Fortified Affix Guide — Strategy & Tactics M+ MDT
Published on: 11 January, 2024 | Last Updated on: 15 June, 2024
Okay, people — the Fortified affix. To be honest, as usual, Mythic+ runners care more about affixes on levels 4, 7, 10, and 15, which completely change the gameplay. And they’re wrong. Do you know why? It’s simple — because the proper Fortified Affix may be a real DPS check, which is much more important than coordination. Even when you play the lower to middle keys, like 15-20, it’s not a big deal. But in high keys, like 27+ (it doesn’t matter the season, the expansion, or whatever), the Fortified affix really changes the rules.
Why? There are some reasons:
- Each missed cast may kill you.
- Each uncoordinated pack can kill you.
- The bosses are still a pain.
- If you wipe the pack and mess up with the team’s bursts, you can stop the key and restart it.
So, clear math in M+ keys holds much more value than the Bolstering affix with Afflicted Souls, which is just an annoying aspect.
That’s why we’re preparing a complete guideline, equally suitable for newbies and professional M+ pushers. From it, you’ll learn:
- What exactly the Fortified affix is.
- Why it’s important to read guides, MDT, and assemble the group based on the mix of AoE and ST.
- How to properly calculate the actual HP and damage level with a Fortified affix in each key.
- Why using Bloodlust on packs is the rule!
And many other things. Also, note one interesting thing. In each of our guides, we include minor details that are usually skipped by our readers. We mean the ultimate part, with Thrash mob abilities and how to interact with them. That’s why we welcome you to our World of Warcraft: Mythic+ Dungeons Dragonflight Season 3 compendium, where you’ll learn much more interesting information about each dungeon, mob, boss, ability, affix, and others.
WE UPDATED THE INFORMATION, PASSED to the 4th SEASON. READ THIS TO BEING ON THE EDGE!
And we’re continue… So the Fortified Affix is…
What is Fortified Affix
When you’re running Mythic+ dungeons, you’ve got these things called affixes that mix things up each week. Now, “Fortified” is one of these spicy little numbers. What it does is pumps up the non-boss enemies, you know, the regular trash mobs you fight before the big bad bosses. These mobs get a buff to their maximum health and their damage output. So, basically, they become tougher and hit harder. This means that when a non-boss enemy dies, the remaining enemies don’t just stand there; they can become a real pain, especially for tanks and healers.
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The whole dungeon becomes a bit of a slugfest with this affix. Melee players need to watch their backs because getting too close to these beefed-up mobs can be nasty. Ranged players aren’t off the hook either, as they need to keep an eye out for any damaging abilities thrown their way.
Fortified weeks often require players to rethink their strategies. You might need to pull fewer mobs at a time, use more defensive cooldowns, and be ready to heal up or dispel any nasty effects that stack up. It’s all about managing these tougher fights without letting your team get overwhelmed.
| Key Level | Fortified – Non-Boss Health Increase | Fortified – Non-Boss Damage Increase | Tyrannical – Boss Health Increase | Tyrannical – Boss Damage Increase |
| 3 | 140% | 152% | 152% | 134% |
| 4 | 151% | 164% | 164% | 145% |
| 5 | 163% | 177% | 177% | 156% |
| 6 | 176% | 191% | 191% | 169% |
| 7 | 190% | 206% | 206% | 182% |
| 8 | 206% | 223% | 223% | 197% |
| 9 | 222% | 241% | 241% | 213% |
| 10 | 240% | 260% | 260% | 230% |
| 11 | 259% | 281% | 281% | 248% |
| 12 | 280% | 303% | 303% | 268% |
| 13 | 302% | 327% | 327% | 290% |
| 14 | 326% | 354% | 354% | 313% |
| 15 | 352% | 382% | 382% | 338% |
| 16 | 381% | 412% | 412% | 365% |
| 17 | 411% | 445% | 445% | 394% |
| 18 | 444% | 481% | 481% | 426% |
| 19 | 480% | 519% | 519% | 460% |
| 20 | 518% | 561% | 561% | 496% |
| 21 | 559% | 606% | 606% | 536% |
| 22 | 604% | 654% | 654% | 579% |
| 23 | 652% | 707% | 707% | 625% |
| 24 | 705% | 763% | 763% | 675% |
| 25 | 761% | 824% | 824% | 729% |
| 26 | 822% | 890% | 890% | 788% |
| 27 | 888% | 962% | 962% | 851% |
| 28 | 959% | 1038% | 1038% | 919% |
| 29 | 1035% | 1122% | 1122% | 992% |
| 30 | 1118% | 1211% | 1211% | 1071% |
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As you see, here’s the reason in why higher keys
So yeah, in short, “Fortified” means non-boss enemies in Mythic+ dungeons get tougher and nastier, and your group needs to be on point to handle the extra difficulty. Keep your health up, watch out for those stronger mobs, and adjust your game plan accordingly!
