Question in regards to end game gear (Healers)

[Ghishlain]

Generally speaking, the higher the ilvl the better. The amount of MND you gain from jumping those ilvl tiers don't make up for the difference of changes from a weak secondary stat to a strong secondary stat. There are a few exceptions but they tend to be few and far in between and only in jumps of 10 ilvls - never 20 ilvls.

In terms of secondary stat optimization, that's generally up to preference of each healer too and not as set in stone as it is for DPS and tanks. Crit will be the "most bang for your buck" stat come the next tier, but I do believe the current tier Determination is better up to a certain a point which we have difficulties reach with the current gear scores.

Also stats are very synergistic in nature and thus you kind of want at least a bit of everything for optimal effect. Faster casts from Spell Speed means you get to use the increased benefit of Determination more often while still having more opportunities to Critical too.

Overall you could probably just focus on ilvl and still be incredibly successful. It's when you're trying to optimize for that last 5-10% that you might want to really start digging into secondary stat builds.

[edit] Just to add, Piety is a stat that's also mostly about personal preference. You want enough Piety to make you feel comfortable with the content you're participating in. Once you continue to grow even more comfortable, you will most likely start to peel Piety away from Materia and/or gear and focus on more directly impacting secondaries.