Patch 3.3

[Triforcer]

I haven't played WoW since BC.  Have things seriously devolved to the point where the ADHD sugar-addled legions of middle schoolers get angry when they have to REMEMBER TO USE THEIR CROWD CONTROL?  Jesus fucking Christ, the last page of this thread reads like a bad joke. 

[Ashamanchill]

That would be because sometimes these pugs play like a bad joke.

[Merusk]

It's really more because you didn't have to worry about doing it (unless raiding) for the last year+.  Ditto on mages not sheeping, rogues not asking what to sap and CC in general.  The LK dungeons have been a walk in the park to this point.  I wouldn't mark HoR or PoS as any more challenging than MT or Arcitraz, but it's throwing a lot of people for a loop now that they have to think again.

[K9]

Earth Shield, Riptide, Nature's Swiftness + whatever, Healing Stream Totem.

There ya go, HoT's and instas, no problems. I am loving healing as a Shaman. Combine the above with the enormous utility of the largest range & flexibility of buffs I can think of, ohshitohshitohshit buttons like BL and Earth Elemental, things like Mana Tide and Tidal Force and Reincarnation and you have an awesome (but somewhat complex compared to some other healing classes I will agree) healer and raid-saving machine!

I've been gearing up as an Enhance DPSer but building up a Resto off-spec set. Flagging as healer in the LFD tool means I get a group almost instantly, so I've been doing it more, and I totally love it. I'm only in rep gear and a couple of bits of badge loot but already I'm happy healing anything except maybe TOC5 heroic with a bad group or HoR and routinely chuck out 18-20k heals, almost never run out of mana and have great fun in the process.

I  my shaman 

I love my shaman too, but now that I'm getting to play my priest and shaman about equally and both are in equal gear the strengths and weaknesses of both are evident. From a healing standpoint my priest is far stronger, I have a lot more PvE 'outs' than the shaman. Riptide is paltry compared to glyphed PW:S or CoH+Surge of Light; Natures Swiftness can't compare to pain suppression or guardian spirit. But essentially HoR is the only sufficiently challenging heroic to expose the disparity. The shaman's main problem is the lack of group heals. I should probably glyph chain heal to make my life easier, but frankly the 2s (or whatever, I have 650ish haste) cast is too long and only hits 3 targets. On a priest prayer of mending is sickeningly good, and PoH hasted from Borrowed Time or Serendipity has a lot more burst throughput than CH could ever have. The other advantage priests have in HoR is fade. Even with a top tank, healers will get stray aggro as the trashmobs spawn so far apart. Being able to fade is so much better than having to target and windshock.

Once we went back to the starting hallway, it was tight, but we managed fine. Would've been routine if not for my 15k HP or sub 2k Spellpower. People just need to dig out their Assist/Interrupt/CC buttons.

15k HP is scary. Defiling Horror is 16K damage to each party member in 4s on heroic; good job on getting through that.

If I had better gear, I could probably just tank a ranged ghost or two, which would put more DPS on the train since the Dk and Rogue wouldn't have to babysit me so much.

You can tank a ranged or two on normal. On heroic, as a healer you don't want to have any aggro. Getting ice shotted or feared while suffering SW:P or flamestrike will really spoil your day :p

10 to 1 most healers do NOT take their threat reduction talents and then complain about getting aggro.

Healing reduction talents would only be useful if any healer ever pulled aggro off a tank through healing; but this never happens. The aggro we get (and HoR is a shining example of that) is aggro from mobs that the tank is yet to contact. The threat reduction talents would not help here. So really any healer taking the threat reducing talents for the purposes of not getting aggro is playing badly.

It's really more because you didn't have to worry about doing it (unless raiding) for the last year+.  Ditto on mages not sheeping, rogues not asking what to sap and CC in general.  The LK dungeons have been a walk in the park to this point.  I wouldn't mark HoR or PoS as any more challenging than MT or Arcitraz, but it's throwing a lot of people for a loop now that they have to think again.

