Possible AST nerf

[Naunet]

The problem with AST vs SCH shields isn't really the strength of them but that there's WAY too much overlap in healing styles for the three healing jobs. They need to distinguish WHM, SCH, and AST better or they will never actually solve the balancing issues - they'll simply end up making certain aspects of each job really crappy and pointless in an effort to not step on any toes.

[Reilyn]

The problem with AST vs SCH shields isn't really the strength of them but that there's WAY too much overlap in healing styles for the three healing jobs. They need to distinguish WHM, SCH, and AST better or they will never actually solve the balancing issues - they'll simply end up making certain aspects of each job really crappy and pointless in an effort to not step on any toes.

I agree. Right now, AST is stepping on almost all of SCH's toes. with the exception of like... 2.

[Naunet]

I agree. Right now, AST is stepping on almost all of SCH's toes. with the exception of like... 2.

They need to focus healing styles. If they want SCH as a shield healer, really go all out - think Cata/MoP discipline priest levels of shield healing with not just a single target and aoe bubble but raid defensive shields, cooldowns to turn healing into more shields, shields on crit, etc. WHM's current focus of "raw throughput" isn't enough - they need to focus how they get that throughput. They could easily turn it into a powerful regen-based healer. AST could perhaps shine through (in addition to their cards) ground-based healing/buffs, delayed/triggered heals akin to Earthly Star (perhaps a single target version of it?), stuff that bounces between players... anything to get them away from the overly simple "single target button, aoe button".

[loreleidiangelo]

They need to focus healing styles. If they want SCH as a shield healer, really go all out - think Cata/MoP discipline priest levels of shield healing with not just a single target and aoe bubble but raid defensive shields, cooldowns to turn healing into more shields, shields on crit, etc. WHM's current focus of "raw throughput" isn't enough - they need to focus how they get that throughput. They could easily turn it into a powerful regen-based healer. AST could perhaps shine through (in addition to their cards) ground-based healing/buffs, delayed/triggered heals akin to Earthly Star (perhaps a single target version of it?), stuff that bounces between players... anything to get them away from the overly simple "single target button, aoe button".

AST's entire design is hot garbage, tbh, and I say this as someone who mains it and was so excited for it prior to Heavensward. It's just basically impossible to balance in it's current state without glaring homogenization of its card system. Heals like a WHM or heals like a SCH, but has utility that neither of them can hope to match. Obviously I'd prefer if they didn't give our card utility away to the other two healers, so that leaves the only things the developers can really target as the "heals like a..." part.

My most fervent wish is for a remake of this job already come 5.0. The card system sans the OP-ness of Balance is a great system with decent versatility, decision-making, and flow, and I'd prefer not to have that gutted in any way. Just let it contribute to healing in a different way and then players can make the choice about whether AST's heals fit in with their comp enough to make it worth the card buffs, or if WHM and SCH healing work better with the encounter or group design.

I would give up my left buttocks for Prayer of Mending. Actually, give me WotLK era disc Priest, and I'd probably give up playing BLM this instant.

WoW gets crapped on a lot in these forums, but I still maintain that their healer design is leaps and bounds ahead of XIV. Playing a Resto Shaman feels nothing like playing a Holy Priest, even though they both fill the same niche in a raid. A Mistweaver Monk is nothing like a Holy Pally, which is nothing like a Disc Priest. They're all diverse, and as of Nighthold raid in Legion at least they're all fairly well-balanced against one another.

[Kurando]

At the end of the day, AST should not be treated as a must pick for end game content. Of course it'll be difficult to get there, but everyone should be able to pick a job that brings it's own unique benefits to the party and not be in a position where a certain job is actually greatly eclipsed by another; therefore rarely even being picked or ignored. Currently AST is one of those job which is mostly an insta-pick so it definitely needs a few tweaks to bring it on more equal playing field with the other healers.

[Mikhaill]

As someone who has been a main AST through the thick of AST 3.0, even I think it's a wee bit strong.
They seemed to overpowered it this patch for no real reason. It was fine at the later patches of HW.
They forgot to stop the breaks from the looks of it. The real buffs and nerfs
should come after what they collect from Savage.

[Exiled_Tonberry]

I agree. Right now, AST is stepping on almost all of SCH's toes. with the exception of like... 2.

AST is stepping on both healers toes. Stronger healing and regens than WHM, stronger shielding than SCH, better unique utility than both of them. I really don't know what SE is thinking anymore.

[Miste]

AST is stepping on both healers toes. Stronger healing and regens than WHM

Not sure why you think this?

I have i317 WHM and AST and I just tested the Regens.

AST Aspected Benefic regen average 2.8-2.9k tick
WHM Regen average 2.8-2.9k tick
Result: Basically the same

AST Aspected Helios regen average 800-850 tick.
WHM Medica II regen average 900-950 tick.
Result: Medica II regen ticks higher than AST's Asp. Helios

*all tests done with no extra buffs (no MND party bonus, no Largesse or any other healing boosting abilities minus the Diurnal Sect to get the regens to work)

Same exact gear minus the weapons. Both weapons are the i320 Susano though. So I am not sure why you think this...I guess you didn't test it first?

Even if mathematically one is better than the other the difference is obviously REALLY tiny and Medica II actually ticks higher than Aspected Helios.

[Jijifli]

Even if mathematically one is better than the other the difference is obviously REALLY tiny and Medica II actually ticks higher than Aspected Helios.

And has 5 yard radius advantage.

[Mikhaill]

AST is stepping on both healers toes. Stronger healing and regens than WHM, stronger shielding than SCH, better unique utility than both of them. I really don't know what SE is thinking anymore.

Yeah but at least WHM has what's saving them
from still being in the spot with Assize + Asylum with the new CD's of the Lilies.
5 healing skills including those not using MP, PLUS Thin Air. WHM can hold their own at least.
IMO, all they did was make WHM boring to play as.
No real new or fun skills to use and stripping away the ones we had.

SCH just a mess in every way right now. The job is just pure frustration right now.
I really wanna know why they upped the MP cost of their mitigation skills. It literally makes no sense
for a job that utilizes in shields pretty much nerfed them. Mind boggling.