Chocobo Skill build philosophy

[Sapphidia]

Regarding your suggested build above, I can understand the reasoning behind going 28 points into the Healing tree, but I'm unconvinced that the chocobo will be smart enough to use short-uptime buffs

Yep I can definitely understand that. However, it seems the chocobo healing buff lasts -30 seconds-. That seems an inordinately long time for a self buff, and I'm not sure of the recast but given how much my choco Gromit likes to spam heals I'm sure he'll use it on cooldown. I'll need to try it of course, all of this is conjecture - if it turns out the healing buff is seldom ever used then I definitely agree with your sentiments on the slow/stun option.

30 second duration though seems like a really really good deal and I'm -hoping- for at least 50% uptime in combat. We shall see though, if it's cast once every week then I can see 10 points in the healer tree being the only thing worth it.

[Maelwys]

I'll need to try it of course, all of this is conjecture - if it turns out the healing buff is seldom ever used then I definitely agree with your sentiments on the slow/stun option.

Yeah, I've also found my Chocobo to be really good at keeping "Regen" on both itself and me, and fairly decent at cycling heals.

I could see a healing potency buff being useful if the uptime ratio is high (provided that someone actually needs healing!) but since the trend for similar abilities such as Divine Seal appears to be a Duration:Recast ratio of 1:4 (or even less - see Convalescence and Mantra!) I suspect it'll have a recharge time of at least 120 seconds, which would work out to an average of 7.5% extra Healing Potency over time. Probably less than that, given that the Pet AI is very unlikely to decide to recast it immediately.

Therefore, at the moment I'm leaning towards the 20% Defender Stance's slow being slightly more effective in terms of ongoing mitigation.

Though as you mentioned above, at this point all of this is conjecture!
I'd certainly be interested to hear your findings on this if/when you manage to get the Chocobo levelled up that high (in both Healer Stance and Free Stance)