update page

_posts/2017-07-01-ffxiv-astrologian.md

@@ -7,33 +7,73 @@ tags: ffxiv, astrologian
 title: FFXIV Astrologian guide
 short: ffxiv-astrologian
 ---
-Astrologian is stance based healer, which can play-main healer role as well as
+Astrologian is stance based healer, which can an fill in both main- and off-
-off-healer one. This guide aims mostly to help new users which just got job
+healer roles. This guide aims mostly to help new players which just got job
-crystal and have no idea how to play as astrologian. In other hand I hope some
+crystals and have only vague idea how to play as an Astrologian. On the other
-experienced users may find useful some tips as well. Please note I'm not going
+hand I hope some experienced players may find some useful tips as well. Please
-to describe each skill, so for descriptions and so on please follow
+note that I'm not going to describe each skill, because there is a very detailed
-[the link](http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/jobguide/astrologian/).
+official Astrologian skills and abilities guide [here](http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/jobguide/astrologian/)
+which can be used for further reference.
 
 <!--more-->
 
 # Disclamer
 
-As I said this guide does not explain _each_ skill, just does some core skills
+As I said, the primary goal of this guide is to discuss general Astrologian
-and their basic usage, so please read skills descriptions first. Also it is not
+gameplay, core skills, their basic and advanced conjoint usage. This implies
-the best guide, but it is just one of point-of-views by raiding healer. This guide
+basic knowledge of skills and abilities, so please read skills descriptions first.
-does not teach you how to play in casual content (like usual 4-ppl dunges), it
+Also, take into account that this guide is just one of point of views of a
-aims mostly how to play in end-game content. No pictures (yet?).
+raiding healer and it aims mostly to discuss how to play in end-game content.
+This guide does not teach you how to play in casual content (like usual 4-ppl
+dungeons), but you can certainly use all advises and raiding practices in
+casual content. No pictures (yet?).
 
-Guide is actual for 4.05.
+The guide is actual for 4.05.
 
-Special thanks to Nan Talion (Odin) for reading this template and pointing out
+Special thanks to Nan Talion (Odin) and Marisha White (Odin) for reading this
-some shortcomings and vaguenesses.
+template and pointing out some shortcomings and vaguenesses.
 
 **NOTE** this guide is currently under development.
 
+# Changelog
+
+* Jul 20 2017: initial version
+* Jul 21 2017: add gear information
+* Jul 29 2017: add Marisha's remarks
+
+# Terms and concepts
+
+Before we bury ourselves with advanced stuff let’s introduce some basic terms
+and concepts we will be using further.
+
+* DoT (damage over time) is a damage inflicted continuously over a period of time.
+* HoT (healing over time), same as DoT, is a healing inflicted continuously over
+a period of time; regeneration.
+* HPS is healing per second, and it reflects how much raw healing is done on the
+average. In this guide we are using the following formulae:
+
+  * `HPS = (Potency * Targets) / max(cast, recast)`
+  * `Efficiency = HPS / MP_cost`
+
+  So, for example Helios (base cast and recast times are 2.5 sec) affects 8 players
+  and have potency 300: `(300 * 8) / 2.5 = 960`.
+
+* oGKD skills are skills that are instant and don’t trigger global skills
+cooldown.
+* Overhealing is healing a target when it’s HP is already full. You can’t evade
+it altogether, but general consensus is that too much overhealing is bad. It
+means that a healer uses too much mana and generates too much agro. Both can
+potentially cause a wipe if a healer runs out of mana or steals agro from tanks.
+* Shield is a buff that, if applied preventively, reduces the damage received by
+a target by shield’s potency.
+
 # Stances
 
-Astrologian has two stances:
+There are two stances which an Astrologian can use. These stances determine
+additional effects of two skills, Aspected Benefic and Aspected Helios. That
+might seem not too much at first glance, but stance effects of these two skills
+are what determine two very different Astrologian play styles and her or his role
+in raid.
 
