03-09-2006, 08:00 PM
To add a slightly different take to the mix, I think some groups get so hung up on the ideas like "Priests and Druids heal, Warriors tank" etc. that they don't realize that they could actually be a MORE flexible, effective group with a diverse group of classes. One of the cool things about this game is that most characters can be played in a variety of ways. The bottom line is that shadow priests, feral druids and the like are still good healers. Perhaps they don't have quite the endurance of the other builds, but those types of talent builds can trade healing effectiveness for the flexibility to do damage (and tank, in the case of the Druids) more effectively. Similarly, Fury/Arms warriors lose out on fun defensive talents like Defiance or Last Stand, but they get a lot of flexibility in their roles, being able to tank something one minute and then unlease damage the next.
These sorts of multi-role characters tend to flesh out a raid as the group can configure itself to meet a wider range of challenges. Fighting a boss where you only need 1 tank? Swap the Fury or MS warriors into damage gear and take it down faster. Facing Domo? Swap those guys into tank gear and let them control all of the lizards. Working on a boss where you need every bit of healing you can get? Have the feral and shadow priests join in the fight. Trying to clear through the Molten Core in 3 hours? Swap those same healers into their damage configurations and let them help burn down all of the trash that stands in the way.
In addition, it seems that Blizzard is pushing more and more to get away from the idea of "Tank stands in one place holding aggro while the healers heal it and everyone else kills it" and into more dynamic battles. There are more and more encounters designed where flexibility becomes key such as dealing with Majordomo's adds, kiting Buru around, having hunters tank Ayamiss or the organized chaos that is Razorgore's battle. As the game becomes more and more diverse with these sorts of encounters, flexibility will be key for many groups.
Now does this mean that there is no room for the less generalized characters like a Disc/Holy Priest, Restoration Druid or Protection Warrior? Of course not, those classes will always be very good at what they do and can provide a solid core for many encounters in the game. But flexibility is definitely not something to be ignored, especially if it can be found while also doing something that you enjoy. :)
These sorts of multi-role characters tend to flesh out a raid as the group can configure itself to meet a wider range of challenges. Fighting a boss where you only need 1 tank? Swap the Fury or MS warriors into damage gear and take it down faster. Facing Domo? Swap those guys into tank gear and let them control all of the lizards. Working on a boss where you need every bit of healing you can get? Have the feral and shadow priests join in the fight. Trying to clear through the Molten Core in 3 hours? Swap those same healers into their damage configurations and let them help burn down all of the trash that stands in the way.
In addition, it seems that Blizzard is pushing more and more to get away from the idea of "Tank stands in one place holding aggro while the healers heal it and everyone else kills it" and into more dynamic battles. There are more and more encounters designed where flexibility becomes key such as dealing with Majordomo's adds, kiting Buru around, having hunters tank Ayamiss or the organized chaos that is Razorgore's battle. As the game becomes more and more diverse with these sorts of encounters, flexibility will be key for many groups.
Now does this mean that there is no room for the less generalized characters like a Disc/Holy Priest, Restoration Druid or Protection Warrior? Of course not, those classes will always be very good at what they do and can provide a solid core for many encounters in the game. But flexibility is definitely not something to be ignored, especially if it can be found while also doing something that you enjoy. :)
-TheDragoon