merits and do they make me a bad mage?

[Spekkio]

Numbers I looked at months ago, in best case scenario for /smn's higher max mp being beneficial, it simply matches /sch without sublimation. Sorry I can't remember any details at all on my testing haha, I just remember seeing that they are quite close when the higher max mp makes a difference such as a zerg.

Though the tests I remember took into account stratagems, perhaps saving 20mp on avg or something. But did not take into account sublimation.
Though obviously for prolonged fights, what spekkio stated above is the only thing to consider.

unless /smn can generate fully 16% more max MP than /sch (not even counting for the effective increased value of HMP due to lower priced spells) it's still non-competative on that front since /sch's claim to fame is the cheaper spells. also, my figures are applicable to short fights and merits too. just accounting for hasting 4 melees at birds that is 4 expenditures of 40 mp every 3 minutes unaugmented by conserve mp or light arts. 160 mp/3 minutes means if you spend more than 215 MP before light arts/conserve MP in that 3 minute stretch, even if you were quaffing yag drinks like they weren't inventory hogs (so we don't have to figure in sublimation) if you cast 1 cure5 and 1 cure4 in that 3 minute window, /sch has won already.

now someone's going to comment that you get more MP while resting w/ sch. as stated above, while that may technically be true, the reality of it is that /sch offers about 16% more HMP than /smn. but spekk! /sch doesn't give more clear mind than /smn! that's correct, but the MP you recover is worth more. a whm/sch can cure for the same amount on average with 84 mp as a whm/smn could with 100. as a result, even downtime on /sch is indirectly more efficient than /smn. long and short: /smn is dead. move on.

[shaddix]

I tested with taru numbers! And /smn isn't bad for salvage yo ^_^/

[Spekkio]

yeah, /smn is decent for ZR and AR where JA cells are extremely limited, and is nice for mitigating discoid. might also be handy against odin i suppose but i'd think you'd lose more than you'd gain. BR i'd rather keep my /sch and SSR the same.