So I chose a Commando class, I am currently level 17.

I've been queuing as Damage, my simple question is If I queue up as 'Healer' does it automatically let me heal more compared to how much I can 'off heal' on the side as Damage? Or is it the same amount? I'm basically asking if I get a boost in healing amount if I chose 'healer' vs picking damage and off healing on the side.

No, it doesn't change how your abilities work. A dps is a dps.

Keep queuing up as damage. If you que as a healer, then the group will expect you to be an actual healer (the combat medic spec of commando).

The choice to queue as a spec you aren't playing is a remnant of the way the game used to work. When you could swap from dps spec to healer spec (or vice-versa) whenever you wanted to.

No, it doesn't change how your abilities work. A dps is a dps.

 

Keep queuing up as damage. If you que as a healer, then the group will expect you to be an actual healer (the combat medic spec of commando).

 

The choice to queue as a spec you aren't playing is a remnant of the way the game used to work. When you could swap from dps spec to healer spec (or vice-versa) whenever you wanted to.

Thank you.

The way Swtor works, each combat style (ie, Commando) has 3 Disciplines.

-Commando has two dps disciplines (Gunnery, Assault specialist) and one healing discipline (Combat Medic)

In order to heal effectively, you must switch your discipline to Combat Medic.. (which is not just setting your role to "heal" in group finder). The dps discipline healing skills lack the boosts and passives of Combat Medic, so they are not really effective for the group. (Those same skills get buffed and take part in combos when you're in healing spec)

These disciplines only start to come together at higher levels, in the beginning you have very few tools to perform the specialized roles like healing and tanking.

At level 17, you don't have sufficient skills or passive boosts to be an effective healer. I highly recommend waiting until you have your 3rd discipline specific skill (level 47?) before you start group healing. It is also significantly less stressful to level as a dps spec.