Comments on: The Psychology of Class Choice in WoW http://parttimedruid.com/2008/07/01/the-psychology-of-class-choice-in-wow/ Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:11:47 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Snowcat (Pam) http://parttimedruid.com/2008/07/01/the-psychology-of-class-choice-in-wow/comment-page-1/#comment-864 Snowcat (Pam) Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:32:58 +0000 http://parttimedruid.com/?p=95#comment-864 I chanced over your post, and you have definitely hit the spot. I started as a Shaman, and became mainly a healer as I was more concerned about keeping everyone alive than going through the instance fast. I ended up rolling a priest, and have been really happy with it for the 2 years I played, although I am not tt well geared. I stopped just before BC and recently came back, sadly most my friends has moved realm or stopped playing =(.I ended up testing waters and rolled a Mage, it was definitely difficult in the beginning but now its getting fun =), but still not as fun as my Priest. I have to agree that Priest are squishy and sometimes frustration of staying alive gets to you(esp if you are trying to do quest/grind and some opposite faction sees you as a delicious meal). But I feel Priest can also kill pretty ruthlessly, therefore in my eyes its a class that is pretty balanced, not only can I prevent others and myself from dying, I have the power to make or break an instance run(^.^) and I can kill *grinz*. However I do realize that Priest sometimes get overlooked by people and treated for granted, till they need you.... I chanced over your post, and you have definitely hit the spot. I started as a Shaman, and became mainly a healer as I was more concerned about keeping everyone alive than going through the instance fast. I ended up rolling a priest, and have been really happy with it for the 2 years I played, although I am not tt well geared. I stopped just before BC and recently came back, sadly most my friends has moved realm or stopped playing =(.I ended up testing waters and rolled a Mage, it was definitely difficult in the beginning but now its getting fun =), but still not as fun as my Priest.

I have to agree that Priest are squishy and sometimes frustration of staying alive gets to you(esp if you are trying to do quest/grind and some opposite faction sees you as a delicious meal). But I feel Priest can also kill pretty ruthlessly, therefore in my eyes its a class that is pretty balanced, not only can I prevent others and myself from dying, I have the power to make or break an instance run(^.^) and I can kill *grinz*. However I do realize that Priest sometimes get overlooked by people and treated for granted, till they need you….

]]> By: Overcast http://parttimedruid.com/2008/07/01/the-psychology-of-class-choice-in-wow/comment-page-1/#comment-813 Overcast Mon, 04 May 2009 18:25:09 +0000 http://parttimedruid.com/?p=95#comment-813 Very nice observation and true. I didn't 'click' with DPS too well. My first toon was a Mage. Who was ok... I liked the power. But once I started getting to my mid-40's and really researching the class; I started to find they weren't about 'blowing things up' - in the end. They were about statistics and playing a game with numbers. I don't mean every DPS thinks that way, but I got the impression enough people expected them to - that DPS didn't appeal to me. I was ok with the tank classes. But I found I wasn't the prime type for a tank - why? Because I don't like telling people what to do. I don't like confrontation and I don't like arguing with idiots. I just can't keep telling the mage over and over to not unleash hell the very second the mob gets to the tank. I can't stand to try and tell people how to play their class - albeit; I know the theory behind playing every class in the game. From a touch of experience; but more so from tons of research. I love to read about the game I'm playing and analyze it. - Odd from one who has "DPS-Meter Phobia" I must admit. On to healers. I've played the priest and shaman. Pally a bit too. Not much of a pally person; although it's a good class for some. Priest was good, but a bit squishy. Shaman was a lot of fun; but not quite what I was looking for. I like the complexity of the druid. I do like to see the group excel; I don't obsess over gear at all, so definitely not a healer for the sake of gear. I actually learned a long time ago something about the "will heal for gear" mentality. Once they DO get the gear, they'll quit playing the healer. Because only then will they realize; I GOTS GEAR - but umm, I'm still a healer... Very nice observation and true.

I didn’t ‘click’ with DPS too well. My first toon was a Mage. Who was ok… I liked the power. But once I started getting to my mid-40’s and really researching the class; I started to find they weren’t about ‘blowing things up’ – in the end. They were about statistics and playing a game with numbers. I don’t mean every DPS thinks that way, but I got the impression enough people expected them to – that DPS didn’t appeal to me.

