Another comparation between AST and WHM

[Miiu]

You should pace yourself, it sounds like you planted your face on that desk one too many times already, plus you didn't have an answer.

If AST healing was as effective as WHM at healing, AST = WHM + cards + more accessible insta-heals. Why should anyone take WHM at that point?

First of all you said: Assume for a moment that the potencies of WHM and AST were the same. Why should anyone take a WHM at that point?"

Now you're saying what if AST was as effective as WHM at healing. That is a completely different question. Because if you'd just make the potencies equal to WHM on the skills they have the answer to your original question would be: No.
People have said over and over again that the lower potencies of AST are not the main problem with the class. The problem is the ineffectiveness of their available cooldowns not only in length but in how they work. They don't offer the same safety net the other two jobs provide. Not even with their buffs do they catch up.

Now to your second question: If AST was as an effective healer as WHM + Card buffs would AST be favored over WHM? Yes.