What do you think makes Astrologian so strong?

[elioaiko]

As awful as the current card system is I like that it exists, it gives AST atleast something to do besides spamming the same button when there is no healing required. Being able to weave something between each Malefic cast makes it a lot less boring than the other two healers.

Same feelings on the cards too, it makes downtime less dull but the cards are so one noted, there's really no thought process other than "who's getting a burst rn?"

[Vyrerus]

The ability to go either way with Regens or Shields, and now to have both at once, even if at a limited rate.

But mainly something it's always had. The ability to grant AOE shields along with a standard AOE heal. Basically SCH if it had Medica. With the ability to make them instant with Lightspeed. This has let it pull off impressive solo heals, like solo healing Neo-Exdeath very early in that tier's cycle.

AST's tale is a funny one. It started out with strong identity, undertuned, weak cards with terrible RNG on top of weak weak heals, so weak that it was a joke compared to the other two healers. Buffing cycles ensue. By the end of Heavensward it's a job with strong identity and super duper strong shields of every type. This carries into Stormblood, and with the addition of Earthly Star, it becomes an insane healing powerhouse without real rival.

Despite being less complex than SCH used to be, it was perceived as the most complex, scaring people away from it, though tons of people played it solely for the identity. Now the identity is shattered, more or less, but its healing power is through the roof. Mechanically it's ridiculous, since every card buff will always make fights shorter, even if you botch who you use the cards on. It has more healing power than I know what to do with, honestly. But also honestly, its main power comes from being able to have shields. Without the shield stance, it wouldn't really be all that special.

And if SCH wasn't on the back burner for once/toned down like it has been, it'd probably be there right along with AST. Or if they just gave SCH an AOE GCD that is the equivalent of Medica.

[YusiKha]

The ability to go either way with Regens or Shields

Wait - the ability to be played alongside both healers, putting everyone on an equal playing field, is OP?

The ability to grant AOE shields along with a standard AOE heal

And people cast Helios?

AST's tale is a funny one. It started out with strong identity, undertuned, weak cards with terrible RNG on top of weak weak heals, so weak that it was a joke compared to the other two healers. Buffing cycles ensue. By the end of Heavensward it's a job with strong identity and super duper strong shields of every type. This carries into Stormblood, and with the addition of Earthly Star, it becomes an insane healing powerhouse without real rival.

Strong shields don't mean much. The game is balanced that the weaker shields are still enough to cover 'requires shield' mechanics, and shielding mechanics that aren't lethal is a waste of a shield.

Despite being less complex than SCH used to be, it was perceived as the most complex, scaring people away from it

So multiple layers of RNG and potency calculations, as well as no weave slots (1.5s malefic was only added in patch 4.3), is less complex than a 2nd DoT?

But also honestly, its main power comes from being able to have shields. Without the shield stance, it wouldn't really be all that special.

So AST should only be allowed to play with SCH then. Despite Nocturnal being the weaker of the Sects, it's very overpowered. Alright.

And if SCH wasn't on the back burner for once/toned down like it has been, it'd probably be there right along with AST. Or if they just gave SCH an AOE GCD that is the equivalent of Medica.

So it's not having the fairy skills be ineffectual and unsatisfying, the requirement of sacrificing your own DPS to use healing tools WHM & AST get for free. That's not what makes SCH less desirable than AST.
Instead, it's the lack of access to the worst AoE heal in the game.
Alright.

[Heilstos]

Wait - the ability to be played alongside both healers, putting everyone on an equal playing field, is OP?

It would be too much of a good thing if the AST were able to distribute shields and hots all at once in a constant manner. It's just that you live with the consistency for the stance you choose. Or you just cheat with Neutral sec for 20s. ;D So there is still something missing for the status of "being an OP Healer".^^

And people cast Helios?

Yep People cast Helios in 2020 xD Well fun aside. For me it is about to estimate whether it is enough with a horoscope with Helios to save mana (even if it is only 100 mana).

Strong shields don't mean much. The game is balanced that the weaker shields are still enough to cover 'requires shield' mechanics, and shielding mechanics that aren't lethal is a waste of a shield.

I usually get positive feedback from my co healers that the bosses' first AoE damage spells in particular do not need to be healed. And mostly an Assize is enough to top the group when I'm Nocturnal. That means not here that I portray every ability.

So multiple layers of RNG and potency calculations, as well as no weave slots (1.5s malefic was only added in patch 4.3), is less complex than a 2nd DoT?

I totally agree with that. If you don't worry about what you're doing. Especially since the idea came up in the forum to see Minor Arcana as an independent skill. As a conversion and then weioterhin play out.

But for Controler usere is help there in this form: ControllAST: Playing cards on Controller

And on the Base Idea from on of the greates AST I know "Bokchoy Mcnuggets" I made this Card play in ShB (for PC-user)

But its like Astesia Ahri explained in the balance Discord:

There is one set of macro types I will excuse under the condition that using them, the player understands:
1) It is objectively unoptimal and is costing them DPS and performance
2) They are training wheels that should be worked out of ideally
3) They will likely cause hiccups with queueing at times and discombobulate you

Despite being less complex than SCH used to be, it was perceived as the most complex, scaring people away from it, though tons of people played it solely for the identity. Now the identity is shattered, more or less, but its healing power is through the roof. Mechanically it's ridiculous, since every card buff will always make fights shorter, even if you botch who you use the cards on. It has more healing power than I know what to do with, honestly. But also honestly, its main power comes from being able to have shields. Without the shield stance, it wouldn't really be all that special.

So AST should only be allowed to play with SCH then. Despite Nocturnal being the weaker of the Sects, it's very overpowered. Alright.

For me it heard that AST should play in Nocturnal, because the Nocturnal playstil is easyer than play a SCH in his opinion.

And if SCH wasn't on the back burner for once/toned down like it has been, it'd probably be there right along with AST. Or if they just gave SCH an AOE GCD that is the equivalent of Medica.

That has the SCH every 15s with "Emergency Tactics" so Succor has a HP from 405 (180 normal heal + the 225 HP [1.25*180HP] from the shildpart). And more you do not need in the most cases. But its like Yusi Kha said you try to avoid this. But you are right is easyer to use only Helios instand of using Tactics and Succor.

[Kazukiyashuo]

Wait - the ability to be played alongside both healers, putting everyone on an equal playing field, is OP?



And people cast Helios?



Strong shields don't mean much. The game is balanced that the weaker shields are still enough to cover 'requires shield' mechanics, and shielding mechanics that aren't lethal is a waste of a shield.



So multiple layers of RNG and potency calculations, as well as no weave slots (1.5s malefic was only added in patch 4.3), is less complex than a 2nd DoT?



So AST should only be allowed to play with SCH then. Despite Nocturnal being the weaker of the Sects, it's very overpowered. Alright.



So it's not having the fairy skills be ineffectual and unsatisfying, the requirement of sacrificing your own DPS to use healing tools WHM & AST get for free. That's not what makes SCH less desirable than AST.
Instead, it's the lack of access to the worst AoE heal in the game.
Alright.

Cant agree more. Well said. Sometimes ppl express their opinions without having a single clue about the subject