Astrologian Healing

[Lorielle]

So, I finally decided to take Astrologian into some end game stuff to test it myself. I enjoy the concept of Astrologian behind the cards. I really do, but after a slightly bad experience with A4 and a smoother run, I was a little concerned about Astrologian in general. Their direct heals and their ways of refreshing MP is certainly troublesome in long fights that do a lot of damage.

I understand that the Astrologian will really be a supportive role with supporting buffs and dependent on their co-healer...But is this more of a detriment than a benefit?

The purpose of the thread is mostly to see what people think themselves. o:

[Thela]

Yeah I'm less than impressed myself and are currently levelling my WHM as well. They did promise us some adjustments so we shall see which they come up with, but for now they are just way to weak.

[Krixus]

I remember plenty stressful fights on whm back in 2.0 because players would ignore mechanics. While I have noticed a slight bit more difficulty, I wouldnt say its more a detriment. Also keep in mind alot of healers out there arnt very good, so covering for someones weak play makes it seem alot worse. Last 3 groups I did on Bis ex the sch had much lower Hps than I as astro and yes I was including his eos hps. (and before people say he was dpsing and letting the other heal cover, I had higher dps also)

[Rewind]

The purpose of the thread is mostly to see what people think themselves. o:

With a good group, decent co-healer AST can easily sustain a group.

AST has to be less concerned with topping people straight away to maximum HP and more concerned with topping people to a safe HP level. This requires players not to do stupid things and maybe absorb orbs when they are only at 25% HP and have no defensive CDs up (mana ward/perfect dodge/tank cds etc)

3.0 WHM/SCH probably feel stronger because they have more oh-shit abilities to heal through stupid, and their SHPS (Stupid heals per second) will be higher than AST. In my opinion, 3.0 AST is no different to 2.0 WHM - little time to DPS, difficulties managing mana and could really only afford one res.

Over time, the trend of stupid will decrease, as people become more familiar with their classes and AST will seem less restrictive/unattractive.

That being said - I still push for changes to Nocturnal stance and collective unconscious These are pretty weak and situational atm.

[Thela]

3.0 WHM/SCH probably feel stronger because they have more oh-shit abilities to heal through stupid, and their SHPS (Stupid heals per second) will be higher than AST. In my opinion, 3.0 AST is no different to 2.0 WHM - little time to DPS, difficulties managing mana and could really only afford one res.

Over time, the trend of stupid will decrease, as people become more familiar with their classes and AST will seem less restrictive/unattractive.

That being said - I still push for changes to Nocturnal stance and collective unconscious These are pretty weak and situational atm.

While i generally agree, I don't agree with your assessment that we should consider it fine for AST to not be able to handle oh shit situations very well when the 2 other healers CAN in fact recover from party stupidity to a certain degree. Why should we consider it fine that AST only really works when party is playing properly and are unable to cope when things go south?

[Rewind]

Why should we consider it fine that AST only really works when party is playing properly and are unable to cope when things go south?

Hm, I mainly think it can't heal through stupid in pugs because you can't easily communicate what's happening. AST has enough utility when you are raiding in a static to heal through stupid, as long as the stupid isn't yourself ofc. As long as you can alert others to what is happening should be able to recover (i.e tell tanks to pop some cooldowns whilst you res someone or heal stupid).

Also depends on what type of stupid -
For example, WHM died in A4 last phase, was able to heal fine as AST until WHM was ressed and ready to go again - success
Tanks weren't stacked correctly in ravana, was able to have heal ready & disable so MT didn't die (whm was in cleric too early) - success
DPS stacked too close whilst popping orbs in A4- fail, even with a WHM in the party. - i think a scholar MAY have had some instant heals to assist the WHM but it would be a very close call.

[SDaemon]

While i generally agree, I don't agree with your assessment that we should consider it fine for AST to not be able to handle oh shit situations very well when the 2 other healers CAN in fact recover from party stupidity to a certain degree. Why should we consider it fine that AST only really works when party is playing properly and are unable to cope when things go south?

I've handled "stupid-omg-wtf" moments plenty. A WHM and SCH could have coped with them easier given their toolkit, but an AST can handle it nonetheless.

[Thela]

I've handled "stupid-omg-wtf" moments plenty. A WHM and SCH could have coped with them easier given their toolkit, but an AST can handle it nonetheless.

Sure, i've handled it plenty as well, but i usually end up with an empty MP pool in the process

[SDaemon]

Sure, i've handled it plenty as well, but i usually end up with an empty MP pool in the process

Same, though my co-healer (typically WHM, though this applies to SCH as well) is, more often than not, in the exact same situation mp wise. The problem is that they can get their mp back more reliably/easier. Making use of ewer and spear+aether has helped considerably, but its just a band-aid, so to speak.

[Seeri]

Why should we consider it fine that AST only really works when party is playing properly and are unable to cope when things go south?

We shouldn't, it's a horrible argument to make.
The only way that a penalty like that is fine is when there's a significant upside when things are going smoothly and there isn't.