Confessions of a Feral

[Evelynn]

As most of you probably know by now, a little over a week ago, I respecced feral. This began as a simple trial...to see what feral was like, find its weaknesses and strengths, and then go back to my 0/30/21 build. Well, the week passed, and I found I couldn't spec back. For better or for worse, I am now a feral druid.

Over the past week, I've noticed subtle shifts in attitude towards me. Some people - like hotc and dpaulraid - have been very supportive, cheered me on, and fought to get me tanking roles to practice and build on my skill. Others have given me the cold shoulder, blown me off, or just plain insulted me to my face. I guess this respec has taught me who my true friends are, and those who remain, I am very grateful for :)

Well anyway, continuing on with my rambling mess...I've been running ZG with the Aussie crew lately. No one had ever complained about my performance, accused me of shirking duties, or yelled at me for doing anything wrong. But last night...I was insulted for being a feral specced druid. This was only two days after being thanked for an innervate I never cast...because many of the people weren't aware I wasn't resto until I TOLD them I wasn't. After being called out like this, I couldn't bear to continue with the run. I don't understand how being aware of one fact can change someone's entire perception of a person.

I realize that by speccing feral I have gimped my healing. I realize I'm expected to heal, and I do, without slacking or complaining. I don't understand this bias against feral druids...but being treated as I was was so upsetting that I considered running to SW and respeccing immediately.

After today's BRD run with a friend's guild, however, I've decided to stick it out. As a tank in BRD I always receive the highest praise, though this is likely because they're simply amazed a druid is capable of tanking at all. I truly do harbor a passion for getting beaten up...I just wish everyone would embrace this idea, as opposed to only those who have bothered to get to know me as a person and a player.

That's all x.x

[Leridyn]

Shadow priests have the same issue...fortunately, it is a strong guild that undestands what a blessing it is to have multiple flavors of the same class. Y'know...ultimately, the game is about fun and enjoying what you do. It's not a job where you have to listen to someone tell you what to do or else. No one, and I mean no one, should ever tell anyone how to play their character and what tree to choose. Would it be fair to tell a combat rogue to go subtlety?

Understand that some people will say "Well you don't fit". I think that's kodopoop. They obviously don't know or can take advantage of a feral's positive qualities, or just are ignorant. A good raid leader will either find a way to fit a person into a raid, and a good guild will find a meaningful place for all their members regardless of build.

I happen to like feral droods - they're the most amazing tanks, they save the squishies and they're cute as heck in dire bear form. People underestimate the fact that there is much to be gained by a non-cookie-cutter build, and you open your raiding options to so many more things. There are things a feral can do that resto's can't...etc. And a good leader will take advantage of the fact that he/she's got 5 druids who run the whole gamut of skills, rather than 5 druids who are identical, which effectively eliminates a whole set of skills.

If you enjoy being feral, you go, sweets. You know that you have people who will support you and love you and definitely include you in our runs. <<huggles>>

[Evelynn]

Shadow priests have the same issue...fortunately, it is a strong guild that undestands what a blessing it is to have multiple flavors of the same class. Y'know...ultimately, the game is about fun and enjoying what you do. It's not a job where you have to listen to someone tell you what to do or else. No one, and I mean no one, should ever tell anyone how to play their character and what tree to choose. Would it be fair to tell a combat rogue to go subtlety?

Understand that some people will say "Well you don't fit". I think that's kodopoop. They obviously don't know or can take advantage of a feral's positive qualities, or just are ignorant. A good raid leader will either find a way to fit a person into a raid, and a good guild will find a meaningful place for all their members regardless of build.

I happen to like feral droods - they're the most amazing tanks, they save the squishies and they're cute as heck in dire bear form. People underestimate the fact that there is much to be gained by a non-cookie-cutter build, and you open your raiding options to so many more things. There are things a feral can do that resto's can't...etc. And a good leader will take advantage of the fact that he/she's got 5 druids who run the whole gamut of skills, rather than 5 druids who are identical, which effectively eliminates a whole set of skills.

