Ritualists compared to monks for gettting a group?

Nirvy

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2005

England

Dangerously Incompetent

Rt/Mo

Ok im fairly new to the game, and i have a 20 Rit/Mo with most of my points in restoration. I Feel i heal pretty good as a ritualist, but getting a group, well its very hard. People dont ask for Healers, they just ask for monks. Some groups let me in, and suddently tell me im not a healer (Hmm wonder what my 30+ resortation heals are for then?) Or they tell me i cant heal as a good as a proper healer!

Are restoration specced Rit/Mo 's that much worse than an appropriate specced monk?

I've even takent o levelling up a Mo/Rt and i get so many more groups, even for a laugh i put all my points in the Rir's skills and took zero monk heals only the Rit's heals and i still got thanked for being a good healer, this coming from a group who told me to log into my monk, as a Rit isnt a healer!!

So is it just ignorance, is it just people scared to break the Tank/monk/nuker magic group i see everyone asking for? My progress in the Canthan missions has ground to a halt, as im not seen as a healer.

Anyone else seen this, and also will this perception change when people realise what a Resto Rt can do, or what a protective spirit Rt can do?

Mr_T_bot

Mr_T_bot

Banned

Join Date: Apr 2006

It could be worse - you could be a monk with a single smiting skill on your bar. Remember, monk's only have 3 skill lines: divine favor, healing, and protection, but protection only on wednesdays.

The elitism in this game is ridiculous and is exasperated by rank.

makosi

makosi

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Mar 2006

"Pre-nerf" is incorrect. It's pre-buff.

Requirement Begins With R [notQ]

Me/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr_T_bot
It could be worse - you could be a monk with a single smiting skill on your bar. Remember, monk's only have 3 skill lines: divine favor, healing, and protection, but protection only on wednesdays.

The elitism in this game is ridiculous and is exasperated by rank.
That's the most intelligent thing I have ever heard in a long time.

The rejection of ritualist 'healers' (or restorers) is simply down to ignorance right now because most people have dove in to the assassin end of the pool and know very little about ritualists as a result. Its a tough job getting wisdom to some of those elitist 'dictators' but persist and show your abilities then they'll be begging you to join as if you were a monk.

Havelock

Academy Page

Join Date: Feb 2006

At the moment I'd say its just ignorance - and every other class being massively outnumbered by Assassins and Ritualists in the new Factions areas. That naturally comes with quite some poorly played Ritualists and may result in even more ignorance.

I've seen some good Ritualists by now though, and I usually try to take one Assassin and one Ritualist per group to get used to them.

But I still have to play the Ritualist by myself to really judge it - so count me in on the ignorant side

Lord Zado

Academy Page

Join Date: Oct 2005

Dusk

Mo/Me

People do realize what a protectice ritualist can do. I have no trouble finding groups when I say "Protective Ritualist LFG". As far as healing goes...no, you don't even come close to a monk's healing ability. The simple answer to that is divine favor. Healing is all about health healed per energy spent. Divine favor tips that ratio way in favor a full monk.

There's no reason you can't mix the protection spirits and some direct healing skills to act as a support healer though. But to claim you are a full healer would be a mistake. In fact, until you get far enough to cap ether lord so your protective spirits recharge fast enough, I find bringing along healing spells to use during the down time is very nice. In fact, Mend Body and Soul removes conditions too which is helpful.

baz777

baz777

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Dec 2005

South East England

Leader: Lady Hairy Armpits S[mell]

E/

I’ve played a healer monk for my entire time in Prophesies and now having a level 18 Ritulist i can assure you that you will have a hard time in the game if you advertise yourself as Ritulist healer.

I did take a couple of Restoration skills as a back-up healer if required, (including ‘Soothing Memories' which also gives +3 energy), but a Ritulist strengths lie elsewhere.

Rusty Deth

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jul 2005

Woodland Realm

Mo/N

As of now I love the Ritulist to death.

Its a little bit of this, and a little bit of that. I play mine like I play my monk, going into battle with two things I can do instead of just focusing on one attribute.

But as long as I been playing, I found any group needing a healer monk is probably a crappy group to begin with. Especially if they want two.

