Learning how to properly play AST

[FoxyAreku]

I don't need to know about you posting history.
You think you are better than him, you think you are clearly stating fact but you aren't.
I don't care that you want Astro to be the best healer, I don't care that Ast is your favorite healer. It's not relevant at all.

I don't agree about your "fact" and you didn't really explain.

This is a fact, and anyone who says otherwise is honestly highly uneducated. /sarcasm

I don't think I'm better than anybody, I just know Vlady is biased. Being biased doesn't make you any worse than anyone else, rather rude of you to think that I'd say. It just makes arguing with you pointless, hence why I don't give him the time of day.

Maybe, instead of attacking me, we can have a reasonable, intelligent conversation and you can tell me which points you felt weren't backed up enough? I'll gladly present facts to any claim I've made in here. I will admit I was rather vague with some of the backing just for the sake of saving time.

[Nekotee]

I want Astro to be the best healer, but it ain't gonna happen for awhile by the looks of it. The kit is just too restricted.

I do suppose that you're speaking about the DPS toolkit...
Because in term of healing the toolkit is fine. You can deal with all the situation with all the spell you have. Plus if good rng your card will ease it up even more.

...

By the way, you said that a class that have a dozen more heal or healing CD is better...
With this statement
Whm is first with one more ability than AST
Ast is second because SCH is last with nearly no healing spell beside physic and adlo

It's not how many spell or great CD you have that make a good heal... It's how they are used and fit the situation

Sorry nothing is obvious
And the AST after boost is on par with the other, no more no less

[Vlady]

I am biased when I am asking for each job to remain relevant in thier own category? White mage should be the supreme raw healer in numbers. Scholar should be the mitigation with the toolkit to help with damage. Astrologian should be able to use both stances during combat and bring group buffs and thier own unique healing mechanic which we have a golden opportunity with nocturnal.

[Leigaon]

Came here for this and lots of great little tips for playing AST. I just started last night and I was loving it trying to remember the cards..I'm a White mage and SCH normally, so I figured AST would be territory I was use to.

So far the healing is fine but maybe that changes later? I'm not talking about Savage, I never plan to go into Savage. Right now I enjoy having my instant heal at a low level and am ready to start managing my regens / shields as time goes on.

One thing I was wondering though are the cards, it seems that a lot of people are not aware of them even being on them. Or if they are casted on them, what they do. I guess I need to make macros, if anyone has any short handed descriptions I can let people know what they go.

I understand my use of cards will change down the road..using RR to boost the next or what I have stored. Still there's have already been some times where I will cast say the spear, on a heavy OGCD job like a PLD who normally buffs up before boss runs, won't bother or activate before I can give it which is my fault for not letting them know I guess.

Or Ewer for the BLM who might be able to get off an extra fire spell? Or is it not that potent?

From what I've read and my understanding two things, so please correct me.

Spear: Reduces OGCD by 20% only ones that are activated at that point? So ones that are already activated, it won't help them at all? I was hoping it would, then that would help a lot more but maybe that's too OP of a change to ask for.

Shuffle: I originally thought it was "Okay I got spear..shuffle" and it would take Spear out of the equation so I can get Balance or something else. Seems that's not the case..I guess there's nothing I can do to fight against that is there? Unless they change it?

[Nekotee]

We would all move to macro pour card to let people know when and what they do...
But it would require like 24 macro for all card and RR card

NEVER use Ewer on a black mage, he will hate you so much for messing up his cycle

Spear... Useful for RR
Or if you are about to use luminiferous aether or any of you long CD (useless on essential dignity)

[Leigaon]

NEVER use Ewer on a black mage, he will hate you so much for messing up his cycle

So it's not about whether it gives them more MP to do anything it's the fact they have to break their current DPS cycle? Limits it a bit more then I guess since I don't think it helps DRK's at all, as a SMN I don't ever really have MP issues unless I'm just not paying attention. Guess that leaves it for...PLDs? Would it even benefit a bard keeping buffs up a bit longer if needed?

[Vlady]

Bards cant benefit from mana song do I doubt ewer refresh would work.

[Sleigh]

Bards cant benefit from mana song do I doubt ewer refresh would work.

BRD (and MCH) receive the benefits of all MP restorations, including when they themselves use it. The only limitation they have is that BRD can't Battle Voice Ballad and receive double MP restored itself.

[Nekotee]

So it's not about whether it gives them more MP to do anything it's the fact they have to break their current DPS cycle? Limits it a bit more then I guess since I don't think it helps DRK's at all, as a SMN I don't ever really have MP issues unless I'm just not paying attention. Guess that leaves it for...PLDs? Would it even benefit a bard keeping buffs up a bit longer if needed?

Every BLM work with their mana pool, they know when to transpose/flare or any of their skill they work with their mana limitation
You give them more mp, they will be temps to use one more spell and everything will be ruined (loss of enochian wrong thunder timing)
The only thing they do love is arrow that allow them a greater spell management or balance stronger DPS

...

Ewer is mostly for healer and bard for longer buff only if the situation is not too tight for healer XD

[Vlady]

BRD (and MCH) receive the benefits of all MP restorations, including when they themselves use it. The only limitation they have is that BRD can't Battle Voice Ballad and receive double MP restored itself.

Aah ok. I guess its only for dark knights that refresh does not affect when they use mana burning ability darkside?