Overriding Ast Cards.

[MyaValentine]

Am I the only one who hates playing with another Ast due to them overriding y/our cards?

I really would like them to implement a system where cards cannot be overridden, similar to shields not being overridden by a stronger shield.

I feel it'd be an easy fix and an easy adjustment, if the target already has a buff (card) and another is thrown to them it will "have no effect".

I don't see it too often to where you would absolutely NEED to override another card or else the whole party wipes, so I don't think not overriding would be an issue.

If anything I've had more annoyances by giving out a Enhanced (15%) Balance and extending it to a target and it get overrode with an Expanded (5%) Arrow or such to a target. So aggravating.
At times I'll sit and monitor the other Ast (very inconvenient might I say) to see when they throw their card/s so they won't override mine. Because often enough it's the other AST overriding and not paying attention, so no matter how much I'm wasting time paying attention to their card game, it still ends up biting me.

Anyways, I think the card overriding process can be an easy fix. My idea; similar to that of a weaker shield trying to override a stronger one - no effect.

[Norleas]

I would prefer if other ASTs cards can just stack, but SE is too scared of everything being op.

[Kallistra]

I was leveling my MNK a couple months ago and I got Ravana for my Trial Roulette. One of the ASTs gave me the + Balance (I'm not familiar with which one that's called) and not even 4 seconds later it was overwritten by an AoE Ewer... in a full TP-using party (aside from the healers).

[RubyScarlett]

I was leveling my MNK a couple months ago and I got Ravana for my Trial Roulette. One of the ASTs gave me the + Balance (I'm not familiar with which one that's called) and not even 4 seconds later it was overwritten by an AoE Ewer... in a full TP-using party (aside from the healers).

This. This is why the non-overwriting suggestion won't work. Too often newbie Astro's don't know what their cards do and will toss out garbage. Yeah, it sucks when it happens to your balance, but non-overwriting them assumes that the first card out is the best. As least if the other astro throws trash on the group, I can try to correct it.

[MyaValentine]

This. This is why the non-overwriting suggestion won't work. Too often newbie Astro's don't know what their cards do and will toss out garbage. Yeah, it sucks when it happens to your balance, but non-overwriting them assumes that the first card out is the best. As least if the other astro throws trash on the group, I can try to correct it.

This is why you hold the card until the others gone or give it to another dps. If it's an expanded card it'd only last about 25s or so (not looking at the stats atm) so it isn't hard to hold the card for about 20s

[AlphaFox]

Usually when I work with a 2nd AST I just ask them at the beginning "Do you want to use your card first?" then from there we kinda just alternate while checking if we have the AOE effect or not.

[RLofOBFL]

Agree, next.

[Teraluna]

The card system needs reworking. This random ability mechanic should be completely removed.
The overwriting of card effects is just another indication that this has been poorly implemented with insufficient thought.
Multi-clicking in the hope that you get the needed ability has no place in a structured dungeon/raid class environment.

The argument that it takes quick thinking with the cards is mis-directional.
You could have an ability that makes you click three varying keys very quickly before your character shuts down and describe it as the need for quick thinking. But rightfully it wouldn't have a place in character mechanics and neither should the random ability selection of the cards.

The Astro needs more than slot filling rng gimmicks. It should be developed with proper depth and diversification so your quick thinking is focused on which of the wider array of skills should be used - not click, burn, click, re-try, click and so on with this misplaced shallow luck generator.

The N.Ast is further indication of the rushed and consequently shallow development of the class. This option needs taking back to the drawing board.

In fact a good rework of the Astrologian would be to move it well away from a WHM-Lite approach. The game did not really need another ranged healer, it has two good ones already.

As a start, get rid of the rng, rework the N.Ast to make it more of a 'heal as you deal' shield protected class that can mix it in melee form if required. Then look at giving the class it's own set of core skills - not WHM renames.

[Edited for text limit]

[Mwynn]

The card system needs reworking. This random ability mechanic should be completely removed.
The overwriting of card effects is just another indication that this has been poorly implemented with insufficient thought.
Multi-clicking in the hope that you get the needed ability has no place in a structured dungeon/raid character environment.

The argument that it takes quick thinking with the cards is mis-directional

That would be OP though, not like I would dislike having the ability to choose Arrow / Balance or any other Cards directly with a resulting Cooldown afterwards, but you know how People can be like in these Days.
That be pretty much using Spear on yourself first, using Balance / Arrow afterwards due of Cooldown Reduction and Ewer / Spire / Bole are just emergency Cards in case something bad happens.

I mean I don't find that bad to be honest yet... that would be the standard norm for Card Drawing then...

What we really need is more Cards Effects, the Six Cards we have are the Stat Norm we have right now and I don't find it surprising at all.
They could have done so much adding more things on them.

Regen Based Cards.
Sprint Based Cards (No TP cost)
Double Cast Cards
Increased Healing Cards

You know where I am going with that, I truly hope the Traits we "may" get in the Future will make them better...

[FoxyAreku]

The card system needs reworking. This random ability mechanic should be completely removed.

It really doesn't.

Out of all the problems AST has, the cards are actually the one thing that they got right. Don't call for fixes where they aren't needed, please.