Yeah, AST/SCH is the speed run combo. The current dream comp is DRK/WAR/AST/SCH/NIN/DRG/BRD/MCH. Although you can swap MCH for a caster just fine, just the double ranged utility is a bit overpowered this tier. PLD, MNK, and WHM are the least desired.

Quote Originally Posted by Exiled_Tonberry View Post
The only situation where WHM/AST would be useful is in first couple of weeks progression. After that you're going to toss the WHM because there's no reason for the extra safe healing.
And even that's debatable because AST can heal just as well as WHM in diurnal.
It's a fallacy to think WHM is "safer" for progression, it's not. AST mitigation and buff toolkit is too good to ignore this tier. It's also no coincidence world first Creator Savage was AST/SCH and their DPS was much higher than the subsequent followers that brought White Mage.

Quote Originally Posted by Yeol View Post
Same can be said to PLD. They are good for progresstion and then replaced with DRK mostly.
Nope. PLD hasn't been optimal for progression since DRK was introduced in 3.0.

Absolutely DRK>>>>PLD in A12S cause it's all magic, again. Their Dark Mind cooldown cuts down on tank swaps and also brings more DPS. Despite PLD buffs, and QoL changes last cycle they are still quite a bit behind.