3.2 Astrologian Changes

[Lyrica_Ashtine]

I didn't see it discussed, but I'm curious on others thoughts of this point:

Comparing an endgame party comp of WHM/SCH to WHM/AST(Noct) with the 3.2 changes I envision WHM/AST actually working with WHM as the support healer.

Well, it's not like you're the first who thought of this idea. For example:

I've always wondered why people try to cram AST into SCH's slot when going WHM/AST. AST and WHM have comparable main healing, and WHM's DPS is objectively better than AST. Although I haven't put it in practice, why is it very seldom raised the proposition that AST be the primary healer in BOTH compositions, and have WHM fill the "support healer" role?

Accuracy is an issue, and will need to be addressed by SE, but WHM's DPS rotation is better in all ways than AST. AST can use Ewers to supplement WHM's mp, (though not as well as SCH does, which is itself an issue that needs be addressed) and WHM can use Regens as their version of fairy heals to keep up sustain while in Cleric Stance. Meanwhile Nocturnal AST can use shields more liberally than SCH does (both are inefficient, but Aspected Benefic I *think* is more efficient than Adloquium) and cards to support the raid. This I've always thought would be superior to Noct AST trying to copy SCH and falling short on all three of DPS/mana/healing, but I don't have enough experience to see where having Noct AST primary heal in an AST/WHM combo could be worse.

Is it just that WHMs are so accustomed to being the main healer they find it unthinkable to play the DPS-healer role?

Follow where that quote came from if you are curious about how that (short) discussion went

[Judge_Xero]

Well, it's not like you're the first who thought of this idea. For example:



Follow where that quote came from if you are curious about how that (short) discussion went

Oh I missed that post on the Astrologian Impossible to Balance Thread. It does look like the discussion was short lived, although it was also before the 3.2 Changes as well. Maybe it requires further discussion? Since a few of the points that would make being a WHM Support Heal for NoctAST were partially addressed.

Very much this. While there are situations in which it makes more sense to have a WHM temporarily DPS instead of a SCH, a WHM cannot put out sustained DPS like a SCH does without severe outside help. A SCH has virtually infinite MP while DPSing in Cleric Stance, whereas a WHM will MP-floor after just a few minutes, and that's assuming you do not use even a single heal.

An interesting point here is that SCH does have virtually infinite MP while DPSing as long as all of their Energy Drains connect. This requires being as close to the accuracy cap as possible. Which leads to the next point.

My biggest problem with whm main dpsing is the accuracy. THeir dots can miss. (I spoke about a3s)

If you are main healer/dps, you can always switch to help your partner. So the whm can Medica II or switch role if he lacks mana.

Yes a WHM's Dots can miss but as a support healer they would need to stack accuracy the same as SCH, because while 2/3 of SCH's dots wont miss if their Energy Drain misses it's a terrible MP loss.

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These were the only points in that other thread as far as discussion went. All very valid points and I'm not certain that the MP issues on WHM can be fully addressed by AST even with the 3.2 changes. There's also the issue of if you had an AST/SCH party then those buffs could be used for other abilities other than MP recovery.

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I guess the other intersting thing is WHM's healing abilities, Tetra, Asylum and Assize. These all require no MP and Assize gives MP and are fully useable as support heal skills.