Casting Order

CriticalOvrLoad · 05-14-2009, 03:50 PM

I have looked through the threads and don't really see any current mention of Warden casting order. I know on my zerker, CO is important and can boost DPS significantly.
Is there a particular order one can recommend or suggest?

Varuna · 05-14-2009, 05:19 PM

I don't think casting order matters much. I usually use Nature Blade or whatever that one is that gives us haste, then the CAs from the EoF tree (Start with the DoT, forget what it's called, but it has a mit reduction).

Then while those are recasting, I'll pop Tide of Healing (6x Infusion procs), blue AoE (even on single targets, it's good damage an a short radius so it avoids pulling extras). Then I'll cycle through the CAs again, go back to Tide of Healing, and if there's nothing to cast, I hit Healstorm for more Infusion procs (6x again). That's for shorter fights. I might also squeeze Wrath of Nature (TSO druid endline) in there, but I try to reserve that for groups.

if it's going to be a longer fight (named), I start off with Wrath of Nature as the tank pulls due to it's long cast, then dogs, then my normal rotation. Make sure you hit Tide of Healing any time your CAs are down. Get a Thex Mallet or the staff from Nexona, time your autoattacks, and go embarass shitty scouts in pickup groups!

Edit:
(Keep in mind this is all based on my own immediate logic process, I haven't talked to any other Wardens about DPS. However, I've cleared 4k a number of times, and usually average 1.5-2k DPS while maintaining about the same HPS. My warden also has ridiculously low AA [158] and some crappy "dps" gear for the most part.)

WC-Larry · 05-14-2009, 06:48 PM

Healing isnt as cut and dry as DPS. Many more aspects of the healing casting order are based upon anticipation and experience. Most of healing in this game is a matter of judgement call.

There really is no order per say really. Its all about saving the right heals for the right moments.

Generally it is good practice to maintain Photosynthesis (single target regen) at all times. Its possible to keep it up at all times even with zero recast mod and wild regeneration AA. I like to throw in Sylvan Bloom (quick cast open hands heal) a lot of the time too to keep the stack up. On mobs with timed AEs I will precast Healstorm (Group regen) shortly before the AOE hits. If there are no timeable AE damages then I will try to maintain Healstorm along with Photosynthesis. I will usually save Tide of Healing (group direct heal) and Grand Florescence (slower cast closed hands heal) for responding to damage when the hit point spike actually happens.

If you're talking about straight spam healing and hot stacking then here is the order I will run.

Healstorm >>
Sylvan Bloom >>
Photosynthesis >>
Tide of Healing >>
Grand Florescence >>
Sylvan Bloom >>
Photosynthesis >>
Healstorm >>
Sylvan Bloom >>
Tide of Healing >>
Photosynthesis >>
Grand Florescence >>
Sylvan Bloom >>
Etc.

The principle behind my spam casting comes in the priority of my first 5 heal casts. I will follow that order if all possible. I will cast Healstorm everytime it is up. I will cast Sylvan Bloom everytime it is up unless Healstorm is up then I will cast Healstorm first. You basically cast the spells every time they refresh and if there is ever more than one spell up at the same time refer to the casting priority to decide which to cast to cast first.

Hope this helps some. Remember its not always about spamming your heals and maintaining the stack. Its more about casting the right heals at the right time and learning which times are right for which spell comes with practice and patience.

Varuna · 05-15-2009, 04:11 AM

Bleh, after reading his tidbit about his Berserker, I immediately assumed he meant dps casting order, probably because my warden is an alt whom I do not raid with, so running instances is usually dps and healing as an afterthought. For healing...Well, Larry said exactly what I would have...he just said it smarter than I would have.

CriticalOvrLoad · 05-15-2009, 10:45 AM

I was actually talking about DPS, but I very much appreciate WC_Larry providing his casting order for heals too. Both pieces of info are nice to have.

WC-Larry · 05-15-2009, 05:13 PM

There is no casting order for DPS either.

Our CAs pretty much blow in comparison to the rest of our DPS. Worrying about an order to maximize 15-20% of your damage isnt going to give you much of an overall increase.

To maximize your DPS you have do only do the following.

1 - Make sure every autoattack possible swings at exactly the time it is supposed to. Do not delay autoattack with a CA or a spell cast

2 - Stack your DOTs on the pull, cold slice / wrath of nature / wolves, and refresh them when they are dropping unless the mob is under 25% health in which case it is probably saving your DOTs for the next mob.

Other than that its all about having the right proc gear and the right group. Make sure Nature Blade is the first CA you actually hit, but aside from that theres not much too it other than making sure your autoattack fires on time. You could definetly make a Warden 1 button macro for DPS

Hey Now · 05-15-2009, 07:28 PM

The melee order is pretty easy imo. Open with the Cold Slice, let autoattack swing, then hit the Nature Blade, and simply alternate the rest of your CAs and autoattacks from there on out.

Kelhen · 06-01-2009, 05:03 PM

Healstorm >>
Sylvan Bloom >>
Photosynthesis >>
Tide of Healing >>
Grand Florescence >>
Sylvan Bloom >>

Any reason you don't start off with Photosynthesis first on the tank, then hit Healstorm & Tide of Healing? Personal Preference?

Does the order you list, help more than starting the way I mentioned.

Thx.

Haldir · 06-07-2009, 02:38 PM

Sow is actually one of the better infusion proc spells.... almost instant recast and it is a beneficial spell that hits all 6 people :-). Use it when you don't need heals and in between toh.

Ariel · 06-17-2009, 04:15 AM

ooooo.