Guild Wars 2

Hi guys, I just bought Heart of Thorns today and am excited to play. I know Guild Wars 2 does not have a traditional healer class, and the closest will be the Druid elite specialization for the Ranger class. Are there any other classes I should consider to play if I want to play a support role via healing? I’m not going to make it a max level character yet, as I want to experience the game normally/

The Guardian, Warrior, and Ele have the ability to do really good healing depending on your build.

~EW

Are you on an EU server? if so please let me know and we can play as mates.
I play at GMT time

Pearly – No, I play on US.
EW – I definitely prefer range, so Ele would be the other option then? Are they on par with Druids, or am I better off focusing on a Druid?

Guardian/DH has longbow, but most of the guardian heals are close range, so I wouldn’t recommend it if you want a ranged character. I don’t know exactly how a warrior heal build would work. Ele is ok, but not great at it IMO, but better than a lot of other classes. Engi can do some decent healing as well.

Personally, I’d say you’re better off focusing on Druid. As a class, it will also allow you a wide range of options, and is also one of the better soloing classes for leveling purposes.

I agree with bearshaman, go with Druid if you want ranged w/ healing.

bearshaman.3421:

I don’t know exactly how a warrior heal build would work.

It can be a lot of fun. Perma regen, high condi-removal + burst heals, and the banner to up a downed party.

~EW

I would suggest either Ranger for Druid, or Elementalist for Tempest.

Druid is the better of the two when it comes to ranged healing, but Tempest is the better of the two when it comes to sheer healing power (by just a bit) and damage reduction.

Understand, though, that there is not very much room in the game for a dedicated healer outside of raids, high-level fractals, and the occasional unique dynamic event. This is because everyone has the ability to heal themselves. The situations I mentioned above simply take more healing than any one person can dish out.

In PvE no one want healers so that’s a problem in it’s own.

The only true healer otherwise exist in WvW and that’s ele/tempest healbot support.

Klepka.1503:

Pearly – No, I play on US.
EW – I definitely prefer range, so Ele would be the other option then? Are they on par with Druids, or am I better off focusing on a Druid?

So in high-end PvE content, druid is the go-to healer because they not only heal but also gives out unique buffs.

Tempest is quite versatile but in PvE is mostly known for its high dps. Ppl do use it as a secondary healer sometimes. But in PvP and WvW, tempest is actually the best healer.

Druid is nearly limited to their celestial avatar form to pump out good heals but it’s the closest thing to a dedicated healer. Tempests can consistently heal their allies but they feel more like a boonshare profession than a dedicated healer.