Strongest class/job lore wise?

[Ferrasper]

I look at the empire. Essentially, they are machinist in nature, and look at what they have created. Yes, they used old technology, but who is to say that SE won't eventually add in Allagan weaponry to the mix?

[Allyrion]

I look at the empire. Essentially, they are machinist in nature, and look at what they have created. Yes, they used old technology, but who is to say that SE won't eventually add in Allagan weaponry to the mix?

I agree MCH is pretty awesome. The Allagans and Garleans show how powerful technology can be.
But we are talking about individuals, a MCH doesn't represent such a broad concept as a technological society.
The OP was talking about stuff like 1 on 1. So we're just talking about one guy with gadgets.
Very strong gadgets, of course, but not the power of the Allagan or Garlean Empires.

I haven't done the new BLM quests so I don't have a good gauge for them.
The quests up to 50 didn't really show them as pure destruction though. That's what they represent in the FF series usually, but the actual quests didn't show that to me.

WHM was shown that they brought the end of an Era, so that's obviously strong.

I think SMN is also very strong.
Harnessing the power of Primals and channeling Bahamut, that's dealing with the things we consider the most dangerous plot wise.
Tapping into a primal's power is akin to becoming a demi-god, and they deal with things that can make or break the world.
It's based in Allagan tech too and one of their most impressive (and tragic) feats but

from the Tiamat conversation, they got that from the Ascians.