World of Warcraft, Healing To Damage

So unless you've been busy beyond all belief for the past two weeks then you already know about the huge change coming in patch 2.3. Your plus healing will now also add +33% of that healing back in plus damage. Without a doubt one of the biggest changes World of Warcraft has ever seen, though it's been downplayed quite a bit compared to many other changes coming in patch 2.3

Without a question this change has been coming for a long time, it's an issue healers have brought up again and again for what seems like forever. Without any offensive ability healers were rendered virtually useless outside of raids. They had no way to farm, no way to quest, and they really couldn't even PvP on their on.

The change will certainly allow healers to have some sort of role outside of raids now, though in addition the potential changes to arena could be quite large. Now most healers sit at around 1500 healing in their PvP gear, giving them around 500 damage also. Doesn't sound like all that much, though when you consider the changing role for a healer in arena it's very interesting. Healers now can put out a bit of extra damage that just might make the difference in a game.

Of course don't overestimate it either, obviously a single shadow word: pain isn't going to make or break team, though it sure can't hurt. It's additional damage that will certainly add up over the long haul of a fight. I'm interested to see what sort of talent specializations might become options come 2.3 due to these changes.

The priest that plays on my 5v5 team is already considering a potential tri-spec as holy come 2.3. Now of course his primary role is still going to be as a healer, though the extra DoT damage, mind flays, and shadow word: death damage certainly won't hurt.

Even on the most basic level this change will modify how you can secure that kill during a match. When all of the sudden you actually feel that earth shock, or holy shock from the paladin that nails you for 1,000, or hell even a wrath bomb, it's going to completely change the way these games are played and the role healers have on arena teams.

How we play arena is about to change forever, and honestly, it's a welcome change. It will allow talent specializations that were previously unrealistic to become viable. On top of the healer change, hunters are looking pretty solid. With so many buffs headed there way I'm interested to see how the class will respond as far as arena ratings go. There's just so much coming in the next patch I simply cannot wait, new content, new gear, new arena season, it's sure to be a blast!