Some idea about AST sect swapping

[Ghishlain]

There's no need for a Sect swap until there's a reason to make the change. If you were doing 4-mans, Diurnal is more than enough for your needs via HoTs. You wouldn't Sect swap in AST/SCH since AST shields override SCH shields and you'll probably want to stay in Noct when doing AST/WHM. If you want Sect swap, they'll also need to retool AST in some capacity to encourage Sect swapping and provide some synergy between the two sects. Until they do that, I find the idea Sect swap quite unappealing.

I honestly don't think ASTs really need this or for that matter more complexity to their gameplay. Further, this probably gives AST too much versatility compared to the other two healing classes. Even with a CD on it or a mana cost it would potentially add power that puts them above the other two healers.

To be honest, I'm of one that they need to make AST a bit more complicated. It's already a very technical class as you need knowledge of every other class/job in the game to play better, making it a bit more complex wouldn't hurt it in the grand scheme of things I feel. Though as I mentioned above, it needs more than just "add Sect swap" to make it appealing. There needs to be synergy between the two sects too to encourage that train of thought.

They already lack the versatility and flexibility that a WHM/SCH has. They don't have an instant, oGCD AoE heal which is a godsend when it comes to dealing with raid damage, and their mana/threat management leaves much to be desired.

AST has Collective Unconsciousness which is 750 Potency of healing after 15s on oGCD. It's not an instant heal but it's a LOT of power. It does what Assize does in 6-9 seconds and Indomitability in 9-12 seconds and provides raid mitigation. Same cooldown as Assize too.

Threat is an issue though, won't disagree. Mana issues to a degree, but not as bad as the threat issues are, in my opinion.

PS. (Give Gravity a Slow debuff for all targets it hits, or...or SOMETHING.)

Gravity costs 20% less MP than Holy, so there's your "something" =p

I sometimes get the feeling that I am faster through my mana than my counter healers (SCH and WHM)

Is there a reason why you feel this way? From an absolute pure heal standpoint, all AST cures cost at least 10% less MP for the exact same/similar potency when compared to SCH/WHM counterparts (in the case of Benefic, it's 20% cheaper than Physick/Cure)