Circle of Healers blog meme (starring Fabulor)


I was delighted to see I had been tagged by Kamalia to partake in the Circle of Healers v2 blog meme! I don't talk about healing much, so I wasn't really expecting anyone to tag me, but I was secretly hoping someone would. :D Thanks Kamalia!

1. What is the name, class, and spec of your primary healer?
Khyron, Discipline Priest, 85 (non-Smite build).
FABULOR, Holy Paladin EXTRAORDINAIRE, 53.

2. What is your primary group healing environment?
Heroics, 10-man Raids, occasional Arena match.
Most of my time is spent blessing strangers with my glorious presence in the interminable hell that is the Dungeon Finder. Incidentally, these miscreants all walk away happier as the recipients of my own special buff, Blessing of Fabulor.

3. What is your favorite healing spell for your class and why?
Penance, for its speed, efficiency, and role as my "CRAP NEED HEALS NOW" spell, though the way it turns you to face your target can be quite annoying. Prayer of Mending is also a fave. Instant casts FTW!
Why, Holy Shock of course. With an idle wave of my hand, my grunting, sweaty meat shield (calm yourselves, ladies, I'm talking about the Tank) is healed. Or a mere narrowing of my eyes reduces my fleeing Dark Iron foe to radiant ash. The Holy Power I receive is also marvelous, and really makes my skin glow even in the deepest and dankest dungeons.

4. What healing spell do you use least for your class and why?
Renew. The only time I use it is when I'm running back from a wipe, or when I wanted to keep up my Jar of Ancient Remedies stacks between pulls. :P As for why? Not very good, waste of mana.
Probably Fabulor's Hand of I Suppose I'll Save You From Certain Death. It's simply not necessary yet, as a few regular heals (coupled with violent eye-rolling, of course) is more than enough to benevolently save an overeager DPS.

5. What do you feel is the biggest strength of your healing class and why?
Mana efficiency - I basically never run out of mana in any fight unless I'm forced to do unusual amounts of raid healing, or am forced to spam Flash Heals to keep a tank up (in which case something else has already gone wrong, such as another healer going down). Furthermore, I have mana Hymn, Shadowfiend, and Inner Focus all helping to further alleviate mana woes. Having three instants is also very nice (Prayer of Mending, PW:S, Penance).
I would say being able to engage in pleasant conversation with my adoring public while effortlessly keeping a ragtag band of would-be heroes alive, despite their best efforts to kill themselves by hurtling face-first into bands of savage ghouls. I would almost fall asleep on my feet in early dungeons, simply rotating Holy Shock and Word of Glory. And once I received Beacon of Light? My job has become even easier. I just Holy Light people at random and admire how well these pants look on me..

6. What do you feel is the biggest weakness of your healing class and why?
Raid healing! Disc CAN do it, but it's definitely not our forte, and I find that to do it effectively I have to stack more +Spirit than I would normally, or else find myself on vapors near the end of the fight. Disc's primary tools just aren't that useful for raid healing, especially if we're not able to regain mana from Rapture.
None. I am completely awesome. Though, I suppose the mocking nature of Plate Specialization can be tiresome, considering Intellect plate is all but non-existent so far. Sorry little Mage, but I need those silky spellpower robes adorning my flawless body!

7. In a 2510 man raiding environment, what do you feel, in general, is the best healing assignment for you?
As described above, Tank healing. Disc is so pleasantly strong when focusing on a single target.
(Fabulor is busy admiring his reflection in a mirror)

8. What healing class do you enjoy healing with most and why?
I've always liked healing with Druids, as the combination of HoTs and shields has always struck me as a nice synergy, and they provide the great raid healing that my Disc toolbox lacks. It's really the same with Shamans, too.
(Fabulor is tossing his hair over his shoulder repeatedly. Somehow, it is in slow motion.)

9. What healing class do you enjoy healing with least and why?
I don't really *dislike* healing with any other class, but pairing with another Disc Priest requires us to coordinate PW:S usage, in addition to being slightly weak on raid heals. It's certainly doable, and it's not as bad as it was in Wrath, but it's still less than ideal.
(Fabulor is gone. In his place is a note that reads "Gone for babes.")

10. What is your worst habit as a healer?
Using all of my abilities. I will often end a fight with Power Infusion unused, because I always want to "save it" for those dire, panic situations. I also don't use Greater/Flash Heal quite as much as I should, as I sometimes try to be a bit too economical with my mana, even when it's not necessary or not the best decision. I also sometimes try to use Binding Heal on a low health bar and not realize it's my own, so nothing happens, which sometimes temporarily disrupts my concentration.
I tend to hold onto my precious Holy Power stacks, just in case I need to unleash an amazing Word of Glory to save the day. Additionally, sometimes I like to /flex my martial might and hang out in melee, Judging and throwing Crusader Strikes because I am a Blood Elf of action. And well, sometimes monsters have the nerve to use an AoE silence spell, temporarily depriving me from my luscious Holy abilities. It is during these times that I unleash Fabulor's Glare of Peeved Impatience.

