Honestly I am not sure if the devs meant to do this but the Jade Dragon sphere feels like the sand scourge's sand shroud and I think it would be 100 times better if it was treated as such.
Simple fixes that I feel would make this skill better.
1) Jade Dragon sphere stays out longer and can recharge energy while it is out, maybe even make the elite temporarily stop energy drain on it while doing something cool based on the augment that is out when cast.
2) Treat the Jade dragon sphere more like the sand shroud and make it a support ability. So want to cast it where your party is. Then when you use an Augment skill if it matches the element first, it will give you both buffs regardless if you are in it or not. Second, it will give anyone inside the sphere aoe one of the buffs, whichever is least op, or both as well if that wouldnt be OP.
So for example if everyone is in the earth aoe and use use the earth augment you block and gain a barrier, your allies gain a barrier, with the water sphere you gain splash damage and chill your allies start doing chills on hit, etc.
3) Make a trait for those that want to melee that makes the sphere get placed at your feet or attach to you on cast instead of being targeted and you get some extra buff of some form depending on the element.