So, what is Heal Thyself?

So, what is Heal Thyself?

The Laconic says:

Is it just any non-automatic way to heal yourself, in games? So, basically a Healing Potion? Or is it a supertrope of Healing Potion or something?

It's auto healing where you do not need to actually apply it, just run over the item and bam healed or hide for a sec then get healed. It avoids having to take a break from the action while still getting healed.

I would say instant ammo refilling stations that you just need to run by to refill on ammo would be a related trope.

edited 5th Apr '17 8:45:02 PM by Memers

If you want to find out the definition of a trope, read more than just the laconic.

However, the description still seems a bit vague about whether Healing Potion is included or not. It does still seem to specifically be about the instant-use kind of items, though. But by the same argument, waiting a while to heal up isn't included either (unless the wait portion is included in the item function, rather than the "take cover to regain health" mechanic of way too many shooters).

"hide for a sec" and "avoids taking a break from the action" are pretty much mutually exclusive.

Not really compared to going into a menu to use an item or back tracking to find a health pack. Especially with Cover Based Shooter s like Uncharted or Mass Effect Andromeda,, you are still being shot at and can often shoot blindly while hiding.

Anyway a Healing Potion you need to use with a button at the very least which wouldn't be this imo.

edited 6th Apr '17 3:28:20 AM by Memers

Compared to finishing enemies off in a spectacular fashion or chugging a health potion with a button press while still attacking, yeah, it's a break in the action to hide and cover.

Anyway, the problem I find with healing potions is that sometimes (or probably, as I can't think of any examples atm) those are what you find and use immediately on pickup. But that's just the item shape, rather than the item function. However, I don't think Healing Potion makes that difference, so the tropes may overlap in that case.

I thought "Medkits" was the inspiration for Heal Thyself. As in, you find a medkit lying on the ground, then you simply walk onto it and bam you're healed.

Whereas people think of Healing Potion is a consumable item that takes up the inventory or (if available) the consumable item slot.

I'm not talking about the tropes themselves, but mainly the image they're trying to convey.