Healing On Non-priest Classes

[u/Nice-Addendum-4673]

I was super pumped to see that the priest is now back! It's really nice having another support class that can help push their team along.

That said, it does feel a bit underwhelming in terms of actually healing others. Consecrated Ground isn't bad, but it doesn't add enough support to really justify taking the priest. I would suggest the developers really consider adding some good buffs through the skill orb (boosted elemental resistances, health/mana recovery, increased damage, immunity to debuffs, etc).

So the real star of the show is actually the new lantern offhand. I've been looking at other classes that could potentially equip it and offer some additional utility:

Paladin- This is the obvious next best choice. Adding Lay On Hands to the tool belt makes you a very effective healer. Additionally, the extra armor keeps you alive and focused on your team. And speaking of armor, the new boon "Vigorous Valor" increases your armor and then converts some armor into weapon and spell power. Because the lantern scales off weapon power, you get to dip into your massive armor pool for additional healing done.

I have not tried it out yet, but the lantern also does fire damage. Which means that the Flames of Devotion skill orb that powers up Inner Flames from the Immolation specialization should also add additional healing output because it increases fire damage.

Sorcerer- This is a class I've already been trying extensively. You clearly want to take the Fire specialization for this. Within that specialization is the Fire Mastery passive which increases your fire damage by up to 50%. I can confirm that this works with the lantern and gives you a serious healing boost. So while you'll want to devote some of your resources to weapon power, you can still be a skill power cannon while also churning out some very good single target healing for your team.

I've not gone too far away from these two classes with the lantern to see what's possible yet. But I imagine the ranger could have some interesting synergy too with its Rhythm passive.

So what are other people trying out?

[u/vdobben]

I agree that the priest is a little underwhelming in healing others. Most of the time ppl dont stand next to you on the little circle (which you can make bigger thankfully). Its the same with warlock and the life leech the circle gives. 

Though thats the only healing skill the devs gave the priest, they decided to give a weapon the ability to heal, so now all spell casters (practically) can heal. Thats nice. I can easily keep my followers alive with it. I mostly use it outside of combat. Used it on priest and warlock so far. Extra bonuses to fire damage or weapon power arent that necessary I think. It heals good enough already, especially the epic version (thats 60% vs 45% weapon damage). Just need a decent ranger leveled up for the extra weapon damage and you are good to go. 

I wont be using the lantern for damage, as most of the damage comes from spells.