Looking for a MMORPG with good healing/support classes

k1Fy

Hey, I'm new to MMORPG's and I am looking forward to finding a game in which I can fullfill the role of a support/healer character in both PvP and PvE encounters. I'd also like to be able to find people to play with(don't really like progressing solo, but I don't mind it). From what I've read, Tera and Rift are some good recommandations. Thanks for the help!

laxie

I also love supportive classes. It will be tricky finding a game.

Truth is, most MMORPGs are not doing particularly well. It is a real challenge finding a MMO with a stable population. Games I'd recommend to jump into right now (i.e. I am confident they will be here 2 years from now) are Guild Wars 2, Star Wars: TOR and maybe Elder Scrolls Online.

Guild Wars 2 doesn't really feature a dedicated healing class.

SWTOR and ESO both have dedicated healing classes. The downside to SWTOR is that everyone gets a companion character (like a pet), meaning you can solo most of the content. Hence, you won't really get to support people most of the time.

ESO is a very specific game experience - you'll have to decide for yourself if you'd enjoy the game. It is quite similar to single player RPGs, which is why I actually enjoyed that one playing solo. It does not feel awkward going through the content on your own. In many other MMOs, the questing feels like a filler between the fun stuff. ESO was the opposite, which was a nice change. ESO also lets you mix and match skills, meaning you can be half healer half fighter - quite useful if you're on your own.

I played TERA for a month as a healer and didn't enjoy it at all. Then I picked up a combat class (Warrior) and loved the game. TERA has a very very action oriented combat, meaning if you want to heal, you need to hit players with your spells. Sounds good, but in reality it is a fairly boring experience when you figure it out. It is the close-range combat where the game shines - as a healer you don't get to experience that.

There was a lot of buzz around Rift about 2 years back. Apparently the game improved quite a bit back then. I have no idea what the population is like today though.

--

If you have the chance of playing with friends, I'd highly recommend it. Healing classes thrive when they have other people to look after. Their solo experience is often weaker and slower paced than the combat classes, making it a tedious thing if you're completely on your own.

k1Fy

laxie said:

I also love supportive classes. It will be tricky finding a game.

Truth is, most MMORPGs are not doing particularly well. It is a real challenge finding a MMO with a stable population. Games I'd recommend to jump into right now (i.e. I am confident they will be here 2 years from now) are Guild Wars 2, Star Wars: TOR and maybe Elder Scrolls Online.

Guild Wars 2 doesn't really feature a dedicated healing class.

SWTOR and ESO both have dedicated healing classes. The downside to SWTOR is that everyone gets a companion character (like a pet), meaning you can solo most of the content. Hence, you won't really get to support people most of the time.

ESO is a very specific game experience - you'll have to decide for yourself if you'd enjoy the game. It is quite similar to single player RPGs, which is why I actually enjoyed that one playing solo. It does not feel awkward going through the content on your own. In many other MMOs, the questing feels like a filler between the fun stuff. ESO was the opposite, which was a nice change. ESO also lets you mix and match skills, meaning you can be half healer half fighter - quite useful if you're on your own.

I played TERA for a month as a healer and didn't enjoy it at all. Then I picked up a combat class (Warrior) and loved the game. TERA has a very very action oriented combat, meaning if you want to heal, you need to hit players with your spells. Sounds good, but in reality it is a fairly boring experience when you figure it out. It is the close-range combat where the game shines - as a healer you don't get to experience that.

There was a lot of buzz around Rift about 2 years back. Apparently the game improved quite a bit back then. I have no idea what the population is like today though.

--

If you have the chance of playing with friends, I'd highly recommend it. Healing classes thrive when they have other people to look after. Their solo experience is often weaker and slower paced than the combat classes, making it a tedious thing if you're completely on your own.

Thanks a lot. I'll check them all out!

laxie

k1Fy said:

Thanks a lot. I'll check them all out!

Just don't try going healer in TERA. "Ok, you go have your epic battle with the beast, I'll stand back and throw my glowing balls of light every once in a while". 

k1Fy

Alright. Also, are there any good MMORPG that feature a decent healing class that takes place in a bright world? I don't mind any of the suggestions above, but are there any other games more... colourful? I used to play MapleStory a while back and I absolutely loved it, thought I didn't play a support/healer role.

Adjuvant1

Wildstar is free to check out. It's pretty bright, with classes who can opt dedicated healer roles.

k1Fy

Jean-Luc_Picard said:

World of Warcraft.

Been thinking of this. How good is it now?

Kyleran

EVE has full range of healers and support ships, who knew?

Kopogero

OP, World of Warcraft in 2017 when they will actually start releasing content and be completely F2P.

k1Fy

Wow, I didnt know that.

Reizla

Most Asian MMORPGs have very good dedicated healer / support (buffer?) classes.

Aelious

The Chanter class in Aion is best example I've seen of a support/healer in an MMO. Smaller Heals and HoTs with auras (like bards) and you have additional powerful group wide buffs you need to use in moderation due to mana management. Your other role is half DPS as well so you are pretty busy in group encounters.

k1Fy

But which of these games have an actual social side to them? I want to communicate with others, not just go into a raid and ignoring everyone as I heal.

