Bradev wrote:First, thanks for the great guide CK. Do you mind explaining your method for testing various builds? Do you just use the combat log? The raid dummy makes it very easy to visualize changes in DPS builds but when I want to try a new healing build I don't know where to start.
sure!
i do quite a bit of testing with combat log turned on, it will show overhealing and its a great way to get quick number references if you want to see if an ability is working properly but dont want to enter combat to push a log.
healing is similar to dps in that our builds change with the encounter, dps have single vs multi target. we have tank vs raid, spread vs stacked, etc. unlike dps its pretty easy for us to tell which spells are better for each situation than a dps. dps require you to parse different builds because of rotation changes. while i can say without much thought that voidspring is good on frost boulder avalanche mini.
when it comes down to which will perform better i look at logs. i look at a lot of logs. a neat function is the "raw healing" option. seeing what healing is overheal and wasted is important. then you check damage taken, align it with healing output and you get a great indicator not only of your personal performance but what is doing the heavy lifting for your healing. also important to note your location because you cant heal what you cant reach boss fights like to have raid splits.
for the most part we check logs like dps do but we have to account for more factors affecting our healing. you cant get a high hps parse unless your raid takes a high amount of damage or you are quicker on the healing draw than your other healers. the best way to test new builds is trial and error but if you don't understand how damage is dealt in the encounter you are testing it the info/parse is worthless.
