How is SMN overall dps?

[Judge_Xero]

I can agree that Ifrit does more damage in some places then Garuda. However, his survivalbility is lower on average as well as you spend more MP on recasting expensive DoTs /Sustain, which also increases the MP drain over a long fight. Fights where the SMN can get exclusive Ballads would probably come out more in favor of Ifrit.

I find that having to cast Bio more reduces the number of R2 I cast in order to weave CD's which tends to equal out to almost the same MP usage of recasting the dots.

The AI for Ifrit is pretty good in that it will stand at the flank of the mob it's attacking. But you're right that you may have to toss a Sustain on it.

I've been practicing getting comfortable with Ifrit and so far I can maintain 30 DPS higher than with Garuda over 10 minutes.
So I'm hoping in FCOB this week it will be an even greater increase since my group runs a Monk and War. (Hoping for a 45 dps increase)