Another comparation between AST and WHM

[EchuKayu]

Medica II also has a 5y range on Aspected Helios.

Personally I don't agree with the potency of spells being different and that there isn't any good reason for lower potency that you cannot counter with something either the AST or the other two healers have to make them comparable so that the potency really shouldn't be what it is. The main job of a healer is to heal, so the potency shouldn't be any different due to support/utility, which funny enough SCH/WHM have more, and better of, for healing. We just have a lot of use from cards, which doesn't justify it.

[winsock]

Personally I don't agree with the potency of spells being different and that there isn't any good reason for lower potency

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.

[winsock]

If both jobs had exactly the same level, you could still bring whatever job you like most.

You didn't answer the question. If AST didn't have the weaknesses it has currently, why take a WHM at all? Potency is all the WHM brings to the table. If that potency difference ever becomes meaningless, AST will always be the superior option. AST needs to have meaningful weaknesses and strengths compared to WHM.

[Miiu]

Wait are you saying that if the available heals AST has get their potencies increased to the equivalent of WHM potencies. People would stop bringin WHMs and instead go for AST only?
Brb there is a desk somwhere were I have to plant my face on.

[winsock]

Wait are you saying that if the available heals AST has get their potencies increased to the equivalent of WHM potencies. People would stop bringin WHMs and instead go for AST only?
Brb there is a desk somwhere were I have to plant my face on.

You should pace yourself, it sounds like you planted your face on that desk one too many times already, plus you didn't have an answer.

If AST healing was as effective as WHM at healing, AST = WHM + cards + more accessible insta-heals. Why should anyone take WHM at that point?

[Miiu]

You should pace yourself, it sounds like you planted your face on that desk one too many times already, plus you didn't have an answer.

If AST healing was as effective as WHM at healing, AST = WHM + cards + more accessible insta-heals. Why should anyone take WHM at that point?

First of all you said: Assume for a moment that the potencies of WHM and AST were the same. Why should anyone take a WHM at that point?"

Now you're saying what if AST was as effective as WHM at healing. That is a completely different question. Because if you'd just make the potencies equal to WHM on the skills they have the answer to your original question would be: No.
People have said over and over again that the lower potencies of AST are not the main problem with the class. The problem is the ineffectiveness of their available cooldowns not only in length but in how they work. They don't offer the same safety net the other two jobs provide. Not even with their buffs do they catch up.

Now to your second question: If AST was as an effective healer as WHM + Card buffs would AST be favored over WHM? Yes.

[winsock]

First of all you said: Assume for a moment that the potencies of WHM and AST were the same. Why should anyone take a WHM at that point?"

I said the same thing. Potency is power / impact. I rephrased because of the confusion it might cause confusion with skill potency, which it clearly did.

[Roxas_Andrade]

You should pace yourself, it sounds like you planted your face on that desk one too many times already, plus you didn't have an answer.

If AST healing was as effective as WHM at healing, AST = WHM + cards + more accessible insta-heals. Why should anyone take WHM at that point?

I understand you. But first: even if AST was comparable in potency to WHM, people would choose WHM cause they like it. Its not mandatory that you choose the best job for the role you're playing, but the one you like. Second: I don't know if it is commom sense among the community but MY suggestion is just to make AST better, WHM can stll shine with their high throughoutput. I just want to be able to heal, change to cleric, cast a couple dots and go back to healing without being desperate because everybody is almost dying, like any other healer, lol.

[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.

[Volsung]

You didn't answer the question. If AST didn't have the weaknesses it has currently, why take a WHM at all? Potency is all the WHM brings to the table. If that potency difference ever becomes meaningless, AST will always be the superior option. AST needs to have meaningful weaknesses and strengths compared to WHM.

Cure 3
Assize
Asylum
Tetra and bene
E4e and virus
Divine seal

Not just about potencies