Yoshi-P's Interview with Famitsu includes a few comments about AST

[SuzakuCMX]

What exactly is healer skill though?

For the most part I'm using Benefic/Cure/Physick until I need to use a cooldown to increase my healing

Which, you know, I can't actually do as an AST so I just spam Benefic II instead and hope to god I'm geared enough for it.

[Rewind]

What exactly is healer skill though?

Healer skills is more about management and the management of others. Healers in FFXIV are the only job that plays two roles in both healing and being expected to DPS. Sure, tanks are also expected to DPS but there is little to no 'stance dancing' for tanks, and its generally just a change in rotation once enmity is generated.

There is a big risk to go into cleric stance especially if a mistakes are made. A skilled healer can respond and maintain output.

Any healer can just spam 1/2 and be fine. You won't push content and you probably aren't raiding in a group requires you to do that.
The problem with AST is, in its current state, it doesn't have much option than spamming 1/2. And that's why it is weaker.

AST a change to suit players who don't particularly like the aspect of healer DPS (I don't like healer DPS at all - will only do it if I have to) but for those who still want to support and bring utility to a group.

[Alahra]

AST a change to suit players who don't particularly like the aspect of healer DPS (I don't like healer DPS at all - will only do it if I have to) but for those who still want to support and bring utility to a group.

I feel the same way, and really grew to love AST while leveling up because I didn't feel as compelled to DPS. But now that I've got SCH at 60 as well, it's sort of sad how much more capable it is even when I'm not DPSing. I've put AST on the shelf for now (thankfully healer is a secondary for me so I don't have to worry about spending Esoterics on one or the other yet), but I'm hopeful they address AST soon.

[DarkmoonVael]

https://www.reddit.com/r/ffxiv/comme...sus_interview/

From Reddit today, apparently they will be talking about whats going to change with AST soon .

[Daralii]

https://www.reddit.com/r/ffxiv/comme...sus_interview/

From Reddit today, apparently they will be talking about whats going to change with AST soon .

Probably during the livestream. Hopefully coming in 3.07, but I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if it won't be until 3.1.

[Assirra]

I don't mind waiting till 3.1
We after all require a bit more then just some stat boosts.
All i want is some proof that changes are coming and not "well we need to wait a bit more otherwise you might be OP".

[Damianqq]

Fingers crossed for the 3.07 patch. I'm hoping we'll see some of the changes.

[carbonx]

What exactly is healer skill though?

This, I think, is an interesting question. In my opinion, it's a lot more than just using Cure and CDs effectively, though that is certainly part of it.

A good healer researches and learns fight timings. A good healer learns how to triage the party damage based on upcoming mechanics and current HP bars. A good healer coordinates a strategy with their party's cooldowns. A good healer optimizes their own MP usage and DPS uptime. A good healer is reliable, using skills like clockwork for a fight, but is also ready to respond when things go south.

There's a reason why healers have so many tools at their disposal, and it's not so we can be Cure bots.

[Kolsykol]

I foresee..... Shuffle reduced CD and calling the RNG issue solved....

.

No but really. I sincerely hope that AST is pushed up there along with the other two healers.
SCH and WHM have become so dull in comparison to me now.

[technole]

I figured they will wait until 3.1 since he recently said they did the data collection from savage, and not wanting to upset the apple cart on A4S progression.


As for the healer skill discussion. Another example of a skilled healer is they will know when cooldowns are up to use them appropriately, emphasizing smart MP management. It looks like Assize is going to be back up X seconds after this mechanic, no need to heal this raid-wide damage because the party won't take any additional damage until the CD is up. Therefore saving MP, casting time, and probably flip into cleric stance and get maybe 3 GCDs of DPS in before raid healing again. But maybe today we are playing AST role, that could still be the same idea just it's not Assize, it's Helios we have to use. Now when, and where it's best to fit it in since it will use MP. Can I just simply wait until the same point or should just do 2 GCDs of damage now. This is where the skill is greater than the composition comes to play. The situation itself doesn't change just because I have a book, globe, or cane in my hand. How it's done could be, and how to manage the differences.

Knowing the damage mechanics, cycles, and how much damage needs to be healed with the appropriate skill. Does it even need a heal buff? Will it result in an overheal? Does it need to be now? Do I need to precast and watch GCD for this mechanic? Does the mechanic just require this tank to have about 40% as "safe HP" instead so one healer can DPS? Questions that run like clockwork in raid strategy.