You are talking about the original nerfs to healing spheres lasting only 10 seconds? Yes those were real and got reverted extremely quick. However the current changes are neither a buff or a nerf to healing - just makes the damage resistable. However, with the healing sphere change (which do not currently work with mastery made ones only ones casted via the spell), which is a neutral change - as by the time three minutes pass - we will either be far away from them - or 60k heals wont really help. Either way - they are changing healing spheres and I'm waiting to see what happens. Maybe a 30sec lasting sphere with current smart heal - and working with mastery?
Not using Chi Burst was not what I was saying. Oh baby it uses chi burst....oh does it use chi burst
They also upped the % for chi generation on our Soothing mist (by 10%) and put it too 0,66667% mana (helps on some bosses where you can't get close), i also hope they put the healing sphere changes on the MW mastery. I actually use Healing sphere (on tank) because they are really cheap for the heal they provide.
The other thing that is really helpful for my Windwalker spec, no more need for Tiger palm spam which in turn means i have more chi left for other stuff, yay.
Here are the Patch 5.1 PTR -
Build 16208 (subject to change) notes
*****ling Jade Lightning now has a 35% chance to generate 1 Chi, up from 25%.
Expel Harm now does Nature damage.
Gift of the Serpent now creates Spheres that last 3 min, up from 10 sec. Healing amount doubled. If the sphere expires without being used, a nearby injured ally will be healed for 15,972.
Healing Sphere now creates Spheres that last 3 min, up from 10 sec. Healing amount doubled. If the sphere expires without being used, a nearby injured ally will be healed for 15,972. AP scaling tripled.
Healing Sphere now creates Spheres that last 3 min, up from 10 sec. Healing amount doubled. If the sphere expires without being used, a nearby injured ally will be healed for 15,972.
Stance of the Fierce Tiger now also increases your movement speed by 10%.
Swift Reflexes now has spec specific tooltips.
Tiger Palm no longer stacks the armor ignore buff, just applies 30% initially.
Talents
Ascension now also increases your maximum mana by 15%, and your energy regen by 15%.
Chi Burst now does Nature damage.
Chi Torpedo now does Nature damage.
Chi Wave now does Nature damage.
Dampen Harm now requires attacks to deal damage equal to 20% or more of your total health, up from 10%.
Zen Sphere now does Nature damage.
Brewmaster
Keg Smash had a wording change to "targets", rather than "the target".
Mistweaver
Mastery: Gift of the Serpent sphere now lasts 30 sec, down from 60 sec.
Soothing Mist now has a 35% chance to generate 1 Chi, up from 25%. Now costs less mana.
Windwalker
Fists of Fury now requires Melee range.
Touch of Karma now does Nature damage.
Edit:
I just saw that it actually affects our Mastery, i am actually quite confused because there is also this Mastery: Gift of the Serpent sphere now lasts 30 sec, down from 60 sec and this
Gift of the Serpent now creates Spheres that last 3 min, up from 10 sec. Healing amount doubled. If the sphere expires without being used, a nearby injured ally will be healed for 15,972.
Maybe a datamining error?