Healing as a Sorcerer Viable for End Game Content?

joshdarovitz · July 2015

So, I have done a lot of research into the topic and I first and foremost want to start by saying that I am not trying to claim that we can by any means have superior healing to a templar equally geared and skilled. I realize the importance of skills such as BoL (rushed ceremony) for burst healing.

However, I am creating this thread in the hopes to start a discussion. I am a sorcerer since the BETA, I quit for a while and just returned. I absolutely LOVE healing and it is without a doubt the role I want to take in this game. And I have had no problems at all running difficult veteran ranked dungeons and Craglorn content with any group configuration.

Bottom line is this. I know that I have a lot of practice and experience with healing as a sorcerer and realize what spells I have available to me to compensate for the lack of spells I don't get from being a templar. Is it possible to be a Main Healer in End-Game content such as Trials and DragonStar Arena as a Sorcerer Healer?

Anyone that has any experience with running trials with a sorcerer healer vs a templar healer and the differences ( such as how smoothly the run went, how many more deaths there may have been) I would greatly appreciate it. I am so afraid that in order to even be considered as a main healer in a guild that takes me in to run trials in the future will not want me as a healer simply because I am a sorcerer, even though I know i am talented enough to keep up with a templar, at least in veteran ranked dungeons. I don't want my class choice to prevent me from doing what I love.

But if necessary, I will start a templar alt and level him as fast as I can if I have no other choice (if I read the responses and decide that it is almost unanimous that I must be templar to be a competitive healer in endgame content I will accept that and bow my head in disappointing defeat).

Any responses and discussions are greatly appreciated. As always, thank you for your input, advice and perhaps criticisms! I look forward to having a conversation about this topic. Feel free to be open and honest. I really want to know whether or not I can be viable, amazing healer during VR14, and coming soon VR16, end-game content.

Thank you very much!

Bloodgharm · July 2015

I've got little experience healing in ESO, but what I would consider you try is to take a look at the templar class heals and see if they are the end all-be all skills you would need as a healer. If they are absolutely necessary for endgame dsa runs etc., then I would say that there's your answer.

Another point I'd like to make is that you have confidence in yourself as a healer, but if your hps as a sorc is ultimately sub-par compared to templars (based on public opinion), then it will be tough for you to sway anyone in your guilds or otherwise that you could be just as good as the next guy with a templar. What I would recommend (and you may not enjoy this) is either roll a templar and parse your numbers with each class and post your findings online; or find a group of like-minded individuals that don't harbor a negative bias toward sorc healers. Ultimately, it will probably take some time to go with either option.

paulsimonps · July 2015

Every class can technically do anything, that being said its not only the Healing skills that the templars have that makes them so useful. Its their Nova, reducing 30% of the dmg that enemies inside its effect does. The closest the sorc can get is their negeate which applies a minor protection equal to a ring of preservation on the group inside its effect. NB are in common opinion the 2nd best healer since they can do a lot of dmg while healing and their veil of blade works in similar way to the nova. The veil protecting the players inside its effect instead of reducing the enemies dmg dealt. Now having a rotation of Nova/veil is crucial in Trials, every single on of them, but in VDSA its not a necessity, though since the group is more often spread out in VDSA that is where the templars breath of life comes into play. Now the sorcs also have no skills that increases their healing effectiveness. NB buffs allies healing recived and even DK's can buff their healing done, sorcs have no such skills/passives. So while you technically can do all end game content as a sorc healer, most will not want to run with you, I know it sounds very dickish but its the harsh truth. But hey I say if you want to play it then play it, just know you will face a lot of criticism, until they potentially buffs sorcs healing.

Zsymon · July 2015

I'm a Sorcerer healer, and my superior magicka management, along with being an Altmer, having Hardened Ward and 7 light armor pieces (Seducer+Healer set) allow me to keep healing my group in PvP where a Templar healer would have long died already.

1800 magicka recovery, Rapid Regeneration, Illustrous Healing, Healing Ward, Hardened Ward and Purge/Mist Form, is all you need to keep on going and going and going forever. Your heals may not be amazingly powerful, but if you get targeted you're much more likely to survive, and you never have to resto staff heavy attack.

Sorcerer healer is the most fun I have had so far, after playing all other classes first.