Banditman wrote:
30k to 40k Group Wards are overpowered. Without a doubt. Honestly, Group Wards are borderline overpowered right now. The real problem is their nature. While they "technically" protect the entire group, in a situation where everyone is taking damage they really only protect one or two people.
You see, in a tanking situation, where only the tank is taking damage, those Group Wards are incredibly effective at helping even out spikes in damage. Unfortunately, in the current content, there is so much damage coming from AE's that those Group Wards are just being destroyed. Thus, while the tank may wish he could own that entire Ward, and frankly he probably should, the fact is that the first time an AE hits, that Ward is gone.
The only viable solution would be to completely revamp the Shaman class and instead of having a "Group Ward" that is shared, you'd need to hav each person get their own Ward. The balance implications of a change like that however are just staggering.
I think we're pretty much stuck with Ward mechanics as they currently exist.
In a perfect world, I'd give Shaman a "Ward Stance". In "Tank Group" mode, Ward mechanics would remain exactly as they are. In "Group Heal" mode, Ward mechanics would split the Group Ward up into individual Wards for each member of the group, albiet at a lesser value.
Thus, current content balance could remain, as a Shaman could choose to use his "Tank Group" mode. However, the Shaman could also find a place as a somewhat more effective group healer. They still wouldn't have all the fancy tools Druids have . . . but they would be able to fill in as a Group healer in a pinch.
you are using the term overpowered to describe "situationally advantageous"
the same could be said about druid group HoTs; in any situation where AEs are in effect, they are "overpowered" (not really, just situationally advantageous; druids are AE healers, shaman are not)