5.0 AST is a failure

[xDaemianx]

I'll just broach those points I most strongly agree with so as to not make a long post or repeat info. That does not mean I do not agree with the rest of the info above.

I couldn't agree more. I've been playing AST since it came out (switched from WHM) and the previous system was, at least, fun to play. You'd have to royal road your way to a party-buff that would at least make you feel useful whilst also healing at the same time as making your party appreciate your contribution. All I do now is simply draw cards to find a combination of the three seals, because why would I bother in casting Divination for a 2% party-wide buff with a 180s cooldown when I can do it for a 6%?. And I know what some people might suggest: "then reduce the CD of Divination by 1/3 or 2/3 if 2 or 1 seal(s) are used, respectively". Well, that doesn't fix that AST has lost some of its identity with the new expansion. I know others think AST is ok as mostly everyone yelled at you (not angrily, though) whenever you drew a Balance card and now everyone seems content with having cards thrown at them all the time. But this means that us healers are sacrificing our "fun" just so others can enjoy more DPS (basically we're a summon's Aetherpact for some).

Regarding Sleeve Draw, I cannot stress enough how upsetting it is having to draw quickly before the timer runs out, without trying to repeat seals whilst using the card upon a right member and healing appropriately altogether (and I didn't even mention range for healings/cards in case they are not in range or Minor Arcana). I can't help think they could've done better. Something along the lines of getting buffs for multiple people within seconds instead of drawing/re-drawing + using the cards, which might consume around 15-25 seconds of your time (and, again, while healing). For example, they could have tweaked Sleeve Draw to buff party members withouth drawing cards, basically a question of luck, everyone would get a buff regardless of their job, being lucky enough to get one that provides you with a 6% instead of 3% (or (8% - 4% if Lady - Lord).

Horoscope - Happens to me most of the times. I end up not re-using it because I'm either way too busy drawing cards and healing or because someone is not in range. Although I admit that 1 out of 20 times it's because I've forgotten I even used it.