Quote Originally Posted by Thunda_Cat_SMASH View Post
It's niche being SAM is lacking in DPS contribution compared to NIN, and any quarter decent group will be running a NIN thanks to TA. Sam is unwanted currently due to lacking raid utility and dps compared to its cohorts.
I'm sorry, but this isn't true.
SAM brings enough damage to warrant a spot on his own.
The core of almost all groups, in respect to dps is:
NIN(always there)+RDM(apparently always there too)+BRD+SAM/MNK. On some very rare occasion, you'll see NIN+MNK+SAM+RDM.
The truth is that there's not a lot that can compete with SAM. The two other casters are both horrid in terms of personal dps and have poor synergy with the physical crowd.
That leaves DRG and MCH. These two... also have horrid personal dps, and inferior utility to NIN/BRD/RDM. They have more utility than SAM, but it's not nearly enough to close the dps gap.
That's why the fastest kills are pretty much "grab 2 out of SAM/MNK/BRD and add to NIN+RDM".

SAM is relatively desirable right now.