Poster: Dazshanis at 2/9/2006 9:30:45 AM PST
Subject: So, What IS the role of a warlock?? |
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First off... I'm not here to flame or call for nerfs... Any of you that have been to the Hunter forum already know we get enough of our own "nerf" threads...
What I am here for though... My g/f is playing a lock as her main, and we've been having alot of conversations on just what the role of a lock should be for end-game instances. My problem is... well, to put it bluntly, she's got some big 'ole brass balls! She loves to pull like a hunter and tank like a warrior. While that hasn't been that much of a problem up til now, I'm sencing that's not exactly what she should be doing... Having a clothie pulling all the aggro is mighty dangerous. It keeps the healer occupied on one player to push her health up, and the rest of us get put on "the back burner." We have some great healers though, so it's not like she's causing wipes (well, maybe one or two on the rare occasion... ;-)
Just wondering what the opinion is from the 60 'locks here... Not that I know what I'm talking about, but I think it should be:
Hunter or Warrior pulls (depends on the situation and group naturally...) Tank pulls aggro while the hunter works crowd control, peeling off a mob to freeze for later. Mage sheeps one for added CC. Once the tank has pulled alot of aggro, casters (keep it at 'lock here,) come in to the fight with AoE and DoTs... Work the bad guys, then pop the CC'd mobs... Voila` easy fight.
The problem really comes in with what I like to call the "itchy trigger finger syndrome." As soon as the tank starts in, here go the casters (I've seen this with alot of casters, not just my hunny,) plugging away with their spells. All well and good if the mobs go down quick, but if the caster starts right at the begining of the fight, aggro shifts to the cloth wearer WAY too fast, and the nice little tight group (easy prey for AoEs) gets broken up and scatters... Now we have a mess...
So... Is it all well and good for the casters to keep filing their nails while the tank is swinging away for the first part of the fight? When should the casters jump into the frey?
In short, as the topic sez... What is the role of a Warlock, and how are they best played?
| | | http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-warlock&t=860208&p=#post860208 | | | Poster: Tseric at 2/9/2006 10:53:01 AM PST
Subject: Re: So, What IS the role of a warlock?? |
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Q u o t e:
We are the polish that makes the other classes shine.
This is an interesting comment.
Sometimes, when in unfamiliar groups or I am just taking it easy, I focus on debuffing more and sort of watch everyone else play. It's kind of like folding for the first few hands of poker and focusing on what others at the table are doing, looking for tells. If there is a Mage in the group I will probably ask what spec or what spell types they use primarily and then choose CoS or CoE accordingly. Sometimes, even CoW can have some use (rogues in UBRS?). Shaving off small numbers can sometimes make the difference between victory or a party members death.
However, as a caster in general, warlocks bring a great deal to the group/raid in terms of DPS and Utility. Yes, yes, we aren't "stone-factories", but a Soulstone is the best wipe insurance in the game.
Sure, drain-tanking is more of a leveling technique, but the fact that we could sub as a tank as a last resort in a smaller instance really tickles my fancy. I remeber tanking effectively quite a few times in Sunken Temple. And, of course, everybody is jealous of a warlock's HP should they spec and gear that way :P
Firm, clearly defined roles are not something the designers stress. They prefer to have overlap in roles to allow for varied group composition and for varied playstyle. A strict role is effectively the designer telling the player "this class is supposed to be played this way", which is not something we really want to do with this game.
However, I think that she (your hunny :P)will settle into a playstyle more geared for group play after a time. You might still be in the early stages of the "solo to group" shift of behavior. Players who have soloed or duoed to 60 may reevaluate their play strategies when they find themselves in larger groups on a more regular basis. Really, its a good time to experiment with tactics, because the warlock class certainly supports a variety of approaches.
But, srsly, don't forget the SS :P[ post edited by Tseric ]
Golden crispy! Bad guys are history!
| | | http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-warlock&t=860208&p=#post860488 | Poster: Tseric at 2/9/2006 11:12:42 AM PST
Subject: Re: So, What IS the role of a warlock?? |
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Q u o t e:
I've been looking for you! Where are my shard bag bonuses!? Don't think I forgot.
Of course you haven't and neither have I. But that is still for the future ;)
Golden crispy! Bad guys are history!
| | | http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-warlock&t=860208&p=#post860541 |
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