DC Universe Online MMO News, Guides, and Features at Ten Ton Hammer

Regardless of what MMOG you play, you will find a common theme in general group dynamics; healers have a very important role in nearly any group.  There are never enough to go around, and when you find a good one, you never want to let them get away.  In DC Universe Online, you'll find that same theme.  Unfortunately, because healers might be a little intimidating to play, not enough people are trying out the Nature and Sorcery powersets.  This guide will help demystify the Nature healer and clear the path for healers by giving loadout options that work.

If you desire popularity in DCUO, crave excitement, and have plenty of courage to spare, you need to roll a Nature healer.  You might find survivability to be an issue at lower levels, but don't let this discourage you, it gets better once you get a wider variety of powers.  For weapon choice, a lot of healer prefer to stick with ranged. It helps keep the healer at a safe distance during group battles, but still allows the player to stay active in combat.  If you're a solo player, pick whichever weapon you like and are comfortable with.  I personally rolled my Nature character with a staff and I really enjoy that combination.

The Nature powerset's trait trees are vastly different and they have powers that are unique to this class that I found to be really cool.  Plants traits utilizes the Naturist's relationship with plant life. You'll find damage powers, stuns, and heals in this tree.  The Shapeshifting traits tree contains various creature forms that add some impressive effects as well as some healing and damage powers. The forms might be a little odd to use at first, but you quickly grasp which forms provide which benefits and switching in and out of forms will become second nature.

Damage Dealers

No one really plays a healing class for its damage potential alone, but players who spend some time soloing will certainly need to know how to stack for damage.  You don't really have a lot of options to work with in this regard, but I spent some time playing solo on my Nature hero and it can be done.

First, from the Plants traits line, Vine Lash is really handy to have.  Nature players tend to be a bit more squishy than the heartier classes, so being able to effectively pull mobs away from the pack is really very essential. If you head down the left side of the trait tree you can pick up Impaling Thorns or Briar at lower levels, both of which are solid damage powers to have on hand.

In the Shapeshifting traits tree, another early power that is useful throughout your career is Roar.  It stuns and does some rapid damage over time that can really take a nice chunk out of the opponent's health.  You may not use the creature forms as much if you are in a damage role, but the Primal Wolf Form is kind of fun to play in and it helps with damage potential.  Finally, even though you are damage focused, it would be silly not to have a heal on board for when you need it.  It's cheaper than soder colas and has a far better re-use timer. Metabolism is my favorite heal, but Blossom will get you by at lower levels.

For quick leveling, you can pretty much plow through mobs casting Vine Lash, followed by Roar, then going nuts with weapon skills. It's a quick and easy combination and it does the trick well into your late teens. If you're having trouble staying alive, replace Roar with Swarm Shield instead for a bit of defense.

Looking for a healing build? Check out the next page!