Looking for updated AST learning material

[RiaDovvinias]

As for the cards, some changes have happened with SB. Spear is less useless these days, giving crit. Bards and Monks get procs from crit, so I prioritize them for that card. Arrow, or so I'm told, isn't quite as much a drag on TP anymore. I don't know who likes it aside from BLM (my main), but I haven't gotten any complaints. Bole reduces damage and unless it's a damage-heavy boss fight or an under-geared tank, I RR it. Ewer is sometimes useful on yourself, but AST mana isn't too bad in most instances. Otherwise, toss it to a healer if there's a second. BLM can regenerate mana all on its lonesome. I haven't worked with enough SMNs this far along to say if they need it, but another DPS who could use some Ewer love is Bards. Maybe Paladins. It will not work for DRKs due to their own method of regaining mana. Spire I have yet to find practical use for. Balance is everyone's favorite. I try to spread it out between the DPS, and the occasional tank who can DPS.

[RiaDovvinias]

As for Roles, I get different answers depending on where I look. Fortunately, you can use all your unlocked and set roles starting from the beginning, regardless of what your level is set to. I use Protect, Swiftcast, Esuna, Lucid Dreaming, and Rescue. When I am doing endgame stuff and possibly in a static, I will probably switch Rescue out for Largesse, but tbh, I already have one healing boost I never remember to use. Protect is pretty much a given, though there's some debate on the subject. Swiftcast is mandatory, if only for instant-Ascends. Lucid Dreaming will give you mana, and reduces the threat you're like to pull. Esuna will cure most status ailments. There are some dungeons where it's useless, though. Why Rescue? Stupid tanks. Sometimes pulling to the wall is a BAD IDEA. Also useful to get someone out of AOE.

Anyway, sorry for what turned out to be a long couple of posts, but I wanted to touch on things other than sect, lol.