DRG vs SMN (which more easier to play)

So what are the pros and cons about DRG vs SMN and also kinda leaning towards DRG though (i like heavy armored class)

After leveling either of them to 60 in dungeons (not this fate nonsense that doesn't train players) either will start to seem easier. They are both staggeringly different in their playstyles but when you level either up you'll know what rotation works best and how to pull things off with either.

Neither are as difficult as machinist however, if that's what you're looking towards in fear of.

Just think if you'd rather spear something in the face with a massive burst and jump around or attack something with 100,000,000 wet rubber noodles.

Dragoon is much easier to play effectively imo

What do you consider harder. Hitting a bagillion buttons while setting up for a 15 second period of time in your rotation where you utterly wreck face? Or landing positionals on a mobile target in order to deal maximum dps? Let that inform you which you should consider as well.

Also SMN in a perfect world deals less DPS than a Dragoon so if that's something you care at all about consider it. That said that "perfect world" example doesn't exist often and in general if your target is Savage progression both classes are borderline required in every comp (Summoner is OP as fuck on both A1/2 Savage, Dragoon battle litany + insane ST damage/burst is greatly appreciated in all fights and super helpful in A3 Savage).

Lastly, you like Ranged or Melee more, quite simple but its important. Some people like getting up in the bosses face and caving it in, if your that kind of person play Dragoon. Others like the more tactical approach of standing back, surveying their surroundings and seeing the fight from as many angles as possible. If that's more your speed, SMN is up your alley.

Well i don't want to die much and able to move out of stuff fast and able to DPS fast and not relying on cooldown to stuff rotations

Just pick the one you thematically like.

Difficulty of play style and effectiveness changes over time from expansion to expansion - even patch to patch.

Don't know what i like atm (ATM do like mchs but gauss barrel is problem due to DPS)

It varies, depending on each person.

Try both, answer your own question.

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Originally Posted by SovereignAegis

attack something with 100,000,000 wet rubber noodles.

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Do you feel it, Mr Crabs?

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Originally Posted by HulveinBlitz

It varies, depending on each person.

Try both, answer your own question.

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I don't want to do both to 60 :( just want something i can do mechanics with well without being punished by AOES or stuns or one shot moves

that is still a hard one DRG is a good choice with a high hp/armor compared to the other melee dps. Being ranged takes out a few of the bosses aoes thou. SMN does have some cast times thou, not sure with the GB/MCH quote if you like them or not, if you don't drg is the easy answer.

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Originally Posted by Drakeos

So what are the pros and cons about DRG vs SMN and also kinda leaning towards DRG though (i like heavy armored class)

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DRG Pros
- High Dps
- High Burst
- Decent Mobility
- Good AOE
- Heavyish armor ( not as sturdy as tanks though )
- Can cross skill with decent self heals = monks second wind , Warriors blood bath .. not to mention Life Surge + Full thrust is a decent chunk of healing
- Good group utility
- AF2 armor looks sick as tits

DRG Cons
- The Rotation can be a pita ( requires a ton of practice )
- Melee means you'll likely get hit much more by AoE's
- The new positionals can be tricky

SMN pros
- Ranged and can more often dps from a safe or safer spot
- Rotation is relatively simple
- Godly AoE ability
- Resource efficient with proper management
- Good ST dps
- Contagion ( if timed correctly ) lets you extend your Dots and maintain dps during most mechanics / AoE dodging phases
- has a personal tank ( Titan egi ) incase you don't feel like getting hit while doing daily's / whatever

SMN Cons
- Cast times
- Pet management ( set up hot keys and keep pet on Obey )
- have to pace yourself with Aetherflow abilities as you only get 3 stacks on fairly long CD
- Armor doesn't look as good ( IMO )

Honestly you might even consider Monk as they are a bit easier than DRG and still have good DPS w/ 2 short Rotations as opposed to 2 crazy ones , and less buffs to manage, rotations can be setup in order for each positional requirement. something to consider i guess.

Hmm kinda leaning towards RDPS though (prefer to be safer)

summoner is ranged dps and more keeping track of buffs (aethertail attument, aetherflow stacks, dreadwyrm trance) and if you're into using pets for fighting too that'd be summoner

can't really speak for dragoon

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Originally Posted by Drakeos

I don't want to do both to 60 :( just want something i can do mechanics with well without being punished by AOES or stuns or one shot moves

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It almost sounds like Ninja is right up your alley with what you just said Ninja covers all these bases with good speed, physical dodge ability that works on anything that deals physical damage and has a really easy rotation to follow. This guy does a good job on portraying Ninja https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oe60SVllWOs Take a look a see if it interests you. I'm thinking of dropping my Summoner for Ninja because I play the job better and I appear to get a lot of commendations from lots of parties so that's my reason for going more towards Ninja but check out the job and see if you like it.

