2nd AA Line

[-Freeman-]

<DIV>Hyas, name is Wintu, posted a few times, really would like some advise on AA lines, specifically which line should I go through next. I currently have 29 in the STR line to have "dog-dog" immune to AE's during raids. I primarily am a raid Mystic in the 1st group with the Main Tank. I have three AA's banked and am accumulating more. Any advise would be greatly appresciated.</DIV> <DIV>Thank you in advance!!</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Wintu Intime.</DIV> <DIV>Level 70 Mystic</DIV> <DIV>Mistmore Server</DIV> <DIV>Guild = Immortal Fellowship</DIV>

[Thatdumbg]

<div></div>My current AA setup (MT Mystic):<b>Prophet's Strength</b><b>4/8</b><div align="left"><b>1 </b></div> Leg Bite4/8<div align="left">1</div> Aura of Haste8/8<div align="left">1</div> Aura of Warding8/8<div align="left">1</div><i> Spiritual Foresight</i><i>1/1</i><div align="left"><i>8 </i></div> <b>Ritualist's Wisdom</b><b>4/8</b><div align="left"><b>1 </b></div> Ritual5/8<div align="left">1</div> Ritualistic Aggression8/8<div align="left">1</div> Ritual of Absolution0/8<div align="left">1</div><i> Ritual of Alacrity</i><i>0/1</i><div align="left"><i>8 </i></div> With aura of warding and t7 raid named/boss fights my pet heals for about 10-25% of what I do according to ACT (and I usually top the raid or I'm at least top 4). He also does about 100-150ish DPS on boss fights (sometimes abit higher, sometimes lower). 16 percent haste helps out the dirge in the group and my pet more then the MT, but it has group use as well.Heres What I'm looking at Speccing into:<b>Prophet's Strength</b><b>4/8</b><div align="left"><b>1 </b></div> Leg Bite4/8<div align="left">1</div> Aura of Haste8/8<div align="left">1</div> Aura of Warding8/8<div align="left">1</div><i> Spiritual Foresight</i><i>1/1</i><div align="left"><i>8 </i></div><b>Witchdoctor's Stamina</b><b>4/8</b><div align="left"><b>1 </b></div> Crippling Bash4/8<div align="left">1</div> Infective Bites4/8<div align="left">1</div> Herbal Expertise5/8<div align="left">1</div><i> Coagulate</i><i>0/1</i><div align="left"><i>8 </i></div>(or maybe 5 in infective bites and 4 in expertise)I give up the pet DPS and ritual (so a heal for 30 percent more every minute, which IS very nice on group heals etc), but I get back shield bash for grouping/soloing (although knockdowns have been nerfed), a pretty much always active 8-10% debuff to a mobs cast and recast times, and my half-second cures. I played around with Herbal Expertise alot before and really find myself missing it. My rationale is this: If I cast 4 cures a minute (and its often higher), then the AA has saved me 2 seconds. 2 seconds allows me another heal, torpor, debuff, etc... or 2 casts of my disease dot, which usually equals 50ish DPS anyhow (if not more). Not only that, but having that fear, mit debuff, stun, etc cured off the tank sooner adds up over time in terms of his hate gain, or his need to reposition, etc. Another benefit: If I'm very much on the ball I can cure my entire group of an effect just as fast as someone who isn't so on the ball with a group cure. That kind of utility is a huge asset in my book.I'm just parsing a few more fights with the pet as is (been doing it for about 2-3 weeks now) before I make the switch (although I'll probably do it very soon).Forgive the formatting as I just copied/pasted from my bio and apparently sony doesn't like its own html formatting?!?<div></div>

[Banditman]

I am typically in the MT group, I raid every night.I've spec'ed this way:Strength:4 / 4 / 4 / 8 / 1Intelligence:4 / 4 / 5 / 8Aura of Warding at Rank 8 is pretty spiffy.  It turns your pup into a healing machine, especially if there are unavoidable AE's going off.On the Intelligence line, Virulence drops *all* mob stats by 7.5% at Rank 5.  I wish I had more points to put in there.  Immunities at Rank 8 however is just awesome.  +800 to all non-physical resistances is *very* nice as it enables you (and your group) to do less gear switching when resistances are needed.If it weren't for Immunities, I'd probably have gone Stamina for Ineffective Bites Rank 8.  It's a very tempting choice.  My guild's Defiler is going down this line.I don't particularly like any of the final abilities, and only have Spiritual Foresight because my pet is so fragile without it.<div></div>