How to play Fortified Affix with non boss enemies
So, let’s briefly describe how to really play the Fortified affix and where the key difference lies between it and the classical seasonal affix called Tyrannical.
To be honest, there are some minor differences for small and middle keys, and some huge differences for higher keys. Let’s start with them in the right order.
Be patient with your pull strategy. When you see that people create different MDT routes for Tyrannical and Fortified, it may be for a reason.
This reason is called global and minor cooldowns. In Warcraft, there are some classes that create smooth, high DPS, like Beast Mastery Hunters, but some classes, like Fire Mages, are Combustion-type. So, they can create enormous DPS for a pack or two, and then they must have a rest.
When you play with these little bastards in high Mythic affixes, you should keep in mind their Combustion nature and collect huge packs in exactly the right order. Also, you must… not should, you must be patient and manage all your minor and major safe cooldowns. This advice is not only for you if you’re a tank. When you play with pickup groups and you are not sure that all of your teammates can effectively stack kicks and use the proper addons, you have to always have a safe cooldown to stay alive.
Why? The reason is simple — worse DPS is better than dead DPS. So always keep a hand on the pulse.
Manage your pulls, be clever with the dangerous casts of the most enemies, and do not pull more enemies if your Combustion DPS is not ready.
There are also some considerations about Bloodlust duration not just on bosses but for huge packs. But this rule has a mixed impression. To be honest, as a key pusher of Shadowlands and Dragonflight Season, I can’t recommend it in high keystone levels with pickup groups.
Of course, increasing speed with Bloodlust can help you get gigapulls, but it’s a tactic not just for the Fortified or Tyrannical affixes; it’s a strategy for well-coordinated groups. So, even if some individuals from PUGs force you to do this sometimes, it’s really better to leave the key and ruin the run than suffer from idiots.
| What to Watch Out For | What It Means |
| CC Madness | Stuns, slows, interrupts – keep those mobs out of your face. |
| Pick Your Fights | Don’t just rush in! Size up the mobs, then decide who to smash. |
| Cooldown Juggling | Big pulls? Pop those cooldowns. Save ’em for when you really need ’em. |
| Affix Alert | Those weekly affixes can be a pain. Keep an eye out and adapt. |
| Stay Topped Up | Keep your health and mana high. Longer fights = more resource drain. |
| Sneaky Moves | Use Shroud or invis pots to dodge the nastiest packs. |
| Teamwork Makes the Dream Work | Sync with your squad. CC, damage, healing – get that timing right. |
| Smart Routing | Plan your path. Skip the brutal mobs, focus on the must-fights. |
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How to combine Crowd control Effects in fortified weeks
When you’re running those high-level keys, things get real spicy, real fast. Look at the table we whipped up – those non-boss mobs are getting a hefty boost in health and damage. We’re talking up to 1118% health increase by key level 30, which is insane. This means those trash mobs aren’t just trash anymore; they’re a real threat.
In Fortified weeks, crowd control (CC) becomes your best friend, more than ever. With mobs having such a massive health pool, you can’t just bulldoze through them. You’ve gotta strategize. Think about it: you’re dealing with mobs that can easily one-shot players, especially when they gang up. This is where CC shines.
