Druid: Simple Questions/Simple Answers - Page 11

Rhaegal · 12/05/08, 2:14 PM

Since you asked about it specifically, [Insightful Earthsiege Diamond] is going to give you the most mana of any meta, if you're having mana problems. It's definitely not the wrong answer. I chose to go the more balanced [Ember Skyflare Diamond] route for now, though I am a little disappointed that the passive spellpower bonus on the meta gems isn't as significant compared to our total overall healing spell power in this expansion as the +26 healing/[insert secondary effect] metas in BC. Hopefully this time around we'll see some epic quality meta gems, where at least the static effect is increased.

ithecho84 · 12/05/08, 2:33 PM

Originally Posted by Nitz

Because you lose spellpower compared to [Ember Skyflare Diamond]. Myself I chose [Tireless Skyflare Diamond] because I like having the minor speed effect. This is assuming you don't find yourself out of mana anymore.

At the current gear level, [Insightful Earthsiege Diamond] gives roughly the same amount of int than the [Ember Skyflare Diamond], for myself anyways. So then you have to compare the 25 +heal to the mana return proc. Numbers show that the effect is a 5% chance proc to return 600 mana. I do not believe it has an internal cooldown, and my rough estimates put the proc somewhere at around 50 mp5 (very rough, don't quote me). From a pure itemization budget point of view, it's obvious 50mp5 will give you more itemization points than 25 +heal, but then again, as a tree druid, Spell Power is probably your most important stat, or second most. In any case, I believe the Insightful Earthsiege is the way to go, especially considering the nature of our spells and how often they are cast (trees will probably get more mp5 than 50). Perhaps at later gear levels the Ember Skyflare will prove to be more valuable.

The other alternative is [Tireless Skyflare Diamond] and then putting 18 spirit on your boots. So then you compare 21 int/mana return/9 or 15 stam with 25 SP/18 spirit. Disregarding stam is acceptable, but even then, Insightful Earthsiege seems to win, simply because of the mana return.

delle · 12/05/08, 2:38 PM

Originally Posted by ithecho84

At the current gear level, [Insightful Earthsiege Diamond] gives roughly the same amount of int than the [Ember Skyflare Diamond], for myself anyways. So then you have to compare the 25 +heal to the mana return proc. Numbers show that the effect is a 5% chance proc to return 600 mana. I do not believe it has an internal cooldown, and my rough estimates put the proc somewhere at around 50 mp5 (very rough, don't quote me). From a pure itemization budget point of view, it's obvious 50mp5 will give you more itemization points than 25 +heal, but then again, as a tree druid, Spell Power is probably your most important stat, or second most. In any case, I believe the Insightful Earthsiege is the way to go, especially considering the nature of our spells and how often they are cast (trees will probably get more mp5 than 50). Perhaps at later gear levels the Ember Skyflare will prove to be more valuable.

If you find yourself having mana issues then go for the [Insightful Earthsiege Diamond] once you gear up and find that you are having fewer and fewer mana problems it may be time to swap to the [Ember Skyflare Diamond]. I know that this was what alot of people did with the BC eversions of the same meta gems.

ithecho84 · 12/05/08, 2:48 PM

Originally Posted by delle

If you find yourself having mana issues then go for the [Insightful Earthsiege Diamond] once you gear up and find that you are having fewer and fewer mana problems it may be time to swap to the [Ember Skyflare Diamond]. I know that this was what alot of people did with the BC eversions of the same meta gems.

If you're having mana issues, I certainly don't think that a meta gem will be THE change that will fix that. Also, as a healer you can't just throw out arbitrary numbers for healing or regen, because they are always subject to change and are not surefire bets to increase your ability. Our performance does not rely so heavily on hard statistics and numbers, so it's vital to approach gearing with a balanced mindset. This entails getting as much itemization from budget points as possible. There is a reason we don't gear for mp5 because it is simply too expensive in the item budget while not providing the same amount of benefit that an equivalent amount of spirit would. Also, 25 spell power seems a bit trivial so you can't really make a case for it unless there indeed will be an epic quality of that meta gem.

baldeagle · 12/05/08, 3:10 PM

Originally Posted by Durack

How important is it to get to the hit cap as Feral dps? Should it be top priority?

Hit is like most of the other important stats, you need to consider the overall balance of your stats, and your target situation. Assuming you're talking about raid bosses as targets, being at or very near 0% missed attacks (RAWR does a great job of letting you figure this out) is extremely important. All the strength in the world does you no good if you miss. Being at the hit cap of 296 is no guarantee you will not miss. This is why you also have to get the expertise up. You can't get to 0% missed attacks just by being hit capped.

Hit and expertise together are modeled in RAWR to inform you what % or your attacks will be missing, so play with the buffs tab, the enchants, and your gear choices to attempt to reach as close as you can to 0% missed attacks. Once you achieve this goal, then start putting in strength through gems, scrolls, food or elixirs to build your dps.

kalbear · 12/05/08, 3:31 PM

Being at the hit cap of 296 is no guarantee you will not miss.

