I can't comment about ast in savage, but in the expert dungeons or normal alex, I have not ran into the difficulty so many people are talking about even in such simple content. Even in full pug, where things go wrong. Especially since the recent buffs we got.

Synastry and Lightspeed actually saved us from wiping on a big pull in neverreap, where I know if I was on WHM it would have been a wipe.

But, I do still think ast does need a buff for nocturnal sect. I was talking to a friend about CO in noct sect, and his idea was that it should increase potency. Of both cards and shields.