At the beginning of Factions the guy training you tells you "lets focus on skills that will keep you alive". That goes for every class in the game. Monks can't do everything.

And a good ritulist makes everyone elses job a little easier.

Effendi Westland

Effendi Westland

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Dec 2005

Isle of the dead

[DVDF][LDS]

P/W

Even so, still easier for a ritualist or assasin to get into a group then a mesmer.......

makosi

makosi

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Mar 2006

"Pre-nerf" is incorrect. It's pre-buff.

Requirement Begins With R [notQ]

Me/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Effendi Westland
Even so, still easier for a ritualist or assasin to get into a group then a mesmer.......
Breaks my heart too.

baz777

baz777

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Dec 2005

South East England

Leader: Lady Hairy Armpits S[mell]

E/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Effendi Westland
Even so, still easier for a ritualist or assasin to get into a group then a mesmer.......
Pure ignorance

Former Ruling

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Oct 2005

Cedartown, Georgia

R/

Some Ritualist heals are better simply because of side effects (memories costs 2e when holding item, mend can heal conditions when spritis are present, spirit light is a heal other you can use on yourself), but as a whole - they dont have divine favor...which is more important than you think.

Their spirits like Union make them atleast worth it though.

oljomo

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Mar 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lord Zado
People do realize what a protectice ritualist can do. I have no trouble finding groups when I say "Protective Ritualist LFG". As far as healing goes...no, you don't even come close to a monk's healing ability. The simple answer to that is divine favor. Healing is all about health healed per energy spent. Divine favor tips that ratio way in favor a full monk.

There's no reason you can't mix the protection spirits and some direct healing skills to act as a support healer though. But to claim you are a full healer would be a mistake. In fact, until you get far enough to cap ether lord so your protective spirits recharge fast enough, I find bringing along healing spells to use during the down time is very nice. In fact, Mend Body and Soul removes conditions too which is helpful.
Hi

Hmm, not so sure i agree with you on that one, for heling per energy spent, restoration has a couple that totally outweigh divine favour.

For example: recuperation, at a decent level in restor magic this gives a +3 regen to the whole group for 40+ seconds for a whole 15 energy. Thats 6 health a second per person, for 8 people, (not including pets/allies) for 40 seconds making a grand total of 1920 health (ok i know that this is unrealistic, but it is certainly a large amount of health, you definately notice the difference with it as opposed to without it)

Then theres preservation: which for 5 energy gives a 100 ish heal every 4 seconds, thats a total of 1500 health for 5 energy.

Then theres soothing memories, which if palyed right gives you an almost 100 heal for 2 energy (less if you use the ritualist energy management elite), mend bopdy and soul which gets rid of a condition if used right as well as healing for almost 100, and spirit transfer healing for over 200 for 10 energy.

I agree that monks are easier to play as a good healer, but i disagree that they make the best overall healer.

oljomo

Maxiemonster

Maxiemonster

There is no spoon.

Join Date: Jun 2005

Netherlands

Mo/

Monks > Ritualists.

Trin Storm

Trin Storm

Academy Page

Join Date: Apr 2006

Balthazar's Fury

R/Me

I play a Ritualist - Haven't had much problem. While I do not bill myself as a healer - I do bring some along. Have a monk heal you while you spam Flesh of my flesh and you can rez a party fast - which is great since the missions are timed.

I tend to focus on spirits - some heal and buffs, some attacks. Let the party engage and start running in and out placing these things. The difference is noticable - not only do you spread some blind, damagem regen to your party - these things also draw aggro off party members - and then a little spirit rift for an AoE - followed by Channeling strike - AoE for the mob and a huge damage spike for the recipent.

felinette

felinette

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Mar 2006

Girl Power [GP]

Me/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Effendi Westland
Even so, still easier for a ritualist or assasin to get into a group then a mesmer.......
I haven't found that at all. My mesmer receives invites all the time. I've had no problems grouping. I signed on a couple of nights ago planning to do one storyline mission and a couple of quests and then switch to my ritualist. I ended up playing my mesmer all evening. She couldn't step into a town or outpost without getting an invite. Ended up doing three storyline missions and a number of quests. Could have kept going but it was late. So my Canthan mesmer is finding it much easier to get into groups than my Tyrian mesmer ever did.

