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.

[zipykido]

I like playing cleric classes, although the stress is incredibly annoying because you have people yelling at you because they're bad. I end up grinding most of the time because all I need to do is throw on a HoT and wack away.

[boinker]

there fine, and can be better than potions for then you don't have to waste money/free buffs/free unlimited heals.

[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.

[Arri]

there fine, and can be better than potions for then you don't have to waste money/free buffs/free unlimited heals.

for as long as the person isn't a *****.

The moment they are, I leave them

[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

[woshiibreak]

I actually like being a Bard in LaTale, they bloody pwn in PvP, cancelling out everyone's skills.
Also hax buffs are hax.
In a party I can just sit back & play bad country music while the others do all the work.

[Greed]

I actually like being a Bard in LaTale, they bloody pwn in PvP, cancelling out everyone's skills.
Also hax buffs are hax.
In a party I can just sit back & play bad country music while the others do all the work.

ololol

Hey woshii 1v1 plox ;D

[Bryan]

I loved ****ing people over in RO dungeons on my Champion

Random Dude:"ruwach round me plz"
Me:*gives them 512 heal*
Random Dude:"thts not ruwach"
Me: "I know. HAHAHAH!"


or on DAoC keep raids.

Random dude:"where's my refiner's strength (increases dps of char)"
Me: "I dunno, maybe it ran away."

[woshiibreak]

...they bloody pwn in PvP just that Greed fxcking pwnt me.
MUST. GET. REVENGE.

Fug I just lost the game.

edit:
In team PvP, it's nice seeing everyone just get epicly faceplanted while you're sitting there, strumming away on your guitar.
That & I can use the epic line
" I broke my G-string ********* a minor "
:]

[Cereal&Milk]

Bah. I used to play a healer on 9Dragons. It was great. Why? Because the shitsicles there had to heed me, or else I'd send them out into the fray with no buffs and half HP. I also remember being a dick about spelling and grammar, too. If I was the only healer, the guys around me would type the best English in the game in order to get healed.

It's so sad that these Healers don't know the extent of their power. :x

[Greed]

Looking back at Milky's post.. makes me wonder why I let them order me around in MS. -__-'

[Magato]

i remeber in my days of SWG support classes were pretty popular and people were very grateful to them used to be one of the best ways to make money to

[sagaxxxx]

class variety and role in parties show strongly in FFXI ;O

[TheJESTERJ]

I like FFXI's take on classes. WHM is pretty much pure healing and buffs, you're not expected to debuff or DPS as it's not as an effective use of your MP than healing is.

However. they're apparently planning to make WHM more 'front-line' friendly. Which if you know SE basically means they're going to give them heavy armour, make them /nin and dual wield clubs.

Doesn't everyone go /nin now anyway? They'll probably make it so you can go NIN/NIN.

[TheWiseGuy]

in city of heroes and runes of magic support classes are pretty kickass...in city of heroes controllers/defenders are one of the most favored and saught after and everyones all cool with eachother and you can choose whether to have attacks or be strictly buffs/heals

in runes of magic they have a lot of buffs that are great as well and people dont disrespect em either....there are a few games that have great support roles

[hobolord]

zzz like rose online you need the clerics buff if you wana lvl fast

[Mordar]

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

that would be true by some F2P standards where spamming pots its everything, but in westerns P2P (WoW, EQ, LOTRO, WAR) that's not the case and every support class and healers it's needed, that creates a balance and gives more meaning to raids

anyway, I like WAR take on support classes to be honest, you are a true hybrid in any sense of the word, and the mechanics behind the shaman for example it's awesome