Tabula Rasa Vault recently posted a Dev Q&A, and a few patch 1.7 previews were included. Specialists are getting thrown a bone.

- Tools -

-Tools do not drop. This is of even higher concern now that tools are nerfed. Purple tools are legacy items only, carried over from when some instance quests rewarded people with purple tools. - Tools do not crit. Regardless of how much spirit you have, tools will never crit.

Dev_Harleyquin: There have been many concerns voiced about tools and to address some of those concerns tools will be getting a small change in 1.7. Conical and repair tools will be combined into on Area of Effect tool. Tools will also be added to the drop tables so players will begin to see more rare healing tools soon.

See the full posting here, then comment in the Tabula Rasa Community Forums.