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Can You Be a Healer in Elder Scrolls Online? A Comprehensive Guide

Absolutely! You can definitely be a healer in Elder Scrolls Online (ESO)! In fact, playing a healer is a crucial and rewarding role within group content. ESO’s flexible class system and diverse skill lines allow you to build a powerful and effective healer regardless of your chosen race or class. While some races and classes have innate advantages that make healing easier, the game is designed so that any combination can function as a viable healer. The key to success lies in understanding the game mechanics, choosing the right skills, and equipping the appropriate gear. Dive into the details, and you will be ready to keep your group alive and thriving in Tamriel!

The Fundamentals of Healing in ESO

Healing in ESO revolves around utilizing a combination of smart heals, area-of-effect (AoE) heals, and heal-over-time (HoT) abilities to keep your allies alive. Many healing skills are “smart,” meaning they automatically target the allies with the lowest health, making it easier to prioritize those in need. However, some powerful burst heals require you to face your target, adding a strategic element to positioning and awareness.

Class and Skill Lines: Each class in ESO has unique skill lines that offer healing options. For example, Templars have the Restoring Light skill line, Wardens have access to powerful nature-based heals, and Necromancers can manipulate life force to mend wounds.
Weapon Skill Lines: The Restoration Staff skill line is essential for any aspiring healer. It provides a core set of healing abilities, resource sustain, and utility skills that are vital for effective healing.
Gear and Stats: Equipping gear with bonuses to Magicka, Magicka Recovery, and Healing Done is crucial for maximizing your healing output. Sets like Hollowfang Thirst (for beginners) and others are designed to boost your healing capabilities significantly.
Buffs and Debuffs: Healing is not just about restoring health. Applying buffs to your allies, such as Minor Ward, Minor Resolve, and Minor Berserk, can enhance their survivability and damage output. Understanding and utilizing debuffs on enemies can also contribute to the group’s success.

Choosing the Right Race for Your Healer

While any race can function as a healer, some races possess passive abilities that give them a distinct advantage.

Bretons: Known for their strong Magicka sustain, Bretons are an excellent choice for healers who need to maintain a constant flow of spells.
High Elves (Altmer): High Elves boast a significant bonus to Maximum Magicka and increased Magicka Recovery, making them potent healers with a large resource pool.
Dark Elves (Dunmer): Dark Elves offer a mix of offensive and defensive stats, making them versatile healers who can also contribute to damage dealing when necessary.
Argonians: Offer amazing potion effectiveness and have extra healing done, making them a good choice for sustain and survivability.

Selecting the Best Class for Healing

Certain classes excel at healing due to their unique skill sets and abilities.

Templar: Often considered the “stereotypical healer,” Templars have an abundance of AoE and HoT abilities that can blanket the battlefield with healing power. The Restoring Light skill line is incredibly potent. Templars have the skill “Breath of Life,” an incredibly powerful burst heal that can target 3 allies at once.
Warden: Wardens bring strong utility and sustain to the group, making them highly sought-after healers. Their nature-based abilities offer unique buffs and healing options. Wardens have access to a burst heal in the “Budding Seeds” skill that can be detonated later for massive healing.
Necromancer: Necromancers excel at manipulating life force and bringing unique buffs to the table. Their healing abilities are both powerful and versatile.
Arcanist: The Arcanist is a powerful healer, bringing group buffs like increased crit chance.
Dragonknight: The Dragonknight is a strong pick for a tank, and an okay pick for a healer.
Nightblade: The Nightblade is the hardest class to play as a healer, but it can be done and can be rewarding.
Sorcerer: The Sorcerer is great for solo play, but not the best at healing.

Essential Skills for Every Healer

Regardless of your chosen class, some skills are essential for any effective healer.

Combat Prayer (morph of Blessing of Restoration): Provides a powerful AoE burst heal and buffs allies with Minor Ward, Minor Resolve, and Minor Berserk.
Healing Springs (Restoration Staff): A ground-targeted AoE HoT that provides sustained healing to allies within its radius.
Illustrious Healing (Restoration Staff): Another powerful HoT that leaves a lingering heal on allies after the initial cast.
Rapid Regeneration (Restoration Staff): A potent single-target HoT that can be morphed into either a stronger heal or a more resource-efficient option.
Inner Light (Mages Guild): Provides a significant boost to Magicka and Spell Critical.

The Importance of Gear and Sets

Choosing the right gear sets can dramatically enhance your healing capabilities.

Hollowfang Thirst: A beginner-friendly set that spawns Blood Orbs when you critically heal an ally or critically damage an enemy, providing sustain and additional healing.
Olorime: Provides a powerful buff to allies’ damage output when you heal them, making it a valuable set for group content.
Spell Power Cure: Heals the lowest health ally in your group, giving them major courage, increasing weapon and spell damage for the ally and themselves.
Sanctuary: A trial set that increases all healing done to allies standing within its AoE.
Troll King: A monster helm that heals you based on how low your health is.
Earthgore: A monster helm that heals a teammate for a massive burst heal when they are low health.
Symphony of Blades: A monster helm that returns resources to your group.
Magma Incarnate: A monster helm that provides buffs to the damage of your group.

