Use of Oberon?

[Thunderthyze]

<DIV>I have always avoided the use of Oberon due to its stun effect, however, recently I came across a suggestion that its ward is also regenerative although this is not mentioned when the spell is examined. Is this old news that has subsequently been nerfed?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The suggestion was that when used in conjunction with Bolster, Torpor and the single target ward Oberon provides such a huge ward effect that the stun becomes almost academic. Does anyone have any views on this?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Clearly if you are in an encounter where your group is being affected by a hatful of conditions whose cures are a priority then Oberon ceases to be an option however I am interested if anyone has data on its effects?</DIV><p>Message Edited by Thunderthyze on <span class=date_text>11-24-2006</span> <span class=time_text>12:02 PM</span>

[Banditman]

Oberon and Oberon Barrier are mainly useful as tools in a raid.It's not something I'd recommend ever using in a group situation unless you were completely out of power.Yes, the Ward regenerates.  I believe it's half it's total Ward every 4 seconds.There are definitely situations when raiding where Oberon can be quite handy, but you do have to communicate and arrange things so that you don't have any cure or debuff issues while it's running.<div></div>

[Loral]

<P>When my wife feels lazy, she pops it for nameds in groups. At Master1, it can almost do the work alone, most of the time.</P> <P>She also uses it when low on power. While under the stun effect, you can still use manastone, potions and the Tribal Spiritist Hat (not sure about conjuror slivers). When the stun ends, she has alot more power to continue the fight.</P> <P>Other than that, yes, it is mainly useful in raid situations.</P>

[AbyssLaboli]

<P><FONT color=#ffff00>I have oberon and heal pet at master 1</FONT></P> <P><FONT color=#ffff00>I think I rarely use it in a Group situation.</FONT></P> <P><FONT color=#ffff00>In raids on a main tank or off tank group it has a good situational use. But for a many mob attack the ward is eaten up to quickly to compensate for the regeneration. Its best use is against a single mob. Place in your debuffs and wards then cast the macro. It allows other healers in raid to catch up and gain power. The high DPS mob in Lycium is a good example. Just after the 25% heal throw on debuffs and wards, then the oberon macro. If healers are low on power or need to cycle thier heals this is a good 36 sec oppertunity. The mob is usually dead before the ward ends.</FONT></P> <P><FONT color=#ffff00>I have a macro set up for anouncing Oberons use. Then a line for casting heal pet. Then oberon istelf.</FONT></P> <P><FONT color=#ffff00>With one rank in the oberon aa line the spell wards for something like 2.4k at master 1. Yes it regenerates. Remember though it can only be cast on a member in the group.</FONT></P> <P> </P>

[Rythen16]

<P>As others have stated Oberon does, in fact, regenerate while it is up. I didn't know this either and never used it until I read that it does regenerate. </P> <P>I do use it in groups when we get to a fight vs. a name or a large group of mobs. It is nice to see the ward replenish itself and the tank stay totally at 100% or high 90% when a huge hit comes in. Just debuff and put up the Oberon ward and sit back for a little while. In emergency situations, you can cancel the ward by right clicking the spell effect icon and cancelling.  I hardly ever use it in raids, as my guild has a defiler and they always put them in the MT group. </P> <P>Zogarr Coppertoe, 70 Mystic</P>

[Thatdumbg]

    A most likely easier way of cancelling oberon (or torpor, or any toggle spell) would just be to hit the hotkey a second time =P. I'm much too lazy to right click anything in my maintained window.<div></div>

[Mystiq]

<div></div>I'm not sure how you guys missed the fact that Oberon has a regenerating ward. From the spell description:"This ward will slowly regenerate absorption for the duration of the spell" It might not give the value of this ward at the bottom like Runic Aegis does, that the above line would warrant some investigation after dinging 50 in my book.I mostly use this spell on raids with a druid or cleric present in the group also, when quick hits are coming in and i'm sick of waiting for long cast/recast timers, or when I need to ninja afk when nothing much is happening but I don't want to be doing nothing if something does <span>:smileytongue:</span>.<div></div>

[Eepop]

