The state of SAM, BLM, and MNK is disappointing. "Selfish" isn't viable in this game.

[Nominous]

At least not right now. And to be clear, I mean "Selfish" in the sense that the devs used to describe Jobs that are meant to fulfill a "Pure highest damage" role. I like to play these Jobs (at least MNK and SAM), but they're in a pretty... discouraging and disappointing place. And no more, "This Job can clear this content, so it's fine." That's a low bar to set.

If other Jobs complain about "Fun factor" and "Being clunky", then I feel that the same complaints can be had for SAM, BLM, and MNK. Except, for said Jobs, it'd be in regards to the way that the game is currently designed, as opposed to Job-specific, or rotation-based deficiencies (and MNK kind of experiences both, depending on your point of view).

The overwhelming majority of the content in this game is party-based. And most of the game's battle design is focused on bolstering variety, and teamwork within that party. Limit break is affected by bringing more than one of the same role. You're given stat bonuses for different Jobs being in the party. Cross-Role abilities almost entirely focus around helping the party around you. All this to say- I think it's a fair assumption that the community values teamwork very highly. And it's fair that they do, because that's pretty much the standard that we've been given.

Now I can only speak for myself, but it feels terrible to walk into a party, and know that someone, or maybe even the entire party, is being forced to miss out on something. If I'm not a DRG, that BRD is missing a chunk of their damage. If I'm not a NIN, the party is missing TA, and simpler aggro management. I think a lot of people playing these Jobs think, "What SAM/BLM/MNK can't bring to the table", but I think the more potent way of looking at it is, what you're potentially taking away by joining a party, MNK to a lesser extent only because of Brotherhood. It sucks having to approach things with that mentality, but that's how it is.

And really, there's no middle-ground in this game. You either have support features, or you don't. And if you don't, well, apparently it's because it's their 'playstyle'? They should rethink the 'unique' playstyle for these Jobs if that's the case. Because as it stands, it's only 'unique' in efforts to stand out from the homogenization of the support/utility on everyone else. Unique, because it lacks what others have. Through that lens, it's easy (at least in my opinion) to see this flawed aspect of the Jobs. To see why they're not really preferred for... well, anything really.

Please, SE. Rethink your strategy with these Jobs.