Reasons why SMN is frustrating and difficult.

[KarstenS]

To tell the truth, even w/ demi-bahamut up throughout fights, you not really losing DPS. Cause you pretty much casting him every 2 mins or more(depending on situation in the fight)so by that time that DPS loss is non-existant only to rebuild it or more. The moment you cast him and instantly hit akh morn, that's your burst to keep your DPS up while waiting for 13 secs to do another one, twice while demi is up. Plus every 160 potency a ability is used by wyrmwave for it to act. I just look at it now either the design is bad or the player does not know how to adapt to the new rotation.

The Demi Bahamut is currently the highest burst phase of the SMN rotation. For maxing out that burst you need aetherflow and Contagion to be ready for it (and be in sync with party buffs). 5 oGCDs to fill 5 GCDs = 10x160 potency by Bahamut (additional to the potency of ruin 2 and fester). Tri-disaster and Addle do not deal any damage itself, but will also add 2x160 potency to this part of the rotation. The other 2 GCDs are filled with Ankh Morn.

Its not just a style thing.

Bahamut trance is a lower burst as they took out the ability to make use of aetherflow skills.

[Caduagm]

The Demi Bahamut is the highest burst phase of the SMN rotation. For maxing out that burst you need aetherflow and Contagion to be ready for it (and be in sync with party buffs). 5 oGCDs to fill 5 GCDs = 10x160 potency by Bahamut (additional to the potency of ruin 2 and fester). Tri-disaster and Addle do not deal any damage itself, but will also add 2x160 potency to this part of the rotation. The other 2 GCDs are filled with Ankh Morn.

Its not just a style thing.

Bahamut trance is a lower burst as they took out the ability to make use of aetherflow skills.

Not just that. They also nerfed Ruin 3; That's why Trance is not a higher burst anymore.
Although, I'm expecting a buff to Ruin 3 next tuesday... they also can't stay buffing, nerfing, buffing, nerfing SMN always. It's been like that since the lunch of the game.

[Osmond]

The Demi Bahamut is currently the highest burst phase of the SMN rotation. For maxing out that burst you need aetherflow and Contagion to be ready for it (and be in sync with party buffs). 5 oGCDs to fill 5 GCDs = 10x160 potency by Bahamut (additional to the potency of ruin 2 and fester). Tri-disaster and Addle do not deal any damage itself, but will also add 2x160 potency to this part of the rotation. The other 2 GCDs are filled with Ankh Morn.

Its not just a style thing.

Bahamut trance is a lower burst as they took out the ability to make use of aetherflow skills.

It's why I was confused that demi bahamut is a cause of losing dps when it's not if you know what you are doing.