Well, I decided to break my rule and run a dungeon on Viva, even though she's not 85 yet. I decided to do regular Blackrock Caverns before I couldn't queue for it on regular anymore, and consequently reached level 84 at the end of the dungeon.
I queued up using the LFD tool, and was grouped with a bunch who were also doing their very first Cataclysm dungeon, so none of us really knew what we were in store for. It was an interesting run, considering we were all rather new to things. We wiped once if I remember correctly, so all in all, not too bad.
The biggest change is mana. Where did they put all my mana? It just slips away so quickly now. I don't quite have to drink after every pull, but usually after every 2 or 3 pulls, depending on the amount of damage the mobs are doing. Its definitely interesting to heal now.
No more just spamming Rejuvenation and throwing the occasional Regrowth and Swiftmend. I'm not really exactly sure what I should be doing, but I don't know if keeping Rejuv up is really a good thing, as it seems to be consuming a lot of mana.
I'm actually thinking about going back to my Priest, just to see how the dungeon healing is on her. The main reason I want to try this, is just to get a real feel for it. I haven't been playing a Druid for very long. I don't know all the tricks and tools I should probably know. I know all that stuff on my Priest. I'm scared though, because I keep hearing that Priests are suffering worse than other healing classes from the mana crunch.
I just think I'd be better able to cope with the change on my priest. Back when mana mattered, back during BC, I prided myself on managing my mana well. Can I cope with the changes now?
I don't know all the answers to these questions, but I guess I'll find out. I think I'll just keep questing on my Druid for now, though.
On a somewhat related note, one of my friends who almost solely plays DPS classes/specs said this to me: "They made it so it's much harder to play a tank/healer, and much easier to play as DPS."
I don't know if I necessarily agree with him. What do you think?
Hihi, you write Cataclsym like I always do it... dang I did it again <.< (check your headline)
ReplyDeleteOh man! Thanks! Stupid spell check doesn't check headlines. ~grumble~
ReplyDeleteDPSing could not get easier going from Wrath to Cataclysm in regard to the DPS "role" IMO.
ReplyDeleteHowever I do think Cataclysm game-play changes have made good DPSing "easier" in a few areas.
I think Blizz has done a fairly good job with the new abilities in 4.x, especially in regards to things like DoT clipping.
I remember on my Shadow Priest, staring at the ticks of my dots so I wouldn't clip it and lose DPS. Now it's much easier to avoid DoT clipping.
I also think the power aura style proc flashes are a great tool for DPS. It makes it easier for them to react and trigger abilities quicker.
Factor in a ton of Misc abilities like short term moving and casting, self heals, and better management of resources (moving combo points, applying 2 debuffs with 1 key, a new quick spell when you don't have time to stack buffs, etc) and you've got many more options to keep you useful in formerly "bad" situations for DPS.
TL:DR
I don't think the job of "good" DPS is easier. You now have more to do. However it's now easier to do your job "better" if you use your new abilities.
Neh? Meh. I'm barely awake atm. And I'm hungry. Look out world. The fat man is hungry.
That bit gave me a bit to think about and I riffed on it at my titty.
ReplyDeleteI riffed on it at your titty too. (Why does it feel so wrong for me to call it that?)~hides~
ReplyDelete