Don't Lose Your Mind In The Level Grind! [Cata Post]

So, you've started trudging towards 85. (Yes, some of you 1337 people are already there!! Congratulations! However, this post won't be of much use to you ^.^)

You've quested a bit and DING! 81! Niiiiiice! So you queue up for a Cata dungeon! Yes, queue popped. Accept! *adrenaline rush* Buffs. Salutations. Pull. Man, what was all this complaining about Priests not being their awesome selves? I'm spamming heals, dps-ing the boss all while dancing and jumping around! Muahaha. Bubbles bubbles bubbles.

Ding! 82! This isn't so bad at all! Deepholmmmmmm! Man, this place is BEAUTIFUL! The colors! Can't look away... Oh right, new dungeon. STONECORRRE! Queue. Accept. Buff. Salutations. Pull.

... From this very first pull you will find out just how smart of a tank you have. What you will also find out is..

OOM. What is this? Where did my mana bar go, does anyone see it? Hey tank, are you just wearing your underwear against these guys? Hey, DPS - I let you die because the tank is more important!

------------------------- Do Not Despair --------------------

Take a deep breath...
Here is Vih's Little Make Shift Plan To Get To Lvl 85.

Rule #1. Accept the fact that people are going to die. Especially if you are paired with people still stuck in WotLK mentality [aka Tank and Spank, Round-up and AoE, Burn-it-before-it-gets-to-me Aggro Pullers, etc.] It's inevitable. So, make like toilet paper and get ready to wipe.

Rule #2. Prioritize. The lives of your tank and yourself are vastly more important than the DPS. They might argue with that fact, but - it's true. Obviously keeping everyone alive is preferable. So, decide what you can afford with your current mana situation. Examples are given below.

Rule #2a. Subject: DPSers. During trash pulls, if a gung-ho dps takes a hit when no one else in the group does they get a renew. If they take two hits they also receive a bubble. If they are set on tanking whichever add they've aggro'd let them. It costs less mana to rez them than to try and heal them through their tank-osterone phase. ;] If there is AoE damage - set off a Prayer of Healing (I try to pair this with Inner Focus as much as possible.)

Rule #2b. Subject: Tanks. During trash pulls, I keep a Power Word: Shield, Renew and Prayer of Mending on the tank as much as possible. At this point in time I don't find Heal to Heal for enough (ironically), so when more damage comes than my Renew and PoM can handle I use Penance and Greater Heal. I avoid Flash Heal like the plague. I have now put Flash Heal in the category of emergencies only.

Rule #2c. Subject: Boss Fights. I use the above mentioned priority while healing boss fights as well, with the minor exception that I try to keep all party members alive at all times. Even Mr. DPS who doesn't know the fight but doesn't want an explanation. ;]

Rule #3. "But I still am going oom!" Don't be afraid to use cooldowns on cooldown! Shadowfiend + Hymn of Hope, Arcane Torrent - Whatever ya got! And if you're fresh out? Do NOT be afraid to stop the group and drink. You are worth so much more with full mana :D

Other Words of Wisdom:
* Get used to seeing people below full health.
* Get down for your "High Gearscore" Horse and realize that this isn't WotLK
* Make a playlist to remedy the frustration that's sure to come.
* Take on the challenge! Don't turn into a wet noodle because things are difficult!

I hope this helps you in your level grind!
If you think you have something that needs to be added - post away!
xoxo
Vih

Cata, Come Quickly!

Cata is breathing down our necks! I'm frantically trying to finish up a 2-part Spanish Presentation for my final tomorrow and keep getting all sorts of distracted.

First of all:
For those of you who don't know, Tales of a Priest got a make-over! Go take a look at Derevka's GORGEOUS new site and helpful posts!

I'm both apprehensive and excited for Cataclysm to start. Apprehensive that Disc might be as "weak" as many of the frequent forum doomsday posts say it is. Excited that you might just have to learn to play it WELL!

I'm frustrated that Blizz decided to dump Cata right during finals week(s). But, I'll survive and pass my classes :] I thought I'd post a list I came across on the official forums for Pre-Raid Cata Gear!!

[Posted by Memoryz, Credit given to Malic from MMO-Champion, Elitist Jerks]

Head: Mask of New Snow : 2200 JP
Neck: Amulet of Tender Breath : Vortex Pinnacle : Altairus
Shoulder: Mantle of Loss : SFK : Godfrey
Back: Solar Wind Cloak : Halls of Origination : Rajh
Robe: Anraphet's Regalia : Halls of Origination : Anraphet
Wrist: Baron Ashbury's Cuffs : SFK : Baron Ashbury
Hands: Dolomite Gloves : Stonecore : Corborus or Gloves of Purification : 1650 JP
Waist: Belt of the Falling Rain : 1650 JP
Legs: Leggings of Charity : 2200 JP
Boots: Hekatic Slippers : Halls of Origination : Rajh
Ring #1: Veneficial Band : Lost City of the Tol'vir : Augh
Ring #2: Kibble : Blackrock Caverns : Beauty
Trinkets: Tear of Blood : Stone core : High Priestess Azil & Witching Hourglass : Blackrock Caverns : Ascendant Lord Obsidius
Main Hand: Scepter of Power - Halls of Origination : Setesh
Off-Hand: Prophet's Scepter : Stonecore : High Priestess Azil
Wand: Wand of Untainted Power : Grim Batol : Forgemaster Throngus
Stave: Soul Releaser : Halls of Origination : Ptah

Instances:
Halls of Origination
Stonecore
SFK
Blackrock Caverns
Vortex Pinnacle
Lost City of Tol'vir
Grim Batol

THANK YOU! To those who put the time and effort into making this list, it is surely going to help guide many of our decisions!

Happy Questing to you all!