[Thatdumbg]

    Yeah I'm debating whether to take the haste off to throw the points into infective, I'm going to do some parsing first with the last 4 points unspent (as I have tons of bossfight logs to compare to)...Honestly 800 to all resists is nice, but my group can hit 8kish in any resist they want anyways and do very little compromising as far as power/FT/etc, so I'm not sure I would get the same bang for my buck out of it.<div></div>

[SonnyA]

<P>Banditman, do you know if Immunities stacks with other Immunities?</P> <P>I'm thinking of me and a defiler in the same group, with the same AAs. Will that give 1600 to all resists or only 800?</P> <P>To OP: I'm with Banditman. STR: 4 4 4 8 8, and INT: 4 4 5 8</P>

[Banditman]

Huh.  That's an interesting question, but I don't have the answer.  The only other Shaman in my guild is going STA instead of INT so I don't really have a good way to test it.<div></div>

[Eepop]

I am still debating which second line I am going.  Did some testing on the agility line, and I think im definitely not going with that as it didnt provide that much of an increase to even soloing.  So its out. The stamina line looks like it could hold some promise but I am worried about one matter: The slowing of recast timers.  It sounds like its useful right? But my concern is that having an unpredictable variable against raid mobs with AEs could cause some trouble.  Imagine theres an AE that is being timed for joust calls.  Messing with the recast on that AE would mess up the timer for the next time the AE hits, and possibly every time thereafter.  And if the timer is off either DPS is going to be going down more than it needs be to joust, or people are going to die.  I will give that jousting is a little less used in T7 raids as they are now, but EoF could reintroduce it as a more neccessary tactic.  Much ado about nothing? Perhaps, but probably enough for me to avoid the sta line. <div></div>

[Banditman]

Most guilds don't do raw number jousting anymore.  Most AE's are unpredictable these days anyway.What we do, and I'm sure a lot of other guilds as well, is develop a minimum time.  Through careful parsing you can figure out what the "minimum" amount of time is between AE's.  Once you've got that, you joust based on the minimum time.  When "out" is called, you send in a bunch of swarm pets and watch for them to all die.  When they do, everyone goes back in and fights for the minimum time again and then comes back out to repeat the process.Remember, our pet is not the only one with an ability to increase recast timers.  I know for sure that Brigands, Swashbucklers, Illusionists and Coercers can do things to increase recast timers.Don't let that be a reason for not going down this line.  There are certainly reasons NOT to go here, but fear of throwing off raid timing should not be among them.<div></div>

[MilkToa]

<P>Last night I got so frustrated managing the [expletive haxx0red by Raijinn] pet along with heals and slows that I respec'd my AA to</P> <P>agility </P> <P>4 / 8 / 8 / 8 / 1<BR></P> <P>wisdom</P> <P>4 / 8</P> <P>so I can forget about my pet.  A 12 sec root, 100% melee crits,  15% crit heals and a dps/double attack buff that procs a lot is actually quite nice. It may not be the optimal raid built (and I raid alot in the MT group) but it's a fun build and  good DPS for a shaman. I'm not sure about the 4 / 8 wisdom but I don't know what else to do with those points.</P> <P>Has anyone else considered a dogless build?</P> <P> </P>

[Eepop]

<blockquote><hr>MilkToast wrote:<div></div>Has anyone else considered a dogless build? <hr></blockquote>I went with max melee crits while I was working up to 25 AAs, then respecced agility to see if it was the second line I wanted.  I did some parsing and I found that while agility line did increase DPS, it wasnt enough to offset what the other lines could do. The crits (for 30% extra damage) + Doubleattack (30% of the time) + 30% haste adds up to roughly a doubling of our MELEE DPS.  Which is "nice".  But you have to take into account that melee DPS is completely dwarfed by spell DPS.  So it really only pushes you up to maybe 120% of the DPS you would have without agility line.  Then take into account that you can rarely melee DPS on raids, and the value of the Agility line falls further. And when you can melee DPS on raids the increase in the raid's DPS with / without the agility line is truly insignificant, 20% of your DPS increased when you are making up maybe 3% or less of the raids DPS. Its an excellent line for leveling up and if you are 90% or more a solo/small grouper.  But I am more like a 10% solo/small grouper.<div></div>

