The positive Astrologian thread!

[TatoRazzino]

Since Lustrate is basically their only reliable big healing spell, SCHs need to save stacks. This made prey a bit stressful, since managing all the cds and stacks to big heal the prey target and the tank made me less potent to take care of some AoE in between damage. I'm sure that SCHs CAN and WILL heal that well, they just need to overcome that weakness, which is NOT a problem, but the way the job is intended to be. As AST, however, I have an AoE 300 potency healing spell AS WELL as an 150ish AoE heal-shield spell (Helios/Aspec. Helios), so I don't need to struggle with cooldowns or consume any stacks (MP management will be the new thing). Also, I have a big healing spell available all the time (Benefic II, 650ish potency in Noct). [continues]

[TatoRazzino]

I'll also have Synastry, so I can put it on the tank and heal both him and the prey target at the same time - I was doing 2 lustrates on the prey and 1 on the tank, and with Synastry I can just use two big heals on the prey target and the tank will get healed by the same amount as he was when I was SCH, with less resources. Healing with Helios requires less MP than healing with ET+Succor and Benefic II costs less MP than ET+Adlo. It's basically an easier way to do the same thing, honestly, and this happens because of the difference between the two jobs internal mechanics. I'm pretty sure this isn't the best strategy while playing SCH, but it was what my WHM partner felt most comfortable with, and I'm going to be able to handle it better as AST – or at least some parts of it.

[Ariel_Valmont]

Although I see some valid points, I do agree that we need to keep talking about how awesome astrologians are. There seems to be 101 different threads with people debating back and forth. On a positive note, we downed Faust tonight and got to start working on the oppressor. Sure I may be a week behind all the "top" fc groups. But I am having fun. And that's the important thing. Keep on slinging them stars

[Zirael_Foxfire]

Well, Astrologian is better healer than Paladin ^^

[Hysterior]

positive... hum... they have the best LB, beautiful actions, weapon looks good and they can heal the normal content just fine

[Ariel_Valmont]

Again, potency is not AST's problem. Their biggest problem is that they bring very little to the table that other healer Jobs can't do better by design. This supposed skill ceiling at which the Job becomes on par with its peers doesn't exist; merely being adequate to clear content doesn't cut it when the other two Jobs are stronger and overall push better raid numbers given equivalent skill and group comp.

Now that I've issued constructive criticism,

I see a lot of people, not just you. Using the term constructive criticism, which is the process of offering valid and well-reasoned opinions about the work of others, usually involving both positive and negative comments, in a friendly manner rather than an oppositional one, to describe their more blatent criticism of this job.

[Ariel_Valmont]

A good example of constructive criticism would be. Although I find the card system of the astrologian to be quite unique and interesting I find it wanting in a group situation, and feel it could be bettered by adding a stacking buff to card usage (similar to warriors and certain abilities they use while in defiance) that would increase healing potency/mana refresh rate/card potency and maybe even tie it in with the sects, so as to the card usage buff increased, so too does the shield strength in nocturnal, or the regen length or potency in diurnal.

[Cynfael]

Constructive criticism doesn't need to incorporate apologetic statements such as "I really love X, but Y." Constructive criticism is intended to be helpful by pointing out areas needing improvement.

Constructive criticism can also be blatant; sugar-coating is not required, especially since discussing AST's shortcoming in gameplay and suggesting improvement is not the same as bashing the designers and artists who made the Job. The true insult would be not caring enough to share candid feedback.

[AlexanderThorolund]

I just did Tam Tara hard mode for the first time and on the final Boss the tank pulled too fast because he was being a jerk so 1 DPS got locked out. I healed the entire fight with ease and no MP issues even though most of the glyphs got activated.

I love Astrologian!!!!

[Luvbunny]

Sadly, after playing ASTRO for a bit (granted still level 51) - I have to agree more with the negative threads. If this job is a healer who can buff the party, as its "niche" - then AST should have more control on their buffs, and the buffs need BIGGER potency. Otherwise, if the buffs are just "nice things" to have, to add some variety, but provide only minor bonuses that is so minuscule to matter.... then for the love of GOD.... Fix our healing capabilities, and our shield, and our MP cost to be on par with the other 2 healers. I feel that the developer only play AST to level 50, the abilities we have at 50 is AMAZING!! but past that to level 60, it become very obvious, this one healer is the worst of the three with no way to recover when "shit hit the fans" and you gotta babysit a bunch of DPS "too dumb to function and keep getting hit by AOE".