Some idea about AST sect swapping

I think same as Dev, Swapping between sect in battle for shield and regen that can stack with WHM regen/medica is too OP. Then, what do you think about let them can swapping sect during battle but limit their aspect skill can't stack together same as Aspect Benefic and Aldoquim can't stack on each other and themselves. For example, when casting Noctunal Aspect Benefic/Helios on Target that already have Diurnal Aspect Benefic/Helios, the newer effect will replace old effect. This will make AST can't keep shield and regen in same time but make them more versatile from sect swapping. If Dev need more limitation, they can add MP cost to each sect for make them suffer from mp drain when swapping to much same as DRK who switch Grit often. But I think when they can swapping sect during battle, they also have MP suffer from casting heal 2 times already. SCH have this limitation when call new fairy with addition long cast time too. If they need to skip it, they must sacrifice swiftcast CD for use with other skill in emergency situation.

There's literally no reason to swap sects in combat and giving the option would just confuse people.

Use what you want in 4 mans, use noct if you're with a white mage, use diurnal if you're with a scholar, do whatever if you have 2 ASTs. It's good just how it is.

I honestly don't think ASTs really need this or for that matter more complexity to their gameplay. Further, this probably gives AST too much versatility compared to the other two healing classes. Even with a CD on it or a mana cost it would potentially add power that puts them above the other two healers.

Personally if they give AST any major changes I would want to see them make the card system be a little bit more reliable and more about strategy than just pure luck. Or at the very least make the cards that have little value now be a bit more useful.

I want them to reconsider spells MP costs for ASTs.

And I rarely use Noct, mostly Diurnal when playing AST. I like my regen more than shield for some weird reason.

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Originally Posted by Belhi

I honestly don't think ASTs really need this or for that matter more complexity to their gameplay. Further, this probably gives AST too much versatility compared to the other two healing classes. Even with a CD on it or a mana cost it would potentially add power that puts them above the other two healers.

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They already lack the versatility and flexibility that a WHM/SCH has. They don't have an instant, oGCD AoE heal which is a godsend when it comes to dealing with raid damage, and their mana/threat management leaves much to be desired.

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Originally Posted by Belhi

Personally if they give AST any major changes I would want to see them make the card system be a little bit more reliable and more about strategy than just pure luck. Or at the very least make the cards that have little value now be a bit more useful.

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Right now the problem I see with AST is that they are lagging behind in their duty as a healer. Cards buffs can't make up for that. Heck, speed running groups are taking AST for the card buffs rather than their healing ability (since at that point they've more than met the gear requirement to buffer the breathing room for healers)

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Originally Posted by Belhi

I honestly don't think ASTs really need this or for that matter more complexity to their gameplay. Further, this probably gives AST too much versatility compared to the other two healing classes. Even with a CD on it or a mana cost it would potentially add power that puts them above the other two healers.

Personally if they give AST any major changes I would want to see them make the card system be a little bit more reliable and more about strategy than just pure luck. Or at the very least make the cards that have little value now be a bit more useful.

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Please, if any of the healers right now are overpowered and unbalanced it would be the Scholar. Even with being able to stack/swap sects in combat the sch would still be preferred. The scholar is the most broken healing class in this game and seriously needs a nerf of some kind. It's absolutely disgusting how in some content you can literally afk while your pet fulfills your role in the party. As it is SCH is the first pick for almost everything, especially end game raids.

But on topic, yes I do agree with the OP. There have been many times I would go into a fight and find the sect I was currently using wasn't suiting my needs and wished I could switch. I could still heal through it with my current sect most of the times but it was much more stressful. I fully support this.

PS. (Give Gravity a Slow debuff for all targets it hits, or...or SOMETHING.)

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Originally Posted by FoxyAreku

There's literally no reason to swap sects in combat and giving the option would just confuse people.

Use what you want in 4 mans, use noct if you're with a white mage, use diurnal if you're with a scholar, do whatever if you have 2 ASTs. It's good just how it is.

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I agree with this.

AST does not need more complexity during combat.

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Originally Posted by Naliee

I want them to reconsider spells MP costs for ASTs.

And I rarely use Noct, mostly Diurnal when playing AST. I like my regen more than shield for some weird reason.

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Agree with this one too.
I sometimes get the feeling that I am faster through my mana than my counter healers (SCH and WHM)

There's no need for a Sect swap until there's a reason to make the change. If you were doing 4-mans, Diurnal is more than enough for your needs via HoTs. You wouldn't Sect swap in AST/SCH since AST shields override SCH shields and you'll probably want to stay in Noct when doing AST/WHM. If you want Sect swap, they'll also need to retool AST in some capacity to encourage Sect swapping and provide some synergy between the two sects. Until they do that, I find the idea Sect swap quite unappealing.

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Originally Posted by Belhi

I honestly don't think ASTs really need this or for that matter more complexity to their gameplay. Further, this probably gives AST too much versatility compared to the other two healing classes. Even with a CD on it or a mana cost it would potentially add power that puts them above the other two healers.

