DPSing as a healer

[Tint]

So someone should quit playing entirely simply because you feel that a healer who doesn't DPS is "doing nothing of value". I guess healing isn't valuable to you.

i noticed this too. at the beginning of 2.0 people where thankfull for your healing. it changed over the time and one year later it was all about dps. in my group back then the healer must not make mechanics because he wasn't able to heal in that time. today the healer has to do them because it's not that a huge dps-loss.

the whole healing-meta is just broken and somehow the community is defendig it.

[Seoulstar]

snip

DF is where you go with a random group to complete a dungeon. A healer dpsing will not determine that. You can try to make whatever excuse you want. But there is a fine line between pointing something out and just down right insulting people like a child. People play this game to have fun, not be controlled. If people want a healer to dps so badly, then can kindly roll one and do it themselves. But don't they dare try to bully someone into doing what they want them to do. Also what the hell does competitive multiplayer have to do with healers in a MMO? This is not Battlefield where the damn medic isn't dropping health boxes and reviving people. This is FFXIV, a MMO.

[_slowpoke_]

DF is where you go with a random group to complete a dungeon.

Yes, and I expect a basic level of competence, even from random people - the fact that this game generally doesn't require it from people is an entirely different problem. Your point being?

A healer dpsing will not determine that.

That wasn't the point. Of course you don't strictly require healer DPS merely to make it through a dungeon, no one said that. Obviously everyone can play at the minimum required contribution, but I'm pretty sure you would also complain about 60+ minutes dungeons in that case. Healer DPS isn't about meeting absolute minimum requirements (that's keeping the party alive), it's about not being a selfish, disrespectful player who expects to be carried.

You can try to make whatever excuse you want.

The only people making excuses are the 0-DPS healers.

But there is a fine line between pointing something out and just down right insulting people like a child.

I've not insulted anyone, and I don't do it in-game either. Correctly pointing out that someone isn't pulling their weight and/or is being lazy is not an insult. If you take it as one, the fault lies with you, not me - learn to take criticism.

People play this game to have fun, not be controlled.

I also play this game to have fun, but I am capable of realizing I am playing with other people, so I try not be selfish - and dragging down 3-23 other people because you are lazy is being severely selfish. If you think that this is "being controlled", then kindly go play a single-player game, where you can do whatever you want.

If people want a healer to dps so badly, then can kindly roll one and do it themselves.

That's not an argument, that's just trying to shift responsibilities to other people, i.e. being selfish.

But don't they dare try to bully someone into doing what they want them to do.

Again, I'm not bullying anyone. If people can't deal with criticism in a team-based game, then maybe they shouldn't play one.

Also what the hell does competitive multiplayer have to do with healers in a MMO?

I wrote cooperative. Do you even read what I write?

[loreleidiangelo]

I was actually thinking the same thing, ironically. That maybe this game's healer design just isn't for me. It's a shame, because the abilities are fun and the spell effects (especially on Astrologian) are gorgeous, but the meta really bugs me and with recent comments in the Hall of Novices I imagine it's unlikely SE has any intention of "fixing" healer gameplay, even if a lot of people dislike it. The path of least resistance is definitely to focus on individual encounter tuning rather than trying to do a mass gameplay shift that might not sit well with a lot of people. I've been trying out some healing classes in other games; we'll see if any of them click. I'd recommend other people who are unhappy with the meta to do the same...at this point it's just shouting into the wind hoping for any big changes to gameplay.

[Gemina]

I was actually thinking the same thing, ironically. That maybe this game's healer design just isn't for me. It's a shame, because the abilities are fun and the spell effects (especially on Astrologian) are gorgeous, but the meta really bugs me and with recent comments in the Hall of Novices I imagine it's unlikely SE has any intention of "fixing" healer gameplay, even if a lot of people dislike it. The path of least resistance is definitely to focus on individual encounter tuning rather than trying to do a mass gameplay shift that might not sit well with a lot of people. I've been trying out some healing classes in other games; we'll see if any of them click. I'd recommend other people who are unhappy with the meta to do the same...at this point it's just shouting into the wind hoping for any big changes to gameplay.

Don't let it get to you. I understand exactly how you feel, but try to reflect back on the many instances you've been in as healer to get to where you are at now. All those times that the S hit the fan and you still got through it with everyone standing. Think about how short and futile attempts to clear content would be if healers turned off the heals. The voices of the meta make it seem like your role is DPS first, heals second, but try to see your role as a utilization of the entire tool kit given to you. Don't let a dark DPS cloud shroud over your ability as a healer.

I've healed in other mmos, and I really like the balance FFXIV has. I would die from stress if constant healing was needed, and die from boredom without any ability to contribute to bringing mobs down. But never worry about a lack of situations where your heals are a true requirement for getting through things.

[AI_wass]

Nah, he's right. It's the same as SMNs not raising or using Virus, or BRDs not using Warden's Paean. If you're missing out on opportunities to use skills solely because it's not what you perceive as "your job," especially if that means you're sitting around with your thumb up your ass doing nothing for half the fight, you don't get to sit on your high horse and complain that no one else is doing their job, either.

[coco1851]

Hi, I'm a newbie playing a White Mage and there's one issue 'd like to clarify. I know that generally I am expected to DPS whenever I can, but I was wondering whether doing it isn't a "waste of mana" in some cases.

If only you realized the can of worms you opened with this thread! You will never get a clear answer, & people will never stop arguing this matter! This is why I have not leveled a healer, I love healing but it's not worth the harassment nor the argueing that comes with it.
For goodness sakes people it's been over a month on this discussion!

[Rennies]

I could literally get a second account and bring more to the table in a dungeon run playing as DPS+Healer than the average DF healer who chooses to not contribute to the party's overall damage. A healer who chooses to do nothing but heal is bringing nothing of value to the table beyond what is required. If it's safe, and you can do it, you should. Healers can and do bring relevant damage, especially in dungeons, so choosing against that is entirely nonsensical.

By the way, nobody expects tanks+DPS to heal because it's impossible for them to ever match a relevant fraction of a real healer's spells...

[Tint]

By the way, nobody expects tanks+DPS to heal because it's impossible for them to ever match a relevant fraction of a real healer's spells...

and nobody expects a tank to stance dance. they choose to make 20% less damage when they use the tank stance. but they are still moving, yeah, so they are not lazy or selfish or whatever. i can tell you i tried tanking and it is less work than staying around watching HP bars and being ready to heal.
so where is the rant about tanks? just pressing 1-2-3 combo, spamming one button for aoe and sometimes popping a cooldown...

[Rennies]

and nobody expects a tank to stance dance. they choose to make 20% less damage when they use the tank stance. but they are still moving, yeah, so they are not lazy or selfish or whatever. i can tell you i tried tanking and it is less work than staying around watching HP bars and being ready to heal.
so where is the rant about tanks? just pressing 1-2-3 combo, spamming one button for aoe and sometimes popping a cooldown...

The difference between a stance dancing tank and a tank-only tank is far less significant than the difference between a 0 DPS healer and a skilled healer. I'm still leveling Dark Knight but when my gear's up to par, I'll definitely pay attention to when I can throw out Grit for a bit and rely on certain cooldowns to keep me afloat while I throw out Scourge and Blood Weapon enhanced combos.

Also, what tank only uses their 1-2-3 combo and one aoe? I've only played Dark Knight to a high level but they have 3 combos, 2 different aoes on their GCD, a high potency single target DoT, a ton of oGCDs to be used between combos, and on top of that there's the MP draining power boost (which I love maximizing usage of). I can't really rant about a role which I lack experience in.