Random Cards Were The Only Reason AST Felt Good/Different

[IDontPetLalas]

My thoughts on the matter is that I'm glad that the randomness was removed. I absolutely didn't like playing AST because the cards were too random and confusing on how to use. I'd have to stop and check the tool tip for every single card as it's drawn just to see what it does and who to use it on. And with so many different options it could be, I was struggling to recognize them at a glance. With the current system, I have already gotten to the point where at a glance I know exactly what cards I have, and how to use them. Took a bit to get to that point, but I was able to reach it.

As for Astrodyne, I had it for a bit before DT went live. And honestly... I wasn't particularly impressed by it.

So, the very first time I picked up SGE- on release- the UI was horrid. I hated the skill names, and most of the skills were the same colour. I then spent around 20 minutes re-arranging skills (once I calmed down) as I noticed that it virtually a copy-paste of scholar. I still think the UI could be better, but I adapted.

All of this to say , that there is a difference between someone who mains an AST, and knows the cards because they play them regularly- for example I didn't need to memorize who to use it on (ranged or melee) since they were colour-coded- even at its more complex, someone who mained AST probably was more comfortable with the cards than someone who just picked it up once in a while to level it, or because they wanted to try it. Which was fine with me - why not have a healer that required more knowledge, or more experience in order to feel comfortable with it?

Otherwise, if we go down the road of all jobs being "accessible"- then we end up with the viper situation - a couple of weeks in Square decides for you that your job is too "busy".

[elioaiko]

I will die on the hill that is random card AST is the best AST.

Taking away that RNG just makes the job feel boring and predictable.

At this point, they're probably getting close to straight up deleting the card system entirely. They've spend 3 expansions trying to make it work for everyone complaining and trying to appease ppl to bring up AST's popularity only to realize that there's no way to make everyone happy with AST.

[Rein_eon_Osborne]

“WHM but card & star VFX” IMHO best describes the state of the job.

This is even worse than your day to day dad’s joke. It’s pathetic.

But I guess all the former WHM who wants stars and cards can now finally relish in getting their carbon copy? Lmao.

What’s next in the chopping block? GCD cards? Auto draw every 20s? :P

[velswen]

Randomness and being a pseudo-gambler was the thing that made AST fun. Cards had impact and meaning, so getting the right one felt good and winning came because losing was possible. So what's the point now?

Big agree, please bring RNG back to the job, the moment-to-moment decision making was the entire reason I played it.