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To be honest, I'm of one that they need to make AST a bit more complicated. It's already a very technical class as you need knowledge of every other class/job in the game to play better, making it a bit more complex wouldn't hurt it in the grand scheme of things I feel. Though as I mentioned above, it needs more than just "add Sect swap" to make it appealing. There needs to be synergy between the two sects too to encourage that train of thought.

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Originally Posted by RiceisNice

They already lack the versatility and flexibility that a WHM/SCH has. They don't have an instant, oGCD AoE heal which is a godsend when it comes to dealing with raid damage, and their mana/threat management leaves much to be desired.

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AST has Collective Unconsciousness which is 750 Potency of healing after 15s on oGCD. It's not an instant heal but it's a LOT of power. It does what Assize does in 6-9 seconds and Indomitability in 9-12 seconds and provides raid mitigation. Same cooldown as Assize too.

Threat is an issue though, won't disagree. Mana issues to a degree, but not as bad as the threat issues are, in my opinion.

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Originally Posted by TheUltimateSeph

PS. (Give Gravity a Slow debuff for all targets it hits, or...or SOMETHING.)

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Gravity costs 20% less MP than Holy, so there's your "something" =p

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Originally Posted by BunnyHop

I sometimes get the feeling that I am faster through my mana than my counter healers (SCH and WHM)

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Is there a reason why you feel this way? From an absolute pure heal standpoint, all AST cures cost at least 10% less MP for the exact same/similar potency when compared to SCH/WHM counterparts (in the case of Benefic, it's 20% cheaper than Physick/Cure)

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Originally Posted by Ghishlain

Gravity costs 20% less MP than Holy, so there's your "something" =p

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Well hot dog it does doesn't it. Can't believe I never noticed lol xD. Oh yeah and sorry, I actually meant to say give gravity a heavy debuff, slow is just dum >_< Idk why I get those two mixed up so much. But yeah cause you know, Gravity=heavy, just seems to fit the spell.

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Originally Posted by Ghishlain

AST has Collective Unconsciousness which is 750 Potency of healing after 15s on oGCD. It's not an instant heal but it's a LOT of power. It does what Assize does in 6-9 seconds and Indomitability in 9-12 seconds and provides raid mitigation. Same cooldown as Assize too.

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The healing over time is what makes it less versatile than assize or indom, though, especially in the content we're given. On a side note, are regen potencies snap shotted based on the target's buff/debuffs, or changed real time?

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Originally Posted by Ghishlain

Is there a reason why you feel this way? From an absolute pure heal standpoint, all AST cures cost at least 10% less MP for the exact same/similar potency when compared to SCH/WHM counterparts (in the case of Benefic, it's 20% cheaper than Physick/Cure)

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AST has very few tools with managing their own mana from what I've seen. Assize regenerates 10% of the WHM's mana on top of having free cure, and scholar gets aetherflow and some rather ludicrious oGCD, mp-free heals. As an AST, Ewer need to inSpire yourself to not get terriBole draws to buff up your own mana regen, but that means you're losing the Balance of your card buffs because that's draw cooldowns being used for regen rather than expanded royal road, so you won't be Spearheading as much dps buffs.

Actually all 3 healers have exactly two ways of Mana regen.

• WHM: Assize and Shroud of Saints
• AST: Ewer and Lumineforus Aether
• SCH: Aetherflow and Energy Drain

This extends to the rest of the Disciplines of Magic as well

• SMN: Same as SCH
• BLM: Convert and the Blizzard spells

Of the 3 healers, WHM is simply the most dependable since both Shroud and Assise can eb woven in and have no RNG elements like Ewer or opportunity cost like Energy Drain. But they all have 2 ways of getting mana

I wouldn't mind an "Eclipse" ability which takes on the secondary sect (temporarily) but I see that as a 4.0 thing...not something that would happen in the 3.X series.

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Originally Posted by RiceisNice

The healing over time is what makes it less versatile than assize or indom, though, especially in the content we're given. On a side note, are regen potencies snap shotted based on the target's buff/debuffs, or changed real time?

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Collective Unconsciousness also provides a mitigation bonus, so while it's less versatile it also tends to have a stronger effect at the time of application. Contextually, there are times where CU is great and other times it'll just feel like a flop which is fight dependent.

Healing over Time themselves are a snap shot at the time of application and maintain that for the entire duration of the HoT. In the case of Regen and Diurnal Aspected Benefic, they'll get bonuses from Divine Seal, Synastry, and Fey Illumination for the entire duration of the HoT. Likewise, if the target(s) happens to have an Infirmity debuff or popped their Convalescence / Mantra, they'll also receive the penalty / bonus for the entire duration of the HoT as well.

Take into account that Collective Unconciousness, Indomitability, and Assize are all ability based heals. As every single healing buff/debuff in the game only affects magic/spells, these particular abilities aren't affected by Infirmity or Healing Potency booster (thus making Lustrate still an incredible anti Infirmity tool.

