Looks like the testing team finished hammering out the rest of the formula while I was asleep earlier (sorry guys!) and we now have the official formula.

As per what we should be testing now are a few quick tests on stuff SE has stated haven't changed such as Automatons, Blue Magic, Cura, Curaga spells, and the Light Spirit (SE didn't mention this one that I remember actually). This should be pretty simple to do since it is a easy check of the test server vs. the game just to be sure nothing else has changed (and it probably hasn't). A less easy to test bit of interest are NPCs and monsters and cures.

Bit of an aside, any Community Reps wanna check out the formula we have and confirm it to be true?

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Since we have the numbers I think it is time explain implications and answer questions. I've compiled some questions I've seen here and the other forum the cure numbers have been posted for the benefit of the reader:
  • With the new emphasis on healing skill, will jobs with only subbed healing skill have their cures be weakened?
    No, cures for subjobs are not being weakened relative to their power now since that would gimp low level healers. They will be much less then a main job cure but in general they are significantly more powerful then before assuming you have capped skill for your subjob.
  • How is Blue Mage affected by this change?
    According to statements by SE (which we kindly quoted previously in this thread) there should be none. However we haven't tested changes to spirits, pets, Blue Mages, Cura, or Curaga spells yet so we only have SE's statements to go by on these.
  • Will Red Mage and Scholar be able to main heal now?
    In Scholar's case, most definitely. In Red Mage's, most probably.
    The case that SCH is now the most powerful healing job is one that could be made quite easily between larger Cure III/IV, obscenely efficient Regen V spells, AoE Phalanx with /RDM, and even Embrava in situations where speed is important. And arguably for most stuff even just a Red Mage would suffice.
  • Where is Paladin in all this?
    Curing almost as much as the rest, the main thing holding Paladin back now is a lack of cure potency gear. Regardless a Paladin should be able to pull more hate then before with cure spells due to the increased cure amounts.
  • What gear should I be equipping now?
    If you are a White Mage, equip your AF3+2 pants. For maximum cures, the general rule of thumb will be Cure Potency > Healing Magic >>> MND >> VIT. Enmity down gear will probably help if you are bombing Cure III/IV, especially if you are a Scholar. A bit of Fast Cast and Haste will help recast timers as well.
  • What should I be meriting now?
    Mind merits now suck for healing since you'll only be able to get +6 power with full Mind merits now. Meriting Healing Magic is actually a viable choice now, since +16 Healing Magic is +16 power.
  • Will the update fix Cure VI?
    No. It broke it more. Cure VI sucks and anyone that thinks it makes any job more powerful doesn't understand basic game mechanics.

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Once again I will reiterate the need for feedback now more then ever. This is time to give opinions in force, and that's means you, the reader should take a gander at the charts and formulas and give an opinion! Don't disappoint us!