Route toward boss damage only when the encounter is the real wall. Confirm that the test is repeatable before replacing a farm or survival priority.
Boss route method
- Use the same target and build for each comparison.
- Check damage timing and cooldown reliability, not just a peak result.
- Record completion, time and any survival failure.
- Review the route after gear or patch changes.
Boss damage versus reward evidence
Ver 1.02.03 added a Rune Node for Stage Boss Chest drop chance, but the announcement does not publish a Rune value table or say that the node increases boss damage. Keep the reward node in a separate column from damage, cooldown and survival results. This distinction matters especially in Plaguelands, where chest timing and stage-boss rewards changed across multiple patches.
| BOSS TEST FIELD | WHAT TO RECORD | WHY |
|---|---|---|
| Target | Act, difficulty, stage and boss | Different bosses create different checks. |
| Damage result | Completion, time and failed attempts | Separates a repeatable clear from a peak hit. |
| Cooldown result | Skill timing and round where it is available | Prevents a cooldown bug or delay being read as build power. |
| Reward node | Exact chest type and Rune node source | Does not confuse drop chance with boss damage. |
Only replace a farming or survival route when the same boss becomes consistently easier under the recorded setup. A single successful attempt is a lead for testing, not a tier placement.
Official source: Ver 1.02.03 balance update.