When discussing the removal of oGCD healing actions, it is common for participants to view the matter from a “top down” approach. We’ll look for actions that are rarely used and comment that we would be fine without those actions.
However, I want to take the opposite approach. Start with nothing. Strip healers of every single oGCD healing action, including spells that both heal and deal damage. If it isn’t a basic GCD healing spell (or Eukrasia) it’s gone. From there, reintroduce actions with a minimalistic approach.
Baseline Criteria
– Every healer gets one oGCD single target heal
– Every healer gets one oGCD AoE heal
– Every healer gets one action that enhances GCD healing
– Most healers get one “bonus action” that is mostly only used before a fight begins
The exact actions that are reintroduced are up for debate. This is my personal take. Note that adjustments to job gauge interactions may be necessary in some cases. The level that certain actions become available and the effects of those actions will also require adjustment.
White Mage
– Benediction
– Asylum
– Temperance
Scholar
– Lustrate
– Sacred Soil
– Fey Illumination
– Summon Eos
Astrologian
– Exaltation
– Earthly Star
– Neutral Sect
– Nocturnal Sect*
Sage
– Taurochole
– Panhaima
– Philosophia
– Kardia
* Spells grant regen by default. Toggle Nocturnal Sect to grant shields instead.
Beyond this baseline, adding more actions starts to get into “generous” territory. There is more than can be done with the actions already laid out. Traits can be added that enhance or upgrade actions. (For example, Fey Illumination could upgrade into Summon Seraph.)
Bear in mind that I’m not saying that these are the only oGCD healing actions that healers should have access to. This is about establishing a baseline. Some jobs may need more, or different abilities from the ones I have listed. This is where input from the community comes in.
I would also like to note that certain healing effects could be reintroduced in creative ways. Imagine if Energy Drain ensured critical HP is restored upon casting Adloquium or Succor. By no means am I saying that’s the best way to incorporate Recitation, but it’s an example of how certain effects could be brought in without requiring a dedicated button.
The goal of these suggestions to shift towards an increased usage of GCD heals while freeing up several buttons that can be replaced with non-healing actions such as spells that deal damage or provide utility.