The Good, the Bad, the Ugly, a Summoner survey

[Malamasala]

I thought I'd just for fun make a quick survey on how everyone plays the job. What you focus on, and what you avoid.

I'll try and create a template to fill in here, and hopefully get it to look good enough for quick quoting and filling in. Going to assume most of you all are 90, but you can fill leave a comment about level if you are not.

Check with:
'O' = Use it frequently
'/' = Use it occasionally
'X' = Don't use it



Favors
*****
Carbuncle's Favor []
Ifrit's Favor []
Shiva's Favor []
Garuda's Favor []
Titan's Favor []
Ramuh's Favor []
Leviathan's Favor []
Fenrir's Favor []
Diabolos' Favor []
Comment:

Wards
*****
Healing Ruby []
Shining Ruby []
Aerial Armor []
Frost Armor []
Rolling Thunder []
Lunar Roar []
Slowga []
Whispering Wind []
Ultimate Terror []
Crimson Howl []
Sleepga []
Lightning Armor []
Ecliptic Growl []
Glittering Ruby []
Earthen Ward []
Spring Water []
Hastega []
NoctoShield []
Ecliptic Howl[]
Dream Shroud []
Healing Ruby II []
Earthen Armor []
Tidal Roar []
Fleet Wind []
Inferno Howl []
Diamond Storm []
Comment:

Spirits:
*****
Light Spirit []
Dark Spirit []
Fire Spirit []
Earth Spirit []
Water Spirit []
Wind Spirit []
Thunder Spirit []
Ice Spirit []
Comment:

Rages:
Night Terror []
Lunar Bay []
Holy Mist []
Grand Fall []
Thunderstorm []
Geocrush []
Wind Blade []
Heavenly Strike []
Meteor Strike []
Chaotic Strike []
Rush []
Predator Claws []
Spinning Dive []
Mountain Buster []
Flaming Crush []
Nether Blast []
Eclipse Bite []
IV-spells []
Meteorite []
Double Slap []
Megalith Throw []
Double Punch []
Tail Whip []
II-spells []
Crescent Fang []
Moonlit Charge []
Poison Nails []
Camisado []
Shock Strike []
Axe Kick []
Claw []
Barracuda Dive []
Rock Throw []
Punch []
Comment:


Example: And my own post unless I go past some kind of posting limit.

Favors
*****
Carbuncle's Favor [X]
Ifrit's Favor [X]
Shiva's Favor [X]
Garuda's Favor [X]
Titan's Favor [X]
Ramuh's Favor [X]
Leviathan's Favor [X]
Fenrir's Favor [X]
Diabolos' Favor [X]
Comment: I've avoided Favors usually because I'm not interested in the damage penalty, as well as almost always being in a mixed party where only 2-ish people would benefit from each favor anyway.

Wards
*****
Healing Ruby [/]
Shining Ruby [X]
Aerial Armor [X]
Frost Armor [X]
Rolling Thunder [X]
Lunar Roar [X]
Slowga [X]
Whispering Wind [/]
Ultimate Terror [X]
Crimson Howl [X]
Sleepga [/]
Lightning Armor [X]
Ecliptic Growl [X]
Glittering Ruby [X]
Earthen Ward [/]
Spring Water [/]
Hastega [/]
NoctoShield [X]
Ecliptic Howl[X]
Dream Shroud [X]
Healing Ruby II [/]
Earthen Armor [X]
Tidal Roar [X]
Fleet Wind [/]
Inferno Howl [X]
Diamond Storm [X]
Comment: I don't know what it is with wards, but I've usually felt like they are never quite worth it. Most other jobs cover them much better. I'd probably use more of them if they weren't so weak/random. I mostly just sleep/nuke mobs, or hastega a party of melee (or stunners), or toss up stonskin if I can't cover myself with subjob stoneskin. Also of course healing my party/avatars.

Spirits:
*****
Light Spirit [/]
Dark Spirit [X]
Fire Spirit [/]
Earth Spirit [X]
Water Spirit [X]
Wind Spirit [X]
Thunder Spirit [/]
Ice Spirit [X]
Comment: I love spirits, which is why I have three of them as "occasionally". But they are rarely worth using at all. I could have had them all as occasionally for triggers, but I find it so annoying that I only use them as a last resort and usually get a real BLM to tag along. I believe if they didn't insist on casting so much junk, and didn't reset their spell timers to max delay on assaults, these could be pretty useful.

