Let me just clarify my play style, maybe this will help ease the tension between the two factions.
I melee until monk. I know it's not advised and many complain about seeing monks cast, I don't give a shit, it's how I play the game and I enjoy it that way. Get off my nuts already!
While I am playing melee, my gear is in my vault. I can go to town for a max of 5 seconds, switch gear, and be right back in the heat of battle. I may have missed a mob or two, no big deal, I make up for that with my burly swagger and finesse with the blade. I would also prefer to have every character with a large mana pool CASTING and roasting through the mobs from level 1-20, this way I can pick off any that did not die. I also try to make it my mission to kill as much before they can, and usually I am out leveling them if I am on my game and paying attention. I also have no problem at all carring ONE or TWO MAX items to use in the shrine, IN CASE SHIT HAPPENS. Normally I don't need to, as I am slashing away and gaining levels quite rapidly from 1-20 that there is no need for a healer. This is the norm 99% of the time, and yes, 1% of the time I may actually need healing. I don't worry about it that much, not nearly enough to leave a nice run because I dropped below half life while I was at 80% to level up...
While I am playing caster, I cast from 1-20. I do carry a heal at 10, but I may have used it twice last season out of 20-25 or so casting climbs. I normally tell people "I have a bad heal, please use shrine if you can" and you know what? I have NEVER had someone complain. If an emergency situation (EP) pops up, we adjust as necessary. If I am casting and burning through waves, mobs are dying faster, people are gaining EXP quickly, and everyone is happy and leveling up as they should be. Occasionally I have to go to town and shrine, but again, this takes like a max of 5 seconds as long as you are somewhat organized. I don't miss any EXP because casting makes up for it. After level 20, I have sufficient heals to carry most groups to MQ safely, although we can sometimes run into problems. That is to be expected, and I appreciate any healing help I get.
Rick, I am not trying to simply disagree with you, I also did not know the whole scenario, perhaps you actually died, who knows. One thing that comes to mind is your armor, if you were using that unspawnable T1, then you take a LOT of damage... have played with you before, and I remember you actually NEEDED a healer. Most people upgrade as they go, so it's not as big of a problem. Also, not telling you to upgrade, I know your armor kicks some butt, just making a point about defense, if you were the only tank then yes you would be getting beat up some.
Same goes for James and Victoria and the rest, I see your points, I just have a completely different perspective I suppose. Not purposely trying to argue, just trying to let people see both sides of the fence. I will say that carrying a heal is a great idea, but it goes often unused during those levels, and that is not a bad thing in my opinion, the game is very quick paced at the low levels.
It bothers me that this post makes you seem to come across as "above" using the shrine. It is extremely useful at lower levels as well as throughout the climb. Just don't be a ninny and shrine gear, and you will be all set. I am sure after all this that you guys will kick me now, because I will tell you to shrine while I cast away killing more mobs at a faster rate than you can due to multi-cast and also there are far fewer immunes at low level, so casters are very quick and efficient then.
It is efficiency, nothing personal at all.
End huge post. Time for some coffee. Hopefully I didn't offend anyone or harm any animals with this post.