How could you do this to AST?

[MintnHoney]

I really don't see what about barriers specifically makes a job appealing any more or less than a regen does.

Difference in playstyle.
The removal of Noct sect is the removal of a playstyle on AST, even if you view the difference as minor. I suspect minimizing the number of playstyles per class is the true objective of Squeen, in this case, as it's easier to mathematically map out their battles if all classes only have 1 style of play.