Potions have a different cool-down, meaning you don't need to wait to use another skill. If you can't see the use in this, you're part of the issue people are getting stuck in certain instances.

Same as above, if you can't see the use of food then you just aren't there. If a full party eats food that improves dps, it will make a difference. If both tanks eat food that gives them more HP it makes a difference (no matter how small it might be).


Those 5% CAN be the difference between clearing something or wiping.



Also, no, you don't have access to abilities that cure you of status-effects. If a healer is intensively healing the group (and it can happen) you ought to do your very best to alleviate their job - not make it harder.