Summary
A balanced party can go a long way to a better experience inDungeons and Dragons. Balanced parties can improve encounters, add variety to lore and roleplay, and give everyone in the group a chance to shine. One of the essential roles to be filled is that of the healer. Healers are one of the oldest roles in any roleplaying party, and are often underappreciated in favor of the damage-dealers of the party.Dungeons and Dragons5th edition changed some of the healing mechanics in gameplay, overhauling the pros and cons of playing a healer.
The Reality of Playing a Healer in Dungeons and Dragons
WhileLife Domain Clericsare the class and subclass that appears to be the most suited to taking the role of a Healer, its Channel Divinity only heals each party member to half their HP maximum. Even with the Domain’s bonuses for healing spells, Life Domain Clerics could find themselves playing catch up on the larger amounts of damage enemies deal, rather than using their turn in combat more effectively. Life Domain Clerics also have other crowd control spells at their disposal, but other classes are capable of taking on the role of the party’s healer with a more versatile spell and ability list, so they should also be considered.
Cons
Strategies to Make the Most Out of Healing in DnD 5e
Healing spells inDungeons and Dragons5eare best utilized outside of combat, to revive downed party members, or to be used strategically to ensure the party member will survive another round of combat. One of the most efficient ways for Healers to contribute to the party during combat is to utilize damage-dealing and support spells during the Action round, while using healing spells like Healing Word and Mass Healing Word strategically to get party members through another round of combat.
Changing Strategies for DnD 5e Healers
A frustration with 5e’s combat is that enemies hit hard, while healing spells restore very little HP. This can make healing feel pointless; a healer may cast Healing Word on a player for 8 HP, then that same party member gets hit for 20 HP and they fall unconscious. Using healing spells in this way is a waste of a valuable action, and a waste of a spell slot that might be better used to damage or stall the enemy.Classes inDungeons and Dragonsthat have access to healing spells and also typically fulfill the role of the party’s healer include:
All of the above classes are versatile and come with a wide variety of spells and abilities that fall outside of healing.Strategizing more as aD&Dhealer, such as timing healing spells and focusing on mitigating damage done to the party is more likely to result in satisfying gameplay than trying to keep up with the damage that enemies deal. Enemies in 5e typically have far greater HP than party members, and deal more damage than healing spells can fix.
Healers are still crucial forD&Dand other TTRPG partiesbecause party members do as much damage with 1 HP as they do with a full health bar. Casting spells like Healing Word and Mass Healing Word as bonus actions will get the party back on their feet for another round of combat, while the Action slot is best utilized strategically for crowd control, damage, or support. And, if a party member goes down in combat, one of the best ways to save them is with the party’s healer.
Dungeons and Dragons
Created by Gary Gygax, Dungeons & Dragons is a tabletop game in which players craft their own worlds and band together to take on adventures through mysterious realms outlined in companion materials. One of the best role-playing games ever made, it has been adapted into a variety of video games and other media.
