In yet another melee-related thread... SAM, DRK, or DRG?

[Kohan]

There are already a couple of these sorts of discussions on the front page right now, and they're still hot. Are you ready for another one?! Mine differs from them in one way, however. It's summarized rather well by this question:

Which one of these three can be geared best at level 75 with relatively inexpensive, AH-buyable equipment?

The three jobs I'm looking at are SAM, DRK, and DRG. When I say "relatively inexpensive," I'm hoping for less than 300K per item for as many slots as possible, if not all. I no longer participate in any endgame event aside from Dynamis, as I only have time to play for a couple of hours a week at best.

In relation to my unique case, here are the advantages each of the mentioned jobs have:

1. SAM: Since MNK is my current main, I have a handful of equipment that SAM can also use. Because of this, I'm leaning toward it strongly.

To get specific, those items are: Shura Togi, Shura Haidate, Amemet Mantle +1, Rajas Ring, Ulthalam's/Woodsman Ring, Diabolos's Earring, Brutal Earring, Chivalrous Chain, Ochiudo's Kote, Optical Hat and Walahra Turban.

With all of that equipment, it's obvious that my SAM would already have plenty of reasonable gear choices, and they would be "free"... but what if it's better to have an AH DRK or DRG? Thus, this thread exists.

2. DRK: As it's an optional sub for my MNK, this is already at 37. Additionally, the only other job I've leveled past 70 is BLM, which means that DRK will benefit from my magic-related, already leveled skills. Some of the gear mentioned above would apply to this job as well, but it would obviously be geared with mostly AH-bought equipment.

3. DRG: In my current situation, this has no advantages over the others whatsoever, as it is level 1 and has never been touched. Of course, the same universally applicable equipment that's already in my possession does apply, but that's all.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. My own LS hasn't been much help, as they've made suggestions such as PUP and BST because of my limited play time, and I'm not discussing those. I do in fact like BST a lot and have already leveled it past 30, and will surely play it more, but I'd like to discuss SAM, DRK and DRG at the moment.

Thanks in advance.

[Akanei]

If you already have most of the gear to 75, you may as well level SAM. The only real big-ticket item you'd get is a hauby and you can get away with not using a Hagun, seeing as you don't attend HNMs.

It would definitely be the cheapest out of the three for you to level, since it seems like you don't have other gear to cut down the cost of the latter two.

[Kohan]

Thanks. It does seem obvious, but I guess I needed some reassurance. For someone who doesn't play often like myself, this is actually a pretty big decision.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to go for SAM strictly out of convenience, but if anyone has an argument for DRK or DRG I will gladly listen.

[Zekyr]

75 DRK and SAM here.

Depending on what you're using them for, each have their own merits. I have to work a LOT harder on DRK for the most part to deal the same output in a majority of situations, and my DRK is nearly complete with full EX gear like homam and abjuration gear. That being said, even when my SAM was mostly "AH", no byakko's, etc, I still managed to easily outdamage my DRK in most merit camps and events my LS did even without great gear or merits.

DRG I don't have at 75 but seeing as how DRK and DRG share a ton of TP/WS gear, I'd assume it would be about the same, with the only exception being the innate piercing bonus it gets at colibris if your focus is merits. A lot of the DRGs in our LS have mix and match AH gear and some EX like homam and don't even manage to beat SAMs who have been 75 for one day in things like sky/sea. DRG has great potential like DRK when geared well, but using AH cheap gear won't compete with SAM outside of birds probably.

In short, to answer your main question, even with 0 gear at 75 to begin with, and completely AHing the jobs up, SAM will more than likely in general outperform the other two jobs at the widest variety of things. Because you already have MNK 75, you're even farther ahead of the other two due to having things like shura, rajas, kotes, etc. I'd highly suggest SAM if you're looking for the least expensive job of the three with the best results.

[Kohan]

Sounds like it'll be SAM, then. Thanks as well for your input.

[Drex]

1) Get soboro
2) Enjoy 25 levels of giddy tp spam and facepalming healers!

[GenjiKing]

with the gear you already have sam would be your best bet. not sayin it is the best DD of the 3 but it will possibly be the cheapest. DRK and DRG need alittle bit more effort in skill and having sea gear would help them get close to/exceed an AH sam. remember you can lvl them all though!

[Yugl]

Of course SAM is going to be easiest (and probably cheapest as well) to gear up. However, why are you deciding between these three? I ask because the only real benefit I see for lvling SAM when you have MNK is to do spike DMG and tank in certain scenarios where MNK tank isn't as effective (Nyzul Isle). If you're doing it for versatility I would lvl DRG since DRG's solo potential is better than the other two mentioned.

[Stromgarde]

If you already have all of the gear you need for it, you should totally level dragoon. It's great for soloing stuff and a ton of fun, especially in merits.