Refining WHM Tips

Okay, so I main WHM, and have been since I basically started playing. However, I feel like I've come to a plateau in terms of my skill level.

Basically, I’m trying to keep my over-heals at a minimum, keep the party’s health at least 75% or higher, and push out my DPS as much as possible.

I always use Divine Seal + Regen the tank whenever it’s up, switch over to DPS for a moment to get in my Aero I, II, and III, and refresh Regen when DS is about to disappear.

I use Asylum after the tank has pulled all the enemies and found their spot to tank them (Although, I’ve been wondering if I should do it less, especially with other melee DPS around, which creates a bit of over-healing.) The reason why I like to use it is that it’s another HoT on the tank, which means I can squeeze out a little more DPS. Still trying to figure out which way to go is more beneficial.

Rarely do I use Medica II, unless the full party has taken damage. Again, this is to keep my over-heals at a minimum.

One thing that I do that some people disagree on with me is that I Swiftcast + Stoneskin II before each pull. Someone had suggested to me to just Stoneskin the tank as the last mob in a pull is dying, but I’ll admit, between healing and DPSing, it’s kinda hard to get into the habit. Should I make the effort to do that instead then, or is there no harm in doing what I’m currently doing? I’ve never had an issue where Swiftcast was down when someone needed to be Raised, but then at the same time, rarely do I have anyone who dies.

On the DPS side of things, I keep my Aero’s up, unless a mob has about 35% or less health, then I’ll just use Stone III. If all of my Aero’s are up and I can DPS more, then I’ll use Stone III as a filler. Sometimes I’ll throw in Assize if it’s up, because I tend to use it for DPS more than I do for heals.

Any tips? I’m open to changing things or trying new stuff out.

Using Stoneskin I as the last cast before the mob dies is a good habbit. Try to do that.

Personally I use Swiftcasted Stoneskin II only at the start of the dungeon. It is much better to save it for Aero III or Holy. Sometimes I use Stoneskin II when there is offtime standing, but usually it is either Stoneskin I or when the party is not in danger of big aoes Medica II to fix the things. Don't be afraid to over heal a bit, the tank should be able to take it, and if the team is damaged you also get more time for dpsing.

Keep in mind that Aero is 200 potency and Stone III is 210 potency. It costs less MP, but unless you are moving it is dps loss.

btw. You can edit your post to cheat the character limit. For some reason this small limit hasn't been adjusted as of yet.

Oh sweet, thank you. I rarely post here, obviously haha. Okay, so stick with Aero II and III and Stone III, use Swiftcast for Aero III or Holy, and use Stoneskin on tank as last mob dies. I will try to keep these things in mind :D

Thanks Archy!

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Originally Posted by SeleneFatalis

...I feel like I've come to a plateau in terms of my skill level...

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Originally Posted by SeleneFatalis

...Basically, I’m trying to keep my over-heals at a minimum, keep the party’s health at least 75% or higher, and push out my DPS as much as possible...

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Originally Posted by SeleneFatalis

...One thing that I do that some people disagree on with me is that I Swiftcast + Stoneskin II before each pull..

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Why would someone point out that Swiftcast + Stone-Skin II isn't necessarily needed? [Rhetorical Question] (Basically you can get away with only using stone-skin on the tank.) So, they're correct. However, there are psychological benefits for keeping Stone-skin active on all party members. (People might appreciate it/feel more secure). So in that sense, it's easier to apply SC+SS2 after each trash group (compared to casting SS1 on each individual)...

...Two, it's easy to tell which DPS is having issues with trash mob AoE special abilities (because they keep ripping SS off). So after a period of pulls, if they haven't figured out there Chi, you begin to glance at there health/status bar more frequently.

However, SS definitely isn't needed on every party member. BUT! It does boost moral, it allows you to build a trends and analysis for each DPS, and it possibly helps your reputation as an effective healer.

If someone told me I was wrong for keeping SS active on all party members. I'd probably deduct that they don't care about other individuals moral (feelings), they don't care about being percieved a certain way by individuals (they don't care about being an ass-whole), and they aren't setting up safety nets to detect new/struggling players.

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Originally Posted by SeleneFatalis

..Any tips? I’m open to changing things or trying new stuff out.

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I like what I've read so far. The only tip I see is to fit, "Presence of mind" in whenever you're chain casting. (Works great with Holy, or StoneIII burns). -20% Basically means, after your initial holy/StoneIII, you're basically insta casting for 15 seconds.