HoR is harder than heroic Arcatraz I'd say; and it's nice to have a hard instance, but the difficulty is all in how long and inflexible the opening event is. Aractraz was hard because the individual trash mobs hit like trucks loaded with trucks, and the bosses were punishing; however you didn't have the same non-stop grind like the HoR event. The only thing I don't like is the fact that you can't rezz between waves of spirits. If you get an unlucky gib (freezing shot + flamestrike on a low-hp DPS happens quite often), you have no choice but to try and 4-man the rest of the way. The bosses are hard considering you don't really get a break during the spirit waves, and allowing some breaks would probably justify buffing their damage some, but otherwise the instance is good.

[Fordel]

HoT's are rad like that 


Everyone but our tank did come out of that AE fear dot with like 10-20% health at best, but there isn't much auxiliary damage either, so you just keep on rollin. I used a potion too probably, good old Crazy Alch pot!

[apocrypha]

I love my shaman too, but now that I'm getting to play my priest and shaman about equally and both are in equal gear the strengths and weaknesses of both are evident. From a healing standpoint my priest is far stronger, I have a lot more PvE 'outs' than the shaman. Riptide is paltry compared to glyphed PW:S or CoH+Surge of Light; Natures Swiftness can't compare to pain suppression or guardian spirit. But essentially HoR is the only sufficiently challenging heroic to expose the disparity. The shaman's main problem is the lack of group heals. I should probably glyph chain heal to make my life easier, but frankly the 2s (or whatever, I have 650ish haste) cast is too long and only hits 3 targets. On a priest prayer of mending is sickeningly good, and PoH hasted from Borrowed Time or Serendipity has a lot more burst throughput than CH could ever have. The other advantage priests have in HoR is fade. Even with a top tank, healers will get stray aggro as the trashmobs spawn so far apart. Being able to fade is so much better than having to target and windshock.

Fair enough, I've only played a (shadow) priest up to level 64 and a resto druid up to 76 so I've never really been tested with either class. I shall bow to your greater experience there :)

[Simond]

I should probably glyph chain heal to make my life easier...

Dear Lord yes. Yes, you should. Glyph Chain Heal, Earth Shield and Riptide as your majors for Resto always, and Watershield as a minor. Then pick two more minors, but Renewed Life is pretty handy as well.

[K9]

I should probably glyph chain heal to make my life easier...

Dear Lord yes. Yes, you should. Glyph Chain Heal, Earth Shield and Riptide as your majors for Resto always, and Watershield as a minor. Then pick two more minors, but Renewed Life is pretty handy as well.

Well this is the first time I have done heroics on my Shaman in ages. Usually I'm on tank duty for raids as our guild is chock full of holy priests, and Riptide+2xLHW is a pretty solid tank healing rotation.

[Malakili]

I haven't played WoW since BC.  Have things seriously devolved to the point where the ADHD sugar-addled legions of middle schoolers get angry when they have to REMEMBER TO USE THEIR CROWD CONTROL?  Jesus fucking Christ, the last page of this thread reads like a bad joke. 

Yes, the MO for 5mans since Lich King came out is Tank spams AoE threat generation ability, everyone else else AoE damage ability, or single target if their AoE sucks.  Yes, even for Heroics.  The days of Burning Crusade and worrying about whether you have the CC to do heroics is over.

[apocrypha]

Dear Lord yes. Yes, you should. Glyph Chain Heal, Earth Shield and Riptide as your majors for Resto always, and Watershield as a minor. Then pick two more minors, but Renewed Life is pretty handy as well.

God yes. Waterwalk is a useful minor too, especially if you are a fisherman or a pvp'er at all. Nitro boosts on my boots + waterwalk has given more than 1 gnome fisherman a terrifying surprise in Wintergrasp  


I've also just come back from healing heroic HoR for the first time (only DPS'd before). Fucking jesus fucking christ that was insane. We wiped 4 or 5 times before we finally got it. This was a random dungeon PUG with all of us geared roughly the same kind of gear - mid tier emblem loot. DPS was all ~3k, tank was 38k HP, I've got ~2400 spellpower and it was hard as a bastard. We did it though, and everyone stayed really good natured all the way through. At the end we were all saying gj etc, everyone said awesome healing (which gives me a massive buzz, I have to admit) & great tanking etc.

