The "To DPS" vs "Not DPS" Debate

[Ghishlain]

I think this contradicts itself. A healer who only heals is not adaptable.

The point at which a player is "bad" is subjective, but refusing to DPS is simply ignoring a a substantial part of the class toolkit. It would be like a paladin who refuses to use sword oath. The argument might go - a paladin is a tank so you can't call a paladin bad for refusing to maximize their DPS while not tanking a mob.

Either way, it's an intentional decision to not give a full effort, which affects other players, and given it's a team game other people do have the right to express their concerns when the group is not doing its best.

I don't believe a player is "bad" if they are completing the role clearly defined to them. However, I do believe that this player is only "okay" as they aren't making full use of their toolbox. The "good" players are those that make full use of their toolbox while completing the desired task - going up and beyond their role to give added value to their party. Your rating in a party can fall somewhere between these three points (bad being the lowest, okay in the middle, and good at the highest).

The point you quoted is worded a bit poorly, it should read something more akin to really good healers are the adaptable ones, but not going up and beyond your role doesn't make you bad either.

Just to remark in the grey areas, some people are incapable of micro'ing Cleric's Stance, but still do an exceptional job healing. These types of players may be better suited to massive speed run style pulls where they have to heal almost non-stop. Alternatively, the situation may not allow for the healer to DPS at all, such as one time I was doing AK back in 2.0 and the DRG and WAR I was with refused to move out of red lines. Needless to say, I couldn't DPS very often due to the circumstances of the situation (and not for lack of trying either).

I will concede though, if its blatantly obvious you aren't trying, I'm going to label you as bad. If it's clear you're new, I will give pointers and try to advise as needed to help your healing become better (generally happens in low level DR with sub-30 dungeons).

I will also concede that it is frustrating when someone doesn't adapt to a situation, and if they did, you would've just barely cleared that milestone .-.