It actually is a guarantee that you will not miss. You can get to 0% missed attacks by being hitcapped.

That doesn't mean 100% of your attacks will land; you need to also have expertise, which will reduce dodges.

ithecho84 · 12/05/08, 3:51 PM

Originally Posted by kalbear

It actually is a guarantee that you will not miss. You can get to 0% missed attacks by being hitcapped.

That doesn't mean 100% of your attacks will land; you need to also have expertise, which will reduce dodges.

The good news is that it's very easy to reach 6% dodge reduction apparently. A rogue friend of mine says he's absolutely swimming in expertise leather! (remember not to go by your character pane

)

uliko · 12/05/08, 4:33 PM

Edit: Maybe I should check if page 3 is the last page first before replying :P

baldeagle · 12/05/08, 4:52 PM

Originally Posted by kalbear

It actually is a guarantee that you will not miss. You can get to 0% missed attacks by being hitcapped.

That doesn't mean 100% of your attacks will land; you need to also have expertise, which will reduce dodges.

I stand corrected on terminology. You are right on the mark with that comment. RAWR uses the term "Avoided Attacks" and I was referring to reaching the goal of 0% Avoided Attacks, which cannot be done just by being hit capped. While 296 means you don't "miss" you can still have the attack not land, which is the point of any attack. The key is to focus on getting to 0% "Avoided Attacks", not just hit capped.

Valerian · 12/05/08, 5:51 PM

Originally Posted by baldeagle

Hit is like most of the other important stats, you need to consider the overall balance of your stats, and your target situation. Assuming you're talking about raid bosses as targets, being at or very near 0% missed attacks (RAWR does a great job of letting you figure this out) is extremely important. All the strength in the world does you no good if you miss. Being at the hit cap of 296 is no guarantee you will not miss. This is why you also have to get the expertise up. You can't get to 0% missed attacks just by being hit capped.

Hit and expertise together are modeled in RAWR to inform you what % or your attacks will be missing, so play with the buffs tab, the enchants, and your gear choices to attempt to reach as close as you can to 0% missed attacks. Once you achieve this goal, then start putting in strength through gems, scrolls, food or elixirs to build your dps.

Rawr still has Str as better for me even when I'm not hit/expertise capped. With the talent that reduces the energy loss from finishers misses I do not see any real need to stack hit (and expertise just seems to come with all the gear anyways...).

Mippy · 12/06/08, 1:41 PM

I have about as simple a question as it gets.

I've heard that there's math showing that int is about equal to spirit (or even slightly better) for regen if you have replenishment. Can anyone link me those maths? Can't find it anywhere on here >.<

Edit - have a second question I just remembered. In my current spec, I took 5/5 Tranquil Spirit for the Nourish mana cost reduction, but I find myself using it pretty infrequently and instead use Regrowth as my main flash heal. I see my options for moving those points as either going Replenish and maybe 1 in Imp Tranquility (for the CD reduction), or going for the 3% haste in Balance. What is the verdict on Replenish right now?

uliko · 12/06/08, 2:26 PM

Regen from 10 Intellect/Spirit per t seconds with kings/living spirit and 100% time in 5sr.
$Intellect = 165*\left(1+0.0025*t\right)+0.3*\frac{1}{35.8769}*\left(\sqrt{Int+11}-\sqrt{Int}\right)*Spi*\frac{t}{5}$
$Spirit = 0.3*\frac{1}{35.8769}*\sqrt{Int}*12.65*\frac{t}{5}$
If you innervate yourself change the 1 in the first part of the intellect equation to 2.

Jahdruid · 12/06/08, 2:43 PM

Originally Posted by Mippy

What is the verdict on Replenish right now?

I personally don't use it any more. The only people I kept a constant rejuv on is the tanks pretty much and threat is not an issue so any procs they get is almost pointless. Other than that the raid prolly will not be getting many procs on most fights, since I don't raid heal with rejuv.

Mippy · 12/06/08, 2:49 PM

Thanks uliko.

Originally Posted by Jahdruid

I personally don't use it any more. The only people I kept a constant rejuv on is the tanks pretty much and threat is not an issue so any procs they get is almost pointless. Other than that the raid prolly will not be getting many procs on most fights, since I don't raid heal with rejuv.

I've been considering using Rejuv in place of single Lifeblooms (that I let bloom) for topping off DPS that don't need heals ASAP. 3 ticks of Rejuv do about 100 more healing than 9 second LB + bloom for me if the bloom doesn't crit.

Jahdruid · 12/06/08, 3:22 PM

Originally Posted by Mippy

I've been considering using Rejuv in place of single Lifeblooms (that I let bloom) for topping off DPS that don't need heals ASAP. 3 ticks of Rejuv do about 100 more healing than 9 second LB + bloom for me if the bloom doesn't crit.

Are you taking into consideration that some other healer might heal them during the duration of your hot. In my raids I find that unless the person is taking continuous damage that I know will occur on him, and I try to raid heal with single target hots someone else will just quickly top that person off before the hot does much healing.