I love this deep dive into the Healer’s journey because, in many ways, it mirrors the path of real-life healing—which is what I do every day through Raíz Wellness. Some of my word vomit when I attempted to answer your numerous questions. Maybe helpful. Maybe not. 😊
You posed the question: Should Healers focus solely on healing, or should they have access to defensive and support abilities as well?
In my experience, true healing requires both—and that could translate into diverse Healer archetypes in-game.
A Healer isn’t just someone who patches up wounds—they’re someone who:
• Prevents the damage before it happens. (Buffs & barriers)
• Strengthens resilience in those they support. (Passive regeneration or status effects)
• Understands the body, mind, and energy systems holistically. (Multi-resource healing: stamina, mana, and energy-based skills instead of just HP-based healing)
This could be reflected in different Healer specializations, much like the progression system you outlined.
Diverse Healing Mechanics – Should Healers Have More Than One Method?
Absolutely. In my world, healing isn’t just about “restoring HP.” Different modalities serve different purposes, and that could be translated into distinct healing abilities in-game:
Game mechanic: A high-risk/high-reward skill that allows Healers to transfer their own health/mana to an ally, making them a true support-sacrifice class.
Real-life equivalent: Stress management, detox, lifestyle changes to prevent disease
Game mechanic: Preventive healing—a shield that absorbs damage before it happens, or buffs that increase an ally’s max HP temporarily instead of healing after the fact.
Wow. Kristie...you're the dark horse here with your comments...you sure you don't MAKE games on the side? LOL
FanTASTIC input, and again, 'wow', for the precise visuals with both real world application and game mechanics! Personally, I love QiGong in RL...and in game, the idea of players forming their own unique potions sounds like something I'd love. =)
I have to say -- this has been eye-opening, all the comments and feedback on the game!
Dark horse, huh? I’ll take it! 😊 And while I don’t make games on the side, I love crafting immersive experiences—whether in resl life or in the mind.
I love that QiGong resonates with you in RL too (do you practice?), because that’s exactly the kind of energy-based healing that could translate beautifully in-game.
And the potion system? Absolutely! Imagine players gathering unique ingredients, crafting custom elixirs, and even trading formulas to discover new combinations—it would add a whole new layer of depth if you wanted to open that can of worms to advanced players.
I’ve gotta say, this has been eye-opening for me too—seeing how much overlap there is between integrative healing and game design. Who knew? Truth is I could only chime in to help inspire game creation to YOUR specific game as it’s a blend of real life and fantasy. I know RL well. I leave the fantasy to you Mr. Wonka. 😉 Thanks for creating such a fun space to explore these ideas! It’s been a creative blast!
I think it would be fun to have the healer combine different methods, perhaps leaning into some more than others based on how the player wants to play it? Also, I would like to have the healer have some perhaps lower-effectiveness attack abilities. For example: a healer might not actively attack, but when pushed would definitely know where to stick a knife to do the most damage... and wouldn't be opposed to using that knowledge.
So here's a thought, Joseph, and this is real life...
When I was learning in a class for setting bones, my mind went somewhere else. I was experiencing situations where I was having to protect my wife and kids, and I wasn't in a great place.
At the end of the class, I had learned how to set bones, and got quite good at it.
....what the teacher noticed, because we talked about it later, was I'd also figured out how to BREAK bones in such a way, that if the person I harmed had to get medical attention, it was highly probable that the one option for them would be amputation.
I learned how the body worked, then studied how to help it, and destroy it.
Is a knife a tool or a weapon?
The answer is yes.
Can healers get advantages with even basic skills beCAUSE they understand the body?
I love this deep dive into the Healer’s journey because, in many ways, it mirrors the path of real-life healing—which is what I do every day through Raíz Wellness. Some of my word vomit when I attempted to answer your numerous questions. Maybe helpful. Maybe not. 😊
You posed the question: Should Healers focus solely on healing, or should they have access to defensive and support abilities as well?
In my experience, true healing requires both—and that could translate into diverse Healer archetypes in-game.
A Healer isn’t just someone who patches up wounds—they’re someone who:
• Prevents the damage before it happens. (Buffs & barriers)
• Strengthens resilience in those they support. (Passive regeneration or status effects)
• Understands the body, mind, and energy systems holistically. (Multi-resource healing: stamina, mana, and energy-based skills instead of just HP-based healing)
This could be reflected in different Healer specializations, much like the progression system you outlined.
Diverse Healing Mechanics – Should Healers Have More Than One Method?