It's especcially effective on Opening boss fights (after you cast the initial Regen), you can chain cast a big portion of DD for 15 seconds (before re-applying Regen on the tank). (I roughly squeeze off 8-9 Stone III's on the boss in 15 seconds). Or 6 Holy's on trash mobs--> Then Assize-->Shroud of Saints-->Hi-Elixir for an instant 4-5kmp bump-up.

Just a note that aero is still good to use if followed by fluid aura and assize (two instant oGCD skills). This applies to boss fights only.

It's also good to get in by itself if you know you have to get back to healing for a while.

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Originally Posted by Odd

Just a note that aero is still good to use if followed by fluid aura and assize (two instant oGCD skills). This applies to boss fights only.

It's also good to get in by itself if you know you have to get back to healing for a while.

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That's actually a good combo. I haven't thought of that and I might actually fit that into my rotation after the initial Stone III burn on a boss---> 9 Stone III's--->Aero-->Fluid Aura--> Assize--> Shroud of saints -> Hi-Elixir

Does this sound like a good opener on a boss? -->Regen->Cleric Stance->Presence of Mind->9 Stone III's-> Aero->Fluid Aura->Assize->Shroud of Saints->Hi-Elixir->Cleric stance (off)->Divine Seal->Medica II (Usually AoE has just occurred)-> Regen->Asylum-> Then back too DD rotation?

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Originally Posted by SeleneFatalis

keep the party’s health at least 75% or higher

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I find your standard too high ^^ Maybe let them drop a bit more ? When i'm sure there isn't going to be any deathly mechanics to come, I usually don't bother healing before 40%.
Some people freak out, of course, but well :)
Not saying you should let them drop overnight from 75 to 40%, that's a big step if you are not used to it, just try it gradually ?

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Originally Posted by BeautifulNerf

Does this sound like a good opener on a boss? -->Regen->Cleric Stance->Presence of Mind->9 Stone III's-> Aero->Fluid Aura->Assize->Shroud of Saints->Hi-Elixir->Cleric stance (off)->Divine Seal->Medica II (Usually AoE has just occurred)-> Regen->Asylum-> Then back too DD rotation?

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I am no white mage master, but why no areo 2 or 3?

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Originally Posted by Ersahi

I am no white mage master, but why no areo 2 or 3?

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Listen to the girl. Aero II has 250 potency and Aero III 370 potency. While the Stone III has only 210 potency.

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Originally Posted by Ersahi

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Well, this might be a shocker. But I don't even have swift-cast or An Eye For An Eye. So... maybe now it's not a shocker that I haven't really played around with the Aero spells yet... And also.. ahem... I beat the game as a 60 CONJ, then unlocked WHM... And that was a few days ago.. So.. Aero is good? That's news to me. LOL

My Aero experience is limited to... As soon as I unlocked the spells a few days ago, I tried them out in the snow zone that you can fly in (Western winterlands or something??). I pretty much went, "oooo--ahhhh" Then shelved them because I just unlocked like 9+ new abilities I hadn't used before). lol

However, I promise to play around with them the next time I'm on. Pinky promise.

Aero 2 is a good damage spell, same cast time as stone 3 and more potency.
Areo 3 takes longer to cast and more mp, but it has the most potency and is aoe.
Aero has 10 less potency and is really efficient mp wise, and is insta cast which allows you to weave in assize and fluid aura while waiting for gcd to cycle.

The dots from all 3 aero spells stack. All you need to do is switch out stone 3 for the appropriate aero spell when it is down, or when you have an off gcd spell up in the case of aero.

Yeah I noticed that so long as Aero III gets it's full ticks, it's the highest potency spell you have. Otherwise, it's not very efficient to use. I will definitely try using Assize and Fluid Aura after Aero, during GCD. I like that idea a lot! I have been trying to use more of Presence of Mind for Stone III as well. Definitely makes a difference. But yeah, I think i might stick with Swiftcast + Stoneskin II, unless the tank is the only one without it. Thank you all for the tips!

For bosses don't be afraid to have Regen up before the pull as well. Anything to buy more DPS time is good and makes for less akward stance dancing.
Regen-> E4E -> Clerics -> Sprint > pre cast A3 for the pull > A2 > A1 > run in Fluid + Assize -> Presence -> S3 spam. Reapply Aero 2 then you can catch A3 with 1 second left on Presence.
Then Aero > Shroud.

Can use Asylum on the opener as well if the tank is squishy as well as Virus to buy more dps time.

Edited: Just wanted to specify, just Regen on the tank. Didn't want you to think I meant having Medica II running on the party.

