/Jessrage

You Want /Jessrage?

I mentioned a few posts ago that I’m a dual specced Boomkin these days. I’m enjoying it much more than I thought I would actually. But what really makes me happy is this talent in my solo spec called Owlkin Frenzy. The first time I saw it proc, and heard the sound effect I  cracked up. Nothing like a big fluffy bird beast RAWRSMASHING a mob over the head with glowing orange wing tips! And omg the sound! I hereby rename that talent /JESSRAGE!!

(There’s a video here. If you can’t see it in your reader)

Well Up Yours Too

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I went to our FRG meeting last night. Partly for the information, and partly because I know I need to step out and try and meet people. That is a big admission for me. I’m not good at it. I never have been. I got lucky in Alaska, my friends all came to me one way or another. So, I admitted to myself that I needed to make the effort. I took a deep breath, and off I went.

Things started out well. Before I knew it I was having a nice conversation about hobbies with one of the wives at my table. I got comfortable. Maybe TOO comfortable. When asked about hobbies and crafts I made the mistake of being honest.  I said I wasn’t crafty really, but I enjoy blogging, photography, image editing, and …playing World of Warcraft. POOF! she disappeared like her ass was on fire. It’s the same EVERY. Time.

WoW players, and Gamers in general tend to see this reaction alot. There is a false image of them as basement dwelling creeps with no social life.  And do you know what dawned on me? Well no wonder! Every time someone finds out that your hobby is a video game, especially an immersive one like WoW, they jump back like you might burn them. Sure as hell makes me not want to bother trying.

I don’t WANT to make the effort if I have to “lie” about myself. If I can’t be me, I can’t be bothered. And you know what? It’s THEM that will miss out. WoW is a game that thrives on social skills, critical thinking, and ability to work well with others. The things you would THINK you would want in meeting new people.

Yes, I play WoW, I blog, and you know what? I’m good at it, and I love it. I’m also a pretty good photographer, listener, and friend. I’m not going to “leave that out” in a conversation about “what do you enjoy?”. Anymore than I’ll deny having a kickass tattoo, or loving country music.  I don’t discriminate against any of them for being years younger than me, or less experienced with the army life. In fact, I could be a hell of an asset, being the kickass hooah army wife that I am, I have alot of knowledge and understanding to offer. I am friggin AWESOME as a matter of fact, and if my playing WoW, and blogging, and in general being a geekish redneckish woman keeps you from seeing it? Well your loss.

But I’ll always be the girl I am
And when Life comes falling down on me I do the best I can
And I never make make apologies cause I don’t give a damn
I guess I’ll always be the girl I am

We Interrupt This Hiatus For Some /Jessrage

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Q: Can you describe for us what the intended identity and versatilities of the Tree of Life druids are supposed to be?

Ghostcrawler: This is a pretty philosophical answer here. If you only read one answer in this Q&A, you might want to check out this one.

The strength of the Resto druid is in heal-over-time spells. They can also do some decent single-target healing through Nourish or group healing through Wild Growth. The tree pretty much used to be a PvE mechanic since “rooting yourself” in PvP to benefit from ToL greatly limited the druid’s crowd control and escape abilities. We made enough changes to the talent to get trees into PvP in Lich King… arguably too well.

Druids overall have a strong niche. We are at a little bit of a crossroads with the Tree of Life however. We are currently wondering if druids sacrifice too much just to be as good as a healer as everyone else. What I mean is that if druids were good healers in caster form but great healers in Tree form, then there might be a decision there. However, we pretty much assume that healing druids are in Tree form nearly all of the time and balance around that. We don’t think it would be fair for them to be the best healers just for taking that talent.

In addition to having to give up utility in order to heal as a Tree of Life, we have become less enamored with druids locking themselves into one form. In fact, you really never see the basic tauren or night elf druid form (you know, the one that actually shows off the awesome armor art) because all druids are in cat, bear, tree, or moonkin form nearly 100% of the time. I’m not saying we would just cut Tree of Life from the game. It’s been around awhile and for better or worse, it’s part of World of Warcraft now. However, we could see taking the druid in a direction where shifting was much more common and easy to do. Maybe you only go into tree form for certain spells but leave for other spells — this didn’t work previously because of the high cost of shifting, but in the absence of power shifting, we’d love to get rid of the costs completely. Another way to go would be to make Tree of Life form a cooldown, more like Metamorphosis. You shift into tree when you need a healing boost, but you don’t stay in it all the time. Now, I am totally waving my arms here. This is not the kind of change you are going to see in the next patch. But it is something we’re thinking about long term, and the kind of thinking we’d love to have more feedback on from the community.

Note to other healers: this is why you are unlikely to see any kind of “Holy form” ever. Giving up healing to do damage works okay. Giving up everything to heal is lame.

No! Up yours GC, just NO! If I had wanted to be a night elf caster healer, I’d have kept my fucking priest!  I’m a druid, I have forms. I LIKE my forms. That’s WHY I rolled a druid. What do I care if I can’t friggin MOONFIRE in tree form??  What kind of stupid logic is that? Ok, priests can cast offensive spells in heal spec. Good for them! But assuming they’re in full healing gear how much damage are they REALLY doing? Huh? That’s IF they hit at all for Elune’s sake. I don’t see hit on healing gear! If I’m throwing moonfire and wrath as a healer, I’m wasting my mana. What exactly am I sacrificing in tree form? Ability to defend myself in PvP? Pshh, no. Even if I could DPS I’m still gonna die when I get jumped by any damage dealing class.

If I want to DPS…guess what?? I have another spec and form for that shit.

I am NOT a RESTO PRIEST!! And I don’t want to be!

Leave my Leaves Alone!!