Please think of better ways to lessen class skill gaps than removing abilities.

[Silver-Strider]

I view the entire button bloat argument as just an excuse to homogenize classes so they're easier to balance, regardless of how detrimental to class identity and enjoyment it might be. If it was truly a concern, why do skills like Undraw, Repose, Anatman, etc exist?

[Rilifane]

I view the entire button bloat argument as just an excuse to homogenize classes so they're easier to balance, regardless of how detrimental to class identity and enjoyment it might be. If it was truly a concern, why do skills like Undraw, Repose, Anatman, etc exist?

Exactly.
That is why "But console players!!" is such a bullshit argument. They have plenty of opportunities on every single class to merge and adjust skills to reduce the number of buttons without changing the gameplay in any noticeable way.
Having a skill gap, even a fairly big one, is fine. The only thing that truly matters for new players is how accessible a class is at its skill floor and if it's fine to play at skill floor level to clear mandatory (= MSQ) content. Both things can easily be accomplished without closing the gap between skill floor and skill ceiling by constantly bringing the skill ceiling down.
Everyone can clear content by playing at skill floor level. There is no necessesity for an accessible skill ceiling, nobody is entitled to being able to easily play well. I'm not a good SAM and that's okay because I don't spend time actively trying to improve. So why should someone that does want to put in the work be forced to play at my level?

Button bloat and action bloat sounds more and more like an excuse. They didn't reduce action bloat. All the kenki gets used on Shinten spam instead, number of actions remained the same.