New to EQ2, need Healer advice, playstyle included in post

[Agela]

<p><span style="color: #0000ff;">I am posting this thread for a friend of mine who is unable to post on these forums, possibly because her account is still a 14 day trial account. Here is her post:</span></p><p>I just bought the game and have never played EQ 1 or 2 before. I have read many posts and threads regarding healers but I can't seem to find the answers i'm looking for from other threads. I have an okay sense of what each class does but i'm looking for some insight from other healers as to what they think based on my group's setup and my preferences when it comes to healing.The group I will be partying with will be playing as the following classes:ShadowknightCoercerNecromancer(Spot # 4 for me as Healer)I have played a healer in just about every game I have played. Here are my likes and dislikes in terms of playing a healer, hopefully this will help narrow things down. I prefer a caster to a melee dps healer. When in groups and the opportunity comes to toss in some dps, I prefer to do it from afar, rather than be up close and personal with the enemy. As a healer in other games, I tend to get bored with spamming one single spell over and over again. I also tend to get bored if I don't have enough to do as a healer or if things are too easy. I like to stay busy and I like a challenge.For some background, here are the games I played and the classes I played, in case anyone wants to compare with other healers they may have played also.Asheron's Call - Life and Mana Conversion Mastery (Spec'd Healer)World of Warcraft - Priest (spec'd holy/discipline), Paladin (holy), and Druid (resto)Lord of the Rings Online - MinstrelAge of Conan - Priest of Mitra (Spec'd Healing)Warhammer - Disciple of Khaine (Dark Rites - Healing)Aion - ClericOf the above, I had the most fun healing in Asheron's Call and WoW in terms of how the class is played. Warhammer I wasn't as fond of because the Disciple of Khaine was based solely on group healing. I like to have the ability for both single target and group healing. Not just one or the other.I would like to know what people's recommendations are based on the above information and the classes I will be grouped with.Thus far I have started a Fury and really like it (i'm level 15). I also started a Templar and Inquisitor (i'd prefer to play evil cuz I like the look of the dark elves, but overall i'd prefer a class i'll enjoy with a race that I don't like rather than a race I like and a class I don't like as much.) I won't be on a pvp server so the good vs. evil grouping won't matter.I would like to be able to keep my group alive for instances without the need of another healer or backup healer. In the above mentioned games, I was completely capable of solo healing instances.Looking forward to your thoughts.</p>

[Skywarrior]

<p>Honestly, it doesn't matter.  For leveling purposes and doing heroic content I think you will find that, while probably any healer will suffice, a Templar or Inquisitor will be best for your group makeup.  Heck, a Shadowknight/Inquisitor duo that keeps spells and abilities upgraded to Expert and MC gear can pretty much take on most dungeon content by themselves as they level.  Throw in the Coercer and Necro and you get a pretty awesome and fun team.</p><p>But the Templar will buff the squishies in HP better and is not as dependant upon melee as the Inquisitor for dps.  The Inquisitor has some pretty awesome buffs that really go well with Shadowknight abilities though.</p><p>I guess it comes down to what you envision the group doing routinely.  If you are going to push the limits of the group abilities then (IMO) a cleric is the way to go.  If you just plan on doing relatively easy (same level or lower) content, then just play what you enjoy playing.  A Fury will certainly heal the group well and add dps as well.  Shamans are good group healers as well but don't really shine in any of the ways you indicate an interest in. </p><p>I prefer Mystics, personally, but they really are more of an in-your-face melee type healer.  Shamans work well with SKs since the SK can fill up their own health bar with Lifetaps while the wards prevent further damage. </p>

[Edith]

<p>When I saw your group-mates included a SK and a necro, my first thought was defiler, as it's damage and debuff types will complement those two.  However, Skywarrior is correct in that for the majority of content, any healer will do.  This does not change until you reach the hardest dungeons and raid content; then druids are at a slight disadvantage. (Though for general grouping, druid ports, run-speed, and warden evac can't be beat.)</p><p>I recommend that you try out several healer types and pick the one you have the most fun with.  If the racial choices are not aligned to your class preference there is a betrayal process that is fairly easy <a href="http://eq2.wikia.com/wiki/Betrayal">http://eq2.wikia.com/wiki/Betrayal</a>.</p>

[Dareena]

<p>The melee dps healers are Inquisitor, Warden, and Mystic.  While you can just spell spec them and ignore their melee potential, I personally feel like that would be missing the point of the class.  Though some would agree.</p><p>My normal suggestion would be to play an Inquisitor, but you've already mentioned that you don't want a melee based healer.  With that in mind, I second the suggestion for the Defiler.  Their damage type and debuffs really do go well with the Shadowknight and Necro.  Also the commonly thought top healers are Defilers and Templars.  Over all, Defiler is a strong healer choice.</p><p>However Defilers are also ward based casters.  Since they difference from HoT (heal over time) and Reactive based healers, their play style will be noticeably different.  Look them up on the message boards and EQ2 Wiki for more information.  Having to pre-ward just isn't my style, which is why I play an Inquisitor.  But other people are fond of the ward system.</p>

[Arcanemundi]

<p>If you are learning how to solo heal groups, a Shaman or Cleric would be your best bet, not a Druid.  The reason I say that is because wards intercept damage before the players do, so if you have ProfitUI you can see the health of the ward diminish as it absorbs damage, and recast the wards as needed.  Clerics have reactives that automatically heal players after they are hit, and each reactive has a set number of ticks or reactive triggers you can watch just like the Shaman's wards.  Druids use Heal over Time spells to heal groups mainly, so you have to constantly be spamming those heals and hope you keep up with the damage.  Once you get good with a Druid, they can heal as good as a Cleric or Shaman in a solo situation, but if you team up with a Cleric or Shaman you will fall to the background as a healer since wards and reactives are more efficient than heal over time spells.  </p><p>I would recommend a Defiler since they seem to be more popular out of the two Shaman classes, and they are more distance based with their DPS.  The main problem you will run into as a Fury will be getting invites to groups.  I have seen Furys heal like the best of them, but the widespread belief among players seems to be that Furys can't heal that well, and are more DPS orientated.  Mystics and Inquisitors get the same rap sometimes.  Not much logic to it, but that's how players think.  Especially players who don't have healer alts.</p>

[Ferunnia]

<p>Fury/Inq are about even on the high end of DPS potential...</p><p>I've solo healed every heroic instance on my fury without endgame raid gear, just stuff from WoEs x 2...</p><p>As you are growing in levels the int buffs you give will help your group and your melee buff will help the SK...less useful if they get capped on int, but nice for low levels.</p><p>Truth be told, Shamans are [Removed for Content] boring to play in my opinion, got a mystic that I retired a long time ago...</p><p>Clerics are a little better, more so the inquisitor, as they can get pretty intense with their large number of debuffs and combat arts to keep cycled in with heals... I can't stand to be lazy and stand there waiting for heals to go down...</p><p>Furies and wardens are getting some serious loving with the new expansion, so I don't believe the gap in raid usefulness will be as big in SF...hopefully...</p><p>One last thing, unless you are having to spam heals every time one is up you'll never have to worry about power on a fury with the animal form spec...Especially with an SK. Wardens later on get their myth which procs a massive power increase on 50% of critical heals...</p>