Medic Discussion

[thebusiness]

Whatup my Grievies!

I just wanted to share my thoughts/questions on playing a Medic and see how everyone else is doing.

I started off wanting to do nothing but DPS. I had loads of fun DPSing in beta, but as I was reading about end game DPS issues compared to other classes I started to explore healing.

Ho
Lee
Sheeshee

I haven't enjoyed healing like this since the bear shaman in AoC.

I'm a fresh 50, so I have a few concerns.
Seeing that I enjoy both DPS and healing, I'll have to maintain 2 sets of gear. Has anyone had trouble doing so?

Here is how I'm set up for DPS:

http://ws-base.com/builds/generator/med ... 37.638.639

Here is how I plan to set up for heals:

http://ws-base.com/builds/generator/med ... 31.964.765

I'm also interested in trying a Protection Probes spec.


What's everyone else using?


Since I just hit 50, I'll be trying to get into some vet adventure groups.
Are there any quests or chains I should be focusing on for quick upgrades?

[Zippity]

Here is how I'm set up for DPS:

http://ws-base.com/builds/generator/med ... 37.638.639

The points you spent into Devastator Probes doesn't scale the damage all that well... Unless you're benefiting from the Tier 4 part of Dev Probes a lot, based on your attack rotation, you may be better off investing them into Atomize since you get more bang for your buck from a Point to Damage Increase ratio... I know on my Medic's DPS build I crit a lot, so Atomize should proc rather quickly and often...

I'm also interested in trying a Protection Probes spec.

I've seen a few Medic Healers using Protection Probes in their rotations, seems to work for them... But as I'm never planning to heal on my Medic I really can't comment on it's usefulness... Although I have used it now and then on my medic to help out since my DPS Build has a few Utilities built into it for helping out the group... I do know that Mending Probes from different sources stack...

Zip

[Mordecaii]

I actually think your DPS build is pretty much optimal for dealing the most damage given where medics are currently at. Zippity is right in that T4 Dev Probes will be reliant on your rotation in order to execute properly and get the most out of it. You will need to detonate it at about the 2-0 second mark in order to make full use of its damage and that will mean lining up your Fissure CD with it. Therefore, after applying Fissure, wait 1-2 seconds (considering your 15% CD reduction) and then apply Dev Probes. You should keep it at T5 since that one leftover point has no place elsewhere until you get more ability points through elder gems.

I will have to disagree with spending any points on Atomize as its tiers don't do as much damage as Dev Probes. If you do the math, T8 Atomize will still do less damage than your T5 Dev Probes even if you didn't detonate it. Unfortunately for Atomize, the tier bonuses are lackluster for any of the current content, especially end game. T4 Dev Probes is where a huge chunk of our damage comes from. Furthermore, since Atomize is an off the GCD ability, in order to really make full use of it, you'll need to GCD squeeze, meaning that you'll have to cast it in the GCD of another ability (like Fissure or Dev Probes). If you can do that, you should see an overall DPS increase.

Given the recent changes to our Paralytic Surge bonuses, you may want to shift points from Gamma Rays in order to reach T4 Paralytic Surge. The reason being is that in order for T8 GR to be beneficial, all 3 beams must hit. Unfortunately, each beam has a separate chance to be deflected and, more often than not, you miss out on the T8 proc altogether. The T4 for PS is so useful for boss encounters that it's practically a must have.

I'm not a healer so take this with a grain of salt, but while some people swear by Shield Surge, I don't see the point in taking it over Crisis Wave in Adventures and Dungeons (Raids is where I see it outshining CW). The reason being that in the 5 man content, you're the only healer and it's your duty to keep the entire team alive. SS is extremely difficult to hit the other party members with due to the nature of its telegraph. CW might be the better option here. As far as Triage goes, it's unreliable in that you can't reliably select who gets the heal. If the tank had, say, 34% health and one of the DPS had 33%, then that heal would go to the DPS (although at those numbers you'll probably use the Mending Probes + Flash combo). A possible alternative will be to take base tier Empowering Probes, unless a DPS medic is providing that buff. I can't say too much about the amps you've selected but it may be worth looking into dropping Emergency for Armor Coating. The defense buff on that seems quite useful.

Hope any of this helps you out.