Its power efficient. Its aggro efficient (You can preward with it!) Its not very flexible. Its slightly lower HP/sec than using all your other heals. Its group only. When you can balance all those factors with the situation at hand, its an awesome tool.   When you can't, it rots on your bar. <div></div>

[AbyssLaboli]

<FONT color=#ffff00>I would like to add that the difference in Oberon being a useful situational spell and being a great utility spell would be the ability to cast it across raid instead of just in group.</FONT>

[thedu]

I only use it in emergency situations. I find I'm way to busy sometimes trying to debuff and keep others up also to be stunned that long.<div></div>

[SonnyA]

I have Oberon Barrier M1 and 5 AA points in enhance Oberon. That makes it a 3096 ward (I'm at work, so not 100% sure, but something like that). For those that doesn't know, the regen part of the ward is half the maximum. So that's a "free" 1548 hp ward every time the regen ticks. Someone said it's every 4 secs. I believe it's 2 seconds, but I'll have to test that.As has been mentioned, it's a great raid tool. I mainly use it when low on power. While Oberon is up, you can still use item clickies like manastone, mana font items, tribal hat and... even the amazing Brocks thermal shocker for mad crazy DPS. So when LOP, I put up Oberon and use my mana regen items.Just make sure that your slow and DPS debuffs will last the 36 sec duration.. You don't want them to run out while Oberon is up.<div></div>

[SonnyA]

<div><blockquote><hr>Mystique wrote:<div></div>I'm not sure how you guys missed the fact that Oberon has a regenerating ward. From the spell description:"This ward will slowly regenerate absorption for the duration of the spell" It might not give the value of this ward at the bottom like Runic Aegis does, that the above line would warrant some investigation after dinging 50 in my book.<div></div><hr></blockquote>For those that missed that it's a regenerative ward.. You should know that Torpor is also regenerative and a very good combo with Oberon.. Torpor + Oberon = Tank candy.</div>

[tebion]

<div><blockquote><hr>Eepop wrote:Its power efficient. Its aggro efficient (<b>You can preward with it!</b>) <hr></blockquote>do you mean that the ward-aggro that comes from the regenerating part of oberon is assigned to the tank and not the caster?if so, wow, should have known that earlier for raiding with more than 1 mystic <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></div>

[Eepop]

What I am saying is that I can preward with it and not pull aggro. I dont know if that means it makes 0 aggro, or just alot less, or if it gets attributed somewhere else. <div></div>

[Triyton]

<P>I did a quick test with this with a tank a little while ago, and it seemed to be low but not zero aggro.</P> <P> </P>

[Jatofyr324]

<div></div>I love Oberon. I was in OOB last night and we were on the final mob. We had a brawler tank, so we had to bring along my 67 fury friend. Since I was too low to debuff the mob, I slapped on torpor, ST ward, Gward, then Oberon. Also, I had on my Scattered Dust armor (40 sec. Oberon, 18 sec. Torpor...yes, I love it.) So, the tank didn't really take damage for the first minute of the fight. I usually use it in emergency situations if I have another healer with me.<div></div>

[KNINE]

<DIV>Oberon can be used in many different ways. Like abby said in conjunction with Heal pet, or as someone else said with Torpor. I like using with heal pet and do too have that marco set up. Where did ya learn ur macro from abby <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> I like torpor then my macro for heal pet and oberon. Scattered dust set  with 4 secs to every ward rules <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> Can be used in grp settings if u feel like being lazy or saying u're stunned for 40 secs, taking a bio <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> whatever you use it for, it usually works out for the best </DIV>

[Thunderthyze]

The only problem I see with the use of Oberon is that if the MT is needing to be cured then you can get hosed unless you click it off. Uncured conditions can take a tank down in a raid as certainly as an AOE.