Lady Erighan

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Nov 2005

Defenders of Gods

E/Me

Ritualists are defensive utility/support units (sometimes can provide nice offence) but they are not healers.

Terra Xin

Terra Xin

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Mar 2006

New Zealand

Me/R

Quote:
Originally Posted by felinette
I haven't found that at all. My mesmer receives invites all the time. I've had no problems grouping. I signed on a couple of nights ago planning to do one storyline mission and a couple of quests and then switch to my ritualist. I ended up playing my mesmer all evening. She couldn't step into a town or outpost without getting an invite. Ended up doing three storyline missions and a number of quests. Could have kept going but it was late. So my Canthan mesmer is finding it much easier to get into groups than my Tyrian mesmer ever did.
I wish I was you.... Maybe it's the name.... or the fact that your character is female. I find it difficult to get into groups.

I'm no good at playing monks, Ritualists are much easier for me - energy management wise. I don't see problems with ritualists getting into groups. It's just that you get the odd new player coming in and is still learning the ropes, which is fine for some, but you have some really hardy ppl who don't like to lose. And spirits make a big contribution as they are hardly targeted as high priority.

Trin Storm

Trin Storm

Academy Page

Join Date: Apr 2006

Balthazar's Fury

R/Me

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lady Erighan
Ritualists are defensive utility/support units (sometimes can provide nice offence) but they are not healers.
I think of it as more like a paramedic. I can kick in a quick small heal to try and keep someone alive (and it usually removes a condition or two) until the monk can get to them. I also keep an eye on the monk and give them a quick health hit if necessary.

Rit healing is a back/emergency thing in most cases. I'm sure it can be played as a primary healer to good effect, but there are better classes for this.

yazaga

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Aug 2005

Me/N

I think 2 ritalists, who have coordinated between themselves the usage of weapon spells and spirits can handle all the PVE just fine. That means using spirits that cause blindness, slow down adrenaline gain and such. Although the difficulty in PVE is up now in Factions, most of the enemies are lvl 20, as opposed to lvl 24 in the old game. They just come in greater numbers and do less damage, but for a longer time. And i think ritiualists are ever better suited to cope with pressure damage than monks. So, yes, ritualist can do a fine job as long as you put a little coordination in your groups.

felinette

felinette

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Mar 2006

Girl Power [GP]

Me/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Terra Xin
I wish I was you.... Maybe it's the name.... or the fact that your character is female. I find it difficult to get into groups.
Well, I find that the PUGs I join with my rit often have a mesmer in them. I was just out with a male mesmer last night. So it's not just me. I really can't explain why I'm having such an easy time. I think part of it is that people are still willing to take anybody right now. We'll eventually get to the same sad state as Prophecies, where people are convinced you need 2 of X, 2 of Y, and 3 of Z to beat the mission, but we haven't reached that yet in Cantha. But also, mesmers really shine with higher level opponents, and in Cantha, you come up against powerful casters and mobs early in the game. Most mobs contain multiple casters--shutting them down really helps. Savvy players realize this, and that may be why I'm being invited into groups, something that just about never happened in Prophecies (note that I'm talking about the regular game content, not places like UW).

Another reason may be that there are too many rits and assassins right now, so people who are looking for a little variety in their groups will take any other class they can get their hands on.

Or yeah, it could be her sexy outfit.

Quote:
I'm no good at playing monks, Ritualists are much easier for me - energy management wise. I don't see problems with ritualists getting into groups.
I've seen lots of groups calling for anything but rits and assassins, but my rit hasn't had a problem grouping yet.

Snowman

Snowman

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Apr 2005

Wales, UK

Devils Scorpions

W/E

Its easier for Ritualists to get groups than it is for assasins!

I think there are definatly more assasins than rits, and having a good rit + monk hench is an excelent mix!

