Astrologian Speculations! How will it fit in?

[Cariborne]

That's like telling DPS that it's ok not to learn and use their proper rotations and CDs if they aren't comfortable with that level of activity. Sure, they can get the job done in most cases without playing as well as they could, but it shouldn't be encouraged.

But yes, definitely excited for AST and to see how it fits in with everything.

Well, following the rotation and doing the most DPS they can is the DPS's job. Keeping everyone alive is the Healer's job. If the DPS isn't comfortable using Cooldowns and Rotations, they shouldn't be a DPS. A healer DPS'ing is extra, it's not part of their job description and a majority of healers can't DPS when they're just learning a fight or starting off with gear. It's extra stuff that they do when they reach that comfort level. DPS is always supposed to DPS, and cutting corners hurts their role.

[Cynfael]

Snip.

I look at it as everyone's job to do the best they can, and a healer who "cuts corners" by doing only what they believe to be the minimum required of them when they could be doing more is performing as poorly as the DPS who can't be bothered to learn and execute optimal rotations.

DPS is absolutely part of a healer's job description, in much the same way a tank should optimize DPS beyond the bare minimum they need to hold enmity; it's just that DPS is of secondary concern to healers when they literally can't or don't know how to correctly DPS a fight.

If you give people a pass on account of "not being comfortable," that's as good as a license to be lazy if it suits them. If healers can DPS, they should.

[Brightshadow]

I look at it as everyone's job to do the best they can, and a healer who "cuts corners" by doing only what they believe to be the minimum required of them when they could be doing more is performing as poorly as the DPS who can't be bothered to learn and execute optimal rotations.

DPS is absolutely part of a healer's job description, in much the same way a tank should optimize DPS beyond the bare minimum they need to hold enmity; it's just that DPS is of secondary concern to healers when they literally can't or don't know how to correctly DPS a fight.

If you give people a pass on account of "not being comfortable," that's as good as a license to be lazy if it suits them. If healers can DPS, they should.

And who would you blame for everyone dying, due to you not being comfortable DPSing, yes the healer. Not only is it unnecessary for the healer to DPS but its also an extra. And people that push for the healers to DPS are going to cause a shortage in the role which is really counterproductive look at how many tanks actually play. We don't need people to avoid playing healers because the community demanded that they DPS.

[Cynfael]

And who would you blame for everyone dying, due to you not being comfortable DPSing, yes the healer. Not only is it unnecessary for the healer to DPS but its also an extra. And people that push for the healers to DPS are going to cause a shortage in the role which is really counterproductive look at how many tanks actually play. We don't need people to avoid playing healers because the community demanded that they DPS.

The only "demand" is that players strive to play well, and learning how and when to provide supporting DPS as a healer is part of that.

Standing around doing nothing when healing support isn't required is playing poorly; healers who are very good not only take advantage of obvious lulls to DPS, but also anticipate or create windows in which to safely apply further DPS.

The concept is really much simpler than a lot of people on forums make it out to be. No one advocates healers DPSing to the exclusion of their primary responsibility of healing, and there are times when you simply cannot help DPS. However, DPS is a responsibility shared throughout the party, as there are no duties that grant you completion for most damage mitigated or highest HPS. Good players actively support this goal, regardless of their primary role, by doing the best they can at all times so long as it doesn't interfere with their ability to perform their role correctly; tanks maximize DPS when enmity is secure, healers off-DPS when it is safe to do so, and DPS provide utility and perform mechanics as needed while still maintaining their optimal rotations.