Reducing Purify cooldown made sure that SMN burst was more manageable and yet not impact its DPS in PvE settings. SMNs can still smash faces of course, like binding their targets and force a Purify, then smacking with their instant combos.

Astros definitely needed buffs in PvE but that has brought some interesting changes to PvP. All I can say is, a Monk with 1-Ilm punch will make short work of Astros/Scholars. Or at least make their life a living hell.