Level a healer or wait for astrologist?

[TAxSkittlez]

I currently play a Lvl 50 paladin and have been thinking about leveling up a new job. I was thinking either leveling up a healer now or leveling a ninja and waiting to level the astrologist healer. If I do level a healer now what would be better whm or sch?

[Parawill]

Cross class skills are your primary reason to level casting classes especially when it comes to a new healing class with a lot unknown variables. At least get Thaumaturgy to 26, Conjurer to 34 and Arcanist to 34 so you'll have some when you level Astrologian.

As for Scholar vs. White Mage, it's honestly a preference in how you like to heal. There is are plenty amount of threads that discuss the pros and cons between the two. But a quick glimpse, Scholars shield (think of it as extra HP in the form of a shield) and heal moderate amounts (meets HPS thresholds) whereas White Mages sustain through raw health points and a slow-casting shield (Stoneskin).

Anywho for thread links (so you don't have to dig'em out of the abyss)...

White Mage vs. Scholar Debate
White Mage Efficiency Guide (Not a law. Just a perspective into things with number crunching)*
Scholar Fairy Guide and whatnots.

*I have not this thread entirely (and the attatched documents with it).

[Velox]

I'd say level CNJ, THM, and ACN up for cross class skills first. Remember AST is going to be added with an expansion. In the MMO world, expansions are a time of sweeping changes to combat and class semantics. The current WHM and SCH may not be quite the same come 3.0. You may like them more, you may hate them more. Point being is that everything in 3.0 isn't set in stone. That's why I suggest any least working on the base classes in case they keep cross-class a thing. That way you are kinda prepared for the future. After that I'd recommend playing SCH. It's a bit more fun and more rewarding than WHM due to it being a jack-of-all-trades job and not just a healer.

[Nicobo]

....If I do level a healer now what would be better whm or sch?

Ofcoz SCH as you will get SMN simultaneously! ^^;

[KisaiTenshi]

I'd say level CNJ, THM, and ACN up for cross class skills first. Remember AST is going to be added with an expansion.

Everyone leveling a caster class needs the cross-class skills, regardless. I leveled my WHM to 50 in less than a month, including the relic weapon parts, but I only really noticed the need for swiftcast because of the need to revive newbie DPS's in Hard dungeons/Mainstream Scenario/Trials who can't take a single AOE hit. The rest of the time Swiftcast + StoneSkin II if you have tanks that like to run off to do a speedpull.

[JonBigwood]

Hi, if you are PLD 50 stoneskin is an important cross-class skill, so Conjurer to 34 is nearly required (maybe not urgent for a fresh level 50 PLD, but you have to get it eventually.) Once you are WHM 34 then reaching level 50 is not far away. Playing a healer makes you see things from another point of view and you will become a better tank too.

Once you are WHM level 50 you'll need swiftcast more sooner than later so THM to level 26 would be another step. Swiftcast+Raise is really good to have. Playing a DPS is also a new point of view and may help to get better in all classes. Eye for an eye is good also for the WHM but not as useful as siwftcast (ACN level 34.)

What you learn playing a healer will serve you for the future helaer roles too, and probably the cross-class skills too. It is quite probable that Stoneskin will be able to be cross-classed to the Astrologist. Stoneskin is also useful for the SCH, although it is weaker so if there is a WHM in the group the WHM is best for Stoneskin, but you might have no WHM or be in a 4 player group.

Once ACN level 34 you can level the SCH (and SMN) to 50 and later choose what you like best.

[Risvertasashi]

Somewhat aligned with what others are saying...

At least clear the cross class skill requirements from all three classes (assuming you're serious about being a healer).

Then you can just sit back and wait for more info on Astrologian... which I think we'll be getting in 2 or 3 days? And of course the release itself. If it looks like the healer you would want to main once we know more, then you're all set. If AST doesn't look appealing to you then... you're still all set, for whichever healer you would like to play most.

[Alex_Lenderson]

What cross class skills will be used for Astrologian?

[Ghishlain]

What cross class skills will be used for Astrologian?

If I were to take a guess, either CNJ/ACN or CNJ/THM. I'm leaning more towards the latter due to the importance of Swiftcast as a healer.

...or S-E could totally shock us and give every job three classes they can derive skills from when they increase the level cap. @.@ Then I would say CNJ/ACN/THM, lol

[Risvertasashi]

If I were to take a guess, either CNJ/ACN or CNJ/THM. I'm leaning more towards the latter due to the importance of Swiftcast as a healer.

...or S-E could totally shock us and give every job three classes they can derive skills from when they increase the level cap. @.@ Then I would say CNJ/ACN/THM, lol

They've been designing progression content (that is, Coil) around the expectation that players will use Virus, E4E, and so on, so I would get those just in case (but it's possible AST will have its own abilities in their place). I think Swiftcast is almost certain, and yes, Protect and Stoneskin are stuff you'll probably want too.

But in the end... yep, we know nothing. Maybe they won't cross class anything and they'll have their own internal abilities to cover all those necessities. Still, ACN & CNJ to 34 and THM to 26 are how I would prepare. Then, no matter what, you can go all out on AST when it's released without needing to stop and pick up cross class skills, whatever those may be.