How do other NIN's feel our class is doing right now? Is anyone else "afraid" that SE might be moving NIN towards a more utility based melee as opposed to a straight melee DPS? I won't lie, I like to play big DPS classes. NIN is a great class, and I really enjoy it as a whole, but I'm starting to see the DPS gap between NIN and DRG/MNK widening. We can sit here all day and talk about the utility that a NIN brings to a group, and while you wouldn't be wrong, other classes bring their own form of utility. Personally, I don't feel Goad, Smokescreen, and Shadewalker really bring that much to the table, with Trick Attack being our only true benefit.

Regardless, when NIN first came out it was clear that the class was a pure, fast-paced DPS class. With the onset of HW, it feels like SE is trying to make NIN weaker in the DPS department while giving them a bit more utility, making us a pseudo-melee support. Personally, I'm not to fond of this transition (assuming it's correct), as I rolled this class to do damage. Our AoE is the worst of any DPS class in the game and our ST is behind DRG and MNK, on-par with some of the ranged classes. If our niche isn't AoE and it isn' ST... what is it?

Don't get me wrong, I know NIN isn't bad right now. World first A1S and A3S clears had a NIN in the party; we're clearly viable. But as time goes on and more gear comes out my fear is that our viability will decrease. I'm not the type to play a FotM class. I like NIN and I have no intention of rolling something else, but given enough time I feel I may have to to justify my raid spot.

What are everyone else's thoughts?