Can healers use lower ranks of their spells in this version?

[vlado]

I remember that was a thing for healers, they would use low ranked heals to more efficiently spend their mana, but it got patched out at some point... will this still be a possible here?

[Keftenk]

Of course. I don't think downranking was phased out of the game until WoTLK.

[kovenant]

yes its still available, got to play around with it last weekend also.
was getting used to it to see the spells again in rank 1 - 6.
after thos phase it wasnt patched out just yet, there first was a button to click to show lower ranks of spells,
after that it was phased out. and i think Keftenk is correct in regards of this ( hes got a good memory )

[mike1097]

In summary,yes it's available. In classic I've played a priest and in BC a paladin. Both in healspecc.
Downgrading is possible in 1.12.1 and it's very important. Especially in low geared times you can not play your healer efficient without using downgrading.

Greets Mike

[mrmr]

Downranking in Vanilla is a MUST at every gear level.

Example:
Druid healers inside AQ, will be most likely be specced Balance/Resto.
With around 800/1000 healing you will spam Healing Touch Rank3/4 for hours.
Why? Because they're faster then hi-ranks Healing Touch and crits will help your HPS.

[kovenant]

That is exactly same for pala healer, have 2 or 3 rank of flash heal and normal heal in your bar.
First low lvls are life extenders as i call em.
You spam heal the tank over and over thus effectivly extending their hp
Last rank flash is to top it off and in easy times some longer cast heals since they are less expensive per hp healed.