Quote Originally Posted by Nighthawk38 View Post
I will be using the druid as my healer until I get the team to Northrend. Everything I've read suggests a dedicated healer isn't necessary until you hit Heroics.
With a paladin & 4x shaman, this is true. However, 5 different classes will gimp your dps efficiency a little and might be easier to run later non-heroic instances with a dedicated healer, mainly for reduced threat talents. You could make up for the efficiency hit with better gear.. it's up to you when to respec a healer. Don't do it until you feel you need to anyway. I didn't for the longest time, but it turned early runnings of level cap non-heroic instances from slow, careful, and deliberate into a cakewalk with earth shield, riptide, mana tide totem, lowered healing threat, and various healing talent buffs.