Summoner or Dragoon?

[Aeora]

dont make either, make a monk.

Seconded
/10

[mero-ix]

I find SMN easier to play than DRG because there's no "perfect rotation" you need to worry about, just dots and Fester. Both are fun to play. In T8, both me (DRG) and our SMN do about the same dps-wise, around 370.

[Dwill]

I find SMN easier to play than DRG because there's no "perfect rotation" you need to worry about, just dots and Fester. Both are fun to play. In T8, both me (DRG) and our SMN do about the same dps-wise, around 370.

Oversimplifying is an understatement for this statement.

[givemeraptors]

Subjective.

To add on to this, it also depends how you're playing SMN. Timing virus, keeping E4E up, swift-raising and micromanaging pet is no less complex, the difference is that unlike DRG there is no set rotation outside of a somewhat agreed upon opening (which in itself is pretty long actually).

[LordLonghammer]

i105Drg (6,8,9)
i94Smn (Turn7)

Speaking from my experience I find that it is a lot easier to get the damage payoff on a SMN than as a DRG. With that it really comes down to your group, if you're running a 2x bard comp I personally would go DRG and make sure Disembowel is up 200% of the time to get the most out of your party. Also, if you have a 2x bard chances are you also have a blm which you would really not want 4 ranged when it comes to turn 7 it just doesn't sound like fun to me. On the other side if you could help a group out and be the one that Kites on turn 7 that is an amazing and priceless asset to a party and if done right you will never have any problems finding a group that wants you.

Also, you can think down the line with the reworks they may or may not be doing with the pets as well as the new egi's that are going to be added. So if you want to put your chips down on that go for it, but until I see what changes are made I will keep SMN at my #2. Lastly, if you think about with a final BiS set dragoon only really NEEDS Astrum chest and gloves, whereas SMN uses a decent amount of gear pulled from Sol from my understanding.

[Super_Pollo]

All jobs right now are very balanced...so level both! If a fight needs burst damage (especially if it's a dps race with adds included) at certain times during the instance bring your dragoon if the party needs to fill the melee slot and a melee limit break is needed. If the fight is single-target and very movement intensive bring your summoner if your party needs to fill a magic dps slot.

[Aanmer]

If you have to ask? Summoner.

Dragoons are members of an ancient Ishgardian order. Their members include some of the most skilled fighters in history. Its a hard path.