Some surprising data in regards to SMN dps vs BLM dps

[Aronos]

So, for the past month or so I've primarily played BLM. However, after getting my +1 Relic this week, I decided that since I already had a full Darklight set for BLM, I might as well get my SMN relic as well. BLM has always stood out to me as a high damage class that in a fight requiring little movment, does insane damage. I had always assumed that SMN would be great dps as well, but like many others, also thought that in a mobile fight, SMN would come out on top and BLM would fall short.

Intrigued, I decided to delve further into actually testing these theories instead of merely speculating. After playing with a parser and finally running the numbers and I was shocked by the results.

[Aronos]

After running three seperate tests for each class, the results were roughly the same each time. In my final test you can see the results of both five minute dps tests for each class. If you look at the attached image, you will see that after an unbroken, five minute constant dps test on dummies my BLM finished at 247 dps. My SMN on the other hand, finished off at 321 dps.

Based on these results, my SMN was doing more damage without even using her pet and with a ilvl 60 weapon vs ilvl 90! Nevermind the fact that both tests were done in a stationary state where I would have expected the BLM to win by a landslide. I can't imagine how much more the dps BLM would suffer in a highly-mobile fight.

[Aronos]

Both tests were done for exactly five minutes, with no outside buffs, on the same target. The only thing that varied between the two jobs was the weapon. Despite the fact that SMN is using Ifrit and BLM was using Relic +1, BLM dps was nearly 30% less than the SMN.

I know that many question the accuracy of parsers. However, although the accuracy might be a bit off, I think it's minimal at most. When I can watch my dots alone tick for 290+ damage in game on my summoner, without using my pet or spamming ruin or fester procs, I don't think it's unreasonable to expect my damage to be close to 325 or 350.

If these numbers are accurate and I don't see how they wouldn't be, it doesn't really seem that BLM has a place based on the significantly less damage of SMN. Especially when you consider the higher-difficulty fights requiring constant movement.

[Aronos]

Both tests were done for exactly five minutes, with no outside buffs, on the same target. The only thing that varied between the two jobs was the weapon. Despite the fact that SMN is using Ifrit and BLM was using Relic +1, BLM dps was nearly 30% less than the SMN.

I know that many question the accuracy of parsers. However, although the accuracy might be a bit off, I think it's minimal at most. When I can watch my dots alone tick for 290+ damage in game on my summoner, without using my pet or spamming ruin or fester procs, I don't think it's unreasonable to expect my damage to be close to 325 or 350.

If these numbers are accurate and I don't see how they wouldn't be, it doesn't really seem that BLM has a place based on the significantly less damage of SMN.

http://files.enjin.com.s3.amazonaws....1380431668.png

[atomicdeath]

Still doesnt change the fact that summoner is a joke. Since its a dot class and not a pet focus'd class.

Just for shits you should run the parser for the pet only.

[Alphalegend]

Reason: BLM is very 1 note. Spam Fire till X MP then spam blizzard till full rotating in thunder. It literally does nothing else and for a cast time dps the damage isn't there. The risk vs reward is not nearly as good. BLM damage needs buffed and their class skills need completely reworked. It gets way too many support skills. I am thinking one power that grants a buff based on the astral/umbral effect you are in. Elemental Surge: If Umbral ice is active your next blizzard, blizzard II, or blizzard III will freeze the enemy. If Astral Fire is active your next fire, fire II, or fire III will deal a 35 damage potency damage over time, duration 18s. 30s cooldown. AND/OR Elemental Aura: Toggle on to drain MP but grants an aura based on the element you cast last. Ice: Cold Snap: enemies around you are slowed, fire: Enemies around you are dealt 25 fire damage potency damage over time duration 9s, Lightning: Increases chance of thundercloud proc % to 15%

[Aronos]

Still doesnt change the fact that summoner is a joke. Since its a dot class and not a pet focus'd class.

Just for shits you should run the parser for the pet only.

I did. Garuda did 55 dps.

[Crescent_Dusk]

It's actually easier to mess up your rotation as BLM in an actual fight than summoner. As SMN you really just need to keep dots up and ruin in between. As a BLM if you are delayed, you can waste time in umbral or lose umbral stacks altogether. Your Firestarter procs can overwrite each other. you might be doing a single target rotation and an aoe phase kicks in and your mana levels are not in sync for an optimal rotation.

SMN has a lot of ramp up, though. Summoner can't burst worth crap compared to BLM, and SMN frontloaded aoe is pretty much nonexistent. SMN need to use an Aetherflow stack with a 5 yard range to just even do AoE damage.

I think the BLM would see a lot of fixing if:

A) Fire Starter triggered at the end of a cast instead of when the projectile lands.

B) Neither Fire Starter or Thundercloud triggered the GCD. An instant cast proc is not that great when it incurs a GCD that basically replaces a cast time. In that case, the only benefit of these procs is the mobility.

[Youmu]

Were you using Bane while dummy testing?

Just pointing out that using any AOE during testing will badly inflate your numbers, because some fool at SE thought it would be a good idea to put every dummy spawn within 5m of each other.

[Aronos]

I think the BLM would see a lot of fixing if:

A) Fire Starter triggered at the end of a cast instead of when the projectile lands.

B) Neither Fire Starter or Thundercloud triggered the GCD. An instant cast proc is not that great when it incurs a GCD that basically replaces a cast time. In that case, the only benefit of these procs is the mobility.

I agree with both A and B. There are some major flaws with the BLM mechanics that ruin their potential. Primarily GCD on Firestarter/Thundercloud procs and having to constantly interrupt casts or miss out on half of your firestarter procs.