[Loral]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> MilkToast wrote:<BR> <P>It may not be the optimal raid built (and I raid alot in the MT group)</P> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><BR>If you raid alot, and you are in the MT group, the full STR line is hard to leave aside. Free warding, and occasionnal AoE immunity for the group. All the "dogless" paths, other than faster Cures and heal crits will not provide any raid benefits, unless you are powerful enough to have time to melee/DPS between wards. </P> <P>I know some Guilds have their healers do DPS, so powerful they are. I also know that, in mine, a healer has no time to DPS between heals and cures and debuffs.</P>

[MilkToa]

<blockquote><hr>Loralor wrote:<BLOCKQUOTE><HR>MilkToast wrote:<P>It may not be the optimal raid built (and I raid alot in the MT group)</P><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>If you raid alot, and you are in the MT group, the full STR line is hard to leave aside. Free warding, and occasionnal AoE immunity for the group. All the "dogless" paths, other than faster Cures and heal crits will not provide any raid benefits, unless you are powerful enough to have time to melee/DPS between wards. </P><P>I know some Guilds have their healers do DPS, so powerful they are. I also know that, in mine, a healer has no time to DPS between heals and cures and debuffs.</P><hr></blockquote>I almost never DPS in raids so the only raid friendly parts of the build are the 15% heal crits and the 37.5% increase in next heal. I'm not convince I'll stay with this but I find managing the pet to be a royal pain in the [expletive haxx0red by Raijinn]. Here are some of problems I have with the pet:1) It's not immune to all types of AE so it does get killed. When it does get killed it takes forever to call and rebuff and I hate making the raid wait for me.2) Every time you zone the pet modes default which means it will attack when you don't want and probably get itself killed unless you remember to change them.3) I have no idea how well the group AE prevention really works or what the ranges is. Besides I think the pet has to hit the mob to activate it and my pet misses a lot, especially against the mobs that really matter.4) If you want to improve your DPS and you do it through the pet, the pet is more likely to get aggro and die. Calling the pet while in combat really isn't an option.I've had a full STR line for a long time now so I was looking for a different build that made some difference that didn't depend on my unreliable companion.<p>Message Edited by MilkToast on <span class=date_text>06-28-2006</span> <span class=time_text>04:14 PM</span>

[Ordate]

