UPDATE (10/12): Revised all specs to 36 points, rather than the full 41 initially shown. This was done to reflect the reality of 4.0.1, which of course doesn’t include levels 81–85. I also mades some changes in talent selections based on further research.
Disclaimer: I have not been in the Cataclysm Beta. I have never been on the PTR. I have played World of Warcraft somewhat effectively since the prerelease beta (sorry; I can’t recall if I got in at the tail end of the closed beta, or the very start of open beta). So herewith are some specs I’ll be trying out tomorrow (or Wednesday, or a week from tomorrow).
For my DPS classes, I focused on talents and glyphs that are intended to increase DPS (what a concept!). So, for example, no Lightning Reflexes for my Combat Rogue spec. For the Holy Priest spec (yes, I think I’ll try that out as Osprey’s secondary spec; his primary is now going to be Shadow), the intent was to maximize healing throughput; thus, no Desperate Prayer, and only one point in Inspiration, in order to move to the next level.1
Enhancement Shaman EDIT: Updated to correct and add some glyph choices. (Somehow, a couple healing glyphs made it in instead of Lightning Shield and Shamanistic Rage.)
2ND EDIT: Revised for Level 79/80, instead of Level 85.
Are any of these specs viable for raiding Icecrown Citadel, pre-expansion? I have no idea. But I’m confident they’ll all work at least well enough for heroic 5-mans. Given the current thirty percent ICC buff, though, I’d be willing to try any of them in normal content. When it comes to heroic instance runs, you’re on your own. *grin*
To repeat: These are preliminary, unresearched specs. If you have suggestions to improve any or all of the specs, including the glyphs I’ve selected, I’d be very interested in discussing pros and cons in the comments. I’d also be interested in links to good Mutilate Rogue, Discipline Priest, and Marksman and Survival Hunter specs. Lay ‘em on me!
- For you healing purists, I’ve never been able to work Desperate Prayer into my rotation: I’d rather use Binding Heal or Prayer of Healing to get my own health up. And I have to say, I’ve generally been effective at not being in such desperate straits. YMMV. ↩
Discussion on This Post
What I read is that when the above talents go live, the ICC buff will go away.
We’ll see whether that happens or whether we miss it. Well, I am greedy and will always take an extra 30%.
Ahhh…now that you mention it, I think that is the case. Unfortunately, I haven’t raided in months, and doubt I will before January.
I also realized my specs above are for level 85…oops. I’ll probably post my level 79 specs later this week or next; I’ve already tweaked a few things as it is!
Incidentally, there’s a ton of great links here:
4.0.1 Survival Guide.