Quote Originally Posted by SpookyGhost View Post
A parser simply gives you a number, and from that number you can tell if you're on the low or the high side.
And interpretation of that number requires context. Gear plays a role - Someone with an i230 weapon might play slightly better than someone with an i250 weapon, but parse lower. Synergy plays a role - The BRD with a DRG in the group is gonna perform better than the one with a MNK instead given equal skill. Similar goes for AST buffs. Since every fight has individual mechanics, every parse is only valid for that one fight. Job balance can also play a role, even though it's relatively close together right now.

That said: Any parser that's worth its salt needs to account at least for gear and synergy effects and calculate those out before spitting out a number. Plain ole DPS is fairly misleading - You can see that in the top percentiles on FFlogs where you have dedicated parser runs with comps catered to one player and double AST feeding that person in particular balance cards. Don't compare yourself to that as average joe. That's not your standard.