 * Diurnal Sect
 
@@ -47,9 +87,6 @@ Astrologian has two stances:
 
 # Healing efficiency
 
-* `HPS = (Potency * Targets) / max(cast, recast)`
-* `Efficiency = HPS / MP`
-
 ## Main skills
 
 * Benefic
@@ -73,22 +110,27 @@ Astrologian has two stances:
   * efficiency: 0.67
   * comment: main AoE healing skill
 
-You can see than Benefic - Benefic II window is 50-70%, it depends on several
+For Benefic or Benefic II a window when you want to use it is 50-70%. The choice
-factors: for example, if you need to heal target as soon as possible you would
+of which skill to use depends on several factors. If you need to heal a target to
-prefer Benefic II. Just try to use Benefic II on as low HP as you (and tank)
+full HP as soon as possible, you will generally prefer Benefic II. But a tank
-comfortable - for example, I found that during dancing on Susano Extreme Benefic
+with 50% HP and a mage with 50% HP are two very different things because they
-is more than enough despite the fact that lightning deals damage which is more
+have very different HP pool. So using Benefic I for a mage might be more than enough.
-than 50% of DPS' HP.
+It leads us to a very interesting thing: experimenting with our skills. Just try
+to use Benefic II on as low HP as you (and tank) are comfortable. For example, I
+found that during active movement and mechanics avoidance phases (also referred
+as "dancing") on Susano Extreme Benefic I is more than enough despite the fact
+that lightning damage is more than 50% of DPS' HP.
 
 ## oGCD skills
 
 * Essential Dignity
 
-  * potency: from 400
+  * potency: from 400 to 1000
-  * comment: main oGCD healing skill; as soon as it is scales on target's HP
+  * comment: it is main oGCD healing skill. The main principle of use: the less
-  should be never used if HP is above 50%. Obviously it should be never used
+  HP the target has the better because it scales on target's HP; should be never
-  _after_ Benefics (exceptions are healing WAR/DRK after their Holmgang/Living
+  used if HP is above 50%. Obviously it should be never used _after_ Benefics
-  Dead in which I prefer Benefic->Essential Dignity->Benefic II combination).
+  (exceptions are healing WAR/DRK after their Holmgang/Living Dead in which I
+  prefer Benefic->Essential Dignity->Benefic II combination).
 
 * Collective Unconscious
 
@@ -102,10 +144,10 @@ than 50% of DPS' HP.
 
 * Lady of Crowns
 
-  * potency: 50
+  * potency: 500
   * comment: see notes below
 
-General rule - use them by CD.
+General rule - use them as soon as they are up when appropriate.
 
 ## Stance based skills
 
@@ -123,7 +165,7 @@ General rule - use them by CD.
   * base HPS (for all targets): 416
   * efficiency: 0.29
   * comment: should be used when you need to heal someone as soon as possible,
-  you might wanna keep it up on tanks
+  you might want to keep it up on tanks
 
 * Aspected Helios/Nocturnal
 
@@ -137,7 +179,7 @@ General rule - use them by CD.
   * potency: 200 + 40 * (30 / 3) = 600
   * base HPS (for all targets): 1600
   * efficiency: 0.89
-  * comment: in general you wanna keep it up for party members after incoming
+  * comment: in general you want to keep it up for party members after incoming
   AoE damage leaving about 80% on each party member, for example it was my main
   skill during first phase of A10S and A11S. Avoid use it if party's HP is about
   full and no incoming AoE damage expected in 10-15 sec
@@ -148,67 +190,75 @@ General rule - never spam any of it.
 
 * As far as you can see Diurnal sect is more powerfull for healing abilities than
 Nocturnal (but I'm not taking into account difference in healing power though).
-* Benefic is more efficient than Benefic II, but requires additional GCD, which
+* Benefic is more efficient than Benefic II (by healing and MP usage), but
-can be used to pew-pew.
+requires additional GCD, which can be used to ~~pew-pew~~ deal damage.
-* Helios is not such good as Aspected Helios/Diurnal is (unlike WHM, Cure III of
+* Helios is as good as Aspected Helios/Diurnal is (unlike WHM, whose Cure III is
-which is the best).
+the best).
 * Aspected Benefic/Diurnal is even better than Benefic II.
 
