Quote Originally Posted by Sanguisio View Post
No they don't, when a SMN stops doing anything, their DOTs still tick, their pets still attacks, aside from a few dots there isnt another class in this game par ACN/SCH who can sustain the dps without doing anything for that period of time. SMNs dps fluctuates while they should maintain a base level of dps (DOTs,Pet) their dps will go up from things like contagion,pots,RS,fester.

Trust me I am not advocating for the SMN to be ignored because their dps isnt on par with others but I'm getting bored of people whinging about it.
and yes I have played every single dps in this game at the moment, so I think it is fair for me pass on my pov.
It's not whining when it's supported by 100% facts.

Is it the hardest DPS class to play in this game? Yes it is. (Opinion of course, but there quite literally isn't a class as hard anymore. DRG was possibly a runner up pre-patch, but with the Heavy Thrust positional nerf that is no longer true.)
Are the rewards balanced for it? Nope. The challenge of playing a SMN correctly in raiding content is far less rewarding then any other class. You are not rewarded with getting better damage, you are rewarded with losing less damage, but are still losing.


Rational use of Ballad? Why use Ballad for a SMN, when you can use Army's Paeon to benefit the 4-5 other DoW with TP including the BRD himself. Say you do use Ballad for the SMN exclusively, not only is it not worth the tradeoff to the BRDs DPS but in comparison with BLM whose self sufficient,


BRD + BLM + Foes >>>>>>> BRD + SMN + Ballad

or

BRD + 4-5 DoW + Army's Paeon >>>>>>>>> BRD + SMN + Ballad (with 4-5 DoW classes in party)

This is not whining but complete truth. It's not to say the class is incapable of downing the content. However, a SMN performing their optimal rotation and playing a rather tough class in comparison to the others and bottoming out on a resource to try and obtain competitive DPS vs the other classes, is not worth it.

Not to mention, the terrible gearing thrown at us.

There is no whining here. DRG got QoL adjustments but SMN has long needed QoL adjustments. DRG took precedence, with good reason within FCOB but SMN issues have been overshadowed for far too long.
Bringing this much known fact right now is whining?

Also you are incredibly wrong about SMN DPS. There is no maintaining some base level DPS in FCOB. You more or less are in negative decline the entire fight with very few exceptions where you can pick up reliably present.