SAM out classing all other DPS

[HaiHai]

Right now, I don't know that I can say SAM is in the best of spots, because the highest SAM damage we've seen is in the 4600's, but are EXTREMELY lucky Crit/DH+Cit heavy runs. We're starting to see some other Jobs produce numbers VERY close to that (SMN in the 4400's, DRG above 4100, NIN in the 4200's). So SAM is operating, at best, around 10% higher than the majority of Jobs.

Let's take that away from SAM, and say that's it's utility, and that they just deal 4100 DPS like everyone else. That's 400-500 total rDPS contribution, is what I'd consider that. Compared to the 300-ish from Disembowel+Sight+Litany. Compared to the 400-500 rDPS contribution from NIN. You could go on and on. That gives SAM very little wiggle room. Put everyone more consistently in the 4200-4300 area, and SAM is basically worthless.

Well just using DRG as an example... DRG's raid utility is purely based on increases the raids overall damage. Litany, disembowel, and Sight. Altogether, like you say, this is about 300 overall raid dps increase (give or take average). However since SAM is doing roughly 600 more dps than DRG, again average from extreme parsing, you could surmise that bringing a SAM right now would net your raid about 300 more overall raid dps than if you brought a DRG.

Add to this, that disembowel requires you to have a bard in the group to benefit, and has no bearing at all without one. Also job variation with crit being useful or not varies as some benefit more than others, making litany only extremely valuable to comps that feed on crit. This means DRG being valuable is dependent upon your raid group composition.

SAM, on top of having 300 average more dps than DRG for the raid, also fits into any composition without being reliant on other jobs to perform well.

You could do this comparison to other dps jobs as well and see similar results. I will not say that SAM is outperforming every other dps job, for example Ninja is performing extremely well at the moment with high dmg and great raid utility, but it is definitely outshining some others at the moment.

[Nominous]

SAM, on top of having 300 average more dps than DRG for the raid, also fits into any composition without being reliant on other jobs to perform well.

That is true, I can give you at least that much. Outside of NIN, SAM has the easiest time fitting in a comp, since it doesn't depend on physical weaponskills (like MNK with brotherhood), or a melee/ranged damage dealer (like DRG with Dragonsight and BRD/MCH). Also, DRG is in the worst place right now, because it depends on such specific things to bring out it's more 'support' based role they're trying to apply to it. They need a lot of love, but that's another conversation entirely.

That being said, SAM's self-reliance (in comparison to party comp) for higher damage, is a gift and curse. It makes it easier to fit within a comp, but the moment you die, you've forfeited all tangible utility you've offered to the party, since your DPS will be that of any other competing Job, MINUS their buffs. You depend on yourself, and yourself alone to bring out the utility in the Job.

NIN can die after applying TA, and the whole party will still benefit. NIN can be res'd, and still put up TA for everyone to benefit. Same for any other party utility. Since it benefits the party, it requires less personal accountability. Not to mention, we can look at the overall rDPS increase of these skills in a sustained sense, but it's important to see the immediate benefits they can have when applied. Yeah, a SAM does x amount more sustained DPS, and yes, Midare is strong, but TA is 10% extra damage from your whole party on an Add, or DPS check. TA and party buffs are going to win out for making things easier to deal with on a moment by moment basis.

[Shunye]

It makes it easier to fit within a comp, but the moment you die, you've forfeited all tangible utility you've offered to the party, since your DPS will be that of any other competing Job, MINUS their buffs. You depend on yourself, and yourself alone to bring out the utility in the Job.

Progressing in savage level content with entry level gear means you will not be afforded with the luxury of anyone dying due to hard enrage timers. so the arguement of "dying" does not apply to groups that are min/maxing. i've said it before and i'll say it again. damage on it's own can not be a reason to bring a class or raids will end up stacking that class and foregoing classes that sacrifice damage for utility.

[Nominous]

Progressing in savage level content with entry level gear means you will not be afforded with the luxury of anyone dying due to hard enrage timers. so the arguement of "dying" does not apply to groups that are min/maxing. i've said it before and i'll say it again. damage on it's own can not be a reason to bring a class or raids will end up stacking that class and foregoing classes that sacrifice damage for utility.

Despite the fact that your goal is not to die, there are a good many fights, even during progression, that allow for recovery. Pentamelded crafted gear says hello for all fights except the final in any raid tier. Even disregarding that, the point still stands. If the SAM isn't at maximum efficiency, all of the time (that means they aren't dying, AND they're maintaining the perfect rotation/uptime), they aren't going to be as good as the next best option.

And really, I'm not disagreeing that raw damage is a poor excuse for a unique trait. However, they are clearly running out of ideas when their idea of 'synergy' is slapping 5%-10% damage buffs on Jobs and calling it a day. Of all their options, this seems about right, unless we really want yet another Job who's only 'unique' trait is their raidwide damage buff.

Also, if people start stacking any Job this expansion, it's going to be RDM. 2x Embolden, along with their DPS, and the potential for at least 2-4 insta-cast raises at any given point of a fight, AND the backup heals? That's a way better setup for safety AND DPS.

It's kind of weird that people are so worried about SAM. It really is. Like, what's the ideal outcome? I really am curious what people expect for the ideal balance to be for the Job, where it's wanted in groups for something 'special', but also doesn't make them feel insecure or otherwise 'out-classed'.