11. What is your biggest pet peeve in a group environment while healing?
In a Heroic - The usual faults - Tanks who don't wait for mana or want to go faster than the group can manage, DPS who pull threat, MAGES WHO DON'T GIVE ME CAKE, etc. Depending on my mood, I either embrace these as a thrilling challenge, or I just let them die repeatedly until they ragequit or adjust.
In a Raid - As someone who is normally a DPS, pulling threat repeatedly is entirely unacceptable to me, especially if it's a player with threat dumps who doesn't use them, expecting the Tank or Heals to save them. I will usually toss them a single PW:S and verbally warn them to watch their threat, and if they don't, they die. I have better things to do with my mana than waste it on people who can't be bothered to regulate their threat.
The Warrior/Rogue/Hunter buffoons who steal my Intellect loot, and then "can't figure out" how to trade it to me after I point out how utterly useless it is to them. There was one Warrior in an Uldaman run who took not one, but TWO Intellect bracers, in a row! He did eventually hand one over to me. It was the one that would have been more useful to him, but I suppose Impatient Handsome Paladins Forced to Deal with Oafs cannot be choosers.

12. Do you feel that your class/spec is well balanced with other healers for PvE healing?
Absolutely. If I were picking classes and specs for a raid and had every option available, Disc Priest would basically always included. It has mana efficiency, strong direct heals, can help out others regain mana, mitigation cooldowns...it has it all.
I have heard that Paladins are OP. To that I say, OBVIOUSLY! Do you think FABULOR would be anything but? How droll.

13. What tools do you use to evaluate your own performance as a healer?
The usual responses - "Did we win?" and "Did people die?" are always the most important factors. Next up is if I ran out of mana, and if I remembered to use all my cooldowns. Then I look at overhealing and think back on how much damage I could have prevented during the fight - did I stand in fire? Could I have Life Gripped someone out of fire? Were there times when a predictable damage spike came up, and did my Tank still have Weakened Soul, meaning I had not properly planned ahead for the spike?
Am I still alive? If the answer is yes, VICTORY! I suppose it's helpful if my servants, I mean, LFG party members are also still breathing, but I consider it a bonus.

14. What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about your healing class?
That two Disc Priests cannot coexist. It's definitely true that there is some uncomfortable overlap with two Disc'ers, but it is completely doable. In my experience, it simply requires each Priest to be vigilant about who their healing responsibilities are, and to not step on each others' toes. It also requires cooldown coordination and other such precautions, but that is more of a general healing awareness than specific to the spec.
That simply because I can wear plate means that I am fine with horrible beasts gnawing on my face. First of all, I have one plate piece at the moment. I am as tender and soft underneath this cloth/leather gear as a newborn babe. I demand you protect my delicate flesh! Also, even if I CAN simply keep myself alive, it's tiresome and a bit of a chore. Sometimes it makes me sweat. How unseemly! /scoff

15. What do you feel is the most difficult thing for new healers of your class to learn?
The Shielding style. Unlike direct healers such as Paladins, Shield healing (or HoT healing) can really throw people for a loop. Direct healing makes perfect sense to many newcomers - the Tank takes damage, I heal the damage. But it can be quite difficult for some players to grasp the slightly different flow of Shield/HoT healing, where the person being healed doesn't immediately leap to full health. I see a tank at 50% health, I bubble them, then calmly roll some Heals on them to top them up. A newbie Disc Priest sees someone at 50% health? OMG GREATER HEAL / FLASH HEAL BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!!
Likely remembering to Judge, and how to do it regularly and without stumbling. This has never been a problem for me, because I judge people all the time - in combat, or out of it.

16. If someone were to try to evaluate your performance as a healer via recount, what sort of patterns would they see (i.e. lots of overhealing, low healing output, etc)?
They would see extremely low overhealing, solid (but not record shattering) healing output, wildly fluctuating cooldown usage, and low avoidable damage taken. I believe the most common spells used would be typical - PW:S, Prayer of Mending, Heal. I do use Prayer of Healing quite freely, perhaps more than is usual.
Before hitting the mid 40s, they would have seen an absurd abundance of Holy Shock and Word of Glory, as well as a fair share of Crusader Strikes and Exorcisms to break up the monotony. A lot of Judging, obviously. Lately the dungeons have been slightly harder, and I actually have to use Holy Light. I rarely have to ever use Flash of Light - maybe once or twice in a dungeon, at best.

