So, starting over (more or less) on a new Realm, and I’m thinking about being the healer of our group. I have a 61 Priest that I leveled almost exclusively through the Dungeon Finder. I had a blast healing with him and wouldn’t mind doing it again. However, the game and the classes have changed since I played a healer (> 1 year ago).

So, which healer class would work best for someone who will be healing Dungeons, and maybe the occasional 10-man? Does it matter?

A handful of us (4, maybe 5) are looking to move to a new server/realm. We’re fairly casual, looking to run dungeons and maybe a raid here or there. No PvP. We play on Alliance.

We’re not necessarily looking for a guild, but we want a Realm with a decent population, good economy, etc.

Any suggestions?

Day 03 — A class you’re awful at playing?

I don’t think I’m awful at any particular class. At least, I haven’t been told that I am.

There are some classes, however, that I don’t really care for. Druids and Warlocks mostly. In my 6+ years of playing, I’ve never been able to get into playing either of them. I have a level 27 druid that I haven’t played in years. That’s the highest I’ve gotten either of those classes, and I have no motivation to play either of them now.

Since I don’t see any ‘Classes you’re good at’ type topics in this challenge thing, I’ll go into that now. So sit down and shut up.

The year was aught-four and there was a new game in town. The gang was sick of the old rigmarole, so we tied our yellow onions on our belts - which was the style at the time - and mosied over to this fancy new Azeroth place….

Wait. What was I talking about?

Oh, classes I’m good at.

Well, I was told on several occasions that I was a good Priest. I tanked pretty well on my Warrior. It’s hard to say, really. Usually if you’re doing a good job, things go smoothly. And my friends haven’t stopped grouping with me, so I can’t be that bad.

I think it’s like everything else in my life: I don’t really exceed at any one thing in particular. I’m good at several things. A jack of all trades.

Day 2 - The biggest jerk you’ve dealt with (in game)?

I don’t really remember any one person in particular. I have had my share of random jerks in random dungeons. You know, the tank who can’t hold aggro and blames the healer and dps; the dps that decides to pull their own shit; the healer that ass-pulls the next room and runs around like a chicken with their head cut off, while yelling at the tank to get it off….

I’ve had some horrible groups and I’ve had some amazing groups. Dungeon Finder is like a box of chocolates.

I’ve had some guild drama, but nothing major. I guess I’ve gotten of easy in this regard.

Day 1 - My First Character

My first character was a Night Elf Rogue.

/engage Nostalgia Train

I started about a month after Vanilla release. I remember when 1 gold was an obscenely vast amount of money. I remember when I couldn’t wait to be able to use the Required Level 13 dagger that someone had given me. I remember my first hippogryph flight from Rut’theran Village to Auberdine…. It’s kind of funny because I didn’t think I would have those ‘newb’ moments in WoW, after having played Everquest for 4+ years. I was wrong.

/end Nostalgia Train

This was my main character for a while, though I had a Hunter and a Mage (Ernst, whom I mentioned previously) that I played often as well. The rogue was my main until I got him to 27, I think, then he went on the shelf. Then over the years I’d play once in a while. Right now he’s level 70 on the Horde side. I may switch him back to Alliance; my buddy is having fun playing his Rogue.

Besides, I’ve had that character for… what, seven years now? I think I owe it to him to get him to the level cap.

The triple experience bonus kicked in, but I’m not sure it’s making that much of a difference while doing regular noob quests.

The character on my main account has heirloom gear. I can counteract that by playing my recruited account and just skipping a few of the more annoying collection quests on my main account.

However, there’s a couple issues:

1. It sucks playing a character without heirloom items. I never realized how much they help; I’ve always used them since I’ve had them available. Even if they don’t exactly fit. i.e., the cloth robe on leather classes.
2. Skipping quests runs the risk of missing out on quest chains.

So I think my best bet is to get my friend to run my lowbies through dungeons as often as possible. I have 5 free levels I can grant to a character on my main account, but unless I get my recruited character higher level, they won’t do much good.

I’m very excited about the Monk class being introduced in Mists of Pandaria.

I used to play Everquest before I came to WoW, and the Monk was one of my favorite classes. Pure DPS, Monks were a valuable member of a group, mostly for their pulling abilities. The Monk (buffed with Spirit of Wolf) would run out and grab a mob. As s/he was coming in, the tank would tag the mob with an arrow and the monk would Feign Death. Bam. Instant aggro transfer. Wait a few seconds for the tank to build enough aggro, the Monk would get back up and unleash a fury of fists and feet.

The Silent Badass is one of my favorite archetypes in books, movies, TV, etc. The quiet and unassuming person (which I usually am) just wants to go about their business. But when shit hits the fan, they become a vicious but disciplined agent of destruction.

A good example of this is Zatoichi. I’ve only seen the 2003 version, but it’s one of my favorite movies. An old man comes to a village to offer his skills as a masseur, but the tyranny of local gangs forces him to protect the innocent villagers.

Adventure; heh. Excitement; heh. A Jedi craves not these things.

On top of this, Blizzard seems to be taking the Monk class to interesting places. I wouldn’t have thought of making them healers and tanks, but it makes perfect sense. Monks are peaceful, and stoic. Loving compassion is certainly a powerful force that heals those nearby. Their flawless discipline and physical training would make them adept at avoiding and shrugging off attacks. And then of course their mastery of martial arts is indisputable.

I’ve wanted Monks in World of Warcraft for a long time. I think my first Monk will be a Gnome.

Assistant Professor Ernst

Level 85 Worgen Mage

as of 2012-01-27

My flagship character. He was the second character I ever made (the first is long gone still around, actually, but on Horde side) and started out as a Gnome Mage. I don’t remember if he was my first 85, but he definitely has the most achievements, best gear, highest professions, and most raiding experience. Also, my favorite name for any of my characters.

I recruited myself.

No, I’m not really a ForeverAlone. But that’s another melancholy-filled post.

I have my laptop set up on my desk so I can follow myself around and get the triple experience bonus from the Recruit-a-Friend promotion. I’m still waiting for my recruited account to be upgraded to a full account. 

I’m tempted to do the RAF again, so I can park the two recruited accounts inside the door of a dungeon and clear it out with my Main account.

Don’t judge me.

I just hate level grinding new characters. It’s moderately fun at the beginning, when the character has that “New Class” smell, but before you know it, the back seat is full of discarded fast food containers and your mechanic’s sick of hearing about your problems.

So I want to make this as painless as possible. The only classes I’ve never really played into the higher levels are Shaman, Druid, and Warlock; I’ve never gotten any past 30.

So there you go. That’s my weekend.