life, the universe, and donna

Yeah, more game shit, but I’m proud… so I post.

So, Beansidhe is currently a 47 Shaman. I was wandering around in Tanaris and decided to take a look at the “looking for group” channel, which I usually keep turned off, since it’s a pain in the butt and full of “haha, chuck norris could beat up your dad” crud. It’s like Barrens chat, but global! Yay. Thanks, Blizzard.

Anyhoo, I saw a group looking for a healer for Scarlet Monastery. I’m a little too high level for it, but I’ve also NEVER been a main healer in an instance. I mean, other than the low level instances I keep solo’ing. heh. So I figured what the hell, and msg’ed them letting them know that I’d be happy to, but also let them know that I don’t have any experience at being a main healer. I think at first they saw my disclaimer and the fact that I’m a Shaman (rather than a priest, who would actually be a preferred choice for a healer) and turned me down… “No problem,” I said. “If you can’t find anyone, I’m happy to give it a try.”

Then I think they noticed my level and figured I could probably do okay after all.

And I saw why when I joined the group — a lvl 30 warrior, a 34 warlock, 34 rogue, and a 37 mage. Erk. This is a lvl 34-45 instance. It’s a little disturbing being 10 levels above the next highest level party member…

Unsurprisingly, our tank had a really hard time keeping aggro. The mage was a bit rough on him over it, but seriously, he’s taking on things 6-7 levels above him… 90% of his hits don’t come close, how exactly is he supposed to keep aggro? He was also knew to tanking, so I think everyone was trying to give him tips… at the very least, he thanked me for being nice about the tips. Hell, I’ve only played a warrior to level 25 or so, but I’ve done a fair amount of research on tanking tactics. Well, and I pay attention in groups, and therefore know how pretty much all the main roles should be played. Yes, I’m a nerd.

I also learned a little about aggro management as a healer: It’s difficult. I know how to manage aggro as a mage, but I can simply back off and “not attack” for a bit if I’m getting too much. Or switch to a low aggro spell. As a healer, if I stop healing, they die. Hmm. Oh well. I did what I could with totems and such — my healing stream totem is surprisingly handy! Takes the edge off, a bit. As is the damage reducing stoneskin. If they ain’t getting hit as much, I don’t have to heal as much. Very nice. And I think the rogue appreciated my agility buff. Since I rarely group, these are totems I rarely use — there are others that are more suitable for my style of solo’ing.

We wiped once. Dang. Technically not my fault — a runner got away, it wasn’t contained, and it brought in a whole new gang of baddies while I was already low on mana. Then I got silenced 3 times in a row, and simply couldn’t heal. Poop.

I reincarnated myself (mmm, self resurrection rocks) a touch too early, and caught the last little bit of aggro as one of the mobs was running back to its starting position. Turns out, I *can* take down a lvl 36 elite when I’m at 20% health & mana, as long as I have a taunting totem and a good supply of bandaids… hee.

Other than that, there were a couple of fights where we had one death, but they were the boss fights, so that’s reasonably acceptable to me. Not bad for a n00b healer, anyway.

Also need to remember to keep an eye on my own health. So busy concentrating on everyone else’s that I forgot my own. Potions to the rescue!

When I left, I got big kudos — I suspect it was because I made it clear that I wasn’t sure what I was doing and didn’t COMPLETELY fuck it up, but I think overall, a good first attempt at being a main healer. Yay! It’s nice to be appreciated.

Overall, as far as pick up groups go, it wasn’t nearly as bad as some I’ve had. The composition was good, even if the low levels were disturbing. The tank was mostly ineffectual, but not totally his fault. Needs to learn a bit more about tanking, but there’s only so much you can do when you’re fighting things way above your level. Made healing more interesting, anyway. The mage was a bit of a prick — he was right, but you get more results if you don’t piss off the guy you’re trying to help — but he eventually got the point and shut up. Especially when the rogue started pulling, and did a much better job of it. Heh.

I don’t think I’ll be leveling up my priest any time soon, as much fun as healing is… but at the very least when end game comes around, I’ve got a better idea of what will be expected of me. In the meantime, I’ll keep up my usual self-reliant method of killing everything on my own for the most part.

And now I sleep, because it’s way past my bedtime.