I started at the tail end of SB, like a month or so prior to ShB release so I never actually got to play that rendition of AST. However I still fell in love with the ShB version of the job, and while I wasn't a huge fan of EW AST, the fast APM and adjusting who gets cards based off my RNG was fun and was the reason I stayed engaged with the job.

Then they announced they were planning a rework for AST like, halfway through Endwalker and I was already dreading the idea, seeing as how they turned my favorite caster into current SMN.

Getting the confirmation that cards were static disappointed me heavily, but I was willing to give it a shot. The unique cards coming back was cool after all and they could probably be really useful and fun to use. However, as the media tour happened and we got more information on the new card system, and I eventually got to play it, my actual enjoyment I got from the system just wasn't there anymore. I still really enjoy the healing kit, and it's the main reason I've taken it so far, but I can't see myself staying on the job if it gets left in this state.

The cards feel so... underwhelming. Aside from the Arrow, they're all glorified charges of tools AST already has, just more limiting since you can only get certain ones in 60s time frames with no way to adjust the window. There's no decision making anymore.

I can understand why people may like this version of the system, it's a lot easier to understand than SB AST and a lot easier to execute than ShB/EW AST, but currently the job gauge feels like a side attraction rather than the main ride.