July 8th Version Update: New Ammo Gear

[Dekusuta]

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/35228

(NQ) Purchased with Bayld
Convocaller 99 None Avatar Lv. 106 SMN

(HQ) Purchased with Plasm ; required key item semi-pure celadon yggzi (Ceizak Battlegrounds) from T4-5 Delve NM
Dashavatara Sash 99 None Avatar Lv. 113 SMN

Both are ammo slot;

Basically a buff-all to our pets. Granted I feel avatars still need more buffs and SMN still need more abilities and bloodpacts

Assuming the grip(s) are still coming this seems like a good first step.

Thoughts?

[Umisame]

FAST TEST(Dashavatara Sash):
Crimson Howl: attack dont increase
Ifrit Meteor Strike: 3400(without) to 4900(with) vs Strolling Sapling in Konschtat
Wind Blade VS raptor VT: 4900
PC vs raptor VT: 2500(three times tested) with dia 2 3300 dmg
No -perpetuation
46% to 74% healing HP with Wind Blade: 445hp healed(1589 hp?)
More acc/eva/melee dmg

While is a good boost in dmg i feel like we needed more.
(5/5 on merit BP and MAB equip)

[Dekusuta]

1600 HP still at 113? That's no change from before IIRC.

[Mokeil]

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.)

[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.)

[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...)

[Kimarironso]

Sorry to ask anyone know what npc sells the Convocaller?

The Dashavatara Sash is bought from Forri-Porri near the inventor's coalition for 30k Plasma.

[Mokeil]

Sorry to ask anyone know what npc sells the Convocaller?

The Dashavatara Sash is bought from Forri-Porri near the inventor's coalition for 30k Plasma.

It's supposed to come from the Peacekeepers Coalition. It won't be available till at least Sunday - assuming the coalition ranks up on your server.

[Dekusuta]

Did some tests On Chapulis around Biv #1 using Wind Blade with 5/5 MAB merits 4/5 into WB and significant MAB gear ~+70)

No Sash
Dmg / TP (APPROX)
2838 / 20
2786 / 0
2961 /50
2836 /20

With Sash
4371 / 47%
4857 /100%

Basically 1.5 BP can finish off a VT target now and avatars take significantly less damage due to higher evasion/def

That said, HP appears to be unchanged. ~1600 +/- 100 for rounding Based on whispering wind and looking at my pet health %

That is a bit surprising. Was expecting higher HP for a scaled up Pet.

I thought I may have to resummon which I did, so all my HP tests are based on clean summons without swapping out ammo slot for something else.