Astrologian Rework Ideas (Post 5.08)

Hi Guys, Astro is in a bad spot. If you're like me, you love Astro. But we have to be realistic. I made a video with my ideas on how to rework astro.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y56M-l5-6K8

In terms of DPS, AST is not as far behind as you make it out to be. Your math is flat out wrong, because it is done in a vacuum with no regard to reality.

Here's the reality:

1. Divination + cards stack and they're multiplicative. Different types of buffs stack with each other. Stacking buffs together will make all buffs stronger.

2. Divination happens in the opener and is later aligned with 2 minute buffs.

Your 80k raid dps calculation puts each divination at 120 dps, but that group will not do a constant 80k dps. It will have burst windows of over 100K+ or weak windows of 60k-80k. A group ending with 80k raid dps will pull an 120k opener, making the first divination worth 180 dps. Divinations, if used correctly, are generally aligned with the other 2 minute buffs for burst windows.

3. Divination/Cards do not work on total raid DPS calculated over the entire fight.

They work on small windows in which certain things happen. Treating them the way you did is at best naive. You are severely underestimating cards with your calculation.

Here is an example:

10 minute fight, card uptime is 15s / 10min = 2.5% of the fight
Base DPS of your target in the 15s window: 10000
DPS of your target with card: 10600
Your contribution: 10600 - 10000 = 600
Your contribution over the entire fight: 600 * 2.5% = 15 dps

You get 20 (draw) + 12 (sleeve draw) = 32 cards over the entire fight
Based on this example, your expected DPS increase is 15 * 32 = 480 dps from single target cards.

The same principle as what I said at 2. applies here too.
For example an 8k warrior might be pulling 6k at times, but 15k during Inner Release windows.
Pick a random log and take a peek at the line graph of different jobs to get an idea of how their DPS actually works. Some jobs have bursts of over 20k at certain windows.

The potential thought and planning that can go into optimizing your card buffs is insane.


In an 80k raid dps group:
Divination, if used correctly, will yield more than your calculation.
Cards, will yield significantly more than your calculation.

The logs support this. Take a look at AST logs of Titan. I challenge you to find a single parse that is <= 792 contribution (your calculation). See the logs where 5xDivination contributes up to 800 and even higher.

The vast majority of logs hover around 1k contribution. Look at how much the cards contribute. Some parses even go as high as 1.5k+ total contribution.

So no, the cards do not need buffs. The DPS variance between healers hovers around 300-500 at the upper percentiles (75+). You can solve this difference by a very simple potency buff. Why is Combust III at 45 potency?

Thank you for the response. If you reply again, I don't know where to find the DPS calculation so if you could please link that would be helpful.

Here are the issues I have with your math:

1) We cannot use 4 Sleeve Draws in 10 minutes (no biggie). This brings your number to 435. My math is showing 450 where I'm originating my video from.
2) Your example is actually using a fight with 84,800 DPS since you're doing an after the fact calculation.
3) Calling my math naive from the perspective of burst windows is a mistake. The only for-sure burst window we use Astro buffs fo ris during the opener. After that we're constantly throwing buffs. If not, then we need to subtract the amount of possible single plays in a fight.
4) Referring back to my ask in the opening statement, show me an ~80k fight where Divination is contributing 1k DPS. Using your own math the best possible outcome of Divination in a 10 minute fight is 600DPS.
5) I personally think Titan is a terrible reference because it showcases the best Astros in the world and they're still not doing what the other jobs are doing in regards to damage / utility. What percentage of the player base has cleared Titan? How many of those clears in FF Logs are the same static?

I'm not replying to argue, my main point in the video is that Astro is in a tough place. The buffs are non-stop work for little reward and the healing is pathetic compared to the other healers. The only thing we have that really makes us stand out is Earthly Star. But again, PUGs are terrible about standing in star for free heals. I'm not salty about the personal DPS because that's a sacrifice we have to make.

I'm talking about the video you linked.

1) 0 minutes, 3 minutes, 6 minutes, 9 minutes. Your video says 600 divination, 792 total.
2) I'm not talking about a fight. I'm talking about a single card. If that card is used on one person who pulls 10k DPS in the 15 second window, then that card is worth 15 dps over the entire fight.
3) I'm calling your math naive because you're taking the 32 cards you have available, spreading them to all party members then treating them as pseudo-divinations. Then somehow applying this pseudo-divination on the total raid DPS. I've explained to you how it works, with an example that showcases the value of one of your single target cards.
4) Why would you ask for a log where divination contributes 1k? I claimed 800~ for divination, which you can find. I said nothing about divination over a 10 minute fight. I said that the one in the opener will be worth more and for most groups who use their raid buffs, the 2 minute intervals will always be above 80k bursts. What I am saying is that Divination will always be over 600 DPS in a decent group.
5) Why does it matter? All I'm saying is that the 792 number in your video is flat out wrong. All you have to do is look at the logs and you'll find plenty of AST contributing over 1k RDPS, sometimes even 1.5k. With all buffs, obviously.


AST is not in a tough place in terms of RDPS. It's, as I said, 300-500 behind at the higher percentiles. Buffing the damage numbers in the way you suggested will put it way over any of the other healers.

As for healing? It's perfectly capable of high healing output.https://www.fflogs.com/zone/statistics/29/#metric=hps