I could hardly be more pleased with SMN. Regarding dmg, as others have said, rotation is key. This is true for every other DPS and it's true for us. I suspect that part of the disappointment is born from many XI players expecting something more similar to XI's Predator Claws spam. Meaning once per minute spike damage then staring at a cooldown timer until your next big number show and no rotation whatsoever. (I quit XI during WotG so I'm not up to date on newer styles/strategies). The merits (or demerits) of that design aside, that isn't XIV's SMN. XIV's SMN requires more focus and strategy...but it pays off.