Thumbs up for rits ! at last a monk alternative (okay maybe not as good as a monk in pure healing but definatly the next best thing)

Da Cebuano

Da Cebuano

Desert Nomad

Join Date: May 2005

Virginia born in Cebu

Jelly Toast[jT]

W/

Man, I can't even begin to tell you guys how I was hurting for a mesmer during faction farming for kurzick -_- that freaking ele boss is horrible, and domination henchie spams empathy >:| I even thought of making a mesmer myself, infact I will, I'll go delete my assassin for a ritualist then make a mesmer once my mule has all unloaded her stuff, then when I have the time, probly buy a slot to make an assassin, but even then I doubt it, I can't see much productive future for assassins for any career other than questing. Its its for melee in pvp, I'd rather go as warrior and be more flexible.

Rits are awesome, they are very flexible, a group w/ 2 warrs 1 necro 1 mesmer 2 rits 2 monks can pretty much clear anything. 1 monk prot, 1 heal 1 rit heal 1 rit channeling. I can't even begin to express my disappointment for assassins so far, softie that has to be in the front line, even w/ buffs they die very quickly, although I can see them being good at capable hands, they still aren't as flexible and have to be build around its weaknesses instead of going for its str.

SpeedyKQ

SpeedyKQ

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Dec 2005

E/Me

It seems my mesmer gets in groups mainly by virtue of being a not-an-assassin.

I haven't tried it yet, but healing rits SEEM like they ought to be pretty good. Lively was Naomei (rez everyone on drop) + Soothing Memories (heal 106 for 2 energy with 16 restoration) would be decent, no?

Mr_T_bot

Mr_T_bot

Banned

Join Date: Apr 2006

I'm going to guess the team totem for non-desired classes.
Ritualist > Mesmer > Assassin > Prince Rurik > Monk with even a single smiting skill, God help you if you have more than one.

I cannot count the number of times I have been alled a n00b or kicked from a group because I had one or two smiting skills on a bar decked out healing. I could be the only monk on the team, everyone could live, and if I had a smiting skill, I'm the n00b and I'm getting the boot.

Nirvy

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2005

England

Dangerously Incompetent

Rt/Mo

Thanks for you answers!

Seems i'll respec as a protective Rit with the odd heal for emergencies. Hopefully people will realise Rit's have their uses now. Until then i'll keep groping with other miss-matched classes, and doing suprisingly well considering people dont want us :P

Just done a challenge mission with the wierdest group of people who couldnt get into other groups, and we kicked arse so much. So much for *having* to have certain classes to be successful

boxcarracers052

boxcarracers052

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Sep 2005

The Cellmates

Mo/Me

I've been leading many groups and I'll let any ritualist in that uses any restoration skills, THEY DO HELP. Of course, here I am at rank 6 looking for 3+ people in pve, too

Funk Master Snuggs

Banned

Join Date: Dec 2005

Fresno, CA

We Are Nightstalkers

W/E

Quote:
Originally Posted by Effendi Westland
Even so, still easier for a ritualist or assasin to get into a group then a mesmer.......
I take Mesmers over Assassins, unless there isnt a mesmer in the district. As least I dont have to worry about healing the Mesmer as often in the backline. Damn soft target Assassins.

Trin Storm

Trin Storm

Academy Page

Join Date: Apr 2006

Balthazar's Fury

R/Me

Quote:
Originally Posted by felinette
I've seen lots of groups calling for anything but rits and assassins, but my rit hasn't had a problem grouping yet.
A lot of this is just due to volume - parties ofen end up with one or two of each and start looking for other stuff.

coolsti

coolsti

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2005

Denmark

To the O.P.: if getting into groups concerns you, and is giving you difficulty, the best thing you can do is join a good guild. A guild where the members are mostly interested in adventuring and playing the PvE part of this game.

You find a good guild, you will never have problems finding parties and nice people to team up with. And it won't matter then which character you are playing.

Lasher Dragon

Lasher Dragon

Draconic Rage Incarnate

Join Date: Apr 2005

Iowa

Alphahive

R/A

Ignorance and elitism abound in this game. I remember when Prophecies was in it's first month or so NOBODY wanted rangers, they were seen as useless. As a matter of fact, IIRC, rangers didn't get the PVE respect they deserve until people started going on all-ranger UW trips and completely owning it.

Anyway, my point is that 90% of the people "know" what classes are "best", and what builds are "best", and god forbid you have anything original or creative.