Yeah it was hard but it was also possibly the most fun 45 mins I've had in a game for years. My hands were shaking at the end of it and my heart was pounding 

[Fabricated]

The waves are way rougher than any of the bosses in HoR. The last or second to last wave before each boss is usually a fucking mess. The Marwyn and Falric can put out impressive damage but it's a lot less of a clusterfuck.

I dunno why everyone hates escaping the Lich King because that seemed way the hell easier. Just make sure the DPS and heals are by Jaina and the tank is trailing behind so the ghouls and other mobs aggro on him instead. AoE the ghouls, then single-target everything else.

[Selby]

...and the tank is trailing behind so the ghouls and other mobs aggro on him instead. AoE the ghouls, then single-target everything else.

Sometimes the ghouls overshoot and go straight for Jaina\Sylvanas (and thus right into the healers\ranged).  It's still decently okay to pick them up, but something to be prepared for ;-)  The escape is really pretty easy until the very last wave, if the DPS isn't up there and the heals aren't up to the task, the mobs don't die fast enough and you get all of them swarming the tank (or worse, running free).  Any time I've ever died on the escape portion, it's always been the last wave.

[Sheepherder]

Minor gripe: Blizzard should have added the ability to be grouped with horde players for those instances only.

On the other hand, sweet zombie Jesus can you ever grind badges fast.  Blizzard should be looking for ways to prolong that kind of interest in throwing together PuGs indefinitely.

[K9]

I dunno why everyone hates escaping the Lich King because that seemed way the hell easier. Just make sure the DPS and heals are by Jaina and the tank is trailing behind so the ghouls and other mobs aggro on him instead. AoE the ghouls, then single-target everything else.

Agreed. I can't see how you could get past Falric and Marwyn then fail on the pursuit.

[Paelos]

I dunno why everyone hates escaping the Lich King because that seemed way the hell easier. Just make sure the DPS and heals are by Jaina and the tank is trailing behind so the ghouls and other mobs aggro on him instead. AoE the ghouls, then single-target everything else.

Agreed. I can't see how you could get past Falric and Marwyn then fail on the pursuit.

Vomiting aboms seem to be a major issue for some.

[Lakov_Sanite]

First time healing on my shaman for HoR and we had no deaths. Granted my shaman has decent gear but I think shaman overall have it pretty well in there with the amount of tricks you can use.  Grounding totem/disease cleansing/healingstream/decursing and bloodlust are all very helpful.

[AcidCat]

The cross-server dungon LFG is one of the best things to ever happen to this game. I hardly ever used to do even 5 man dungeons just because of the time that would be spent looking for a group, then of course on top of the actual time to go through the dungeon, I just usually don't have that long to play so I stopped even trying years ago. Now my 75 Druid can get into a dungeon within seconds as a healer and do a run in usually less than an hour. I've seen several dungeons this weekend that I never even stepped foot in before and upgraded 5 pieces of quest gear with dungeon blues. There have been a couple bad runs but most go very smooth.

[Fordel]

I dunno why everyone hates escaping the Lich King because that seemed way the hell easier. Just make sure the DPS and heals are by Jaina and the tank is trailing behind so the ghouls and other mobs aggro on him instead. AoE the ghouls, then single-target everything else.

Agreed. I can't see how you could get past Falric and Marwyn then fail on the pursuit.

Easy, you lack the raw DPS.

[pxib]

The cross-server dungon LFG is one of the best things to ever happen to this game.

It's making me consider reinstalling. Running instances was my favorite part of the game, and difficulty putting groups together drove me to PvP. Not necessarily a deep longing to go back and play that will make me do so, but it's a move in the right direction.

