Quote Originally Posted by Sunako View Post
I do not get why this is the problem. Because sect will give you that 5% more healing/cast speed thats why your Benefic potency is 5% weaker. I agree astro is weak compared other 2 healers but that is not the main issue.
I agree that the 5% potency deficiency isn't really a big factor in why AST is weaker than the other heals, but it is completely unnecessary.

The problem is that AST is not the only healing class with passive, intrinsic bonuses like that. WHM has Freecure, Overcure, Enhanced Medica, and the Esuna proc, all of which offer huge improvements to the job's MP efficiency. SCH has the Adlo crit bonus, the Succor proc that Sacred Soil can trigger, and Embrace, which is constant, free, passive healing (and can be controlled manually if the SCH chooses). Both the WHM's array of MP-saving procs, and the SCH's Adlo bonus and fairy, are more than competitive with the 5% speed/potency boost that AST gets. But only AST is penalized with a nerf to base potency in exchange for its passive bonuses.

Restoring AST heals to their 'proper' potency while also keeping the Sect bonuses would just put them on an even playing field next to WHM and SCH, instead of lagging behind (albeit by an extremely small margin that isn't really worth agonizing over).