To address WHM 5.0 itself, it has taken me some time to digest the information for all of our healers. I also had to really sit and allow myself to approach the forums once in a rational mental state as I was quite upset initially with changes to healers in general.

When it comes to WHM, I found myself not really all that disappointed. However, I also wasn't jumping through my ceiling either. Ok, that's not entirely true; I was quite happy with the wings xD. Anywho, it was very similar to my thoughts about WHM going into 4.0. My issues with WHM pertain more to a passive lily mechanic, clipping and Aero 2, and SoTL2. I didn't have that big of a problem with their lack of utility because what matters to me most is enjoyment playing a job. Having a healer I enjoy for high end content is important as well, and since I enjoy SCH I had a meta healer as an option. Thank goodness.

The biggest disappointments with WHM is taking away Aero 3, which is one of my favorite skills and animations in the game. Repose and Fluid Aura; not necessarily their changes which make zero sense, but that they are still here. These two skills are WORTHLESS. It is also sad knowing that one of our non-customizable role skills is taken up by this skill that has no place. PI is basically a AoE heal potency boost on CD. Not bad, but as a level 70 skill it lacks umph. That's really about it as far as gripes go.

I liked just about everything else. Dia is a true DoT being your highest potency per GCD at 720 total. With Aero 3 gone this needed to happen for ST encounters. Losing the AoE isn't that bad since trash packs and adds rarely survived the entirety of its duration. Everyone hated the animation for Stone IV, so 72+ they'll no longer have to worry about that.

Good riddance to SoTL2, but shame it was not replaced with something more useful. I suppose there's enhanced Asylum, but this healer bubble still falls short of the others. I'm also not going to gripe about our skills that go mostly unchanged. DB, Assize, Holy, Tetra and Bene are all still here doing what they do best.

The new lily mechanic is much better than what it is now. I understand why the lily heals are not ogcd, but at least they are instant. Giving WHM their own version of Foul every 90 seconds will very likely put them at the top of healer pDPS. Even at maximum fall off, this skill is still going to have 450 potency. Then we get to drink a red bull @80. I'm actually really excited about Temperance. However, the effectiveness of the raid wide damage reduction is yet to be seen, but I do wish the wings gave potency buffs all around including their offensive skills. We have to remember that straight up damage reduction is better than increased defense by the same percentage. 10% for both incoming physical and magical damage is nothing to scoff at. That is basically the AoE TBN DRKs are wanting. It might not be the increase to rDPS that everyone wants, but at least they have some utility now.

WHM Grade: B-