July 8th Version Update: New Ammo Gear

[Herby]

Forget the Huactzin Shield it sucks (sad but true)

[Hayward]

Forget the Forefront Flute, too. No point in having a Reive-only Gjallahorn. At least give people the option to upgrade it to where you can use it anywhere.

On the Convocaller, It certainly allows SMNs to fight NMs far more quickly in Abyssea. While Fighting Ouzelum in Altepa, Shiva was hitting Rushes for almost 3,000 HP consistently. On top of that, Fire spells didn't do much damage to her.

Would certainly like to get the level 113 sash, but I've yet to even try Delve. Tier II bayld weapons will have to do for now.

[Babekeke]

Forget the Forefront Flute, too. No point in having a Reive-only Gjallahorn. At least give people the option to upgrade it to where you can use it anywhere.

I'm actually intrigued to see if "Reive:" items also work in delve, the same way that "Assault:" items also worked in salvage. I carried around that stupid "Assault: ballad +1" flute (Storm Fife?) for ages.
Though there's very little that I'd use it for as most of my instruments now give +3. Just ballad probably.

[nyheen]

well after doing some quick testing with the Convocaller. this thing is badass! looks to be a mini Dashavatara Sash, pets lot more eva, magic def,def attack etc. while trying it around Boyahda Tree with Ifrit doing like 6-8k+ dmg on Elder Goobbues etc with Flaming Crush. no +2 stuff yet just 1s.
mess around in Abyssea - La Theine with garuda soloing the UFO NM. atma was RR apoc MM. mosting hitting him for 4k-5k+ Predator Claws. kinda lot with a mob that got lot def. i only had to call 2 garudas she got some great eva def etc on him.

overall if you not able to get the HQ, this baby is just as good. it just the NQ

[Archades]

Ive been using the convocaller since it was available. definitely an improvement i just put a list of nms from Aby i've fought since in the smn solo/duo thread. My opinion definitely a plus for any summoner not doin delve.

[Edyth]

I'm liking the nice damage increase... How's avatar durability looking, though?

For example, the Alternator adds no HP to the Automaton, and yet I can have my Sharpshot tank 2 VT lizards in Morimar with no problems due to pure evasion and defense. No increases to HP might not be that big of an issue if the defensive stats are good enough.


(I've been hoarding plasm for this update. Here's hoping it was worth it.)

The evasion bonus is extremely noticeable. The damage resistance is noticeable until the enemies are incredibly tough to 99. Tulfaires and Bloodmoon Umbrils still hurt, but they'd hurt far more without the Dashavatara Sash.

[Mokeil]

I gotta say, I'm actually fairly pleased with the boost to avatar performance. I've found myself able to solo the mobs in areas up to, and including, Morimar and the Foret without much problem. It seems to do for us what the Alternator did for Automaton performance. My avatars feel decidedly beefy once more, and I actually feel good about bringing my Summoner along when I do things with my friends again.

(DISCLAIMER: The preceding display of grudging approval in no way shape or form indicates that I think SMN does not still have seriously fundamental problems that still need to be addressed soon, or that I think SMN has actually gotten an update. We have merely been given the same bump in power everyone else already got. Nothing else has changed.)

I am a little concerned for our actual selves now, though. Now that we're starting to see some of the gear revamps coming off the test server, it looks like everything with an item level of 100+ is getting all sorts of boosts to defense, HP, MP, and most especially Evasion and Magic Evasion. Outside of a new staff and ammo item, however, Summoners pretty much use exactly 0 of that gear.

As things stand now, I already get dropped in 2-3 swings by anything in Adoulin, thanks to my lousy HP total, paper thin defense, and lack of Evasion skill to match boosted enemy stats - let alone any stray AoE attacks. Are we really going to be expected to head into high content level events with our level 90 empyrean and relic gears (basically, the only things outside of a few outliers that actually provide beneficial stats for someone trying to be a SMN and not just a /WHM)?

I know Summoners have always had rather different gear preferences than the other mages, but the consequence of forcing character growth via only items means that you have to make sure there are items to allow jobs to grow. It doesn't matter how awesome our avatars are if we, the Summoner, can get K.O.ed by a passing breeze.

