My thoughts on Healing in FFXIV as a new player

[Brandedblade]

In other words, when looking for healer feedback, SE listened to tanks and DPS. Not healers.

Some of the stuff yes could be seen as feedback from non-healers, like the scholar thing. But I feel more confident that things like the whm and balance feedback where more from healers. Back in SB complaining about whm and how useless lillies where was as common as people complaining about the new ast cards now. I dont think it's that black and white.

I forgot who said it, but someone made a good point, that people who do like the way the game played back in the day tended to be content and happy and not give much feedback. Mr. 100 Percentile Sch was busy broiling and optimizing his fairy whereas Mr. Greyparse Mcpure heals was the one complaining that the other healer was only dpsing and thus not healing.

[Seoulstar]

A a healer that heals all the time would probably end up grossly overhealing/not using his kit to its full extent. That would also be an example of a bad healer.

The fact that most fights have long stretches of healing downtime doesn't help either.

That isn't a bad healer..I still question where people got that idea.

[Billythepancake]

That isn't a bad healer..I still question where people got that idea.

It's considered bad in the same way that a RDM only using jolt is bad. Sure, it'll eventually get you through regular content, but it doesn't exactly go at a fast, or even a decent pace.

That being said, if the person is new to the role, or is just unsure in their abilities, fair enough, but when I see people that have all 3 healers at max and they're still spamming cure I and making sure everyone has regen on them at all times, well, I don't say anything, or I risk Papa SE banning me, but I do cringe silently to myself.

[Seoulstar]

It's considered bad in the same way that a RDM only using jolt is bad. Sure, it'll eventually get you through regular content, but it doesn't exactly go at a fast, or even a decent pace.

That being said, if the person is new to the role, or is just unsure in their abilities, fair enough, but when I see people that have all 3 healers at max and they're still spamming cure I and making sure everyone has regen on them at all times, well, I don't say anything, or I risk Papa SE banning me, but I do cringe silently to myself.

No~ See that is my problem with this. The absurd comparisons. I don't even understand how those two are even remotely the same.

[Billythepancake]

No~ See that is my problem with this. The absurd comparisons. I don't even understand how those two are even remotely the same.

Care to explain how they're not similar? Just because one has a green icon doesn't exempt them from at least attempting to use their abilities to their to the best of their abilities. I don't see the difference between a DPS that spams 1 button and a healer that either does the same, or one that stands around and does nothing until someone gets a booboo.

[Seoulstar]

Care to explain how they're not similar? Just because one has a green icon doesn't exempt them from at least attempting to use their abilities to their to the best of their abilities. I don't see the difference between a DPS that spams 1 button and a healer that either does the same, or one that stands around and does nothing until someone gets a booboo.

Because you're basically comparing a DPS that isn't doing what their role is which do as much damage as possible. To a healer that isn't DPSing. But still doing their primary role. Which is keeping the party alive. While I agree that not dpsing as a healer is boring and I can't see myself not doing it. I don't go to the extreme of making such comparisons. Then again, a healer not dpsing isn't like the end of the world for me.

[Billythepancake]

Because you're basically comparing a DPS that isn't doing what their role is which do as much damage as possible. To a healer that isn't DPSing. But still doing their primary role. Which is keeping the party alive. While I agree that not dpsing as a healer is boring and I can't see myself not doing it. I don't go to the extreme of making such comparisons. Then again, a healer not dpsing isn't like the end of the world for me.

The game encourages healers to DPS, it is very much part of the job. The WHM storyline outright tells them that dealing damage is part of being a WHM. I don't ask for healers to try and optimise for regular dungeon runs, but I do expect them to do their jobs, and a part of their job is to DPS.

[Seoulstar]

The game encourages healers to DPS, it is very much part of the job. The WHM storyline outright tells them that dealing damage is part of being a WHM. I don't ask for healers to try and optimise for regular dungeon runs, but I do expect them to do their jobs, and a part of their job is to DPS.

It's encouraged yes. But it's not twisting your arm behind your back and screaming at you to do it. I also am aware of the WHM story, but with that being said. It's not an excuse to yell at a healer that doesn't dps. Sure I assume you can do that for things like EX and Savage, but the way people go about this is that a healer has to be dpsing in every single thing that involves the game. EX and Savage I understand because a healer dpsing there can be the difference between you clearing or getting enrage. Casual content? No, it does not justify the sheer amount of harassment. Nothing justifies how crazy people can get when it comes a healer not dpsing in casual content.

[elioaiko]

I see both points of the argument as casual content doesn't force any type of optimal play or even understanding of the role itself. It's easy enough to push through without the additional dmg. However I think the point is that most of the healers that overheal and spam GCD heals likely have little understanding how to time their heals properly, even the GCD ones.

A whm that spams Medica I/II before and after a raidwide instead of popping Plenary Indulgence into Medica II shows a lack of understanding of the job itself. I personally have never held a healer accountable for the dps aspect of a job, as long as they're not spending their time doing nothing.

And with the amount of downtime (plenty) in the game, there's a lot of moment where there's no dmg going out in which the healer has 2 options: do nothing or overheal. Encouraging new healers to spend their downtime with assisting with dps is a good thing. I find it disrespectful to anyone if a healer just stands there doing nothing or overhealing.

Like my other post says, this is social game. Everyone pays a sub, respect each other's time as many ppl only play for a few hours a day. So if tanks and dps are filling in their downtime with timing their CDs, then the healer should assist in their downtime as well. This goes both ways as well.

This is not saying that every healer needs to be optimal and be a god-tier healer but to understand that healers don't get to just be a healbot through content and do nothing when the HP bars are full.

Likewise, healers should not be harassed if they're new to the role and content. They also shouldn't be harassed for not being the best either. We should be encouraging new healers to use their kits properly instead of just spamming GCD heals.

[MintnHoney]

It's encouraged yes. But it's not twisting your arm behind your back and screaming at you to do it. I also am aware of the WHM story, but with that being said. It's not an excuse to yell at a healer that doesn't dps. Sure I assume you can do that for things like EX and Savage, but the way people go about this is that a healer has to be dpsing in every single thing that involves the game. EX and Savage I understand because a healer dpsing there can be the difference between you clearing or getting enrage. Casual content? No, it does not justify the sheer amount of harassment. Nothing justifies how crazy people can get when it comes a healer not dpsing in casual content.

Let's make something clear: harassment is never justifiable.

That being said, a healer who does nothing but top off their party and, otherwise, sits on their haunches while the others cover for their lack of involvement is, as has been said, allowing the team to progress, but they're definitely holding them back. Therefore, if, for example, the entire team decides to boot the healer for holding them back, or got upset with them, I, personally, wouldn't feel sorry for the healer.