Another comparation between AST and WHM

[Parawill]

Assume for a moment that the potencies of WHM and AST were the same. Why should anyone take a WHM at that point? AST would basically be a WHM + card buffs with better access to insta-heals, and the option to change to a shield spec.

Even if they were the same, White Mages would be chosen over AST as their utility is gimicky and has a lot of flaws. On paper, their buffs are great, but in practicality (factoring RNG), it's not amazing and is only really "nice to have."

In addition to that, White Mages have more heals over Astrologians which makes them safer in terms of survivability. Cure III can be used in specific situations; however, provides bulky heals with a shorter cast-time thus making it an effective HP per GCD heal (though not really mana efficient unless hitting multiple targets). Assize, Tetragrammaton and Benediction are all off-GCD heals which instantly beats Astrologians, especially since Assize is an instant-AoE heal that costs no mana. Astrologians do not have any means of catching up in AoE heals in exception to crit heals, and Essential Dignity is our only single-target off-GCD heal that provides burst or emergency healing. Plus, White Mages have Divine Seal and Presence of Mind which boosts HPS instrumentally on all heals which is something Astrologians can't do x_x

Coming from Alex Savage, if an Astrologian burns Essential Dignity and its on CD during double prey & follow-up tank buster, you're going to heavily rely on the other healer as Synastry is generally not enough to keep the tank above 80% with double CD. (Or it could be tanks not using mitigation to help... Lots of variables, but that's besides the point)

As for instant casts, though it looks like Astrologians have more "insta-heals" that are clutch, it's not really as it's essentially four swift casted heals that limits HPS due to the global cooldown timer. I'd say Lightspeed is more of a mana management and utility spell more than a healing cooldown.