Rift Souls – Play What We Need, Not What You Want?

It should be obvious by now that I fancy myself somewhat of a Chloromancer. With a lot of study, trial and error and practice I feel that I have become what most would consider a competent Mage healer. It certainly did not happen overnight and I still find myself tinkering with things. I think that has to do with me wanting to be the best I can, I am not sure though.

With that much time invested you would be correct in assuming that when I raid or do 5mans I want to heal. Also I am a staunch believer in playing what want. I am not a fan of being forced into a role because it’s “what the group/fight needs”. I guess you could say that “bring the player, not the class” is something I firmly believe in.

Recently I was hit with the Rift is not WoW argument and it was implied that my staunch stance on playing only the role I enjoy is outdated. I was told that I should be versatile enough in my class to play as heals, DPS or support. Not only that, but I should be willing to assume these roles at the behest of others. The argument being if the encounter/raid make-up needs this and you can provide it, you should.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying that I could not do those other roles if I choose to. I am sure I can learn all there is to know about a specific role and that I am more than capable of doing an adequate job in a raid environment. But if I do not enjoy playing DPS or support, why should I do it? Why should I force myself to play a role I do not like or enjoy? I had enough of that in WoW thank you; I won’t do it in Rift.

The overall argument from the other side has nothing to do with Rift or WoW in all honesty. It is really more about someone saying “I am willing to play all of my roles for the good of the group. You should be willing to do the same.” To be frank I could care less about what someone else thinks I should or shouldn’t be doing.

It’s like this, my primary spec is Chloromancer because I enjoy the role, therefore I will play Chlormancer. If you want me along, I will come and I will play Chloromancer. If there is no room for a Chloromancer I won’t come, simple enough. I am a big boy and I have no problem not being included. It’s no sweat off my ass.

This all came about because this exact scenario happened last week. I was invited to a raid (that I didn’t sign up for) and was asked to DPS. I stated that I was a Chloromancer and I was willing to raid in that role. I said if there was no room, I was happy to bounce and I did. It all came off as “I am taking my ball and I am going home if I can’t have my way.” I am okay with that.

I didn’t do it because I wanted to be an ass. I did it because I do not enjoy playing as pure caster DPS. I haven’t found a DPS role I truly enjoy. The idea of playing a half assed DPS spec that I don’t like and wiping all night on progression did not sound fun. If I am not having fun, I am not going to play. I did enough of that in WoW as well; I refuse to do it in Rift. There is nothing that will stop me from logging in faster than knowing that I won’t be having fun.

In my mind this wasn’t a battle of wills. I really believe everyone should be playing what they want to play. But I also believe that those same people should be willing to step aside if there is no room/need for their chosen role. Once I realized that my role wasn’t needed, I was more than willing to (and did) sit out.

After it all washed out, I felt that I might have been a bit pig headed about it all. The Rift soul system is so versatile I agreed to take on a secondary role for raiding purposes. I know.. ..I know, I am the GM, why should I cave now? I figured I should extend an olive branch. If he was willing build the raid around me playing Chloromancer, I should be willing to offer some flexibility in the way I could be utilized. I did what any sane person would do; I went out and built a Chloromancer – Arcon soul;)