Chemist or Priest?

[Azure Chrysanthemum]

Sometimes. I'd say it's a small price to pay for the power it grants you. Much more reliable than items in my opinion.

[ShadyMilkman]

My theory was always, don't bother healing. Just make sure you don't have to. Reaction abilities like Dragon Spirit, Blade Grasp, Hamedo, and Abandon kept me from ever doing things the "right" way. I never healed people. Just don't let them die. Or, equip Angel Ring or Chantage so, if they do, who cares? Besides, even if someone dies, with classes like Ninjas and Calculators...you could easily just wipe out all the other enemies in the three turns you're allowed before your homie crystalizes. So, I guess my answer to the Chemist or Priest question is: neither. Just get Blade Grasp as soon as you can and use Cheer Up alot. Most of my characters have a Brave rating of 97, the highest the game allows you to retain outside of battle. That's my theory, anyway.

[Azure Chrysanthemum]

When you start out you almost have to have some sort of healer in your group, and by the end of it I don't believe it to be any less important. Also, many of the skills you mentioned aren't 100% effective or are exclusive to certain things. Hamendo doesn't do much against Fire 3 or any monster's attack, for example.

Angel Rings are usually a good thing to have, but they only cast Reraise once and when they do you are VERY weak. Dragon Spirit, while effective once, leaves you very weak. You aren't too likely to get hit less than 10 so that you can survive and cast Dragon Spirit again.

I think the ONLY skill that could POSSIBLY invalidate the need for a healer is Auto-Potion with only X-Potions in your inventory. However, near the end enemies do far more damage than that, so I don't see it as an effective strategy.