Healers not dpsing is not an issue it seems.

[Kitfox]

If that is the case then the threads outlining healers not doing damage is also not relevant.

Healers not doing damage is a logical game mechanic argument, not a statistical representation argument. Your argument is that not doing damage is not a major issue because players are tolerant of it in casual content. It doesn't change the fact that your empirical sample group is entirely too small to draw any sort of conclusions. In my opinion, you're even right in your hypothesis, but your "research method" is entirely lacking in verifiable principles, which what you're being criticized on.

[Cynfael]

Healers not doing damage is a logical game mechanic argument, not a statistical representation argument. Your argument is that not doing damage is not a major issue because players are tolerant of it in casual content. It doesn't change the fact that your empirical sample group is entirely too small to draw any sort of conclusions. In my opinion, you're even right in your hypothesis, but your "research method" is entirely lacking in verifiable principles, which what you're being criticized on.

Exactly. I'd go so far as to agree that most players probably care little about what's going on around them unless there's a disaster in progress, but I wouldn't suggest that this notion or a handful of dungeon runs with players who choose not to communicate in chat represents any statistical "research" or devalues arguments in favor of healers pulling their full weight.

Besides, at least for me, the discussion over healer play style has never been primarily about what pleases or displeases the player base; my choosing to play well is much more about my enjoyment of the game (and efficient use of my play time) than it is about anyone else approving or disapproving of my choices.

[Ashua]

My overarching point was a experiment around one person. The entire time nothing was said to him for the entire week.. What I should have said is the complaints seem more the exception then the norm in casual content because most statements are centered around pug groups where the griping its happening. In that context I'm fairly sure if we went months without damage dealing the response would be as most seem to portray that they just do not care enough to gripe about it. But critique of the sample for one person is fair play I'll agree.

[Cynfael]

My overarching point was a experiment around one person. The entire time nothing was said to him for the entire week.. What I should have said is the complaints seem more the exception then the norm in casual content because most statements are centered around pug groups where the griping its happening. In that context I'm fairly sure if we went months without damage dealing the response would be as most seem to portray that they just do not care enough to gripe about it. But critique of the sample for one person is fair play I'll agree.

I feel like the sidebar discussion about your methods is overtaking your main point, and I don't actually mean to beat that to death.

To be honest, I suspect that a great deal of any griping precipitated by poor gameplay experience skips the in-game chat and comes straight to the forums. In the course of hundreds of duties, I've rarely witnessed or engaged in conversation during a run unless the players know each other.

- If the run is going great, many players will just thank their good luck and keep on trucking.

- If the run is average, most players are smart enough not to risk stopping the show to try to school a stranger on how to play better.

- If the run is utter garbage, they'll either drop or bitch a little, then drop.

When I witness another healer regularly spending their GCDs standing idle, I don't say anything. If healing appears to be the only damned thing they can do, I certainly am not going to encourage them to add "typing defensive replies" to their onerous list of responsibilities.

[Taika]

To be honest, I suspect that a great deal of any griping precipitated by poor gameplay experience skips the in-game chat and comes straight to the forums.

That and also to FC / LS chats. :P