FFXIV: The Ultimate Guide to the Best Healer

In the vast realm of Final Fantasy XIV Online (FFXIV), healers play a crucial role in keeping adventurers alive and thriving amidst perilous encounters. With three distinct healing classes to choose from, discerning the best healer for your playstyle and party composition can be a daunting task. This comprehensive guide delves into the strengths, weaknesses, and nuances of each healer, empowering you with the knowledge to make an informed decision.

1. White Mage: The Stalwart Healer

Healing Prowess: White Mages (WHM) are the embodiment of traditional healers. Their unparalleled healing abilities make them the cornerstone of any party. They wield potent single-target heals, such as Cure III and Raise, enabling them to rescue fallen comrades with ease. Additionally, WHMs excel at group healing with spells like Medica II and Asylum, shielding allies from imminent harm.

Utility: While their healing prowess is their hallmark, WHMs offer valuable utility to the party. They can remove negative status effects from allies using Esuna and bolster their defenses with Divine Veil. Moreover, WHMs can contribute to party damage with Holy and Aero III, making them versatile healers in both PvE and PvP content.

Limitations: White Mages are not without their limitations. Their casting times can be lengthy, rendering them vulnerable to interruptions. Additionally, their mobility is restricted compared to other healers, as they lack swift movement abilities.

2. Scholar: The Adaptive Strategist

Healing Versatility: Scholars (SCH) are renowned for their versatility and adaptability. They employ a unique pet system, summoning a fairy companion that assists with healing and damage reduction. This allows SCHs to focus on strategic play, utilizing mitigation abilities such as Excogitation and Indomitability to protect allies from incoming damage.

Utility: Beyond their healing capabilities, SCHs bring an array of utility to the party. They can enhance party members' critical hit rate with Chain Stratagem and grant them temporary barriers with Deployment Tactics. Furthermore, SCHs can contribute to damage output with spells like Biolysis and Aetherflow spells.

Limitations: While versatile, Scholars have some drawbacks. Their fairy companion is susceptible to damage and can be a liability if not carefully managed. Additionally, SCHs have a limited MP pool compared to other healers, which can limit their healing potential in prolonged engagements.

3. Astrologian: The Celestial Seer

Healing Flexibility: Astrologians (AST) are enigmatic healers who harness the power of the stars to mend and support their allies. They possess a unique card system, allowing them to grant various buffs and healing effects to party members. ASTs can also perform potent AoE heals, such as Aspected Helios, and provide mitigation with Celestial Opposition.

Utility: Utility is a defining trait of Astrologians. They can enhance party damage with cards like the Balance and expand buff duration with Sleeve Draw. Additionally, ASTs can control the flow of battle with Divination and Time Dilation, making them invaluable assets in high-end content.

Limitations: Astrologians have certain limitations. Their card system can be complex to manage, and choosing the optimal card for each situation requires experience and foresight. Moreover, ASTs have relatively low base healing potency, which can be a concern in some healing-intensive encounters.

4. Choosing the Best Healer: A Decision Tree

Selecting the best healer for your playstyle and party composition is a matter of careful consideration. This decision tree can guide you in making an informed choice:

• Prefer traditional healing with potent single-target and group heals? Choose White Mage
• Seek versatility and adaptability with a unique pet system and strategic mitigation abilities? Choose Scholar
• Desire flexibility with a card system that grants buffs and healing effects? Choose Astrologian
• Emphasis on utility, such as party damage enhancement and debuffs? Consider Astrologian and Scholar
• Prioritize mobility and swift movement to avoid interruptions? Consider Scholar

5. Tips for Effective Healing

• Master your abilities: Familiarize yourself with your healing spells, their potency, and appropriate usage.
• Prioritize healing: Focus on keeping your party alive and mitigating damage.
• Utilize AoE heals: Use spells like Medica II and Aspected Helios to heal multiple allies simultaneously.
• Manage your resources: Monitor your MP and cooldowns carefully to ensure uninterrupted healing.
• Coordinate with other healers: Communicate with your fellow healers to prevent wasted resources and optimize healing output.
• Communicate with your party: Inform your party of incoming heals or mitigation abilities to reduce anxiety and increase coordination.

6. Healing Statistics in FFXIV

• White Mages account for the highest share of healers in endgame content, with over 45% representation in savage raids.
• Scholars have a slightly lower representation of approximately 38%, due to their slightly more complex playstyle.
• Astrologians make up around 17% of healers in high-end content, as their versatility and utility are highly valued.
• During the Eden's Gate raid series, White Mages had the highest healing output, followed by Scholars and Astrologians.
• In the Abyssos: The Fifth Circle raid, Scholars had the highest average healing output, while White Mages excelled in boss encounters with intense AoE damage.

7. Future of Healing in FFXIV

The future of healing in FFXIV holds exciting possibilities. With each expansion, developers introduce new abilities, traits, and mechanics that enhance the healing experience. Upcoming content is expected to further diversify the roles of healers and explore innovative approaches to healing.

8. Conclusion

Selecting the best healer in FFXIV ultimately depends on your playstyle and party composition. White Mages offer unparalleled healing prowess, Scholars bring versatility and adaptability, and Astrologians provide flexibility and utility. By understanding their strengths and limitations, you can make an informed decision and become an effective healer in the realm of FFXIV. Whether you prefer traditional healing, strategic mitigation, or celestial buffs, there is a healer class that will empower you to keep your allies alive and thriving in the face of any challenge.