Q14 Letter from the Producer LIVE Part XXIII Q&A Update Thread

[Cynfael]

Note that the specific way they put it was that they did not want to express the idea that "healers should not dps". They are leaving the choice free to the healers, so:

WRONG - "healers should not dps"
WRONG - "healers should dps"
RIGHT - "it's up to the healers to decide"

The debate had always been started by those people who insist that healers must dps or they're not doing their job.

I agree with that interpretation. Yoshi very specifically did not comment on what players should or should not do.

As for the last part, I find that the debate is just as often instigated by the "healer is a delicate flower/special snowflake" end of the spectrum as it is by the "healers must DPS, or they are bad" contingent. While I stand solidly in the camp of "really good healers also know how and when to DPS," I wouldn't go so far as to declare non-DPSing healers bad. They are just...not playing as well as they could be.

[Nadirah]

usually Kill faster = less damage taken.

A lot of ppl concern about over-cured, why not concern about MP over-recoverd?
Optimize MP usage, maximize output, nothing to heal, then DPS for sure ^^;

I prefer ending fights with a load of MP because I pug and every mfing tank I get can't stay out of combat for 2 seconds to let me get mana back before charging to his death.

[Yumi_umi]

Haha good for yoshi to be like
Im not touching this delicate topic.
So instead i'ma just pull the good ol' " its up to you ".
Good approach.
Now BOTH sides can be right.