Astro or White Mage ?

[Lastelli]

AST/SCH are both more fun to level IMO but WHM is prob the most challenging/rewarding true healing experience in end game content after all is said and done. Having to push your raw healing to the max so that your AST/SCH partner can max support/dps.

Actually, AST in end game generally takes the place of the WHM as the main healer...and it does it quite well.

[Vlady]

Actually, AST in end game generally takes the place of the WHM as the main healer...and it does it quite well.

The 4 high end progression FC's on the two servers I play used white mage+scholar with only one of the free companies using an astro+white mage. Even after the buffs until a FC has sufficiently outgeared the content white mage was used quite well. I do think 3.1 will see nerfs for the astrologian most likely synastry.

[Lastelli]

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AST+SCH is more effective than AST+WHM from a dps perspective (which is all that really matters), if the leaderboad is any indication.
WHM+AST can be done, but you have to forgo the fairy and the reliable dps of the SCH, which is why the more difficult turns (A3S and A4S) typically have AST+SCH. The best combo is still WHM+SCH according to most raiders because of how well they work togheter, but AST can now substitute the WHM as the main healer thanks to the recent buffs. And I don't think AST will be nerfed, but who knows...you kept saying that the AST was fine and didn't need any buff, so I can't really take you seriously, sorry.

[Vlady]

AST+SCH is more effective than AST+WHM from a dps perspective (which is all that really matters), if the leaderboad is any indication.
WHM+AST can be done, but you have to forgo the fairy and the reliable dps of the SCH, which is why the more difficult turns (A3S and A4S) typically have AST+SCH. The best combo is still WHM+SCH according to most raiders because of how well they work togheter, but AST can now substitute the WHM as the main healer thanks to the recent buffs. And I don't think AST will be nerfed, but who knows...you kept saying that the AST was fine and didn't need any buff, so I can't really take you seriously, sorry.

Well the issue is now that astrologians have been over compensated so a few nerfs is inevitable. White mage should retain its dominance as the strongest of the healers and if you yourself now claim that astrologian is equal to the white mage that is an issue. With Synastry and our buffs from a few months back then it tips it back in favor of the astrologian. And do not be worried I am always serious so thank you for the concern.

[Lastelli]

Well the issue is now that astrologians have been over compensated so a few nerfs is inevitable. White mage should retain its dominance as the strongest of the healers and if you yourself now claim that astrologian is equal to the white mage that is an issue.

False. Synstry is on a 120 seconds CD, it's the only CD an AST has to increase its healing throughput, it must be strong. But only because AST has a single strong CD that doesn't make it stronger than WHM. In fact, WHM is still the most powerful healer. Divine Seal (60 seconds CD) and PoM are terrific. And the proof to my claim is there, on the leaderboard, where all the top statics raid with the WHM+SCH combo. There was no "overcompensation" whatsoever.

[Rawrz]

False. Synstry is on a 120 seconds CD, it's the only CD an AST has to increase its healing throughput, it must be strong. But only because AST has a single strong CD that doesn't make it stronger than WHM. In fact, WHM is still the most powerful healer. Divine Seal (60 seconds CD) and PoM are terrific. And the proof to my claim is there, on the leaderboard, where all the top statics raid with the WHM+SCH combo. There was no "overcompensation" whatsoever.

Synastry is on a 90 second cool down thanks to the last buff. Just pointing that out. The only buffs I could see would be the interaction of Nocturnal shields and Time Dilation/Celestial opposition. That and lowering the recast time of shuffle to 30 seconds/removing the card you shuffled from the shuffle. xD I really wouldn't want Synastry nerfed, since its yes, probably the most powerful healing CD in game, but it also exactly what AST needed to feel more in control. Light Speed is also pretty kick ass with a healing focus. Any other buffs are just fantasy to change the class into something different. (Like allowing sect switching mid battle, yes pls. ;-; <3)

[Lastelli]

Synastry is on a 90 second cool down thanks to the last buff.

My bad, I forgot about that.
Honestly, the only thing that AST needs now is more control over their cards in my opinion. Not total control of course, that wouldn't fit well within the lore of the job, but still there's too much rng to make cards relevant for end game content.
Also...CO needs some love...really. As a healer it's pretty good now, even though Noct still fells underwhelming.

[Kaenbyou]

To give my 2 cents, I would usually say, level the 3 healers to lvl 30 (especially for sch) and try doing a few brayflox/qarn nm with them, you should already have a few insight about each class and their playstyle really fast.
Now, it all depends of your real goal with healer.
Do you just want to play casual content and not think much about it? Then play whatever you like the most.
However, if you want to play in savage content, the best would be to see with your static (if you have one) and the other healer what feels the better.
We tried some combo and we ended up finding that whm and sch was one of the better combo, followed by ast and sch.
As I can read in your opening post, if your goal is to be the most helpful, it all depends on what helpful means to you.
If you want to be the last bastion against a wipe and a life savior to your tanks, WHM is your job to go, because in endgame content, you'll have to heal the most and at 75% of the time, you're going to be the only one healing.
If you want to manage some good healing and boost your team dps indirectly, AST is the good choice. The only downside for me in endgame content is the RNG, but if luck is on your side, you're one of the best support in the game.
If you want to help by boosting the damage output of your team directly while playing a more preemptive healer, then go for SCH. Your hps output is technically lower than other healers, but is compensated by the fairy that allows the most free time to dps. However it will require you to know the fight perfectly to find all possible window to do the maximum dps you can.

So tl;dr : for casual content, whatever you like ; for endgame : whatever you and your team feel is the better.