How many of the WS are gamebreakingly worth getting, though? It's not like they're all best-in-class skills. Most are a sidegrade at best next to their respective Empyrean WS, with or without Aftermath.

Honestly it feels more like a casual alternative to Empyreans to me. If you can't get Smite, get Shijin Spiral. If you don't have Drakesbane, get Stardriver. If you don't have Torcleaver, get Resolution. If you don't have a Mandau, get the dagger WS that I can't be assed to spell. You get a free pass on being awesome through merits without having to build an ultimate weapon.

The only really ridiculous Empyrean-killer in the bunch (disclaimer: For melee DD jobs) is Shoha. Oh god, Shoha.