Yeah I'm a bit cynical hehe. Comes from playing Ranger for so long I guess. At least I know I can solo almost anywhere.

Oh well, could be worse, at least Mesmer isn't my favorite.

edit: oh yeah, to be a bit more on-topic, I really like Ritualists. They have some killer heals and the protective abilities are insane. I have been in parties with just Rit healers, and if they are good it goes just fine.

Loch

Loch

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Sep 2005

The optimal party wouldn't rely solely on a restoration Ritualist, but instead use the Ritualist as healer support, similar to the Ether Prodigy-powered Heal Party spamming Elementalist (only, of course, with more healing tricks than the ele). But PvE doesn't require optimal parties, and therefore, perhaps having one or two restoration Ritualists is enough, as long as people play with some intelligence.

Just like dagger Assassins will never replace the Warrior's role, the restoration Ritualist will never replace the Monk's role.

lauriepriest

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2006

Zealots of Shiverpeal

Mo/

If you see a group not leting people in because they are a certain class they are not worth joining.

Esprit

Esprit

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jun 2005

Dvd Forums [DVDF]

E/

It will take a bit before people start trying groups besides the those true and tried formations.

frojack

frojack

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Nov 2005

London, UK

Rite Of Passage [RP]

E/Mo

Ok. First of all, Ritualists are not monks. If they were as strong as monks for healing, they would be a pointless addition to the game. I like the fact that their a hybrid class. With their own unique quirks, I have enjoyed using mine immensely.
If I don't want to heal, I don't have to. I like healing healing others but I don't want that to be my only role. As a monk, that would be my only option (with the current state of the game). Ritualists have many skills that appear dull at first, but are in-fact very cunningly specced. A good example is Weapon of Warding:

At high enough Restoration (15) it will last 11 seconds. It has a 50% chance to block attacks (both melee AND ranged). That's 50% chance of being pysically interupted right there (not counting knockdown).

Or Spirit of Life. 150 hp to everyone every 45 seconds sounds lame. Until you factor in the range. It's a nice battle refresher. Plus it has hidden benefits. It works on minions! Yes, your little necro palls get healed aswell.
Spirit of Recuperation operates in a similar fashion. Granting up to +3 regen for everyone in the party including the minions.
It's nice getting thanked at the end of a mission by the Necro's for keeping their little buddies alive .

There's just so much there...

Zephro

Zephro

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Oct 2005

If you can't get in a group, just make one yourself! Much better, IMO. I regularly take in Mesmers and other ignored classes

linh

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2005

Mo/

Firstly, to the topic title, you compare Ritualist to Monk for getting a group in which point ? Of course, monk is best and specific class to heal and protect so people will choose Monk if they need healing.

And we can't compare 2 classes by a specific role. Ritualist can't heal like monks, can't do high damage like Elementalist, their spirits can't compare to minions to control battle. Does it mean Ritualist is useless ? No. Ritualist is hybrid class and it supports very well for team. So Ritualist can quite easily find a team when people know more about its role and its power.

Astraea Zopyros

Academy Page

Join Date: Jan 2006

Save the Ascalonian Rabbit [STAR]

Mo/

I have been running a Rt/N for several days now, and am just now getting the "hang" of it. I recently switched to Rt/Mo for the benefit of the greater healing powers, but maintained the "protective" spirits, such as Shadowsong and Union. It's obvious that a Ritualist is not a primary healer, there just simply are not strong enough, spammable skills like with a Monk. As everyone else has said, a Ritualist is a versatile class.

On another note, I have done several missions thus far with an overwhelming number of Ritualists and Assassins. One mission, our party was 3 assassins and 5 ritualists. Sure, we died a lot, but with 5-ish people carrying 5 second res's, and spirits to help out once res'd, we completed the mission easily.

On the "weakness" of the Assassin class. My roommate plays an assassin currently. At first, she had a lot of trouble staying alive--assassins really are "squishy" compared to tanks. However, as she has learned the class, I find she increasingly is taking fewer and fewer hits. It's not that Assassins are necessarily weak, I believe it is simply that we have not had time yet to learn how to work the build. Either you have previously played a tank, so you try to tank (bad idea with an assassin), or you have previously been a ranged fighter, so you assume you *need* to tank. Once people have learned the "pop in-pop out" tricks, the success of assassins will greatly raise.

