When i first started my priest (first toon) i was leveling as holy. Mind you this was when Wrath first came out. I really enjoyed playing a healer. The leveling wasnt much to fast, but hey, it was my first toon so i didnt know better. I did enjoy healing dungeons, even tho i had 0 addons. Everything seemed good...Then i hit 72. I qued up for a random, and got dropped into AN. Having never been there before, i didnt think much of it. All previous places i just had to watch the tank, and toss the occassional aoe heal when needed. Before the first boss, we wiped numerous times, and i was berated for being a shitty healer. I left group, and tried to get into another random. Same place, same issue. I had no idea about web's, CC's, what-have-you. Most places prior to AN didnt have anything of the sort (that i could remember, or that made a diff.)
I became so discouraged as i was once again belittled. I spec'd shadow soon after, and havent looked back. Now, while i love, love playing shadow (and consider myself well adapt to mastering the playstyle), i still regret not sticking with it.
I've always wanted to go back to a healer, but the guild im in now has enough healers.
However, I'd still like to have the option myself to heal. So basically, im looking in the forums and see lots of starter guides. My first question is, which is the easier spec to pick up and have sucess with? I understand they are 2 totally different styles. One being shields and absorbs, the other being HoT's. Which of the 2 healing spec's is most inducive to starting off healing? Mind you, I dont plan to make it main spec, but keep it in the back pocket, just incase.
I dont ask which is "easiest" b/c i realize both could be considered "easy". Which has the smoother learning curve? thank you in advance for any advice!! Fuu