most classes at the highest level. You can follow him on Twitter and watch him play on Twitch.

This guide has been reviewed and approved by:

Justwait, a top tank who raids in Method; you can watch his stream on Twitch and follow him on Twitter;
Kamp, a theorycrafter from the Peak of Serenity Discord Server.

1. Class Overview

Brewmaster is the tanking specialisation of Monks, and we possess a wide array of colorful and unique abilities. Brewmasters do not rely overly much on avoiding damage through dodging and parrying attacks. Instead, we have an additional way of dealing with incoming damage, completely exclusive to Brewmaster. This is called Stagger Icon Staggering damage, which causes only a portion of damage taken to be done to the Monk instantly. The rest of the damage is done over the course of 10 seconds (with the possibility for the Monk to remove part of the non-instant damage).

Mainly for these reasons, Brewmasters benefit from a steady and relatively easily-healed damage intake. We are also exceptional at taking large, isolated hits; perhaps the best at this of any tank. We make excellent tanks in PvE and will always be a valuable asset to your raid.

2. Patch 7.3 Changes for Brewmaster Monk

None

3. Patch 7.2.5 Changes for Brewmaster Monk

New legendary items added.
Chi Wave healing increased by 73%.
Brewmaster passive armor bonus increased to 25% (up from 15%) and is now a visible passive trait ( Brewmaster's Balance).
Dragonfire Brew now also increases the duration of Breath of Fire by 100%.
Hot Blooded now reduces damage by 1.0% per rank (down from 2.0%).
Ironskin Brew can now only be extended to 3 times of its maximum duration and only increases Stagger by 35% (down from 40%).
Elusive Dance now increases Purify by 20% (up from 15%).
Fortifying Brew increases Stagger by 10% (down from 20%).
High Tolerance now grants 8/12/15% Haste (up from 5/10/15%).
Invoke Niuzao, the Black Ox deals 50% more damage.
Mastery: Elusive Brawler is now also triggered by Breath of Fire and Blackout Strike.
Purifying Brew now clears 40% of your Stagger (down from 50%).
Rushing Jade Wind's duration increased by 50% for Brewmasters.
Special Delivery chance increased to 100% (up from 30%) but damaged reduced by 70%.
Staggered cannot exceed 1000% of your maximum health.
Staggering Around redesigned; Purifying Brew clears an additional 1/2/3/4% of Stagger.
Blackout Strike cooldown changed to 3 seconds, and no longer scales with Haste.
Stagger is 40% effective against Magic (down from 50%).
Blackout Combo now reduces Breath of Fire's cooldown by 3 seconds when empowered (down from 6 seconds).

4. Patch 7.2 Changes for Brewmaster Monk

New Artifact traits added.

5. Brewmaster Monk Strengths

Very strong against single large hits
Highly mobile
Strong cooldowns
Solid damage

6. Brewmaster Monk Weaknesses

No significant utility, like Stampeding Roar or Gorefiend's Grasp

7. Brewmaster Monk Viability in the Current Patch

Brewmaster is quite strong currently. It is the best tank for dealing with isolated large hits, making it one of the best choices for Argus the Unmaker. It takes (arguably) more skill to play at a competitive level than some of the other tanks, but certainly has a place in any raid if you have achieved a level of comfort playing it. Overall, this is a very "balanced" specialization with a deep tool kit that a skilled player can bring to bear in any situation and absolutely shine.

8. Contents

To make it easy to navigate the guide, we have split it into 11 pages:

Easy Mode: TL;DR to own without reading much;
Builds and Talents: learn how to choose your talents;
Artifact Traits and Relics: discover how to level up your Artifact;
Netherlight Crucible Relic Paths: choose the right paths on your Netherlight Crucible;
Rotation, Cooldowns, and Abilities: master your rotation and your cooldowns;
Boss by Boss Strategies: find out how to defeat current content bosses;
Stat Priority: read up on the respective values of your statistics;
Gems, Enchants, and Consumables: choose the best gems, enchantments, etc.;
Macros and Addons: step up your game with useful macros and addons;
Gear, Legendaries, and Best in Slot: find the best gear you can wear;
Battle for Azeroth: learn how to play your class in Battle for Azeroth.

