I actually enjoy SMN.

[SoloWingMetatron]

I've been a SMN main and purist since 2.0 beta (all other jobs just seem kinda boring to me) and personally in terms of job identity I think SMN is in a great place!

I agree that there are some kinks that need to be worked out with the current changes. The biggest one for me is the lack of being able to heal our Egi. But other than that and one or two QoL changes, I think the 4.0 changes are a blessing to SMN! I see people complaining about Bane being nerfed as well as other DoT based changes. However I'd like to take a moment to point out my Demi-Bahamut crits for over 20k most of the time with a single Akh Morn, and if you are a capable SMN you can execute TWO Akh Morn's with in Bahamut's 20 second window. So don't tell me SMN has lost it's dps output because that simply isn't true!

For the most part all the 4.0 changes have done, is refocus SMN's dps output into Bahamut (and rightly so) Don't forget we're playing a SUMMONER here people! Of course the job's main dps output should come from Summons. That is the entire nature and identity of the job!

[Sacerdos]

SMN does great dps on a dummy, but boss mechanics means that you have to delay Bahamut (losing time on building future Bahamuts) or risk getting stunned/phased/moved during Bahamut.

Add that to the fact that SMN's dps utility doesn't fit in the physical meta (BRD/NIN + SAM or MNK), while Red Mage's dps utility does fit and does all of SMN's other utility better, while not being affected by boss mechanics as much.

[SoloWingMetatron]

SMN does great dps on a dummy, but boss mechanics means that you have to delay Bahamut (losing time on building future Bahamuts) or risk getting stunned/phased/moved during Bahamut.

Add that to the fact that SMN's dps utility doesn't fit in the physical meta (BRD/NIN + SAM or MNK), while Red Mage's dps utility does fit and does all of SMN's other utility better, while not being affected by boss mechanics as much.

I agree in terms of SMN's new utility, it doesn't seem to add all that much. But then again, most utility in this game adds little benefit due to the rudimentary and linear game play. I do however like the changes to Radiant Shield, and the fact Ifrit is a very viable Egi now to use anywhere. Including raiding. So the balancing of Egi viability was definitely a needed change. However I've never had to delay any of my Demi-Bahamut's so far due to mechanics. I always get those two Akh Morns off, each and every time. (Unless of course it's a situation where the boss leaves the arena temporarily, like the final boss in Kugane Castle).

[Ariomi]

I agree in terms of SMN's new utility, it doesn't seem to add all that much. But then again, most utility in this game adds little benefit due to the rudimentary and linear game play. I do however like the changes to Radiant Shield, and the fact Ifrit is a very viable Egi now to use anywhere. Including raiding. So the balancing of Egi viability was definitely a needed change. However I've never had to delay any of my Demi-Bahamut's so far due to mechanics. I always get those two Akh Morns off, each and every time. (Unless of course it's a situation where the boss leaves the arena temporarily, like the final boss in Kugane Castle).

Ifrit is arguably the only pet you would ever want to use now. It's same as heavensward, just reversed. Contagion used to extend your dots to last longer increasing them by a total of 560 potency. With Contagion being so short (It doesn't even last as long as dreadwyrm or bahamut...) and Only being 10% potency increase, You'll be lucky if you get 200 Potency increase out of it. Assuming Radiant Shield lasts 24 seconds, that's 300 potency, plus the boost to melee dps. Radiant Shield also works great for Aoe Damage, as long as multiple adds are hitting whoever has radiant shield on. Ifrit also has Auto attacks that have a 15% chance to proc ruin 4. He hits more often, meaning you have more chances it procs.

Contagion and Radiant Shield are still weak though. Foe Req can last around 25-33 Seconds with refresh and is 3% damage increase to everything. Hyper charge is 5% damage increase to everything, Lasts 30 seconds, Won't even mention Balance, and Trick attack is 10% damage increase for 10 seconds. Embolden by itself is stronger buff and better utility then anything Summoner has.