How is it to work through the MSQ as a healer?

[NewAgeDoom]

To give a bit of context, I've leveled up Summoner up to 60 (which means SCH also came along for the ride), and would like to get a bit more experience as a healer.

Based on my experience as a healer in other MMOs (i.e. WoW), most of the time solo questing as a healer was a rather painful experience.

Anyone mind sharing some insight?

[ManuelBravo]

Doing MSQ is different and recommended to have at a minimum a full understanding of the healing job. Might want to practice on lower level dungeons at least once. While MSQ are not that hard , depending were in MSQ you are in, you want to have some healing experience and not be carried or later on criticized for poor performance. Once you hit HW near end as a healer can be a pain. Must learn to interrupt your casting to stay alive and so on.

[NewAgeDoom]

Doing MSQ is different and recommended to have at a minimum a full understanding of the healing job. Might want to practice on lower level dungeons at least once. While MSQ are not that hard , depending were in MSQ you are in, you want to have some healing experience and not be carried or later on criticized for poor performance. Once you hit HW near end as a healer can be a pain. Must learn to interrupt your casting to stay alive and so on.

I currently just finished Baelsar's Wall portion of the Pre-Stormblood quest, to give a bit of an idea of where I'm at. I'll definitely take your advice and practice in some Roulettes though.

[Ghishlain]

Out of all the MMOs I've played, I found that questing with a healer in XIV to be quite easy. You don't do the DPS that a true DPS would do but you don't hit like a wet noodle either like a healer would in other MMOs that don't use their DPS spec (if there is a DPS spec available). What makes questing such a slog on a healer spec in other MMOs is the fact you have no easy way to dispatch foes so it becomes a battle of attrition that you'll eventually win due to your personal self-sustain but it's boring as all get out.

If you want to heal though and experience healing, I don't recommend solo questing. Doing healing things via dungeon runs will give you a better understanding of your kit. Since it seems you have healed in other MMOs, I'd say start at Brayflox and see how it suits you. Brayflox is the first REAL hurdle in the dungeon experience so it serve as a good gauge to see how you can handle the pressure. If you want an earlier stepping stone, I'd say pick a dungeon before that - though that might get really boring on SCH since Fairy can pretty much solo heal any previous dungeon.

[Leidiriv]

I have to agree with Ghishlain. Do a few runs of Brayflox to get used to the basic kit, then work up from there. Once you can reliably do The Vault, you should be good for anything the MSQ will throw at you.

[NewAgeDoom]

I have to agree with Ghishlain. Do a few runs of Brayflox to get used to the basic kit, then work up from there. Once you can reliably do The Vault, you should be good for anything the MSQ will throw at you.

I'll definitely keep that advice in mind. I'll most likely wait until I finish leveling Red Mage, though, since I'm already level 60 on the SCH.

[Makeda]

I'm doing this right now with this alt:
https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodes...acter/4912180/
Level 67 WHM - will likely be 68 next time I log in. I'm up to the point of just returning after the Doma liberation arc.

And yes, as noted above healers here hit pretty solidly. Because we can't "level our healing spec using our DPS spec" they have to be able to solo content at a reasonable pace... this very fact is what 'messes up' raid level content - healers and tanks can match or exceed DPS DPS... and out of fairness for this they're not as strong in their actual roles as they are in other MMOs (tanks here are very soft compared to most MMOs, and healers rather less potent in heals)... and as such mechanics can't be as 'tuned' to the trinity...

But solo questing on a healer is just fine. Another problem this system has... is the questing is 'tuned' to be easier to do on a lower DPS toon... There are very few moments where you will be overwhelmed with large pulls unless you lack good positioning skills, and every fight is perfectly doable in under a minute, maybe even under 30 seconds, during questing... even 'story fights' against the main villains of the MSQ... have unusually survivable mechanics and then just use a plot device to wrap things up...

...

I really do like this game... but I think that the way it does leveling hurts it... but in your case, that harm is helpful to your goal.

One thing I have noticed... cutscenes... they are slightly different for healers.

Because I have 4 characters - and each is doing things under a different role (Tank, Healer, melee DPS, ranged DPS)... I have seen some cutscene variation. My healer often casts heals or is asked to cast a heal in key cutscenes.

[ManuelBravo]

I currently just finished Baelsar's Wall portion of the Pre-Stormblood quest, to give a bit of an idea of where I'm at. I'll definitely take your advice and practice in some Roulettes though.

So not so bad, once you get some healing experience you should be good. Just stay well geared, remember your priority is to heal not DPS. We appreciate on you trying. Let people know if it's your first time healing and be open for tips. Please have fun with it :P, if it's not fun it just ruins the game experience.

[Zidaryn]

I've been maining WHM so far. (I'm at the Lvl 59 part of the MSQ).

I haven't had any issues with running any part of the main story so far. Que times are awesome and I really enjoy healing. The only parts that feels a little... off are those instanced battles you get here and there. In most of them you have a side character that will heal you. You have soooo much heal power that you don't really get to actually HEAL. You mostly just spam your damage moves (Stone and Aero, maybe Holy) and if your HP gets low use regen or heal. Never had any issues.

Minor Spoiler for Heavnsward

I don't think they wrote the story with a healer in mind... I mean we get a dramatic death scene. Complete with holding the guy in your arms as he dies. It just feels weird watching the guy die, but you are in your WHM gear and saying at the screen "why don't you just heal or Rez the SOB?"

Something useful that might help in dungeons and trials is to have a macro that will have your damaging spells target the target of the person you are targeting <tt> (target of target). This will let you have your tank selected so you are ready to heal them while you're putting out your dps. Quick Rez is also a good macro to set up. (qucik cast then Rez). You can find guides on how to do these on YouTube as well as other places.

[Zidaryn]

I'm doing this right now with this alt:
https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodes...acter/4912180/
Level 67 WHM - will likely be 68 next time I log in. I'm up to the point of just returning after the Doma liberation arc.

One thing I have noticed... cutscenes... they are slightly different for healers.

Because I have 4 characters - and each is doing things under a different role (Tank, Healer, melee DPS, ranged DPS)... I have seen some cutscene variation. My healer often casts heals or is asked to cast a heal in key cutscenes.

Is this variation in the Stormblood content? Because the only times I've seen myself (WHM main) asked to heal someone is a generic "Aid this person."
The exception to that is during my job quests. There, I have had parts where it's "cast Heal on so-and-so" or to pass a certain instanced battle keeping something alive is a main part (or healing it to full hp).