Social commentary aside, there is a shortage of "tank/heal" specs in the game.
TLDR: The game is built around a Healer:Tank:DPS comp of 1:1:3. Currently we have 6 tank specs, 6 healer specs, 24 DPS specs which puts us at 1:1:4.
Personally, I've leveled 5 classes to 120 and a 6th in the 100+ range. 4 of my 5 120's have either tank or heal specs. The reason they got leveled first is because I could go into one of those specs to get into instances quickly. I believe if we had more tank and heal specs available we would have better Q times and overall role balance in the game.
Part of the problem is our few "pure" classes. Rogue, Mage, Hunter, Warlock. These classes ONLY have DPS specs.
I think in the near future, rather than adding new classes, we should add additional specs to these hybrid classes that offer them heal or tank roles. If that were done, say hunter/lock gain tank specs and mage/rogue gain healer specs, it would bring the ratio of roles up to the magic 1:1:3 number across the game.
These are my suggestions.
Hunter: Master Trainer (Tank)
Similar to Beast master with a focus on the pet. Reduced DPS "shots" and increased pet buff abilities. An additional misdirection option. The general gameplay would be that you send in your pet as the tank, you stand back and use your shots to impact the pets threat and mitigation and you scrape targets and send them back to the pet with your misdirection abilities.
Mage: Time Mage (healer)
Time magic for heals would work mechanically similarly to Monk's mitigation, in that you would be casting spells that "roll back time" on the target, taking the damage they've taken in that time and removing it. However, there would be a "painful memory" that was essentially X% of that damage converted into a DoT. The mastery could effect what % of that damage was converted to the memory and/or the dot duration. Additional mechanics could involve attack speed slows you can cast on the mobs, a "time cures all wounds" cooldown that wipes the Painful Memory dot, and possibly advanced CC options compared to other healers.
Warlock: Master Summoner (tank)
Similar to the hunter option but with most of your utility spells being focused around summoning support demons that, in some way, help your primary demon. You can have demons that sacrifice themselves and heal the tank, or that function as a misdirection mechanic. i.e. a mob wandered into the healer, you send a felhound that attacks that mob and all the damage it does is applied to the primary demon. Or for mitigation, some 1 time taunt void walkers. You summon one and it has low HP, pops a taunt on the mob which distracts it from the tank demon for a brief time which, in turn, acts as a damage mitigation for the tank demon.
Rogue: Alchemist (healer)
I'll admit right up front, this is a stretch as far as class fantasy, but I still think it's a neat idea and it would be a lot easier to deal with than an avoidance tank. The alchemist is a rogue that's gone down the deep end on poisons and alchemy. They would still be in the thick of things, melee DPS (low) with a focus on debuff poisons for the targets that help reduce incomming dmg on the party. Big heals would come in the form of "injections" that were melee range (so, useful for tanks/melee DPS that take most of the hurt). Additional heals in the form of flasks of various concoctions that you throw. They land, create a cloud that has a HoT or instant heal effect. Additionally, the "Oh !@#$" button would be a friendly target shadowstep. You are up in the thick, the mage has a mob or just took some nasty mechanic, and you need to get a big boy heal off (which is melee range...) you shadowstep to the player, inject htem, then get back in the fray.
These are just suggestions, but I believe that balancing the roles available in the game to the magic 1:1:3 ratio would have a positive impact on the game in general.
I had a bonus for DPS'ing a heroic the other day.
Was nice.
Was nice.
There are people who only dps on pallys, druids, and monks that refuse to switch when a role needs to be filled even though their class can fill that role.
This change wouldn't do anything this help this issue.
Also currently they have a difficult time balancing the tanks they already have, this would only add to this issue.
This change wouldn't do anything this help this issue.
Also currently they have a difficult time balancing the tanks they already have, this would only add to this issue.
10/30/2018 06:22 AMPosted by StripendellaThere are people who only dps on pallys, druids, and monks that refuse to switch when a role needs to be filled even though their class can fill that role.
This change wouldn't do anything this help this issue.
Also currently they have a difficult time balancing the tanks they already have, this would only add to this issue.
It might help, while there are people who play classes which can fill the tank/heal role and only dps. I'm sure there are so players who prefer to main a warlock / hunter who would love to have a tank spec focused around their pets. For healers I'm not sure how mage / rogue would fit in the mix that well, but I'm certain players would welcome the chance who main these pure dps classes to have options now.
