Was thinking forester, and then switch to SF with LS when autoingShadow fang for autoing while not healing. It's more than worth it. Cheap option cruel barb. Some people use jagged star of healing +7 or forester axe of the eagle +2/2, but neither of those are really worth it in my opinion.
Would you go with 22int instead of 55+ healing and downranking?I would say you're going to need multiple different weapons for what scenario you encounter. For fighting off someone like Anexa said go with a shadowfang w/ an offensive enchant like lifestealing/fiery.
If you're healing you'll want something like Night watch or Forester w/ eagle and slap a +22 int on it. Also remember you'll want a mana regen set so keep in mind a spirit enchant on something as well.
If you're having second thoughts about it all. Find a good pally in one of your wsg and pick their brain. I'm sure they'll be happy to give good advise from their perspective.
Typically yes, but if I'm meleing and have the Shadowfang out I always switch to the +healing mace when casting, and swap backSo what you typically do is run +22int weapon until you've casted enough spells that ate through the bonus mana from the +22 int. Then you swap to your +55 healing enchant weapon.