as a 50 smn running ifrit/titan/garuda Hard Modes with my FC i can tell you this, SMNs are definitely not weak.... for those who dont realize pets have a command to only auto attack, you could be using that over sic to allow you to choose when you want what cds being used. BLMs are going to beat us in burst, its simply how their kit works but when it comes to sustained damage we basically are kings.. my rotation looks like thisobey -> spur -> rouse-> Bio II -> Miasma ->thunder -> Bio -> contagion(DoT extender) ->bane(multi targets)/fester(single targets) -> Ruin x 4 -> fester -> ruin x4 -> fester -> Aetherflow -> Bio II -> Miasma -> thunder -> bio... (ill shadow flare if the boss is slowable or multiple adds, will use after bane if thats the case)
etc etc using abilities of CD.. i find during long boss fights a SMN can easily contend for top dmg.