All this BLM negativity. ...

[Jeckyl_Tesla]

It depends on the player. I come from a testing and balance background, and thus like things to be balanced. Just like I advocated a number of changes to SMN last patch.

Don't doubt that, I just remember other games where I've played in where even though the DPS is the same, the stigma of a class decides whether it would come to raids or not. How the community of an MMO works can easily be a separate study in social studies (if I'm not mistaken, it actually is.)


I've seen that happen a few times in this game too.

Yet, the difference in DPS even if the BLM can turret the whole fight isn't much, and even if the BLM can do that all fight with no mechanics, you are better off bringing another melee. Case in point; T8.

If we are talking in a pure hypothetical stance of having two skilled players, in a complete simulation where everyone else does the mechanics, then I'll give you a leg to stand there. Though when I was doing T8, our BLM was the one doing some of the mechanics along with our BRD and he managed to pull decent DPS. I can only imagine what he'd be if he had to turret. We had to SMN on that fight, so I cannot attest too much to their DPS on that one and only gather it via hearsay.

It isn't too early, that is the point. We've had plenty of experience in raids and with the current rotation for all the classes to have a good idea where they are at. Hell, just look at the latest Alexander, where SMN are just better. Sure, easy content, but Savage will be similar fights with harder/more mechanics and checks.

From what we can see right now, you are correct. Though we have no information on how different the savage fights will be. I mean, if they're just stronger version of what they are now, I may have to find myself sorely disappointed. And then I'd agree to your point. Though I wouldn't want to make assumptions such as that due to easy content, and from what I've see, nor do SE.

That is still absolutely no excuse for a class being sub optimal. Its not about BLM being made more complicated, that isn't the issue whatsoever. The issue is the QoL changes, and the fact that for single target where BLM's are able to turret short of there being a cheese anti physical mechanic, a melee is just flat out better. Sure, people can do a with a bard, a ninja and a dragoon then go "wow look at how big my dps is, blm is fine", yet have lower group dps compared better composed groups

I think if the QoL changes come in and a few of the bugs have been smoothed out, that would be enough to make BLM more attractive for such roles. Right now, there are some annoying ranged mechanics and melee do have it somewhat better than ranged on most fights, but I will stick to my point that instead of outright buffing the BLM like some people want, all it would need are a few changes. Nothing huge like some people genuinely want.

The reason why you can't directly buff BLM, is because they did that back in ARR and then when they started gearing up into the last levels, they were insanely good. IF we look at how gearing is going right now, we can expect another set from Alexander and our AF2 set from esoterics. That could very well make up for some very nice stat mixups and as a whole in turn, change how a lot of classes play as a whole.

And yet, an equally skilled player with equal gear on other classes that can replace a BLM will just provide more to the raid - either by pulling more DPS in a fight and in some cases with more utility.

Utility is one thing, but that's a very hypothetical situation. Even in top end, world first statics, there are always some players who are better than the others. Not by a huge margin, but enough to make a difference. As someone said before, theory is great, but the reality in practice is a completely different world.

I will admit that BLM is lacking in a lot of utility. Especially in this expansion. In ARR, quite a few classes lacked utility, but now, everyone but the BLM seems to have something.

Both aren't great, but SMN will still do more if the boss is targeting.

For big adds, yes. For small adds, it's a waste of Aetherflow, mana and time to do it. Though, if both were forced to turn off the boss, then yes, the SMN would gain more due to DoTs ticking.

I've absolutely no idea who you are talking about; if whomever in the same FC as me, send me a screenshot.

His name started with Wurs or something along those lines. I'll see if I can check when I get online tonight and let you know.

EDIT: Found his name, and he is indeed in your FC. I don't have a screenshot, but I'll tell you his name. I'll throw you a message online tonight.