Really, really stupid idea on how to make AST's cards less galaxy brain for high-end.

[Rollout]

So, my brain melts when trying to do the AST opener. I had this thought in regards to it.
I know it's probably really dumb and probably simplifies the class even more, but I figured I'd voice it anyways, because why not.

Reduce the damage potency of all the cards and the melee/ranged preferences on them.
Instead, make all the cards just an AoE buff. Divination instead responds to the cards played.

Balance: Increases Direct Hit chance.
Arrow: Reduces the cooldown reduction on actions.
Spear: Increases Critical Hit chance.
Bole: Reduces damage received.
Spire: HP Regen Effect
Ewer: MP Regen Effect

Stacking cards for Divination will not improve the buffs they provide and will reduce the potency of Divination, as it currently does. You can spam cards to stack their effects to the party, though, so long as the same card isn't played twice in a row, so the party can have Balance, Bole and Spear in their status bar buffing their damage% all at the same time. At the same time, change Sleeve Draw back to it's original ShB effect of instantly refreshing Draw twice while also making it so that it always selects a different card then one you've already used, making a full-powered Divination easy to achieve in the opener.

[DrWho2010]

...? what? do you even know how the cards used to work????? they got rid of specific effects because they always only wanted to fish for the one that buffed DPS (the old Balance).

[Rollout]

...? what? do you even know how the cards used to work????? they got rid of specific effects because they always only wanted to fish for the one that buffed DPS (the old Balance).

Yes, I've played since Heavensward. And? My idea does not have guaranteed damage buffs on the individual cards, like the old Balance from before ShB, just buffs to chances and even then, they would likely be very tiny buffs to chance.
The current core concept of all the cards applying damage buffs and Divination being the big damage booster would still be there.

[DrWho2010]

eh. they'll still only want damage up buffs no matter what. it would just be going back to the old system.

[Rollout]

eh. they'll still only want damage up buffs no matter what. it would just be going back to the old system.

I don't see it as that way, because if you're holding off to get Balance, Spear and Arrow, you're pushing back Divination, which itself is a pure damage buff.
The idea would be that you could play the cards as you see fit for whatever situation. If you want to gamble for the miniscule chance increases, go ahead.
If you want more utility in terms of defense, go ahead and fish for those.
Or mix them... or ignore that concept all together because the buffs are so small that it's only going to be a matter of a .02%-.05% DPS increase anyways.

[Rein_eon_Osborne]

Reduce the damage potency of all the cards and the melee/ranged preferences on them.
Instead, make all the cards just an AoE buff. Divination instead responds to the cards played.

Balance: Increases Direct Hit chance.
Arrow: Reduces the cooldown reduction on actions.
Spear: Increases Critical Hit chance.
Bole: Reduces damage received.
Spire: HP Regen Effect
Ewer: MP Regen Effect

Balance: Weak damage buff, but people will pick this.
Arrow: Messing with cooldown means shifitng raidwide buff/debuff & personal alignment. DNC & NIN especially will murder me if I throw in this buff for them.
Spear: Weak damage buff, but people will pick this, possibly stacking it with Balance.
Bole: Nice on paper, so-so in progression, & will not be incorporated into consistent gameplay. What happen when you need a bole but your RNG decides not to give you one? Niche at best.
Spire: Free heal, can be used.
Ewer: Same with spire but less useful because probably only your cohealer will benefit from this and maybe DRK & RDM.

We’re going to end up with people 100% fishing for Balance & Spear. The third card will most likely be Bole, Spire, or Ewer but at the end of the day none of these in the 3rd slot will matter because the system locks them behind the unreliability that is an RNG; it won’t be reliable.

Also I’m not sure how galaxy brained the current AST divination opener when the current iteration of Sleeve Draw (as of 5.3) already trivializes the RNG factor; meaning it’s far easier than ever to acquire tri-seal Divination as of now.

[Comfort]

When I read this I thought you were meaning similar to BRD buffs. You get a random card and play it like a bard buff ever x seconds.

I think the current card system is fine, many people manage it. And honestly it doesn't have to be perfectly used.

If you are in a position where you need to be good at the card system and maximise your opener, you are likely a person who is capable of it (like high end raiders).

If you are not, then its not gunna matter how perfectly you use it, you are still providing buffs.

[Absurdity]

The only way I can see cards getting more interesting effects again is if those effects are nothing but utility, put all the % damage increases into Divination and remove everything that increases % damage or buffs damage stats from the cards.
You will most likely still end up with one card being better than the others depending on it's effect but atleast the impact will be minor compared to 10-20% more damage for your entire party.

[Jaelommiss]

The only way I can see cards getting more interesting effects again is if those effects are nothing but utility, put all the % damage increases into Divination and remove everything that increases % damage or buffs damage stats from the cards.
You will most likely still end up with one card being better than the others depending on it's effect but atleast the impact will be minor compared to 10-20% more damage for your entire party.

I agree. Placing offensive and utility buffs on a common resource and allowing them to be redrawn will always result in fishing for the offensive buffs.

[Rollout]

Balance: Weak damage buff, but people will pick this.
Arrow: Messing with cooldown means shifitng raidwide buff/debuff & personal alignment. DNC & NIN especially will murder me if I throw in this buff for them.
Spear: Weak damage buff, but people will pick this, possibly stacking it with Balance.
Bole: Nice on paper, so-so in progression, & will not be incorporated into consistent gameplay. What happen when you need a bole but your RNG decides not to give you one? Niche at best.
Spire: Free heal, can be used.
Ewer: Same with spire but less useful because probably only your cohealer will benefit from this and maybe DRK & RDM.

We’re going to end up with people 100% fishing for Balance & Spear. The third card will most likely be Bole, Spire, or Ewer but at the end of the day none of these in the 3rd slot will matter because the system locks them behind the unreliability that is an RNG; it won’t be reliable.

Also I’m not sure how galaxy brained the current AST divination opener when the current iteration of Sleeve Draw (as of 5.3) already trivializes the RNG factor; meaning it’s far easier than ever to acquire tri-seal Divination as of now.

Those effect are not on the cards themselves, though. They're simply bonuses that apply when Divination, which is still on the same cooldown, is used. Would you honestly hold off on using Divination just to have both Balance and Spear on it? No, you'd use what you have loaded up to get Divination off for the overall buff. The effects are just there for flavor and to keep the cards unique, while Divination is still the focus. That's what I meant.

Also, my brain more melts at trying to dish out cards to appropriate jobs while doing the opener. With this method, you don't have to target anything, just use the card.