What Rating Do You Need for KSM? A Comprehensive Guide
The question on many World of Warcraft players’ minds is, “What rating do I need for KSM?”. The straightforward answer is: To achieve the coveted Keystone Master (KSM) title and rewards in modern World of Warcraft, you need a Mythic+ Rating of at least 2000. This has been the standard requirement since the shift away from needing to time specific dungeons at a specific level. Now, your overall Mythic+ score is what matters, earned through running dungeons across all levels. This rating is a cumulative score based on your best runs in each dungeon, across both Tyrannical and Fortified weeks.
Understanding Mythic+ Rating and KSM
The Shift from Dungeon Completion to Rating
Prior to recent changes, achieving KSM required completing every dungeon at a +15 keystone level, regardless of whether it was Tyrannical or Fortified week. This old system was replaced with a rating-based one that aims for more flexible and comprehensive gameplay. Now, rather than needing to complete every dungeon at +15, you need a combined score of 2000, allowing for some higher key completions to offset some lower ones.
How Mythic+ Rating is Calculated
Your Mythic+ rating is not just an average of all your dungeon runs. Instead, it looks at your best run for each dungeon on both Tyrannical and Fortified. This means that even if you struggle on a particular dungeon, or on a specific affix, you have the opportunity to still achieve KSM. This allows you to focus on optimizing your runs on what is easiest for your group.
What Does 2000 Mythic+ Rating Look Like?
A 2000 Mythic+ rating generally translates to timing most dungeons within the +15 to +18 key range. While the rating system rewards completing higher-level keys, you don’t need every run to be a +15. In fact, you could have some dungeons at +14 and others at +18 and still achieve the 2000 rating. The goal is to optimize your score across all available dungeons and weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions About KSM
1. Is the KSM mount awarded for reaching 2000 rating?
Yes, reaching a Mythic+ rating of 2000 rewards you with the unique seasonal mount, the title “Keystone Master”, and the achievement associated with it. These are coveted rewards that many players strive for each season.
2. Is KSM difficult to achieve?
While opinions vary, many players find that KSM is more accessible than it used to be. It’s no longer tied to specific dungeon level completions but a combined score that allows more flexibility. You can get some keys higher than +15 and others a bit below. Consistent effort and knowledge of dungeon mechanics are more valuable than intense grinding.
3. Can your Mythic+ rating go down?
No, your character’s Mythic+ score will never decrease due to running lower keys or failing to complete a run within the time limit. The score always takes the best runs of your character. This ensures players are encouraged to attempt higher keys without the fear of losing progress.
4. Do I need to complete all dungeons on +15 for KSM?
No, you do not need to complete all dungeons at +15 under the current system. The 2000 Mythic+ rating considers your best runs on both Tyrannical and Fortified weeks across all dungeons. This offers flexibility in which dungeons you chose to increase your rating in.
5. Is a 2000 Mythic+ rating considered good?
Yes, achieving a 2000+ Mythic Rating is a good indicator of your Mythic+ skill and is a great benchmark for dungeon running. It means that you have a good understanding of the mechanics and are able to complete keys of moderate to high difficulty in a consistent manner.
6. What item level is recommended for +15 dungeons?
While there aren’t any item level requirements for Mythic+ dungeons, a good baseline would be around 230 ilvl for +15 dungeons and higher. This means you will be in an ideal position to run these keys with a good chance to time them. This allows you to perform your role well and help your team succeed.
7. What is the Keystone Hero achievement?
The Keystone Hero achievement requires a Mythic+ rating of 2500 or more, typically achieved by timing +17 and +18 keys. The level of difficulty to reach this is substantially higher than KSM and requires greater coordination and knowledge of the dungeons. This is a far more exclusive achievement than KSM.
8. Is KSM easier to achieve in Dragonflight?
Many players find KSM easier to obtain in Dragonflight compared to previous expansions. The rating system offers more flexibility, and the dungeons are designed to be more accessible overall. There is a less requirement to complete everything on a +15 compared to past seasons.
9. What percentage of players get KSM?
It is estimated that around 25% of players with level 70 characters obtain the KSM achievement during any given season. This demonstrates the achievement is moderately common, but still requires skill and coordination to obtain.
10. Can I get a Mythic+ key every week?
Yes, you can receive a Mythic+ keystone each week from looting your Great Vault, completing a Mythic+ dungeon, or completing a non-keystone Dragon Isles Mythic dungeon. These keystone are crucial to running Mythic+ content.
11. What is the Keystone Conqueror achievement?
There are multiple Keystone Conqueror achievements. The seasonal achievement requires a Mythic+ score of 1500 during the Mythic+ season. The non-seasonal achievement is a one-time completion of a +10 or higher Mythic dungeon within the time limit.
12. How hard are +20 keys in Dragonflight?
+20 keys in Dragonflight are considered difficult. The scaling of difficulty is very high, and even obtaining a +20 keystone can be challenging. This will test your skill and coordination.
13. What are the best addons for Mythic+?
Essential addons for Mythic+ include Deadly Boss Mods (DBM) or BigWigs, WeakAuras, and OmniCC (OmniCooldowns). These addons help players track mechanics, cooldowns, and various other valuable information in Mythic+.
14. How do I start Mythic 0?
You can start a Mythic 0 dungeon by finding a group advertising one in the group finder, or creating your own group, making sure to set the dungeon difficulty to Mythic. At the end of a successful run, you will be given a +2 key to start your journey into Mythic+.
15. What is the 0.1% achievement in M+?
The 0.1% achievement is awarded to the top 0.1% of Mythic+ players each season based on their Mythic+ score. This is a very exclusive achievement, that can grant a coveted title as well. This title showcases the greatest Mythic+ players in a season.
Conclusion
Achieving Keystone Master requires a Mythic+ Rating of at least 2000. This is a significant achievement, but it is far more flexible than in past seasons. It showcases your ability to handle a range of Mythic+ dungeons across different affixes. If you are aiming for KSM, focus on improving your runs in each dungeon on both Tyrannical and Fortified weeks, and utilize the resources provided in this guide, to ensure you are well on your way to obtain this prestigious title and mount.