Which is the most powerful role?

[SeraviEdalborez]

Virtually everything that matters resists every kind of CC except sometimes Stun.

[Vid]

Healer, specifically Scholar. I'm biased but Scholar has great versatility. Lots of MP to work with, has more freedom to throw on DPS than WHM (arguable), and a much better "emergency" heal. More MP over the course of a fight means you have more glue to apply to anything falling apart, such as battle resurrection

As a White Mage Main, who has downed Twin more times then I wish to count, I would have to agree. I love my White Mage, but his versatility isn't as good as a SCH in my personal opinion. While I have more raw healing power, that's all I have, where as SCH is more utility based from my experience. Like a jack of all trades who is more about mitigation then raw healing. Also why I believe both jobs/classes compliment each other so well in raiding situations.

The SCH I run with is just pure awesome though, so I'm spoiled when it comes to our raids. She knows her class inside and out, which makes our raiding so much easier. Our jobs not only compliment our raid composition but we are both pretty much in synch when it comes to healing. We watch each others backs and are aware if the other is in trouble and won't be healing for the next 1-3 seconds (or more depending).

I've dabbled into SCH healing, and quite frankly it's not for me, but I do know the jist of their abilities and what they are capable of doing, from doing it first hand and having seen it in our raids. But in no way am I an expert on SCH healing and if I have any questions I would definitely ask our SCH for tips before anyone else.

Back to the main topic though, I feel that there is more leeway with the healing job/class in most fights. Does this make it the most powerful? Well not exactly, but I would say one of the more forgiving jobs/classes to have during an encounter. While higher end raids do have gear checks for each class, the healer is what will keep you alive if you make a mistake most of the time (there are always exceptions).

On the same level though, the tank controls the enemy(s) you are fighting, and keeps them in line so they don't run all over the place just smashing peoples faces. They have the potential power of saving lives due to placement of the enemy(s). In some cases tanks can even save their other tank partner in situations that would otherwise be deadly.

So I would say both the tank and healer have an equal roll in power for any group. It's very unlikely to have one without the other and expect to do well (yes there are always exceptions). That being said though, without the dps, a tank and a healer won't get very far. Just my 2 cents.

[TheTen]

In low levels, I would say healer, because even without a tank and mediocre DPS, a healer can carry a party through everything. The higher the levels, the more important the tanks becomes, and eventually, you get into most fights being DPS races, at which point all three roles are equally important to the group's success.

But: Healer undoubtedly feels the most useful, because you get constant immediate, crystal-clear feedback when you 'do your thing'... HP bars going back up. (And dead people reviving.) As a tank or DPS, your contribution only really becomes apparent once the enemy is defeated.

[Judge_Xero]

My list would be
SCH - WHM - Tank - SMN

A good healer can carry a party the best. SCH has the best enmity management and burst heals so ideal to carry the party. WHM is a great healer but in burst situations can end up pulling hate from a bad tank.
Tanks can carry a lot of the party but if they don't get good heals they can only mitigate so much.
SMN is the best DD to help carry a party. Battle Raise. Pet Tank. Party Buffs. Enemy debuffs. Crowd control. Great kiting between Ruin II and Sprint.