Are Melee Healers viable or is that silly? Not a Hybrid, but a Primary Healer that uses melee.

renegade0 · November 2022

The build Theme is Shrine Maiden. So she'd use a katana and other martial arts weapons. I went with single blade, but really she could use anything that's melee. Maybe even TK blades since there's magic involved. What ever would be better suited to a healer/support.

But if a melee healer is a bad idea, I could always just go with archery and stick to range.

Here's what I have so far:

Shrine Maiden - Freeform (Support)
v3.45:38

Super Stats
Level 6: Presence (Primary)
Level 10: Constitution (Secondary)
Level 15: Dexterity (Secondary)

Talents
Level 1: The Samurai (Dex: 10, Con: 10, Rec: 10, End: 8)
Level 6: Lasting Impression (Pre: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 9: Acrobat (Dex: 5, Con: 5)
Level 12: Finesse (Dex: 5, Pre: 5)
Level 15: Shrug It Off (Con: 5, Pre: 5)
Level 18: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 21: Impresario (Dex: 5, Rec: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Radiance
Level 1: Conviction (Rank 2, Reverence)
Level 6: Iniquity (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Compassion
Level 11: Aura of Radiant Protection (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Deflect (The Elusive Swordsman)
Level 17: Protection Field (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Thundering Return
Level 23: Rise From the Ashes (Spreading Flames)
Level 26: Reaper's Embrace (Rank 2, No Mercy)
Level 29: Slash (Rank 2, Serrated Blade, Accelerated Metabolism)
Level 32: Scything Blade (Rank 2, Swallowtail Cut)
Level 35: Smoke Bomb
Level 38: Wild Thing
Adv. Points: 36/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Chain Swinging (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35:

Specializations
Presence: Repurpose (3/3)
Presence: Selfless Ally (2/2)
Presence: Moment of Glory (3/3)
Presence: Force of Will (2/2)
Sentinel: Caregiver (3/3)
Sentinel: Sentinel Aura (2/3)
Sentinel: Moment of Need (3/3)
Sentinel: Genesis (2/2)
Sentry: Fortified Gear (2/3)
Sentry: Precise (3/3)
Sentry: Sentry Aura (3/3)
Sentry: Fortify (1/2)
Sentry: Reinforce (1/2)
Mastery: Presence Mastery (1/1)

Devices

bladedragon80 · November 2022

It's not a bad idea, just a lot different.

My suggestion is to figure out some stuns, paralyzes, etc. to get Sentinel Mastery here. You're up close, less damage to the team at times, and the team's healing because they are doing damage to the target.

renegade0 · November 2022

Thanks. I'll give it a try and see how it goes

flowcyto · November 2022

Imo, if you're going to try being a melee healer, then you mine as well get a few pbAoEs and/or a healing rune. Easy healing of nearby melee units is one of the few upsides to this approach. Here's an example build, going a bit off of yours:

(Unnamed Build) - Freeform (Support)
v3.45:38

Super Stats
Level 6: Presence (Primary)
Level 10: Intelligence (Secondary)
Level 15: Constitution (Secondary)

Talents
Level 1: The Witch (Con: 10, Int: 8, Pre: 10, Rec: 10)
Level 6: Lasting Impression (Pre: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 9: Negotiator (Int: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 12: Diplomatic (Int: 5, Pre: 5)
Level 15: Quick Recovery (Con: 5, Rec: 5)
Level 18: Shrug It Off (Con: 5, Pre: 5)
Level 21: Healthy Mind (Con: 5, Int: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Eldritch Bolts
Level 1: Blade Tempest (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Aura of Radiant Protection (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Compassion
Level 11: Pillar of Poz (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 17: Iniquity (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 20: Conviction (Rank 2, Reverence)
Level 23: Dragon's Wrath (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Thunderclap (Collateral Damage)
Level 29: Rise From the Ashes (Rank 2, Spreading Flames)
Level 32: Deflect (Rank 2)
Level 35:
Level 38: Fiery Embrace
Adv. Points: 32/36

Travel Powers
Level 6:
Level 35:

Specializations
Presence: Repurpose (3/3)
Presence: Selfless Ally (2/2)
Presence: Moment of Glory (3/3)
Presence: Force of Will (2/2)
Sentinel: Caregiver (3/3)
Sentinel: Sentinel Aura (3/3)
Sentinel: Moment of Need (1/3)
Sentinel: Wither (2/2)
Sentinel: Genesis (1/2)
Arbiter: Enforcer (3/3)
Arbiter: Ruthless (2/2)
Arbiter: Rend (2/2)
Arbiter: Concussion (3/3)
Mastery: Sentinel Mastery (1/1)

The open slot can be used for w/e ya want.

TClap can be used on cd to proc Wither, Concussion, and Sentinel Mastery. TClap, Pillar, and Conviction can all help roll MSA. You could also get the newer rune option in Arbiter spec, if desired Gears mostly for Pres, w/ some Int and Con.

jaazaniah1 · November 2022

Another possibilility, related to Flow's idea, would be to take Will-o'-the-Wisp instead of PoP and then also take Life Essence.

flowcyto · November 2022

jaazaniah1 wrote: »

Another possibilility, related to Flow's idea, would be to take Will-o'-the-Wisp instead of PoP and then also take Life Essence.

Sure that can work well, though I assume by 'melee healer' they meant using melee attacks, and not simply being in melee w/ ranged powers (I imagine most life-drain styled builds want to be in or near melee packs usually). Unless you mean just using LE for when burst AoE healing is needed, and using melee attacks otherwise (which could work too, depending on the context). Wisp's Guide adv could also pair pretty well w/ Ascension and its adv (and/or Celestial's rez Ult). There's a good deal of different possibilities for pbAoE healing, and the OP is free to explore different options, as they would be well-positioned for it.

Are Melee Healers viable or is that silly? Not a Hybrid, but a Primary Healer that uses melee.

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