Mastering Your Rotation

Effective healing requires more than just selecting the right skills and gear. Mastering your rotation is crucial for maximizing your healing output and resource management.

Prioritize HoTs: Keep your HoTs up on your allies at all times to provide a constant stream of healing.
Use AoE Heals: Utilize AoE heals to cover multiple allies at once, especially in clustered situations.
Burst Heal Strategically: Save your burst heals for moments when allies take significant damage.
Manage Resources: Monitor your Magicka levels and use skills like heavy attacks or potions to maintain your resource pool.
Maintain Buffs and Debuffs: Keep your buffs and debuffs active to enhance your allies’ performance and weaken your enemies.

Understanding Group Dynamics

Healing is a team effort. Understanding group dynamics and communicating effectively with your allies is essential for success.

Positioning: Position yourself strategically to maximize the range of your healing abilities and avoid taking unnecessary damage.
Communication: Communicate with your teammates about your healing cooldowns and resource levels.
Awareness: Pay attention to the health bars of your allies and anticipate incoming damage.
Adaptability: Be prepared to adjust your strategy based on the situation and the needs of your group.

The Rewarding Experience of Healing

Playing a healer in ESO can be a challenging but incredibly rewarding experience. You have the power to keep your allies alive, contribute to the group’s success, and make a significant impact on the outcome of battles. Embrace the challenge, master your skills, and become a vital asset to any group in Tamriel. And remember to explore resources like Games Learning Society, at GamesLearningSociety.org, for deeper insights into the strategies and collaborative aspects of gaming!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can any class be a viable healer in ESO?

Yes, any class can be a viable healer in ESO, although some classes, like Templar and Warden, have more innate healing abilities. The key is to utilize the Restoration Staff skill line and choose class skills that complement your healing role.

2. What are the most important stats for a healer in ESO?

The most important stats for a healer in ESO are Maximum Magicka, Magicka Recovery, and Healing Done. These stats directly impact your ability to cast healing spells and keep your allies alive.

3. Which race is the best for a healer in ESO?

Bretons and High Elves (Altmer) are often considered the best races for healers due to their bonuses to Magicka and Magicka Recovery. However, Argonians can also be a good choice due to their potion effectiveness and healing bonuses.

4. What is “smart healing” in ESO?

“Smart healing” refers to healing abilities that automatically target the ally or allies with the lowest health, making it easier to prioritize those in need.

5. What is the most important skill for a healer in ESO?

Combat Prayer (morph of Blessing of Restoration) is often considered one of the most important skills for a healer in ESO. It provides a powerful AoE burst heal and buffs allies with Minor Ward, Minor Resolve, and Minor Berserk.

6. What is a good beginner gear set for healers in ESO?

Hollowfang Thirst is a good beginner gear set for healers in ESO. It’s easy to use and provides sustain and additional healing.

7. How can I improve my resource management as a healer?

To improve your resource management, use skills that grant Magicka Recovery, utilize potions, weave light attacks between spells, and equip gear with bonuses to Magicka Recovery.

8. Is it necessary to use a Restoration Staff as a healer?

While it’s possible to heal without a Restoration Staff, it is highly recommended. The Restoration Staff skill line provides essential healing abilities, resource sustain, and utility skills.

9. What are some good monster sets for healers in ESO?

Some good monster sets for healers include Symphony of Blades (for resource sustain), Earthgore (for a massive burst heal), and Troll King (for self-healing).

10. How important is positioning as a healer?

Positioning is crucial as a healer. Position yourself strategically to maximize the range of your healing abilities and avoid taking unnecessary damage.

11. What is the best Mundus Stone for healers in ESO?

The Ritual Mundus Stone is often considered the best for healers, as it increases healing effectiveness.

12. Can healers contribute to damage dealing in ESO?

While healing is your primary role, you can contribute to damage dealing by using skills that apply debuffs to enemies or by weaving light attacks between healing spells.

13. What is the difference between burst heals and HoTs?

Burst heals provide a large amount of healing immediately, while HoTs provide a smaller amount of healing over time. Both are important for effective healing.

14. What should I do if my group is taking a lot of damage?

If your group is taking a lot of damage, prioritize keeping your HoTs up, use AoE heals to cover multiple allies, and save your burst heals for emergencies.

15. How do I find a good group to heal with in ESO?

You can find a good group to heal with by joining a guild, using the in-game group finder tool, or participating in community events. Communicate with your teammates and be willing to adapt to their play styles.

Can you be a healer in eso?