 # Core mechanics
 
-Actually astrologian is not only healer (I think it is even _not_ healer), but
+Astrologian is not only a healer (I think it is even _not_ a healer), but a party
-it is party buffer. Each buff can be improved by Royal Road. The following table
+buffer. Astrologian core mechanics is using buff cards. It has 6 different buffs
-represents basic card usage in my opinion.
+which can be further amplified using another mechanics – Royal Road. Royal Road
+has 3 variants:
+
+  * enhanced – increases any card's effect by 150%.
+  * expanded – reduces card's effect by 50% but applies it for all party members
+  * extended – doubles card's duration
+
+The following table represents basic card usage.
 
 * Arrow
 
-  * good choice in case if you don't have balance. Basically the best card
+  * good choice in a case if you don't have the Balance. Basically the best card
-  for BLM, not bad for other casters (including healers). Please note that
+  for BLM, not a bad for other casters (including healers). Please note that
   frequent usage on resource limited jobs (like physical DPS) may cause issues
   with these resources (TP for physical jobs, MP for casters). _Does not_
   increase DoTs potency. May has some other usages, for example, my co-healer
-  found it is useful if you need to ressurect several people in limited time with
+  found it is useful if you need to resurrect several people in limited amount of
-  no Lightspeed and Swiftcast cooldown (To be honest in my opinion it is trash
+  time with no Lightspeed and Swiftcast off cooldown (To be honest in my opinion
-  uses anyway: Enhanced Arrow gives you 20% of 8 sec base cooldown which is
+  it is trash uses anyway: Enhanced Arrow gives you 20% of 8 sec base cooldown
-  still too low.)
+  which is still too low.)
-  * enhanced: not the best combination, in my opinion the best usage is to buff
+  * enhanced: not the best combination, the best usage is to buff BLM
-  BLM
   * expanded: alternative to AoE Balance
   * extended: same as non-improved version
 
 * Balance
 
-  * your main buff, any DPS likes it, but better use it to the best one, because
+  * your main buff, any DPS likes it, but better use it on the best one, because
   it scales on current DPS value. To be honest in my practice it may cause some
   agro issues as well
   * enhanced: the best choice for this improvement, should be always followed by
   Time Dilation if possible
   * expanded: the one of the best Astrologian buffs. Prefer to use it on pull.
-  Should be extended by Celestial Opposition it if possible
+  Should be extended by Celestial Opposition if it is possible
   * extended: same as non-improved version
 
 * Bole
 
-  * good for tanks especially when no CDs left
+  * good for tanks, especially when no CDs are left
-  * enhanced: good for incoming tank buster, you might wanna Time Dilation it as
+  * enhanced: good for incoming tank buster, you might want to Time Dilation it
-  well
+  as well
-  * expanded: situational buff, I found it useful on savages tries in minimal
+  * expanded: situational buff, I find it useful during savages tries in minimal
-  item level to mitigate incoming large AoE damage, you might wanna extend MT
+  item level to mitigate incoming large AoE damage, you might want to extend MT
   buff as well, more likely should be never stacked with Celestial Opposition
   * extended: same as non-improved version
 
 * Ewer
 
-  * can be used for SMN after ressurection or to healer, but better Royal Road it
+  * can be used for SMN after ressurection or on healer, but better Royal Road it
   * enhanced: never use it
   * expanded: never use it. This one is really never
   * extended: never use it
 
 * Spear
 
-  * any DPS is OK with this buff currently, but better use it to jobs which have
+  * any party member is good with this buff currently, but better use it on jobs
-  crit-based traits - for example, BRD or MNK. Note that it still has less time
+  which have crit-based traits - for example, BRD or MNK. Additionally, it is the
-  than Balance or Arrow.
+  only card that can increase healing power as it increases crit chance (it is
+  especially noticeable for scholars or crit-stacking AST or WHM). Note that it
+  still has less time than Balance or Arrow.
   * enhanced: mostly jobs with crit-based traits, not such good choice for Time
   Dilation as Enhanced Balance is.
   * expanded: alternative to AoE Balance
@@ -231,7 +281,7 @@ sec left. If you have drawn one and you see no usages in more than 15 sec - try
 to convert or hold it (or withdrawal it if no choices).
 * Additional note to previous one: never let drawn card fade out.
 * In general Balance is still better than Arrow, because Arrow does not boost
-DoTs and oGCD skills. In other hand priority of Balance and Spear is questionable.
+DoTs and oGCD skills. On the other hand priority of Balance and Spear is disputed.
 
