Hybrid Theory: Getting into raids as an off-spec

Each week, Jason Lotito contributes Hybrid Theory, a new column on hybrid classes in World of Warcraft.

Last week we discussed hybrids playing more than just the healing role and the flame wars that causes on the forums. This week I'd like to focus more on off-spec hybrids and how they can get into raids. Let's be clear now -- I'm focusing on off-spec hybrids and them getting into 25-man raids. And we aren't just talking about farmed content. I'm focusing on real progression raids. So let's get started!

Be realistic

Knowing if you can actually fill your needed role is important. But you have to be honest and realize that just not everyone is open to allowing off-specs into raids. And while you might get into a raid eventually, are you actually a regular player? Are you someone who is actually contributing to the raid as a whole?

The whole goal is for you to play an active part in your raids daily successes, not sitting on the sideline hoping for a pity invite. So really you have to ask yourself from the outset if your guild and raid leader are open to giving you an honest shot.

One way to go about doing this is to get support from key members of the guild. Class leaders and officers can do a lot in getting you in on raids. Of course, it also doesn't hurt if you are an officer or guild leader yourself.

Do your research

Let's be honest: playing a mage is easy. No, really it is. Playing a mage and doing damage is not really that difficult. But don't for a minute think filling the role of a retribution paladin doesn't take effort. You need to do more than auto attack. You really need to know the in's and out's of your class and your spec. Mages have a lot of solid reliable information to go on because they've been doing damage for a long time. Hybrids on the other hand have less to go on.

I remember building up my tanking gear and learning all I could about tanking. Being a paladin tank really meant I had a lot to learn and couldn't just rely on the warrior forums. After all, some warriors think you need 100% total block to avoid crushing blows. And even then, paladins had to look at more than just what their stats said. To avoid crushing blows, we need just over 102% total of avoidance and block. But you'd never know this reading the warrior boards.

A lot of what we were doing in those early days was fairly new. We had to learn how to play our class all over again.

And really, why should you know your class this well? If you don't know what the best weapon buffs to use as an enhancement shaman (and why), if you aren't pondering weapon speed's impact on windfury (and how flurry plays into this) and how all this affects your overall DPS, are you really putting 100% into playing your role?

It's easier for rogues and mages and the like to perform their job. After all, that's all they do. Collective wisdom is easy to find for these classes. You are going to have to do a lot of leg work yourself if you want a shot.

Have the gear

This should be a no brainer, but it really has to be said. Having the right gear makes a tremendous difference. You need to get this gear. This might mean going out and crafting the weapons and playing Arenas for the gear. It could very well mean countless Karazhan runs. It doesn't matter. Put forth that effort to get top of the line gear.

Going back to a personal experience, when I was a protection paladin, I focused heavily on giving 100% every time we raided. This meant getting the gear and the proper enchants. Not having an enchant was wrong. I made sure I had the best gear I could make. I did as much as I can with gear and even went on to make sure I was always able to provide myself with the necessary consumables.

Over a dozen Fortification Flasks was especially nice (and that was just at one point!) Needless to say, this put a strain on my finances. I was always low on cash, always just able to pay for repairs. And an epic flying mount? Hah! Not a chance. But I wanted to tank and had to give it all that I had.

Play your role

If you're walking into the raid as a balance druid, expect to play a balance druid. If raid leaders are going to give you a chance, they aren't bringing you in as a healer. They are bringing you in to DPS. So get ready to rock the damage meters and let the healers worry about healing. All too often off-spec hybrids get worried that if they don't heal some they aren't doing their job, but that's just an awful myth. If you are there to nuke, NUKE!

Sure, at some point your moonkin self might get asked to innervate someone, but such is the utility you bring. But outside of that, you aren't filling the spot of a healer so don't focus on healing. You are DPS. If you stop damage to start healing, it will only make everyone's lives more difficult.

Oh, sure, you might have the raid leader call you out on vent in times of trouble and have you switch to a healing capacity, but once again, this is only going to strengthen your role even more. Suddenly you can demonstrate your capacity to switch roles as needed. Give the raid the time to adjust, maybe get up another healer, and then you go back to DPS. It's quite amazing when it all works out, and I've seen it happen before. Always a lot of fun to see the raid move to the brink of disaster and then see it skillfully and expertly pulled back.

Being a hybrid is great.

Be ready to give 100%

I touched on this a bit when discussing gear, but it deserves its own point. Make sure you are ready to put out every time you get into the raid especially those first few times. Fair or not, you have a lot to prove. You have to earn your spot. 25-man limit really means a limit, and everyone has to pull their own weight.

I guess this is really part of all the points I've brought up. In each case you are probably going beyond what your standard roles or classes are doing, but it's worth it.

Recap

I'll be blunt: not every off-spec is suitable for every raid. And some off-specs still need work. Retribution paladins are still lacking and elemental and enhancement shaman still need tweaking. But that doesn't mean you still can't carry your weight in a raid.

As always, your comments are welcomed and appreciated. To all the naysayers and hybrid detractors out there, your hostility is much appreciated. Does a lot to tell me I'm doing something right.

During the day, Jason Lotito browses the WoW forums. But by night, he takes the form of Endure, a level 70 paladin, and faces off against the toughest bosses Blizzard has to offer with his guild at his side. He's previously played a shaman to 60 and raided Horde for a while, and is currently leveling a druid just to see what all the fuss is about.