Phew. Got my artifact challenge completed. Below are my impressions of this... ordeal. Yours might differ, but these ones are mine.
Scenario notes:
* Tuning is
very tight for the current gear level. Uncomfortably tight.
* The scenario does not really test your skill as a healer. It tests your ability to complete the scenario, no more, no less.
* I've abandoned PUGs and put people on ignore for less stupid missteps than what these NPCs did (or didn't do) in this scenario. Seriously... it's a freaking PUG-from-hell simulator.
* Surprisingly, debuff/dispel management is
not a requirement. You need to dispel exactly one time. I found that somewhat disappointing.
* Prolonged Power potions and drums are near-mandatory. It's very hard to pass the burst HPS check without them, at least with my gear.
Build notes:
* Crusader's Might is the only useful T15 talent for this.
* Unbreakable Spirit and Repentance are
extremely useful.
* Devotion Aura is probably mandatory at this gear level, even if you don't use Aura Mastery (I forgot to use it on my successful attempt
).
* Holy Avenger and Sanctified Wrath because you need those cooldowns.
* Surprisingly, Beacon of Virtue.
Spell notes:
* BoV
rocks this scenario so hard. For me it was the difference between a lot of miserable failures and a successful completion.
* LotM is useful, especially its synergy with BoV, but you don't have to use it if you are allergic to it.
* Tyr's Deliverance is much more useful than I thought at first. I mean, it's sort of obvious in hindsight, but... yeah.
Gear notes:
* My equipped item level was 903, with 43 traits and 7/7 Shock Treatment.
* The key legendary was... Tyr's Hand of Faith. No, really. Even 3/3 Focused Healing, LoH cooldown was around 1.5 minutes. This is absolutely
amazing for getting out of all kinds of tight corners. It also helps during the HPS check near the end (LoH a ghost, one less thing to worry about).
* Velen's trinket was my other legendary. That one is much less useful. The cooldown helps, sure, but the overhealing part of its effect is all but useless. If you have it, use it; if you don't, use something else.
* 4pc T19 works really well here.
Encounter notes:
* First phase was probably the most difficult part.
* The HPS check is an exercise in cooldown management. Took me a few attempts to get it to a point where I had all 8 spirits healed without letting a single one reach the boss.
* Speaking of which: on my successful attempt, none of the spirits reached the boss. The scenario "rewarded" me by activating the boss immediately instead of letting me sit and drink. As a result, I entered the final phase with 200K mana remaining and everything on cooldown, including potions. I did not appreciate these shenanigans. Didn't stop me from completing it, though.
All in all, I am glad I got my achievement and artifact skin, but I can't truthfully say I've enjoyed the scenario. Oh well. My Legion to-do list is now one item shorter; been there, done that, didn't even get a t-shirt.