If you enjoy being feral, you go, sweets. You know that you have people who will support you and love you and definitely include you in our runs. <<huggles>>

Ty Leri...I know what you're talking about with shadow priests...I happen to have one of those, too. You get the rare person who can appreciate how mind flay stops runners dead and prevents adds, or who will let you go shadowform and heal with VE on easy bosses, but mostly, not many are willing to embrace the talents of a shadow priest. As for me...gimme shadow! It's awesome when a priest silences a mob a mage would have otherwise had to CS, because, unlike mages, they can fade away from the silence aggro.


After being given the opportunity to tank a core hound in MC tonight (OMG! Ty all so much!), I'm further determined to make my spec work out. Maybe I won't always top the healing meters, but I still do my job to the best of my ability, and on top of that, I get to do something I love well when the opportunity arises.

I especially love tanking BRD. Most people hate Jailbreak...I thrive on charging into groups of 4 mobs and swipe-spamming. Woot!

[telva]

Well Evelynn, I am glad to see your little tanking practice last night had a lasting affect. Because as Leri said, this game is about fun and accomplishing personal goals. If you enjoy tanking with your druid, tank I say. Why? Because YOU enjoy doing it. This game is about YOU having fun and accomplishing personal goals. I am glad to see and say that you have found a guild here who will help you achieve those goals in the way (spec) you chose.

[Evelynn]

Well Evelynn, I am glad to see your little tanking practice last night had a lasting affect. Because as Leri said, this game is about fun and accomplishing personal goals. If you enjoy tanking with your druid, tank I say. Why? Because YOU enjoy doing it. This game is about YOU having fun and accomplishing personal goals. I am glad to see and say that you have found a guild here who will help you achieve those goals in the way (spec) you chose.

Practice? Does that mean there's more to come? :O

I hope so...I was really nervous at first, but now I can't wait to try it again. Again, don't take me wrong...I don't mind standing in the back and healing and I do take pride in the healing I do. For some reason, out of all the roles a druid could possibly fill, tanking was simply the one I "clicked" with, and the one I find myself enjoying the most.

But when it comes to really tanking a beating...everyone knows it's better to heal TELVA!

Oh, and a huge thanks to Goe, Fiery, and anyone else who was there and allowed me to tank the two duke runs I have thus far. I really appreciate you all putting up with my novice tanking so that I can learn by trial and error...and I apologize for any stompings, nukkings, or otherwise painful occurances you experience under my watch ;)

[Winsome]

I think we need an official "Alt Spec Strike Team."

Evelynn can tank (Feral Druid)
I will heal (Shadow Priest)

We will need at least the following:

Fury/Arms Warrior for DPS
Protection Paladin to Offtank

I can't think of a good 5th, so someone will have to educate me. Seems like Mages, Rogues, Warlocks and Hunters don't get as much crap. Maybe a Survival Hunter? I dunno.

Regardless, once we identify the team, let's prove our worth with a 5-man Baron or a full Tribute or something.

[Evelynn]

I think we need an official "Alt Spec Strike Team."

Evelynn can tank (Feral Druid)
I will heal (Shadow Priest)

We will need at least the following:

Fury/Arms Warrior for DPS
Protection Paladin to Offtank

I can't think of a good 5th, so someone will have to educate me. Seems like Mages, Rogues, Warlocks and Hunters don't get as much crap. Maybe a Survival Hunter? I dunno.

Regardless, once we identify the team, let's prove our worth with a 5-man Baron or a full Tribute or something.

hmm...my team would be...

Feral druid for tankin'
Shadow priest for face meltin' (DPS)
Fury warrior for DPS
holy paladin for healin'

and..er...a BM specced hunter for OT/CC

[Niefankazz]

If I had enough chump change laying around I would spec full Destruction, and be a MageLock...

...but I am currently saving for a second resilience libram.

[Winsome]

I like it Eve. Count me in any time. I personally think that 5-spot could crush any non-raid instance in the game.

[telva]

Well Belhop can be your Fury tank for DPS well at least until he respecs come Friday (I think).

