I feel kind of silly posting this, but I keep dying in instances when I shouldn't. I get so wrapped up tending to the rest of the group that I miss healing myself. This doesn't happen all the time. It seems to happen when a fight goes to pot and aggro starts to spread. I get tunnel vision trying to keep the others health up and lose track of my own. I am actually surprised to see myself turn into a Spirit when I die.
Any suggestions on how to overcome this? Little tricks that may keep my attention... an addon that yells "Hey id-10t, you're about to die!" I usually shrug it off to lack of experience (I've really only healed 5-mans for a couple months now), but I hate being the reason for a wipe when it is avoidable.
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How to not die?Follow
Well, for starters, what level are you? At 64 you get a nifty spell called Binding Heal that is basically a flash heal that works on both you and your target at the same time. This or Prayer of Healing is great for when multiple people, including you, are taking damage.
However, if you're in low-level instances such as SM Cath, you really shouldn't be taking damage if the tank is doing his job correctly. You may have just had bad luck so far with your tanks (God I hate the LFG system).
Accidents do happen, though. As for addons, I would suggest Omen Threat Meter or Xperl Unit Frames (both available at wow.curse.com), as both alert you in some way when you gain aggro, and that's when you'll start taking damage.
As for parts where you take AoE damage (Doan of SM Library is a good example), just use your AoE healing abilities like Holy Nova and Prayer of Healing; they heal you too.
Summary: I suggest downloading one or both of the above addons, and trying to pay more attention. It's pretty easy to get sucked into watching only the green bars on the left, but part of being a healer is being aware when the mob decides to go after the squishys, and knowing how to stay alive.
Edited, Nov 29th 2008 8:32pm by IDrownFish
However, if you're in low-level instances such as SM Cath, you really shouldn't be taking damage if the tank is doing his job correctly. You may have just had bad luck so far with your tanks (God I hate the LFG system).
Accidents do happen, though. As for addons, I would suggest Omen Threat Meter or Xperl Unit Frames (both available at wow.curse.com), as both alert you in some way when you gain aggro, and that's when you'll start taking damage.
As for parts where you take AoE damage (Doan of SM Library is a good example), just use your AoE healing abilities like Holy Nova and Prayer of Healing; they heal you too.
Summary: I suggest downloading one or both of the above addons, and trying to pay more attention. It's pretty easy to get sucked into watching only the green bars on the left, but part of being a healer is being aware when the mob decides to go after the squishys, and knowing how to stay alive.
Edited, Nov 29th 2008 8:32pm by IDrownFish
Binding Heal.
Desperate Prayer.
Fade.
Shield.
These are your friends.
As for actually noticing that you're dying, the new big orange notice that pops up when you're getting aggro should help. Other than that, make sure whatever frames you're using are showing you in line with the rest of the group. You should be a red bar that you're watching like any other. In fact, I have accidentally thrown myself a renew because I didn't notice that the name on the frame was my own. :)
Desperate Prayer.
Fade.
Shield.
These are your friends.
As for actually noticing that you're dying, the new big orange notice that pops up when you're getting aggro should help. Other than that, make sure whatever frames you're using are showing you in line with the rest of the group. You should be a red bar that you're watching like any other. In fact, I have accidentally thrown myself a renew because I didn't notice that the name on the frame was my own. :)
teacake wrote:
make sure whatever frames you're using are showing you in line with the rest of the group
That!!
When I was a young priest, I would be very focused on the 4 blizzard unit frames for the party. I would rarely look up at my own frame up top, and I would be close to death without noticing. By the time I did notice, it was often too late.
Personally, I use grid. Healbot is also popular. Actually, any good unit frame package like xperl would also show you everyone's health at the very least. The point is that everyone shows up in one nice frame, and you are just another one of the items you watch constantly.
Having yourself as a regular part of your party or raid frame allows you to take preventive action. You should be aware of your personal condition (health, mana, agro, certain buffs and debuffs) at all times.
I guess that was a rather vague OP. Slight hint at rant now that I re-read it. O.o
My toon is L73, specced with a levelling D/H build. I do use pitbull frames and mouseover macros. I use healbot for buffs. I have Omen3 running, although I must admit, I do not monitor it as much when healing. When the battle goes long and I am concentrating on healing, I don't always get the mob targetted to allow Omen to function.
When I draw a healing aggro, I do see the warning, hear the "swoosh" and fade. The pack is usally brought back into the control by the tank and I resume my role. I think this is when I get into trouble. After checking some battle logs, I would see that 1 or 2 ranged mobs don't get pulled back and just keep plugging away at me. They are not in my face, and I don't recognize the damage as it occurs.
I checked my ui, and sure enough there is quite a gap between my frame and the party frames (I use pitbull). I think I will adjust the frames to make it 5 frames alike, rather than 4 party frames and mine stuck way in the corner.
Paying attention? Huh? Oh yeah, that is probably my main fault. I hope that by acknowledging this I can overcome this issue. Thank you all for letting me use you as a sounding board.
