In Regards to 4.0 AST

[Cyrocco]

So, I've been playing nothing but AST since early access, but I currently see no justification for some of our most recent buffs.

Just so everyone is aware of what I'm talking about, this video will be my reference:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKak8KZkgqg

The first encountered buff I'd like to mention is the +15% Healing Potency granted to both Diurnal and Nocturnal Sect. Such a buff could be justified if we were seeing a major nerf to our healing potencies, but instead we see the opposite in later skills.

Mainly, a small increase in Aspected Benefics base heal potency, and a barrier equaling 300% of the HP restored. This one in particular seemed jarring, because this kind of overbuffing is essentially removing SCHs relevancy as a mitigation healer. And this ability can still crit for higher healing.

[Cyrocco]

Earthly Star is easily replacing one of WHMs core skills, Assize, there's nothing further to say on this skill. It's a ridiculous powerhouse no matter how you look at it, and when I first heard the description I was expecting something much longer than a 60 second cooldown.

Furthermore, we've received buffs to both Spire and Ewer.

I have been a strong advocate for buffing AST ever since release, to the point where I've been banned for certain strong exchanges with other users asking for AST nerfs. We were perfectly fine with the latest round of buffs, if anything, I would've loved for them to only give us Card-based skills in the expansion, I simply can't justify what we've seen at this rate, and I'd prefer the other healers remain strong choices.

[Metsonm]

I honestly thought they'd remove the sect bonuses in an effort to reign AST in after the recent string of overbuffing, not double down on it.

[HopeEstheim]

I am glad i'm not the only AST main to think that !
Potencies are just so big that I start to think that this is a "test build" with old numbers.
Lord/Lady, and buffs to ewer/spires are welcome, but the sects bonuses and the potency of earthly star? No, keep it away SE please, I don't want it, it's not healthy for the game.

[Snat]

I just have to ask in case I missed anything but did they even give a reason for why AST sect's have the healing buffs? Kinda doesn't make sense if WHM is meant to be the "power healer".

[Cyrocco]

I just have to ask in case I missed anything but did they even give a reason for why AST sect's have the healing buffs? Kinda doesn't make sense if WHM is meant to be the "power healer".

I take it they were trying to make the stances less confusing by changing the effects to be the same, I'm unaware as to why they would increase the potency on Noct from 10% to 15% though.

[Metsonm]

I just have to ask in case I missed anything but did they even give a reason for why AST sect's have the healing buffs? Kinda doesn't make sense if WHM is meant to be the "power healer".

Probably because when AST launched they had lower potencies and the sects made up for it. Then they never got removed during the buffs they got.

[SaitoHikari]

As much as it pains me to say this, my worst fears are actually happening, as much as I hoped it would never reach this point.

(Context: I actually argued with you on a topic like this 2-3 months ago, through like five pages.)

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...34#post4064834

[LegoTechnic]

So if the videos are correct, Noct stance aspected benefic heals for 200 potency and gives a 300% heal shield, whereas SCH's adlo heals for 300 potency and gives a 100% shield that doubles if it crits.

...Doesn't that mean Noct AST is casting almost the equivalent effect of a SCH crit shield every single time? So AST shields will on standard be better than adloquium unless adlo crits? And this neglects Noct's +15% healing potency stance effect and their stronger potency and effects for their AoE shields.

Hmm... Maybe I should consider switching to an AST main after all.

[Cyrocco]

As much as it pains me to say this, my worst fears are actually happening, as much as I hoped it would never reach this point.

(Context: I actually argued with you on a topic like this 2-3 months ago, through like five pages.)

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...34#post4064834

I absolutely 130% stand by my position on Cards. Heal potencies are another topic.