I was ok with the tank classes. But I found I wasn’t the prime type for a tank – why? Because I don’t like telling people what to do. I don’t like confrontation and I don’t like arguing with idiots. I just can’t keep telling the mage over and over to not unleash hell the very second the mob gets to the tank. I can’t stand to try and tell people how to play their class – albeit; I know the theory behind playing every class in the game. From a touch of experience; but more so from tons of research. I love to read about the game I’m playing and analyze it. – Odd from one who has “DPS-Meter Phobia” I must admit.

On to healers. I’ve played the priest and shaman. Pally a bit too. Not much of a pally person; although it’s a good class for some. Priest was good, but a bit squishy. Shaman was a lot of fun; but not quite what I was looking for. I like the complexity of the druid. I do like to see the group excel; I don’t obsess over gear at all, so definitely not a healer for the sake of gear. I actually learned a long time ago something about the “will heal for gear” mentality. Once they DO get the gear, they’ll quit playing the healer. Because only then will they realize; I GOTS GEAR – but umm, I’m still a healer…

]]> By: Channon Doa http://parttimedruid.com/2008/07/01/the-psychology-of-class-choice-in-wow/comment-page-1/#comment-795 Channon Doa Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:04:12 +0000 http://parttimedruid.com/?p=95#comment-795 My first ever character was a preist. But the one I got to 70 first was my Druid. I hated the fact that my preist was squishy all the time. I love clases that have the capapbility to heal be that themselves or their pets...or even self ressurect like my Lock who I'm afraid to pull out of Thrallmar because of the fear of getting ganked by a DK. I'm a bit of an altoholic myself having a druid, hunter, lock, two rogues, and a DK. But there are classes that I just can't stand, namely the warrior, who has to rely on band-aids a plenty, shamans, who have to drop four totems every fight they go in, and Paladins, for their mundanity. Mages and preists I haven't really given the time for, mainly for the fact that they are the most squishy of anything I have ever played, next to rogues. I like soloability but sometimes I like working with others and developing a bit of a relationship with other players. But my most definitve trait is being told what to do, I can't get enough of it. "You point, I shoot." So what does that make me? My first ever character was a preist. But the one I got to 70 first was my Druid. I hated the fact that my preist was squishy all the time. I love clases that have the capapbility to heal be that themselves or their pets…or even self ressurect like my Lock who I’m afraid to pull out of Thrallmar because of the fear of getting ganked by a DK. I’m a bit of an altoholic myself having a druid, hunter, lock, two rogues, and a DK. But there are classes that I just can’t stand, namely the warrior, who has to rely on band-aids a plenty, shamans, who have to drop four totems every fight they go in, and Paladins, for their mundanity. Mages and preists I haven’t really given the time for, mainly for the fact that they are the most squishy of anything I have ever played, next to rogues.

I like soloability but sometimes I like working with others and developing a bit of a relationship with other players. But my most definitve trait is being told what to do, I can’t get enough of it. “You point, I shoot.” So what does that make me?

