Over the years there have been many topic threads where people complain that the tank or the healer in a group was terrible at their job.
But if this avalanche of blame against tanks and or healers was true, the dungeons would be unplayable.
I’ve noticed some of these accusations come from Tanks blaming healers or healers blaming tanks. But most seem to come from DPSers.
Why are people so demanding of and critical of these two classes? It’s almost as if they are expected to play like super elite players or they get accused of being lame noobs regardless of how well they do their jobs.
Partly because the meta is to go as hard as possible. So when something goes spectacularly wrong, which it is wa’nt to do in those situations it’s often hard to place blame or is entirely out of the DPS’s hands. And "tanks are never wrong!'.
You have to also be a very elite player right now to survive or thrive as a healer, especially in pugs or undergearing progression content.
People have very low expectations for DPS now a days. They are basically ignored or treated like NPCs. However, really good DPS players are noticed by me!
The best tanks are situationally aware of DPS and understand what DPS need to run smoothly and what trash mobs are a hindernce to dps doing their job. And plan accordingly.
I think most of the tanks and healers I have grouped with are pretty good. What key level are you? If you are not doing high levels, it might be harder to find good healers because rare roles move up quicker.
Content is made more difficult to tank and heal.
+
People still have a ‘go go go!’ Or ‘no’ attitude.
=DPS overpop
On the flip side you’re kinda in the hot seat as a tank. You choose if the run finishes or doesn’t. Someone leaves? Still sometimes possible to beat the dungeon. Tank leaves or healer leave and it’s much harder.
Then you’re kinda special a little bit. Which is good for enjoying M+
I got fustrated enough pushing +25 and higher in SL s4. When I knew it could be done if people just coordinated. I quit maining healer during DFs launch. And went straight DPS. I got a much better appreciation for DPS. Ive done a bit of herioc pug healing and healed a single time walking raid (which was actually challenging content believe it or not). Both weren’t bad experiences. I have yet to jump back into healing M+ or raids S2. I’m sure I could easily handle +8s at 417 ilvl. The question is do I really want to re-open that old trauma lol.
Oh dont get me wrong, I definitely have an appreciation for dps. Its what I based my entire “i feel less stressed as a healer” statement on. When I was DPS, I felt more pressure. More stuff I felt I had to pay attention to.
As a healer? If someone dies its rarely my fault. its some 1 shot or near 1 shot mechanic someone stood in that was unhealable. Outside of a few specific circumstances. I dont find the unavoidable damage that bad over all. And I find most DPS are aware if they die, its because they did something they werent supposed to.
There’s only 1 tank and 1 healer in a dungeon. Meaning if they fail at their job it’s very noticeable. DPS on the otherhand can be carried much easier by the other two. Mistakes are also less severe and less likely to cause a wipe.
Good tanks and healers will often play with a group of set people.