Also, you appear to worry about over healing too much. With WHM overhealing is bound to happen but it isn't an issue unless you're having MP problems. Abstaining from using asylum because of some numerical overhealing isn't worth doing. The practical uses outweigh what it says on paper, same thing with using medica II when appropriate. Overall it sounds like you're fine though.

I don't recommend applying regen before a boss pull. Not like it matters much for bosses, but here's an alternative:
Apply Stoneskin before pull -> Pre-cast Aero III to land on pull -> Aero II -> Aero -> Assize+Fluid Aura -> cleric off -> Regen -> Cleric on -> Presence of Mind if you want -> Stone III spam -> Aero -> Cleric off -> Regen + tetra -> Cleric on etc.

You can queue to toggle off cleric while casting something without losing GCD time. Only applies when turning it off, though. Turning it off involves animation locks

TC, don't be afraid to use Medica II, especially if you want to DPS. Don't think of it in terms of overhealing or healing party members who aren't taking damage, think of it as an extra tick of healing on the tank; use it together with Regen to make your life easier and give you time to DPS or deal with mechanics, or even just to supplement your healing during big pulls or heavy damage phases.

I ALWAYS open normal pulls with Medica II + Regen on the tank, I usually save Assylum unless it's a really big pull. Don't worry about overhealing, but don't worry about keeping the tank above 75%, either; you're a White Mage, your specialty is BIG heals, so let their HP drop while you squeeze out another Holy or finish dotting all the mobs, and then hit them with tetra or bene or a couple of Cure IIs just before they start to panic. The occasional reminder that you hold their life in your hands is good; keeps the tanks from getting too cocky ^_~.

Don't 'rarely' use Medica II. That's a habit you don't want to have. Medica I is just an AOE Cure I.

I used to think exactly like that, until I got into the Vault. And Medica II is AMAZING for Midgar in Keeper of the Lake.

Also overhealing is natural when you use Regen/Medica II.

Generally speaking, if you heal someone that barely needs it, yeah that's over healing for sure. Necessary times where you have to spam healing - this can't be helped.

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Originally Posted by Twilite

Don't 'rarely' use Medica II. That's a habit you don't want to have. Medica I is just an AOE Cure I.

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So you'd cast Medica II on a 20-30 second interval AoE that deals around or less than 1000 damage each time (first boss, Fractal Continuum)?

I only use medica I if everyone needs healed immediately. What I meant by rarely using Medica II is during trash pulls, when the dps (hopefully) don't even take damage. During boss fights though, I'll use it more often, and especially during raids.

ALSO! I tried the Aero I + Fluid Aura + Assize and it's lovely!!!

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Originally Posted by Lyrica_Ashtine

So you'd cast Medica II on a 20-30 second interval AoE that deals around or less than 1000 damage each time (first boss, Fractal Continuum)?

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No. Medica I is better there. Use your head. I know you're smarter than that. And I did say what I wanted to say in a very nice way.

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Originally Posted by Lyrica_Ashtine

So you'd cast Medica II on a 20-30 second interval AoE that deals around or less than 1000 damage each time (first boss, Fractal Continuum)?

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Yes. I actually do use Medica II on the first boss in the Fractal Continuum. But then again, I let the party drop to 50% before I consider healing them so... :3

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Originally Posted by Twilite

No. Medica I is better there. Use your head. I know you're smarter than that. And I did say what I wanted to say in a very nice way.

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I was questioning this particular gem, because it's as vague as it can be:

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Originally Posted by Twilite

Don't 'rarely' use Medica II. That's a habit you don't want to have. Medica I is just an AOE Cure I.

I used to think exactly like that, until I got into the Vault. And Medica II is AMAZING for Midgar in Keeper of the Lake.

Also overhealing is natural when you use Regen/Medica II.

Generally speaking, if you heal someone that barely needs it, yeah that's over healing for sure. Necessary times where you have to spam healing - this can't be helped.

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Keeping an overheals to a minimum isn't a bad thing, which was the whole reason of the OP of "rarely" using Medica II in the first place. While overhealing will always happen, it is not a bad habit to keep it at a minimum. It's more of a bad habit to use Medica II whenever because you can. Especially when it's only useful on a single target and every potency on other party members would be pure overhealing.

Bosses tend to damage all of us, and some attacks even by trash are unavoidable. It'll be a better idea to stoneskin them all, especially if you got swiftcast ready. If someone dies at the very start while its on CD then tough luck.