<DIV>1) It's not immune to all types of AE so it does get killed. When it does get killed it takes forever to call and rebuff and I hate making the raid wait for me.</DIV> <DIV>I find that for the most part it is immune to almost all AEs.  To the point that upon my return (had to take a few months off) that I was wondering what was going on in AoA.  As for calling I find that there is plenty of time to call the pet in groups or in raids.  I just watch for holes of time where you can do it.  Also waiting 10 seconds to start running to the next target doesnt take too long.<BR></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>2) Every time you zone the pet modes default which means it will attack when you don't want and probably get itself killed unless you remember to change them.</DIV> <DIV>Ya I wish it auto'ed to being a dumb pet, but I dont find it too big of a deal once it becomes second nature to hit peace on zoning.  If you forget, ya it gets itself killed often.</DIV> <DIV><BR>3) I have no idea how well the group AE prevention really works or what the ranges is. Besides I think the pet has to hit the mob to activate it and my pet misses a lot, especially against the mobs that really matter.</DIV> <DIV>Yes the pet does have to hit the mob for the ae prevent to go off.  This also applies to his wards.  As for him not hitting much you might be surprised how often he does and triggers both those effects.  I've often been worried that since they upped the attack speed of dogdog that they would eventually nerf the percentages of our skills.<BR></DIV> <DIV>4) If you want to improve your DPS and you do it through the pet, the pet is more likely to get aggro and die. Calling the pet while in combat really isn't an option.</DIV> <DIV>Solo should be the only time that the pet has a chance at pulling agro.  Even then if you match your style to working with a pet then his chances of getting killed should be only where you get unexpected adds (unexpected adds can kill him in a group also but he isnt likely to pull agro off something after its engaged).  I find pausing for a short time before sending the pet in allows me to generate plenty of agro that keeps dogdog out of harms way.  Only time he ever does is when Im fighting something trivial and meleeing the mob down and not healing.  Normally I just open with some spell to pull the mob, bash with my shield (and allow an attack to activate the resist debuff) cast pox and glacier and have the pet in during those last 2 casts.</DIV> <DIV>As for calling the pet during combat, I do it all the time.  The rare times that dogdog dies in a group, just torpor then ward the tank, and pop dogdog back out assuming its not a crisis pull.  Solo its no problem again unless it a really tough mob which I would need dogdogs added wards and damage to win.  In which case I would probably just break the encouter and run for the hills <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /><BR><BR>I've had a full STR line for a long time now so I was looking for a different build that made some difference that didn't depend on my unreliable companion.</DIV> <DIV>With a bit of work the pet becomes very reliable.  Once you change your style to mesh with the pet he becomes a huge asset and very little fuss to keep him around.  However, I admit that not everyone wants to work with a pet.  Personally I love it even though I do admit dogdog is a fragile companion.  But I know this style isnt for everyone.  Kudos for trying something new.  I wish an alt build where you didnt rely on dogdog gave the same quality of benefits as those that do use him.  Even though I don't think any combination of skills will match dogdog builds, if you find one please share it with everyone so we have more options to consider.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Edit:Frack whats the quote commands for what this board uses?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV><p>Message Edited by Ordate on <span class=date_text>06-28-2006</span> <span class=time_text>11:05 PM</span>

[SonnyA]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Ordate wrote:<BR> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Edit:Frack whats the quote commands for what this board uses?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><BR>Frack? Seen too much Battlestar Galactica, have you!?</P> <P>I don't think there's a quote command. Maybe you can set it up to use EZ codes, but I don't think so. Just click the Quote Post button (left of the smiley).</P> <P> </P>

[Loral]

<P>It is true that, given my (70)Conjuror and EQ1 (66)Magician background, pet management is less of a hassle to me than to most Mystics that just recently got a pet. I have a hard time getting my wife's mystic into the habit of sending her pet in combat <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P>

[SonnyA]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Loralor wrote:<BR> <P>It is true that, given my (70)Conjuror and EQ1 (66)Magician background, pet management is less of a hassle to me than to most Mystics that just recently got a pet. I have a hard time getting my wife's mystic into the habit of sending her pet in combat <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>I have a habit of just pressing 1 at the same time I'm casting my initial ward. 1 is the hotkey where I put the Pet Attack key. Just tell her to drag it from the pet window to the hotbar or make a macro with /pet attack.

[Banditman]

<div><blockquote><hr>MilkToast wrote:1) It's not immune to all types of AE so it does get killed. When it does get killed it takes forever to call and rebuff and I hate making the raid wait for me.<font color="#ff0000">There are only a few AE's in game which the pet is not immune to.  Ascent of the Awakened contains most of them, and I understand there are a couple in Deathtoll as well.  Further, keep in mind that these AE's which kill dogdog are limited to one group.  So, if you happen to be in a group other than the MT group, it's a good bet dogdog will be fine even in those situations.  One thing your pet is DEFINITELY not immune to is riposte.  Make sure your pet is hitting into the flank or rear of the mob or you will lose him to a riposte.</font>2) Every time you zone the pet modes default which means it will attack when you don't want and probably get itself killed unless you remember to change them.<font color="#ff0000">There is a very easy solution for this.  I use a macro every time I zone.  /pet backoff; /usea Immunities; /usea Aura of Haste.  Problem solved.</font>3) I have no idea how well the group AE prevention really works or what the ranges is. Besides I think the pet has to hit the mob to activate it and my pet misses a lot, especially against the mobs that really matter.<font color="#ff0000">AE Immunity for your group is not really all that important.  It's not something you base a strategy around for sure.</font>4) If you want to improve your DPS and you do it through the pet, the pet is more likely to get aggro and die. Calling the pet while in combat really isn't an option.<font color="#ff0000">If your pet draws aggro fire your tank.  Immediately.</font>I've had a full STR line for a long time now so I was looking for a different build that made some difference that didn't depend on my unreliable companion.<p>Message Edited by MilkToast on <span class="date_text">06-28-2006</span> <span class="time_text">04:14 PM</span></p><hr></blockquote></div>

