Sign up with GoogleIt all depends on your guild and how serious people are about coming to raids in a optimal top dps spec.
Honestly it sounds to me more like the only reason you are playing BM spec is because its your preferred playing style + you like the exclusiveness of having the devilsaur pet - Which I agree are cool btw
I was a BM for ages as well. Loved it. But the reality is, BM's just cant compete in top DPS positions in current form. As for the cookie cutter build comment you made... it plays both ways. There is a reason they call it a cookie cutter build. Its because its a tried and tested DPS build. Now you can either be happy playing in your preferred spec where you will most likely also be at the bottom of the dps charts - or you can pitch up at the raid being as optimally prepared as humanly possible. The only problem with high end raiding guilds are, as soon as you play your "preferred" spec because its more fun or whatever, you end up in a situation where other players / classes are carrying you through content since you are not bringing to the table what you should be... in our case DPS.
I know its sad, but unfortunately DPS charts are used as benchmarks for dps classes today. Its just the way it works.
Another prime example I can show you just how bad "playing your preferred spec" can be if you want to raid / apply to a high end guild.
If you had to apply to any high end guild, the first thing they look at is your build, gemming, enchants etc. It reveals a lot about the players in depth understanding on the class mechanics. If build X doesnt work anymore because of nerfs etc... why are you still playing it ? Thats what the class leaders think straight away, and they tend to rip people apart on the application forums. I have seen it so many times. Same with choice of pets... if pet X's special ability does not work on bosses since class Y's ability overrides it, why are you bringing that pet to raids ?
Honestly it sounds to me more like the only reason you are playing BM spec is because its your preferred playing style + you like the exclusiveness of having the devilsaur pet - Which I agree are cool btw
I was a BM for ages as well. Loved it. But the reality is, BM's just cant compete in top DPS positions in current form. As for the cookie cutter build comment you made... it plays both ways. There is a reason they call it a cookie cutter build. Its because its a tried and tested DPS build. Now you can either be happy playing in your preferred spec where you will most likely also be at the bottom of the dps charts - or you can pitch up at the raid being as optimally prepared as humanly possible. The only problem with high end raiding guilds are, as soon as you play your "preferred" spec because its more fun or whatever, you end up in a situation where other players / classes are carrying you through content since you are not bringing to the table what you should be... in our case DPS.
I know its sad, but unfortunately DPS charts are used as benchmarks for dps classes today. Its just the way it works.
Another prime example I can show you just how bad "playing your preferred spec" can be if you want to raid / apply to a high end guild.
If you had to apply to any high end guild, the first thing they look at is your build, gemming, enchants etc. It reveals a lot about the players in depth understanding on the class mechanics. If build X doesnt work anymore because of nerfs etc... why are you still playing it ? Thats what the class leaders think straight away, and they tend to rip people apart on the application forums. I have seen it so many times. Same with choice of pets... if pet X's special ability does not work on bosses since class Y's ability overrides it, why are you bringing that pet to raids ?