Prior to the 0.5.8 update, I was grinding level 105 missions to fill out my equipment with Mythicals and collect gems. My boss success chain was over 100 whenever I did this, leaving it running for a few hours at a time.
Party is level 106:
- Juggernaut - [Melee, Physical] [Lightning, Elemental]
Sunder - Increased Damage 5, Exposed Defences 5, Armour Penetration 5 Increased Duration 5
Armor Break - Increased Damage 5, Debilitate 5, Increased Duration 5, Thunder Strike, Thunder Storm 4 (this is my only Lightning ability)
Ground Slam - Stun Duration 5, Tactical Advantage 5, Replenishing Blow 5, Whiplash 5
Unwavering Stance - Heavy Blows 5, All Resistance 1 - Battlemage - [Melee, Cold, Elemental] [Cold, Elemental]
Frost Strike - Increased Damage 5, Frozen Memory 5, Party Protection 5, Enhanced Protection 5
Arcane Torrent - Self Sustain 5, Cascade 5, Frost Torrent, Freezing Torrent 4, Deepening Strikes 5
Arcane Cloak - Faster Recovery 5, Mana Shield 5, Regeneration 5, Critical Avoidance 5
Prismatic Barrier - Arcane Conversion 5, All Resistance 1 - Marksman - [Ranged, Fire, Elemental] [DoT, Physical]
Explosive Shot - Increased Damage 5, Ignite Damage 5, Ignite Chance 5, Blast Radius, Chain Explosion 4
Pin Down - Increased Damage 5, Deeper Wounds 4, Corrupted Blood 5, Critical Chance 1, Life Leech 5
Smokescreen - Increased Duration 5, Dodge Chance 5, Combat Knowledge 5, Recover 5
Aimbot - Sharpshooter 5, All Resistance 1
After the update, this party is struggling to even hit the 5 boss kill streak for max loot value. I even added numerous gem sockets for defensive stats. My Marksman and Battlemage each have Cut Sapphire sets, and my Marksman also has a Steel Prism set. Despite this, the Marksman is dying frequently, and both have better offensive and defensive stats than they did before the update.
Of the things mentioned in the changelog, only Armor Break and Arcane Cloak should have been altered. I don't use Flasks, Meteor, or Ailment Avoidances. The only Mission Expertise bonuses I'm using are A Greater Threat 5 and Unbridled Prosperity 20. Were some other calculations changed? Going from 100+ straight level 105 kills to consistently 0-3 is a massive difficulty increase.