[Waibanez]

<--- Halfish Holy Pally....Tri-Specced FTW..

[Hatchetface]

Once I had a girl on Rocky Top--half bear, the other half cat.
Wild as mink, but sweet as soda pop--I still dream about that.

(I sing that to myself everytime I see a female nelf drood).

[Evelynn]

Once I had a girl on Rocky Top--half bear, the other half cat.
Wild as mink, but sweet as soda pop--I still dream about that.

(I sing that to myself everytime I see a female nelf drood).


They wrote that song about me ;)

[Waibanez]

They wrote that song about me ;)

You only say thaqt so you can feel special :P

[Leridyn]

So, Evelynn - Blackravyn & I can ask ya to do Jailbreak with us? LOL He's a feral drood too, y'know. LOL

[Asarlai]

I like feral. Tanked all of ST once and had no trouble holding aggro or staying alive. Most times when Leri's Priest and I are running around I'll gather up 3 to 4 mobs of higher level(much to her horror) and tank them to death with no problems whatsoever. The 62% damage reduction from armor is just insane on this toon.

[Evelynn]

I like feral. Tanked all of ST once and had no trouble holding aggro or staying alive. Most times when Leri's Priest and I are running around I'll gather up 3 to 4 mobs of higher level(much to her horror) and tank them to death with no problems whatsoever. The 62% damage reduction from armor is just insane on this toon.

I loved it earlier today when I got lay on hands and my armor took a jump to 14k.

70% reduction ftw.

[Zephonia]

Winsome, duh. Have a hunter melee, j00 noob.

[Evelynn]

Winsome, duh. Have a hunter melee, j00 noob.

I didn't even think of that!

[Winsome]

See my post above: "Maybe a Survival Hunter? I dunno."

Wanna respec, Zeph? :)

[Zephonia]

Neva. I <3 Barrage too much. But, with my lightsaber, I can melee with the best of em. And btw, Thibz is survival specced.

[Niefankazz]

WTF Thibz is Survival and he still does all that damage?

Nerf Hunters

[Niefankazz]

As most of you probably know by now, a little over a week ago, I respecced feral. This began as a simple trial...to see what feral was like, find its weaknesses and strengths, and then go back to my 0/30/21 build. Well, the week passed, and I found I couldn't spec back. For better or for worse, I am now a feral druid.

Over the past week, I've noticed subtle shifts in attitude towards me. Some people - like hotc and dpaulraid - have been very supportive, cheered me on, and fought to get me tanking roles to practice and build on my skill. Others have given me the cold shoulder, blown me off, or just plain insulted me to my face. I guess this respec has taught me who my true friends are, and those who remain, I am very grateful for :)

Well anyway, continuing on with my rambling mess...I've been running ZG with the Aussie crew lately. No one had ever complained about my performance, accused me of shirking duties, or yelled at me for doing anything wrong. But last night...I was insulted for being a feral specced druid. This was only two days after being thanked for an innervate I never cast...because many of the people weren't aware I wasn't resto until I TOLD them I wasn't. After being called out like this, I couldn't bear to continue with the run. I don't understand how being aware of one fact can change someone's entire perception of a person.

I realize that by speccing feral I have gimped my healing. I realize I'm expected to heal, and I do, without slacking or complaining. I don't understand this bias against feral druids...but being treated as I was was so upsetting that I considered running to SW and respeccing immediately.

After today's BRD run with a friend's guild, however, I've decided to stick it out. As a tank in BRD I always receive the highest praise, though this is likely because they're simply amazed a druid is capable of tanking at all. I truly do harbor a passion for getting beaten up...I just wish everyone would embrace this idea, as opposed to only those who have bothered to get to know me as a person and a player.

That's all x.x

HEAL ME NOW?

[Goenitz]

I like it Eve. Count me in any time. I personally think that 5-spot could crush any non-raid instance in the game.Our 5 pally runs were easier than doing it with other classes. /cackle

I think its about time I get rollin with the 10 pally ubrs.