A Healer's Role

Adzer2

I am interested in what everyone thinks what a healers actual role is within a group, it might vary on the content (Trials vs Group Dungeons), but is there a consensus as to how much/little a healer should be doing towards the overall DPS or should it be purely a defensive stance, putting up shields, removing negative affects, etc?

Isojukka

All of the Above

But, what do I know, I have never played as actual healer.

profundidob16_ESO

All of the Above

all of the above while respecting a priority list:

Mandatory:

1. Keep people alive to your best possible effort through healing, shielding and cleansing (your core role). Do you what you can to keep the stupid 14k health dps that stands in red aoe alive, but realize the point at which they become dead weight.

2. Provide sustain to your group by throwing an orb/spear roughly every 10 sec. Better exactly 1 every 10sec than 3 together every 30sec because the key is giving the group maximum options to take it whenever they are able. If you see an orb is taken, throw another. If you see no one ever takes them, stop doing them and continue the priority list

Optional:

3. Debuff mobs
4. Buff group dps and/or dps yourself
5. Whatever contributes the common group goal

Go as far as you can in the list. If a group or situation becomes so dire or people come so squishy that they require a constant healing flood leaving you unable to even press a debuff skill, so be it but healing and providing resources is even then still mandatory

Pevey

It depends COMPLETELY on how good the rest of the team is. In marginal teams who are always on the brink of death, just keeping them alive is an accomplishment. You spend a lot of time and mag on burst heals and ward. In better teams, you can just run some HoTs and have time to dps, wall of lightning, orbs/shards, ele drain, and combat prayer.

In PUGS, I always run war horn on the front bar and barrier on the back bar. If they turn out to be good, they get war horn. If they are not good, I pull out barrier to try to get them through the toughest parts.

Sanctuary_Reaper

Heal and Buff DD's DPS

My main is a healer, and been in groups where ive been told to stop dps and concentrate on healing, then called a noob for not dps'ing, cant really win.

Was kicked from a group for adding 10k dps, but no one died before i was kicked.

I'm specced for healing, my dps is pants, but my heals are strong, (orbs, spears, combat pray all go out) depends on the team your with i guess.

Noctus

Heal Only

a healer hastto heal first and foremost. the tank is usually debuffing.

mocap

Heal and Additional DPS

base game dungeons - dps. No one needs your balls and "heal-to-death" healing in vanila dungeons.
DLC dungeons - heal and res support. Sometimes DPS too like Planar Inhibitor or if you got one very bad DD.

Every super awesome PUG healer must use fast gear/skills switch addon like AlphaGear2 to switch between styles (dd/heal hybrid or full healer) to minimize weaknesses of current PUG.

CipherNine

All of the Above

Sanctuary_Reaper wrote: »

My main is a healer, and been in groups where ive been told to stop dps and concentrate on healing, then called a noob for not dps'ing, cant really win.

Was kicked from a group for adding 10k dps, but no one died before i was kicked.

I'm specced for healing, my dps is pants, but my heals are strong, (orbs, spears, combat pray all go out) depends on the team your with i guess.

It sounds like you were in a group with the most stupid players in this game.

But it's all the above. I just wish groups would get it in their heads that it's not the healers role to rez people unless all DD's are dead. I have too much to concentrate on then stopping to rez someone cause they stood in stupid.

srfrogg23

All of the Above

Keeping people alive is what is important. How that's done varies. The extra curriculars just depend on the build.

bluebird

Some of the Above

Just change the place of 'additional DPS' with 'provide resources' and your optional 'what shall I do' poll has transformed into a 'in what order shall I do these things' list of priorities Heal > Purify/Buff/Debuff* > Resource* > DPS.

The things you'll be able to do also depends on your group, as healing is very reactive and group-dependent (compared to dps who have a basic toolkit they bring and usually tunnel-vision on the boss smashing through their rotation). It can get annoying when a DD watches their dps meter and resource bar and cries 'where muh balls???' while I'm stuck healing the tank who drops to 20% health every 3 seconds on some DLC vet we're in (bonus points if they stand in AoE while asking for resources ). Like, chill, you'll get resources when we're all not in imminent danger of dying.

*Opinions may vary on that one - I put buff/debuff before resources because a lot of buffs proc off of heals anyway, and the higher the dps output, the faster the boss dies, and thus the less resources are needed.

Adzer2

All of the Above

Noctus wrote: »

a healer hastto heal first and foremost. the tank is usually debuffing.

Healers can debuff too, sets like the Healing Mage and Wizards Riposte reduces the Damage of enemies, Solar Prison Ultimate is a Debuff too

Ermiq

Heal and Manage Resources for the Group

As a PUG healer, I do pure heal and shields quite often, and I throw EleDrain and Mushrooms (Warden's sustain buff for a group). Sometimes I use Deep Fissure or Wall of Elements to help with DPS a bit when I see the group DPS is not good.
And other time I just feel like I'm an empty slot, because those people in my group can do great damage, and they don't die and they have self-heal. See, in bad groups I see my HPS is around 15-25K, and in good groups I see that my HPS is like 6K and it's just a half of overall group HPS. It's like "Hey guys, I'm a healer, let me heal you a bit, please!", "What? Healer? Who even needs a healer in this game?"