17. Haste, Crit or Mastery, and why?
I've always been a fan of Haste, so I can churn out the Heals faster. Yes, it consumes mana faster, but I rarely worry about mana anyway. And more Heals -> More Shields -> more Rapture procs. Of course, now that healing crits hit for 200%, I've been thinking of focusing on more of a Crit-based build, since it works amazingly with Divine Aegis.
Mastery doesn't exist for me yet, and 75% of my healing spells are instant cast, so the answer is obviously Crit. Fabulor brings the big heals, baby.

18. What healing class do you feel you understand least?
Shamans, by far. The idea of being aware of your raid's positioning for Chain Heal is an entirely foreign concept for me - I am only used to thinking of range in terms of straight lines, not "chain" range. I also have no idea what their totems all do, and am always impressed they can remember what totem does what, and what totem does or does not stack with another player's buffs.
Druids. Why would anyone want to transform into that hulking, ugly monstrosity? I am appalled at very thought.

19. What add-ons or macros do you use, if any, to aid you in healing?
Vuhdo is my primary addon, and I use Power Auras to tell me about ability cooldowns, buff stacks (Evangelism, Jar of Ancient Remedies, etc). I think it's also important to note Deadly Boss Mods, for the timers - knowing when certain boss abilities or phases are coming up is absolutely essential for proper healing strategy, especially for Disc Priests, who don't simply react to damage after it's been dealt.
Vuhdo, especially the target-of-target bars and hostile keybinds, which allow me to simply click a bar to Judge rather than worry about targeting manually. Also, Power Auras - I have some custom auras that show me how much Holy Power I have.


20. Do you strive primarily for balance between your healing stats, or do you stack some much higher than others, and why?
Until now, I've aimed for a rough balance between Haste and Crit, with lower priority on Mastery. This isn't so much an intentional, logical balance as just a "feel" decision. I'm probably going to change it up to focus more on Crit, though. Also, I've been reforging out of Spirit, but given the state of Spirit gear in Firelands, I'm guessing this habit might be coming to an end.
There is no balance in pre-Outlands levels. There is only Intellect. I take whatever Haste or Crit I can get when they pop up, but Intellect is really the only factor so far.




Thanks again, Kam! I will tag Keredria of Tree of Life, Zinn of Jinxed Thoughts, and Liala of Disciplinary Action (the CREATOR of Fabulor!), all healer bloggers I greatly respect! (And who haven't done this yet. ;D)

9 Responses Subscribe to comments

  1. gravatar
    Rezznul

    "Fabulor is tossing his hair over his shoulder repeatedly. Somehow, it is in slow motion."

    Wonderful post! That SS of your Holy Power bar is great as well.

    July 12, 2011 at 4:24 PM

  2. gravatar
    Hana

    Is that really your holy power indicator for Fabulor? :O It makes perfect sense, but I think I'd drive myself crazy with that.

    July 12, 2011 at 4:28 PM

  3. gravatar
    Rades

    Hana, those really are my Holy Power auras! Haha. Keep in mind though Fabulor is still at low levels where the dungeon runs are extremely easy, so I can get away with a little silliness. :)

    July 12, 2011 at 4:37 PM

  4. gravatar
    Katherine

    Dear Fabulor,

    I am a huge fan *giggles*. I can't wait until you are 85 and can come run some dungeons with me. I assure you that lady 'meat shields' do not sweat, they merely glow.

    Love, Katherine (Prot Pally)

    July 12, 2011 at 6:11 PM

  5. gravatar
    Anonymous

    You're welcome!

    I knew about your Disc Priest, but I did not know about Fabulor! With Fabulor's flippant answers in that bright yellow, I almost missed Khyron's straight answers in white at first.
    Fabulor's Holy Power indicator made me ROFLMAO!

    July 12, 2011 at 8:16 PM

  6. gravatar
    Anonymous

    HIGHlarious! Fabulor was never so fabulous (well- not outside his own mind) until your personification. Thank you for the tag; I'm delighted to take up the torch.

    -Liala/DisciplinaryAction

    July 13, 2011 at 6:11 AM

  7. gravatar
    Shintar

    Blood elf paladins, what would we do without them...

    July 13, 2011 at 6:15 AM

  8. gravatar
    Anonymous

    Fabulor is hilarious, I laughed a lot. Consider me a fan as well!

    July 13, 2011 at 6:35 PM

  9. gravatar
    Sohei

    Love the repsonses. Brings back memories of Snottydin :D

    I've added you to my list of responses!

    July 13, 2011 at 9:36 PM