Regarding AST

[Kabzy]

Those buffs are ridiculous, yes, but I wouldn't agree that AST needs no changes.

N.AST is pretty outclassed by SCH now, but it doesn't seem like they'll ever get that balance right. Even utility wise they are potentially coming short. D.AST is a little more tricky. WHM is strong, and got the best buff in 4.2 with DB requiring no Lilles, but any buffs to D.ASTs kit could potentially murder WHM again.

I still stand by what I said in 3.x, I think a 4th healer needs to make an appearance and AST needs to get one sect removed. AST is still a pain to balance, and because healer balance is still decent atm, it probably would be best to leave them untouched for now. It has its place over WHM in speed running comps, and aside from lame shield buffs, I can't see what else they could do to buff the job to make it more competitive with SCH.

(Basically, I feel like if any healer needs a bit of attention, it's probably AST over the other two. But I can't think of anything they could do without ruining the other two jobs, mostly WHM.)

[Malkria]

Remove a sect? The whole draw of the AST is that it is versatile and can switch up what it is doing depending on the situation. If anything it's only real drawback far as I can see is it's MP management is worse then the other two now. So if anything I would change synastry to also give some mp back when the target takes damage just as we give some healing for every spell. But removing a sect would either just make it a poor man's WHM or SCH that has a buffing mechanic, instead of the versatile healer that can adapt to any party or situation as needed.

For spire changes, I actually have two ideas. One is that it places a buff that acts like a reverse MCH's Wyldfire. Basically it takes all the damage a target receives and gives it back to the source at maybe 25% (probably less). The other is simply to make it a decent HoT that gives AST another healing option. Which would be nice if you are in the noct sect.