 ## Minor Arcana
 
@@ -241,7 +291,7 @@ to hold it or Royal Road it - convert to Minor Arcana.
 
 ## Lightspeed
 
-* Very useful when you need to heal and move in one time.
+* Very useful when you need to heal and move at the same time.
 * Very useful when you need to spam healing and want to safe some MP.
 * Should be _never_ used when you are DPSing.
 
@@ -270,26 +320,38 @@ you need some time to buff being applied, so you need to stay for several second
 ## Celestial Opposition
 
 The one of questionable astrologian skills. In my opinion the only one usage for
-it is to extend party Expanded buff (like Balance or Arrow). Never use it to
+it is to extend party Expanded buff (like Balance, Arrow and Spear). Never use
-extend your own buffs (e.g. Lucid Dreaming). Also I should note that it can be
+it to extend your own buffs (e.g. Lucid Dreaming); if you really want to prolong
-used to stun multiple enemies if it is required by fight mechanics (like A6S
+your own buffs align it with applying party buffs. Also I should note that it can
+be used to stun multiple enemies if it is required by fight mechanics (like A6S
 adds).
 
 ## Earthly Star
 
-In short - know fight. Teach your party to stay in circle (it is easy, trust me,
+In short it is the best healing ability an Astrologian has. It is instant with
-just don't heal outsiders). Despite the fact that you basically want to use it by
+minimal animation lock, it's 720 AoE healing potency and it also deals damage,
-CD, it is better to hold it a bit to heal party during incoming AoE damage. The
+and it has only 60 seconds cooldown. But it’s usefulness requires one very
-best usage should be in about 15 sec before incoming damage - so you can detonate
+important thing: you need to know each fight well to predict the best places to
-sphere in any time and will get maximal healing and damaging effect.
+use it. Teach your party to stay in circle (it is easy, trust me, just don't heal
+outsiders). Despite the fact that you basically want to use it by CD, it is
+better to hold it a bit to heal party during incoming AoE damage. The best usage
+should be in about 15 sec before incoming damage - so you can detonate sphere in
+any time and will get maximal healing and damaging effect.
 
 ## Sleeve Draw
 
 * Should be used by CD.
+* Should be never used if you have Draw off cooldown.
 * Should be never used if you have drawn card.
 * Should be never used if you have Minor Arcana.
 
 You _can_ use it if you have holded card or you already have additional effect.
+There are situations during boss fights when all of your card slots are empty.
+It might be useful to wait have Expanded Royal Road before using Sleeve Draw.
+That way you are almost always guaranteed to have one of 3 DPS increase cards in
+your Draw or Spread slots (sometimes both). So if your draw CD is close and you
+have Sleeve Draw off CD it might be beneficial to wait for Draw and hope to get
+Expanded Royal Road first.
 
 # Role skills
 
@@ -332,7 +394,7 @@ Susano Extreme.
 * Balance is drawn
 
 Never use Sleeve Draw for your opener, let party wait for your deck, trust me,
-they wanna have good numbers during opener. Expanded Balance should be followed
+they want to have good numbers during opener. Expanded Balance should be followed
 by Celestial Opposition. Balance can be replaced by Arrow or Spear, but they are
 not so good as Balance is.
 
@@ -348,12 +410,15 @@ because have no ability to do precise metering. In general Crit Hit is better
 than Determination at least because of Lightspeed procs.
 * Another question is Determination vs Spell Speed. Before 4.0 usually Spell Speed
 and Determination had close values of stat weights. I would recommend you to
-prioritize Spell Speed over Determination as soon as it allows you to be more
+prioritize Spell Speed over Determination as it allows you to be more mobile.
-mobile.
+* You should get Piety as much as you are comfortable. But it should have the
-* You should get Piety as much as you are comfortable. But it should has the
+lowest priority. Try to use some Ethers. Piety is also depends on your party,
-lowest priority. Try to use some Ethers.
+their experience and their equipment.
 * You _can_ meld Direct Hit (healers gear does not have it itself), but it does
 not affect your healing potency, so I would prefer Crit Hit.
+* During savage progression I would recommend you to consider melding of some
+Vitality to your accessories as it will allow you to survive massive AoE easier.
+But as Piety it is better be replaced as soon as you are comfortable.
 