Imaginos

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jun 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nirvy
Ok im fairly new to the game, and i have a 20 Rit/Mo with most of my points in restoration. I Feel i heal pretty good as a ritualist, but getting a group, well its very hard. People dont ask for Healers, they just ask for monks. Some groups let me in, and suddently tell me im not a healer (Hmm wonder what my 30+ resortation heals are for then?) Or they tell me i cant heal as a good as a proper healer!

Are restoration specced Rit/Mo 's that much worse than an appropriate specced monk?

I've even takent o levelling up a Mo/Rt and i get so many more groups, even for a laugh i put all my points in the Rir's skills and took zero monk heals only the Rit's heals and i still got thanked for being a good healer, this coming from a group who told me to log into my monk, as a Rit isnt a healer!!

So is it just ignorance, is it just people scared to break the Tank/monk/nuker magic group i see everyone asking for? My progress in the Canthan missions has ground to a halt, as im not seen as a healer.

Anyone else seen this, and also will this perception change when people realise what a Resto Rt can do, or what a protective spirit Rt can do?
The reason that people want rit healers less then mo healers is that rits, do not get an inherent bonus to healing via divine favor and in the divine favor tree is the skill divine boon. These 2 make a monk healer far outshine a rit healer primary.

The second reason is that people are just not used to rits yet and are unsure of what they can do.

Example

A Rit casts Orison of healing with a 10 in heal prayers (as a rit/mo) and they heal for 53 a pop. I don't see a rit skill that makes this spell any better.

A monk casts Orison of healing with a 10 in heal prayers and a 10 in divine favor with divine boon and they heal for 53+32+55 = 140

The monk heals for more then 2x what you can hope to heal for, using the same amount of mana. Even without divine boon they are adding nearly double your heal power.

The thing that rits have on their side is that the spirits they can cast have a longer duration then some of the spells a monk can cast, but the spirits are killable and take a long time to cast / refresh in some cases.

Xeeron

Xeeron

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Feb 2006

Strike Force

I have played a pure (not using any secondary skills) ritualist from the beginning of Factions and I had no problems at all. Finding a group as a restoration Rt is very easy compared to all other classes apart from heal monks and MM. Very often I also started the group with my Rt and found people as easily as with my monk. Generally, I found the further developed parts of the story line quite lacking in any heals, so half of the time my Rt was solo healing character (together with a hench) and groups loved me being around.

In terms of Monks > Rt, I'd say that since Rt is very new, most people will not have found the right combinations there, but whenever my Rt took the "protection" role in combination with a healing monk, the results were superb.

- Xeeron

Str0b0

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Feb 2006

North Carolina

N/Me

Ritualists can do the job as healers but I'd still rather have a monk. Some of the better heals require you to have spirits in play which you may or may not have the energy pool to support because ritualists have very litle in the way of energy managment skills. I have a ritualist. I know. While they can be effective I think a monk would do a better job and be able to hand out the big heals a lot faster becase they don't have to set up spirits or wait for them to expire or hold onto ashes and relics for such and such amount of time to get the full benefit. Also I think the concept of elitist dictators in a game is absolutely laughable. It sounds like someone venting some teenage anti-authoritarian angst. Knock it off please. I'm just so tired of seeing it put into text that I swear it makes me want to core my own eyes out with a rusty soup spoon just so I don't have to see it plastered on my screen anymore. Does this game favor elite players? Yes it does but duh so does any game. That's the point of being good at something because the better you are the more you get out of it. As for there being dictators well that's just stupid. They don't make you do anything. Even your whining is your own choice. This is just a thought but maybe one aspect of you not getting into groups is your "Oh Woe is me! I'm discriminated against" attitude. Yes you can heal as a ritualist. No you are not as good at it as a monk, comparable but not as good. You're a back up healer at best. That's just the way it is and if a party only needs one healer then by god I'm going with the monk over a ritualist. If a mission needs two and we have a larger party for it I would take a monk and a restore ritualist.