More Cataclysm details for priests

I mean, you're a two-role hybrid, I'm a two-role hybrid ... we should stick together. So here comes some blue posts explaining Inner Fire, Mind Spike, Chakra, what happened to Misery, and if Lightwell is getting any love.
A few quick clarifications:
Neither Inner Fire nor Inner Will has charges. The decision is on which armor you want up at the time.
Preventing dot clipping is something we want to do in general. It obviously benefits Shadow priests just as much as warlocks.
The idea behind Mind Spike is that you can't always settle into your normal, and high-ramp up rotation. It's also useful when you have to move or get school locked.
The closest analogue to PW:B is the DK Anti-Magic Zone, but it has some important differences, such as a way to counter it in PvP (since it absorbs all damage, not just magical damage).
The idea behind the Holy "cast three in a row" talent (it's called "Chakra") is that we've always positioned Holy as a versatile healer. This talent lets you shift into different modes. If you need to be a tank healer, cast three single target heals and your single-target healing is now better. Cast three area heals, and you can be a temporarily specialized group healer. We're going to try to play this mechanic up with a cool UI to try to get that "I'm almost in the zone" feel. We'll let it apply to as many types of spells as we can, perhaps even Smite for those times when nobody's taking damage.
We pulled Misery because we are pulling every group benefit that improves hit. It's annoying to have to swap your gear in and out depending on who shows up for your group. In general we're going to push even harder in Cataclysm for bringing people you like to play with, not bringing people who have awesome buffs. The answer to almost every question of "But why would they bring me?" should be "Because you know what the hell you're doing."
Neither Inner Fire nor Inner Will has charges. The decision is on which armor you want up at the time.
Preventing dot clipping is something we want to do in general. It obviously benefits Shadow priests just as much as warlocks.
The idea behind Mind Spike is that you can't always settle into your normal, and high-ramp up rotation. It's also useful when you have to move or get school locked.
The closest analogue to PW:B is the DK Anti-Magic Zone, but it has some important differences, such as a way to counter it in PvP (since it absorbs all damage, not just magical damage).
The idea behind the Holy "cast three in a row" talent (it's called "Chakra") is that we've always positioned Holy as a versatile healer. This talent lets you shift into different modes. If you need to be a tank healer, cast three single target heals and your single-target healing is now better. Cast three area heals, and you can be a temporarily specialized group healer. We're going to try to play this mechanic up with a cool UI to try to get that "I'm almost in the zone" feel. We'll let it apply to as many types of spells as we can, perhaps even Smite for those times when nobody's taking damage.
We pulled Misery because we are pulling every group benefit that improves hit. It's annoying to have to swap your gear in and out depending on who shows up for your group. In general we're going to push even harder in Cataclysm for bringing people you like to play with, not bringing people who have awesome buffs. The answer to almost every question of "But why would they bring me?" should be "Because you know what the hell you're doing."
A few points of clarification:
- We've seen some confusion about Mind Spike. The intention is that you can't always get your full DoTs up on a target in time before it's dead. Shadow priests sometimes aren't sure what to do on, for example, a fight where a boss suddenly spawns an add that you're supposed to quickly burn down and then go back to the main boss. Mind Spike is what you do to that add. As a rule of thumb, if it's going to die in under 15 seconds, then go with Mind Spike. Otherwise get your DoTs up and go into your longer rotation.
- The movement speed from Inner Will stacks with the boot speed bonus. It won't stack with some movement buffs like say Body and Soul.
- We know a lot of people are looking for answers about Lightwell. We're reviewing the talent and spell functionality, but do not have any details to share as of yet regarding its future.
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm will destroy Azeroth as we know it. Nothing will be the same. In WoW.com's Guide to Cataclysm you can find out everything you need to know about WoW's third expansion. From Goblins and Worgens to Mastery and Guild changes, it's all there for your cataclysmic enjoyment.





Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
GrumblyStuff Apr 9th 2010 2:39PM
"The movement speed from Inner Will stacks with the boot speed bonus. It won't stack with some movement buffs like say Body and Soul."
Oooh. I wonder what this means for other class' speed boosts.
Holgar Apr 9th 2010 2:43PM
I'm glad they are at least admitting that lightwell needs a fix.
