Hurt to Heal? Smite Discussion

First off, Happy Veteran's Day yesterday! I'd like to personally say thanks to the Vets. Thank you for standing up for something and for giving me my freedoms. Thank you for leaving your family and friends to keep this country safe. Thank you for dealing with the effects from war long after you've returned home. I hope 'home' will once more feel like home to you.

Now onto Disc things...
I've been playing with two different Discipline specs over the last few days. One which includes the [Evangelism]/[Archangel]/[Atonement] [Spec]. And of course, for those leery of Smite Spamming - the non-terrifying-seemingly-normal spec. *Note, I have also been playing around with the difference between putting points in Darkness vs. Divine Fury - but those discrepancies aren't really related to this topic.

Due to school obligations and end-of-semester professors showing their evil sides, I haven't been able to test these in ICC. So, although 5-man heroics are NOT the place to test much of anything - this was where it has been done.

A few things I've noticed:
Archangel Spec:
Obviously, in 5-mans everything dies relatively quickly. But during a long term fight I can definitely see how one could weave in smites between heals. I also think it's going to be nearly impossible to skip come Cataclysm, especially if mana is going to be a precious resource as Blizz has already promised. It's definitely going to take some practice; but, if patterned correctly, it seems as though you can almost always have Archangel active. Yay to more heals!

Sin-Archangel Spec:
Again, this was tested in 5-man heroics. But after logging about two or so hours in each spec I've noticed drastic mana differences. Even in a stage of the game where mana shouldn't matter. I found myself only casting the heals that I needed while in this spec to conserve mana, where as in the Archangel spec I was bubbling and spamming all my heals to my little healer heart's content! I have a feeling that, come Cataclysm, Disc priests are going to have to focus on regen stats much more whole-heartedly if they don't pick up Archangel and learn to use it effectively.

Have any of you wonderful Priest players fooled around in these specs and found some cool things out?

Upcoming: For those of you who know me, you know I'm crazy about mods, UI's and had a great line of tutorials going. I'm going to try to update those and get them up and running!

Best wishes!
Vihmera

To Disc or Not To Disc

I may feel like a traitor for writing this post... but I'll live life on the wild side!

"To Disc or Not To Disc..."

It's been on my mind a lot recently! I've been Disc for all my raiding experience. I was even specc'd double disc (PvE/PvP), though with patch 4.0 I couldn't help but feel that Disc was a little lack luster. I've tried to be optimistic about our new talents, doing damage in order to heal. But it's leaving a sour taste in my mouth.

Don't get me wrong, I am SOO glad that Blizz is taking steps to stop bubble-botting. That was incredibly boring to me, and even when I tried I never could quite just spam bubbles. Sure my "numbers" were higher when I just ignored all situational healing and spammed Power Word: Shield, BUT - I'm pretty sure I could train my Chihuahua, Wookiee, to do that... (Granted she is a VERY smart dog, but - you get the point.)


So, I took a small hiatus from disc-ing and put together a very patchwork gear set for shadow. What was this feeling? I don't have to watch everyone in the raid? I felt so selfish, but powerful! After shadow-ing it up for 2 weeks or so, I've been yearning for those glorious double bubbles and sparkling penance.

I love healing. Tanking terrifies me. DPS is dull. Healing is Heaven :]

But back to my original concern, Disc seems a bit lack-luster compared to our cheesed-up Chakra sister spec. I wonder if things will change at 85... What do you all think?
Vih

Hello and Welcome!

Glad you could join me! I've decided to designate a spot for future World of Warcraft ramblings and theory crafting! I am no longer raiding hard-core, but who knows how long that will last for! I started playing WoW during WotLK and hadn't a CLUE what I was doing. I had never played any other computer games - I simply saw a commercial on TV with a dwarf talking about how he played a gnome mage and decided to give it a try!

The first toon I started was my beloved Priest! She started out as Artimesia, a Night Elf Shadow Priest. After 8 months I finally dinged 80! (10-3-2009) I had no idea what addons were, or what this Questhelper thing was! Anyway.. to make a long tale short, I had friendly people help me get to where I am today, including the amazing bloggers at ToaP, Ava and Derevka!

Somehow I was able to transform from the noob running around with stamina gear, to Vihmera the Disc Priest who was able to raid ICC. As of right now I am 11/12 Hardmode on both ICC10 and 25, and have received my 10-man Vanquisher.

But, I also try to enjoy all aspects of the game (meaning, yes.. I Roleplay as well as PvP!)
I've also been Alliance and Horde, and I have to say that Horde is definitely home for me! However, which race I pledge my allegiance to changes as often as the wind! I usually bounce between Undead, Troll and Belf. Currently? Belf ^.^

Anywho, thanks for dropping by! Check back for more posts soon :)

Vih