I've largely been staying out of this one, but fish, i take issue with one of your points:

2) If the minor dies, all the cards can be used to heal. Not necessarily the best tactical option but by no means dead. However, any card of Vader's that targets minors now has no target. So the exchange is very much not in Vader's favor.

"Why can't you Jedi just do things the simple way?" - Kyle Katarn