Maybe RDM need....

[SaberMaxwell]

Interestingly, RDM actually holds a higher absolute maximum parse on Voidwalker Savage on FF logs than MCH or BRD. It is very close behind summoner in absolute maximum potential.

In addition, the statistical maximum is slightly higher then both MCH and BRD and is much much higher than the upper quartile value for the job.

In the theoretical absolute maximum, where every proc goes RDM's way, the group goes to the moon with maximizing getting buffed by embolden, and they don't even have to think about the tools in the kit they're balanced around...they're better than two other subpar jobs.

No yeah you're right, everything's balanced.

This indicates to me that a large majority of RDM players play below the maximum potential of RDM.

Hm...but this runs contrary to the narrative that Red Mage is the super easy job that deserves to be weak because of its ease of use. Not saying that's your argument, but I'm gonna keep a pin here in case it comes up.

I would put this down to the fact that the majority of fights end up with deaths and wipes that result in RDM sacrificing personal DPS to raise.

This is one heck of an assumption. I see the bases for this assumption, but it is still a large assumption on your part.

The damage of RDM should be balanced to an ideal situation where no raise is necessary.

Agreed. And when no raise is necessary, they still struggle to compete with bard and machinist.

If they were able to match the damage of other utility jobs while raising, and also bringing embolden, RDM would be overpowered. This is why RDM always looks underpowered on logs.

Separating "damage" and "embolden" while the graph in question used is an rDPS graph is disingenuous at best and intentionally misleading at worst.

I am not sure RDM needs a buff in this respect. BRD, MCH and RDM all feel disadvantaged right now simply because both NIN and DRG are overtuned.

And MNK.

Since the other two melee, SAM and MNK, are both personal-dps classes (and therefore should be doing more damage than utility jobs),

Monk has mantra. Mantra is a really powerful cooldown that buffs shielding and regens, and can carry a minimum iLv group through the Tumult-Voice-Tumult-Voice frenzy that is Titan's soft enrage before his hard enrage. In many ways, Mantra is a more powerful utility than verraise, as unlike verraise Mantra is always useful. What's more, none of its peers have mantra-likes to match it, even Ninja doesn't give any non-rDPS utility anymore since aggro management was shifted entirely to the tanks.

5.08 melee are currently overtuned. The current insanely overpowered state of NIN is very likely to change in 5.1... leaving the major problem-child as DRG.

When NIN comes back down, DRG could use a nerf and MCH could use a buff (given that it has no DPS-based utility). SAM could also use a little extra love to put it on par with BLM and MNK but it is not far behind, numerically.

Yes, 5.08 melee are currently overtuned. MNK, like DRG, needs to come down for the utility outlined above. Or the floor could be brought up. Either the ceiling comes down, or the floor comes up, that's the state we're in right now.

Red Mages are not raising in successful raids that end in clears and get uploaded to fflogs. Certainly not more than once or twice at absolute max, certainly nowhere near enough for you to claim they only "look" underpowered. What is this imbalance apologia crap I'm reading?

If the party is really strong DPS-wise, you can suffer quite a few verraises before enrage even on Titan. That's the funny thing though: the stronger your party, generally the better and less useful verraise would be. However, the weaker the party, the lower the threshold before deaths mean enrage.