 # Potions and food
 
@@ -362,22 +427,32 @@ MP (it is probably not so actual with 4.0, but still useful sometimes, for examp
 right after ressurection). Mind potions is a good alternative to Largesse.
 
 In other hand you can choose any food you like and comfortable. I would prefer
-to up crit and spell speed.
+to up Crit Hit and Spell Speed.
 
 # Healing and damaging
 
 Being a healer you must maximize your DPS and minimize your HPS. It also should
-be accompanied by 99% uptime (when you cast anything). General tips are:
+be accompanied by 99% uptime (when you cast anything), it means that if there is
+nothing else to heal, you need to find something useful and effective to do -
+deal damage.
 
 * Never heal to 100%. The only one possible exception is healing tanks before
 tank buster (I'm not talking about doing mechanics here - like Doom, or Living
-Dead). Good choice is Aspected Helios with HoT effect. You are good if your
+Dead). Good choice is Aspected Helios with HoT effect.
-overheal is below 20-30% (some overheal is allowed because of HoT effects or if
+* The previous means that in general you don't need to keep tank's HP full. 50%
-you are going to shield members with full HP).
-* The previous mean that in general you don't need to keep tank's HP full. 50%
 and no tank buster expected? Okay, no heal for you then. Good example is Susano
 Extreme first phase - the only one skill I used to heal MT is Essential Dignity
 and Aspected Benefic sometimes.
+*  The question is how much overhealing is OK. First of all, we usually have
+regeneration applied on our main tank as it is the most effective way to deal with
+general boss auto attacks. Sometimes these tics heal more than necessary because
+the tank took less damage. And we can do nothing if our regeneration tics crit.
+The second part of overhealing comes from healing mass damage when only several
+party members suffered damage. For example, due to some mechanics 4 random people
+from your party received damage and your main tank (MT) is also receiving damage.
+If we use any of our mass-healing skills (Helios, Aspected Helios, Earthly Star),
+we will heal 5 people, but for 3 remaining this healing will result as overhealing.
+In my opinion you are good if your overheal is below 20-30%.
 * Know fight and your cast time, try to heal tank right after tank buster. It
 means that you need to start casting Benefic (II) during tank buster cast, not
 after. Same for AoE healing.
@@ -386,18 +461,19 @@ after. Same for AoE healing.
 (but don't use it if you can heal just by Benefic).
 * If you are main healier - your goal is to heal party, don't hope and don't
 trust your co-healer, if someone died because of lack of healing - it is your
-fault. In other hand if someone got additional damage because of mechanics -
+fault. On the other hand if someone got additional damage because of mechanics -
 teach them to heal themselves.
-* In other hand if you are off healer - healing is not your issue. Ask when your
+* On the other hand if you are off healer - healing is not your issue. Ask when
-co-healer needs help, and cast some Helios. But shielding tank on tank buster is
+your co-healer needs help, and cast some Helios. But shielding tank on tank buster
-usually mandatory in this case. If someone dies you are responsible for ressurection.
+is usually mandatory in this case. If someone dies you are responsible for
+ressurection.
 * As I said - know the fight. You don't need to heal party right after they got
 damage, usually you can wait several GCD (or use Aspected Helios/Diurnal). If
 they don't do mechanics they will die in this case of course, but it is not your
-issue ("dead DPS has zero DPS" ©).
+issue ("dead DPS has zero DPS" ©). P.S. Second Wind + HQ Max-Potion are amazing.
 * Combust II should be always up. Good time to use it - while you are moving -
 you can't cast anything with castbar, whereas Combust II has insta-cast.
-* If you have more than 1.5 sec free - cast Malefic III. You probably don't wanna
+* If you have more than 1.5 sec free - cast Malefic III. You probably don't want
-cast it too much having Lightspeed.
+to cast it too much having Lightspeed.
 * For adds in savage content (like A12S) you can use Gravity, it can be
 accompanied by Swiftcast by the way.