Do AST really need this Buff?

[LegoTechnic]

I had been a firm SCH and WHM mainly do to feeling safer DPSing on those jobs while being able to maintain party health. Once I started to see all these AST buffs, I took it out for a ride.

Ran Dun Scath (I know it isn't difficult) but even before these buffs 2 AST (myself included) had balance up I would say about 75% of the time with no healing issues and once Cleric Stance dies DPSing on it will be much easier. I can't imagine a scenario where 2 ASTs, even in the current state, would be out shined by any other combination of healers. Once these buffs hit, if they hit in their current renditions, there will be no contest. The other healers will be personal preferences only and simply will not be able to compete. AST really doesn't need these buffs and I think SE realizes that and will not implement them as they are currently understood.

Progression raiding is a different matter. Not only do you not want that hit to limit break generation that comes from multiple of the same class, but there are tools WHM and SCH bring that are either beneficial or simply easier to use. If you're running a DRK tank (and let's be clear, for most of HW everyone was), then Benediction turns Walking Dead into a triviality and lets you easily milk a good 10 seconds out of it, not counting the initial Living Dead timer. SCH's have indomitability which is just ridiculously useful as a reaction cover in between big explosions, and while it's sometimes a liability (see: Brute Justice targetting it for beam attacks) the fairy is a solid support tool that can even give the AST a free extra divine seal as a casual bonus.

In other content, including primals, dungeons, and whatever else you can think of then you're right, it legitimately doesn't matter, but then group composition as a whole is irrelevant, as you can clear that content with pretty much anything so long as you can dance the shuffle. Granted you probably don't want double SCH for a lot of things given their shields can't stack (whereas regens will), but you can get by if you have to.