I had a knee-jerk response to the thought of AST losing regens, but them having shields only does fit thematically. I love my cards more than I love hots, I guess!

I'd also been thinking lately about that "smart" heal as you say, and wondering how intuitive/well that would work. Like an AOE heal that targets the lowest HP person in range, uses whatever potency to get them up, and if there is potency leftover, applies it to the next most in need, so the end result is everyone ending with balanced HP. So it'd be a great tankbuster heal, but would also be very strong in situations where the dps get targetted for a mechanic, so only those 2 or 4 that took intense damage get the healing, and it's more potent because it's not wasting heals on targets that don't need it. But that also seems crazy overpowered and would need some sort of cost.

I wonder what all regens all the time for WHM would look like. But maybe, Medica II has less of the front loaded heal, more potency to the hot? And Medica has a short duration, lower potency regen effect. Oh, and if we want WHM to be super healer, why not pay some homage to FFXI, where WHM rez was the best rez? They get a trait that makes their rez targets come back full health/mana? Not sure about how I feel about that as it would force WHM to be the primary rezzer, and we can't let all those RDMs off the hook.

Maybe WHM can get an ability (not a spell, because I do agree they have enough of those) that eats up all the hots on a target and turns that into either a big heal or some sort of buff? Like Indulgence reworked, and it could be targeted.

How would you feel about WHM getting another ground effect, or a stack with me effect? I always keep coming back to some sort of mitigation tool (not shields, maybe more like reduces damage gone) because at the end of the day, there's only so much that can be done with reactive heals.

How about a spell that either heals or damages depending on the target, something ogcd with a short recast timer? Also, WHM should get some sort of innovative mobility mechanic, by procs or cooldown or gauge.

Would it be too much to ask for a functional, actually instant Benediction?

Nerfing one class does not make another class more fun.

Taking away one class's special toys does not make another class more appealing. It makes that nerfed class less appealing, and there are less people willing to play it, so PF/DF becomes even more bottlenecked. So maybe there would be more "need" for WHM if AST became undesirable, but is that what we want? To be needed only because you're a warm body? WHM as a class deserves better.

Also, WHM should get an instant cast damage spell, maybe water or something. Not as strong as stone spam potency wise, but something worth using while moving.

I have a feeling that whatever SE decides to do with the healers, it's not going to go over well with the masses. :P