[FEAST 4v4] Tips for AST?

[Thekk]

Here's a list I made off the top of my head. Some are specific to Astrologian, while others could be applied to all healers.

Cooldowns:

• Luminiferous Aether and Mana Draw should be almost always on cooldown. Running out of MP is the worst thing that can happen and will usually result in multiple deaths.
• Celestial Opposition has uses beyond stunning the enemy. Try to use it when you have cooldowns active so their duration is increased, especially Luminiferous Aether.
• Unlike what has been mentioned in another post, I don't hesitate to use both Lightspeed and Synastry together on the initial burst. The cooldown on Synastry is short enough that it will be back before you need it again. That gives you an occasion to move in for a Celestial Opposition/Aetheric Burst.
• Swiftcast is great to get a heal out on the move.
• Purify has plenty of uses, but the 3 most common for me are: getting rid of a full duration sleep when I know a burst is coming, removing Wildfire (obviously only if significant damage has been dealt) and removing full swing. Don't forget it can be used on any target, not just yourself.
• Attunement is great to keep yourself alive, but if they switch to another target right after you use it don't let it run its full duration. Right click the buff, or even better make a /statusoff "Attunement" macro.
• Don't ever use Ascend; you do not want someone with weakness. Use Divine Breath if you really need to raise someone, but be ready to heal them as quickly as possible. That should only happen near the end of the match. Otherwise retreat and let them come back with full resources.

Cards:

• Don't hesitate do Spread an Ewer so it is on hand when you need MP.
• Extended Ewer is the best; most of my Spears end up that way because they rarely get used to their full potential unless cast on yourself.
• Always Redraw Spires; Expanded Royal Road isn't worth the potency hit in a 4 man setting and that TP is rarely ever needed.

Gear and attributes:

• Put all 35 bonus attributes in vitality
• Asuran Earring of Fending is a must: it is the only vitality piece with 2 useful secondary stats. It can be purchased for a measly 80 Centurio Seals.
  These 2 combined with a tank will give you 10.5k hit points, which should be enough to live through most situations. More than that will impair your ability to heal too much with little benefit.
• All substats are fine, but try to focus on one and have piety on most if not all of your pieces. Personally I prefer critical rating as a big heal, especially Essential Dignity, can get you out of a bad situation. Take advantage of the fact that any piece over ilvl 190 will be synced with both stats maxed so you can use anything from Alexander Gordias to current content (an ilvl 180 item only has a few points less so it could also be an option if no other piece has the stats you want).

General:

• Stella the current target to help your dps stay on it or to get a break from the enemy tank sitting on you (Blizzard II is another good option for the latter).
• Don't forget to switch out Cleric Stance if you had it as an additional ability from PvE. You cannot use it in a PvP area.
• Protect does not reduce damage taken in PvP. However, it can act as a dispel protection.
• Recast Stoneskin on your party every time there is a pause in the fighting and mana permits it.
• Don't sit in the middle of the arena, be in a spot where you can easily get out of line of sight when needed. Just be mindful to adjust to your teammates' positions so you can heal them when needed. Try to be unpredictable when kiting around a wall or pillar. A second of indecision by the other team is one less second of damage dealt.
• Sprint is great to get away if you are focused, especially when coupled with Lightspeed and Swiftcast.
• Make macros with sound effects to quickly call out your status so your teammates can react: crowd controlled, out of mana, dead, time is running out, etc.

Don't mind the healing number on the scoreboard too much, it is far from accurate, especially if you use Nocturnal Sect. A good rule of thumb if you want to compare yourself to a WHM is to double your number because all the overhealing from their HoTs is counted while your shields are not.