by Beafly » Mon Nov 13, 2006 4:46 pm
I respectfully disagree Ughbash. If they lower the refresh time on our canni AA (and leave the amount the same as I assume you desire) they are altering our maximum mana production over time. All spell power and mana costs will thereafter be tuned around our new theoretical ability to produce mana. That ability comes with an increased time cost. Today, TIME is the single most valuable resource to a shaman. Less time casting canni = more time to be spent debuffing, buffing and healing. Those are the things that actually impact our groups and raids. That is why the move from canni IV to Pained Memory is so powerful. That is the same reason why going from a 3 minute refresh on our canni AA to a 2 minute refresh would be so detrimental. Casting canni doesn't get the mob slowed, it doesn't panther your group and it doesn't patch heal the ramp tank. A ten minute canni aa refresh does sound like a bit of an exageration (the relative decrease would be like asking for a 30 second refresh). Might be a bit of a stretch, at today's conversion ratio also it would be 13523hp for 7493 mana. I'd only be able to do it fully raid buffed and only have about 1khp to spare, but man that would be interesting. Burn burn burn for 10 full minutes, clicky bp heal over time on myself, canni, heal potion, tacvi spear. Burn for another 10 minutes. Ok, maybe not such a great idea.
But how bout every 5 minutes at the same conversin ratio? That would be 6762hp for 3747mana. Yes, that sounds do-able. And actually preferable to the 3 minute refresh.
So, I've come to a conclusion. Instead of hastened canni aa. We should be proposing EXTENDED canni aa! 4 levels, cost 5/5/5/5. Each level extends the refresh of frenzied cannibalization by 30 seconds and increases the hp taken and mana returned (tuned to the same mana production over time).
More seriously, If you really think we need our mana production capability to be enhanced then I suggest we look at one of two solutions. Increasing the amount of hp converted to mana per cast (the bigger bite) or improving the ratio that we convert those hp to mana (the more tasty bite). I personally like the Cheesburgur Big Bite with ketchup, mustard and onions.