Fantastic, well thought out, well argued reply. 10/10 for effort. The evidence you have just supplied is so compelling i think i will now approach the devs and ask them to remove AST from the game based on the evidence of this response, its just so strong.........
The buffing capabilities from AST are exceptionally strong when used correctly. They are a burst buffing class, unlike SCH since selene buff. The ability to significantly manipulate things like burst dps checks with Balance, mitigate huge tank busters with Bole, reduce healing costs and blm costs through Ewer etc.
Eye for an Eye is avilable on all other caster classes, Supervirus is brought by 2 jobs, sacred soils has its AST equivalent.
Disable is a brilliant ability that can stack with virus and more.