Very creative! I like it. Especially the idea of the Time Mage rolling back damage.
But I don't think that just having new specs alone will solve the issue because I believe tank/healer problem comes down to 2 things. Fear and boredom. Keep in mind that these are only my opinions in regard to people that DON'T want to do these roles! For those that do currently enjoy tank/heal in WoW, none of this applies:
1) Tank = FEAR. People don't want to be attacked by their group for having less than perfect execution. Tanks have to know their way through the dungeons. Tanks have to set the pace. Tanks have to KNOW THE FIGHT (swaps, etc) and cannot hide if they are feeling less confident. And tanks currently have a similar tanking style. If a new style could be developed and advertised (like having a tank that automatically draws and keeps all aggro but has to use lots of abilities to not get melted), it would be a huge help.
2) Healer = Boredom. People want their time in a dungeon to be exciting. They don't want to be a healbot. The way healers are set up now, their non-healing skills are pretty dry. If healing could have a new style developed, it would make things a lot more interesting. Remember in that old game Rift? They had a Chloromage or something. Their judicious use of DPS DoTs and direct damage is what healed the party. Challenging but a lot of fun!
TL;DR: If new specs were developed for tank/heal that also use a new style, it would draw in more people to tank/heal.
But I don't think that just having new specs alone will solve the issue because I believe tank/healer problem comes down to 2 things. Fear and boredom. Keep in mind that these are only my opinions in regard to people that DON'T want to do these roles! For those that do currently enjoy tank/heal in WoW, none of this applies:
1) Tank = FEAR. People don't want to be attacked by their group for having less than perfect execution. Tanks have to know their way through the dungeons. Tanks have to set the pace. Tanks have to KNOW THE FIGHT (swaps, etc) and cannot hide if they are feeling less confident. And tanks currently have a similar tanking style. If a new style could be developed and advertised (like having a tank that automatically draws and keeps all aggro but has to use lots of abilities to not get melted), it would be a huge help.
2) Healer = Boredom. People want their time in a dungeon to be exciting. They don't want to be a healbot. The way healers are set up now, their non-healing skills are pretty dry. If healing could have a new style developed, it would make things a lot more interesting. Remember in that old game Rift? They had a Chloromage or something. Their judicious use of DPS DoTs and direct damage is what healed the party. Challenging but a lot of fun!
TL;DR: If new specs were developed for tank/heal that also use a new style, it would draw in more people to tank/heal.
In vanilla we had 1 tank class and we had a tank shortage.
In TBC we had 3 tank classes and we had a tank shortage.
In Wrath and Cata we had 4 tank classes and we had a tank shortage.
In MoP and WoD we had 5 tank classes and we had a tank shortage.
In Legion and BfA we had 6 tank classes and we had a tank shortage.
Healing classes were 4 until MoP then 5.
It's quite obvious all 12 classes could have a tank spec and we would still have a tank shortage.
In TBC we had 3 tank classes and we had a tank shortage.
In Wrath and Cata we had 4 tank classes and we had a tank shortage.
In MoP and WoD we had 5 tank classes and we had a tank shortage.
In Legion and BfA we had 6 tank classes and we had a tank shortage.
Healing classes were 4 until MoP then 5.
It's quite obvious all 12 classes could have a tank spec and we would still have a tank shortage.
I have a tank spec but I only use it when something in the world kills me so I switch specs and cuss it out while I slowly kill it.
I could tank dungeons but I don't really care to.
I could tank dungeons but I don't really care to.
the problem is that healers and tanks cant do equivalent damage to DPS. that, coupled with weak class/spec fantasy makes it so people don't want to play tank.
if everyone could do equivalent DPS and have similar killing effectiveness, i'd be playing my prot warrior. unfortunately, he's not viable in PVP because his damage is weak. folks want to play the same spec in PVE and PVP both solo and group and be effective. Fix that problem and you'll see more tanks/healers
if everyone could do equivalent DPS and have similar killing effectiveness, i'd be playing my prot warrior. unfortunately, he's not viable in PVP because his damage is weak. folks want to play the same spec in PVE and PVP both solo and group and be effective. Fix that problem and you'll see more tanks/healers
There are a few reasons a shortage exists.
