AST Sect Theory

[Cynfael]

The reason you don't see people jumping to test this theory with AST is because we all feel that we've been-there-done-that with the existing healer classes.

I really don't understand how SCH+Noct AST healing is supposed to be anything but either comparable or worse than SCH+SCH in the past, except with the added annoyance of having to be concerned with Galvanize and Nocturnal Field effects overwriting each other without regard to strength.

Now, with SCH's added burst AoE heal capability, the comparison is even weaker since Indom and ET+Succor allow SCHs to provide Medica-style AoE healing to fill the gap that the AST of either Sect would otherwise fill with (unaspected) Helios.

If we seriously consider that the Noct AST can provide healing and shielding coverage while the SCH does something else entirely, like focusing on DPS or being too far removed from the party to effectively heal everyone, sure, that's fine. However, a Diurnal AST will sustain heals far more efficiently over a longer period, and Noct shields aren't so powerful that they are likely to prevent a wipe through sheer mitigation (whereas a partner SCH could at least Deploy an Adlo to mitigate a deadly raid buster).

I will play with Noct in these situations more when I get the opportunity, but I'll be very surprised and pleased if the result is somehow different.