Given the "management" of Zen Sphere (10s CD, but 16s for it to explode) I'd probably argue that Chi Wave is still superior and much easier to maintain. Mess up a few Zen Spheres due to movement/rotational priority/overwriting it and it'll fall behind Chi Wave very quickly.
If not, even with perfect play it probably won't matter how much they buffed it - but tbh I really like the idea of a higher skill option there - it's all small gains, but it's nice to have little tricks that pay off for actual effort.