Class specific roles (Sorcerer Healing)

MrNevermore · August 2015

I like this 'any class can play any role' idea with ESO but does it just come down to skill point in restoration staff if you aren't a Templar?

I really enjoy playing my Sorcerer but I really want to be a healer. Obviously Templar has that role down 100%, but I don't like the class and don't want to 'have to' play it in order to be an effective healer.

I've been looking at builds for Sorcerer healers online but they all seem quite old and I imagine there have been a lot of patches that may have changed certain skills, but the majority of them seem to just delve right down the Restoration Staff tree and use one Sorcerer skill and and ultimate. If this is the case, what would set a Sorcerer aside from a DK or NB healer that's specced fully into Resto Staff?

Are there any Sorcerer healers about that can give any advice on builds and skills I should look into? Are non-Templar healers even wanted at end game? I don't really know what I should do.

Septimus_Magna · August 2015

Empowered ward will buff healing done by 8% in the next patch. Liquid lightning boosts damage by 20% and I think this also applies to healing. Other than that sorcs dont have much benefits for healing besides a big magicka pool.

Resto bar 1: healing springs, healing ward, empowered ward, bound aegis, inner light - barrier
Resto/destro bar 2: siphon spirit/elemental drain, liquid lightning, power surge/entropy, bound aegis, inner light - shooting star (or any other ulti you like)

Trails and vet dsa might be hard but vet dungeons can be completed with non-temp healers without any problems.

MrNevermore · August 2015

Thanks a lot for your help and I'll certainly look into those skill.

Looks a bit daunting considering there's only a couple of actual heals in there but it'll keep me on my toes.

Only level 30 at the moment so I've got a while to go but at least I've got something to reference.

Carraig · August 2015

If you want to start an alternative char and a bit of an unusual healer, try the magicka-based Nightblade. The NB has a siphoning skill line with skills than can be used for healing (if you pick the correct morph). Combined with the restoration staff it can give some nice heals. I'm trying one now also and did a few group dungeons with guildies to test it. I was pleasantly surprised with the healing capabilities. And I don't even have all skills unlocked yet.

Cinna · August 2015

Ok, I write from the perspective of a dedicated healer player who has templar, dk and nb healer characters, and experience in end game pve, speed runs, all dungeons in good and bad groups, pvp, you name it.

Each class brings their unique flavour to eso healing and can be played in a unique way. You may hear some players expecting a generic "healing springs spam" from all healers, but that is a mere fool proof way to the basics of healing. If you are able to identify the strengths of a class and play true to them there is much more to the class specific healing styles and strategies. Based on careful studying of passives, buffs and other synergies between skills and combat field you can have very different yet effective healing styles. You definitely do not have to be templar to heal well.

My nb heals by doing damage, vast majority of her healing output (easily 80%) comes from her class spells even in a mediocre group. She uses Dual wield and resto, hardly ever needs to channel heavy attack for magicka return. This style requires high level of positional awareness and sense of timers of buffs and HoTs.

My templar heals also lots with class spells, destro staff on her main bar, resto secondary. Magicka management requires some attention, but free repentance heal and the focus spell are nice tools. Her speciality is in helping allies that struggle with their stamina. She is best at stationary fights (ground based +30% healing for class spells) but positioning does not matter much for her.

My dk relies fully on the resto staff but has a unique healing power buff (+30% healing output). She also can reduce incoming damage to allies by controlling or maiming the enemy or shielding her allies. As such, she is a great protector of the squishiest allies. Positional awareness is required as well as vigilance with magicka management, as class spells are costly.

Sorcerer is about to get their first directly healing related ability in the Imperial city patch. So far their class input has been more about resources and damage support. Of course healing role includes much more than plain heal output. I imagine sorcerer being able to trigger instant crystal shards in between heals for convenient and nice damage, they could also buff caster allies and control enemies whilst being very mobile (situational benefits).