Alders

k1Fy said:

But which of these games have an actual social side to them? I want to communicate with others, not just go into a raid and ignoring everyone as I heal.

Either find a guild or a time machine.

Aelious

k1Fy said:

But which of these games have an actual social side to them? I want to communicate with others, not just go into a raid and ignoring everyone as I heal.

I can't speak to it currently as I have not played in a while but Aion does not have a lobby type group finder but there is a mechanism in chat that enables people to apply to a group and it notifies the people who linked the invite in chat. There are group instances but there is also open area group content in each zone. Then there are the "rifting" quests (group and solo) to go into enemy zones if you like PvP. Then there's the abyss/PvP zones with forts that are on timers. Long story short for the best success you want to know people or even be in legion (guild) groups.

If you like PvPvE Aion is a great title.

GeezerGamer

Healing and support.
World of Warcraft
Star Wars The Old Republic
Final Fantasy XIV

These would be my 1st choices for that.

WoW is the biggest one of the 3.

GeezerGamer

k1Fy said:

But which of these games have an actual social side to them? I want to communicate with others, not just go into a raid and ignoring everyone as I heal.

If you roll a healer, you will probably have a pretty good "social side"

doylejr

dont forget wildstar

Nanfoodle

WoW is solid, loved Pally healing for a long time. There also good PvP healers are they are hard to kill. Also Paladins have support tools that can save a team or raid when thing look like there is no way you can win. Long cool downs on the tools but when you use them at the right time, you will make many friends lists. 

Rift and SWToR would be another solid option. 

GeezerGamer

Jean-Luc_Picard said:

GeezerGamer said:

Healing and support.
World of Warcraft
Star Wars The Old Republic
Final Fantasy XIV

These would be my 1st choices for that.

WoW is the biggest one of the 3.

I think the choice between WoW and SW:TOR can be based mainly on three factors:

1) WoW is sub based. You pay your $15, and you have no hidden costs to gain bank slots, inventory, to display your cloak, etc..., all things that SW:TOR is charging for.

2) WoW is fantasy, SW:TOR is more Sci-Fi... choose your favorite setting.

3) WoW has a real mostly seamless world (except for boat trips and portals) to explore, while SW:TOR has only planet fragments. If you like Star Wars, you should find some places like Coruscant pretty disappointing. There's little to no exploration in SW:TOR.

Both are good games, but I'd go for WoW, just for the payment scheme and the world.

I'm actually finding myself in the middle of this same dilemma.

Which game to return to? I'm growing tired of FFXIV ATM Haven't even logged in. in a weeks,so I'm going to cancel that sub. I've been on GW2, fun game, but there's no healing there. (For the OP)

I'm leaning towards WoW, since it's always had the best pet class since...........ever

GeezerGamer

doylejr said:

dont forget wildstar

Easy to do

k1Fy

@GeezerGamer Exactly my thoughts, I'll probably pick up WoW. I'm also interested in its lore^^

Po_gg

Not a single AoC?
Shammy is one of the best (most fun) healers I have... and Tempest isn't bad either.
On the support dept. Reanim Necro is cool.

GeezerGamer

k1Fy said:

@GeezerGamer Exactly my thoughts, I'll probably pick up WoW. I'm also interested in its lore^^

WoW certainly has that, in abundance.

However, the other two I mentioned don't exactly fall short in that category either. But for lore and content as well as smooth game play and class balance, I think WoW has them beat. WoW also has them bead hands down in the area of play style options for healers. All of which can play other roles too.

Priest (DPS + Support)
Paladin (DPS + Tank)
Shaman (DPS + Support)
Druid (Can do everything)

I did try my hand a being a raid healer for a little while back in the Wrath expansion. That was as a Shaman. It was a solid healer and had some very interesting mechanics. Excellent as a PVP healer too. It also had 2 options for DPS besides healing. Melee and ranged caster DPS. And while the melee DPS builds were IMO some of the most fun mechanics to play with, that build has been up and down as far as effectiveness in the game....mostly down.

@Jean-Luc_Picard ; would probably be in a much better position to recommend which class based on what you are looking for. There are always the forums too. There are almost always threads on people asking "What class should I play"?

Phry

For fantasy MMO's i think WoW and FFXIV;ARR probably have the support classes nailed down solid, both games will be very enjoyable, as for the social side of the game, go healer and you'll be beating them off with a stick you'll be in that much demand 

Pepeq

If you're going to try WoW, download the starter edition and check out the various classes/races without any strings attached.  You can also roll on various servers to get a sense of it's populations when you play.  Keep in mind WoW heavily uses phasing during leveling so you are always being transported to another server.  A simple /who command will tell you how many people are from your server that are in your zone.  All the max level characters hangout in their garrisons in Dreanor so you won't see many out in the rest of the world.  WoD was their lobby game experiment.

The game's next expansion releases next September, but you can pretty much see and hear about the entire thing on MMO-champion.com... if you're into spoilers.