We have finally come full circle, SMN's need help!

[Sleigh]

I'm no SMN expert, but if the overarching goal of balance is to have SMNs run out of MP about the same time DRGs/BRDs/MNKs/NINs run out of TP and have to manage their resources similarly to their TP counterpart, wouldn't the simplest solution be increasing the base PIE modifier on SMNs to be slightly higher? This allows for higher passive MP regeneration as well as a higher MP restoration on Aetherflow.

SMN actually does run out of MP around the same time as TP users naturally run out, in fact SMN can last longer than most of them (around 4m20s if played normally). The problem is, most classes run out around then or sooner, and since SMN is on a different resource pool, it is not going to get help in the same way. The current BRD resource system, where TP song lowers DPS, MP song lowers DPS, and Foe's doesn't lower DPS, and it's all tied in the same MP pool for BRD, means MP isn't worthwhile to just sing for a SMN.

Is there any way to fix Spell Speed so it's more beneficial for SMN? IE, can spell speed increase the speed of a DoT tick and then if it exceed X sec/tick, allows another tick of DoT damage in the normal DoT time frame (similar to how SS for WAR is good if you can get that extra GCD with Berserk up). Things like that would be an interesting train of thought to pursue if it hasn't been pursued yet. (honestly don't know)

Buff SMN's Ruin filler to do more damage and/or somehow either cost no MP or actually recover MP, or let pets at least gain the effects of SS.

80%+ of SMN's damage (Aetherflow stacks tied to 60s CD, DoTs, pet attacks and CDs) is completely unrelated to SS in the current system, meaning you could have 0 SS or 200 SS and it won't actually boost a massive portion. I don't think SS needs to be useful exactly on SMN but in a gear system where it's on most of their pieces, something should change somewhere, and I'm pretty sure they're not going to shift all the itemizations around mid-patch and receive backlash from the BLM community.

How far below top DPS do people think SMN stands atm

Enough that BLM, the least mobile DPS in the game by default (which can be gotten around, but not 100% of the time), beats SMN, the second most mobile DPS, in the most movement heavy turn in the game, T11.

Honestly it's not about how far SMN does below the top, it's how badly it gets obliterated by BLM (who is also explicitly in the AoE, magic damage, caster tools role and typically only one caster is brought to fights to maximize DPS) in a dummy and raid scenario. BLM doesn't need nerfs, SMN just needs to be brought up to speed, or changed in a way that justifies their presence.

It is unfair to a degree for BLM DPS being higher given similar utility and both being mage classes. But BLM damage is effected by RNG, battle mechanics, Foe, movement. Often you need to make special accommodations for BLM so that they can maintain their DPS. (no mechanics. eat extra damage to avoid having to move etc). So in that regard it kind of makes sense that BLM max DPS has a higher potential.

This is definitely true, BLM has to have higher raw output to compete with SMN in mechanics heavy fights, but the gap is simply too wide presently, not counting MP issues (where the true gap starts to show itself). Even 10-20 DPS more consistent DPS in i130 would go a very long way to balancing the two classes.