Flash heals for everyone
by Mike Schramm 
Apr 2nd 2007 at 2:08PM
Mystic Worlds (who just changed the color scheme on her blog) has an interesting idea: give every single class in the game the chance to have a flash heal all for themselves.To a certain extent, things already seem to be going in that direction-- the Gift of the Naaru is pretty much exactly what she's talking about, except that it's only for Draenei. And Blood Elves, with Mana Tap and Arcane Torrent, have what you might call a "flash mana heal." Additionally, lots of high end gear is showing up with a chance to heal on it-- there's even an enchant now that periodically heals the whole party. Mobs are hitting harder than ever, but there's also more ways to recover from it.
But MW wants a "heal yourself, nub" heal-- for rogues or casters who don't manage aggro, or warriors who don't wait for mana. That idea I'm not thrilled about-- one way to "train" a caster not to pull aggro is to simply let them die. If we gave casters all kinds of outs, there's lowered incentive for them to do their job right in the first place. Of course, MW does say that each class would be required to spec a certain way for the heal, so it wouldn't exactly be free-- players who could play their class right could spec a different way and take the bonuses that came along with it, and players who wanted things to be a little easier could spec for the flash heal.
Then again, by the end of MW's piece, you can tell she's just ranting about being told to heal. That I can identify with-- if I'm main healing an instance, you don't have to tell me to heal you. If I'm supposed to heal you, and I can heal you, I'm healing you. Whether every class has a flash heal or not, if you're not the warrior and we're all doing things right, you probably shouldn't be getting hit in the first place.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Instances, Buffs, Enchants
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Flit Apr 2nd 2007 2:14PM
Huh, weird. I thought this is what first aid was for. If you can't manage agg enough to not be attacked for a second, you deserve to die. If your tank is too poor to keep agg off you (legitimately), you need a new tank.
Derbeste Apr 2nd 2007 2:27PM
First aid FTW!
And if you can't bandage cuz you're getting hit.....STOP HITTING THE DAMN MOB!!
Gigantor1960 Apr 2nd 2007 2:34PM
Amen brother...Amen. Also if one more hunter say's something about healing thier pet during an instance they are officially on the no heal list. Wait... there is no such thing. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. O.K. maybe there is but if you are on it you deserve to be there.
Use a bleeping bandage now and then why don't you? BTW wait until 3 sunder's means WAIT until 3 sunders are up! Stop pulling aggro and then expecting me to pull your sorry @#* out of the fire! Sorry for the rant but pimping and healing ain't easy.
Rich Apr 2nd 2007 2:40PM
Make friends with a lock. Soulwell is there for a reason.
Same thing with Lightwell...
If you don't use them or know how to use them, then you shouldn't be playing.
Lori Apr 2nd 2007 2:48PM
And every single class should get Feign Death, a bubble and self rez.
Alexander Apr 2nd 2007 2:52PM
I'm just tired of getting railed with "why didn't you heal me?!!?" messages when I'm supposed to be dpsing. I'm an enhancement shaman for a reason. I attack things and heal if it is absolutely necessary. If the priest or pally is bleeding health like a stuck pig, I drop out and heal THEM. Not you, Whiny warlock, or you, bitchy hunter.. I try to heal to avoid a WIPE... not you dying. I die the most out of our entire group, every time, because I am the one who pulls us out of a wipe. and if we do wipe, it's generally because people blatantly ignore the instructions of the MT or raid leader. If someone tells you NOT to attack until he has sufficient aggro, that shadowbolt was not what we needed.
Giving heals to classes who don't have them is giving an easy button to players who have no idea how to play their classes. Locks, Hunters, Mages, Rogues? All classes that have strengths elsewhere. No need to give them an option to heal themselves. Locks and Hunters that have pets to manage aggro shouldn't need to heal. Band-Aid. Rogues... ugh. Cloak of shadows, you cheap little pvp whores....
Mages have CC, so why worry about them?
This idea creates too much imbalance.
Christian Holton Apr 2nd 2007 3:22PM
Sounds like *someone* has been playing Star Wars Galaxies on Tuesday mornings.
soso Apr 2nd 2007 3:19PM
That's a plain retarded idea.. i think enough people above explained why. Which begs me to question the existence of this post.. you having a slow day wowinsider?
Bradley Nash Apr 2nd 2007 3:19PM
@6 - Hey now, I play a lock and don't EVER need to ask for heals. Siphon Life and Drain Life FTW! Of course, I also know how to play and rarely even need to use THEM in an instance.
I think giving everybody a "flash heal" is kind of dumb. Learn how to play. There's a way to play your class solo, and a way to play it grouped. Do some quests and BGs and figure it out.
And, how is making this "flash heal" a talent you have to spec for supposed to help newbies? Unless you make it one of the first available, in which case everybody can get it again. So.... huh?
andrea Apr 2nd 2007 3:26PM
Pointless idea. Bandage.
And, I am in plenty of groups where half the party has some sort of healing ability, and never see them use it. The problem is, as far as 5-mans go, is that when you do get lucky enough to get a dedicated healer, you become reckless and lazy. Let them die, IMO.
Mike Schramm Apr 2nd 2007 3:33PM
Well, I'm not here to defend this idea or anything, but I will play devil's advocate. Some players don't want to have to worry about aggro or being perfect on CC. Some players, especially very casual ones, just want to hang out with their friends and have fun playing the game, and providing them with more healing would let them do that.