Additionally applying HoTs will ease up MP usage. Don't worry about over healing via HoTs in battle, the tank WILL get hurt. If you apply all of them with divine seal the ticks can be almost as strong as cure 1 which can give you some free time unless there's a problem requiring attention. In my cases usually 18~30 seconds. If I do nothing, then my MP regenerate no problem, otherwise I'm going to stone someone and trash usually dies in no time. Only times I've OOM in a fight when people die. Last time two monks constantly failed to evade the chimera's ram voice and canopies. And the time before that DPS, except our bard, constantly failed to evade Ravana's attacks while our other healer nothing the entire time, they couldn't even do the DPS right, but I managed to keep the fight going.

You want to use shroud as many times as possible, so don't conserve it when you are below 70% long before the battle is over.

I personally Medica II the shit out of every boss fight, more HoTs on tank = more CS uptime for me, overheal values be damned, as long as my MP's at 100% for the next pull, overheal value can be at 1000% for all I care :D.

Honestly, with the average gear level of people nowadays, it's rare in my experience to find a tank who won't be kept alive with just good Regen maintenance and the occasional Tetragrammaton/Asylum. Add a Cure II for trash packs that aren't blown up within 20 seconds. Dunno why Medica II just for a single player is so heavily endorsed on these forums. Lots of MP and time for something that feels rather unnecessary. :x

Yeah honestly, I don't like the idea of Medica II on trash mobs, when only one person is getting hurt. It's just not worth the MP and time just to have that extra HoT on the tank.

Medica 2 is super strong so why not. Just don't do it pre-pull or if you lack mana.

@Raminax and Selene Fatalis,

Oh don't get me wrong, I don't Medica II trash pulls (except the 3 pack pull after Fractal 1st boss, Furore (sp?) for days), I usually Medica II for bosses.

Most lv 60 dungeon bosses have some sort of mild AoE, so instead of using Medica I to top everybody up, its my personal opinion that spending an additional...150~200 MP(?) to use Medica II instead for that sweet sweet 50 Potency 30 seconds regen on the MT is worth it :D.

P/S: Just covering my bases, enmity is 99% not an issue, as I think most bosses only perform their mild AoE more than 10 seconds after the pull, which is sufficient time for the tank to establish a decent enmity lead.

That's fine. Thanks for the clarificication! :p

I never Medica every single AoE myself. I tend to let the boss cast 3-4 AoEs before I even consider Medica II, personally. Sometimes I get away with just Asylum if I somehow get all four players in melee range! :p

But yerr, having done these dungeons a million times for Anime weapons, it's not often I cast more than a single Medica II for an average dungeon boss fight. Usually pretty safe to just let the party drop down to about half HP and then let the HoTs do their magic, instead of casting Medica 3-4 times to counter every single AoE hit as it happens.

If you want to get better skills, just try healing in savage. It's the best place if you want to improve your skill. You can also try solo heal some 8p content or even solo 2.0 content.
You reach a "plateau" in skill because you reach a "plateau" in difficulty. Every tips we can give you are only situationnal.

Agreed. Most of this is going to be dependent on the situation, so you will have to practice many different things. One thing is definitely doing more dps when possible, and this will require practice with gambling people's hp. People are going to die when you practice new things as a healer unfortunately, and sometimes that can make people upset. However, it's a lot of adapting to each and seeing what can be done in what windows. Sacrifices must be made at times. :)

Medica II is only good if your party is below 60% HP, Medica II can take precedence over Medica I in certain cases just because of the increased range it has. As far as Regen + Medica II before a pull, that should never happen IMO. Your tank should have a Stoneskin up making them useless for the first couple hits.

Single target boss opener: Aero III(while tank runs in) --> Aero II --> Aero I --> Assize(while running to boss) --> Fluid Aura --> Presence of Mind --> Stone III Spam --> Refresh Aero III and Aero II as needed. Aero I only when you have to move or weaving in Fluid Aura or Assize. Another time to use Aero I is right before switching out of Cleric Stance. I won't cast Regen on the tank until quite a bit into the fight. Once the tank hits 40% or 50% I'll just Tetra them back to full HP and do an Asylum or Regen after that, saving you MP and a global. You normally will have Tetra up again later when you need it anyways.

AoE Pull Opener: Follow tank in and precast a Aero III so it hits all the mobs --> Swiftcast --> Holy --> Assize during GCD --> Divine Seal + Regen + Tetra or Asylum --> Presence of Mind --> Holy Spam until tank needs a Bene or heal.

I always Stoneskin just the tank as the last mob dies, I usually don't have Swiftcast up for Stoneskin II because of the above rotation. Once a pull or boss dies, depending on the distance you can pop Sprint and get far ahead of the group and start casting a Stoneskin II right before the pull so it hits everyone as they catch up.