Healing and Support: Some people actually LIKE these roles - without DPS

[Muckbeast]

One of the bigger problems with a MMOs from the last 4-5 years is the way they deal with support/healing/etc. The developers seem to think people don't like these tasks very much, so they are scared to make pure support/healer classes any more.

The problem is, some people actually LIKE being pure support.

So instead, they create these weird DPS/healer hybrids that are virtually impossible to balance. And in the end, people who LIKE support are frustrated as heck.

Here's a blog post where I go into more detail on the theory:

Some People Actually Like Healing

Anyone else out there who likes a pure support class?

Should MMO developers heed this, and create pure support classes again, in addition to hybrid support classes?

[Arri]

One of the bigger problems with a MMOs from the last 4-5 years is the way they deal with support/healing/etc. The developers seem to think people don't like these tasks very much, so they are scared to make pure support/healer classes any more.

The problem is, some people actually LIKE being pure support.

So instead, they create these weird DPS/healer hybrids that are virtually impossible to balance. And in the end, people who LIKE support are frustrated as heck.

Here's a blog post where I go into more detail on the theory:

Some People Actually Like Healing

Anyone else out there who likes a pure support class?

Should MMO developers heed this, and create pure support classes again, in addition to hybrid support classes?

I'm pretty sure nobody likes being treated like trash, forced to do whatever people tell you to do, the moment they tell you to do it.

because that's how healers/supporters are treated by the community, like complete and useless trash. Yet the same "trash" is the key to survive anything in MMOs, funny huh?

[Bacn]

Support classes are completely useless anyway because most MMOs have potions that are cheap and have a low cool down time.

[Soren]

I like being the medic in team fortress 2, does that count?

[lothia]

I love hybrids, like Friar in DAOC, or my Warrior Priest in Warhammer. I like the ability to damage but just stay back and heal if I can. That is also why Paladin is one of my favorite classes ot play.

[Saint]

I like being the medic in team fortress 2, does that count?

Haha the medic kicks ***.

I like druids in WoW. They've got the heal/tank kind of a combo going on and it's really fun.

[darknight55]

I like being the medic in team fortress 2, does that count?

I prefer the medic in TFC, infect around >;3

[God Hand]

Eh, being a healer isn't so bad as long as you have a good partner.

Using FlyFF as an example:

Me being the full-support ringmaster, my partner being... oh let's say Blade, and we're taking on a giant together. In the middle of the fight while I'm spam healing him, and he says 'rebuff', I know that he's too busy to type properly and with manners because in that extra second it takes to type 'Rebuff me, please' he could die so I dont get mad because he isnt being polite.

It's usually best, if you're starting a new game and planning on being a healing class, to bring a friend along so you two can be partners for as long as you play and you dont have to worry about things such as looters and people who only type in 'leet-speak'. Being a healer sucks the fat one, otherwise.



SHORT FORM:

Healer class isnt bad if you have a good partner.




EDIT:

Typing all that has started me missing my gaming days. .

[Elegance]

in every MMO I've played, I class hop around trying to enjoy myself and always end up playing the healer most often. It's grown on me and that's not a bad thing. Usually when people shout and whine about you not healing them, you can just tell them off. Being that you're the only healer in a party usually. If you get kicked for it, you get kicked. xD They'll die and you'll find a new team. o-o

I have trouble playing hybrids though, that's for certain. I'd rather stay back and manage everyone's health bars. <3