According to FFLogs, AST pDPS >= WHM pDPS in 4.3

[Exiled_Tonberry]

No, ironically, in 2.x WHM had utility. It was stripped for fear WHM would become mandatory.

Are you referring to Stoneskin II? That's still suck a shame, considering AST and SCH both have skills that can be considered mandatory in raids (SCH especially).
It almost feels like they hand select which jobs to meticulously balance, and which jobs to just go all out and break.