GC: Why should we be worried about mana ?

#0 - Jan. 28, 2009, 11:44 p.m.

Q u o t e:
We think mana regen is too trivial at the moment in PvE and just right or too difficult in PvP (depending on the class). Now part of that is because the content is easy. Part of it is because we’ve given players a lot of reasons to avoid having to worry about the FSR. Part of it is just generous talents (like Illumination). Part of it was the change to let Int scale regen to some degree. The whole package is something we’re looking at. Mana regen is supposed to be part of the game – you aren’t supposed to graduate out of it with enough gear.

...when tanks and DPS shouldn't ?

Mana DPS classes have lots of ways to regain mana back - either through their own abilities, or through some other means such as JoWisdom (in which it's impossible for me to benefit w/o abandoning my duty).

And if they're still running dry ? They'll just sit there - doing nothing, then the fight drags on - guess whose mana pool is taking the hit ? When the party/raid finally wipes - what's the last thing people notice ? yes that's right - lack of heals. why the lack of heals ? no mana... "L2MANAGE MANA NUB !!!!!111!!oneoneoneeleveeeeeen"

Warlocks and Retridin (even when Plea is on cd) will never run dry - but again: whose mana pool is taking the hit ? Sure sure Retri can use SoComm - but that's just like telling players to use Lightwell, and we all know it works fine - amirite ?

Then there's the old, classic problem where there's no such thing as overdps - but what about overheals ? Only Holy Priest is kinda compensated.

With the current content, GC - are you trying to say that not only we have to heal incoming AE damages, but managing mana at the same time ? Maybe it's just me - but it is oxymoron.

... then people are wondering why it's so hard to get a healer nowadays....

look, as a hybrid I have no problem at all - if in the future: I don't like the way I have to heal - fine: I'll roll a DPS, or a tank.

Ghostcrawler

#22 - Jan. 29, 2009, 5:12 p.m.

Q u o t e:
It's challenging enough to be a healer just keepng people healed and watching all the GCD's. The way thing are headed were looking at another pally nerf. This is what happens when designers think they knnow what the game is about. The crunch numbers and count beans all day and don't play. Oh im sure hey have a toon here or there, but frankly all the evidence seems to suggest that they are in much like the mindest of Robert Mcnamara, on paper they things look great, out in the real game the reality is far different

You are welcome to disagree with out decisions, but I do not recommend coming onto our boards with the intention of insulting us. This is not constructive feedback and will get you banned.

I am sympathetic if you find healing too difficult. Many players do not and are clamoring for more of a challenge. There are many ways we challenge players in PvE, including complex encounters, short enrage timers and high damage. When mana management, or healing in general, are too easy then certain encounters become too easy. Furthermore, the game mechanics as designed don't work -- Spirit and mp5 become stats players aren't interested in. Choosing efficiency vs. throughput is not a meaningful decision. Healers in general are marginalized because raids can get by with fewer of them.

When you claim we are dumb for thinking healing is too easy, you are disagreeing with a lot of other players who post on these boards. Your conclusion must be that they are dumb too and we should design the game just to support your playstyle. Above all I am constantly encouraging the community to read what other players are saying. They are not always going to agree with what may be blindingly obvious to you. Does that mean they are wrong? Does that mean you are wrong? Of course not. All it means is the WoW community is large and diverse.

We have structured the game in such a way that you can find a difficulty level you are comfortable with. Naxxramas is one of the easiest raids we have ever done. Malygos gets a little more difficult, and Sartharion with multiple drakes is fairly difficult. Going into the future we will keep adding even more challenging and hardcore encounters while still making sure players who just aren't into that can still enter raids. The game has difficulty levels. If you are finding things so difficult that they aren't fun then by definition you probably aren't a cutting-edge raider. That's cool. We want to make sure you still have plenty of interesting things you can do, even within a raiding environment.