WHM going to become black sheep of healers again

[LariaKirin]

Disclaimer: I haven’t played AST in the new system. Haven’t had the heart. But it seems to me that the complexity in the new AST card system is entirely mechanical. Take note of highest performing melee and ranged dps. Apply buff to correct target. Fish for seals. Waste the rest of your cards on minor arcana so you don’t stuff your seals then divination. The old system was unpredictable, and you had to be very aware of what was going on to make the most of it. That is the kind of complexity I want. The same sort of complexity that made me want to heal (and be aware of what’s going on with any given run and using my skills appropriately) rather than play a dps with a mechanically fiddly rotation.

P.S. If my interpretation of the current system is wrong, please tell me.

It's as complex as you want to make it. You could just drop it on the highest performer, but that's not always the right option. For example, if you get a melee card after the SAM just blew his load, you might even consider dropping the card on the warrior whose Inner Release window is coming up. I've not made any calculations and I don't play AST much, but you get the point. If you want my opinion, I think the new card system is better than the old fish-for-balance.

But regardless, my point is that people say they want complexity, but they do not mean it, otherwise they'd be swarming to play AST.

[Hatstand]

It's as complex as you want to make it. You could just drop it on the highest performer, but that's not always the right option. For example, if you get a melee card after the SAM just blew his load, you might even consider dropping the card on the warrior whose Inner Release window is coming up. I've not made any calculations and I don't play AST much, but you get the point. If you want my opinion, I think the new card system is better than the old fish-for-balance.

But regardless, my point is that people say they want complexity, but they do not mean it, otherwise they'd be swarming to play AST.

That’s a decent point. It won’t make much of a difference in 4 man content where there isn’t much of a choice of who to buff, but it’s enough to tempt me to pick up AST again, so thank you.

That said, I still wish there was some variety. I’d like to see a damage mitigation and mana Regen buff in there, along with royal road (perhaps modified to no longer have aoe, but only extend or empower). That way you get your balance often enough (2/3 times) and most times you’ll be able to use any other buffs you don’t need to buff your next balance, but in those situations where damage mitigation and extra mp come in handy you could have those handy.