Dear Ass-Weasel,

There is a common misconception in the WoW community, mainly on the official WoW fora, in which people believe that knowledge of a class comes only through leveling a character of this class to level 70, when the truth is that even retards can level a toon to 70 and not learn a thing about how to properly play said class. Do I even need examples here? Level 70 Hunters who don’t know how to kite or chain trap? Retribution Paladins thinking their spec is raid-worthy right now? There are numerous general examples that don’t even consider individual play styles.

In short, I don’t know how “precisely everyone should play,” but I have a pretty damn good idea, which is why my old class guide, linked to from the opening post (OP), was once featured on WoW Insider, and why I can hold my own when it comes to a bit of class theorycrafting. It also helps that I’ve leveled a number of classes fairly high, even if my knowledge of Burning Crusade (BC) raiding isn’t up to snuff compared to pre-BC raid instances.

When it comes to the Maelstrom server, it should not surprise you that I play there. Maelstrom was one of the three original PVP-RP servers that went live, and was the “official” North American PVP-RP server by the old pvp-rp.com community. It also happens to be a server that many Blizzard employees and GMs play(ed) on. And though “RP” is part of its classification, that doesn’t mean you can play how you want if it’s a detriment to the group you’re in. No one cares how you spec, gear, or play when you solo, but the second you join a group to run an instance, you’re committing to their success, and effectively saying, “Even if I don’t play perfect, I’ll do what I can to make this instance run succeed.”

Sure, having fun is important, but if you’re the only person in a group of five who thinks wiping is fun, then you shouldn’t be grouping with those four other people. Similarly, your pet-less Hunter friend shouldn’t be joining PUGs, because his DPS is gimped by at least 30%, instantly removing him from the DPS-role in a group.

In any case, if you’ve learned over time how to become a better Shaman, then I commend you, because you’ve done more than most players: learn. If trial-and-error has taught you how to better control your aggro and assist your group, then fantastic. But let’s not suddenly tout about how open-minded you were when we ran an instance together, because it’s not as if you were willing to oblige me with my suggestions, as indicated in the OP. Else, you would have gladly stopped using Earth Shock for something less aggro intensive, since it was directly brought up to you.

As for your second post, bravo on not reading the message about how your first comment won’t be posted until approved by an administrator and immediately posting again with an angrier tone. Never-mind your third comment, consisting only of “Fuck you,” which is exactly what I thought when I deleted it. Either way, you’re not gaining brownie points from any readers with your inability to converse maturely. No doubt, my post infuriated you, which is akin to my annoyance when you wiped or group time and time again because you wouldn’t take a reasonable suggestion or two. Arrogance is a bitch.

So onto totems. You don’t use them? Roll a new toon then, or simply don’t join a PUG without first telling them that you won’t use all the abilities at your disposal, those designed to aid the group. A Shaman, in a group, is a support class. Apparently, you haven’t learned that yet.

The reason you should support bile-spewing cretins? Because causing the group to wipe is doing nothing but wasting time and money. I quite specifically suggested what you could do to improve your (and the group’s) performance, but you chose not to comply, and instead reply rudely.

You’re Enhancement specced, which means you shouldn’t be blowing through your mana in the first place, especially if you’re pulling aggro. You are an off-healer by virtue of being a non-Restoration Shaman in a five-man group. This is not a role that needs to be assigned to you: it’s one you accept upon joining the group.

If you do want to talk further about this, I’m right here, baby.

Yours, WyldKard

       Well, thanks for your opinion, and thanks for reading mine.    later ass-weasel