I have to voice AGAINST the change unfortunately.
I do not use tomes, but when I do I do not use tomes for the proposed changes they have.
Currently tome mechanics favor the usage of spamming 1 for both tomes.
Tome of Courage you were provided with a significant group heal that could be layers with multiple guardians with high effects in WvW and moderate effect in sPvP. Open world boss PvP it was moderate to low usage.
The remaining skills on the Tome transition were forgettable except for that enticing AoE “full” heal, but it took some setup to use without getting interrupted (risk vs reward).
The blind/protection/condition removal/regen boon were less noticeable in effect and often used at the expense of casting the spamable heal or full heal. The AoE daze did have some clutch usage, and was a welcome tool set on the tome.
By changing the tome of courage into a signet we lose a daze and a controlled spamable heal to fight against spamable attacks by opposing groups.
Tome of Wrath also so its primary use by spamming 1 and raining direct damage and condition damage on an opposing group. The haste and AoE knock down were flashy and could be clutch, but at the end of the day, being able to control an area with consistent damage on a point was the reason to take the tome if any.
The weakness/cripple/might/swiftness are laughable and ignored much as the utility effects on tome of courage were.
So changing Tome of Wrath into a shout we lose the ability to put damage pressure on a point and aoe control via knock down.
The two bolded lines saying what we lose are the only reason, I feel anyone takes the tomes and they were useful, but not useful enough reasons when paired against the losses in effect you had from losing your weapon set and utility skills for having tomes active.
TLDR:
I think a buff to tomes with maintaining the primary heal/damage ability of the tomes would help keep them unique enough and clutch enough in a fight would be more beneficial than watering down the skills to a shout and signet.Shorter cooldowns? Longer durations? Higher damage/heal numbers? I am not in favor of taking them away, even though I don’t use them, I see the potential and we would lose that potential if they are removed and changed.
Courage I can see people wanting to keep it wrath,not so much. Conflagrate did less damage than symbol of wrath + whirling wrath in the same time frame to multiple targets. Zealots fervor was the only reason to use tome of wrath when mesmers were not around and a shout makes it better than the tome. binding blade, wards, heck even shelter make better AoE CC not taking into account the new DH AoE CC.