The only caveat I'd add is that, if you have full ready reduction (the Aby axe, the ASA pants, and 100 jp) you can crank out self skill chains just using your pet as quickly or quicker than a SCH depending on which pet you use. If you have the skill to make your own, the korrigan Mandy (can't remember his name off the top of my head) can self distortion using two 1 charge ready moves. Since distortion is the best skillchain for apex crawlers there is no reason you couldn't replace a SCH in an apex party. Obviously you will need the pet gear and acc to back that up, but do not be afraid to try. I've done apex with a bst providing the chains and the kills went very fast.