Hello MMO community,
starting off I want to clarify that I do not have beta access and that the below are just thoughts based on the feedback found on this/other sites.
One of the most troubling things regarding Disc in MoP is the new spell Spirit Shell and its behavior.
I understand that most people want disc to be all about shield and stuff but is SS (in its current form the way to go?). I think not! One thing that generally irks me is that they are limiting the healing arsenal for both specs (talking about core heals both holy and disc used to have) which I find downright wrong. Healing on a priest is all about having a huge arsenal. Sure some spells are better for one of the 2 specs but still its all about having options.
Anywho on to my thoughts. We already have PW:S and DA, do we REALLY need a 3d type of single target absorb?? I think there just isn't enough of design space/utility for such and ability, it overlaps with DA, it doesn't stack very high (20% of OUR health), it has a long cast time and the heal at the end will most probably be an overheal in raid scenarios.
Moreover in the absence of Renew, the 6 sec CD on PW:S and the 8(?) sec cd on Penance we are pretty much screwed when it comes to heavy movement.
I propose the following:
PW:S keeps its 6 (4 sounds better) sec Cooldown but is now Disc's go-to absorb spell. Duration bumped up to 20 (perhaps 25 sec) to compensate for the cooldown.
Spirit shell redesigned to one of the following:
(a) Instant cast, 10 sec cooldown, Circle of Bubbles (last 12 sec), OR.
(b) Castable party based AoE shield (ala PoH minus the heal) lasts 10 seconds.
For both cases Shield's decay at 10% / sec, converting that into a heal. Overwritting the shields (aka recasting on the same group) heals for 60% (balancing?) of the shield and refreshes the shield and its duration.
Divine Aegis redesigned.
Lasts 15 seconds. Now only procs from Heal, GHeal, FHeal, Penance. Not on crits, but ALWAYS. Stacks as currently on live.
NEW Spell
Over the years I've always thought that the shielding playstyle is incomplete without a Shield TO Heal converting ability, much like swiftmend does HoT to Heal.
Call it Burst or Implode or whatever you like:
10 seconds cooldown.
Consumes an absorb effect (from either PW:S, DA, or SS) and healing for X amount up front and another Y amount/ 3secs for 9 sec.
Make a glyph that allows PoM, if on the target, to trigger a bounce as well.
For me the above define a unique, yet functional, abosrb based playstyle.
Thoughts?