AST Sect Theory

[GideonHighmourn]

snip

Again, you are completely ignoring the bonus healing offered by Diurnal's HoTs in favor of upfront healing with lower overall output. Not to mention Aspected Benefic is also instant cast and Benefic II is not; so the "upfront" heal of Nocturnal is even less so, since it's back loaded with a cast time compared to Dirunal's Aspected Benefic.

Dirunal > Nocturnal for healing throughput and efficiency; it doesn't need to be tested. Diurnal still has access to Benefic II, so you can easily stack HoTs and Benefic II if needed; Benefic II isn't exclusive to Nocturnal, and even while more potent in Nocturnal, isn't worth forgoing healing tics for when paired with SCH (which is what you're suggesting). The HoT's that Diurnal offer more than make up for the 5% difference.

You also lose out on CU's healing ticks, which while situational, are usually far more preferred to 10% DMG reduction. Also combined with CO + Dirunal HoTs, Dirunal pulls way ahead of Nocturnal for MP efficiency.