(DISCLAIMER: The preceding concern in no way shape or form indicates that I think it is the greatest problem facing SMN, or that I think SMN will have actually gotten an update when such concern is addressed. We will merely have been given the same bump in defense everyone else will already be enjoying by being able to make use of level appropriate gear. Nothing else will have changed.)

[Archades]

Well there is one good thing about gear leveling us up. We don't get weaker every time we "level up".

Just looking for that small silver lining.

[FaeQueenCory]

I gotta say, I'm actually fairly pleased with the boost to avatar performance. I've found myself able to solo the mobs in areas up to, and including, Morimar and the Foret without much problem. It seems to do for us what the Alternator did for Automaton performance. My avatars feel decidedly beefy once more, and I actually feel good about bringing my Summoner along when I do things with my friends again.

(DISCLAIMER: The preceding display of grudging approval in no way shape or form indicates that I think SMN does not still have seriously fundamental problems that still need to be addressed soon, or that I think SMN has actually gotten an update. We have merely been given the same bump in power everyone else already got. Nothing else has changed.)

I am a little concerned for our actual selves now, though. Now that we're starting to see some of the gear revamps coming off the test server, it looks like everything with an item level of 100+ is getting all sorts of boosts to defense, HP, MP, and most especially Evasion and Magic Evasion. Outside of a new staff and ammo item, however, Summoners pretty much use exactly 0 of that gear.

As things stand now, I already get dropped in 2-3 swings by anything in Adoulin, thanks to my lousy HP total, paper thin defense, and lack of Evasion skill to match boosted enemy stats - let alone any stray AoE attacks. Are we really going to be expected to head into high content level events with our level 90 empyrean and relic gears (basically, the only things outside of a few outliers that actually provide beneficial stats for someone trying to be a SMN and not just a /WHM)?

I know Summoners have always had rather different gear preferences than the other mages, but the consequence of forcing character growth via only items means that you have to make sure there are items to allow jobs to grow. It doesn't matter how awesome our avatars are if we, the Summoner, can get K.O.ed by a passing breeze.

(DISCLAIMER: The preceding concern in no way shape or form indicates that I think it is the greatest problem facing SMN, or that I think SMN will have actually gotten an update when such concern is addressed. We will merely have been given the same bump in defense everyone else will already be enjoying by being able to make use of level appropriate gear. Nothing else will have changed.)

SO true... But then hasn't smn ALWAYS been the red-headed step-child when it comes to gear?
Not that I'm saying we should be thankful for the... two... delve... macro-only... gear... and quit complaining. (I'm talking about Bowkus Circlet and Yaksomoto's Pole... haven't gotten the circlet yet so I don't know if it's better than the emp+2 or if the +% proc from the set bonus is better... it has less summoning skill... but I think +10 mab might make up for that with the magical BPs.
And no smn would idle that staff... sure the +crazyMP is nice and all... but I'm pretty sure the idle staves with 99% -if not all- SMNs are the -perp magian staves and a Terra's Staff -depending on if you have an avatar out or not-.)

I have to admit though... at least this +99 Adoulin gear is WAY better than the extra Abyssea gear.... because we actually GET pieces. (aside from the empy I mean)
I'm fairly confident that there's at least now one person finally on the dev team who likes smn...
And I hope that this new super-god-+70-to-all-stats grip will be just what we need to cope like all the other jobs.

(also it better darn well have at LEAST +3 summoning skill... if not +10... I was VERY disappointed in losing +45mp for a boost to avatar level... it's worth it... but as an Elvaan smn... it hurt a bit. I can only imagine the horror a Galka smn would have with that loss...
And further: other pet jobs have... y'know... STUFF that their +99 equipment does... what does the +99 smn gear do? just makes your avatar +99... no +skill... no +mp... no nothing.
I mean, I'm glad for the boost. It was needed... but... surely there's programing room on that item to at least do SOMETHING more than just raise the avatar level... I mean... dear god... look at that BST axe...)

[FaeQueenCory]

http://bg-wiki.com/bg/August_2013_Ve...Update_Changes
Bluh.
I was hoping that that grip would be in this update.... what with the new bayld gear... (I'm hoping that if it is going to be a Delve gear thing... that it has a bayld version, much like the Convocaller or the PUP animator...)
I guess.... later then.... lol