Edited, Nov 30th 2008 9:27am by Trylofer
My toon is L73, specced with a levelling D/H build. I do use pitbull frames and mouseover macros. I use healbot for buffs. I have Omen3 running, although I must admit, I do not monitor it as much when healing. When the battle goes long and I am concentrating on healing, I don't always get the mob targetted to allow Omen to function.
When I draw a healing aggro, I do see the warning, hear the "swoosh" and fade. The pack is usally brought back into the control by the tank and I resume my role. I think this is when I get into trouble. After checking some battle logs, I would see that 1 or 2 ranged mobs don't get pulled back and just keep plugging away at me. They are not in my face, and I don't recognize the damage as it occurs.
I checked my ui, and sure enough there is quite a gap between my frame and the party frames (I use pitbull). I think I will adjust the frames to make it 5 frames alike, rather than 4 party frames and mine stuck way in the corner.
Paying attention? Huh? Oh yeah, that is probably my main fault. I hope that by acknowledging this I can overcome this issue. Thank you all for letting me use you as a sounding board.
Edited, Nov 30th 2008 9:27am by Trylofer
Quote:
After checking some battle logs, I would see that 1 or 2 ranged mobs don't get pulled back and just keep plugging away at me. They are not in my face, and I don't recognize the damage as it occurs.
That's the tank's fault. Sounds like all of it is, anyway; I can't even remember the last time I pulled aggro from healing. The last time I recall myself using fade was level 62.
So glad I'm not the only one. I got downed by those damn plants that respawn in Nexus the other day... *mutters under breath*
Haven't done Nexus on heroics yet but the plants are annoying even on regular.
I always ask a DPS to help keep an eye on the healer as they respawn quick till the frost boss is dead. They die fast enough but still the first time I was there we wiped as they snuck up on the healer before anyone realized what was going on.
I always ask a DPS to help keep an eye on the healer as they respawn quick till the frost boss is dead. They die fast enough but still the first time I was there we wiped as they snuck up on the healer before anyone realized what was going on.
Hellbanned
idiggory wrote:
Drinking at home. But I could probably stand to get laid.
Prioritize healing targets.
1. You - I keep renew ticking on me at all times when it's an AoE fight where damage is to everyone
2. Tank
3. Smart DPS
4. Dumb DPS
5. Pets
1. You - I keep renew ticking on me at all times when it's an AoE fight where damage is to everyone
2. Tank
3. Smart DPS
4. Dumb DPS
5. Pets
2 posts
Hey i say dont worry about dying, get spirit of redemption and the glyph and you can heal indefinitely after you die anyway :D
you can but i guess thats not ideal,
Heroics you'll feel it, basically for those big scary pulls, bubble myself and maybe pop a PoM on myself, then as the pulls start, toss a renew on the tank to start the fight. If you are getting aggro, (which happens good or bad tank, when there are lots of mobs) fade is the primary option, if that is down, bubble, desperate prayer yourself. Most priests dont get lightwell. I DO, i know how to use it and it keeps me alive, best mana efficient spell in the game, if people arent retarted its amazing.
you can but i guess thats not ideal,
Heroics you'll feel it, basically for those big scary pulls, bubble myself and maybe pop a PoM on myself, then as the pulls start, toss a renew on the tank to start the fight. If you are getting aggro, (which happens good or bad tank, when there are lots of mobs) fade is the primary option, if that is down, bubble, desperate prayer yourself. Most priests dont get lightwell. I DO, i know how to use it and it keeps me alive, best mana efficient spell in the game, if people arent retarted its amazing.
Hi, I'm Simskin and I'm a WoW addict!! Knowing there is a problem is the first step to solving it :-)
These guys posting are some of the best(helpers!). Teacake has got it down, always so clear cut. Mozared is great too, as all the posters here.
My advice? Change your UI. Yeah, it sucks doing so and adjusting is a pain in the bum, but eh.
I personally use Omen and Healbot. Omen, well the new one doesn't have a healing mode (unless I'm using it wrong) so you don't see threat unless you are targeted on the MT's Target, BUT it does make a sound and flash and even print on the screen when you pull agro. Yeah, you see that and then lose focus. I understand that all too well. But it is a great start. When you see it, take 3 sec and prepare yourself. First Shield, then Fade, maybe pop a renew on yourself, then get back to your job (see Teacake's post for more info there). I do understand that the sign of a good healer is to keep your group alive, but if you are not alive to do that you've failed. Most of the time when you are facing this problem.... Yep, tanks forget or get busy and lose track of those casters. That (as Mozard said) is the tanks fault. It's their job to keep the mobs off us and you need to vocalize it to the tank before/during/after it happens to help solve that. I try in a teacher/caring way to let them know in a whisper (so as to save face in front of the group).
