Latest census (4/8/22) and healers

[Icecylee]

Gotta remember these numbers can always been somewhat misleading, too. For example, I leveled my WHM and AST both entirely through frontline roulette and wonderous tails turn ins (ie, never actually played them, much less in group content with other people). So like... I increase those numbers, but not in the way SE would like.

[Risvertasashi]

Gotta remember these numbers can always been somewhat misleading, too. For example, I leveled my WHM and AST both entirely through frontline roulette and wonderous tails turn ins (ie, never actually played them, much less in group content with other people). So like... I increase those numbers, but not in the way SE would like.

Yeah. Tracking the main hand weapon tries to compensate for people that level but don't play, but obviously that has its own limitations too. Still, Lucky Bancho is pretty open with their methodology - and I think the data they collect is interesting. But for sure, always keep the limitations in mind too.

[Reiryuu]

Is this data from all DCs or just NA? I play on JP DCs so, just curious.

[RinaShinomiya]

My hot take as someone who's getting on a bit and who's hands don't have the dexterity they had back when:

As superior as AST is. It's forever been cancer to play since Stormblood, each expansion has made it feel progressively worse to play whilst also making it feel less rewarding at the same time.

WHM might well be basic and simplistic, but it's comfy. I don't have to focus on a multitude of obtuse systems to get negligible unsatisfying buffs, instead it just lets me focus on the fight and/or chat away with the group whilst we are raiding without leaving my hands trashed after an even of progression.

I'm fairly confident that this sentiment plays a factor in why AST has never really seen success in player numbers.

I don't really think that's a hot take. To me EW AST feels really bad to play since you have to press all these buttons just for astrodyne. if it was a buff i can cast on other people it'd be more interesting but rn is way too much work for nothing.

[elioaiko]

AST and SCH have always been unpopular to play. It's the perceived notion that they're too difficult to play.

Well at for AST that's somewhat true.


SGE is the WHM equivalent (except not terribly designed) to SCH: easy to pick up, no raid buff, straightforward design, pug-friendly.

Yet WHM popularity remains high and probably will skyrocket. WHM's popularity is either one of two reasons. One, comfy playing (braindead but at least you don't have to think). Two, classic ff job so people latch onto it being their favorite healer.

The changes are good but they need to keep making changes that aren't tone-deaf and bring WHM up to par rather than nerf the others.