Does AST really have lower DPS, or is it just perception? Lower potencies of 10-30 is a small change, percentage-wise. For example stone 4 is only 8% better than AST’s version, even though the 220 vs 250 potency split looks more substantial. Any 3 of the DPS cards on a single DPS character is much more impactful.

Another argument is that they only have one dot, while others have two. However, there’s does 500 overall damage with one GLD, while the others do 300-350 and take two gCLD. If you add 220 (second gCLD), the numbers are actually comparable and actually slightly favors AST. All have just the one instant cast dot, so they are equal there.

AOE favors the other healers, though the cards are also generally more impactful in those situations and at least there is always gravity spam, mp allowing. AST really improves with extra dungeon downtime to pre-shield in Noc, fill out the card spreads, and regain mp. So I guess best with groups that don’t do huge pulls.