[Eepop]

True enough, but there are probably 5+ other healers present that can sure as heck cover you if you let them know you will be stunned. <div></div>

[Banditman]

We usually let the Warden in the MT group handle cures.  They have really good tools for it and probably more time for it than a Shaman in the MT group.<div></div>

[Eepop]

<div></div>The only cure I ever really use alot is ancient balm if they have multiple effects on them, or the specific cure for the crazy mobs, which are easy enough to learn what needs what cures. And no one is saying oberon is something you should use all the time.  It is a SITUATIONAL tool.  If no one can take over cures, its likely not one of the situations its good in for you and your group (or raid). <div></div><p>Message Edited by Eepop on <span class=date_text>01-23-2007</span> <span class=time_text>12:14 PM</span>

[thedu]

<div><blockquote><hr>Eepop wrote:<div></div>The only cure I ever really use alot is ancient balm if they have multiple effects on them, or the specific cure for the crazy mobs, which are easy enough to learn what needs what cures. And no one is saying oberon is something you should use all the time.  It is a SITUATIONAL tool.  If no one can take over cures, its likely not one of the situations its good in for you and your group (or raid). <div></div><p>Message Edited by Eepop on <span class="date_text">01-23-2007</span> <span class="time_text">12:14 PM</span></p><hr></blockquote>Ancient Balm single target and Grasping roots for group are the two best cure spells we have; but very power heavy and longer recast.  Depeding on the situation and knowing when these are available or not I use the regular cures -- mostly because of recast timers.</div>

[Banditman]

Grasping roots?<div></div>

[thedu]

<div><blockquote><hr>Banditman wrote:Grasping roots?<div></div><hr></blockquote>That's from working late and not paying attention. <span>:smileytongue:Gasping and Ebbing spirits...</span></div>

[browsy]

<cite>Thunderthyze wrote:</cite><blockquote> The only problem I see with the use of Oberon is that if the MT is needing to be cured then you can get hosed unless you click it off. Uncured conditions can take a tank down in a raid as certainly as an AOE.</blockquote> Oberon is my faverite mystic spell, and with the new eof aa's at master 1 my oberon hits for over 3300, and replenshesis itself, i use it all the time in group situations and situationally on raids, as i see fit.  it is usually enough to deal with most group situations, the only problem is like said above if you need to throw a cure and u are the only healer who can do it.  then it needs to be clicked off, and wasted....other then that, wicked spell

[Thunderthyze]

<cite>browsy wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Thunderthyze wrote:</cite><blockquote>The only problem I see with the use of Oberon is that if the MT is needing to be cured then you can get hosed unless you click it off. Uncured conditions can take a tank down in a raid as certainly as an AOE.</blockquote> Oberon is my faverite mystic spell, and with the new eof aa's at master 1 my oberon hits for over 3300, and replenshesis itself, i use it all the time in group situations and situationally on raids, as i see fit.  it is usually enough to deal with most group situations, the only problem is like said above if you need to throw a cure and u are the only healer who can do it.  then it needs to be clicked off, and wasted....other then that, wicked spell</blockquote><p> I have had a chance to fully try it with max enhancement via aa's and I have to say I am a convert. Just for some fun I went into Nest with our MT and a few guildies. I got the MT to train each floor onto one encounter then hit Bolster, Torpor, STW and Oberon Barrier. True the mobs were mainly green and the Guardian was well fabled but not MIT maxxed by any means, but his health didn't even waver until OB wore out.</p><p>Unfortunately we don't have a raid Warden at the mo and I tend to handle much of the curing so it is unlikely I will use it too often in a raid situation but I love it! I will have to parse an encounter next time I'm in Nest to find out just what is being achieved.</p><p>I particularly like the idea of the heal pet being cast in advance too. Will try to factor that in next time too.</p>

[Munter78]

<p>Oberon can give you about 350hps on its own (if you spend the AA on it)  during its duration. </p><p> Now, granted a mystic can achieve at least 500hps on a single target for a good amount of time......This doesnt seem like that great of a thing to cast.</p><p>Especially since you can group heal or cure anyone during it, unless of course you cancel it.  Now several have said it works great if you target ward/torpor/etc before casting........well thats fine and dandy, but you can still outheal that combo if you just stay spam healing my a pretty good margin.  </p><p> Really there is absolutely never a reason to use Oberon unless you are out of power.   What SHOULD happen is SoE needs to make it a raid-wide spell.  Defilers have soul ward, its raid wide.......sure, they lose 90% of their hp....but they arent stunned, they can still heal, and for alot.  Defilers can hit DOUBLE the hps as a mystic (in a ae mob environment).  I think SoE could just do this dieing class a favor and make it raid wide. </p>