]]> By: Willowhorn http://parttimedruid.com/2008/07/01/the-psychology-of-class-choice-in-wow/comment-page-1/#comment-598 Willowhorn Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:39:20 +0000 http://parttimedruid.com/?p=95#comment-598 I myself have what I call Constant Buff Syndrome, where I have to have the maximum amount of buffs on me in a raid/instance depdending on who is in the raid/instance (and I've been known to ask party members over and over and over again for a buff just because I have to have that tiny extra help). And this is because from an early point in the dpsers life we are bred and have it nailed in our heads that this is the way to be. It starts with comments from other dps about what your spec is/what your bonus damage is, then there's the "helpful" suggestions that a different spec would work better or some different gear (even though you like your gear and spec just fine, and why the hell should this other person say you should change?). Then its the constant dps meter links, seeing yourself fall so far behind other dpers and eventually you get this chip on your shoulder that you absolutely HAVE to be dpsing so hard that your target's grandmother can feel it in her grave. I think we also stress about our dps because in the back of our minds we know that dps is as common as dirt and if we can't dps hard enough, we could get replaced by someone who can. Many people forget though that for the CC/DPS classes, in my case on my mage, I have to actually mange keeping 1 thing pigged (yes I use piggies they're cute) so I can't just stand there and spam fireball at a mob the way, say, an elemental shaman can just spam lightning bolt at something and blow me away on the dps charts. I got tired of worrying so much about my dps output and rolled a healer (trees ftw). And I do EXACTLY what you mentioned: forget to heal myself. Thank god for my SCT text addon, because I would wipe the group were it not for that gong sound and large red text in my screen saying Low Health, when it should really say HEY STUPID YOU HAVE A HEALTH BAR TOO! I myself have what I call Constant Buff Syndrome, where I have to have the maximum amount of buffs on me in a raid/instance depdending on who is in the raid/instance (and I’ve been known to ask party members over and over and over again for a buff just because I have to have that tiny extra help). And this is because from an early point in the dpsers life we are bred and have it nailed in our heads that this is the way to be. It starts with comments from other dps about what your spec is/what your bonus damage is, then there’s the “helpful” suggestions that a different spec would work better or some different gear (even though you like your gear and spec just fine, and why the hell should this other person say you should change?). Then its the constant dps meter links, seeing yourself fall so far behind other dpers and eventually you get this chip on your shoulder that you absolutely HAVE to be dpsing so hard that your target’s grandmother can feel it in her grave. I think we also stress about our dps because in the back of our minds we know that dps is as common as dirt and if we can’t dps hard enough, we could get replaced by someone who can.

Many people forget though that for the CC/DPS classes, in my case on my mage, I have to actually mange keeping 1 thing pigged (yes I use piggies they’re cute) so I can’t just stand there and spam fireball at a mob the way, say, an elemental shaman can just spam lightning bolt at something and blow me away on the dps charts.

I got tired of worrying so much about my dps output and rolled a healer (trees ftw). And I do EXACTLY what you mentioned: forget to heal myself. Thank god for my SCT text addon, because I would wipe the group were it not for that gong sound and large red text in my screen saying Low Health, when it should really say HEY STUPID YOU HAVE A HEALTH BAR TOO!

]]> By: KJ http://parttimedruid.com/2008/07/01/the-psychology-of-class-choice-in-wow/comment-page-1/#comment-581 KJ Tue, 30 Sep 2008 06:16:13 +0000 http://parttimedruid.com/?p=95#comment-581 I guess I am true tank.. Tried dps classes, even though I was doing more dmg than tanks, I always felt tanks were more worthy than I am. Healing classes were just simply boring. Started playing warrior, at just lvl 12 when i started going to instances, I knew straight away it is my thing. Thanks for a great post. I guess I am true tank..

Tried dps classes,
even though I was doing more dmg than tanks,
I always felt tanks were more worthy than I am.

Healing classes were just simply boring.

Started playing warrior, at just lvl 12 when i started going to instances, I knew straight away it is my thing.

Thanks for a great post.

]]> By: Lienra http://parttimedruid.com/2008/07/01/the-psychology-of-class-choice-in-wow/comment-page-1/#comment-490 Lienra Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:03:33 +0000 http://parttimedruid.com/?p=95#comment-490 You're broadly right. My main is a DPS warrior, so I'm very familiar with the "damage meters pls" request in PuGs. It's one reason my guild banned the outputting of damage stats. Bad and selfish DPS are more common for two reasons: 1) AMG PEW PEW PEW LOL 2) It's easier for bad dps to coast through a run after run I always end up rolling a healer, since my guilds have had healer shortages, but I love it. In good groups I have an easy ride. In dysfunctional groups I improve my skills, and have the satisfaction of helping make an otherwise bad group work. By the way, love your blog. Helps me a lot with my tree. You’re broadly right. My main is a DPS warrior, so I’m very familiar with the “damage meters pls” request in PuGs. It’s one reason my guild banned the outputting of damage stats. Bad and selfish DPS are more common for two reasons:

1) AMG PEW PEW PEW LOL

2) It’s easier for bad dps to coast through a run after run

I always end up rolling a healer, since my guilds have had healer shortages, but I love it. In good groups I have an easy ride. In dysfunctional groups I improve my skills, and have the satisfaction of helping make an otherwise bad group work.