You need to keep those mobs under control – stuns, slows, incapacitates, you name it. This isn’t just about avoiding damage; it’s about survival. Mobs with dangerous abilities or knockback effects can disrupt your team’s positioning and lead to a wipe. And let’s not forget those spiteful shades or incorporeal beings that can appear with seasonal affixes. They can be a real pain if not handled correctly.
CC abilities allow your team to manage pulls effectively. You can isolate the most dangerous enemies or break up large groups into more manageable chunks. This becomes crucial in higher keys where even a single mistake can lead to a team wipe. Remember, it’s not just about fighting harder; it’s about fighting smarter.
Sometimes skip routes are only the solution to play Fortified weeks properly
So, Shroud or invisibility pots in Fortified weeks in Dragonflight. It’s pretty much a game-changer. When the dungeons are stacked with mobs beefed up to the nines, you want to pick your battles. That’s where Shroud of Concealment (thanks, Rogues!) or those handy invisibility potions come into play.
Imagine this: You’re running a high-key dungeon, mobs everywhere ready to smash your team’s health pool. You don’t want to fight every pack; it’s a waste of time and resources. Pop a Shroud or gulp down an invis pot, and voilà, you’re sneaking past the most brutal packs. This strategy is super clutch, especially when you’ve got affixes like spiteful shade or volcanic plume, making every extra fight a potential disaster.
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It’s not just about skipping trash, though. Smart use of invisibility can save you from wiping or losing precious time in a dungeon run. You can avoid unnecessary combat, preserve player health and cooldowns, and focus on the pulls that matter. Plus, in Dragonflight, with all the new affixes and mechanics thrown in, having this trick up your sleeve gives you a bit more control over the chaos.
Shroud and invis pots aren’t just cool tricks; they’re essential tools for navigating those beefy Fortified weeks, helping you dodge the worst and smash through the rest.
MDT routes for fortified weeks | NO SHROUD | PUG FRIENDLY
So it’s the thing, you’re here. It’s about the MDT routes for the fortified weeks. I Want to focus on two things. If you want to get more routes for your dungeons, please visit our guides for the exactly each of the dungeon. In the each of guide, there’re multiple routes, some of them are passes for very specific combination of affixes, and most of them are tested on the MDI groups.
| Route For Fortified Dungeon | Commentary |
| Dawn of the Infinite: Galakrond’s Fall | Fortified dragonkin are tough. Focus on crowd control and avoid dragon breath. Keep dragonkin minions in check. |
| Dawn of the Infinite: Murozond’s Rise | Time-travel with beefy enemies! Prioritize crowd control and be wary of random spawns. |
| Darkheart Thicket (from the Legion expansion) | Forest filled with sturdy foes. Use line of sight to your advantage, and dispels are crucial. |
| Black Rook Hold (Legion) | Castle mayhem with beefed-up mobs in tight spaces. Prioritize crowd control and keep an eye on ranged enemies. |
| Waycrest Manor (Battle for Azeroth) | Haunted house, now with tougher enemies. Narrow corridors require careful pulling and quick reflexes. |
| Atal’Dazar (Battle for Azeroth) | Open spaces filled with sturdy Zandalari. Manage pulls carefully while dealing with bosses and their minions. |
| Everbloom (Warlords of Draenor) | Nature’s fury with a fortified twist. Keep on the move and use crowd control for adds with line of sight. |
| Throne of the Tides (Cataclysm) | Underwater with tough enemies. Focus on positioning and be ready for surprise moves. With Priority target tanks to interrupting nearby allies. |
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Best Group builds for Fortified Weeks
Now, let’s talk about the best classes for DPS, Healers, and Tanks based on their CC capabilities. We’ll consider both the number of CC abilities they have and their cooldown times.
As players navigate this maelanstrom, they must remember the lessons of primal power and the importance of damage focus. The table of contents of strategies against the easiest affixes expands, incorporating techniques to handle the volatile environment where players emit current stacks and sanguine ichor marks the ground. Keystone levels rise, and the challenge intensifies, with each player standing periodically overcharged by the tumultuous forces at play. In this arena, common strategies evolve, and the collective endeavor to reduce damage focus and avoid pulling unnecessary enemies becomes paramount.
