The arrogance of some people

[KaitlanKela]

snip

1) The vast majority of people don't even bring it up when there's a healer not DPSing. They just move on regardless because it's easier.
2) If it gets brought up, is it so much to ask that people communicate that they're new/learning/having latency/not comfortable, etc?
3) The GREAT GREAT majority of players are not going to ream you for learning or having latency if that's what it is, only the douchiest of douches. You're better off being kicked.

Besides, this thread is not about healer's being UNCOMFORTABLE. Or have you still missed that even though it's been said a million times? Even in your quoted text.

It's a problem, however, when people come to the official forums spreading misinformation and excusing lazy play. For example, when I was a new player I didn't know DPS was the expectation. I clicked on a thread not unlike this one where the OP was upset that someone had asked they DPS. I actually READ the thread. I digested the argument. I agreed that if I was a good enough player to heal everyone, why should I waste my time instead of contributing to the group? I was thoroughly glad that people had corrected the OP so and I avoided having to learn the hard way in game.

So for the sake of others like me, would you please stop excusing this behavior and confusing the issue so we can all get on the same page here and send a clear message? Thanks.

These two statements directly contradict each other. The difference isn't "objective" or "demonstrable". It's just a personal preference.

I've reached my limit, but I'm going to reply to this post below because it is such an egregious misrepresentation of what I said.

Of course those two statements contradict, because you've edited out where I demonstrated the latter and disproved the former. Good job.

Speed of the run is a courtesy to your team. In so much as your team tolerates you deliberately making the run slower for no reason, then it IS only a playstyle difference. However, there's no reason to only consider just that. The real issue is that you are choosing not to contribute toward the shared team objective when you could be. That makes you a sub-optimal player. Is it okay to be a sub-optimal player: YES. I've said it numerous times. The harassment/kick rate for non-DPS healers is grossly inflated to the reality. However, we were discussing what makes an optimal player. A good player, reagardless of role, will use their whole toolkit to clear the instance. No other role gets away with only using half their kit. Why should healers get a pass?

Regarding people pushing their healers who can't keep up: is it so much to communicate? Really? On everyone's part? Could the tank be like, "hey, doing massive pulls, okay?" and if they wipe don't do that again. Could a learning healer be like "Hey, I'm still new so I'm going to focus heal." Tank notices healer is only healing and standing around. PRESUMING that he has a massive problem with is (which isn't always the case anyway) he could say, "Hey, healer, are you new? Would you like some advice on DPS? Would you like us to pull less so you can practice?" Etc. Seriously, it's a multiplayer cooperative game. Minimal communication should have been an expectation upon purchase.

Regarding your last paragraph: I've said this so much it's like a broken record, but okay. Where in the game does it impose these "focuses" on you? I never had an npc tell me "You should focus on healing to the exclusion of everything else". The "role" as in the color of your icon is for queueing purposes only, practically speaking. It tells you exactly jack about how to play your class. Rather, the game gives you a list of objectives to complete. You're expected to use your toolkit to complete them. That is literally it.