By the way, love your blog. Helps me a lot with my tree.

]]> By: Sean Forsgren http://parttimedruid.com/2008/07/01/the-psychology-of-class-choice-in-wow/comment-page-1/#comment-400 Sean Forsgren Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:26:44 +0000 http://parttimedruid.com/?p=95#comment-400 Great read! I think you tagged much of the basics here, including the Healer. I lol'd in RL when I read your take on altaholics! (Healers who have a side-project or 8) That defines my style, I have two 70 healadins and have yet to get any of my numerous alts (one or two of each class, each 40+) to 70. Great read! I think you tagged much of the basics here, including the Healer. I lol’d in RL when I read your take on altaholics! (Healers who have a side-project or 8) That defines my style, I have two 70 healadins and have yet to get any of my numerous alts (one or two of each class, each 40+) to 70.

]]> By: PTD http://parttimedruid.com/2008/07/01/the-psychology-of-class-choice-in-wow/comment-page-1/#comment-399 PTD Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:08:04 +0000 http://parttimedruid.com/?p=95#comment-399 Thanks for the additional comments, and of course the praise! :) As far as those who play multiple roles, I think they TEND to be healer types that just want to mix it up occasionally. The healer/support/helper type also likes to be able to fill different group needs if necessary. This is something I'll have to give more thought to and see how it might fit in the grander scheme of things. I have a DPSer myself! Thanks for the additional comments, and of course the praise! :)

As far as those who play multiple roles, I think they TEND to be healer types that just want to mix it up occasionally. The healer/support/helper type also likes to be able to fill different group needs if necessary. This is something I’ll have to give more thought to and see how it might fit in the grander scheme of things.

I have a DPSer myself!

]]> By: Cynra http://parttimedruid.com/2008/07/01/the-psychology-of-class-choice-in-wow/comment-page-1/#comment-398 Cynra Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:00:55 +0000 http://parttimedruid.com/?p=95#comment-398 Commenter Erin over at WoWInsider was right: this <b>is</b> the better read! In general, I play a support role in all that I do. I'm partial to healers, though I tend to gloat that I perform better than those with better gear, which makes it likely that I pass on loot for others so that I can <i>still</i> gloat. I'm also extremely competative, in case you could tell! What's your idea on people who are capable of playing multiple roles? For example, I have a couple of heavy DPS classes (a hunter, a handful of mages, even a lowly warlock I've been exploring) and am steadfastly working towards that Protection warrior I've always promised I'd get. I enjoy tanking a lot, I love maxing and minning with my DPS classes, and it's an absolute rush knowing that a group or a raid or your allies on the battlefield have put their virtual lives in my hands. Maybe it's just multiple personality disorder or something! Commenter Erin over at WoWInsider was right: this is the better read! In general, I play a support role in all that I do. I’m partial to healers, though I tend to gloat that I perform better than those with better gear, which makes it likely that I pass on loot for others so that I can still gloat. I’m also extremely competative, in case you could tell!

What’s your idea on people who are capable of playing multiple roles? For example, I have a couple of heavy DPS classes (a hunter, a handful of mages, even a lowly warlock I’ve been exploring) and am steadfastly working towards that Protection warrior I’ve always promised I’d get. I enjoy tanking a lot, I love maxing and minning with my DPS classes, and it’s an absolute rush knowing that a group or a raid or your allies on the battlefield have put their virtual lives in my hands.

Maybe it’s just multiple personality disorder or something!

]]> By: Larísa http://parttimedruid.com/2008/07/01/the-psychology-of-class-choice-in-wow/comment-page-1/#comment-388 Larísa Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:33:28 +0000 http://parttimedruid.com/?p=95#comment-388 Did a post of my own, a sort of follow up, thinking about if you really SHOULD follow your personality type when you pick your class or if you possibly should try out something else, against your natural tendencies. http://pinkpigtailinn.blogspot.com/2008/07/picking-class-matter-of-personality.html Did a post of my own, a sort of follow up, thinking about if you really SHOULD follow your personality type when you pick your class or if you possibly should try out something else, against your natural tendencies.

http://pinkpigtailinn.blogspot.com/2008/07/picking-class-matter-of-personality.html

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