Easy Mode⋙

9. ChangeLog

20 Jun. 2018 (Battle for Azeroth page): Added Rotation in BfA section.
17 Jun. 2018 (Battle for Azeroth page): Added new talents Guard and Spitfire.
01 Jun. 2018 (Battle for Azeroth page): New talent Bob and Weave.
30 May 2018 (Battle for Azeroth page): Page added.
25 Mar. 2018 (talents page): Updated Chi Wave explanation.
20 Dec. 2017 (gear page): Fixed a typo referencing a pair of shoulders instead of the correct trinket.
30 Nov. 2017 (stats page): Updated stat priority.
30 Nov. 2017 (easy mode page): Added a note about Haste.
30 Nov. 2017 (gear page): Updated trinket discussion and added Tier 21 bonuses and analysis.
11 Nov. 2017 (artifact page): Moved Dark Side of the Moon to lowest priority in post 35 maxing path.
11 Nov. 2017 (talents page): Updated descriptions for Tier 5 talents.
11 Nov. 2017 (Netherlight Crucible page): Moved Dark Side of the Moon down in priority and added Draught of Darkness.
25 Sep. 2017 (Netherlight Crucible page): Fixed typo in the Infusion/Secure in the Light section.
12 Sep. 2017 (Netherlight Crucible page): Added Netherlight Crucible Page for Brewmaster Monk.
29 Aug. 2017 (enchants page): Added note about Healthstones in Patch 7.3.
29 Aug. 2017 (easy mode page): Slight update to talents.
28 Aug. 2017 (this page): Added 7.3 changes (there were none).
28 Aug. 2017 (easy mode page): Updated stat priority, added a new description about Haste stack point.
28 Aug. 2017 (talents page): Updated Tier 5 talents for Patch 7.3.
28 Aug. 2017 (rotation page): No changes needed for Patch 7.3.
28 Aug. 2017 (enchants page): Added Lightforged Augment Rune and new 7.3 epic gems.
28 Aug. 2017 (stats page): Updated recommended Haste stacking end point, adjusted explanations to suit.
02 Aug. 2017 (rotation page): Removed an erroneous mention of Keg Smash in reference to Blackout Combo.
19 Jul. 2017 (gear page): Added trinket discussion.
24 Jun. 2017 (rotation page): Updated the Ironskin vs. Purifying Brew section.
22 Jun. 2017 (artifact page): Updated relic priority and post 35 maxing path.
22 Jun. 2017 (gear page): Updated legendary explanations.
22 Jun. 2017 (easy mode page): Replaced Light Brewing with Gift of the Mists due to T20 synergy, updated stat priority.
22 Jun. 2017 (enchants page): Updated enchants and food.
22 Jun. 2017 (stats page): Updated stat priority slightly.
22 Jun. 2017 (this page): Added a few hotfixes to the 7.2.5 changes.
22 Jun. 2017 (talents page): Added more depth to talent discussions at almost every tier, following Kamp's review.
21 Jun. 2017 (rotation page): Updated a few talent sections and examples.
19 Jun. 2017 (gear page): Added Tier 20 set explanation.
13 Jun. 2017 (enchants page): Added further details on enchants and gems.
13 Jun. 2017 (stats page): Updated stat priority and provided further context to illustrate proper gearing.
13 Jun. 2017 (rotation page): Updated rotation, specific talent sections, and Blackout Combo rotation.
13 Jun. 2017 (artifact page): Re-order Artifact path and relic priority as Healthy Appetite has been nerfed.
13 Jun. 2017 (talents page): Updated the talents for 7.2.5 (Tier 1, Tier 6, Tier 7).
13 Jun. 2017 (easy mode page): Updated stat priority and descriptions.
13 Jun. 2017 (this page): Added 7.2.5 changes and updated strengths/weaknesses.
13 Jun. 2017 (gear page): Added Soul of the Grandmaster and Stormstout's Last Gasp.
17 May 2017 (gear page): Updated Fundamental Observation tooltip.
29 Mar. 2017 (enchants page): Added Lavish Suramar Feast.
28 Mar. 2017 (artifact page): Added a new path for the 7.2 traits.
28 Mar. 2017 (rotation page): No changes needed for Patch 7.2.
