Do we know how much DPSing is expected from healers in HW?

[Asyx]

Hello!

I recently hit 50 (WHM) and was a bit surprised that healers were expected to DPS. Whilst that is not a problem for me, I don't like it. I rolled healer because I want to heal and would prefer more damage that needs to be healed instead of switching to DPS during the times when healing is not really needed.

However, at the moment, it feels like switching to cleric stance seems to be more optional. Like, if I have the time, I should do it. But if I don't find the time for more then the dots than that's fine as well.

But like I said, I'm not a fan of that. So, do we know how that will be handled in HW? How required is DPSing? Assuming I just get into a new dungeon or raid and I'm not sure yet how much damage I can expect, would I wipe the group by playing it save?

[DududeDude]

Yoshi-P has mentioned in interviews that they tune encounters with the assumption that the healers don't add DPS, I don't think this is going to change.

[Marxam]

Yoshi-P has mentioned in interviews that they tune encounters with the assumption that the healers don't add DPS, I don't think this is going to change.

Unless you are in Alexander Savage where it will take healer and ot dps into account. Outside of that Cleric is purely optional.

[Elladie]

it may sound like stating the obvious, but a lot of folks who chose a healer as their main job do so because they enjoy healing! As long as you're keeping people in your party/alliance alive, you're doing your job. There are bad ways and good ways to do this of course (bad=stuff like constantly overcuring or regen-ing the tank just before he pulls a pack of mobs) but, generally speaking, keeping everyone alive and doing their jobs is your job. So if people bitch at you because you don't like to stance dance, ignore them.

However ... I'd suggest that, as you get more used to healing post 50 and feel more comfortable, you might like to try a bit of Clerics! I thought exactly as you do, but I've been maining SCH for several months now, and I love stance dancing. Standing there doing nothing because no one needs healing - by which I mean they're all on 60% plus HP - makes me feel like I'm not contributing all that I could. You'll know when you reach that point yourself - you'll find yourself sighing and wondering why no one's taking any damage - and that's when you're ready to deeps. However, no group should EVER EVER need your deeps to clear something (unless you're a member of a hard core raid group looking for server firsts). If your party does need your damage to clear content, your DPS folks have some problems they need to address

[Vlady]

Unless you are in Alexander Savage where it will take healer and ot dps into account. Outside of that Cleric is purely optional.

There is a savage mode in alexander raid? I thought it was just going to be normal and hard mode. Ugg. I hope SE is not pulling mmo ideas out of wow's playbook again with 3 modes of a raid=3x the content.

[Cynfael]

There is a savage mode in alexander raid? I thought it was just going to be normal and hard mode. Ugg. I hope SE is not pulling mmo ideas out of wow's playbook again with 3 modes of a raid=3x the content.

Savage = HM = Extreme = Whatever.

Same thing in this case.

[Ooshima]

Unless you are in Alexander Savage where it will take healer and ot dps into account. Outside of that Cleric is purely optional.

Pretty much this.

Yoship's comments came because of the speed Lucrezia cleared FCoB, they underestimated healer (esp scholar) DPS.

So probably Alex Savage is tuned to that. Contents below Alex Savage is pretty much for the masses so it won't be really touched.

[Carvaka]

I think if you only want to heal, that is perfectly fine. If you find yourself very comfortable with it one day, go for it. It is the same as tanks being pushed for str accessories. When they are comfortable and ready, that is the right time. Before then, everybody can chill out. Done some runs with some pretty demanding players, but most are really good. If anyone hassles you, tell them to back up.

[Asyx]

Ok that sounds reassuring. Thanks, guys.

I'm still keeping an eye on this thread so if somebody has more concrete information, keep it coming.

[Ghishlain]

Healers should never be expected to DPS in any content unless overall ilvls for the group are below the recommended (IE, mostly in a raid environment)

With that being said, the optimized healers will know when to DPS and when not to DPS. This comes with experience and comfort level, but should be something that a healer learns over the course of their healing career, not thrust upon them forcibly.