My AST card strategy.

[WolfKid]

So ive been playing AST a lot, after a while i started changing how i get my cards used. This is a strategy i use during 8-man content.

I ALWAYS value the AoE effect over the others. I wanted my buffs to act like Fey Wind. Cause, i believe a 5% party buff is better that giving a 10-15% buff to just 1 member. I AoE mostly Balance, Arrow, Bole is a bit situational, not exactly sure about the Spear, and sometimes the Spire. I don't AoE Ewer cause the potency's to weak to make a difference. Usually if i have a card like Balance but no AoE up, i put it in the Spread, so when i do get the AoE, i can use it immediately. Otherwise i just give the card i draw to whoever necessary till i get my AoE up.

That's pretty much it. I've been able to tolerate the RNG with this, most of the time it works in my favor.

[Jamillion]

Yeah, that's pretty much standard strat in full parties

[SnugglesD]

Pretty good strategy, just remember not to waste too many draws trying to set up the perfect combo. Its often better to throw up an unbuffed card than to go 3 draws with nothing.

[VanilleFang]

I'm not incredibly knowledgeable about DPS rotations, but is arrow really ideal if you have a DRG in your party? I know they have a very strict rotation and try to stick with about 590 SkS. I don't know how much of an issue Arrow would be for them though (I do know that they try to avoid DoT clipping). I guess this could be argued for all dps though..

Pardon my ignorance. Lol

[WolfKid]

I'm not incredibly knowledgeable about DPS rotations, but is arrow really ideal if you have a DRG in your party? I know they have a very strict rotation and try to stick with about 590 SkS. I don't know how much of an issue Arrow would be for them though (I do know that they try to avoid DoT clipping).

Pardon my ignorance. Lol

I actually had an issue during A1S where a DRG didnt want Arrow cause it would mess up his rotation, i guess the change would mess with his muscle memory.

[VanilleFang]

I actually had an issue during A1S where a DRG didnt want Arrow cause it would mess up his rotation, i guess the change would mess with his muscle memory.

Yeah, that's what I've seen DRG say. I do know BLM generally love Arrow, especially if they can get another Fire IV out lol

[nexas506]

Healer main here.
but when ever I play as a bard, i always ask the AST to throw me the spear when ever they don't need to burn it.

[Yhisa]

Me personally just does this

Spear = Ninja >mech >bard >smn/drg
(Ninja got most gcds +ninjitsu also u can throw spear on urself or on tanks before a tank buster hits)

Balance = all dps jobs

Arrow = black mage, white mage, urself
(Do not give to any other dps as it cause them issues with rotation or burn tp too fast)

Bole = throw to tanks

Spire = ninja > tanks > mnk/drg/brd/mech
(Ninja is first due to goad which he can throw to tanks or dps)

Ewer = urself, healers, bard, tanks
(Brd if hes using foe and there is more casters in party , tanks just for more flashes but be careful with dark if he got darkside on)

For AoE effect spear > balance at start of fight at it lowers everyone cooldowns after that u either spread balance or bole depending on the fight for a nuke phase or reduce party damage taken

[ruskie]

For AoE effect spear > balance at start of fight at it lowers everyone cooldowns after that u either spread balance or bole depending on the fight for a nuke phase or reduce party damage taken

As a Bard I'll take balance, spear, arrow, spire(if you don't need it), ewer(if you don't need it).

But remember for spear - some jobs prebuff at like 2-5s pre pull so should have spear up by then - not at pull - my CDs are already gone by that point and will do nothing for me.

[Werhusky]

Be careful an Ewer on a DRK using Darkside won't have any effect so generally I rather Royal Road than throw on tank.
About the AoE effect I noticed to Spread a card before getting the expanded effect is better else I waste in the end either my expanded on a Bole or something other not useful or just discard a ton cards before getting Arrow/Balance maybe Spear...

About prebuffing even as SCH/AST I prebuff the party at 3s pullmacro because of server delays and that I can start DPS rotation :O