[Thunderthyze]

<cite>Munter78 wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Especially since you can group heal or cure anyone during it, unless of course you cancel it.  Now several have said it works great if you target ward/torpor/etc before casting........well thats fine and dandy, but you can still outheal that combo if you just stay spam healing my a pretty good margin.   </p></blockquote><p>Why on earth would we want to "heal"?</p><p>Mate......if we have to heal then we have failed our primary purpose. Plus it may have escaped your attention but spamming heals is NOT very energy efficient either. Tell you what, you spam your heals and I will use oberon barrier. My group will still be standing and I will still have at least 50% energy by the time you are out of manna and your group is dead.....lol</p>

[Munter78]

<p>Meant group healing for the first part.  As for the second part I meant warding/torpor and if needed a small heal to fill the gap between timers, providing all the debuffs required for the mob are up and the tanks not in green.</p>

[FeyHammer]

I love Oberon.  My only gripe is that there aren't enough occasions when I can reasonably use it.  In raids, I don't get in the MT group if there is a Defiler and you can't use Oberon across the raid :^( only within the group.  So I only use it in raids on the few occasions when I do make it into the MT group. In questing with a group, usually I use Oberon if there is a second healer or there are very long fights where power management becomes an issue. In either case, the key is to let other healer(s) know that you are stunned using Oberon (make a macro) so that they can cure/heal the tank while you ward.

[Bobbette]

For grouping ... if I have a druid in the group and the mobs are eating through my wards faster than I can cast them -- with the tank's health dropping, that's when I use Oberon.  It gives the druid's HoTs time to catch up and my healing pet helps out. I hadn't thought to make sure I also tossed Torpor on.  I'll be sure to do this too next time.

[KNINE]

<cite>Munter78 wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Oberon can give you about 350hps on its own (if you spend the AA on it)  during its duration. </p><p> Now, granted a mystic can achieve at least 500hps on a single target for a good amount of time......This doesnt seem like that great of a thing to cast.</p><p>Especially since you can group heal or cure anyone during it, unless of course you cancel it.  Now several have said it works great if you target ward/torpor/etc before casting........well thats fine and dandy, but you can still outheal that combo if you just stay spam healing my a pretty good margin.  </p><p> Really there is absolutely never a reason to use <span style="font-size: medium">Oberon unless you are out of power</span>.   What SHOULD happen is SoE needs to make it a raid-wide spell.  Defilers have soul ward, its raid wide.......sure, they lose 90% of their hp....but they arent stunned, they can still heal, and for alot.  Defilers can hit DOUBLE the hps as a mystic (in a ae mob environment).  I think SoE could just do this dieing class a favor and make it raid wide. </p></blockquote>Last time I checked Oberon is a regen ward which requires power, so if your out of power it won't work anyway. I wouldn't say we're a dieing class either, I've talked to plenty of defilers who would like to change over to mytics but don't want to lose there masters.... The only thing I would say we don't have going for us is soloing but heh now u can over come that by going down agi line and turning all ur casting spells into CA's ....

[Bobbette]

My shaman has been both ... she started out a defiler, betrayed to mystic, betrayed back to defiler, and now I'm finally settled on mystic.  (Yeah, I'm nuts to betray one character 3 times) I gotta say, that I love her being a mystic.  There were a few things I liked about the defiler (cannibalize and the curseweaving AA line) but overall I think the mystic is far more flexible.  I feel like it's easier to keep my group alive as a mystic, I have a few more tricks to help out the tank and actually heal my group when it's needed. Last night was my first real raiding with her and I was really pleased with what she was able to bring to her group (OT group) and still have a number of useful spells for the MT too (like torpor and bolster).  In normal grouping situations (not raids), the mystic is WAY easier -- I could keep my group alive as a defiler but I had to work at it compared to the mystic. So I don't think we're a dying breed.  Defiler was fotm after eof released and all the hype on diminishing returns.  But there's a ton mystics bring to a group/raid that just can't be ignored.

[Wakoes55]

Use in raids and also when you are a mystic with another healer in the group.  Combo's well with other healers.