Is the problem with shadow actually a problem with shadow or the context shadow exists in?
The two real complaints I see about spriests is that people don't like the void theme and that their ramp up design makes them struggle to be relevant in content with super short fights.
With the light vs void direction Blizzard has gone with the story, I think the void theme is here to stay and it is what it is.
As for the ramp up mechanics, on one hand that is a problem but on the other hand the double ramp feels very 'melty' and I don't see a lot of people saying the mechanics are bad just that the mechanics are unfortunate on non-raid content.
Is the problem the spriest mechanics themselves or is the problem actually that priests are a single dps spec class that isn't super generic mechanically? Would the problem basically go away if there was a second priest dps spec that didn't operate on ramp up mechanics?
I think a lot of people would actually really want a light based dps spec. Especially if the spec is specifically designed to counter balance spriest by having mechanics to allow it to blow its load. Give it a rogue/monk like energy bar that starts full and passively refills, and they seek to blow the energy bar to build secondary resource points and then blow those points. Basically being operating on a double burst system to counterbalance the double ramp system of shadow.
There are already a ton of holy based spell animations between priests and paladins already, so they could easily crib all the animations from those classes. The color of the holy spells is unique enough that they could likely get away with stealing and recoloring some balance druid animations in a pinch, like that sustained ion cannon looking talent druids have but never take.
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I've wanted a Light RDPS class since I started playing WoW. But it's been so long and there's been so many opportunities to create one, that as this point I don't think it'll ever actually happen.
Holy RDPS (and Astromancer) are the two classes I always look for in an MMORPG, I havent found an MMO with a Holy (not fire) RDPS yet. Blizzard should really give us at least talents to do so (atonement no longer heals but increases your holy damage), there is lore for it, and there is a reason. Come on blizz, you know you want it too
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closest you ever came is a vanilla disc/holy priest spam smiting in PVP / open PVE content.. lmao
02/15/2018 03:18 AMPosted by Teyflonclosest you ever came is a vanilla disc/holy priest spam smiting in PVP / open PVE content.. lmao
Holy DPS was viable on some fights in T14, most notably Tsulong. I think some people tried it out on Windlord as well.
IIRC Rift had a ranged holy spell dpser called the inquisitor.
But to answer the OP: No, changing the damage type from shadow to holy would not âFixâ shadow priest. The entire spec design is flawed except for most content outside of Raid Bosses. By my definition that makes the mechanics bad. That said, Iâve seen some people make it work.
IMO, for lore reasons Itâs important that there are priests focused on the shadow.
How would you design a ranged holy dps spec that had itâs own unique mechanics? And how would you differentiate it from say, a mage other than it just having a different damage type? Curious to hear your ideas.
But to answer the OP: No, changing the damage type from shadow to holy would not âFixâ shadow priest. The entire spec design is flawed except for most content outside of Raid Bosses. By my definition that makes the mechanics bad. That said, Iâve seen some people make it work.
IMO, for lore reasons Itâs important that there are priests focused on the shadow.
How would you design a ranged holy dps spec that had itâs own unique mechanics? And how would you differentiate it from say, a mage other than it just having a different damage type? Curious to hear your ideas.
Was it last xpac or before where Mind Spike was a thing? I remember it being the 'fast' gameplay style and the other talents being the 'slow' style. I know it didn't work out perfectly, but I think that was their idea in the past, to give Shadow two gameplay styles (but then they messed up and gutted every class/spec).
I'd love a Light DPS spec, but I think for Shadow they could weave in another style with talents again.
I'd love a Light DPS spec, but I think for Shadow they could weave in another style with talents again.
02/15/2018 01:57 PMPosted by Whitebolts
How would you design a ranged holy dps spec that had itâs own unique mechanics? And how would you differentiate it from say, a mage other than it just having a different damage type? Curious to hear your ideas.
I think any new spec or class that's introduced has to have a unique rhythm to its gameplay. That's what I think the current devs really lack, that ability and understanding to create flowing gameplay in classes. A lot of it feels generic across the board, and that lack of creativity manifests itself through excessive RNG, abilities through items, etc. (if you don't know how to make something fun, then pad it out with numbers and time investment instead, right?).
It also makes things like Disc stand out in comparison since it's not so normal compared to the others.
In any case, Light DPS spec...I think the flow of it should be faster-paced like Disc. I personally like mini-ramp up styles (one or two abilities empower another, nuke with it fast, repeat) so I guess I'd make something that goes with that. Like Smites/whatever power up Holy Fire. It's kind like the old Paladin style of powering up Shield of the Righteous.
