Please do not nerf Astrologian instead buff WHM/SCH

[RichardButte]

Not exactly. The reason why it was scorned is cause it had weak healing and worthless utility. This is no longer the case, with them having utility that outshines even the best utility any job in any role can offer. If people want that 10% dps buff, they WILL find a way to get them in the party, regardless of the concessions that must be made.

That is how overpowered Balance is.

And how exactly is it that a difficult to use character is worthless? That's such a backwards idea it just doesn't make sense. We aren't talking about joke characters here, unless they're lethal.

The caveat is that said utility (AoE Balance) isn't guaranteed by any stretch. Yes, you'll have stretches where you reliably get it, but you'll have just as many where you reliably DON'T.

AST had to be balanced around the idea that RNG can completely negate their utility. A better idea likely would've been for AST to be a support-oriented DPS, but it's here and it's a healer so they have to make due.

[Ametrine]

And how exactly is it that a difficult to use character is worthless? That's such a backwards idea it just doesn't make sense.

Because skill gap is a real concern of SE's. They simply don't want to implement a job that's built from the core to be "hard mode" at it's main role. This isn't like a fighting game where whipping someone with a bottom tier character is a sign of great skill. This is a game where you have to coordinate with others.

So, as an example, you have two healer players of equal skill. One is an Ast and it's a healing intensive fight. Is the WHM/SCH now expected to pick up the potency slack? Should WHM or SCH be balanced with this in mind? Wouldn't that make them overpowered as healers? What about groups running WHM/WHM, SCH/SCH or WHM/SCH? What about if the second healer is another AST? Would you be able to meet heal checks then?

That's why they need to be on equal footing.

[Mikhaill]

I would be pissed off if AST got a nerf. It took an entire expansion to get
it where it's at right now. Have any of you played 3.0 patch AST? We were terrible.
Open for list:

1. Card Duration was too low.
2. Shuffling the same damn card you had in your hands.
3. Ewer sucked back then and was only good for DRK.
4. Benefic was terrible for the MP cost.
5. Lightspeed was crap.
6. Other stuff that I forgot and/or don't wanna remember lol
7. Oh wait, Healing potency was too low and we wasted a lot of mana.
8. Noct stance was rendered useless.

AST was always the weird healer job, as it tried to be two jobs with card tricks.
WHM doesn't have really any new tricks and a lot of the utility is in Roles.
SCH? I have no idea whatsoever why they nerfed it to the ground.
As an AST main since 3.0, I even think the recent Noct buff was unneeded.
Let SCH have SOMETHING.

To continue, they've been juggling with healers since 3.0 and they need to make them
all equal and loved if we ever hope to get another healer in 5.0. I don't wanna see another
undertuned healer or OP healer and have one or some sitting in the backrow. We can't afford
it especially when they aren't enough healers to go around.

[Altena]

Balance is busted.

That's the main thing that needs to be adjusted to fix the healing meta.

AST was underwhelming at 3.0.
It got buffed
and buffed
and buffed..

Then seems like SE forgot to hit the brakes on it and just continued to overtune it.

Tone down balance and you will likely see a lot more groups willing to run without an AST.

[Minizomb]

Balance is busted.

That's the main thing that needs to be adjusted to fix the healing meta.

AST was underwhelming at 3.0.
It got buffed
and buffed
and buffed..

Then seems like SE forgot to hit the brakes on it and just continued to overtune it.

Tone down balance and you will likely see a lot more groups willing to run without an AST.

I don't understand where people are getting this groups not willing to run without an ast, I have never even seen on pf astro only party or something. Granted I am in a static and an amazing fc so don't have to search all to often to group but I really don't think I have ever seen a party say no to other heals. How often is it actually happening?

[Altena]

I don't understand where people are getting this groups not willing to run without an ast, I have never even seen on pf astro only party or something. Granted I am in a static and an amazing fc so don't have to search all to often to group but I really don't think I have ever seen a party say no to other heals. How often is it actually happening?

It's less about specifically restricting a heal slot to AST-only in PF, but more about people being a little disgruntled when they don't have one.
I also run mostly with the FC and friends, so rarely PF as well.. However a friend of mine on the EU server has said that PF groups have been filtering out WHM/SCH in one of the healer slots for some content..

You will likely see this in speedruns / farm parties more than anything I presume. While I don't experience it myself (being far from a healer main), it does happen.

[Minizomb]

....esume. While I don't experience it myself (being far from a healer main), it does happen.

Well, while I don't believe in elitism or denying based on class. It is built into the system to choose so guess it's there right but I find it hard to believe people focus on that. Specially whm I can understand sch being screwed out, but I love parties with whms my static partner is a whm. Hmm, guess I'll start checking the PF more often and seeing what is up. Would be hard for a newer player to establish themselves if that is indeed happening a lot.

[Mikhaill]

I don't understand where people are getting this groups not willing to run without an ast, I have never even seen on pf astro only party or something. Granted I am in a static and an amazing fc so don't have to search all to often to group but I really don't think I have ever seen a party say no to other heals. How often is it actually happening?

Wait for Omega Savage. You'll probably see a few if they don't fix things by then.
I think they're waiting on feedback WITH Savage to really fine tune anyone.

[Minizomb]

Wait for Omega Savage. You'll probably see a few if they don't fix things by then.
I think they're waiting on feedback WITH Savage to really fine tune anyone.

But guess it depends on the party composition or the leads. I have seen some salty parties have strict amounts they like but was always foisted upon the dps not heals. I don't think even in random pugs have I seen a heal get booted. Though I feel like Savage isn't something to go off because I run into way more people who are casual that complain then raiders, could also be that I have been end game too long have a group of people to play with. Though met some whiny savage players too, just not as often and it's usually over voice chat, lol. Guess depends on play style I expect some pretty epic Omega savage modes, especially that D2 or even 3 with the sand. So hopefully they get some changes to scholar and whm so they can enjoy it too.

[MoroMurasaki]

I just have one very basic question for the OP or anyone who agrees with them...

What changes to SCH and WHM will make them equal to AST? Take in to account shielding/regen spells, mp management, party utility and heal potency.