AST's Nocturnal shields override SCH's Galvanize shields, and now shield MORE than a SCH's Galvanize.
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The potency buffs to Benefic I and II were unnecessary IMO. I think that they just didn't want to try to introduce more healing CDs.
Also possible that the base potency increase is intended more as an overall buff for Noct stance.
In any case I doubt that AST will become an automatic replacement for either healer; if players actually find themselves debating which 2 of the 3 healers to bring based on group comp, then AST will finally have arrived.
But they still have fewer burst healing cooldowns, have fewer MP management options, and have more mana intensive DPS options. AST doesn't have everything the other healers have and the other healers don't have everything AST has. The only difference now is that the base healing kit is equal and AST's non-healing contributions are on par with the other two.
I kind of agree. I didn't expect the buff on benefic and benefic II and I guess they were a nice help, but unnecessary. Aspected benefic the way it is now would suit the class just fine.
As for the other buffs, I liked them all. They were necessary and expected. I can't wait to play with these changes...
the thing is they are NOT on par.. is where i see you're confused, WHM is still a much more power fulburst healer, and SCH is still top mitigation healer. AS well as giving out great DPS numbers, AST still has trouble throwing out DPS numbers without eating a lot of MP, they don't have a pet to back them up.