Shadow in comparison is really about drawn-out nukes. The "nuke" in a sense is Void Form, which needs time to complete and take advantage of. A regular nuke is like, you just nuke and that's it, done, repeat fast.
Thematic issues are the least of this spec's problems right now. I'm not saying it's a bad idea, just that it wouldn't fix shadow.
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02/15/2018 03:20 PMPosted by MhezzoI think any new spec or class that's introduced has to have a unique rhythm to its gameplay. That's what I think the current devs really lack, that ability and understanding to create flowing gameplay in classes. A lot of it feels generic across the board, and that lack of creativity manifests itself through excessive RNG, abilities through items, etc.
Not that I entirely disagree, but it seems odd to make this point in a thread about Priest DPS when Shadow is arguably the most unique DPS spec. Builder -> spender variations are very common, but no one else has the same builder -> sustain mechanic.
It's not a viable choice anymore, but Surrender to Madness is unquestionably the most unique talent in the game.
02/15/2018 08:38 PMPosted by KashirNot that I entirely disagree, but it seems odd to make this point in a thread about Priest DPS when Shadow is arguably the most unique DPS spec. Builder -> spender variations are very common, but no one else has the same builder -> sustain mechanic.
It's not a viable choice anymore, but Surrender to Madness is unquestionably the most unique talent in the game.
Uniqueness is something to value, but not at the expense of usefulness. I'd rather be functional than different.
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Blizzard has put RDPS into two categories seems: ramp/nuke and maintain/proc. If we are looking for something different, maybe a combo point system?
I know we had holy power for a while and I'm sure it has fans and haters alike, but that could work for a holy RDPS.
I know we had holy power for a while and I'm sure it has fans and haters alike, but that could work for a holy RDPS.
02/16/2018 07:08 AMPosted by AnomandaraBlizzard has put RDPS into two categories seems: ramp/nuke and maintain/proc. If we are looking for something different, maybe a combo point system?
I know we had holy power for a while and I'm sure it has fans and haters alike, but that could work for a holy RDPS.
Please no combo points for shadowâif they did holy like you said OK. Loved ret until combo system. Too many combo point specs in game.
02/15/2018 08:38 PMPosted by Kashir02/15/2018 03:20 PMPosted by MhezzoI think any new spec or class that's introduced has to have a unique rhythm to its gameplay. That's what I think the current devs really lack, that ability and understanding to create flowing gameplay in classes. A lot of it feels generic across the board, and that lack of creativity manifests itself through excessive RNG, abilities through items, etc.
Not that I entirely disagree, but it seems odd to make this point in a thread about Priest DPS when Shadow is arguably the most unique DPS spec. Builder -> spender variations are very common, but no one else has the same builder -> sustain mechanic.
It's not a viable choice anymore, but Surrender to Madness is unquestionably the most unique talent in the game.
Nothing within Shadow is unique. It is no different than our original rotation with the addition to two new spells & one of them is a rip off of mind flay with double rays. We were already in shdowform & now we have to even further by changing forms again to what looks like our original shadowform. *yawn* S2M to me was not worth taking as I am not into high end raiding. I wouldn't use that in PVP or out in the world so it is not even viable for the casual player.
Just about all dps classes have this same type of mechanic. They look different but rogues have to maintain energy/point system, mages need to maintain mana, warlocks maintain shards & warriors can't do anything without rage. So your point is moot.
02/16/2018 08:04 AMPosted by Soulpresit02/16/2018 07:08 AMPosted by AnomandaraBlizzard has put RDPS into two categories seems: ramp/nuke and maintain/proc. If we are looking for something different, maybe a combo point system?
I know we had holy power for a while and I'm sure it has fans and haters alike, but that could work for a holy RDPS.
Please no combo points for shadowâif they did holy like you said OK. Loved ret until combo system. Too many combo point specs in game.
Yeah I meant for a holy spec, not to change shadow to that.
Iâd be interested to have a light based DPS spec. It would be exceptionally interesting if it used ranged weapons kind of with a KyĆ«dĆ (Japanese archery) theme.
Personally I'd like to see a sliding aspect system similar to what balance druids used to have. A spec where you start ramping up as holy, burning through all your holy energy until you start back cycling into shadow / void to ramp up until you blow out resources and slide in the other direction again. I'm not familiar with priest lore, but it seems like discipline is supposed to be a hybrid system - demonstrating the discipline to control both sides of the spectrum.
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Ohhhh a light dps spec would be really awesome :o
Please blizzard, make a 4th spec for priest to be a RDPS light caster! I beg you
yeah, they did the âcombo pointâ system to shadow a few xpacs ago⊠it was called shadow orbs⊠it suckedâŠit got replaced⊠we moved on