As players play the game they have less reason to go back to lower levels of game play. At this point in the expansion most good tanks and healers aren't going to bother with lower mythic+ dungeons or raids. They have gear, they have no reason to do low end content.
Another reason is difficulty of play and responsibility. Tank and healers have a higher burden than anyone when it comes to doing content. The learning curve for these players far exceeds that of dps. They need to know more about dungeons/raids in general. A bad healer or tank is easily apparent.
And finally the third reason is people generally don't treat tanks/healers very kindly when things go bad. Lots of players expect tanks and healers to carry them. Even when a healer or tank is playing well it's not uncommon to see ignorant dps players assume the healer/tank are garbage and gang up on them. Sometimes even the tank and healer aren't very nice to one another.
As players play the game they have less reason to go back to lower levels of game play. At this point in the expansion most good tanks and healers aren't going to bother with lower mythic+ dungeons or raids. They have gear, they have no reason to do low end content.
Another reason is difficulty of play and responsibility. Tank and healers have a higher burden than anyone when it comes to doing content. The learning curve for these players far exceeds that of dps. They need to know more about dungeons/raids in general. A bad healer or tank is easily apparent.
And finally the third reason is people generally don't treat tanks/healers very kindly when things go bad. Lots of players expect tanks and healers to carry them. Even when a healer or tank is playing well it's not uncommon to see ignorant dps players assume the healer/tank are garbage and gang up on them. Sometimes even the tank and healer aren't very nice to one another.
I'm wondering why they don't add classes that can only heal or tank.
Or classes that have multiple tank/heal specs.
I.e., tinker class has 2 tank specs, 1 dps spec.
Or classes that have multiple tank/heal specs.
I.e., tinker class has 2 tank specs, 1 dps spec.
We do not need any more tank or heal specs.
The shortage of tanks and healers has nothing to do with the lack (or not) of specs.
It is just player preferences. Many do not like to and never will play tank or heals, regardless of the number of specs available. I am one of those. I am just a dps player only.
The shortage of tanks and healers has nothing to do with the lack (or not) of specs.
It is just player preferences. Many do not like to and never will play tank or heals, regardless of the number of specs available. I am one of those. I am just a dps player only.
These are real fun ideas but I don't think the current tank shortage is because there aren't enough tanks, I think it's just a mix of "hard" (mostly pressure and expectation of knowledge) and "boring" (unless you're pushing content it's not all too difficult).
The act of tanking has to change before people will want to sign up for this role.
The act of tanking has to change before people will want to sign up for this role.
Personally I'd like to see them add a second heal/tank spec to existing tanks and healers. Currently only priests have two options for support which offers a lot of flexibility and safety from poor class balance, I'd like to have a second healing spec to switch between.
Basically druids should have 6 specs is what I'm saying.
Basically druids should have 6 specs is what I'm saying.
10/30/2018 09:51 AMPosted by AarschottWe do not need any more tank or heal specs.
The shortage of tanks and healers has nothing to do with the lack (or not) of specs.
It is just player preferences. Many do not like to and never will play tank or heals, regardless of the number of specs available. I am one of those. I am just a dps player only.
And how does adding additional and different flavors of tank/heal not offer more options for "player preference" ? I personally love tanking already, of my 120s, I have DH, Pal, Mnk, and druid and I enjoy tanking on all of them, though primarily the paladin. That said, I can see how the playstyle of being a tank can be off putting. The hunter/warlock options I proposed are a totally different flavor of tank, a ranged tank of sorts. More of a battlefield commander role where you sit back and command your pet and watch the field and react. I can see that being appealing to more people.
I recognize that some people just dont' like to tank or heal, and this wouldn't force them to. However, adding 'more' options for tanks/healers can only improve the ratio of people actively playing tank/healer roles. I'm not positing that it would completely rectify it.
However... in total class balance right now, Hunters are one of the most played classes, and a large portion of those hunters enjoy the Beast Mastery aspect of the class, of those folks, I imagine a number of them would really enjoy the tank role focused on their pets and being that master trainer. That alone would help sway the balance.
I imagine the same to be true of warlocks. Those two options feed well into a specific side of the class fantasy for those classes, which I think would help considerably.