I have PIE/ACC/SS on my Sphere of the Last Heir. Mainly for the same reasons most described here.

I don't prefer Crit on a main healer. You can't depend on it, many times it ends up an overheal. Your DPS side may benefit sometimes, and in theory it could save you MP in some instances but it's not a reliable method to go with, as you are managing your MP for what the instance requires. Raid healing is also scripted and you need to cast appropriate heals at the correct times. Some of us would even argue you could end up having to heal "more" long-term with same ilvl Crit subset weapon over one with better substats like SS or DET. Whereas you would be consistently getting more HP on every heal skill and/or HoT potency for each tick. Instead of sometimes a crit, when it's not needed.


If Noct shields would get Crit benefits like Scholar does someday, my opinion might change on optimal AST substats. There is just too much upside with SS or DET. Although DET is to a lesser extent since HW, you kind of need to go all-in like it's about 200 DET for 30 HP.

Quote Originally Posted by _slowpoke_ View Post
I don't mean to sound rude, but another healer once told me this simple truth: if you don't need extra PIE on AST or WHM, you simply do not DPS enough, and it's generally true. That extra PIE is also about sometimes being able to choose GCD efficiency over MP efficiency (such as using Cure II instead of spamming Cure I to get back into Cleric earlier), making room for fuck-ups during progression, and other more fuzzy benefits. Also, specifically for the relic, if you find you don't need any of the extra PIE, you can always reallocate it to a substat of your choice until you are at a comfortable level.
Agreed, and I find that to be the case most of the time. Malefic II/Stone III isn't cheap for one. I tell everyone PIE is good, PIE is life. Not only does it give you breathing room for more DPS GCDs, you also have a larger ability to correct raid progression mistakes. Whereas with a minimal PIE pool you would likely be taken out of DPS potential because of the latter. It's all about giving yourself options at all times. I also look at having your desired PIE on the relic gives more optimal options for gearing. Like whether you want to use to A7S PIE/Crit pants or Lore DET/SS for-example.