[SonnyA]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Banditman wrote:<BR> <DIV><BR> <BLOCKQUOTE><BR><FONT color=#ff0000>If your pet draws aggro fire your tank.  Immediately.</FONT><BR><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE> <P><BR>Well, I've had our tank pull one the drakes in Vyemms and it resisted his initial taunt. At the same time the dog proc'ed Aura of Warding. The drake killed the dog and then me.</P> <P>But we got it. As usual it dropped nothing.. NOTHING. My guild is nerfed.</P> <P>So now I always wait until I know the tank has at least established SOME aggro.</P>

[Nightfire]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> SonnyA wrote:<BR> <BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Ordate wrote:<BR> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Edit:Frack whats the quote commands for what this board uses?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><BR>Frack? Seen too much Battlestar Galactica, have you!?<BR></P> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>You must have seen to much also to know that they had. Lol :smileytongue:

[MilkToa]

<blockquote><hr>SonnyA wrote:<BR><BLOCKQUOTE><HR>Banditman wrote:<BR><DIV><BR><BLOCKQUOTE><BR><FONT color=#ff0000>If your pet draws aggro fire your tank.  Immediately.</FONT><BR><BR><HR></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE><P><BR>Well, I've had our tank pull one the drakes in Vyemms and it resisted his initial taunt. At the same time the dog proc'ed Aura of Warding. The drake killed the dog and then me.</P><P>But we got it. As usual it dropped nothing.. NOTHING. My guild is nerfed.</P><P>So now I always wait until I know the tank has at least established SOME aggro.</P><hr></blockquote>Yes, I'm always in the MT group and it's alway some situation like this that gets him killed. Resisted taunt, multi-mob group or multi-group pull. Also, positioning yourself so that your pet can attack from the rear isn't always easy to do while healing so the pet will sometimes get killed by frontal AEs too. The pet always dies a few times in HoS.

[Banditman]

If you have trouble getting your pet to the rear of the mob perhaps you should ask yourself why the tank isn't presenting the back of the mob to the raid.Positioning is a very important part of raiding.Our considerations when pulling are not only end result, but the process as well.How will the mob approach when aggro'ed?  Will he be running directly at the raid?  Will he fire off some frontal AE while doing so?  Can we 90 degree the raid so the pull is running directly at the tank?  Can we spin the mob to present a rear arc target to the raid?  Can we snare some or all of the encounter to delay or level out the damage spike ?  Can we mez some or all of the encounter to delay or level out the damage spike?Our first goal is not to kill the raid with the pull.  Generally that means we don't want the mobs running face first at the raid.  A good way to start is 90 degrees to the path of the mob(s).  Tank pulls the mobs then faces the raid and takes a couple steps back.  This presents a rear arc to the raid and keeps them out of the path of any frontals.I'm just not seeing these problems in mid level raiding.  My pet is nearly always able to get a rear arc position and rarely dies aside from those oddball AE's in AoA.<div></div>