I agree with you all-- I like a challenge, and I want people in my groups to do their jobs right, not depend on backup abilities. But isn't there a case for letting casual players get away with messing up once in a while?
Thasia Apr 2nd 2007 3:46PM
As someone who has not yet played a healing class, I wouldn't want it. Each class should have it's own unique strengths - like the Rogue's stealth - that make it worthwhile playing. Maybe the underlying problem is a healer shortage?
Jeff Apr 2nd 2007 3:46PM
I think this would be way too much "casual" lol... I think that casual gamer are less experienced but still... IMO this would entirely ruins the lore/rpg basic, Imagine a warrior that heals himself :(
I think WoW's already an enough easy game ; if you solo and you're careful.
Rich Apr 2nd 2007 3:57PM
Locks can heal themselves pretty well. Like Braden said, Siphon Life and Drain Life FTW. If things get really hairy there are health stones. Throw in a healing pot, which is on a different timer than the health stone, there should be no worries.
Flash heal = pots of healing
Chris M Apr 2nd 2007 3:58PM
See, the issue everyone's sorta subverting is that heals aren't per-se necessary to 'survive'.
I realize this is difficult to portray, but your class (whatever it is) can solo mobs fine. The only difference between soloing and partying for an instance or raid is the difficulty and number of enemies you're facing. If your class can SOLO 3 mobs, then your group should be able to handle 4-5 with no issue, and minmal damage.
That's a bad metaphor, since I've always played a Priest and a Warlock.
My point is, each class (excepting Warriors, and I'll elaborate on why later..) has a way to keep him/herself alive, Priests, Pallys, Shamans and Druids can heal, Rogues can stop watching the DamageMeters and vying for top spot, Warlocks can drain life, sacrifice a VW, seduce a mob, healthstone, soulstone etc. Mages can frost nova and stop their enemy while bandaging, or ice block and drop (some) aggro. And hunters, of course- can feign death.
Warriors (said I'd touch on them later) are in my opinion the only class that should ever be in serious need of healing during a party run. The main tank, whoever it is, should be taking the damage. Off tanks, as well. Fury warriors even, should receive healing- assuming they take aggro.
I do not propose that nobody ever pulls aggro, because I realize this is not possible. My point is that if everyone 'l2play nubs' in a party, you should not really NEED healing. Competent party members make bandaging and your class abilities enough to handle an encounter you're properly prepared for.
There are several holes in my argument, but the point is sorta there...
I hope.
Chris
Karl Apr 2nd 2007 4:04PM
Bad idea. I think priests and hybrid classes that heal should feel all the love they deserve. My pally doesn't heal worth a darn, but I at least give it a shot and realize how hard it is to keep up with some idiots out there that think they are invincible because, for some "magical" reason, they don't notice thier health dropping...
Keep healing to healers. Maybe do something similar to what the rogue class has in their assassination talent tree to buff the amount they are healed for. Pally auras and blessings can also do this as well. There are plenty of ways to keep people alive. Groups just need to learn to use them. Don't allow everyone to be a healer...that's why we have first aid.
AEC Apr 2nd 2007 4:12PM
Yeah, having a crossclass/faction panic heal ability doesn't fit with lore or concept of individual classes. Why have a silly crutch (that doesn't make sense) enabled when the game already provides many ways to boost your survivability? Heck, people would probably still be lying on the floor saying, "Oops forgot to hit 'power x' lol". You could also propose for arguments sake, instead of going defensive with a flash heal, a crossclass/faction offensive ability (as protection for 'weaker?' classes/(players) for use as a deathblow in a close fight). Again kind of a lame idea.
Smithra Apr 2nd 2007 5:47PM
There's already something you can spec for. Every class gets it. It's a talent called "Alchemist." People unwilling to spend points on that talent can purchase the benefits from this talent at vendors and the AH for a modest fee.
Sure, this solution is more costly than a talent, but if you need the extra boost to get through the game, you should expect to pay for it.
If Blizzard actually listened to all these "give me X ability that so and so has" suggestions, there'd be one class and you'd just fill your action bar with the buttons for the role you were filling today.
Derbeste Apr 2nd 2007 4:21PM
"Some players don't want to have to worry about aggro or being perfect on CC. Some players, especially very casual ones, just want to hang out with their friends and have fun playing the game, and providing them with more healing would let them do that."
So what the devil is saying is that some people want to play the game without having any chance of failure.
What fun is a game with no rules? What sense of accomplishment can there be if you can't lose? Why have different classes at all if they all can do everything? In fact, why play with other people online at all if you don't have to work together?
Forget that everyone else wants a sense of challenge. The game should be all things to all people and have a universal demographic?
That's not how it works. This game is meant to appeal a specific target market. Therefore, if you don't want to worry about "aggro" or "healing" or "enemies" or "sucking", DON'T PLAY AN RPG! Go play second life or hang out at the mall or something.
Dixonij Apr 2nd 2007 7:26PM
No, no, a thousand times no to this idea. Alot of people have already mentioned why I don't want this. Hell, its like rewriting the game rules. Less QQ and more pew pew/dps for you non healer classes. Thats what priests, pallies, shammies, and druids are there for.