Red Mage is top tier - [job effectiveness = player skill]

[StriderShinryu]

RDM is behind because SMN is too strong atm.

This is largely my take as well. I'm not saying that RDM couldn't use some tweaking, but if we're comparing Caster DPS right now then we're comparing a fairly balanced class with a pretty much broken OP one.

[BloodRubyXII]

This is largely my take as well. I'm not saying that RDM couldn't use some tweaking, but if we're comparing Caster DPS right now then we're comparing a fairly balanced class with a pretty much broken OP one.

That's a huge part of the problem. We're undertuned but on top of that, when we got buffed in the rebalancing patch, so did Summoner, and far more than we did. I also feel being this mechanically simple to play also holds us back, but that's me being really generous.

[HyperiusUltima]

That's a huge part of the problem. We're undertuned but on top of that, when we got buffed in the rebalancing patch, so did Summoner, and far more than we did. I also feel being this mechanically simple to play also holds us back, but that's me being really generous.

Being mechanically simple does not mean that it should hold a job back on DPS. BLM is rather inanely simple due to what their requirements to operate are: Enochian, and not overcapping on Polyglot unless it's needed for a movement phase for Xenoglossy. Umbral Soul on top of that also helps BLM keep up Enochian and they have rather powerful DPS given they bring no utility to the party(like they're supposed to be with SAM).

RDM on the other hand in terms of skill ceiling is not just pressing Jolt and hoping for procs from Verthunder/Veraero; it's the only job that requires the comp to only have 1 Caster and has an odd timing for its buff that is offset from other raid buffs. Why? Because Embolden is only a decaying Magic Buff for RDM and Physical Buff for others. You aren't allowed to run a 2 Caster comp like BLM/SMN can just because of that, and on the high-end it matters a lot. If they want to make RDM stronger, SE has to do the following:

1) Remove Embolden's role-specific typing and make it a full-on non-decaying 10% damage buff and increase RDM's Potencies(even if they're known for band-aiding, they can at least do this to bring them closer and tone SMN down in terms of potency since patch 5.1 reminded me of 4.1's Broken SMN that they're doing every expansion now).
2) Increase Ranged Role's damage alongside it so we don't wind up with a full-on Caster Meta and have a Reverse HW.

[Powercow]

Well, RDM was called out as getting some changes next major patch in the Live Letter, with details coming in the next LL.

Granted this could be like when they said they were going to buff Ninja and it got, like, 20 potency per combo or something hilarious. But hey, at least there's acknowledgment.

[Shurrikhan]

Well, RDM was called out as getting some changes next major patch in the Live Letter, with details coming in the next LL.

Granted this could be like when they said they were going to buff Ninja and it got, like, 20 potency per combo or something hilarious. But hey, at least there's acknowledgment.

To be fair, that Gust Blade potency buff put it ahead of Dragoon in most Savage fights at the time, once top-tier players had gotten used to bringing NIN again. For low-ping players, its actual output changed very little between that "hilarious" little buff and the whole massive rework thereafter.

[Powercow]

To be fair, that Gust Blade potency buff put it ahead of Dragoon in most Savage fights at the time, once top-tier players had gotten used to bringing NIN again. For low-ping players, its actual output changed very little between that "hilarious" little buff and the whole massive rework thereafter.

If this is about that first tuning patch we had before the rework, that actually made a massive difference Ninja damage was absolutely disgusting after that patch.

Not to derail the thread, but no another 50 potency (had to look it up) to Gust Slash wasn't going to buff Ninja by the ~10% it was behind at the time. If you think that it was just every savage group who's been playing with a Ninja for years and years suddenly not knowing how to do so, then I don't even know what to say.
https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodes...c8cee52472b81a

This patch is the one you guys are probably thinking of, when they buffed the crap out of Ninja abilities. Note that there's more than just a buff to Gust Slash here.
https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodes...1db7c6162503b9

Back on topic though, no but Red Mage does need some buffs. It could also stand to have something new compared to Stormblood, but that's a whole different topic.