Not too excited about dpsing as healer endgame, better go WHM ?

[Quyn]

The SCH's more flexible GCD-management game aside, this is a feature of the system, not the Job.

Either healer role is perfectly capable as a "full healer." The thing is that the pace of combat in this game is based more or less around a 2.5s GCD, meaning that healers who choose to pretend that their DPS abilities don't exist are literally standing around doing nothing when there's healing downtime or are slopping unnecessary heals or buffs just to give the appearance of being busy.

I am referring specifically to challenging endgame runs rather than trash clearing btw.
In such cases, wouldnt the WHM mana be too precious to spend on dps ?

I can see how this is very viable for the SCH since mana isnt such a limitation.

[Magusrex]

SNIP
So far, I am enjoying the SCH a tad more, as it basically feels a bit more interesting in theme and toolkit.SNIP
From reading discussions here on lategame content, it seems the whm usually takes the full healer role, while SCH switch between dps and healing as required ?
With my preferences, it seems I would be better served as a WHM main, is that the case ?

I am referring specifically to challenging endgame runs rather than trash clearing btw.
In such cases, wouldnt the WHM mana be too precious to spend on dps ?

I can see how this is very viable for the SCH since mana isnt such a limitation.

If you like your Shaman more, actually get to the challenging endgame content, IF you get there you will probably be good enough to pull it off and might actually find you like it I have found that stretching yourself or going outside your comfort zone in life or games is actually quite rewarding.

[Delily]

I am referring specifically to challenging endgame runs rather than trash clearing btw.
In such cases, wouldnt the WHM mana be too precious to spend on dps ?

I can see how this is very viable for the SCH since mana isnt such a limitation.

It depends on the encounter and your group.

There have been times when as SCH, I find myself spamming Rouse+Whispering Wind and Physick as often as I can, praying the damage dealers can actually finish the damn encounter before I run out of mana. There are times when as a WHM, I am bored, since I find myself sitting around waiting to heal someone.

In general, I find myself able to do damage and heal better as a SCH than a WHM, but it just depends on how well your group is with the fight. I think for what you want, WHM is better suited, but I'd recommend getting both to 50.

[Cynfael]

I am referring specifically to challenging endgame runs rather than trash clearing btw.
In such cases, wouldnt the WHM mana be too precious to spend on dps ?

I can see how this is very viable for the SCH since mana isnt such a limitation.

The same rule applies to end-game. WHMs who build well and manage MP properly have no issues with occasional DPS support. Even in Final Coil you can take advantage of a few GCDs worth of lull in incoming damage to throw out Aero 2 and Aero and a Fluid Aura for free damage on a boss.

Off the top of my head, T11 Nerve Gas provides a surprising amount of leisure time to stack DoTs if you place yourself correctly. T10 not only turns the boss into a sitting duck at the end of each add phase, it's a fight with fairly low healing requirements overall if handled properly. SCH is more likely to suffer MP issues than WHM if they are maximizing their DPS opportunities while also maintaining shields for important mechanics.

No matter which healer you play, your comfort level in providing support DPS at all levels of the game depends partly on your own knowledge of the fight and partly on how well your party plays. Neither healer is going to be DPSing very much if their fellows insist on taking avoidable damage, or worse, requiring multiple rezzes.

[Quyn]

snip

Right, I understand that as it seems logical and thank you for the reply.

However, do you think the SCH is more likely to be called upon lending extra DPS in certain phases while the WHM stays on healing ?

[Sleigh]

Right, I understand that as it seems logical and thank you for the reply.

However, do you think the SCH is more likely to be called upon lending extra DPS in certain phases while the WHM stays on healing ?

Definitely, SCH is always the first healer called into the DPS role when DPS checks aren't getting met, or there's downtime, or if content is/ has become solo healable by WHM with the help of Selene and select Adlos/Lustrates/Succors. It's how their damage system and resource management work.

A good group will expect these things, a group with a more casual or lenient policy will let you just overheal - trust me, that's what it is, overhealing or you just standing there. Once the safety net of healing is established, to not have SCH DPS is just throwing large numbers out the window; for reference, our SCH did 95K damage on Turn 13's boss last week and a very large amount on the adds, which is equivalent to 3 Limit Break 3s just on the boss. This DPS also allows mechanics to get skipped (such as tank killers!) so it actually helps the healing out too, not just epeen numbers.

I'm not sure if your hesitance to DPS as a healer is because you feel it's risky or because it's not proper for a healer to do it. If it's the former, I assure you there's nothing risky about putting out DPS a large portion of the time if your WHM comrade has any semblance how to really play WHM.

[Kabzy]

Scholar will always be expected to DPS over a WHM for a few reasons. For one, you usually won't be able to DPS for a long time, so SCH can apply up to 6 DoTs compared to the WHMs 2. And secondly MP wise it's not really feasible for a WHM to be DPSing in longer fights. SCHs also have the tools to increase their DPS times with fairy CDs as well as helping WHM with Fey Illumination etc.

I don't think SCH should be labelled a healer in the same way as WHM, a lot of people consider it to be a DPS with a pocket healer (more so at lower levels). So if you really don't like the DPSing side of it, it may be best to stick to WHM. To maximise efficiency as a SCH you pretty much need to master stance dancing and applying DoTs while managing health etc.

With both jobs, you don't really get a good feel of it until post 50. Unfortunately for us first time healers, we can get away with a hell of a lot while levelling, so the real learning curve is yet to come.