WHM getting progressively more unnecessary in content?

[Exiled_Tonberry]

This also happens to be one of the best DPS combinations. The WHM can fire & forget regens, asylum etc etc and Cleric spam for dayz to abuse their ridiculous DPS while the AST can still contribute rDPS even in cleric.

In a perfect world, it would work like this and be awesome.
Unfortunately, there are multiple issues with this composition when it comes to getting out optimal healer dps.

First, And most obviously, WHM MP issues. Between constantly throwing out regens and DPSing, you'll be begging for Ballad 4 minutes in the fight.

Second, the lack of a fairy is technically one less regen ticking on the tank for no MP cost, which means you'll have to cradle the tank much more than normally.

Third, the fairy offers additional aoe regen and what is essentially a second Divine Seal making healing even easier. AST lacks all of this, which means you have to make it all up with less cleric stsnce uptime.

Like I said it's definitely the superior healing composition, but it's nowhere near optimal for dps.

I'd also like to note that the only "fire and forget" regen WHM has is Asylum. No ETCs.
Regen and Medica II are things you manage. Eos is something you forget about as it auto heals your party.

[Kabzy]

Eos is something you forget about as it auto heals your party.

Not really, a good SCH will manage both Embrace as well as all the fairy CDs. I agree it's easier for SCH to keep healing up while DPSing, but lets not completely discredit them. It's not braindead like you're saying.

[technole]

This also happens to be one of the best DPS combinations. The WHM can fire & forget regens, asylum etc etc and Cleric spam for dayz to abuse their ridiculous DPS while the AST can still contribute rDPS even in cleric.

Yep, AST/WHM is a much better comp this go-around. What I find some groups don't seem to synergize it optimally. As the N.AST should be the "main healer" in a sense because with same gear level, Benefic > Cure due to the stance healing buff. With this in-mind that allows the WHM to support them with AoE regens, and sustain DoT DPS more freely.

Not really, a good SCH will manage both Embrace as well as all the fairy CDs. I agree it's easier for SCH to keep healing up while DPSing, but lets not completely discredit them. It's not braindead like you're saying.

Agreed. The difference between a good and an average SCH is seen immediately from their Embrace and their pet cooldown management. Are they supporting their co-healer with skills and cooldowns so they don't have to spend more time healing than they should freeing them as well to put DPS DoTs up.