So, what's with the lack of Machinist in DF?

[Ghishlain]

I've recently leveled MCH to 58 and I've been having a blast with, though I can understand the difficulty in optimizing the role too. It feels like the opening APM required is pretty nutty and then you're at the mercy of RNG later on to deal actual damage which can be off putting. I have no issue with Gauss Barrel personally since it seems to fit the class dynamic though I can understand the mechanical complaints and aesthetic complaints of it. Combine all those together and that's probably why there seems to be a lack of MCH.

With that being said, it's most certainly not a power level concern. Every single A8S kill video I've seen (After a quick search in YouTube) ran MCH. That could also be attributed to group composition and raid/party synergy but it still speaks of a power level that MCH currently has.