Paul Apr 9th 2010 3:41PM
They've admitted it quite a bit, but their answers were either "we're not sure what to do with it right now" or answers which indicated that they just didn't want to give an answer right now.
To be honest, we've even seen in-game additions which indicate that they've been thinking about it for a while. Namely the way the mob version during the second encounter in ToChamp works.
Then you look at Healing Rain spell that Shaman are getting, realise it's actually a Tranquility/Lightwell hybrid, it's quite clear that they are "thinking" about it.
Have they done much? No. But you're questioning recognition. Identifying a problem and fixing a problem are two completly seperate actions. Whilst one often follows on from the other, it rarely going to ahppen immediately.
I believe that it was GC that accepted a while a go that Lightwell's main lack of appeal is that it requires any class to stop what they are doing in order to benefit from it. This is not appealing to DPS classes as they watch their damage meters, healers who are watching Radui UI or Tanks who are making sure no one is overaggroing of AoE encounters, watching cooldowns, etc.
We'll see if they make it work like an overpowered Healing Stream totem or a secondary Prayer of Mending.
eclipse Apr 9th 2010 6:19PM
I reckon Lightwell, being a well, should be capable of overflowing... similar to the toxic spill in the Rotface fight. Periodically, and without the Priest's control, the lightwell should flood a section of the raid area with a holy spill of reasonable size that heals those who are standing in its spill zone. Having it simply be a Searing Totem that heals is a little too copy-cat.
Peace
Jack Spicer Apr 9th 2010 2:46PM
I would love it if they could change Lightwell so that players did not need to interact with it. I know it is extremely stupid, but 99% of players in Random groups get offended when I throw down a lightwell. As if I am saying "I'm not good enough to heal you, heal yourself."
But given that were getting "Leap of Faith".... I don't think Blizzard is going to do much to discourage sloppy play by DPS.
Kylenne Apr 9th 2010 2:48PM
I would love for Lolwell to function like the ones the priestesses drop in 5 man ToC but they've said repeatedly that it won't ever happen. :(
Cetha Apr 9th 2010 2:52PM
Since players like to stand in things on the floor, they should make Lightpool instead of Lightwells. come stand in the sparkling light and get yourself a renew when we are all on the run.
Celeane Apr 9th 2010 3:23PM
I wonder if they could make it just do a small radius burst heal? Like a holy nova totem? Their main concern is they don't want us to have too many set-it-and-forget it spells.
Samuel Reese Apr 9th 2010 3:25PM
Sorry, Shamans have stolen your Lightpool idea and turned it into gaseous form. We'd be happy to complete the cycle and cast Healing Rains for you though to get the benefit you so desire! :D
Raaj Apr 9th 2010 3:47PM
Just make it look exactly like fire (any of the various in-game flavors will suffice) and have it add the healing effect after standing in it for a few seconds. That'll guarantee that it gets used AND that all charges are consumed.
kabshiel Apr 9th 2010 2:47PM
I'm very happy about Inner Fire losing its charges.
Tayla Apr 9th 2010 2:48PM
Lolwell needs all the help it can get.
brian Apr 9th 2010 2:58PM
I hope the different "buffs" that Chakra gives you are named. First, Second, Third, etc. (or Crown, Inner Eye...)
My Chakras need alignment!
Dharmabhum Apr 9th 2010 3:02PM
- Let him go. Let him go... Let him find his center and realign his chi.
jellyphish Apr 9th 2010 3:30PM
"Fuck brainasim, I quit."
Setesh Apr 9th 2010 4:02PM
@ Dharmabhum
Great Grandma's Boy reference. well done
Oriflame Apr 9th 2010 2:59PM
If I made a joke about rabbis here would it be considered appropriate?
Please keep the religious stereotypes out of wow.com comments, same way we like you to keep racism, homophobia, and other bigotry to yourself.
Hollow Leviathan Apr 9th 2010 4:43PM
"If I made a joke about rabbis here would it be considered appropriate?"
If it was funny.
onetrueping Apr 10th 2010 2:16AM
So, an imam, a priest, and a rabbi walk into a bar...
Dharmabhum Apr 9th 2010 2:59PM
Aww you got me all excited about stuff.. that we already read yesterday.. when it was first posted.