Healing Word can and should be used during combat. Its literally the whole reason for its existence.
This is an irrational argument,
he says "That's not to say a well placed "Heal" or even "CLW" never has use in combat - but if you're doing your job - it should never be required as a primary role." For a support class like Bard, healing word (a bonus action spell, not even taking up your Action), more than has its uses.
If you were to take the time to read before responding (I know it takes a bit of effort, but come on!), you'd find that I never said that healing should never be done in combat. I said it should rarely be done in combat.
Dissonant Whispers inflicts damage, forces an enemy to use up its reaction (and thus no OA) as well as move away, which can provoke an OA from your teammates. That's great strategy for a mere level 1 spell.
Again, having your enemy run away from the party isn't something you want to encourage. The only way provoking an OA attack modifies this tactical axiom is if the OA flat out kills the enemy. Merely wounding it is of no consequence, because it can run away from the party and has time to heal.
Same with Blindness/Deafness, a level 2 spell.
Yes, spamming Blindness is the only good advice that's been given in this thread.
The other support classes (druid, cleric) also have Concentration for their big impact spells at the same level - conjure animals and spirit guardians.
They also have plenty of things to do with their standard actions while they are concentrating. By contrast, the Lore Bard has the worse AC in the game and a pretty poor weapon selection. That's why they are more comparable to Illusionists and Enchanters (that is, buff wizards).
Also keep in mind that, as a support class, a lot of your magic is going to be going towards healing/restoration magics.
This statement doesn't make commonly casting healing in combat a good idea
I would like to thank the DDB community for the invaluable advice and participation. Alas, the thread was going in a different direction and, because of that, it has been locked.
This is an irrational argument,
If you were to take the time to read before responding (I know it takes a bit of effort, but come on!), you'd find that I never said that healing should never be done in combat. I said it should rarely be done in combat.
Again, having your enemy run away from the party isn't something you want to encourage. The only way provoking an OA attack modifies this tactical axiom is if the OA flat out kills the enemy. Merely wounding it is of no consequence, because it can run away from the party and has time to heal.
Yes, spamming Blindness is the only good advice that's been given in this thread.
They also have plenty of things to do with their standard actions while they are concentrating. By contrast, the Lore Bard has the worse AC in the game and a pretty poor weapon selection. That's why they are more comparable to Illusionists and Enchanters (that is, buff wizards).
This statement doesn't make commonly casting healing in combat a good idea
I would like to thank the DDB community for the invaluable advice and participation. Alas, the thread was going in a different direction and, because of that, it has been locked.
Again, thank you and keep enjoying the forum.