I'd admit I did not consider how downranking removal would affect healers. I've always believed downranking choices and stopcasting were the only things that made healing interesting & dynamic. With that in mind, as long as encounters will be designed to be interesting & dynamic, I wouldn't mind this gameplay change.
As for the hpm vs. hps side of downranking removal... paired with crushing blows becoming a non-issue, maybe we'll see less of the spiky dmg that mandates inefficient, constant, max-rank heals. Instead, this will hurt the off-spec healers who might not have the throughput nor longevity talents.
How unfortunate, some of my most memorable WoW moments involve a dead healer, 1100 mana, Righteous Defense on cooldown, 1 overzealous but durable dps, FoL's and a 2% boss.
As for the hpm vs. hps side of downranking removal... paired with crushing blows becoming a non-issue, maybe we'll see less of the spiky dmg that mandates inefficient, constant, max-rank heals. Instead, this will hurt the off-spec healers who might not have the throughput nor longevity talents.
How unfortunate, some of my most memorable WoW moments involve a dead healer, 1100 mana, Righteous Defense on cooldown, 1 overzealous but durable dps, FoL's and a 2% boss.