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Originally Posted by RiceisNice

AST has very few tools with managing their own mana from what I've seen. Assize regenerates 10% of the WHM's mana on top of having free cure, and scholar gets aetherflow and some rather ludicrious oGCD, mp-free heals. As an AST, Ewer need to inSpire yourself to not get terriBole draws to buff up your own mana regen, but that means you're losing the Balance of your card buffs because that's draw cooldowns being used for regen rather than expanded royal road, so you won't be Spearheading as much dps buffs.

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Those puns >>; lol /slowclap

With that being said, one can possibly argue that Assize's 10% MP restoration is balanced by ASTs 10%+ reduced MP costs, but I certainly won't argue SCHs ability to generate MP is absurd to the max (but that's more of a discussion at how powerful SCH is than AST/WHM MP tools). There in one more reliable way to generate MP on AST if you're willing to spend the CDs on it - using Celestial Opposition to increase Luminious Aether's duration, giving the AST two more ticks of MP. Better than hoping for an Ewer and also gives you slightly more MP than Ewer too.

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Originally Posted by TheUltimateSeph

Well hot dog it does doesn't it. Can't believe I never noticed lol xD. Oh yeah and sorry, I actually meant to say give gravity a heavy debuff, slow is just dum >_< Idk why I get those two mixed up so much. But yeah cause you know, Gravity=heavy, just seems to fit the spell.

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It's actually not immediately obvious, so don't feel bad about that. XD You aren't the first person to not notice that and you certainly won't be the last one either. I would personally prefer to keep the 20% reduced MP cost versus any other effect, but that's a personal preference. Also, don't get me started on Aspected Benefic Diurnal vs Regen because I quite a few people can't distinguish the two either ; ;

Each sect has it's own perks. I personally prefer Noct because it's very useful for fights with lots of spike damage. Regens are good, but high spike damage can wipe a group faster than a regen can heal, especially if there are aoes on the ground. (Nothing worse than massive party-wide damage, and then a few DD dying because of that fast tick of damage from standing on some aoe.)

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Originally Posted by RiceisNice

AST has very few tools with managing their own mana from what I've seen. Assize regenerates 10% of the WHM's mana on top of having free cure, and scholar gets aetherflow and some rather ludicrious oGCD, mp-free heals. As an AST, Ewer need to inSpire yourself to not get terriBole draws to buff up your own mana regen, but that means you're losing the Balance of your card buffs because that's draw cooldowns being used for regen rather than expanded royal road, so you won't be Spearheading as much dps buffs.

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Using your Celestial Opposition with your Luminiferous Aether gives you a large boost in MP regen, especially if you use it in conjunction with an Ewer card, and even more so if that Ewer card is enhanced, or extended. As a healer I try to estimate how MP intensive a fight is, and at what points my mana threshold is at it's lowest, and tend to try to hold onto a Ewer card for those portions of the fight. If I'm doing well, and I notice another healer is struggling I'll use that enhanced Ewer card on them, and Time Dilate it so that they're not running on empty.

In the end, ASTs, if played smart, will have very little trouble maintaining high MP levels. And this is from an AST who stays in Noct, which is far more MP intensive than Diurnal.

In my view they should remove Noct as a separate stance and either:

1. Make it a CD that converts your next A. Helios/Benefic into a shield instead of a HoT (so a reverse version of Emergency Tactics).

2. Turn it into a skill you combine with Diurnal (something like Darkside) that while under effect does what I mentioned above plus some other stuff. There would have to be some sort of drawback to this of course so that it's not optimal to use all fight, but only in situational cases.

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Originally Posted by Morningstar1337

Actually all 3 healers have exactly two ways of Mana regen.

• WHM: Assize and Shroud of Saints
• AST: Ewer and Lumineforus Aether
• SCH: Aetherflow and Energy Drain

This extends to the rest of the Disciplines of Magic as well

• SMN: Same as SCH
• BLM: Convert and the Blizzard spells

Of the 3 healers, WHM is simply the most dependable since both Shroud and Assise can eb woven in and have no RNG elements like Ewer or opportunity cost like Energy Drain. But they all have 2 ways of getting mana

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Even as WHM or SCH, I can manage MP way better than AST, because you have to pray to RNG give you Ewer. Because even with Luminiferous Aether and extending it with Celestial Opposition, you still gain very little MP. For someone who likes to heal/dps.

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Originally Posted by FeliAiko

In my view they should remove Noct as a separate stance and either:

1. Make it a CD that converts your next A. Helios/Benefic into a shield instead of a HoT (so a reverse version of Emergency Tactics).

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Please no >_<

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Originally Posted by FeliAiko

2. Turn it into a skill you combine with Diurnal (something like Darkside) that while under effect does what I mentioned above plus some other stuff. There would have to be some sort of drawback to this of course so that it's not optimal to use all fight, but only in situational cases.

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Maaaaayyyyyybe. Idk overall the sects feel pretty well balanced as is, minus not being able to swap them in combat. Even if the regen and shield effects did stack I fail to see how this would be too OP. SCH gets an aoe regen from fairy that can stack with their shields (correct me if I'm wrong) and cards are really too random for them to make the AST more OP then the SCH if the sect effects stacked. If the drawback was anything that drains MP I would definitely not be for it.