This is mostly a theory at this point, generated from a previous post I made about how not having buffbots impact what buffs will be available to other realms. Particular in this case I'm taking about the Group Resist buffs available to the Cleric, Friar, Druid and Warden buff lines.
First lets take a quick rundown of Mids caster damage types and what lines they come from
Heat - None
Cold - Dark lines, both base and spec, for Runemasters (RM), Spiritmasters (SM), and Bonedancers (BD)
Matter - BD Bone Army Base and Spec DoTs, Shaman Cave Spec (DD. Bolts, DoTs)
Body - Shaman Cave Base DoTs, BD Suppression Spec Lifedrain
Spirit - SM Suppression Spec PBAoE
Energy - RM Suppression Spec (DD+Snare Single / AoE) and Runecarving Base and Spec (DD, Bolts, AoEs), Thane Stormcalling
The reason I grouped them this way is because the corresponding resist buffs are grouped the same, meaning each class has access to one of those groups, Heat, Cold, and Matter, or Body, Spirit, and Energy. So lets take a look at the enemy.
Clerics have Body, Spirit, and Energy, and Druids have Heat, Cold, and Matter. I've grouped these two together even though they have different groups because they both will probably have the same level of these buffs, level 2 (+16%). The reason is because being both the Main Buffer and Healer they are going to be split between to two. The 3rd level is just too high and impacts their heals greatly. So from that perspective all 6 resists are currently at the same level. Where the difference will be made is with the other 2 classes Friars and Wardens
Friars get access to Heat, Cold, and Matter and will be speced fully for these to level 3 (24%). While that sounds bad for this set of resists, it's not, mainly because Friar don't tend to be grouped, they Solo RvR mainly. While there is a possibility that may change it's unlikely given besides the buffs their only group utility is their healing which they just don't spec into as most play the Friar to wack people with a stick. While you could see them grouped in a melee specific 8-man, that's also unlikely given what it would take for that makeup to work, mostly Paladins and they too are generally solo (though I contend they should make excellent back line pealing and defenders under Phoenix's ruleset with them getting Determination).
In short Friars being non-existent in groups means Heat, Cold, and Matter should be stronger against Alb.
How about Wardens? The get access to Body, Spirit, and Energy, same as Friars they will go all the way in this line so they will have access to level 3. However unlike Friars they have stronger group utility. They have access to the Pulsing Bladeturn which is strong against Mid, and they are more prone to spec Healing to be a strong Off Healer rather than going into a weapon style (though some still do). Overall you will see them in groups certainly more often than Friars.
Conclusion with Wardens having lvl 3 resist buffs, and Druids only having lvl 2 means Heat, Cold, and Matter should be stronger against Hib.
So what does this all mean for Mid Casters, just something extra to think about when going over their specs. Whether or not this tips the scales to all 3 main casters going more towards the Darkness spec lines I can't say. I haven't done all the testing to prove out in actual gameplay. But it's an interesting thought experiment that has been brought in part of the no buffbot policy and game mechanics changes to help ensure that. Bottom line, the meta should be different at least in someways from the old game, which is welcomed.
This is of course barring some poor soul having to run around with a maximum Buff spec line and crap heals, which may still happen. Making all this moot.
First lets take a quick rundown of Mids caster damage types and what lines they come from
Heat - None
Cold - Dark lines, both base and spec, for Runemasters (RM), Spiritmasters (SM), and Bonedancers (BD)
Matter - BD Bone Army Base and Spec DoTs, Shaman Cave Spec (DD. Bolts, DoTs)
Body - Shaman Cave Base DoTs, BD Suppression Spec Lifedrain
Spirit - SM Suppression Spec PBAoE
Energy - RM Suppression Spec (DD+Snare Single / AoE) and Runecarving Base and Spec (DD, Bolts, AoEs), Thane Stormcalling
The reason I grouped them this way is because the corresponding resist buffs are grouped the same, meaning each class has access to one of those groups, Heat, Cold, and Matter, or Body, Spirit, and Energy. So lets take a look at the enemy.
Clerics have Body, Spirit, and Energy, and Druids have Heat, Cold, and Matter. I've grouped these two together even though they have different groups because they both will probably have the same level of these buffs, level 2 (+16%). The reason is because being both the Main Buffer and Healer they are going to be split between to two. The 3rd level is just too high and impacts their heals greatly. So from that perspective all 6 resists are currently at the same level. Where the difference will be made is with the other 2 classes Friars and Wardens
Friars get access to Heat, Cold, and Matter and will be speced fully for these to level 3 (24%). While that sounds bad for this set of resists, it's not, mainly because Friar don't tend to be grouped, they Solo RvR mainly. While there is a possibility that may change it's unlikely given besides the buffs their only group utility is their healing which they just don't spec into as most play the Friar to wack people with a stick. While you could see them grouped in a melee specific 8-man, that's also unlikely given what it would take for that makeup to work, mostly Paladins and they too are generally solo (though I contend they should make excellent back line pealing and defenders under Phoenix's ruleset with them getting Determination).
In short Friars being non-existent in groups means Heat, Cold, and Matter should be stronger against Alb.
How about Wardens? The get access to Body, Spirit, and Energy, same as Friars they will go all the way in this line so they will have access to level 3. However unlike Friars they have stronger group utility. They have access to the Pulsing Bladeturn which is strong against Mid, and they are more prone to spec Healing to be a strong Off Healer rather than going into a weapon style (though some still do). Overall you will see them in groups certainly more often than Friars.
Conclusion with Wardens having lvl 3 resist buffs, and Druids only having lvl 2 means Heat, Cold, and Matter should be stronger against Hib.
So what does this all mean for Mid Casters, just something extra to think about when going over their specs. Whether or not this tips the scales to all 3 main casters going more towards the Darkness spec lines I can't say. I haven't done all the testing to prove out in actual gameplay. But it's an interesting thought experiment that has been brought in part of the no buffbot policy and game mechanics changes to help ensure that. Bottom line, the meta should be different at least in someways from the old game, which is welcomed.
This is of course barring some poor soul having to run around with a maximum Buff spec line and crap heals, which may still happen. Making all this moot.