SMN merit doubt

[Texx-sylph]

Hi,
fresh 85 smn with my char...
have to start thinking about how to merit my fatty galka to become a good smn.
about 2 group categories merit i think i will open all the different BP's and then focus on 1 or 2 (maybe Heavenly Strike and Wind Blade).
for sure the most points are on the avatars i can have with less perp cost thanks to klimaform (i think i will use mainly SCH as subjob).
My real doubt is about group 1 merits.
i'm not sure about Physical and Magical acc/att.
sometimes my avatars land great dmg and then so poor BP's... i would like to be as good as i can and as i am start learning about this job i'm asking you what's the best to merit for physical and magical on my avatar...
oh, of course i will full merit my summoning magic skill and i think also mp's.

any advice is very welcome (also about my subjob choice)!
thanks

[Clou777]

i personally have 5/5 magic attack and magic accuracy, with 5/5 heavenly strike it can deal consistently high dmg, especially in abyssea with right atmas/gear can average about 5k every time

[Dallas]

The only measurable merit is magic attack. Wait until you know your style before selecting the second merit.

[Karbuncle]

I'd personally do Magic Attack. Pet Attack does very little for Bloodpacts if i recall right. Magic Attack/Magic Accuracy will likely be your best bet, Though Dallas is right.

As for T2 Merits, I usually say 1 in each so you have it for that situation, and cap 1. But you can also consider 5/5 One of each Magic Burst (light - Fire Light Wind, Thunder .... Dark - Dark Earth Ice Water). Personally given this option, 5/5 Thunderstorm and 5/5 Heavenlystrike are awesome, Though you shouldn't negate Titan's BP. Its the only BP with an added effect, It Stuns. yes, titants 75 BP has Stun on it. Kinda nice.

Since they're all the same strength, Its up to you!

[Babekeke]

Unfortunately, there's not an equal split between mobs weak to each element. It certainly seems that there are more mobs that are weak to wind, ice or thunder than the others (not counting light/dark since you can't merit those). I personally don't see much point in putting more than 3 merits into any 1, unless you never leave the avatar out.

Summon > Mana cede > Assault (2 hits at ~8TP per hit plus 6 ticks since you summoned whilst wearing Caller's Pendant) > BP Rage whilst wearing Caller's Spats +2 = 300% TP with 3 merits.

If you leave it out for the next 45 seconds until next BP, The chances are that you'll get another 130 TP built up ready for the next BP (37.5 from Caller's Pendant alone so you only need to melee 93TP), especially if the avatar is getting hit.

My Avatar TP gain is just from eyeballing though, I can't find any hard info on how fast an avatar gets TP >.>

[Tsukino_Kaji]

5/5 in both attacks, don't worry about any of that accuracy bull. If you're not going to hit, you're not going to hit. Besides, the +2 gear has all the acc you need on it. Try to get your relic hands from lastok if you don't already have them.
Catagory 2, put 1 into everything and then 5/5 into whichever avatar is your favorite as none of them have any substantial damage.
My Avatar TP gain is just from eyeballing though, I can't find any hard info on how fast an avatar gets TP >.><pettp> every time it hits, you'll figure it out eventualy. lol

[Karbuncle]

I'm nearly positive Avatar Attack does next to absolutely NOTHING for Physical BP Rage (Shown with Mirque/Other Augmented Items). I could be remembering the tests horribly wrong, but meriting Physical Attack 5/5 Would basically be wasting 5 merits to increase your pets melee damage by a tiny amount.

Magic Accuracy however, Can be quite useful. Even piling on Summoning Magic Skill Gear, Some mobs like Bismarck or what have you could resist. Having that extra umph is always good. Then again, Its also one of those situational merits. I'm currently 5/5 Atk/Matk, But i've given thought to changing it around.

[Rakshaka]

I recently tried putting points into the new cast time merit. Oh man, it's sooo good. That, along with fast cast gear while summoning just makes it so much easier to react quickly to situations with your avatars. Personally I thought the new merits would be worthless, but after trying them, I love em.

[Babekeke]

Phys acc and Magic att is a good combo for group 1 since getting an extra melee hit or 2 (if letting the avatar melee) means you have even more power on your magic BPs