As Final Fantasy XI continues to evolve through job adjustments, gear additions, and shifting endgame metas, players constantly ask: Which DPS jobs are the best right now? Whether you’re tackling Ambuscade, Sortie, Dynamis-D, Odyssey, or casual content, the DPS landscape in 2025 has a clear hierarchy—but each job shines in different situations.
This guide breaks down the current DPS tier list, explaining strengths, weaknesses, ideal content types, and why certain jobs stand at the top. If you’re thinking about leveling a new job, optimizing your damage output, or understanding party composition, this updated tier list will help you choose the right path.
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S-Tier: Top Performers in All Content
These jobs offer unmatched damage, scaling, and utility. They dominate the 2025 meta and are core picks for high-end groups.
1. Samurai (SAM)
Role: Pure DPS
Why It’s S-Tier:
Samurai remains the king of consistent damage with unmatched Weapon Skill frequency thanks to Meditate, Hasso, and powerful multi-hit WS like Tachi: Fudo and Tachi: Kasha. The job’s simplicity, flexibility, and high ceiling make it optimal in nearly every content type.
Strengths:
- Incredible weapon skill uptime
- Scales extremely well with buffs
- Works in any comp
- Easy to gear; strong even at mid-level gear
Weaknesses:
- No major utility
- Can be TP-starved without support in lower-tier groups
Best Content: Sortie, Odyssey, Ambuscade, Dynamis-D, general farming
2. Warrior (WAR)
Role: Burst DPS / Off-tank
Why It’s S-Tier:
With Upheaval and Ukko’s Fury, Warrior delivers some of the highest burst numbers in the game. Blood Rage, Warcry, and Berserk boost not only personal damage but also party-wide output. Access to multiple weapons keeps WAR flexible and adaptable.
Strengths:
- Huge WS burst potential
- Party-wide DPS buffs
- Tank-like durability
- Best-in-slot options for both GS and Axe builds
Weaknesses:
- Requires experienced cooldown management
- Struggles in multi-target content compared to MNK/BLU
Best Content: Odyssey bosses, Dynamis-D, Sortie bosses
3. Monk (MNK)
Role: Hybrid Physical DPS
Why It’s S-Tier:
Monk has surged back into relevance with powerful WS like Victory Smite, potent counterattacks, and incredible survivability. MNK thrives in multi-target situations thanks to rapid-hit rounds and strong white damage.
Strengths:
- Best sustained melee DPS in multi-target fights
- Extremely durable—perfect for risky encounters
- No TP issues
- Fantastic hybrid damage
Weaknesses:
- Falls behind SAM/WAR in pure WS burst
- Requires gear to shine (Footwork, Impetus builds)
Best Content: Ambuscade, Sheol Gaol trash packs, Sortie mid-wave pulls
A-Tier: Excellent DPS with Specific Niches
These jobs are strong and desired but slightly more situational than S-tier choices.
4. Dragoon (DRG)
Role: Sustained DPS
Why It’s A-Tier:
DRG offers steady damage, excellent utility through Angon, and extremely high WS output with Stardiver and Camlann’s Torment. The wyvern contributes consistent damage and healing support.
Strengths:
- Angon is invaluable for reducing enemy defense
- Strong hybrid WS options
- Self-healing with wyvern support
- Reliable damage over long fights
Weaknesses:
- Wyvern can die in certain content
- Slightly lower burst potential vs S-tier jobs
Best Content: Sortie, Odyssey bosses, Dynamis-D
5. Blue Mage (BLU)
Role: Versatile Physical/Magical DPS
Why It’s A-Tier:
BLU brings unmatched flexibility. It can cleave, burst, support, and tackle almost any solo situation. Although its pure boss DPS isn’t as strong as SAM or WAR, its utility makes it invaluable.
Strengths:
- Best cleave DPS in the game
- Can self-buff, self-heal, and tank when required
- Wide range of WS and spell burst options
Weaknesses:
- High skill cap
- Gear and spell setup intensive
- Not always optimal in coordinated high-end groups
Best Content: Farming, Ambuscade, Sortie routing, Odyssey Sheol A/B
6. Dark Knight (DRK)
Role: High-Burst Damage Dealer
Why It’s A-Tier:
DRK delivers monstrous spike damage with Torcleaver, Resolution, and Insurgency builds. When properly buffed, few jobs can match its opening burst.
Strengths:
- Massive single-hit WS damage
- Strong both in Scythe and GS builds
- Souleater turns burst damage absurd
Weaknesses:
- High risk/high reward—can die easily
- Needs excellent support (heals, buffs, TP feed)
Best Content: Boss fights, Dynamis-D Wave 3, Odyssey Gaol
B-Tier: Good, But More Situational
These jobs are viable and strong in the right hands, but less common in endgame metas.
7. Thief (THF)
Role: Utility DPS
Why It’s B-Tier:
THF struggles with raw DPS compared to SAM or WAR, but it brings something no other job does: Treasure Hunter. In farming environments, THF is mandatory.
Strengths:
- TH is irreplaceable for loot
- High evasion and survivability
- Strong with stacked WS (Rudra’s Storm)
Weaknesses:
- Mediocre sustained DPS
- Gear-dependent
- Not preferred for boss content
Best Content: Farming, Ambuscade, Dynamis currency runs
8. Ranger (RNG)
Role: Ranged Physical DPS
Why It’s B-Tier:
Ranger excels in fights where staying far from danger is a benefit. It outputs high numbers, but ammo costs and setup time hold it back.
Strengths:
- High ranged burst
- Great for mechanics-heavy fights
- Safer positioning
Weaknesses:
- Expensive to play
- Doesn’t scale as well as melee DPS with support buffs
Best Content: Difficult boss mechanics, older high-end fights
9. Corsair (COR)
Role: Support DPS
Why It’s B-Tier:
COR technically isn’t a “pure DPS,” but when geared for Fomalhaut/Death Penalty, it performs well while providing essential buffs.
Strengths:
- Rolls significantly boost party DPS
- Magic and physical hybrid options
- Decent ranged damage
Weaknesses:
- Outdamaged by S- and A-tier jobs
- More valued for support than numbers
Best Content: Everything (but not as a primary DPS slot)
Final Thoughts: What Should You Play?
If you want raw power, go SAM, WAR, or MNK.
If you want flexibility, choose BLU or DRG.
If you want burst dominance, pick DRK.
If you want utility, THF and COR are unmatched.
The best DPS job ultimately depends on your group composition, goals, and gear level—but in 2025, Samurai remains the uncontested king, while Warrior and Monk hold the front line alongside it.