PS: I never use Orbs. Sometimes I feel bad for that, but I just don't like them, they look ugly and they don't fit in my nature/elements shaman style. I never use WarHorn/Barrier because I suck in ESO's PvP (as well as I suck in ESO's DPS - 710CP with 20K DPS lol ) so I just haven't unlocked them yet.

Seraphayel

Heal and Purify Negative Affects/Debuff Bosses

Heal and cleanse.

Healers are not supporters. Supporters are usually an exclusive role in many MMORPGs (or at least have been before complexity was dumbed down in most of them).

Usually it was:

Tank
Healer
Supporter
Damage dealer

Unfortunately a healer in ESO is more supporter than healer in the end (something that applies to tank as well). It's sad that DPS is the only "pure" role in ESO.

JobooAGS

Heal and Manage Resources for the Group

As well as to throw down extended ritual, combat prayer when dps are not warden or nb, pop warhorns, and shock blockade

Tabbycat

All of the Above

The goal is to do all the things. All of them!

But sometimes you have to focus more on healing because of your group.

ArchMikem

Heal and Buff DD's DPS

Purifying negative effects comes with Healing as a Templar by default. Healer isnt required to debuff the boss as the Tank and DPS are already doing that in their own rotations.

Tasear

Trials - buff allies, and heal them
Dungeons - anything goes as long as people don't die
PvP - Keep people ally and help allies kill enemies

nine9six

All of the Above

Everything listed. And I love it.

Pevey

Ermiq wrote: »

As a PUG healer, I do pure heal and shields quite often, and I throw EleDrain and Mushrooms (Warden's sustain buff for a group). Sometimes I use Deep Fissure or Wall of Elements to help with DPS a bit when I see the group DPS is not good.
And other time I just feel like I'm an empty slot, because those people in my group can do great damage, and they don't die and they have self-heal. See, in bad groups I see my HPS is around 15-25K, and in good groups I see that my HPS is like 6K and it's just a half of overall group HPS. It's like "Hey guys, I'm a healer, let me heal you a bit, please!", "What? Healer? Who even needs a healer in this game?"

PS: I never use Orbs. Sometimes I feel bad for that, but I just don't like them, they look ugly and they don't fit in my nature/elements shaman style. I never use WarHorn/Barrier because I suck in ESO's PvP (as well as I suck in ESO's DPS - 710CP with 20K DPS lol ) so I just haven't unlocked them yet.

Wants to be healer but refuses to run orbs/shards or war horn or barrier. And to top it off, you’re also a warden, a terrible healer for vet dlc dungeons. It may be harsh, but I would vote to kick you as fake healer.

siddique

Heal and Manage Resources for the Group

All of the above but it's understandable that that isn't always possible. So as long as the healer is keeping me alive (their primary job) and keep my resources up, I can do the killing.

Ermiq

Heal and Manage Resources for the Group

Pevey wrote: »

Ermiq wrote: »

As a PUG healer, I do pure heal and shields quite often, and I throw EleDrain and Mushrooms (Warden's sustain buff for a group). Sometimes I use Deep Fissure or Wall of Elements to help with DPS a bit when I see the group DPS is not good.
And other time I just feel like I'm an empty slot, because those people in my group can do great damage, and they don't die and they have self-heal. See, in bad groups I see my HPS is around 15-25K, and in good groups I see that my HPS is like 6K and it's just a half of overall group HPS. It's like "Hey guys, I'm a healer, let me heal you a bit, please!", "What? Healer? Who even needs a healer in this game?"

PS: I never use Orbs. Sometimes I feel bad for that, but I just don't like them, they look ugly and they don't fit in my nature/elements shaman style. I never use WarHorn/Barrier because I suck in ESO's PvP (as well as I suck in ESO's DPS - 710CP with 20K DPS lol ) so I just haven't unlocked them yet.

Wants to be healer but refuses to run orbs/shards or war horn or barrier. And to top it off, you’re also a warden, a terrible healer for vet dlc dungeons. It may be harsh, but I would vote to kick you as fake healer.

LoL. Just LoL.

Prof_Bawbag

For all but those dungeons that require a healer, and there aren't many, basically just want the healer to be another dps. I see little or no point to a healer in most dungeons. Most healers I've picked up in pugs just swap their heals out for dps. Think most healers are sensible.

I think everyone should have a single heal ability and if they haven't they become a larger burden than the lack of having an actual designated healer.

Weesacs

All of the Above

Unfortunately, outside of trials healers aren't needed (and I'm a healer), and that's including all HMs and arenas. I've advocated for a dungeon mechanic where healers would be mandatory e.g. continuous oblivion damage from start to finish, however as of yet, nothing. Honestly, what's the point of the healer role in dungeon finder? If your a "healer" then just slot an emergency heal and become a DD, it will benefit you more in the long run.

Tasear

Prof_Bawbag wrote: »

For all but those dungeons that require a healer, and there aren't many, basically just want the healer to be another dps. I see little or no point to a healer in most dungeons. Most healers I've picked up in pugs just swap their heals out for dps. Think most healers are sensible.