[K9]

I dunno why everyone hates escaping the Lich King because that seemed way the hell easier. Just make sure the DPS and heals are by Jaina and the tank is trailing behind so the ghouls and other mobs aggro on him instead. AoE the ghouls, then single-target everything else.

Agreed. I can't see how you could get past Falric and Marwyn then fail on the pursuit.

Easy, you lack the raw DPS.

As I see it the opening event is more of a DPS check than the pursuit, but different strokes eh.

[Soulflame]

Group heals are also win.

Yes.  My shaman has such trouble in many instances compared to my priest or druid because of the group healing being slightly lacking compared to them.  I think my biggest complaint about shammy heals is *no HoT* and *everything requires a finite cast time of at least 1s* which the other healing classes don't always have.

Now try doing it as a paladin.   

[SurfD]

Group heals are also win.

Yes.  My shaman has such trouble in many instances compared to my priest or druid because of the group healing being slightly lacking compared to them.  I think my biggest complaint about shammy heals is *no HoT* and *everything requires a finite cast time of at least 1s* which the other healing classes don't always have.

Now try doing it as a paladin.   

I dont know, I have seen some paladins who seem to be able to throw out flash of light like they have some kind of holy spell six shooters glued to their hands, and with the amount some of those things crit for, and the cast speed they can fling them at they can heal a 5 man party with amazing effeciency.  That, and 2 minute Beacon makes a lot of healing pretty easy for them, or so it seams.

[Hoth]

For the Falric and Marwyn fight you can use the alcoven behind either of the bosses for your DPS/healer to break LOS. As a tank just stand 2 steps behind the boss to grant your healer line of sight to you and wait till the ranged mobs got aggroed by the heals.

[Fordel]

I dunno why everyone hates escaping the Lich King because that seemed way the hell easier. Just make sure the DPS and heals are by Jaina and the tank is trailing behind so the ghouls and other mobs aggro on him instead. AoE the ghouls, then single-target everything else.

Agreed. I can't see how you could get past Falric and Marwyn then fail on the pursuit.

Easy, you lack the raw DPS.

As I see it the opening event is more of a DPS check than the pursuit, but different strokes eh.

The opening waves are a control check, not a DPS one. More DPS is obviously better, but not really crucial to success.

[Selby]

As I see it the opening event is more of a DPS check than the pursuit, but different strokes eh.

Agreed, if you had a finite time before the next wave spawned to kill the first wave (ala TotGC Beasts fight) but I haven't really noticed that being an issue in my groups.  It may happen, but I've never seen it even with a few 2k DPSers in the party.

I healed this as a druid today.  Stressful at times, but not truly difficult.  Only wiped twice because a dumbass pulled aggro before the tank on wave 9 (me) and on the retreat because the tank walked over the cliff...  But on the last wave of the retreat, it was sure hard as the tank was not able to pull off the abominations from me so I had 2 in my face for 45s or so spamming heals like mad to stay alive.

[Sheepherder]

It's making me consider reinstalling. Running instances was my favorite part of the game, and difficulty putting groups together drove me to PvP. Not necessarily a deep longing to go back and play that will make me do so, but it's a move in the right direction.

My family are going to miss me, but I'm in a better place now.  Wearing Tier 9 pants.

Seriously, this is the best this game has ever been.  Resub and herb Feralas while earning a new piece of tier gear every few days.

[SurfD]

As I see it the opening event is more of a DPS check than the pursuit, but different strokes eh.

Agreed, if you had a finite time before the next wave spawned to kill the first wave (ala TotGC Beasts fight) but I haven't really noticed that being an issue in my groups.  It may happen, but I've never seen it even with a few 2k DPSers in the party.

I healed this as a druid today.  Stressful at times, but not truly difficult.  Only wiped twice because a dumbass pulled aggro before the tank on wave 9 (me) and on the retreat because the tank walked over the cliff...  But on the last wave of the retreat, it was sure hard as the tank was not able to pull off the abominations from me so I had 2 in my face for 45s or so spamming heals like mad to stay alive.

