swiftcast > flare = 1.6k damage to all plumes; if it crits, plume is dead. This takes all of 2 seconds.
BLM destroys SMN on Garuda.
This was my point on why DRG > Bards, besides having a higher potency GCD skill with a 10% damage buff, we have a stronger invigorate and our skills cost less TP than theirs. Even if they get a "free" proc, just ours costing less essentially means we get a "free" ability use every 3 uses compared to their "chance" at a free skill.
BLMs might be kings of damage for AOE, but they are also kings of dying instantly if they happen to damage too much and aggro half the Turn 4 mobs. Where DRG can tank Turn 4 adds just fine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4tTWd20MYI
Seems like a lot of work. I just use flare, and the plumes are all dead.
My group doesnt have this problem. At most, I'll have agro on one mob that mightve been crit too hard off a flare. One use of surecast for my next flare is all I need to take care of that. The only reason BLM would take mass agro during AOE portions is if theyre popping cooldowns/ethers for flares, which you should not be doing - the extra AOE DPS is unnecessary then, save CDs for dreadnoughts.