Astrologian Speculations! How will it fit in?

[Selli]

It sounds like they have a healing and shielding stance. So it sounds like they can basically fill the roll of either a SCH or a WHM. I wonder if that'll make healers who currently main one or the other favor a stance more, or if not switching between the two will dramatically effect things.

[Velox]

So basically it sounds like a healer that can freely switch from WHM to SCH? I hope the spells themselves are toned down or that kind of versatility will put both existing healers out of work.

[Brightshadow]

So basically it sounds like a healer that can freely switch from WHM to SCH? I hope the spells themselves are toned down or that kind of versatility will put both existing healers out of work.

Astrologian will play like Astrologian and the other two existing healers will play the same way they do now, they wouldn't mix 2 existing jobs into a new job that would be pointless.

[Mimilu]

Astrologian will play like Astrologian and the other two existing healers will play the same way they do now, they wouldn't mix 2 existing jobs into a new job that would be pointless.

I hope you're right but I can see them mixing the two so they can keep the balance between the healers, WHM focuses on AoE, burst healing with some HoT, while SCH focuses more on single target, burst healing, shields, and some mild buffs with their fairies. The fact they have two different stances for Healing and Shields kind of makes it seem like its going to happen. >x>

[TheMunimai]

I thought this may be the case.

Ast being able to switch stances to fit easily with existing healers in the game.

On a side note: Apparently their lb 3 will be calling Celestial Stasis or Galaxy Stop - how nifty!

[Fervis]

So according to the PAX East Interview, Astrologians 2 stances will change from healing to barrier as we know, but they're kind of OP as of right now so they said they are going to put a limit on how frequently you are able to transition from one form to the other. They also said that the divining cards can be used immediately or combined with others for more powerful spells. They will not fill the role of a WHM or of a SCH. They will fill their own role. They are designed to be an intensely mechanical, busy class. So they will have to use both forms appropriately and effectively to be good healers. If there's info you missed. It's all in the link below.

http://www.reddit.com/r/ffxiv/commen...ast_interview/

[Ghishlain]

A more in-depth translation was posted on Reddit recently. More or less more of the same and more confirmation, but I know everyone is dying to hear as much as possible.

[Yuki_Tokita]

Looks like that info just got updated:
https://www.reddit.com/r/ffxiv/comme...ated_pax_east/

[Memoriae]

I guess that the ASTRO will have one stance for strictly healing purposes and the other for pure damage mitigation with no healing and the cards for resource recoveries and buffs.

which makes it sounds like a more complicated yet versatile version of a SCH

[Cynfael]

I guess that the ASTRO will have one stance for strictly healing purposes and the other for pure damage mitigation with no healing and the cards for resource recoveries and buffs.

which makes it sounds like a more complicated yet versatile version of a SCH

Too soon to say for sure, but it actually sounds like a less versatile, but more specialized version of SCH. If there will be a significant cooldown on stance-changing as Yoshida suggests, then AST will probably lack the ability to weave and alternate strong heals and barriers the way that SCH can.

As for how it performs in its healing-focused stance, I'm curious to see. Maybe it will have an interesting mechanic that makes it feel different than WHM yet still be a viable replacement.