Actually, you do have a finite time between spawns.  Works on almost exactly the same concept as Violet Hold.  If all the mobs are not dead within a certain time frame, the next wave will spawn anyway.

[Delmania]

I'm really enjoying the cross server dungeon LFG.  Like many have said, it was the time it took to form a group that prevented me from doing heroics, and now I can queue up and go about my business.  The only aspect I don't enjoy is that you can't queue for battlegrounds and dungeons at the same time.  If Blizzard removed that and simply removed me from one queue whenever a dungeon or a battle ground launched, that would be awesome.

[Zetor]

Echoing that the new LFG tool is pretty much the awesomest thing ever. If I want to do an instance, I just hit random heroic as tank/healer and 3 seconds later I'm already inside. Sure, if I'm playing dps it takes longer (~5-6 mins), but that way I can check auctions, maybe do a daily quest, do some mining/herbing, etc. and it's still way less downtime than it was pre-patch. Then I can buy phat lewts with the badges, woo!

My leveling guildies like it too, and have actually done some lowbie instances nobody ever does on alliance. (Me, I'm not leveling another character, not before cataclysm :p)

[kildorn]

I'm absolutely loving the LFG tool, with the side note that I've had a ton of trouble using it to do specific instances. It's amazing for badge farming fun, and I'd imagine it makes lower level instances far more doable than just praying your own leveling range is online and in lfg.

But for 80s? I've had a lot of fun with it for the bit I've logged in. I've yet to see the new instances though :(

[Rasix]

I love the tool; I just wish it'd stop killing my pet when zoning me in.  I think anytime your pet is tucked away (ie on a mount or during flight) it doesn't bother to re-summon.  I usually take this for granted and it's taken me a boss or more to notice (it's hard to notice the damn imp sometimes).

Also, any tailors notice that lightweave is just proccing for no apparent reason?  I'm just running around Dalaran getting lightweave procs while doing inscription research or the cooking daily.

And yah, major /facepalm moment for me: I didn't realize you could turn in triumph badges straight for tier 9.  I probably wasted at least thirty getting my tier 8 robe for the 2 piece bonus.  Well, at least I'll have that bonus while I my hour a night starts decking me out in tier 9.

[Ironwood]

Ahhhhh, is THAT what happened ??

I was blaming my fucking Fel Doggy !!

[kildorn]

I love the tool; I just wish it'd stop killing my pet when zoning me in.  I think anytime your pet is tucked away (ie on a mount or during flight) it doesn't bother to re-summon.  I usually take this for granted and it's taken me a boss or more to notice (it's hard to notice the damn imp sometimes).

Also, any tailors notice that lightweave is just proccing for no apparent reason?  I'm just running around Dalaran getting lightweave procs while doing inscription research or the cooking daily.

And yah, major /facepalm moment for me: I didn't realize you could turn in triumph badges straight for tier 9.  I probably wasted at least thirty getting my tier 8 robe for the 2 piece bonus.  Well, at least I'll have that bonus while I my hour a night starts decking me out in tier 9.

From the prior comments, I'd say you're a Warlock.

Lightweave now procs off Fel Armor tics, hence the random procs when you're just walking around.

[K9]

And yah, major /facepalm moment for me: I didn't realize you could turn in triumph badges straight for tier 9.  I probably wasted at least thirty getting my tier 8 robe for the 2 piece bonus.  Well, at least I'll have that bonus while I my hour a night starts decking me out in tier 9.

It's the same for T10 and Frost Emblems.

The new LFG tool makes getting heroics so quick and painless (and you get 2 emblems as a bonus for completion) that getting full T9 will not be too arduous I suspect.

[AcidCat]

I am at a complete loss when it comes to what to do with these emblems/badges, I guess I will have to do some research now that I may be collecting a few.