Hello everyone. I would like to sparkle up general conversation over so called offpecs, if you can even call Feral druids or Shadowpriests that these days. Atleast Retribution can be considered as such due its bad reputation along WoW community.
I have been long time in a openminded guild where none is forced into raiding efficient specs. And we have always had plenty of offspec hybrids in our raids, with quite succes actually (Have killed Vashj and were decent guild pre TBC also). It has been tiresome life being Retribution Paladin in WoW, even when Im fortunate to have extremely openminded guild. And thats where I start to think about those players who are forced to spec into holy, and are never given given small opportunity to relax for bit. Change to play the game how they would feel it being fun, game what they are paying to play. One could say "Change guild! Quit playing if you dont like it!" But are those really proper arguments? Is the grass greener at the other side? We all know it isnt, that same predjudice, mockery and jokes are thrown at your face everywhere. There are ofcourse exceptions, like my guild. Not that we are free of predjudice or paladin jokes, no not at all, but the general athmosphere is forgiving and accepting towards peoples own wish for playstyle.
I do admit that its rather stupid to not spec holy, when you are in raiding guild or want to do PvP. Thats definetely the most efficient way to go. Thats how you support your guild the most, or give your best abilities to your arena team. Every day half of me tell that I would be so much better for guild as holy, but other half of me fights against that, for freedom to do what I like. How you as non-paladin WoW community member see this always mocked and laughed spec? I have calculated many times that theoretically Retribution is viable raiding spec. Thats something what is hard to deny based on numbers. But the fact is that theres only few, maybe just 1 or 2 Paladins (World wide?) who are 24/7 retri specced and in DPS duty for their guild.
Even when I personally am fortunate to have great guild, it doesnt stop me from feeling sorry for "normal" Retribution Paladins. I see on daily basis someone quit playing because of the predjudice, mockery and pure hate what the Retribution spec face. New players who are getting touch to the game, with their innocent face, are asking why people kick them from partys when they say they are Retribution. Frustrated Paladins doing all they can to try prove their guild they belong to Karazan raid, or even try to get into heroic partys. Time after time trying to explain how their +3% crit is good thing. Just to find themself completely ignored. I see many Paladins claim that the tree is fine when they can dps in raids, and completely ignore the cold truth how community treat these normal "Average Joe" Paladins.
Im not really sure what is real meaning behind this post. It may be the fading trust in humanity, seeking for just a tiny bit of sympathy from coplayers. It may be just venting out some as teraphy for the frustration. It may be yet another way of trying to make Developers realise how bad things have been for long time. We are just 1 drop in the ocean, just like everyone else. Paying for this great game to have fun.
We have seen what happened to Shadowpriests. I could feel their pain when they were similiary rejected from all group activity and pvp activity due their "Selfish" spec. Even when they did produce pretty good damage in pvp environment. Now they are wanted in every raid. Hell, even multiple Shadowpriests are more than welcome in raids, 5man groups and pvp teams. But not a single Retribution Paladin is really desired. Maybe some are accepted, most likely trough personal relationship or sympathy. Do people honestly think that Retribution as dps/support tree is performing as it should? Please, try to look this from big picture. Not just from hardcore raider point of view. For long time I have been looking at WWS logs shared here at EJ forums, and I see plenty of feral druids, shadowpriests, moonkins and shamans every now and then at DPS charts. But one thing whats for sure, you always see 2-4 Holy Paladins at bottom of charts as healbots. Again, Im not claiming that Retribution Paladins are still at pathetic state when it comes to raid performance, when combined with optimal melee group (Windfury specially). Personally I see Retribution lack the obvious key element or role what they bring to group to be seen as desired addition when for example nothing else is available (Is it reasonable to ask for getting into groups as last resort? Would it be outrageous to ask for being considered equal?). It just seems like wrong route to make Retribution seem accepted when it only suits to raiding purposes and even there merely acceptable trough theoretical calculations.
Or is it really so that Blizzard doesnt believe in players skill in solving healer problems by their own, thus refuse to give much of freedom for Paladins? I really doubt it, but it has crossed my mind many times. Are they afraid of suddenly guilds loosing all their healers? In my guild we openly rotate our healers. Hybrid X dps on this fight and I heal, next time I can maybe dps if there is room for that and the Hybrid X heals. We have killed Vashj, so in my opinnion there are room for offspecs even as mainhealers. One thing that really starts to shine is respect towards those real healers who really want to heal, they get the attention and respect what they deserve for their dedication. I think that it would be best for everyones gaming experience when people do what they enjoy. Not exactly all the time, but the feeling of not being forced to do something is so reliefing. One can actually happily do their job when needed as they know that they have place in this game.
Is it something else that is the real reason for the state where Retribution have been for god knows how long time? I cant present anything but various speculations like the one that not a single developer at Blizzard side ever played Paladin to 60 (Thats classic argument, isnt it?) Or maybe I should equip my tinfoil hat and throw in even more absurd claims. I ask what you see being the reason for the shadow that have shrouded Retribution spec for long long time.
Thanks for reading, fire at will
06/07/07, 9:46 PM
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