Heroics w/ Melee team

[Zappy]

I can handle the trash easily - the problem is on bosses that do any kind of AOE, I take so much damage so quickly on everyone that I either have to completely stop DPSing to heal or die to the AOE. Any kind of gimmick that requires everyone but the tank moving away I'm screwed on because it's ALL melee, and they can't do damage at range.

The thought is that once my gear has gotten better I won't have to stop DPSing to heal - I'll be able to mix n' match. But this is a LOT more gear sensitive than it would be if I had ranged DPS. With all melee, gearing up my tank first is important, but if my DPS isn't reasonably well geared (better than the minimum starter-heroic stuff, I think) they get creamed.

Are you doing DS/DS rotations?

When I first started heroics on my DK/rets team, I definitely had a hard time healing during those types of fights, but once I started using DS/DS on rotation, I found it so much easier. Also make sure you're blowing CDs as needed. After you DS/DS rotation, make sure to pop wings for that extra dps boost and heals.

Those first few heroics without badge gear will still be tough, but once you get a few pieces, you'll start to notice the difference in no time. I've cleared every heroic on these guys with the exception of heroic HoR.

For FoS Devourer of Souls in particular, slow way down -- this fight is not a dps race and if you're popping CDs and stuff with extra damage like army of the undead, you'll get eaten alive when mirror of souls gets put on you. If you're quick enough, you can pop DS/DS on the paladin that gets the mirrored soul debuf and go to town. If not, bind a key to stop attacking. Just make sure to move out of the way as soon as you see him jump. Also make sure you put up your shadow aura.

The three keys to that fight are A) stop DPS when you see him casting mirror of souls, B) move and fight him elsewhere when he jumps and drops a puddle on the ground, and C) when he casts wailing souls, get behind him asap. If you follow those three steps, the group heal from divine storm should be plenty to keep your guys topped off.

[kate]

Are you doing DS/DS rotations?

When I first started heroics on my DK/rets team, I definitely had a hard time healing during those types of fights, but once I started using DS/DS on rotation, I found it so much easier. Also make sure you're blowing CDs as needed. After you DS/DS rotation, make sure to pop wings for that extra dps boost and heals.

Those first few heroics without badge gear will still be tough, but once you get a few pieces, you'll start to notice the difference in no time. I've cleared every heroic on these guys with the exception of heroic HoR.

For FoS Devourer of Souls in particular, slow way down -- this fight is not a dps race and if you're popping CDs and stuff with extra damage like army of the undead, you'll get eaten alive when mirror of souls gets put on you. If you're quick enough, you can pop DS/DS on the paladin that gets the mirrored soul debuf and go to town. If not, bind a key to stop attacking. Just make sure to move out of the way as soon as you see him jump. Also make sure you put up your shadow aura.

The three keys to that fight are A) stop DPS when you see him casting mirror of souls, B) move and fight him elsewhere when he jumps and drops a puddle on the ground, and C) when he casts wailing souls, get behind him asap. If you follow those three steps, the group heal from divine storm should be plenty to keep your guys topped off.

I've been getting IS/ISBoxer working, but I am going to try these things - especially the DS staggering. I hadn't really thought of it as wasted healing, but in a lot of cases, 4x ret doing DS all at once is going to be massive overkill.

Thanks all for the tips!

Edit: My biggest problem is that 1-80, dungeons were REALLY easy, so now that there are tricks I'm sloppy about handling them. I just need to take some time to think things through more.