If you weren't allowed to macro 50 pieces for a single action, and were only able to have one single set (start to finish of fight), What would you chose?
Stupid question. I'm just going to assume that you mean you can't be using macros for precast/midcast on spammed spells (I don't since I don't use third party tools; I do just fine).
As a White Mage you don't really need to macro much. You're still gimp if you don't macro at all (for example, your barspells), and if that's really asking for much, then you're playing the wrong game.
Still, if this was a list of gear you could magically get with no effort and I wasn't allowed to choose Mjollnir 99 / Kraken Club (actually, I'd choose a Yagrush 99 if it was any gear I wanted, that one is harder to get) as part of the set, this is what I would get:
It looks weird, but it gets 50% Cure Potency, while getting the Afflatus maxed, and while getting as much Fast Cast and Haste as possible. With Light Arts and Haste up you'll be casting 52% Cure Cast Time Reduction, 43% Recast reduction (this is way more important then many people act like it is, you're gonna be getting roughly twice the amount of cures in).
There are a lot of corners you can cut with this set, it is more of a philosophy. Really, as long as you're getting your AF3 pants, 40%+ cure potency, and some haste gear, then keep Afflatus Solace, Light Arts, and Haste up, you'll be performing better then the vast majority of WHM.
To improve this set I'd say macro in a Heka's for Curaga spells.
And seriously, have a Barspell/Enhancing set ready. Here is the one Aleste lists:
You should also have a Sheltered Ring in this set with the pants so that when you cast your buffed Shellra spells you get the most out of them.
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I almost forgot, a Refresh set helps too, carry one of those if you have the room. It is more extra then the rest of the gear especially if you have Red Mage, Bard, Atma or Temps to support you but you can puke cures out endlessly with more refresh.