Quote Originally Posted by Lunafreya View Post
I definitely agree with this but Astrologian is a completely new potent job now. The main problem people have with AST is that it is the middle ground between whm and sch. They want AST to be a unique class that does things differently than the previous two. I don't think there is a problem. Evidence already shows that AST can hold their ground in extreme content like Alex Savage. I'm a good AST... really good. I have seen bad Astrologians and there is a clear skill gap between us that keeps one doing great in savage and one flunking.
The gap in skill between the great AST and the others is enormous, which really doesnt help. Many times have i come across another AST in df who dont know the basics of healing, let alone the nuances of their class. Been running alex for relic recently (71/80 so doing alexander just for that last push), and been paired up with questionable AST parteners. One didnt use cards at all. One was the diurnal healer (i was nocturnal) and they didnt use regen abilities at all and single target healed via benefic for aoe damage. However, one A4 we were AST x 2 and it was amazing. We both understood what we were doing, stance dancing for dps, dealing with discoid each at the same time, syncronising card buffs. It was beautiful.

AST is a class that has attracted many who havent healed/have very little experience healing before since they want to play the class that looks pretty (dont blame them, AST really is a sight to behold visually). Further increasing this is the fact that when AST was the underpowered mess it was on release, many raider had to make a prompt decision on what class to gear up via Esoterics, and AST lost out, leading way to many of the great healers in game still maining WHM/SCH. Many many factors have played into the lack of understanding of AST. The raider had to choose another healer over AST, so the non-raiders see this and think "AST=bad since very very very few healers raid on it". The new healers on AST dont do it justice at all in DF, further leading to it disrepute in the community. And the imbalance in hard DPS checks in savage alexander 3 and 4 made it hard to take AST in over classic meta WHM+SCH.

Hopefully people will start seeing the better side of all of us who love and play AST to a high standard when Alexander: Midas is released.