28 Mar. 2017 (stats page): No changes needed for Patch 7.2.
28 Mar. 2017 (gear page): No changes needed for Patch 7.2.
28 Mar. 2017 (talents page): No changes needed for Patch 7.2.
28 Mar. 2017 (this page): Added summary of Patch 7.2 changes.
18 Feb. 2017 (this page): Updated introductory paragraphs and viability.
13 Feb. 2017 (talents page): Updated Tier 6 talents.
13 Feb. 2017 (easy mode page): Updated stat priority.
13 Feb. 2017 (stats page): Updated Haste threshold.
13 Feb. 2017 (rotation page): Updated Tier 7 talents section.
10 Feb. 2017 (bosses page): Antorus, the Burning Throne recommendations added.
20 Jan. 2017 (gear page): Added Archimonde's Hatred Reborn to legendaries.
12 Jan. 2017 (stats page): Small update to stat priority.
12 Jan. 2017 (gear page): Added new legendary items.
10 Jan. 2017 (rotation page): Checked and confirmed for Patch 7.1.5.
10 Jan. 2017 (this page): Added Patch 7.1.5 changes, and updated strengths/weaknesses and viability sections.
10 Jan. 2017 (artifact page): Checked and confirmed for Patch 7.1.5.
10 Jan. 2017 (talents page): Updated for Patch 7.1.5.
10 Jan. 2017 (easy mode page): Checked and confirmed for Patch 7.1.5.
10 Jan. 2017 (stats page): Checked and confirmed for Patch 7.1.5.
10 Jan. 2017 (enchants page): Checked and confirmed for Patch 7.1.5.
22 Dec. 2016 (easy mode page): Added easy mode for Brewmaster Monks.
30 Nov. 2016 (enchants page): Updated potion choice and went into more detail about consumables.
30 Nov. 2016 (talents page): Updated Tier 1 Talents to reflect Chi Wave being a stronger single target damage option.
30 Nov. 2016 (artifact page): Fully updated Artifact path in lieu of more recent information. New path is more focused on farming Mythic+ as that is the primary time investment in the current end game.
30 Nov. 2016 (addons page): Added Exploding Keg instant cast macros.
25 Oct. 2016 (this page): Extremely minor changes to Brewmaster in Patch 7.1. Guide remains unchanged.
22 Oct. 2016 (this page): Updated viability and strengths/weaknesses.
29 Aug. 2016 (gear page): Updated for Legion's launch.
29 Aug. 2016 (artifact page): Added.
29 Aug. 2016 (talents page): Updated for Legion's launch.
29 Aug. 2016 (rotation page): Updated for Legion's launch.
29 Aug. 2016 (enchants page): Updated for Legion's launch.
29 Aug. 2016 (stats page): Updated for Legion's launch.
29 Aug. 2016 (this page): Updated for Legion's launch.
24 Jul. 2016 (addons page): Removed a Keg Smash macro that is no longer necessary.
23 Jul. 2016 (rotation page): Fixed an issue where we were referring to Blackout Strike as Blackout Kick.
19 Jul. 2016 (enchants page): Changed flask to Agility.
19 Jul. 2016 (gear page): Updated trinket recommendations.
19 Jul. 2016 (stats page): Added a 30% Haste breakpoint and a mention that Agility also increases dodge chance and self-healing.
19 Jul. 2016 (rotation page): Completely revamped many talent discussions to account for some changes in opinions.
19 Jul. 2016 (rotation page): Added a mention of the interaction between your Tier 18 4-Part Set Bonus and your Healing Spheres, and slightly tweaked the single target rotation.
19 Jul. 2016 (talents page): Revamped Level 45, 90, and 100 talent discussions, following a change of opinions.
18 Jul. 2016 (enchants page): Updated for the Legion pre-patch.
18 Jul. 2016 (talents page): Updated for the Legion pre-patch.
18 Jul. 2016 (gear page): Updated for the Legion pre-patch.
18 Jul. 2016 (rotation page): Updated for the Legion pre-patch.
18 Jul. 2016 (this page): Updated for the Legion pre-patch.
18 Jul. 2016 (stats page): Updated for the Legion pre-patch.
18 Jul. 2016 (addons page): Updated for the Legion pre-patch.