Affixes, which make life harder for players in Mythic+ mode, were introduced at the mode's launch and have undergone several changes over time. Their system only stabilized with the release of the Midnight expansion — though it's entirely possible that this is far from its final form. In this guide, we'll tell you everything you need to know about Mythic+ Affixes: their effects, their rotation, and how to counter them.
Affixes are special modifiers, effects, and mechanics that players unlock as they progress through higher and higher dungeon levels, making those runs increasingly more challenging. Fortunately, affixes don't get added all that often — only at certain key milestones:
The system is transparent and straightforward — but let's discuss it in detail nonetheless.
In the past, most affixes rotated from week to week. Now, the core affixes remain stable, including Fortified and Tyrannical at certain high levels. Only the affixes that accompany you from Keystone +5 through +11 are left in the regular weekly rotation:
Additionally, the Fortified and Tyrannical affixes alternate on a weekly basis — but only from +7 through +9 inclusive.
In the past, the affix system was a bit more complex and varied. In the current expansion, however, the relatively few affixes can be divided into Major and Minor categories. The former affect the dungeon run from the very first second to the very last, while the latter come into play situationally.
The Minor Affixes include the four members of the Xal'atath's Bargain series, which rotate from week to week. "Kiss-curse" in nature, they either grant players beneficial effects, empowering them in combat, or conversely — aid their enemies in a similar fashion.
Affixes in this series come into play situationally — be prepared for it to happen at the most inconvenient moment.
The Major Affixes include four entries:
While Lindormi's Guidance is a pure boon that applies at low keystone levels, you'll have to reckon with the other three affixes. No benefits whatsoever — only added difficulty for your dungeon runs.
The combination of Xal'atath's Bargain and Xal'atath's Guile affixes is the true highlight of recent seasons, playing on the dual nature of the Harbinger we've been pursuing for several expansions now.
At first, she toys with players, allowing them — albeit with some discomfort and unpredictability — to gain bonuses through Xal'atath's Bargain. But once players reach difficulty level +12 and beyond, her favor turns into punishment in the form of Xal'atath's Guile, penalizing characters even more harshly for dying. To learn more about these affixes, check out our dedicated Xal'atath's Guile guide.
Every affix, with the exception of Lindormi's Guidance, requires its own approach, and we'll cover them in much greater detail in our dedicated guides on the Fortified Affix, Tyrannical Affix, and Xal'atath's Guile. For now, we'll just highlight a few general tips to help you prepare for the adventures that Midnight Season One has to offer:
As you can see, affixes are dangerous, but if you play around them smartly, you can even reap some benefits from them. Best of luck in your Mythic+ runs, and don't forget to visit our platform for more information.