I understand that X-Pearl and Pit-Bull and stuff like that are great and all... but too much info is just as bad as not enought. There is a balance I guess for each player. I started out using X-Pearl, Omen, and Healbot. I found that, personally my screen was just too messy and making things small just made me squint more. I dropped X-Pearl and closed the Omen window (toggeling it when I spend more time slaming target with Smite and such). Even with the window closed it will still let off those wonderful warnings. I've actually removed the Blizz party screen. Yep. Gone. Great thing with Healbot. I did at one point remove mine too, but I liked the other functionality of it (easy mana read, in combat, ect... it also gave me 2 places to see myself).
I think it's a Blizz UI, or maybe Healbot... but you can set your screen to do a VERY ANNOING red flash when you reach a certan health %. Or maybe it's a combo with Blizz UI (the flash) and Healbot (the % it starts going off)... either way, set it higher. I have mine set around 35% so that my screen turns red reminding me that I'm dying and need to do something about it.
Another great thing about Healbot, my toon is on the top of the list (the second place I can see my health). Here and here are screenshots.
If you can't tell, I recomend Healbot as your main UI and that you use Omen for help with threat.
GL and happy hunting.
These guys posting are some of the best(helpers!). Teacake has got it down, always so clear cut. Mozared is great too, as all the posters here.
My advice? Change your UI. Yeah, it sucks doing so and adjusting is a pain in the bum, but eh.
I personally use Omen and Healbot. Omen, well the new one doesn't have a healing mode (unless I'm using it wrong) so you don't see threat unless you are targeted on the MT's Target, BUT it does make a sound and flash and even print on the screen when you pull agro. Yeah, you see that and then lose focus. I understand that all too well. But it is a great start. When you see it, take 3 sec and prepare yourself. First Shield, then Fade, maybe pop a renew on yourself, then get back to your job (see Teacake's post for more info there). I do understand that the sign of a good healer is to keep your group alive, but if you are not alive to do that you've failed. Most of the time when you are facing this problem.... Yep, tanks forget or get busy and lose track of those casters. That (as Mozard said) is the tanks fault. It's their job to keep the mobs off us and you need to vocalize it to the tank before/during/after it happens to help solve that. I try in a teacher/caring way to let them know in a whisper (so as to save face in front of the group).
I understand that X-Pearl and Pit-Bull and stuff like that are great and all... but too much info is just as bad as not enought. There is a balance I guess for each player. I started out using X-Pearl, Omen, and Healbot. I found that, personally my screen was just too messy and making things small just made me squint more. I dropped X-Pearl and closed the Omen window (toggeling it when I spend more time slaming target with Smite and such). Even with the window closed it will still let off those wonderful warnings. I've actually removed the Blizz party screen. Yep. Gone. Great thing with Healbot. I did at one point remove mine too, but I liked the other functionality of it (easy mana read, in combat, ect... it also gave me 2 places to see myself).
I think it's a Blizz UI, or maybe Healbot... but you can set your screen to do a VERY ANNOING red flash when you reach a certan health %. Or maybe it's a combo with Blizz UI (the flash) and Healbot (the % it starts going off)... either way, set it higher. I have mine set around 35% so that my screen turns red reminding me that I'm dying and need to do something about it.
Another great thing about Healbot, my toon is on the top of the list (the second place I can see my health). Here and here are screenshots.
If you can't tell, I recomend Healbot as your main UI and that you use Omen for help with threat.
GL and happy hunting.
I have reset my layout. I put the party frames adjacent to my frame and that helped a bunch. I think just admitting the little failure kept me more aware of my own health during instances. I healed a few since and realized that I had forgot what button desperate prayer was under. I hardly ever use it. The thing is, the most practical time to use it is the time you have -0- time to think about it.
I use the pitbull frames for a couple of reasons. I set it to deficit health and changed the text to show only two numbers. Total health and deficit. I sized the cast and power bars way down. Not really necessary to see that info. I also use colors by class. I pug alot and change styles depending on target. I don't want to read names, class etc. My intent is to process info and make timely decisions. A friend once told me how he trained pilots. He said he could tell how good the student was by watching their eyes and how they scanned the instrument cluster. If their gaze stayed in one place too long, they were not gathering enough info and could miss something critical or trivial. Point is they would miss something that they could either use or discard. I may be making this more difficult for myself, but that is the type of play I am trying to achieve.
Maybe I will give healbot another shot... it is compact.
I use the pitbull frames for a couple of reasons. I set it to deficit health and changed the text to show only two numbers. Total health and deficit. I sized the cast and power bars way down. Not really necessary to see that info. I also use colors by class. I pug alot and change styles depending on target. I don't want to read names, class etc. My intent is to process info and make timely decisions. A friend once told me how he trained pilots. He said he could tell how good the student was by watching their eyes and how they scanned the instrument cluster. If their gaze stayed in one place too long, they were not gathering enough info and could miss something critical or trivial. Point is they would miss something that they could either use or discard. I may be making this more difficult for myself, but that is the type of play I am trying to achieve.
Maybe I will give healbot another shot... it is compact.
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