For AST changes, just potency buff malefic and combust...

[Verlyn]

I removed the Earthly Star change for that reason. I think just giving it earlier is probably fine.
I think Malefic does need a damage buff though. Raid dps contribution isn't everything--AST really struggles outside of dungeons.

But I will die on the hill that it does need a rework. Very badly. It is a functional kit, and that is the best thing I can say about it. Design-wise it's just so bland, with very few spells even attempting to convey the flavor of the job's lore and mechanics (surprise, those are my favorite spells of the whole lot). The card system, like I said, is a minigame. You feel obligated to do it because you are expected to, not because it creates any gameplay or purpose for you, the caster. There's no reason to divide the job into two like the stance system does either, unless you either want it to be a greater or lesser version of the other jobs. Very few of the skills feel fun and impactful to use. It's just a mess. I don't have the most intimate knowledge of what it was like before Shadowbringers, but I could give that the card system at least could do something for you back then if things went sideways.

That said, if it isn't going to get one, fixing the cards and tweaking Draw/Undraw would work wonders for the job's overall engagement.