Quite apart from being a sweepingly popular MMORPG with a huge community of loyal fans that also attracts numerous new players, World of Warcraft is rightly famed for presenting the perfect balance of challenge and opportunity. That is, you are most likely to find the right niche no matter your preferences and level of skill. Ever since it was released back in 2004, a ridiculous amount of effort has been invested in the game so that it never lacks a sense of novelty.
The Mythic + system, first introduced in a patch rolled out in 2016, is still considered one of the most impressive updates to the game. For many players, it brings about the thrill of variation and challenge. On the flip side, however, it might be frustrating in some cases. Be sure to stick around if you are one of the many players struggling with a high-level keystone dungeon because, in this article, we are sharing helpful tips and tricks to help you beat the mission.
How Keystones Work
The term Mythic + refers to a system of scalable dungeon challenges in which users compete against the timer. It offers a mode that’s largely similar to the Challenge Modes, but with one important difference. Challenge Modes are all about how quick you are. On Mythic + dungeon raids, you get more lenient deadlines to complete the mission, so the focus is on quality.
In case you are wondering what keystones are, mythic keystones are in-game items that unlock specific Mythic + dungeons. Each of these is meant to enable a specific dungeon and has a level assigned to it, in which 6 is more difficult than 5. When you get one, you’ll also see information such as possible affixes and how much time you have left to make use of the keystone. Initially, players have a week to complete each. Please note that you can’t get more than one keystone weekly, which makes it even more annoying when a dungeon just won’t yield.
Beating Mythic + dungeons has a number of benefits. Here are the most widely appreciated of those:
- You get high-ilvl epic gear on completing each mission (the higher the keystone level, the higher ilvl);
- Affixes apply at certain levels, affecting the way your enemies will interact with you and making the gameplay less predictable;
- Completing your Mythic + challenge wins you access to the Great Vault the following week, where you can get some outstanding gear based on your performance.
Ambition over Experience
As your keystone levels get higher, the mission becomes potentially more challenging, which can be more or less dramatic depending on the specific dungeon. It’s not uncommon even for skilled players to get stuck on a particular task. Here’s where WoW boosts come into play.
Also known as carry, boosting means you are helped through a mission by a team of professionals. Don’t get it wrong, they won’t do it for you — rather, with you. What you need to do is order a specific Mythic + keystone dungeon and wait a little until the team of your dream is assembled. Whether you’d rather stay away from your keyboard and merely watch or enjoy a full-blown raiding experience is up to you. The advice below might still be helpful if you choose to take part in the enterprise.
You Might Be Doing It Wrong
While it’s true that no two raids are meant to be the same, there are common patterns that can largely explain a team’s failure when it comes to Mythic + dungeons. These include the following:
- Being unaware of the dungeon’s layout. Dungeons differ based on the spaces they are made of, and these can range from claustrophobic to rather roomy. Take your time to read about the location you’re going to raid to improve your chances.
- Ignoring affixes. Pretending that affixes don’t exist doesn’t sound like a solid tactic. In fact, these should be taken into account at the planning stage, that is, before you actually start a raid. Some roles have been proven more efficient than others in certain scenarios. Your performance might benefit from looking at character ratings for the purpose of specific dungeons and/or affixes. This aspect becomes especially important when the Healer takes the stage.
- Being in too much of a hurry. We’ve already mentioned how Mythic + timed raids are different from the Challenge Mode. Even though you only get part of the loot if you fail to beat the timer, some missions need a steady, practiced procedure. Take your time to figure out the best tactics for the current mission. After all, you’ll still be able to use this information even if you fail to complete it in time. Remember that there are no lockouts for Mythic + keystone raids, meaning you can make as many attempts as you like.
Know Your Enemy
There seems to be a lot of truth behind this truism. With World of Warcraft especially, you just can’t be aware enough of the particulars of your dungeon. There’s no denying that great skill can spare you the need to know the inner workings of every single location, but taking into account the combination of factors at play like dungeon layout, affixes, and enemies is key to successfully completing it.
If you are willing to invest time and perseverance in this pursuit, we encourage you to practice as much as possible. Choose a role you are well familiar with to see how it interacts with the challenging environment. You’ll soon find out what changes to your party or tactics might be welcome. Slow as it might seem, it’s a sure way to build mastery.
For more impatient players or those showing an idiosyncratic intolerance to certain dungeons, carry services remain the most feasible option. Believers in skill are likely to benefit from the practice as well. Why? Because by being present during the paid, you not only complete the mission but learn by seeing and doing.