Hey!
The latest patch notes suggest that the Hellcaller tree is missing something. Due to its current structure, it’s impossible to balance ST and MT damage independently. While you’re working on a fix, I have a suggestion to mitigate the issue at least for now.
Probably adding to Xalan’s Ferocity or Xalan’s Cruelty +1-100% chance for Chaos Bolt/Shadowburn/Unstable Affliction to generate additional Blackened Soul stack on target would be more in line with Hellcaller hero concept, it needs more testing before implementation and is less in line with spec fantasy for Destruction than simple +x% damage increased for Chaos Bolt/Shadowburn if target is afflicted with Wither for those talents.
So why not just do that!
Xalan’s Ferocity
Fire damage dealt by your spells and abilities is increased by x% and your Fire spells gain 10% more critical strike chance from all sources.
Your Chaos bolt/Shadowburn/Unstable Affliction deal +x% increased damage to targets afflicted by Wither.
Xalan’s Cruelty
Shadow damage dealt by your spells and abilities is increased by x% and your Shadow spells gain 10% more critical strike chance from all sources
Your Incinerate/Shadowbolt deal +x% increased damage to targets afflicted by Wither.
Hellcaller has long lacked the proper spec fantasy for Destruction. This fix could allow for consistently strong Chaos Bolts, making the Hellcaller vs Diabolist dynamic less about constant DoTs vs burst, and more about reliable heavy-hitting Chaos Bolts vs occasional massive burst damage.
So… even if players rarely find the right solution there’s still a problem with balancing Hellcaller. There are many issues with Warlock, but this change could make life easier not only for us, but for balancing team as well.