In Turn 2 Coil I have been getting 230+ dps as BLM. Only class I have seen out dps me as BLM so far in Turn 2 is Monk, and to be fair he was one of the best Monks I have seen and he had Relic +1 whereas I only have Relic. The rest of our gear was fairly even... I am estimating that once I fully complete my BLM DD set that I will be able to DPS between 275-300. With Crits hitting 2000+ (highest so far has been just over 1800). As far as usefulness. I like BLM on Turns 1 and 2. But one of the posters above said it well. You can go in with anything and never need more then one of a class. (Have done Turns 1 and 2 with a PLD/WAR tank combo and one BRD).