Absolutely. In my world, healing isn’t just about “restoring HP.” Different modalities serve different purposes, and that could be translated into distinct healing abilities in-game:
1. Divine Restoration—Energy-Based Healing (Mana-Driven, Instant)
Real-life equivalent: Hypnotherapy, trauma release, Reiki
Game mechanic: Instant cast healing with cooldowns, works best on trauma-based conditions like fear or mind-affecting spells.
2. Alchemical Healing—Potion-Based & Herbal Remedies (Item & Skill Combo)
Real-life equivalent: Functional medicine, herbalism, Ayurveda
Game mechanic: Potion brewing system where players can create healing elixirs with buffs (e.g., Regen over time, stamina boost, toxin cleanse).
3. Vital Energy Transfer —Life Force Redistribution (Risk-Reward Healing)
Real-life equivalent: Breathwork, somatic healing, QiGong
Game mechanic: A high-risk/high-reward skill that allows Healers to transfer their own health/mana to an ally, making them a true support-sacrifice class.
4. Shielding & Prevention—Defensive Healer (Barrier & Preemptive Healing)
Real-life equivalent: Stress management, detox, lifestyle changes to prevent disease
Game mechanic: Preventive healing—a shield that absorbs damage before it happens, or buffs that increase an ally’s max HP temporarily instead of healing after the fact.
*GASP*
"word vomit"???
NEVER.
Wow. Kristie...you're the dark horse here with your comments...you sure you don't MAKE games on the side? LOL
FanTASTIC input, and again, 'wow', for the precise visuals with both real world application and game mechanics! Personally, I love QiGong in RL...and in game, the idea of players forming their own unique potions sounds like something I'd love. =)
I have to say -- this has been eye-opening, all the comments and feedback on the game!
Dark horse, huh? I’ll take it! 😊 And while I don’t make games on the side, I love crafting immersive experiences—whether in resl life or in the mind.
I love that QiGong resonates with you in RL too (do you practice?), because that’s exactly the kind of energy-based healing that could translate beautifully in-game.
And the potion system? Absolutely! Imagine players gathering unique ingredients, crafting custom elixirs, and even trading formulas to discover new combinations—it would add a whole new layer of depth if you wanted to open that can of worms to advanced players.
I’ve gotta say, this has been eye-opening for me too—seeing how much overlap there is between integrative healing and game design. Who knew? Truth is I could only chime in to help inspire game creation to YOUR specific game as it’s a blend of real life and fantasy. I know RL well. I leave the fantasy to you Mr. Wonka. 😉 Thanks for creating such a fun space to explore these ideas! It’s been a creative blast!
Hehe...she called me Wonka.
Awwwwww. ☺️
I think it would be fun to have the healer combine different methods, perhaps leaning into some more than others based on how the player wants to play it? Also, I would like to have the healer have some perhaps lower-effectiveness attack abilities. For example: a healer might not actively attack, but when pushed would definitely know where to stick a knife to do the most damage... and wouldn't be opposed to using that knowledge.
As in understanding the body and how it functions...so a healer should likely k ow to cause the most danage?
As far as what they should use for healing.
As far as just being a healer class my advice to take or leave is the same.
Let the player decide
Don’t over complicate the abilities.
But let the player decide when they make the character how they want their healer to heal.
Whether it be through divine healing, Herbalism, or maybe they just give players compliments and they feel better.
Give them offensive abilities. Because what do they do when everyone is fine? When they go first in combat?
Also exclusively healing gets really repetitive and doesn’t feel strategic. So give them offense give them something to do.
To be honest I would give them damage abilities unless you plan on making multi classing mandatory.
So here's a thought, Joseph, and this is real life...
When I was learning in a class for setting bones, my mind went somewhere else. I was experiencing situations where I was having to protect my wife and kids, and I wasn't in a great place.
At the end of the class, I had learned how to set bones, and got quite good at it.
....what the teacher noticed, because we talked about it later, was I'd also figured out how to BREAK bones in such a way, that if the person I harmed had to get medical attention, it was highly probable that the one option for them would be amputation.
I learned how the body worked, then studied how to help it, and destroy it.
Is a knife a tool or a weapon?
The answer is yes.
Can healers get advantages with even basic skills beCAUSE they understand the body?
Also it’s that time when I catch up on articles I’ve missed… so I know I’m late
Better late than never. =)
BTW -- had breakfast with Ben, Joshua and Terry this morning.
...that was fun.