How to Upgrade Your Mythic Keystone in World of Warcraft
Upgrading your Mythic Keystone is a core mechanic of Mythic+ dungeons in World of Warcraft, essential for pushing higher difficulties and obtaining better rewards. In essence, you don’t directly upgrade your existing keystone, but instead, successful completion of a Mythic+ dungeon within the timer results in a new keystone, potentially at a higher level. The speed of your completion dictates how much higher the new key will be. If you fail the timer, your keystone will be downgraded. Let’s break down the process step-by-step.
The Core Mechanic: Successful Timed Runs
The primary way to “upgrade” your Mythic Keystone is by completing a Mythic+ dungeon within the allotted time limit. Here’s how it works:
- Initiating the Dungeon: You must activate the Font of Power at the entrance of the chosen Mythic dungeon using your current Mythic Keystone.
- The Timer: Each Mythic+ dungeon has a specific timer. The speed at which you complete the dungeon dictates the new keystone level.
- Successful Completion: If you complete the dungeon before the timer expires, you’ll receive a new keystone that is at least 1 level higher than the original.
- Tiered Upgrades:
- A fast completion will result in a 3-level keystone upgrade.
- A completion within the timer, but with time to spare, will result in a 2-level keystone upgrade.
- Completing the dungeon just within the timer will result in a 1-level keystone upgrade.
- Random Dungeon: The new keystone will be for a random dungeon, at the new level.
Example
Let’s say you complete a Mythic+ level 7 dungeon using your Mythic Keystone, and you do so quickly. If the dungeon was cleared well within the time, you’ll get a new Mythic Keystone for a random dungeon at level 10. If the time was close, the next keystone might be 8 or 9. If you fail the timer, you will not get a new keystone at a higher level. In fact, your keystone will be downgraded by one level and become a new random dungeon at that lower level.
What if you Fail?
Failing a Mythic+ dungeon timer has consequences for your Mythic Keystone:
- Downgrade: The keystone will be downgraded by 1 level.
- Random Dungeon: The new keystone will be for a random dungeon, but at the lower level.
Example of Failure
If you fail a Mythic+ level 10 dungeon within the time limit, your next keystone will be a level 9, for a random dungeon.
Obtaining a Keystone Initially
If you don’t have a Mythic Keystone, there are a couple of ways to obtain one:
- Weekly Mythic Dungeon Completion: After completing any regular Mythic dungeon, you will be awarded a +2 level keystone for a random dungeon.
- Ta’hsup: This NPC in Oribos (or near the dungeon entrance of a completed Mythic+ dungeon) will offer you a Keystone if you do not have one and you have completed at least one Mythic+ dungeon before.
Changing or Lowering Your Keystone
Sometimes you might want a different keystone or need to lower the difficulty. Here’s how:
- Downgrading: You can downgrade your current keystone with an NPC, Lindormi, located in Valdrakken. She is usually located near the portals to old dungeons.
- Changing at End of Dungeon: After completing a Mythic+ dungeon, you can change your keystone to a different random dungeon at the same difficulty (unless yours is of a higher difficulty than the dungeon you just completed).
Mythic Keystone Rating
Successfully completing Mythic+ dungeons within the time limits also rewards you with Mythic+ rating. This rating is crucial for progression and achievements, including:
- Keystone Master: Completing a level 15 or higher Mythic+ dungeon within the time limit grants you the Keystone Master achievement for the first time.
- Seasonal Keystone Master: Achieving a Mythic+ score of 2000 during the Mythic+ season awards the Keystone Master Feat of Strength, which is seasonal.
- Rating Calculation: When you complete a keystone, each run is worth a base amount of Mythic+ Rating (37.5). Each keystone level adds an extra 7.5 rating, and each affix adds an additional 7.5 rating, with the Seasonal affix adding 15 rating.
Example of Mythic Keystone Rating
If you complete a +10 keystone, the basic rating awarded is 37.5, plus 75 (10 * 7.5), plus the total rating for the affixes, which would be 3 * 7.5 = 22.5 rating, plus 15 for the seasonal affix, totaling a Mythic+ rating of 150 rating for a +10.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I get my first Mythic Keystone?
You get your first Mythic Keystone by completing any Mythic difficulty dungeon. It will be a +2 key for a random dungeon. Or, talk to the NPC Ta’hsup if you have run a Mythic+ dungeon before, he will provide a Keystone.
2. Can I choose the dungeon for my upgraded Mythic Keystone?
No. The new keystone will always be for a random dungeon of the appropriate level, based on the level of the completed dungeon and your speed.
3. Does my Mythic Keystone expire?
Yes, Mythic Keystones expire every week during the weekly reset. So, you will need to re-obtain a key each week.
4. What happens if I leave a Mythic+ dungeon mid-run?
If the character who used the keystone leaves the dungeon, the keystone will be downgraded, resulting in a lower level for a new random dungeon when you start again.
5. How does the timer affect my Mythic Keystone upgrade?
The faster you complete a Mythic+ dungeon within the time limit, the higher the level of your new Mythic Keystone. Fast completions are rewarded with up to a 3-level upgrade. Completing it on time but slowly will be a 1-level upgrade.
6. Can I have more than one Mythic Keystone at a time?
No, you can only have one Mythic Keystone at a time.
7. How can I downgrade my Mythic Keystone?
You can downgrade your key at Lindormi in Valdrakken.
8. What is the importance of Mythic+ rating?
Mythic+ rating is required for the Keystone Master achievement and other seasonal rewards. It is earned based on the difficulty of completed dungeons, and contributes to your overall progression.
9. Is there a way to trade Mythic Keystones?
No, Mythic Keystones are not tradable between players.
10. How do Mythic+ affixes affect my Mythic Keystone?
Affixes add extra difficulty to Mythic+ dungeons and increase the reward you receive at the end. Each affix increases the Mythic+ rating you earn, plus the seasonal affix.
11. Do Mythic+ dungeon resets affect Mythic Keystones?
Mythic dungeons reset weekly, however, this does not impact Mythic Keystone dungeons. Keystones expire weekly, so you will need to re-obtain a key each week.
12. How do I achieve a 2000 Mythic+ rating?
A 2000 Mythic+ rating is equivalent to completing a +15 in every dungeon, in both Tyrannical and Fortified modes. However, the rating is based on the best runs, so you can complete a +14 in one dungeon and a +16 in another.
13. What ilvl drops from a Mythic+ level 15?
You have a chance to receive 424 ilvl items from the end-of-dungeon chest in a Mythic+ 15 dungeon.
14. What does Mythic 20 drop?
A Mythic 20 has a chance to drop 431 ilvl items from the end-of-dungeon chest and provides a 447 ilvl reward from the Great Vault.
15. What is the fastest way to farm Valor for Mythic+ gear upgrades?
The fastest way to farm Valor is to rush lower-level Mythic Keystone dungeons back-to-back. Each completion gives 135 Valor, and will keep granting the reward every run.
Understanding how to upgrade your Mythic Keystone is vital for tackling challenging content and earning valuable rewards in World of Warcraft. By consistently improving your run times and strategic play, you’ll steadily climb the Mythic+ ladder and achieve your goals.