Astro in savage

[GideonHighmourn]

snip

This is essentially what many of us have been saying for some time. Sect-swapping wouldn't solve any of AST's issues; it would just be a clunky way to add "flavor" to the class, while actually not solving any of it's core issues. Yoshi-P suggested AST would be able to swap stances on a long CD skill during pre-release interviews, but I can't really see how that would do anything other than create problems when paired with a SCH especially when tied to a long CD.

[NorthernLadMSP]

Yoshi-P suggested that CO would allow the AST to swap between stances, and I can't really see how that would do anything other than create problems when paired with a SCH when tied to such a long CD.

He actually did not. He stated they would be changing CO in a way that there would be an added benefit/effect depending on what stance you were in. However, that has yet to happen.

[GideonHighmourn]

He actually did not. He stated they would be changing CO in a way that there would be an added benefit/effect depending on what stance you were in. However, that has yet to happen.

You're right; I've amended my post. Whether it was to be tied to CO or another long CD skill doesn't really matter, it would still be pointless in the larger picture (especially if tied to a long CD skill) and solve none of AST's issues.

[Cupcakesu]

I wish they would add Healing and Card interaction. Perhaps add a way to make Royal Road affect a healing spell rather than a card. At least then it functions as both a card and healing cooldown. Also gives the 1.5x Potency buff an effective use.

[NorthernLadMSP]

You're right; I've amended my post. Whether it was to be tied to CO or another long CD skill doesn't really matter, it would still be pointless in the larger picture (especially if tied to a long CD skill) and solve none of AST's issues.

I agree. Just adding the ability to switch sects in battle is not going to solve AST issues. The issues are completely card buff and healing cool down issues.

[Minorinz]

Consider this. Raging Strikes is a 20% attack bonus with a cool down of 180s. What you suggest means making very long cool downs that could be over a minute.

Doesn't have to be, draw can be a 40 sec cd or a little less. They can add a trait where when a card is royal road'd draw's cd is 20 secs and when a card is used it's 40 secs however you get to shuffle them around. The shuffle part could be rng based for people who enjoy the gambling aspect but the cards should go on a rotation meaning you have to see all 6 cards before seeing a duplicate. Shuffle itself will consume time to get the desired card so I honestly don't see how this can get really op (assuming shuffle is on a gcd or has a very short cd timer)

[Dyvid]

Doesn't have to be, draw can be a 40 sec cd or a little less. They can add a trait where when a card is royal road'd draw's cd is 20 secs and when a card is used it's 40 secs however you get to shuffle them around. The shuffle part could be rng based for people who enjoy the gambling aspect but the cards should go on a rotation meaning you have to see all 6 cards before seeing a duplicate. Shuffle itself will consume time to get the desired card so I honestly don't see how this can get really op (assuming shuffle is on a gcd or has a very short cd timer)

Okay, so if this went into play AST has the ability to add a 10% attack buff every 40s. If compared to raging strikes it's a buff of 20% @ 180s to 40% @ 160s without RR. I"m sorry but that's overpowered.

The main issue isn't RNG thought it feels like it. The biggest problem with the card system is the general utility they bring to the fight. Balance and Arrow are good at anytime, Bole is almost good anytime, and Spire, Spear, Ewer are very situation driven. Situational buffs don't work in scripted fight, needs to more general and bland. Why not a critical hit rate up or healing potency buff? Combine TP and MP restore into one card since it's either or, besides tanks anyway. In other words Bole = Def Buff, Balance = Attack, Arrow = Speed, Spear = Critical Hit, Spire = Healing Potency, Ewer = TP/MP. This way no matter what card you draw and when it's used, your always helping the party push further.

Royal Road should store to hotbar until used instead of staying on status bar until next card is used. Gives you more control on how to buff rather than double blind chance.

Edit: Never mind on the first part because I think I understand what you mean. Draw has all 6 cards laid out and you pick which to use and consume it until you shuffle again. Is might even be worse from the stand point that you can't get lucky and draw double the same card back to back. Yea it sucks to draw spear back to back in the current system but awesome to draw balance over and over.

[Minorinz]

I think it depends on the party needs, sometimes a dps buff, a resource buff (mp/tp) or damage reduction buff. The point is you can pre-plan it but you have to be really good at it. If you are good at pre-palnning your cards then you will definitely add value with them. I would like to have a healing buff card since astro doesn't have any healing buffs.

The odds of drawing 1/6 card over and over won't cut it for rng, that's how i feel about balance.

I'll be honest and say if I had control over my cards and what to chose I will do a lot better on AST, I will plan my dps buff cards for certain moments, get bole ready for cleaves. Time ewer/spire for when it is required. Like all the buffs in the world under your control. The feeling of it is just absolutely great. The amount of disappointment with this rng system too harsh. :\

[Kolsykol]

I am curious. How does the damage compare between the three healers? Are AST behind on that too?

[Lastelli]

I am curious. How does the damage compare between the three healers? Are AST behind on that too?

Yes, they are.
AST dps skills at lvl 60 are: Combus II, Combus, Aero (3 DoTs) and Malefic II (spam). Gravity for AoE damage (200 potency).
WHM: Aero III, II and I (3 DoTs), Stone III spam, Fluid Aura (oGCD), Assize too if needed, which is oGCD and MP free AoE damage, and of course Holy (200 potency + stun and no target needed, so much better than gravity).
SCH: Bio II, Miasma, Bio, Shadow Flare, Aero (4 DoTs), Broil spam, eventually Energy drain/Bane for AoE Damage (Miasma II for large pulls is decent as well).
Dps-wise SCH<WHM<<AST. A good thing about AST dps skills is that combust and combust II don't require accuracy.