Ret-Tractable Addendum, because I said so - Paladin Blog

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Ahem.

It’s been at my attention for a very long time that the Arena-going Retribution player base has always been of one focus. Offhealing and defensive playing. I get it, I know it’s a good play style. A lot of what’s preventing a general consensus that retribution needs offensive utility is because of this. Retribution being perceived as a “Defensive spec” but we’re supposed to be everything but that. I know this is going to get me a ton of ire from the community stating so, but yes, I think we’ve come too far as being accepted as a two-hander wielding destructor to go back to being a healer. If you like that, sure, there are several classes /specs that can fill this role, but why does it have to be Retribution? They say well “We already have a spell-casting melee class and it’s called the Death Knight” Hey, we were here first, buddy, and Death Knights are a completely different play style altogether. It’s like telling a Frost Death Knight to roll a Fury Warrior or a Unholy DK to roll a Warlock.  It doesn’t make much sense for you to equate those classes and specs with similar specs , now does it? They’re different play styles.

Every time I hear that Retribution should play a Warrior instead I die a little inside. Why? Because I’ve been with this class for 5 years, and for the most part, I’ve always been main spec Retribution. My alternative specs have changed and changed, from Protection to holy to protribution. But I’ve never played my Retribution Paladin like he should be healing. Not in PvE, nor PvP.  The Intent of Retribution, at least to the community of the old guard (Har har) and apparently to the Developer looking at the Cataclysm trees. Was for Ret to be Melee burst damage, with the ability to heal the same way a feral or an enhancement does. Clutch, but not standing back having cleanse and a quick heal on the ready.

(I was actually kicked from a 2v2 team because the mage I was with said I didn’t know how to play Retribution because I didn’t have the mindset that we’re support first and damage and melee utility second. It’s pretty much why I’ve sworn off Arenas for the time being.  Just the fact that we’re considered as such makes me cringe.)

Moving along, and as a conclusion (This is a short article) Intent versus practice is going to haunt the retribution spec for the remainder of this expansion. We’re getting a lot of Melee utility in cataclysm, and our hybridization is being cut short. I think this is actually a good thing, it gets rid of two things, Protribution and RestoRet hybrid specs, allowing more focus being put into giving Retribution, as it seems it was intended, a go into end-game PvP.  We’re given a choice, Holy, Protection, or Retribution. We’ve got a healing spec, a defensive spec, and a damage spec.  The lines are becoming more defined by the day, though unsettling to some,  but in my book?

I think it’s a bright future.

Roll an arms warrior? Shucks, I’ve got a perfectly good spec right here. It’s a spell casting melee spec that deals damage in clumps, with more of a ranged ability than arms, but more burst than Unholy, and without the pet. It’s all about what you want to do. “But there’s already something like that.” Then why is there a Destro Lock, Boomkins, or Elemental Shaman if Mages are around? A Holy Priest if Resto Druids exist? Cat Druids and Rogues. Why?  Some people would rather play a Cat than a guy with two daggers. Some would rather be a big chicken instead of a guy in cloth. Some would rather have a stun than a fear. Rage over Mana, Mana over energy. Some people just “Fit” with a spec.

I prefer running in with my two-hander, stacking strength instead of armor pen or hit. Using mana over rage or runes, both of which I think feel clunky. I think Retribution with holy power is going to be amazing in Cataclysm.  I’m saying, in summation, that some people just like those variations in the class mechanics over others. Differences in spells they use.

We don’t want to be Arms warriors.

Any questions or comments (Probably hate mail) can be directed to my contact page.

Last Updated on Sunday, 15 August 2010 12:37 Written by Drekai Sunday, 15 August 2010 02:56