RIP WHM

[HyperiusUltima]

To be honest as a WHM main I don't feel like AST is going to be ridiculous in 3.4. Though I do agree that from what I've seen in the thread AST does pose a threat to WHM in the terms of mitigation and cards they can draw(again, RNG). With Redraw buffed up to 30s along with +15s extra card holding time, AST can wait out the CD to keep drawing other cards if they're looking for that specific Royal Road card for AoE or anything else since it's the same CD as drawing.

As for heals, I still think that WHM has the better output, but AST still threatens WHM's identity as the main healer due to AST's Synastry, Increased Buff Time from Celestial Opposition, and the new Guaranteed Crit Benefic II(which has the same proc rate as WHM Free Cure II) trait. The only thing discerning this is probably how AST handles its MP compared to WHM, where AST has to rely on Lumineferous Aether(24s 80 potency MP Tick) and Ewer(by drawing), while WHM has Assize(+10% MP and a choice of 300 pot Damage or Free Medica on a 90s CD), Benediction(100% HP Recovery. Best Instant Heal in the game), Tetragrammaton(Free Cure II with a high potency on a 60s CD), and I fail to understand why nobody even mentions Asylum.

Asylum is definitely better than Collective Unconscious in terms of being able to do other actions while your healing bubble ticks. AST has to stop whatever its doing and not do a thing for the duration of CU(or until they move) for 10% Mitigation plus a HoT, whereas WHM can continue doing other actions such as DPSing or something.

Honestly I can see the raid groups taking WHM over AST for safety due to Cure III. However everything can shift to AST once raid groups have had experience and they can feel free to DPS more or gain more from AST's Cards and Buffs(especially Celestial Opposition the way it's going to be soon). SCH no longer is the top contender as always due to said Fairy Heals and being the only class with reliable shields pre-3.4, so honestly I can see the dream of X/X Healer Compositions happening at the very least.

The only thing that SE needs to keep in check is WHM's Identity and AST's power. Again, they did say they were going to keep a check on it and adjust it in 4.0, but at least the healer balance is a lot better in 3.4 than it once was.

[KDSilver]

....

I don't think Asylium is really that much better than CU.
On one hand,it is because WHM can use this and keep healing right after, but you don't always stand here just doing nothing as an AST until the end of the duration of CU.
You usely put it to get the regen then go back to what you were doing.
But what's wonderful with CU is that the regen stick on you once you entered CU area PLUS, it's really super strong! 150 of potency during 15s (even probably 25 with CO !).

So they are both great on their own way (even if i personnaly think that CU is really stronger).