[Suggestion] Lightspeed could use a short Sprint effect

[Heilstos]

Hello everyone,

While playing Astrologian recently, I’ve repeatedly noticed that Lightspeed is a very strong tool for reducing cast times, but thematically and gameplay-wise it could feel even more coherent.

My idea:
In addition to its current effect, Lightspeed could grant a short Sprint-like movement bonus (e.g. 5–7 seconds, possibly a full Sprint or a slightly reduced version).

Why this would make sense:

Thematic consistency: “Lightspeed” implies not only faster casting, but also rapid movement.

Gameplay feel: Astrologians often need to reposition during encounters, especially in Savage and Ultimate content.

No balance issues:

- The effect would be time-limited

- Tied to an existing cooldown

- No permanent mobility advantage

Job identity: Other healers have clear mobility or emergency tools. A small movement boost would make Astrologian feel more complete without overloading the job.

This is not meant as a traditional buff, but rather as a way to improve fluidity and thematic consistency in gameplay.

Best regards,
Marius of Odin

[Azurarok]

not exactly against the idea but also it really irks me that you seem to think Lightspeed is worse than the other three's

[Alice_Rivers]

Lightspeed IS a mobility utility, that's it's ENTIRE purpose, it's raison d'etre.

[Heilstos]

Thanks for the feedback. I think there may be a small misunderstanding here, so let me clarify my intent.

I don’t consider Lightspeed to be worse than other healer tools. It’s already strong and very useful. My suggestion wasn’t meant to downplay its current value.

I also agree that Lightspeed already functions as a mobility utility, primarily by removing cast-time constraints. My point was more about thematic and tactile clarity, not raw power.

The idea of a brief Sprint-style effect wasn’t meant as a straight buff, but as a way to:

reinforce the “lightspeed” fantasy more directly, make the movement aspect more explicit rather than purely indirect, and improve overall fluidity without changing its role or balance impact.

If anything, this is less about making Astrologian stronger and more about making the ability’s identity clearer and more intuitive.

Appreciate the different perspectives, that’s exactly why these discussions are useful.

[NegativeS]

Why is ChatGPT offering balance advice for my MMO?

[Valmaxian]

If I wanted a new movement tool for AST I'd want that teleport that trust Urianger uses (Ktisis Hyperborea). But I'm ok with Light Speed for movement.

[Rein_eon_Osborne]

Rather than increasing movement speed, I think having Lightspeed hotkey temporarily changes to "Epicycle - Retrograde" would be better. It's the same 15y dash -> 30y reverse teleport they get to do in PvP.

They don't need it, and I'd sooner hope they nerf Lightspeed more than buffing it even further. But that's just me disliking their "keeping 99% - 100% uptime must not require thought"-idea of changes that they've given us over many years.

[Heilstos]

I think they actually highlight why this is more of a design discussion than a balance one.

@Valmaxian
A teleport like Urianger’s would definitely be cool from a fantasy standpoint. I agree that it would feel very AST-flavored, though I suspect that kind of tool would be a much bigger design step than anything tied to Lightspeed.

@Rein_eon_Osborne
That concern is fair, and I want to be clear: I’m not looking to further push the “99–100% uptime with no thought” direction either. If anything, that’s exactly why I framed this as not a raw power increase.

My original thought was less about enabling more uptime and more about making movement moments feel clearer and more intentional, rather than purely implicit through cast-time removal. I can absolutely see arguments for other approaches (like PvP-style tools), or even leaving Lightspeed as-is.

At the end of the day, this is more about how AST expresses mobility and fantasy, not about making it easier or stronger.

We all have valid lenses to look at the job through.

[Valence]

Epicycle is already an abomination in pvp that has no justification for even being there, and I find the proposal of the OP a lot more reasonable.

[NobleWinter]

Astro has too much utility already. Giving Sprint to them baked into Lightspeed which already offers reduced cast times seems crazy to me. WHM can't even move freely during Presence of Mind and that has a longer cool down too. If anyone needs sprint baked into an Action it's WHM. Aetherial Manipulation giving 5 to 10 seconds of sprint would seem more balanced than letting Astro have it imo.