Best Classes for Crowd Control in Mythic+
| Role | Class | CC Abilities |
| DPS | Rogue | Sap, Blind, Kidney Shot, Cheap Shot |
| DPS | Mage | Polymorph, Frost Nova, Ring of Frost |
| Healer | Shaman | Hex, Capacitor Totem, Earthbind Totem |
| Healer | Druid | Entangling Roots, Cyclone, Ursol’s Vortex |
| Tank | Monk | Leg Sweep, Paralysis, Ring of Peace |
| Tank | Paladin | Hammer of Justice, Repentance, Blinding Light |
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Key Points:
- Rogues in DPS are a top pick for their multiple stun and incapacitate abilities.
- Mages offer great control with Polymorph and area-denial spells like Frost Nova.
- For Healers, Shamans and Druids bring valuable CC tools like Hex and Cyclone, alongside their healing capabilities.
- In the tank department, Monks and Paladins stand out with a mix of stuns and displacement abilities.
Conclusion
In the treacherous landscape of fortified non-boss enemies, where minions inflict double the trouble and crowd control becomes not just a strategy but a survival necessity, the conclusion of navigating these perilous paths is both a reflection and a directive. As non-boss enemies leave their mark with a death cry that interrupts nearby allies, signaling a cascade effect stacks of chaos, it becomes evident that the melee DPS and their comrades must double down on their efforts to manage these threats effectively. The explosive nature of this environment, where enemies periodically pursue random players and non-boss enemies explode, affecting nearby allies, underlines the critical importance of identifying priority targets, particularly tanks who can mitigate and prevent future stacks from overwhelming the group.
Fortified ain’t just another affix; it’s a real game-changer, especially when you’re venturing into the high-key wilderness of 27+ levels. Here’s why it’s a big deal:
- One Wrong Move, and Boom: Every misstep, be it a missed kick or a messy pull, could mean a quick trip to the graveyard.
- Bosses Still Hurt: Just because it’s Fortified week doesn’t mean bosses are taking a break. They’re still a major pain.
- Wipe and Restart: Mess up a pull, and you might as well kiss your key goodbye.
- Know Your Math: Understanding the nitty-gritty of Fortified – the hows and whys – is crucial. It’s not just about big hits; it’s about smart plays.
So, what’s the strategy?
- Crowd Control is King: Keep those mobs in check with stuns, slows, and all that good stuff.
- Skip the Nasties: Shroud, invis pots – use them. Skip the brutal packs, and save yourself a headache.
- Pick Your Team Wisely: Classes with strong CC abilities are your best bet. Rogues, Mages, Shamans, Druids, Monks, Paladins – these guys bring the CC goodness.
With fortified non-boss enemies embodying a primal power reminiscent of Raszageth’s unending storm, the battlefield becomes a whirlwind of challenges. Damaging whirlwinds erupt beneath the feet of the unwary, and excessive trash packs demand a nuanced understanding of immunity abilities to navigate successfully. This environment, where distant players find themselves targeted and crowd-controlled nearby enemies become ticking time bombs, necessitates a strategic reevaluation. The boss enemies, boasting 20% more health and an explosive affix, further complicate matters, compelling groups to kite enemies and suffer damage judiciously to maintain control.
Fortified weeks demand more than just brute force. It’s about being smart, strategic, and always one step ahead of the chaos. Keep your health up, eyes open, and be ready to adapt on the fly. Dive into those dungeons with your CC game strong, and you’ll come out on top!
The effectiveness of single-target damage against the remaining mobs cannot be understated, especially as explosive orbs threaten the group’s health and inflict significant damage. Death knights, with their ability to inflict damage and manage magic debuffs, become invaluable assets in this chaos. The battle against fortified non-boss enemies is a testament to the power of crowd control and the necessity of coordinating efforts to reduce damage focus and manage the lingering pool of threats effectively.
