Originally Posted by
Nythiz
For me the problem is not so much in AoE vs ST.
I realize AoE will be balanced without HM in mind; my issues is with priority targets. They have and always will exist in end game content, be it Raids, M+ or PvP.
And the fact HM exists will make us inherently weaker at priority target swapping, especially if they are prio targets with 0-20 second lifespans.
As for your comment on AoE GCDs make little sense.
How does a class that can generate focus and spend focus at any moment have "free GCDs"
The moment I have to use a GCD for hunters mark, is a moment I could have started casting steady shot / multi shot.
It's not much damage/time lost, but it IS damage/time lost.
On top of that there will be a lot of scenarios where the reapplication of hunters mark and your AoE burst coincide.
What if RF just comes off cooldown and your target that had HM on it just dies. Do you reapply first and sit on the RF or do you fire without HM boost?
And this is not about DPS balance, those minor occurrences will fall away on damage meters over the larger whole; but this IS about just the feeling bad having to maintain such a buff.