People who likely only played SCH on it's initial release aside, it was a great job and in other FF games that they exist they play in a similar fashion. XI's incoporation of it was because face it, you either have White Magic, Black Magic or Fell Magic (Blue), a SCH is definitely not a Blue Mage. SCH's also had the ability to control weather activated gear and bonuses, something no other mage can directly control outside of having Sea access for Obis.

A SCH can also directly control hate levels. So yes, SCH did indeed bring something different to the table. This is not a SCH, but I would rather see them use a Grimoire.