As a healer, is it my job to DPS? A new perspective.

[KaitlanKela]

Again, the reason healers get more attention on this issue is because nobody out there tried to defend auto-attacking dps and tanks as acceptable play. However, many healers try to claim that dps is outside of their scope and that doing nothing when everyone's topped off is acceptable.

Again, I can't fix lazy people, and they will continue to put forth minimal effort. I can, however, fix the misconception that dps isn't part of a healers job they don't have to do it. That's what the op addressed.

Furthermore, if some healers continue to defend DPS being outside of their scope, how do we distinguish between them and the genuinely lazy players who just want a carry? If we can get the healer community who actually cares on the same page (If I am convinced of anything about the non-DPS camp, they very much do care about the game and about the role), we can be much more confident that when we need to kick mostly-afk players that they were actually being lazy and inconsiderate and they weren't just misguided.

Both sides frequently try to claim the moral high ground, being tolerant of non dps healers on one hand, and trying to increase the speed the run for the other players on the other. In my experience, it's far better to be tolerant and patient when in game, but the forums are for discussion of gameplay so I feel it merits attention and that this is the appropriate place for it.

However, I also strongly feel that much like not everyone on the internet can be forced to not be lazy, there will always be people on the internet who are intolerant of different playstyles. I will always defend their right to vote dismiss healers who are underperforming (even though I wouldn't advocate for it directly). It's been proven multiple times that DPS is part of a healer's toolkit, helps mitigation, and contributes to completion of objectives, so anyone choosing not to puts themselves on dubious ground. I basically just feel people who deliberately don't DPS should just be prepared for that, it's only fair.

[Genaxx]

Both healers and tanks have their job stance and off stance.

A healer/tank that does dps in their job stance is good.
A healer/tank that can dps in their off stance is great.
A healer not dealing damage is as bad as a tank only using flash, which is just awful.

[Hasrat]

Does anyone ever consider maybe some of these only-healers have tried DPSing and maybe it led to panicking or wiping? It's fine if you can handle it, but it takes some familiarity with your job, your tank, your party, and the dungeon, to really be comfortable. I've been in that situation where I've tried contributing, and the moment I slip out of healing focus, things start to fall apart. Conversely, I've been in situations where there is very little danger, and I'm perfectly comfortable switching in and out. But I'm adaptable like that. Some healers maybe have just had bad experiences (let's blame tanks who overpull, because why not =p) and would rather keep the run moving instead of potentially stumbling, just because someone wants to go faster.

[KaitlanKela]

I'll just leave this here again...

FTR: this thread wasn't really meant to address healers that aren't comfortable DPSing. It's meant to address the argument that it's good and acceptable for healers to choose not to when they otherwise could.

That said, if anyone reading this isn't comfortable with cleric stance, I would recommend experimenting with it at low level dungeons to acclimate yourself in a low pressure scenario rather than just writing it off as too difficult (if your not a CNJ/WHM, put it as your first cross class to have access to it in Sastasha, for example). It introduces complexity and fun to the job, in addition to the added utility! Best of luck!

[_slowpoke_]

Does anyone ever consider maybe some of these only-healers have tried DPSing and maybe it led to panicking or wiping?

So? That's not an excuse to not DPS, that's a wake-up call to get better. If a healer cannot handle both DPS and healing, they are not a good healer, because all that DPSing really requires is planning ahead for 2 GCDs. If that already leads to panic and/or wiping, they neither have a very good grasp of their toolkit nor are they able to plan ahead and deal with unexpected situations.

[Venjamin]

So if ABC is considered adequate, then... what, spamming cure is cool? Spamming stone 1 without CS is fine? What about repeated Heavy Shot / Flash?

Nah. ABC is not a consideration for adequate. That's ridiculous and completely removes context from every situation. Heal-only healers are fine. I prefer to DPS when I heal, but I don't expect it for the 30-40 minutes I'm going to be spending with another healer. Instead, I'll change up my play (when tanking ) and pull more to make it a more riveting experience for everyone involved. Encourage the tank to do so when I'm DPSing. Those things will also speed up a run, and the healer can have fun healing.

[Vulcwen]

So? That's not an excuse to not DPS, that's a wake-up call to get better. If a healer cannot handle both DPS and healing, they are not a good healer, because all that DPSing really requires is planning ahead for 2 GCDs. If that already leads to panic and/or wiping, they neither have a very good grasp of their toolkit nor are they able to plan ahead and deal with unexpected situations.

Yes, there are people that don't have a good grasp of their toolkit, and KNOW that. In the time to get better, you can either DPS and wipe, or stick to healing until you're comfortable with at least the healing toolkit before you go DPS.. that's a personal choice. If I go pick up a controller, I wont have a good grasp over that toolkit either, and I'll be much less inclined to DPS, as I know I'll mess up targeting/hotbar selection so much that I can't rely on myself making those clutch heals I can do with kb/mouse.

[_slowpoke_]

Nah. ABC is not a consideration for adequate. That's ridiculous and completely removes context from every situation.

Uh, the only one who just removed all context from the situation is you. ABC is required to be considered adequate, but that doesn't mean casting random things means you're doing okay. By the twelve, would anyone make this stupid nonsense argument for a DPS job? A tank? Do you even read what you are writing?

Heal-only healers are fine.

They are not. Selene can heal 90% of the content in this game. Healers who play on the level of a pet are not okay, they are objectively bad.

[Venjamin]

Uh, the only one who just removed all context from the situation is you. ABC is required to be considered adequate, but that doesn't mean casting random things means you're doing okay. By the twelve, would anyone make this stupid nonsense argument for a DPS job? A tank? Do you even read what you are writing?

"ABC" is literally removing context. Always be casting is a wide-strokes call to action with no narrowing of scope. As such, if we can determine that 'ABC' is NOT effective on its own without further narrowing of scope, it CANNOT be used as an objective statement of adequate, which is what you were trying to do earlier. ( "It's unfair that healers should be the only role that's given a free pass at being lazy when ABC is the absolute lowest level of basic, adequate play for all other roles - we're not even talking about optimizations yet." ) But nice try with your pointless dismissal.

They are not. Selene can heal 90% of the content in this game. Healers who play on the level of a pet are not okay, they are objectively bad.

Cool. The healers can just duo SCH and have their pets heal final steps of faith and it will work out, right?

Also, nice job dodging the point of other players adjusting playstyle to make the game more fun for everyone. =x

[Ragology]

Does anyone ever consider maybe some of these only-healers have tried DPSing and maybe it led to panicking or wiping?

The non dpsing healers stand out when the incoming damage isn't high enough to warrant constant healing spells. They either jump around trying to look cute, or do emotes. if they're comfrotable enough to do those things when no healing is required, tossing out a damage spell or two shouldn't send them into a state of panic.