I'm One Of The Filthiests Of Casuals And Even I Can See How Dumbdown FF14 Has Become!

[Shurrikhan]

SMN isn't overpowered by any definition of the term, though.

Has "overpowered" ceased to refer to producing the same output at lesser risk and effort, or greater output at the same risk/effort?

All the arguments for SMN numbers being higher now other than people enjoy/prize simpler things don't hold up when you realize ShB SMN had those things (and even better damage), yet it was played less then. The most logical answer seems to be: People do, indeed, prefer simpler things.

Shadowbringer's vs. Endwalker's SMN's 95th+ percentile damage is relevant... to those vying for the outputs of a 95th+ percentile caster in that era. Which is not the majority of players.

And when a player can put out a good 10%+ more playing a middling SMN than playing RDM to the same degree of effort, especially while doing more complex of fight mechanics, yes, differing ease of output becomes a relevant factor that does have to be accounted for.

Which makes the player numbers not nearly so cut and dry to analyze as just 'the simpler, the more enjoyable'.