A common figure of speech in video games is: the healer. Some characters are simply designed to treat injuries and restore health, often through magical powers. This makes them hugely useful, as it means the action-based characters can focus on the task at hand without stopping to heal themselves. However, that is not always the case.
The use of some healers is limited. They cannot do their job as well as desired. Whether it’s because of a bad stay or simply being outclassed by others, the result is always the same. Players ignore them and curse the developers for including such useless allies.
7 Hope – Final Fantasy 13
This kid is already the most reviled character in an unlikely match, which is impressive, but the automated combat system only adds to his obnoxiousness. One of the two most important Medics in Final Fantasy 13Hope can learn the Cure spell early on. However, players cannot simply command him to heal. Due to the nature of the Paradigm mechanic, the best they can do is turn him into the role of Medic and hope he will use his healing magic. That’s a hopeless hope (pun intended) because he’ll probably die before he gets the chance.
Fans should use Vanilla as their main Medic. Not only is she tougher, but she has more healing spells available earlier in her progression. When the game deigns to let players take sides, they will never again rely on Hope to heal them. Part of the reason Lightning is so mad is because she has to drag this whiny wimp for 10 hours.
6 Bambi – The Kingdom Hearts Series
This Disney movie thrives on atmosphere over action, so it’s unclear why Square decided to throw the titular stag into their hack-and-slash RPG. Bambi acts as a summoner in the first pair Kingdom Hearts spell. He does no damage or strengthens the heroes; he just prances around and drops health orbs.
This routine is made redundant by simple Cure spells. Most enemies break down more health than Bambi can recover. An MP is needed to summon him, but players should better spend that MP on powerful healing magic, returning more HP in less time. They can have Donald Duck do the same. He may die easily, but at least he’s constantly in the party and so can provide more help in the long run. While Bambi’s film may well be one of Disney’s best, fans weren’t sad to see him disappear from this series.
5 Serena – Dragon Quest 11
This gentle spellcaster is not useless in a vacuum. When she comes to the party early Dragon Quest 11, she comes with some welcome restorative magic. So players rely on her for several hours. Unfortunately, she becomes less instrumental as the party grows.
Later members come up with their own healing methods. Rab can do more in this area at a lower level and help the whole team with Multiheal, while Serena is still stuck with magic at the mid-level. She grows even less enticing with Sylvando in the mix; he comes up with his own version of Multiheal with the flamboyant Hustle Dance. Plus, both guys are more durable than Serena. These comparisons make its role in the Luminary’s prediction downright mind-boggling.
4 Samos – The Jak Series
The mythical Eco makes the world go round Jak & Daxter, and Samos is the way of Green Eco: the type with healing properties. This should make him a nurturing figure that keeps the heroes at full strength, but it doesn’t. Instead, he sends them to unclog his vents and face the dangers of the world without giving any wise advance or spells. The only time he participates is during the climax of the first game, where he combines his energy with the other sages to create Light Eco and defeat the villains. That usefulness is all too short, though, as he gets even lazier once the series jumps into the future.
Samos plays a strategic role in the sequels, commanding from a distance and barely getting his hands dirty. The heroes should actually protect it in various relentless escort missions. These are difficult not only because of his poor health, but also because he heals neither himself nor his defenders. At this point, it looks like the title “Green Sage” is just for show.
3 Peach – The Mario Series
Peach, the most iconic damsel in gaming, calls on Mario over and over to save her and save the Mushroom Kingdom. However, the experimental spin-offs expand its role further. In Super Mario RPG, for example, the turn-based gameplay positions Peach as the group’s healer. She retains this ability later in her solo venture, Super Princess Peach, where she can restore her health through specialized ‘Vibe’ magic. Unfortunately, giving these gifts can do more harm than good.
If Peach has healing and other statistical abilities, why does she need to be saved? With such powerful powers, she should be more than capable of saving herself. Nevertheless, she seems to be screaming and crying contentedly when Bowser shows up. If she actually participates, this Gamera wannabe wouldn’t be such a recurring problem.
2 Nanba – Yakuza: like a dragon
Nanba is an experienced nurse, albeit whose license has been revoked. He starts his time in Yakuza: like a dragon by stitching together protagonist Ichiban Kasuga, and he continues to do so with various healing spells throughout their adventure. However, despite his education, Nanba is outclassed by someone from a completely different field.
It is actually Saeko Mukoda who has the best healing stats in the game. As such, she practices more vigorous and immediate medical moves than Nanba’s napping. This makes her the go-to choice for the Idol role. Granted, she’ll have to wait until level 15, but the wait is worth it, as her restorative magic can take the whole party off the brink with little cost to her MP. Maybe Nanba lost his driver’s license because he was just bad at his job.
1 Anders – The Dragon Age Series
This guy is actually the redhead stepchild of dragon era magicians. He is an occasional party member in Origin, where he constantly needs the player’s help with legal and spiritual problems. Of course it’s not worth it as Wynne is a much more powerful alternative with the wisdom of the age. That said, it’s Anders who returns in the second entry.
Here he acts as the main healer. That sounds simple, but protagonist Hawke can outdo him in this area with a little bit of progression. No wonder he’s sitting out the next game. Inquisition spreads healing magic across various characters, so the story can no longer justify Anders’ presence.
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