swapping advice

[Perrigrin]

I run warrior (54) priest (56) warlock (57) and 2x mages (54).

It's slow going and I can't get the AE clearing to work (problems with warrior aggro, mostly related to play-skill/level differences) - I am debating trying the 4x mages 1x priest team as that seems so popular and succesful.

The advice I'm now looking for:
Is there any viable way of boosting 2 mages into the above team? Or is it just easier to level 4+1 until I reach same level (might still get this to 60 simply since I'm soo close).

[Yani]

I run your original team and have no issues with dungeons, incl sub 30 min tribute runs. Think you should look into how the WMMMP teams run and see what you can pickup, since its so similar.

[Perrigrin]

I run your original team and have no issues with dungeons, incl sub 30 min tribute runs. Think you should look into how the WMMMP teams run and see what you can pickup, since its so similar.

Do you AoE pull at all? My issue is that any pulls beyond 4 elites (green-yellow) are quite risky (BRD) - Tried both AE and Bliz versions with similar milage - I can single target clear to coffer with no problems, just slow

[Yani]

Do you AoE pull at all? My issue is that any pulls beyond 4 elites (green-yellow) are quite risky (BRD) - Tried both AE and Bliz versions with similar milage - I can single target clear to coffer with no problems, just slow

AOE pull only. BRD I was pulling 9-10 mobs at a time and AOEing. AE only, blizz is trash. Your char levels are way high enough for this.

Feel this is user error, watch some of the videos of the WMMMP teams and copy them. Generally use warrior to pull everything, flamestrike into blastwave into AE. Mages will take spread aggro, use priest to keep them up. A mix of shields and holy novas works for me.

[Madsage]

After you group up all the mobs you need to cast Demoralizing shout 7-8 times before you start spamming aoe, your casters will pull aggro when mobs reach 20% hp but should not die. If you have issue with pulling aggro and dying wait a bit more with hellfire or use a lower rank.

Once your warrior gets geared and gets reflect damage items and buffs it becomes a lot less stresful.

The question is do you want to funnel your gold into your warrior or do you want to run around with 4 mages and oneshot people

[Perrigrin]

thanks for the input guys, and I appreciate it (keeps me motivated to stick with team) - But how about the original question, what's the best way to boost those 2 more mages?

[Kojiiko]

thanks for the input guys, and I appreciate it (keeps me motivated to stick with team) - But how about the original question, what's the best way to boost those 2 more mages?

I think mage a team of 4 mages and a priest untill level 35 and then using ur 60 to boost 2 of the mages? Low end dungeons boosting xp just isnt worth it until u hit SM, at least then that way the other mages and priest at 35 can get them to max tailoring and alchemist for the mooncloth and transmute cooldowns?

[nodoze]

I am thinking of swapping to 3Mages+2Paladins from 3Warriors+2Paladins (all about level 40 right now) for Dungeon grinding at cap for at least now.

Threat tanking should be solid as the 3 Mages should not take Aggro due to having Greater Blessing of Salvation from the Paladin Healer but if they do take aggro the Tank Paladin can generate better burst AoE Threat on demand than Warrior Shouts by refreshing Greater Blessing of Kings (GBoK) on the 3 Mages (basically like a huge Shout that doesn't require you to be hit to generate Rage to be able to spam it).

Thinking of running 4Mages+Priest or 1Warlock+3Mages+Priest to catch the 3 Mages up to 40.

Would 1Warlock+3Mages+Priest be significantly slower to catch-up to 40 than 4Mages+Priest?

Would the fastest way to catch up be just running dungeons to ~40 generally avoiding bosses and focusing on XP/hour?

Edit: Still debating in my head about 2Mages+Warlock over 3Mages for the DPS core. I was originally thinking of doing PaladinTank+PaladinHealer+2Mages+Warlock but that would make the "shout-like" AoE threat only 2/3 as effective from GBoK. Lots of benefits from a Warlock (fire-shield on tank & stamina buff, stones, summons, etc) but if max efficiency of dungeon grinding is the goal maybe 3 Mages are simpler/better.

[Carto]

I am thinking of swapping to 3Mages+2Paladins from 3Warriors+2Paladins (all about level 40 right now) for Dungeon grinding at cap.

Threat tanking should be solid as the 3 Mages should not take Aggro due to having Greater Blessing of Salvation from the Paladin Healer but if they do take aggro the Tank Paladin can generate better burst AoE Threat on demand than Warrior Shouts by refreshing Greater Blessing of Kings (GBoK) on the 3 Mages (basically like a huge Shout that doesn't require you to be hit to generate Rage to be able to spam it).

Thinking of running 4Mages+Priest or 1Warlock+3Mages+Priest to catch the 3 Mages up to 40.

Would 1Warlock+3Mages+Priest be significantly slower to catch-up to 40 than 4Mages+Priest?

Would the fastest way to catch up be just running dungeons to ~40 generally avoiding bosses and focusing on XP/hour?

Edit: Still debating in my head about 2Mages+Warlock over 3Mages for the DPS core. I was originally thinking of doing PaladinTank+PaladinHealer+2Mages+Warlock but that would make the "shout-like" AoE threat only 2/3 as effective from GBoK. Lots of benefits from a Warlock (fire-shield on tank & stamina buff, stones, summons, etc) but if max efficiency of dungeon grinding is the goal maybe 3 Mages are simpler/better.

It will slow you down a bit pre-30, but the utility at the end of the day is worth it. I leveled my priest solo with friends to 60 very fast and have played around with box squads since. I currently have one conventional squad (60 priest, 42 mage 41 mage 41 warr 41 lock) and a 4 lock 1 priest squad (all level 28). I love being able to summon my main to my box squad when I am done raiding. Soulstone is nice to have for emergency situations. And the imp extra stamina is nice as well.

As to leveling, with my conventional squad it sucked early on because I underestimated how much exp the level 60 takes at early levels. With my warlocks (undead) I leveled pretty quickly to 12 in tirisfal and then did a bit of silverpine before moving to RFC. Have done dungeons pretty much ever since then (RFC --> limited WC runs --> SFK --> BRD for the gravestone scepter wand --> did a few RFK boar cycle runs --> next step is SM but I've tabled them for now.

Long story short, I like having a lock even though I lose a bit of damage.

[nodoze]

I think 3Mages+2Paladins will be one of if not the most optimal 5man group, for sure top 2. It's got everything it needs for a caster group.

I think you are right if the 5man group was dedicated to dungeon farming and didn't split up a lot. I am on a Horde dominated PVP server and my main Paladin will be leaving the group regularly to raid and later to do BattleGrounds and travel to rep/Battleground vendors...

... the utility at the end of the day is worth it. ... I love being able to summon my main to my box squad when I am done raiding. ...

That may be the kicker right there. I plan to be regularly raiding with my Paladin & would prefer to just leave my grinding squad in place and just summon myself to the party to pick up where I left off (plus for equipment repairs, vendoring, etc)...

I actually currently have 6 accounts active by accident (I reactivated 2 accounts on one of my email logins then realized I really preferred 1 subscription active per email login) so I may just keep it active and do the Warlock on the 6th account... Once the 1st group hits 60, I will still have a sub-optimal 5 man team at ~level 40 so maybe after my new main team is at 60 I can bring at least 1 more character up to 60 to have at least 6 60s. If I bring up at least 1 more Mage, 1 Warrior, & the Priest that could kind of give me the best of both worlds as I can contrast/compare various combinations of Tank+Healer+3Mage vs Tank+Healer+2Mage+Warlock...

Maybe that will allow me to sorta have my cake and eat it also.