SMNs can clear T11-13 without extensive health issues. No matter how good a DRG was, unless they had a gross amount of 130 gear or Vit crafted pieces, they were at risk of death from unavoidable damage. A skilled SMN CAN mitigate issues with the class. Their[SMN] DPS is lower[BLM], but no way is their DPS fetid. They are not weaker than Bards, which also can put out respectable damage. Skill, unlike with DRGs pre-patch, can help SMNs place much more efficiently than DRGs skill affected theirs.

Quote Originally Posted by Tex_Mex View Post
My i115 smn pretty much never gets used any more since my i110 DRG can pull better numbers and has more sustain
Melee will always have higher DPS than Casters. Pretty sure a 120ish Melee can outplace a BLM in 130 with average proc luck.