[MilkToa]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Banditman wrote:<BR>If you have trouble getting your pet to the rear of the mob perhaps you should ask yourself why the tank isn't presenting the back of the mob to the raid.<BR><BR>Positioning is a very important part of raiding.<BR><BR>Our considerations when pulling are not only end result, but the process as well.<BR><BR><BR>How will the mob approach when aggro'ed?  Will he be running directly at the raid?  Will he fire off some frontal AE while doing so?  Can we 90 degree the raid so the pull is running directly at the tank?  Can we spin the mob to present a rear arc target to the raid?  Can we snare some or all of the encounter to delay or level out the damage spike ?  Can we mez some or all of the encounter to delay or level out the damage spike?<BR><BR><BR>Our first goal is not to kill the raid with the pull.  Generally that means we don't want the mobs running face first at the raid.  A good way to start is 90 degrees to the path of the mob(s).  Tank pulls the mobs then faces the raid and takes a couple steps back.  This presents a rear arc to the raid and keeps them out of the path of any frontals.<BR><BR>I'm just not seeing these problems in mid level raiding.  My pet is nearly always able to get a rear arc position and rarely dies aside from those oddball AE's in AoA.<BR> <BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Unfortunately, I have to start healing before the mob is positioned, and healing, slowing and debuffing take precedence over the pet. In the tough fights (there aren't many) I just don't have time to worry about the pet and in the easier fights it just doesn't matter. I'm not convinced that the pet's contribution on raids exceeds the hastle but I may be wrong. We're doing DT tonight I'll see if I miss dogdog. Besides I just don't like being forced to spend 25 AA points just to make the pet useable on raids.

[Banditman]

<div></div>As it should be.Your pet can wait a few seconds before going in, it won't kill him or you.  He's rather patient after all.  I find it very amusing to hear that people are seeing their pet die because the FIRST taunt laid down by the tank is resisted.For those who may not know, you can send your pet in while you are in the middle of casting other spells, it isn't a queued action, it's an instant action.  I usually send mine while casting Wail of the Ancients as it has a nice long cast time.Many of the pet abilities (but not buffs) are also zero cast time as well.  Rank 2 abilities in general are zero cast time, though I'm not sure if Ritual adheres or not.You didn't spend 25 points to make him useful, you spent 8.  Regardless of where Spiritual Foresight was, I'd have gone to rank 8 on Aura of Warding, and I think most dogdog users would do the same.Whether or not you miss him or not, I don't know.  The facts are that for me, in the MT group last night, in two fights with Talendor (one wipe, one win), dogdog represented an increase in healing of 11% to 14% last night over my base healing.  He actually gets even better numbers on fights like Vyemm where there is an AE that hits everyone.<div></div><p>Message Edited by Banditman on <span class=date_text>06-30-2006</span> <span class=time_text>01:10 PM</span>

[Terq]

<DIV>The fact that we are even having this discussion indicates to me at least that the devs did a pretty good job of balancing out the AA lines.  </DIV> <DIV>Like Bandit said, the "pet attack" is a zero-cast time, non-qued action.  I put it into one of my macros, so I really don't even have to think about it. </DIV> <DIV>The second abilities, at least "leg bite", don't have cast times, but they are put into the que, so the will cancel another spell that is waiting to be cast. </DIV>

[MilkToa]

<blockquote><hr>Banditman wrote:<div></div>As it should be.Your pet can wait a few seconds before going in, it won't kill him or you.  He's rather patient after all.  I find it very amusing to hear that people are seeing their pet die because the FIRST taunt laid down by the tank is resisted.For those who may not know, you can send your pet in while you are in the middle of casting other spells, it isn't a queued action, it's an instant action.  I usually send mine while casting Wail of the Ancients as it has a nice long cast time.Many of the pet abilities (but not buffs) are also zero cast time as well.  Rank 2 abilities in general are zero cast time, though I'm not sure if Ritual adheres or not.You didn't spend 25 points to make him useful, you spent 8.  Regardless of where Spiritual Foresight was, I'd have gone to rank 8 on Aura of Warding, and I think most dogdog users would do the same.Whether or not you miss him or not, I don't know.  The facts are that for me, in the MT group last night, in two fights with Talendor (one wipe, one win), dogdog represented an increase in healing of 11% to 14% last night over my base healing.  He actually gets even better numbers on fights like Vyemm where there is an AE that hits everyone.<div></div><p>Message Edited by Banditman on <span class=date_text>06-30-2006</span> <span class=time_text>01:10 PM</span><hr></blockquote>Talendor is a bad example since from my experience the whole encounter is about not spawning adds. The healing needed for Talendor is minimal, especially compared to other raid boss mob encounters. I don't even use my dog on Talendor since I don't want anyone looking at me if we get a few extra adds (even though dog has AE immunities). We usually only have 2 healers healing the MT when we kill Talendor.I'm also not so sure that 95% of the shamans would choose the strength line if it weren't for the fact that so many AA skills are tied to DogDog and he dies without AE immunity on raids. Also, dogdog has serious problems hitting orange mobs like Tarinax which definitely reduces his usefulness. I expect to see more orange mobs in the future.<p>Message Edited by MilkToast on <span class=date_text>06-30-2006</span> <span class=time_text>02:03 PM</span>