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Originally Posted by Drakeos

I don't want to do both to 60 :( just want something i can do mechanics with well without being punished by AOES or stuns or one shot moves

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EVERY class is affected by that kind of thing. You can't just say "oh I'm ranged therefore I have less AOEs to deal with!" because for every boss radius AOE there are 2 or 3 target the ground under range DPS feet mechanics, both of which will one shot you.

Now if you're looking for a class that is less PUNISHED for having to deal with those mechanics, I.E. you lose less DPS dodging, then assuming Bard and Machinist are out of the question then Summoner is the least affected DPS by movement of the two.

Come on guys it's not about the ease of playing it's all about the {Full Thrust}{Lalafell's}{rear}{Bloodbath}{Internal Release}{Oops!}{Pull back.}{Satisfaction} Combo from that lance wielding DRG!

But each comes with it's own learning curve I suppose. Can't say much until you've tried them both and see which one you like better. But really all I wanted to do was post that DRG combo, haha.

DRG is the most fun cus I said so.

lol but SMN has more easy and is more aware of his/her surrounding

They're about the same difficulty, but Summoner is more annoying in a lot of ways compared to Dragoon.

Pet mechanics remain as terribly unpolished as they were in vanilla (Garuda refuses to Contagion after mashing it for 2-3 seconds, can't order Contagion while casting, woo), and you have to micro their positioning such that if you don't know, tunnel vision, or forget about a mechanic you're going to have to resummon your pet after it dies a horrible death (Ifrit will killed by melee AoE, Garuda will happily sit in AoE mechanics).

It isn't really hard to watch DoT timers, but its a lot more annoying than the simple HT -> CT combo -> Phl -> FT combo of the Dragoon. Dragoon does have to watch a lot more oGCD timers though.

Follow your heart, young one. They're both very different classes with different playstyles, and hard in their own ways. They are also easy enough that you could enjoy playing as either of them, so just pick up whichever one strikes your fancy - level them a bit to get a feel for it, and then decide.

Tbh i like the SMN gameplay but still will find out more when i get to 60 on MCH :P

i main both and have them geared almost equally (drg gets eso, smn gets alex)
if im running dungeon i prefer smn because their aoe completely wreck faces (although drg isnt too bad with aoe either)
but for progression stuff or if i wanna flex dps muscle and top parse or something i usually go drg since its the one im most comfortable with

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Originally Posted by Sacerdos

They're about the same difficulty, but Summoner is more annoying in a lot of ways compared to Dragoon.

Pet mechanics remain as terribly unpolished as they were in vanilla (Garuda refuses to Contagion after mashing it for 2-3 seconds, can't order Contagion while casting, woo), and you have to micro their positioning such that if you don't know, tunnel vision, or forget about a mechanic you're going to have to resummon your pet after it dies a horrible death (Ifrit will killed by melee AoE, Garuda will happily sit in AoE mechanics).

It isn't really hard to watch DoT timers, but its a lot more annoying than the simple HT -> CT combo -> Phl -> FT combo of the Dragoon. Dragoon does have to watch a lot more oGCD timers though.

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I'm not sure when you actually last played SMN but you can order your pet to use abilities whilst casting. The only time you can't order your pet to do something is when you're stunned. As for mashing the skill for a few seconds: the pets have a skill queue, just press the skill once and they'll use it when they complete their current action. Yes there can be a 1-2 second delay but it's negligible if you order Contagion to be used whilst you're mid-cast on another spell.

As for the OP it sounds like you prefer ranged so go for SMN. We might not be the highest DPS but we have the best AOE by far and we can currently score the highest crits in the game (9-10k Deathflares are incredibly satisfying).

SMNs also have the best looking ESO set. ;D

SMN does have the best looking esoterics set, followed by dragoon. The two best DD's in the game.

Cool my heart is set on SMN :)

Play BLM then. That fits all of your criteria.

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Originally Posted by Illa

Play BLM then. That fits all of your criteria.

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I dislike casting bars im more of instant DPS

SMN would be perfect for you and you can play it safe (solo titan is your tank + chocobo) but in raids use iffy or gaurda for DPS :)