Is there a rough ETA for this so I can plan out a timeline for work I'd like to do on my "Lite" tools? "Rough" as in early/mid/late [month], (eg: "early August") would be plenty. PM would be fine if you don't want to commit publicly; I promise I won't tell anyone.
As for the changes, my initial (only) thoughts:
1) The pet line looks like it will continue to be WAY overpriced for what you get. Right now on live, if we're being very charitable, a maxed out wizard pet is okay at best, yet that mediocre feature costs a staggering 15 AP. After the changes I expect the pet performance will be roughly the same, but hopefully the costs will be much cheaper. Ideally in the 4 to 6 AP range for what you get, but it appears it'll either be 9 AP or 12 AP depending on if the first tier is 1 AP or 2 AP per rank. Either way that's too expensive. My suggestion is to make all three of the pet enhancements 1 rank each, 2 AP per rank, for a total of 6 AP if you max the pet line. For balance, drop the player benefits and keep them pet-only.
2) This is a clear (but welcome!) item tax for pale masters. Pretty much every pale master will still want and need everything they currently have, but now you have to slot in an extra item effect or three for healing amp. (Equipment, Exceptional, Quality, ...?)
3) The SLA changes are win.