[Banditman]

I'd hardly call 97k HP of healing "minimal", but that's just my definition.Since you don't like that one, how about Vyemm?I healed for 42301 HP in our most recent takedown, dogdog healed for 13396.  That's an increase of 31% to my overall healing.Vilucidae?  Me, 129826 . . . dogdog 20561.  An increase of 16% to my overall healing.If he's too much trouble for you to deal with, fine, say it that way.  However, don't be hatin' on dogdog, because when used properly he brings a TON of value to the table.  Parse after parse after parse re-confirms how valuable he can be if you use him properly.I don't argue that the time it takes to summon and buff him can be annoying.  Macros help, and looking at parses and seeing dogdog rockin out the heals helps more.And the occasional AE block doesn't suck either.  <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /><div></div>

[Leji]

<DIV>My pet  routinely outheals the priests outside of MT group.</DIV> <DIV>Plus the resists, the haste, the debuff, the dps and the odd AE immunity.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>All this for the small price to press a single button in the middle of the cast of one of my debuff early in the fight.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Geez, lots of troubles indeed.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Oh, and when i feel like it, ill swap a weapon and kick in a dot, then swap another and go with an AE. 2 buttons for each.</DIV> <DIV>Now that is completely unbearable.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Any of you guys even heal or debuff? Cuze now that is some button pushing. *cringe*</DIV>

[Nightfire]

<DIV>*Quick side step*</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>What parser are you using Banditman? And where can I get it? I have been wanting to get one so I can check out how my heals are doing.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>*Steps back in line*</DIV><p>Message Edited by Nightfire on <span class=date_text>06-30-2006</span> <span class=time_text>02:51 PM</span>

[Rorack]

Does anyone have a problem with the dog dying on pulls (in groups at least, I haven't raided as a shaman yet) a lot because of the ward still being up?  Also it seems every single time I get an add in my groups it'll hit any random member then go right after my dog then me after cause of the ward.Is there any way to avoid these?I wanted to make the agility line work so bad because he's such a pain in the butt.  I just don't see it happening though.<div></div>

[Thatdumbg]

Advanced combat tracker for EQ2 (ACT):http://home.maine.rr.com/eqaditu/ACT/Rorack, I've had similar issues... I usually don't use the aura of warding in groups, especially where there are the possibility of adds/unwanted encounters, when I have a sloppy puller/tank, or when I am pulling 8,000 groups at once. He bites it almost immediately in those situations.<div></div>

[Baccalarium]

<DIV>Some of the tanks I deal with more regularly,  I've actually seen wait for the aura of warding to drop before they do a proximity pull.    But yes a proximity pull (or wanderer add)  with aura of warding still up has led to resummoning my pet from the spirit realm  many times.  Other times I just delay casting bolster till aura drops. (That d*** mystic sleeping on the job again....)</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[Banditman]

Yep, I'm totally with you on the whole group issue.  It can be tough to convince the tank to just wait 10 seconds between pulls.  Simply not casting Aura of Warding when in a group is probably a good call.Yep, I use ACT, it parses Wards properly which is a big plus in my book.<div></div>

[Nightfire]

<DIV>Awsome thank you Thatdumbguy and Banditman for that. :smileyhappy:</DIV>

[ecoskii]

<DIV>With deep regret last night i fiinally respeced to STR: 4 4 4 6 8, and INT: 4 4 7 8 - I loved my doggie bites soloing but as MT heal it was impossible to see a better spec.  I may do 3-4 direct heals in an entire raid so the increase heal on the WIS line is no great loss either - i leave those to my druid friends.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I know the MT grp can get ~8k in any resist but this will allow them to get it more easily on 2 at the same time and with fewer compromises on other stats (FT, AGI etc)</DIV>