Regarding healers acting as DPS

[Ghishlain]

I am probably really new to the game compared to a lot of people here, and to be honest I'm not even sure what I'm trying to say here, but I personally look at this debate as a... Matter of perspective, I guess?

What I mean is, I'm always pushing myself to be as efficient as possible as a WHM, although generally the point where I switch out of DPS stance and go back to healing is when the tank drops below 50-60%, or I notice an add switching its attention to one of the DPS. At the same time though, I realize everyone has different styles and preferences - and I need to do my best to adapt to that and make it as easy on everyone else as possible. If someone falls, I take it as my own fault for not reacting fast enough. I can't really improve myself if I just go out and blame everyone else for my own shortcomings. At the same time, I don't have statics for roulettes. Running with the same people for everything probably limits my learning.

Personally, before I decide whether or not I should be DPSing, I make a note of what I have that's on CD or about to come off CD, the size of the pull the tank is doing, and how much remaining MP I have left. Although my particular style tends to leave me with rather low MP for most of an expert dungeon run these days. I don't use Holy primarily to DPS, but to take advantage of its stun as much as possible, as it is damage mitigation in itself since WHM have three regeneration skills (and Divine Seal'd Regen/Asylum buys me A LOT of time to safely join in the DPS), but I still end up using it a lot. I don't tell tanks to wait for me or bards/machinists to use their MP restoration skills, though. It's my choice, and I've learned to deal with it. I'm typically fine if I start a boss fight with 4k or more MP, because Assize and Shroud of Saints will be coming off CD multiple times during a fight anyway. Though I will specifically save Assize to shred everything in a 1 mile radius during add phases to put less stress on the DPS.

My most common mistake these days is probably letting people die to Soul Vacuum in Arboretum. That's if I end up DPS tunnel visioning, not realizing that someone somehow gained 3 vulnerability stacks, and I react too late in trying to top off their HP before the attack goes off. And I legit feel bad about that.

Many of the healers who DPS follow this kind of mindset as well. It's just the extreme cases of the pro-DPS or anti-DPS that tend to rear their ugly head and provide a stubborn brick wall that won't budge despite how wrong their entrenched position is.

[VanilleFang]

snip

Your mindset when going in to a fight is perfect. You should always figure what you can do, and when you can do it or need to do it. It should never be "I have to DPS", it should always be "can I DPS?"

My point of view is basically if you can then you should, if you can't then you shouldn't. There are obvious exception to this rule, but that's how I generally see it. Sitting there like a bump on a log doing nothing isn't helping anyone.

[TatoRazzino]

My most common mistake these days is probably letting people die to Soul Vacuum in Arboretum. That's if I end up DPS tunnel visioning, not realizing that someone somehow gained 3 vulnerability stacks, and I react too late in trying to top off their HP before the attack goes off. And I legit feel bad about that.

I usually let people die on purpose if they're not dodging mechanics. Remember: it's not your job to fix other people's mistakes. You can, but you don't have to feel bad about "letting people with 3 vuln stacks die". Dying is part of the learning process, and carrying people who don't care is bad for the community.