Re-activating your WoW account, or interested in "Trying Before You Buy"?Dungeon Tip: If You're DPS, Nobody Cares About Your Mana
Mage In Violet Hold, Drinking
Playing my Troll Mage and leveling characters has reminded me of an interesting thing that comes up in PUGs sometimes.
That is, when the Tank is going at a fast enough pace and the group is taking on enough mobs at one time that someone in the team eventually says one word over the party line:
"mana"
This, of course, means that the person who said the word NEEDS mana, but the unstated part is that they also expect the group to stop and wait for them.
But the question is: Should the party REALLY stop and wait for them? Or does it really matter?
Only The Healer's Mana Matters
Okay, okay, I'm putting my cards down on the table early here, stating what I believe in the heading above.
It's true, I believe that only the Healer should be making the "mana stop" call in a dungeon party, and if anyone else makes the call, that the Tank and Healer should acknowledge the request, but not stop the progression of the party in any way.
UNLESS, of course, one of the mana-starved DPS is serving a crowd-control role of some sort, or something that needs to be done before combat begins in order to be most effective for the group's success.
Killing Something Bright
I also believe DPS shouldn't get upset about the party progressing into the next battle while they're sitting, drinking, so allow me explain further before getting up in arms!
The Start Of The Battle
Simply put, the start of the battle in a dungeon or raid situation is all about the Tank and Healer.
In fact, DPS getting involved in the fight too soon can wreak havoc on the coordination of the battle, resulting in chaos and death and repair bills.
It just never hurts for DPS to take more than 1-2 seconds to join into battle - then by the time they join in, the Tank has a solid threat lead on all of the targets and you're less likely to pull aggro.
You Can Drink While In Battle
One of the panic responses I've heard from DPS on this topic is that if the Tank re-engages the group in battle, the DPS cannot drink and is thus stuck with very little ability to do their job until dropped out of combat again.
I agree that if you're not quick enough, you won't be able to restore mana, but let me ask you this: After battle is over, is your first priority to loot the shinies, or replenish mana?
As a Mage in Burning Crusade, I learned quickly that my priority HAD to be mana replenishment, or I'd never be able to keep up to the group nor do my job properly. As soon as combat drops, I stop where I am and drink while others loot.
Mage Before First Heroic A:OK Run
If the Tank starts battle again right away, as long as you're already drinking, it won't be cancelled unless you take physical damage through some AOE/splash damage.
Take advantage of this to drink your full drink and get as much mana as possible before standing up.
Safety Tips For Squishy DPS/Healers
Now that you're more aware that mana replenishment should be your top priority if you find yourself burning through mana quickly in dungeon and raid groups, here are three more things to consider:
Tip #1
If the group is moving quickly and you don't want to be left behind to be eaten by a stray patrol, loot quickly and then move up with the group and sit to drink at the earliest opportunity before combat is begun
Tip #2
Shamans laying down totems doesn't put them into combat. Lay down totems near the next battle scene then sit down to replenish mana, then your totems are up in case the Tank decides to start combat before you're ready
Tip #3
Make a friend with a melee who isn't having to eat/drink between battles - if you're cool they'll be happy to hang back and make sure you don't get jumped
Should DPS Tell The Group They're Recovering Mana?
No, I don't think it's really required.
Everyone can see where you are on the mini-map. Everyone can see your Health and Mana windows in the party window. Everyone knows mana users need mana to ... use.
Now, if you're going to go AFK for a minute or two while you mana up, THAT you should be polite enough to relay to the party, because once your mana bar is full, your time is up!
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!Related posts:
0 Responses »
Leave a Response
Entries(RSS)
As a healer don't be afraid to drink while the tank is dealing with trash, I work on the basis that I'll start healing when I think it's necessary rather than being up and ready for the pull itself.
Yep indeed, as a healer I've also found that with a properly-geared tank, I can drink for the first few seconds of the fight while Tank establishes aggro, and by the time I cast my first heal the Tank is way ahead in threat on all targets.
Of course, that doesn't work for an undergeared tank or one of those DPS-geared tanks who think Agility makes up for Armor and Defense, but hey :)
In my experience -- with PUGs, at least -- there's nothing more annoying than a poorly-geared and poorly-skilled mage who cries out for mana breaks every three trash mobs. In fact, I tend to find that unless a group is especially bad, non-bosses simply aren't enough of a challenge that a caster or two sitting down to drink doesn't really do any harm to a group, providing the melee isn't rushing off ahead while the healer is OOM. :)
Squick´s last blog ..Stay a while and listen.