Your general point about SP conservation is a good one.
However, I reccommend that clerics use low level spells to heal with - because they are more efficient. I only use higher lvl heal spells when party members are in peril... and never outside of combat. Explain to party members that you will take longer healing them.... but won't run out of SPs when they really need you.
setting olympic record for drowning deaths ...
UPDATE
At the request of some folks I have added a section to the guide to calculate your healing and compare builds. An example is included in the guide and a further example follows:
On my battle cleric I have recently questioned what is the loss of efficiency by using Cure Mass Serious + Belt of the Seven Ideals vs Cure Mass Moderate + Beacon of Tira.
For those not in the know:
Belt of the Seven Ideals has Improved Potency VII
Beacon of Tira has Superior Potency VI
Belt of the Seven Ideals Calc:
From the charts we find the +%/SP for Maximize (no VoD gloves), Improved Potency, and Cure Serious to be 4.00% and the SP cost to be 65 SP.
Cure Serious in this scenario heals for (18 - 39) * (.04 bonus/SP)(65 SP) * (1.4 Devotion IV) = 65.5 - 142 HP or 104 HP Avg
Beacon of Tira Calc:
From the charts we find the +%/SP for Maximize (no VoD gloves), Superior Potency, and Cure Moderate to be 5.00% and the SP cost to be 60 SP.
Cure Moderate in this scenario heals for (17 - 31) * (.05 bonus/SP)(60 SP) * (1.4 Devotion IV) = 71.4 - 130.2 HP or 100.8 HP Avg
I have a small SP pool at level 17 of just 1400 SP.
Belt of VII Ideals total HP healed = (1400 SP / 65 SP)(104 HP) = 2240 HP
Beacon of Tira total HP healed = (1400 SP / 60 SP)(100.8 HP) = 2352 HP
Comparison: 2352/2240 = 1.05 or just a 5% increase in efficiency.
UPDATE
This guide has been updated to reflect some changes from the increased level cap, fixed typos, etc.
I did this work because I am seeing more and more new players overhealing in simple raids like Shroud and running out of SP when they shouldn't. Favored Souls actually seem the worst at this as if they made no attempt to capitalize on everything that could improve their healing.
Val
Great guide. Seems timeless.
"Isn't it enough to know that I ruined a pony making a gift for you?" -JC