When it comes to looks and mechanics, the Astrologian job is one of the flashiest in FFXIV. This healing class you can get once you reach Heavensward is a fantastic pure healer with some deep RNG mechanics you must master for any content you do. While you won’t solo things with this or use it for places such as Palace of the Dead or Heaven on High, it is still a sought-after job for other raids and trials. So, if you want to know a bit more about the Astrologian job in FFXIV, we’ve compiled a guide with everything you need to get the hang of this healing class.
Astrologian Guide for FFXIV
(This guide was based on details featured in The Balance community of FFXIV along with personal experience. We’ll update it as new patches launch.)
Astrologian is one of the jobs introduced in FFXIV: Heavensward alongside Machinist and Dark Knight. This job is comparable to White Mage as both fall into the “pure healer” category, which means they forgo shields and use raw healing spells instead. While it is a class with some of the best looks in the game and extremely flashy spells, it can be overwhelming for the new Warriors of Light. But with the right guide, mastering the Astrologian in FFXIV should be a cakewalk.
Unlocking the Astrologian
Before we delve into the meaty part of this guide, it is important to learn how to unlock this healing class. If you’re a new Warrior of Light, here’s what you must do:
- Finish A Realm Reborn’s MSQ until Before the Dawn.
- Once you get access to Ishgard, head to The Astrologian’s Guild and grab the What’s Your Sign Quest (Level 50).
- Continue the quest line and complete the Stairway to Heaven quest. This will unlock the Astrologian job at level 30.
If you’d like, we have a guide on how to level alt jobs quickly. On the other hand, if you’re a new player, I recommend taking this job through the MSQ for fast experience gains.
Core Mechanics
Part of why Astrologian is such a sought-after class in FFXIV is its unique mechanic of drawing cards. This class uses tarot-like cards to buff party members and the player. It is a fantastic gimmick that makes it the most hands-on healer and one of the most fun to play. However, there’s a lot of frustration due to the RNG factor weaved into the drawing of cards. Before you grab this as your main healer, it is important to learn a bit about the following:
- When the Astrologian reaches level 30, they unlock their job gauge.
- This gauge displays the card they draw during combat.
- To distinguish cards easily, the ones with blue edges are for melee characters, and the ones with purple are for ranged characters.
- This means that when you get a blue card (Balance, Arrow, Spear), you must use it on a Melee DPS or Tank. If you get purple, use it on Ranged DPS or healer, preferably the former, though.
- Minor Arcana are used for AoE damage or healing. Lord of Crowns for DPS, Lady of Crowns for heals.
- At level 50, they get the seal gauge. Each seal provides a buff for the Astrologian.
- 1 Seal = Harmony of Spirit: Restores MP.
- 2 Seals = Harmony of Spirit and Body: Restores MP and shortens spell-casting time.
- 3 Seals = Harmony of Spirit, Body, and Mind: Restores MP, shortens spell-casting speed, and increases damage and healing output.
- Ideally, you always want to have three different seals to obtain the best buff.
Overall, more than a healer, the Astrologian also works as a buffer, contrary to other healing jobs. Your task in any fight is assigning the right cards to the right players, keeping your seals up to buff yourself, and healing everyone when needed. It’s very RNG-dependent, but getting the right cards can be very rewarding.
As for rotation, I recommend always opening with Draw, starting buffing players, and weaving in Divination for the party buff. If this is your first time healing, it is better to try playing as a Sage or White Mage, as they are a bit easier to learn for first-timers.
Best-in-Slot Gear
This next part is for max-level players only who want to gear up for endgame content. Like many more casters, the Astrologian benefits from increased spell speed and critical stats for its heals. When it comes to melding materia, you should focus on those two stats, with the former being more important as we want to reach that sweet 2.29 cooldown spot. To do so, here’s the gear you should get:
| Gear | How to Obtain | Materia |
|---|---|---|
| Mandervillous Torquetum | Manderville Relic Weapon Quest | N/A |
| Augmented Credendum Circlet of Healing | Tome gear you can augment with Divine Twine. | Quicktongue Materia X x2 |
| Augmented Credendum Earrings of Healing | Tome gear you can augment with Divine Shine. | Savage Aim Materia X x1 Quicktongue Materia X x1 |
| Ascension Robe of Healing | Obtained by exchanging currency after completing PS11 (The Eleventh Circle Savage). | Quicktongue Materia X x2 |
| Ascension Necklace of Healing | Obtained by exchanging currency after completing PS9 (The Ninth Circle Savage). | Quicktongue Materia X x1 Heaven’s Eye Materia X x1 |
| Augmented Credendum Gauntlets of Healing | Tome gear you can augment with Divine Twine. | Quicktongue Materia X x2 |
| Ascension Bracelet of Healing | Obtained by exchanging currency after completing PS9 (The Ninth Circle Savage). | Quicktongue Materia X x2 |
| Augmented Credendum Hose of Healing | Tome gear you can augment with Divine Twine. | Quicktongue Materia X x2 |
| Ascension Sandals of Healing | Obtained by exchanging currency after completing PS10 (The Tenth Circle Savage). | Quicktongue Materia X x2 |
| Augmented Credendum Ring of Healing | Tome gear you can augment with Divine Shine. | Quicktongue Materia X x2 |
| Credendum Ring of Healing | Purchasable with Tomestones of Comedy (375). | Quicktongue Materia X x1 Savage Might Materia X x1 |
If you’re having trouble with getting this raid, I recommend sticking with Augmented Gear first, as it is a bit easier to get, and once you get a Party Finder group, you can start farming Savage content.
Overall, the Astrologian job in FFXIV can be overwhelming if you don’t have a guide with you at all times. Of all the healing classes in the game, I feel this is the most challenging to master but the most rewarding to play at the same time. It requires a lot of practice and being on your feet at all times, but if you’re looking for a healer who keeps you on your toes during a fight, you can’t go wrong with this fortune-teller.
