Are role actions a nerf?

[Thunda_Cat_SMASH]

same with protect and provoke.

As far as Provoke is, that's open for debate. If you aren't in content where tank swaps are required, then you probably don't need Provoke except for those cases when you die because your healer was too zealous with dps and forgot to perform their role. It's certainly a safety net, but when there's no tank swaps needed, that's all it really is.