WHM Vs AST Healing Comparison at 50

[Kiaris]

This is a argument that misses any real application.
If the WHM topped off the raid from nearly no life in 1 medica 2 and 2 medica 1s, the Astro would do it in the same amount of casts and cost them less mana and less overhealing, the potency's are nearly identical in application.

But is that going to happen ?

WHM cap pop Seal and heal for a crap ton and do it in 1-2 heals, while AST could take 3-4 trying to raid heal... In the mean time the tank is getting spiked on for damage.

I guess an AST could just use a card.. and get a random buff and solve it all at just the right time.

[Aphel]

This is a argument that misses any real application.
If the WHM topped off the raid from nearly no life in 1 medica 2 and 2 medica 1s, the Astro would do it in the same amount of casts and cost them less mana and less overhealing, the potency's are nearly identical in application.

The difference is the speed in which they can do it. A Divine Sealed Medica I/II beats anything an AST can pump out in the same amount of time. Think about T13's Megaflare + Towers in phase 2. A WHM can pull off healing that easily, but what can AST offer in return?

[RichardButte]

I feel like AST's buffs just need to be stronger overall.

If it's going to come down to RNG, it needs to be strong enough to justify all of the times you DIDN'T get the buff you needed.

[Kiaris]

I feel like AST's buffs just need to be stronger overall.

If it's going to come down to RNG, it needs to be strong enough to justify all of the times you DIDN'T get the buff you needed.

I agree with this. They need to be stronger and last longer for some of them

Bole.. yea it can last 15 seconds thats fine..
-20% TP use or -20% mana Use.. that needs to last 30 seconds default to get any real use.

[RichardButte]

I agree with this. They need to be stronger and last longer for some of them

Bole.. yea it can last 15 seconds thats fine..
-20% TP use or -20% mana Use.. that needs to last 30 seconds default to get any real use.

Or make it mana or TP REGEN and it'd be SERIOUSLY useful...

[Shamirah]

tbh they should make only 3 cards.

-20% tp and mp consumption into one.

-10% damage taken +10% damage done into one.

-20% cd and +10% haste into one.

This will reduce the randomness, while buffing the cards and make them useful. Especially the TP/MP one. This way you can buff your entire party without most of the buff being useless.

[Eudyptes]

After reading this thread, I'm pretty convinced almost none of you have actually played AST, or if you have, are awful at the class.

[RichardButte]

After reading this thread, I'm pretty convinced almost none of you have actually played AST, or if you have, are awful at the class.

Could you elaborate on why that is?

The problem is that the class' key feature (the card system) lacks the oomph necessary to justify bringing it over a SCH/WHM combo. I've played both SCH and AST to 52 with the same gear and done dungeons with both. The AST has less healing/mitigation overall and that WOULD be okay if the card system really made a huge difference, but I just don't feel like it did.

Never at any point did the buffs feel like they were making any real impact on the fights (even trash pulls) and as such, I just don't see what niche AST is going to fill. If bosses were dying faster or the tank was taking that much less damage, etc., sure, but it ultimately felt like the cards weren't making that much of a difference.

Also, a number of the cards are either questionable or downright worthless.

The Spear is absolutely pointless (no pun intended), and the Ewer and Spire seek to rectify a problem that shouldn't exist to start with (ie the target running out of MP/TP). Also, I can't see how much TP anyone in my party has, and AoEing it ensures that it'll likely be 50% useless as most classes either use MP or TP (with a select few using both).

But really, all of the buffs are kinda limp noodles, and seeing as how we're contending with RNG to determine which one we get, that isn't going to work in the long term.

Again, if you have any insight as to how to play the class differently (especially if you have some level 60 experience with it), I'm sure people will listen.

[Lorielle]

After reading this thread, I'm pretty convinced almost none of you have actually played AST, or if you have, are awful at the class.

I can't say I have leveled AST myself. But as going with a friend and leveling with him with me being the DRK...Even with some randoms as well, I see ASTs struggling to keep people up when crap hits the fan. Big pulls? It's a huge challenge. Constant AoEs(Hi Vault)? It's a challenge. We even went back to T13 to try and get weapons and it was apparent that AST could not do ANYTHING if their counterpart is gone. It's simply too much for them. Megaflares, Spike damage on MT, etc.

The point everyone is making that while the BASE numbers are similar, what they can do EFFECTIVELY in the long run is not anywhere as good as WHM and SCH.

[SuzakuCMX]

This is me just speculating while leveling....

....but it seems like AST will have mana problems in end-game content. As a WHM I found myself running out of mana somewhat often if my DPS didn't dodge AoEs or my tank missed some CDs, even with SoS. WHM got a second mana-regenning option: Assize, 10% max mana restored every 60s, in addition to Divine Seal which massively upgrades healing:mana ratio so you won't run out of mana as quickly with good usage, on top of Freecure Procs.


AST has less potency for slightly less mana but it should be around the same mana cost not counting the Freecure Procs or Divine Seal in terms of mana spent for healing done. However, their only secondary mana management option is Ewer, which is up to RNG and can only be procced for a maximum of 45 seconds every minute if RNG is in your favor and you Royal Road it.

Both WHM and SCH have better mana management options than AST does and AST doesn't do either of their jobs as well as them :X The only edge AST has is its support options but if one of your healers is OOM, it's not going to be a great time for the party

Thought I suppose we'll have to see how well BRD/MCH mana regen works or lines up with other classes running out of resources.