This week I started an alt with a new friend of mine, Divina, since we’re both nostalgic for old world dungeons. She created a female dwarf warrior, and I originally created a rogue. After some thinking, I felt the urge to switch to an elemental shaman instead so that we ‘d have that pesky ‘tank and healer’ part out of the way for low level instances.

So far it’s…well, what the first 10 levels of any class is: mind-numbingly boring since there are only two different buttons to press, and one isn’t mana-efficient. But I’m sure that once I get Water Shield, Ghost Wolf, and a few different totems the class is going to be a ball to play.

Any of you guys play a shaman? Is there much to do in 5-mans beside HW, or CH spam? Thanks!

Healers often ask “I have x amount of spell power, am I ready for heroics? Am I ready for Naxx?” It’s a difficult question because it always depends on the gear/skill of your tank and dps. If the tank is better geared he’ll take less damage thus require less healing or at least give you more margin for error. If your dps rocking epics and a brain, mobs and bosses die quickly and you don’t have to be as concerned with your mana bar.

Once you hit 80 you can be ready by heroics by savings some gold and making a trip or two to the auction house. There are many blue and purple BoE items that will last you through all heroics and into Naxx. Here is a quick list off the top of my head:

Shoulder:

Runecaster’s Mantle

Back:

Reanimator’s Cloak

Wispcloak

Chest:

Moonshroud Robe

Weapon:

Titansteel Guardian

Gloves:

Moonshroud Gloves

Gloves of Token Respect

Rings/Necklaces:

Titanium Spellshock Necklace

Titanium Spellshock Ring

Some of these items are more suited for a certain spec so be careful. There are also a lot more ’superior’ and epic BoE items and although I don’t recommend blowing 5,000 gold at the AH, you have a lot of options to fill in the gaps where your superior questing gear might be lacking.

My opinion is, as long as your gear is an AVERAGE of 78-80 blues, you’ll be fine in heroic dungeons. Some green pieces, especially trinkets, are perfectly acceptable as long as your other slots balance it with a crafted epic or two.

For Naxx, be sure to be completely out of greens except for a trinket. All your items should be either Emblem rewards, heroic drops, or level 80 BoE blues and epics.

If you think you might be a little under-geared just play safe and modest. Keep the party topped off as much as possible, use your mana fiend, and pop potions as needed. Anticipate damage and have a heal queued up and ready to land.

When you think you’re ready, head to an easier heroic like UK and give it a whirl.Good luck!

Before I write even my first “real” post on this blog, I want to make it known that I do not consider myself a great, or even ‘very good’ World of Warcraft player. There are some days when I manage a miracle and pull a PUG group out of trouble and I may consider myself “above average”, but on most days I can honestly say that my play is right in the middle of the road.

I say this because:

1. The posts on this site will more than likely NOT contain number crunching and min/maxing in order to squeeze the most out of a 25 man raid.
2. I don’t post anything for the sake of bragging about it, so if I state that I saved a group or that I over-geared an instance it’s because there is both relevance and truth to the statement and not because I’m gloating.
3. When I discuss my terrible arena stories, and rating, you don’t have to bother commenting about how much I suck.  I’m doing that for you right now.  I’m a WELL below average PvP player…coasting only above “sucky” by virtue of the fact that I admitted it.

I play World of Warcraft because it puts me into a different world with its own atmosphere, society, economy, and challenges.  I can be just as happy fishing in Ironforge or helping a lower level through Gnomeregan as I would be downing Prince for the first time back in Burning Crusade.

Balancing family life and gaming life can be difficult, so I know that I’ll never see “end-game” content, and I’m ok with that.

So if you’re here expecting cutting edge information on how to maximize the benefits of playing the priest class, you’ll leave disappointed. But if you’re here to be entertained and can perhaps sympathize with some of my stories and experiences then welcome and enjoy your stay.

-Zejus