I think everyone should have a single heal ability and if they haven't they become a larger burden than the lack of having an actual designated healer.

We need more ambient damage in dungeons... @ZOS_Finn

Alpheu5

Heal and Manage Resources for the Group

Weesacs wrote: »

Unfortunately, outside of trials healers aren't needed (and I'm a healer), and that's including all HMs and arenas. I've advocated for a dungeon mechanic where healers would be mandatory e.g. continuous oblivion damage from start to finish, however as of yet, nothing. Honestly, what's the point of the healer role in dungeon finder? If your a "healer" then just slot an emergency heal and become a DD, it will benefit you more in the long run.

That'd be pretty cool. Like an entire dungeon that acts like the second round of vDSA.

Then again, if it's done outside of a trial setting, it'd probably be balanced around players that don't heal to the extreme, and people would bypass it with shared Vigors and/or a Ritual Circle.

ghastley

Some of the Above

If "the above" includes heal only, then all the others are incompatible, and the "all the above" option makes no sense. So the answer must be "some of the above". Q.E.D.

Heal, buff, debuff, and if there's anything left, damage. Probably in that order, although the choice between buff and debuff may be situational.

profundidob16_ESO

All of the Above

Pevey wrote: »

Ermiq wrote: »

As a PUG healer, I do pure heal and shields quite often, and I throw EleDrain and Mushrooms (Warden's sustain buff for a group). Sometimes I use Deep Fissure or Wall of Elements to help with DPS a bit when I see the group DPS is not good.
And other time I just feel like I'm an empty slot, because those people in my group can do great damage, and they don't die and they have self-heal. See, in bad groups I see my HPS is around 15-25K, and in good groups I see that my HPS is like 6K and it's just a half of overall group HPS. It's like "Hey guys, I'm a healer, let me heal you a bit, please!", "What? Healer? Who even needs a healer in this game?"

PS: I never use Orbs. Sometimes I feel bad for that, but I just don't like them, they look ugly and they don't fit in my nature/elements shaman style. I never use WarHorn/Barrier because I suck in ESO's PvP (as well as I suck in ESO's DPS - 710CP with 20K DPS lol ) so I just haven't unlocked them yet.

Wants to be healer but refuses to run orbs/shards or war horn or barrier. And to top it off, you’re also a warden, a terrible healer for vet dlc dungeons. It may be harsh, but I would vote to kick you as fake healer.

LOL no

@Ermiq does do the absolute minimum of healing and trying to sustain in his own (not very effective though) way. That being said refusing to throw orbs is just really bad play. Try playing a tank seriously for once and you'll see why orbs/shards are not just a luxury. Also sticking to only just the mandatory is proof of poor play tbh.

Still I would never vote him off. Fake healers are a different story since they don't even try to prioritize healing in the first place.

Wardens can be great healers if played properly and in general any class can make a viable healer for dungeons so voting people off purely based on class discrimination is just....ridiculous. No offense

Sibenice

All of the Above

But it's a priority thing. Everything won't always be possible.

Keeping everyone alive is top priority.

Then purifying/debuffs if they can.

Then helping with resource management if they can.

Then damaging if they can.

It completely varies from group to group and on the skill/gear level of the healer how much they can do.

phileunderx2

All of the Above

A healer should be prepared to do everything. Especially if you pug because you will get put with fake tanks and terrible dps at times and you need to be able to compensate.

ATreeGnome

Keeping the group alive is always first and foremost for a healer. Obviously the main way to do that is by healing the group but buffing your allies, providing resources, and debuffing enemies helps the fight go faster, which minimizes the number of opportunities for someone to screw up a mechanic and die.

Really, in any role, you should be doing everything you can to make things easier on your teammates. Usually that translates maximizing your group damage output.

Cryptical

Heal and Purify Negative Affects/Debuff Bosses

It *should* be just the task of keeping people up, hale and hearty, with the periodic tossing of spells to make the enemy the opposite.

But just as there has been power creep resulting from the constant increase of champion points, allowing people to pump their stats to the point of imbalance... so too there is a condition of skill creep from how many skill points there are, allowing people to spread beyond one role and fulfill two or even all three in lighter content. At least, under the current skill system structure, the skill points allow such skill creep.

I used to think that the loss of a need for a healer was due to the content, an overuse of one-shot damage attacks that are easily defeated by following the fight mechanics, that thus reduced the challenge to the players enough to make small-power heals into a viable tactic. I thought that was the reason that tank+3dps was a thing, how the dps can just dodge the big hits and pop a vigor to cover the scratches of the trash mobs.

More recently I've come to conclude that the ability to cherry-pick later skills is a contributing factor. Spending 2 points on a morphed orb, bypassing the 4 lower skills. Grabbing a morphed vigor without any investment into the lower ranked Assault skills. There's no ultimatum involved such as with choosing skills to go into the limited bar space that push players toward offense or defense. Coupled with the push to have any character be able to achieve minimum capability in any role or task, this is a problem that results in no clear role boundaries.