Optimum 8 Player Configuration

[MongoJerry]

4) Hunter - Dwarf
Explanation: Gun specialization for teh winxorz!  I can't see that losing to any of the other race bonuses in the Hunter's case.  This was more of a "fill in the blank" combination since the Hunter  doesn't get much direct use out of any race's bonuses except this one.
Tradeskills: Mining/Engineering, because crafting your own shot and guns is fun to do.

You gotta make your hunter a night elf for the shadowmeld. Hunter shadowmelds, waits for an unsuspecting player to come along, aimed shot in the back followed by a quick massive barrage. Definitely a winning strategy. The only problem with it is that you'll have to dismiss your pet first or else give away your position. If the pets also shadowmelded, it'd be the ultimate hunter ability.

Also, I'd make the hunter the herbalist/alchemist. Yes, engineering lets you make guns and ammo. But the guns they can make aren't as good as the ones you get out in the world and a hunter goes through so much ammo that it's not worth the materials to bother making shot with +1 more dps that you'll use up after only a few fights. I had much more success with my hunter using potions to boost various stats -- int, stamina, and most especially agility. At high levels, Elixirs of the Mongoose were a staple of mine and at least those would last an entire hour, unlike a stack of bullets.

Regarding the priest, he/she has to be a dwarf. Being able to keep your main tank from losing aggro by being feared is crucial. Nevermind the rest of the party -- just keep the main tank unfeared and you'll be golden. If you can additionally keep yourself from being feared, that then lets you be able to dispell fears on everyone else and keep healing.

Regarding Starshards, I actually liked it a lot. I guess it comes from how much I hate the casting time on Holy Smite. I can't remember the last time I used Smite. I liked Starshards (and now Mind Flay), because it gave me something to cast between Mind Blasts if I really wanted to and the damage starts affecting the target instantly rather than a few seconds later -- useful when fighting mobs or players who can interrupt spells and also useful to use against mobs that are running away. Of course, I usually just use wand and/or staff hits or cast healing spells on me between Mind Blasts, but if I really want the little bit of extra dps, then Starshards/Mind Flay can be useful for that. (And having Starshards makes it so that if you're going holy spec, you won't miss Mind Flay so much).