DRG vs SMN (which more easier to play)

[Sacerdos]

They're about the same difficulty, but Summoner is more annoying in a lot of ways compared to Dragoon.

Pet mechanics remain as terribly unpolished as they were in vanilla (Garuda refuses to Contagion after mashing it for 2-3 seconds, can't order Contagion while casting, woo), and you have to micro their positioning such that if you don't know, tunnel vision, or forget about a mechanic you're going to have to resummon your pet after it dies a horrible death (Ifrit will killed by melee AoE, Garuda will happily sit in AoE mechanics).

It isn't really hard to watch DoT timers, but its a lot more annoying than the simple HT -> CT combo -> Phl -> FT combo of the Dragoon. Dragoon does have to watch a lot more oGCD timers though.

[Mibhas]

Follow your heart, young one. They're both very different classes with different playstyles, and hard in their own ways. They are also easy enough that you could enjoy playing as either of them, so just pick up whichever one strikes your fancy - level them a bit to get a feel for it, and then decide.

[Drakeos]

Tbh i like the SMN gameplay but still will find out more when i get to 60 on MCH :P

[ErzaScarlet77]

i main both and have them geared almost equally (drg gets eso, smn gets alex)
if im running dungeon i prefer smn because their aoe completely wreck faces (although drg isnt too bad with aoe either)
but for progression stuff or if i wanna flex dps muscle and top parse or something i usually go drg since its the one im most comfortable with

[Alberel]

They're about the same difficulty, but Summoner is more annoying in a lot of ways compared to Dragoon.

Pet mechanics remain as terribly unpolished as they were in vanilla (Garuda refuses to Contagion after mashing it for 2-3 seconds, can't order Contagion while casting, woo), and you have to micro their positioning such that if you don't know, tunnel vision, or forget about a mechanic you're going to have to resummon your pet after it dies a horrible death (Ifrit will killed by melee AoE, Garuda will happily sit in AoE mechanics).

It isn't really hard to watch DoT timers, but its a lot more annoying than the simple HT -> CT combo -> Phl -> FT combo of the Dragoon. Dragoon does have to watch a lot more oGCD timers though.

I'm not sure when you actually last played SMN but you can order your pet to use abilities whilst casting. The only time you can't order your pet to do something is when you're stunned. As for mashing the skill for a few seconds: the pets have a skill queue, just press the skill once and they'll use it when they complete their current action. Yes there can be a 1-2 second delay but it's negligible if you order Contagion to be used whilst you're mid-cast on another spell.

As for the OP it sounds like you prefer ranged so go for SMN. We might not be the highest DPS but we have the best AOE by far and we can currently score the highest crits in the game (9-10k Deathflares are incredibly satisfying).

SMNs also have the best looking ESO set. ;D

[Darkthrone]

SMN does have the best looking esoterics set, followed by dragoon. The two best DD's in the game.

[Drakeos]

Cool my heart is set on SMN

[Illa]

Play BLM then. That fits all of your criteria.

[Drakeos]

Play BLM then. That fits all of your criteria.

I dislike casting bars im more of instant DPS

[Drakeos]

SMN would be perfect for you and you can play it safe (solo titan is your tank + chocobo) but in raids use iffy or gaurda for DPS