Help with speed runs as a WHM

[Numenor1379]

So lately I have been really trying to improve my ability to speed run as a WHM and I think learning from you Tanks is my next step. As a usual rule big pulls start on my end with a Divine Seal, Cure II, swiftcast Med II and then a Regen...

Basically what I am wondering is what to look for with your buffs and strategy tanks use to improve my healing efficieny as well as ability to DPS (dat Holy spam) during big pulls. What level of buffs do I need to be on my heals pronto or when can I hold off a bit and assist with mob burning. At what point should I expect Tanks to pop their cooldowns or when should I expect to just heal through the damage?

So... Tanks, please help me help you. Teach me if you would. =)

[SpookyGhost]

Biggest CDs are used at the start of the pull, usually they last long enough for everything to be dead. If the mobs can't be stunned then you have to pay a lot more attention to the tank's health, but if they can be stun locked then you can concentrate more on Holy spamming. Most tanks capable of speedrunning have a set rotation of big CDs to cycle through for each pull, but on the off chance they have nothing it's still safe to throw out 1 Holy or 2 (especially if the mobs can be stunned) but things may get dicey after that. Basically, Holy spam at the start with Regen + Med 2 ticks = safe in most situations.

[Deculture]

Mega pulls (e.g. first two rooms of Snowcloak, the entire first area of Halatali HM, everything up until the first boss in Copperbell HM, etc) I tend to DS -> Regen as tank is positioning mobs after I see CoS -> Cure II -> Cleric Stance -> Swiftcast Holy -> PoM -> Holy -> Stoneskin tank -> Holy -> Holy -> Holy -> Cleric Stance off and cure spam. Shroud as needed in case a mob comes off the tank.

Also helps if you keep an eye on what CDs the tanks are using. Always bugs me when my healer stands around doing nothing while HG is slowly ticking down.

[Sleigh]

As a usual rule big pulls start on my end with a Divine Seal, Cure II, swiftcast Med II and then a Regen...

This opener is a bad idea. M2 is almost never needed in pulls, and it makes it harder to transition into DPS if you don't have Swiftcast. The opener by Deculture is similar to what I do:

DS > C2 > (adjust if he needs another C2) > Regen > Cleric Stance > Swiftcast > Holy > PoM late > Holy > Holy > Holy > Holy > play it by ear. Keep your Benediction ready, which generally isn't needed - however, there are times where you can just use Benediction to squeeze in more Holy spam to finish the enemies off.

For bosses, Regen pre-pull (there's nothing wrong with it if there are no other enemies) > CS and just DPS until the tank's below 50% HP, DS C2 > Regen > back to DPS.

You have to adjust if DPS is terrible or if the tank is badly geared/can't do big pulls.

[VanilleFang]

Don't be afraid to use Benediction. If your tank is running low on HP and you are worried you won't be able to save them, then pop that Benediction to get the up to 100% instantly. It's a good tool to use when you are speed running and things get out of hand. Also Holy can help reduce damage because of the stun.

[TemariVtwo]

Based on all of this extra exposure to the DF for the zodiac quest, I can say with confidence that more WHM's need to be using Holy and Benediction.

As a Warrior, I can generate a ton of HPs with Berserk/Bloodbathed Overpowers during the stun duration of Holy (with ToB and 2nd Wind on backup).

Once the massive pull is all in position, floor AoEs are down, and I turn on the blender, the sound of Holy is a like a symphony.

[Synestr]

Don't be afraid to use Benediction.

This. I love this. I like to DS+Regen>E4E the tank as he/she positions, then HOLY SPAMZ!!!! till the tank has about 20% HP, then pop that BENE! It's epic fun and requires a change of pants sometimes.

As a tank and a heals. Look for convalescence, helps dem cures.
Also, on WAR's look for berserk. The Pacification that comes at the end of it and it can be esuna'd, leeches'd(? lol) I have a macro to let heals know that pacification is coming. Having it removed is super quick and allows for me to continue dishing out the hurt to make things die faster.

Just my 2g.

[VanilleFang]

Oh. And Eye for an Eye is also a useful tool in speed runs. It may not seem that great but it is a powerful tool and should be underestimated (though it shouldn't be over estimated either...)

The 10% damage reduction is very helpful when the tank is getting pummeled.

[Ceodore]

Oh. And Eye for an Eye is also a useful tool in speed runs. It may not seem that great but it is a powerful tool and should be underestimated (though it shouldn't be over estimated either...)

The 10% damage reduction is very helpful when the tank is getting pummeled.

I think a lot of people need to also realize that with Eye for and Eye, it has a high chance of applying itself to the entire mob pull, meaning the more mobs pulled, the stronger it is because of the more targets it effects.

As for what I see as both a tank and a healer, we (tanks) work for you (healers), and proper CD usages is vital. We pop longer CDs first, to try to give them enough time to refresh for the next pull as well as deal with the massive number of mobs we just pulled. This generally gives DPS 20-30 seconds of time to bring down one or two mobs so that our weaker CDs on shorter timers can handle the lower damage with relative ease. Try to do the same thing as a healer. Cast time reduction on Presence of Mind shouldn't be underestimated, and remember Divine Seal. Also, big heals like Cure 2 should be used at the beginning to benefit more from these CDs, and deal with the heavy incoming damage. After a few mobs die, pop Shroud of Saints to prepare for the next pull (if there is another to go) or the boss coming up, and be sure to keep up Regen and Medica 2, and portion out your healing near the end to preserve MP to keep the dungeon going smoothly. Holy generally gets used right after your CDs end, to try to stun mobs and lengthen the time for DPS to bring them down and as a form of mitigation. When your holy stops stunning, stop using holy and just coast to the end, believe me, you've done plenty of damage for a healer if you use Cleric Stance.

[kurogane_shiroikaze]

I tank and heal, so this is what i do in experience:

Eye for an Eye just as tank starts running -> Sprint until holding spot -> Divine Seal -> Regen -> ( Medica 2 if there's a melee in party ) -> Cleric -> Swiftcast -> Holy -> Blizz 2 -> Holy -> Blizz 2 -> Holy -> Holy. In between Holy make sure you have a finger on Benediction if needed.

For Blizzard 2, I use it as a filler because it maximises the stun lock AND Bind can prevent a few attacks on tank if the tank keeps circling around the mobs. Most ppl don't realize Bind also prevents mobs from turning and usually right after the stun finishes, mobs will use their queued up auto-attacks. Using a Bind usually stops that, even if it gets removed right away.

For Medica II, I will only use it if there is a melee in the party or its those jumping goblins in Brayflox, since I'm lazy to switch stances for the 10s i'm doing the Holy spam.