The Escapist – Sick of Healing
by John Walker on Jan.20, 2006, under The Rest
I’m not going to play a healer again.
We, as a people, sue hospitals. The degree of stupidity necessary for such an action should be impossible to grasp, so mind-destroyingly moronic we begin whirring, buzzing and emitting smoke from our circuits. Instead, we’re used to it, even resigned to it. It is in our international character. Ask anyone who’s ever played a healer in an MMOG.
My first appearance on The Escapist is up. It’s really just a revenge piece aimed at Kieron, for having relentlessly mocked my healing abilities in almost everything he’s written for about a year.
January 20th, 2006 on 18:52
I value your healing touch, John Walker
January 21st, 2006 on 09:49
What about sparing a thought for the unrecognised debuffer, who silently prevents the team from taking damage in the first place?
January 22nd, 2006 on 00:07
A really good piece of writing about something I’ve never really considered before, despite being on both the giving and recieveng end of those barbs.
If nothing else it’s prompted me to have a closer look at The Escapist.
January 24th, 2006 on 12:31
Isn’t this the Goalkeeper’s Problem?
January 24th, 2006 on 21:50
I’m sorry – I don’t speak your “football”.
But if I guess right, I suppose a bit. He gets punished for letting any in, but not recognised for the saves? But then, from my little knowledge of football, they tend to make a big deal out of saves in highlights. I can’t see an ignored equivalent of the top-up heal.
January 25th, 2006 on 09:49
I can vouch for this. It’s the same when playing any game which allows you to don the robes of a healer. I still play Return to Castle Wolfenstein reasonably regularly, in my preferred guise as a medic, and the hassle you get from your teammates makes it seldom worthwhile. You can see a comrade-in-arms fall at the other side of the map, bravely work your way to him, despatching dozens of enemies on your way, risking life and limb amongst the dropping bombs, expertly dodging sniper bullets and ‘nades, only to see him finished off a split-second before you reach him due to his advertising his presence by constantly crying to the world.
Cue calls of “n00b!” or, more commonly, “idiot c*nt medic!” – such is the lot of the healer and so it will be always. At least you get to mend yourself in that one.
Oh, and would you mind if I used the Brian from Brian’s Guide to War as my avatar on one of the RtCW forums I occasionally drop in on? Credited, of course.
January 25th, 2006 on 14:06
Please do – like I say, use as much as you wish.