D&D 5E Is the Healer Feat Broken?

[Giant2005]

You and many others have stated that sentiment and it's one I held a while back on the WOTC forums. I would disagree now unless the party has some very good between combat healing sources. Looking at the first combat of the day it is definetely true that inspiring leader is better for that combat. But there's going to be about 5 more encounters over the day. The ability that can cause more net hp gain is going to be much better in the later encounters unless there is enough healing in your party such that it's not very difficult to get back to full hp without the healer feat.

But the difference isn't really very significant, one is 1d6+4+level, the other is chamod+level. Assuming that the person with Inspiring Leader is a Sorc/Bard/Warlock/Paladin that will be maxing out its Cha, you are only looking at an average difference of 2.5 hit points (or even less if you manage to get yourself some Tomes of Influence or something).
Sure it is possible that those 2.5 hit points could make the difference, but I think it is more likely that Inspiring Leader's proactive approach will make the difference by giving you the hit points prior to the fight that you need them in, rather than after the fight when you are already dead.

 

[Ancalagon]

They do have an hour to bandage themselves, if that helps you visualize it.

And that's why the healer feat makes more sense - you have a trained combat medic helping people getting back on their feet, vs a bunch of murder-hobos who spontaneously heal.

 

[Zardnaar]

But the difference isn't really very significant, one is 1d6+4+level, the other is chamod+level. Assuming that the person with Inspiring Leader is a Sorc/Bard/Warlock/Paladin that will be maxing out its Cha, you are only looking at an average difference of 2.5 hit points (or even less if you manage to get yourself some Tomes of Influence or something).
Sure it is possible that those 2.5 hit points could make the difference, but I think it is more likely that Inspiring Leader's proactive approach will make the difference by giving you the hit points prior to the fight that you need them in, rather than after the fight when you are already dead.

It's also the 1hp back on ur feet effect.

 

[Shiroiken]

Despite the fact that my group agrees it's one of the best feats, no one has yet to take it. Part of this is the fact that it's a "group" benefit (like Inspiring Leader), and they don't want to spend "their" feat for the party. Part of it is that it has to compete with ASI and other really good feats. A small part is probably the number of Short Rests we tend to take per day (between 0 and 1).

 

[Rhenny]

I was running a Tempest Cleric with it in our HotDQ campaign. It saved me spell slots so I could be more effective in combat, and it helped me get pcs up if they fell, but we still had our hands full in a number of situations. I never felt like it ruined the game or made playing through the adventure too easy.

 

[Saeviomagy]

Rather than ban it, I'd much rather resurrect the 4e rule that lets you trigger healing surges with the application of a healer's kit.

The problem with this feat is that it's a feat, not that mundane in-combat healing exists.

 

[Mistwell]

I've still yet to see a single person select this feat in all the games and groups I've played with.

 

[Flamestrike]

And that's why the healer feat makes more sense - you have a trained combat medic helping people getting back on their feet, vs a bunch of murder-hobos who spontaneously heal.

Hit points are (by RAW) luck, resolve, health and endurance and the will to live. They are not (by RAW) 'meat'.

They increase with experience, with warrior types getting more. In other words they also represent combat skill (the ability to parry a blow at the last second, turn aside a fatal hit on your shield, not zag when you should have zigged, duck under a greatsword when it would have felled a normal man etc).

Taking an hour to put your feet up, grab a hot brew and bind your wounds and count your lucky stars your still alive goes a long way to replenishing what HP 'are'.

If you want to instead imagine PCs with wounds closing like starfish during that hour, go right ahead.

 

[Psikerlord#]

I think if you want a "gritty" feeling game, then yes healer feat is very broken, and I would not allow it.

On reflection, in fact, I think 5e plays better with no feats - or perhaps it is better to say, only with custom feats that the DM approves, consistent with the kind of game the table is going for.

 

[CapnZapp]

If you want gritty, don't play D&D