Mastery

Mastery is a passive mechanic specific to each specialization from level 10 that can be increased with stats. Mastery effects are found in the character sheet, in addition to the Spellbook under each specialization tab. Each Mastery offers specific benefits which can vary but generally fall into one of three categories: increasing the effectiveness of specific abilities or types of damage dealt; becoming more effective when certain conditions are met; or providing bonus effects including DoTs, HoTs, free attacks, or free spellcasts. All mastery benefits are measured in percentages, whether in terms of a numerical improvement, the size of an effectiveness boost or bonus effect, or a proc chance.

Mastery also refers to the associated secondary stat rating, which increases the strength of the effect. Like other ratings, this can be increased by gear with mastery on it. Each mastery has a base percentage value; the mastery stat increases this percentage by a varying amount depending on spec and level. Therefore even characters with no mastery stat rating will benefit from their Mastery.

Mastery stat rating is unique as its percentage depends both on the player's level and the specific mastery associated with their spec, with each mastery having a different amount of rating required to increase its effects. For example, a warlock that changes from affliction to demonology will see a decrease in both their base mastery percentage and mastery gained from rating, as it takes more mastery rating to increase Mastery: Master Demonologist than it does for Mastery: Potent Afflictions. This can be shown by viewing the effects for inactive specializations in the spellbook. Numerous enhancements such as enchantments and gems increase mastery rating. In terms of stat weighting, the importance of mastery depends on the effect it grants the player, as well as the effectiveness of mastery rating on the spec's mastery percentage.

Masteries
Below is a list of all Masteries, and the classes and specs to which they belong. Listed under 'Base effect' are the base percentage benefits granted to players regardless of their mastery stat. 'Rating per 1%' is the mastery rating required at level 60 to gain an additional 1% effect for that mastery's X value only (the displayed mastery percentage value in the paper doll frame). At lower levels, smaller amounts of mastery rating are required to gain the same benefit. Both base effects and ratios are often very specific and are sometimes difficult to determine precisely.