WHM or SCH

[Zigkid3]

For those that have both, what do you prefer?

I was looking at their abilities to see how their basic play style would be, but I'd still like to know from those that have actually experienced playing them how the play styles feel similar or differ to you.

How would they differ in healing style based off your experience? What types of players would you say plays WHM vs. SCH generally speaking? etc...

After I level lancer I was planning on leveling a healer.
SCH seems more fun, though WHM seems like it has more utility and the sleep ability looks enticing.

[Kalakbar]

I have both, and I play my SCH most. I liked WHM, and they have some cool CC, but they are so limited by mana and threat. While Scholar has some fussy pet management, they also have the great Aetherflow mechanic, can easily DPS while the Faerie heals, and have absurdly good tank healing. SCH is also much less reliant on BRD, which is good, since most of they haaaaaaate having to cast Ballad at any point.

[sharazisspecial]

You will always need 1 whm for higher end raids.

Certain fights like coil 4 are impossible with an realistic pt and double sch healers. Alot of fights are made easier by having 1 whm due to the aoe hps that they bring that sch doesnt. SE seem to have design fights with a whm in mind.

[nocks]

In the end, SCH is a little stronger at single-target heals, and WHM is stronger at area-effect heals.

Other than that, there aren't too many differences, so play what you like. Scholar might do a little more single-target damage, while WHMs likely do more AE damage with Holy. Scholars have an easier time regaining mana, but that same mana regen is used at the expense of some of our best heals (Lustrate). As you've noticed, WHM gets sleep and SCH does not, so WHM is superior for crowd control. WHM also gets better looking gear and you'll unlock a unicorn.

I enjoy the added challenge of controlling the pet and my character at the same time, so I like Scholar more. However, there will be times when your group takes big AE damage as a Scholar and you will be desperately wishing you were a WHM. Medica/Medica II are hugely powerful tools that SCH really can't touch, as our AE heal is quite measly in comparison and needs to be used before and after a big area effect attack.

[Celsius]

You will always need 1 whm for higher end raids.

Um, i run with 2 SCH sharazz. whm is not a necessity. though it is very helpful. 2 coordinated sch's work better than people think....

[Nailkita]

I prefer my WHM, but regardless enjoy healing on both.

Scholar is much more proactive and mitigation based, while White Mage is much more reactive and potency based. Both have great tools.

Scholars need to be a bit better at multi-tasking and be more prepared with knowledge of difficult fights because your goal is to make up for your lack of potency by making sure you don't have to heal as much.

White Mages are much more focused on just healing damage that happens, and do less pre-healing, they're more having to balance their MP and threat. I'd say they're easier to play but so many WHM out there make me think otherwise by how much they struggle to have MP and/or keep tanks and themselves alive in good gear.

[YanDere]

Well, WHM focuses on healing HPs, while SCH can heal and put up buffs.
SCH's buffs are the best thing a party can count on, but remember that the SCH is a bit slower in healing. Adloquim heals half the HP of Cure or Physick, and Stoneskin can prove useful to avoid aggro, if the battle starts with Stoneskin you don't have to heal before the tank gets some aggro on.
You can do CM or Prae or Ifrit H; as 2 SCH, even Garuda if you are good, but for Titan you almost always need a WHM and a SCH, to have fast heal and strong dps buffs.

[Vyserion]

Honestly, I love both. I like the output my WHM gets in general, but I feel like I'm way more useful and effective at keeping things alive and preventing wipes on my Scholar. Generally, I'll run with whichever one the other healer isn't when I have that choice. But I play my SCH a lot more generally speaking.

[ApolloGenX]

Both. I have both and love them both. I play different ones for different situations.

Ignore the people saying that whm is "necessary" or whatever. SCH are great and getting better with every fix they make.

[Halb]

I have both as well. They are both fun. I don't really play one more than the other.