More on the respec.

First: Duskflower's new spec is here.

So, resto. The strange thing (well, until I realized why) was that after the respec, Dusk's +healing actually went down. It took me a bit to realize that there are several talents in the balance tree that increase stuff like that (Edit: Lunar Guidance is the only one I could find, but it's top rank is +25% of your int to damage and healing, so there you go...). So... oh well. Her +healing is around +875 now. I've gotten a bit more *good* healing gear for her since the respec, like these shiny Boots of the Glade-Keeper.

Swiftmend has to be one of the coolest healing spells ever. For those not informed, Swiftmend consumes one Rejuvination or one Regrowth on the target to heal all the HoT at once. Example: if a target has Rejuv. cast on them, they get all 12 seconds of HoT all at once, there by consuming said Rejuv. It's really fucking cool.

Tree of Life form is kind of dorky, honestly (though it's kind of hilarious to see a tree running after a party). I love the bonus--healing for the party is increased by 25%--but it's somewhat of a pain to be walking at 80% speed. I can live with only being able to cast heal over time spells (HoTs), as I'm used to only being able to cast balance spells in Moonkin form. But, I think it would make sense if there was some sort of armor bonus (like there is with Moonkin form), seeing as you become a tree. You know, made of wood. Maybe drop your fire resistance down or something to compensate.

I have found that there's a really nice combination of spells using Nature's Swiftness (causes next Nature spell cast to be instant, three minute cool down) and Swiftmend that can emulate a nuke heal while in Tree of Life form. Nature's Swiftness --> Regrowth --> Swiftmend = big, quick heal.

All-in-all, I'm enjoying playing a dedicated healer now. I still have balance gear (which really needs some upgrading) in addition to feral gear (which isn't too bad--15k armor in Dire Bear form!), so I can play the other roles as needed. But it's nice to not have to worry too much about it.