Rages:
Night Terror [X]
Lunar Bay [/]
Holy Mist [/]
Grand Fall [/]
Thunderstorm [/]
Geocrush [O]
Wind Blade [/]
Heavenly Strike [O]
Meteor Strike [/]
Chaotic Strike [/]
Rush [/]
Predator Claws [O]
Spinning Dive [/]
Mountain Buster [/]
Flaming Crush [X]
Nether Blast [X]
Eclipse Bite [/]
IV-spells [/]
Meteorite [X]
Double Slap [X]
Megalith Throw [X]
Double Punch [X]
Tail Whip [X]
II-spells [X]
Crescent Fang [X]
Moonlit Charge [X]
Poison Nails [X]
Camisado [X]
Shock Strike [X]
Axe Kick [X]
Claw [X]
Barracuda Dive [X]
Rock Throw [X]
Punch [X]
Comment: I mostly stick with Heavenly Strike, since it is max merited. I also enjoy the stun of geocrush. Else I do like everyone else, and use Predator claws. I really wish these were more split up, so I could have used the low level ones for debuffs, but since they all share timers, I can only do the highest level ones. It makes sense in some ways, but it is also annoying that you can't be a utility job but are stuck as a DD.

[Soundwave]

**Abyssea Summoner**

Favors
*****
Carbuncle's Favor [X]
Ifrit's Favor [X]
Shiva's Favor [X]
Garuda's Favor [X]
Titan's Favor [X]
Ramuh's Favor [X]
Leviathan's Favor [X]
Fenrir's Favor [X]
Diabolos' Favor [X]
Comment: lol?

Wards
*****
Healing Ruby [X]
Shining Ruby [X]
Aerial Armor [X]
Frost Armor [/]
Rolling Thunder [X]
Lunar Roar [X]
Slowga [X]
Whispering Wind [/]
Ultimate Terror [/]
Crimson Howl [X]
Sleepga [X]
Lightning Armor [X]
Ecliptic Growl [/]
Glittering Ruby [X]
Earthen Ward []
Spring Water [/]
Hastega [/]
NoctoShield [/]
Ecliptic Howl[/]
Dream Shroud [/]
Healing Ruby II [/]
Earthen Armor [O]
Tidal Roar [/]
Fleet Wind [O]
Inferno Howl [/]
Diamond Storm [O]
Comment:

Spirits:
*****
Light Spirit [X]
Dark Spirit [X]
Fire Spirit [X]
Earth Spirit [X]
Water Spirit [X]
Wind Spirit [X]
Thunder Spirit [X]
Ice Spirit [X]
Comment:Only for siphion....

Rages:
Night Terror [x]
Lunar Bay [x]
Holy Mist [x]
Grand Fall [/]
Thunderstorm [x]
Geocrush [o]
Wind Blade [/]
Heavenly Strike [o]
Meteor Strike [x]
Chaotic Strike [o]
Rush [x]
Predator Claws [/]
Spinning Dive [/]
Mountain Buster [x]
Flaming Crush [x]
Nether Blast [x]
Eclipse Bite [x]
IV-spells [x]
Meteorite [x]
Double Slap [X]
Megalith Throw [X]
Double Punch [x]
Tail Whip [x]
II-spells [x]
Crescent Fang [X]
Moonlit Charge [X]
Poison Nails [x]
Camisado [x]
Shock Strike [x]
Axe Kick [x]
Claw [X]
Barracuda Dive [x]
Rock Throw [x]
Punch [x]

[Rezeak]

Favors
*****
Comment: Outside abyssea only when soloing to save mp (aka for -prep)

Wards
*****
Fleet Wind [OOOOOOO]
Earthen Ward [O]
Spring Water [O]
Whispering Wind [O]
Hastega [/]
Healing Ruby II [/]
Comment: if i'm sub /nin i'll use all these alot and hastaga i just use if theres DDs in my party

Spirits:
*****
Light Spirit [O]
Comment: I use em all for Siphon but i use Light spirit for Pro shell and cures when i'm low.

Rages:
Geocrush [O]
Heavenly Strike [O]
Predator Claws [O]
Diamond dust [O]
Comment: Geo for Stun, Strike cause of beyond, Pclaw cause it hurts stuff the most and Diamond dust for AoE exping

[rufuslupus]

Favors
*****
Carbuncle's Favor [/]
Ifrit's Favor [/]
Shiva's Favor [/]
Garuda's Favor [o]
Titan's Favor [x]
Ramuh's Favor [/]
Leviathan's Favor [/]
Fenrir's Favor [x]
Diabolos' Favor [o]
Comment:[/] is what people usually demand for events like sea, dynamis, abyssea, or when i see the need for it to support. no 1 asks for fenrir or titan, gaurdas favor is used just for the -perp for free avatar and same said for diabolos and his refresh.

Wards
*****
Healing Ruby [x]
Shining Ruby [x]
Aerial Armor [x]
Frost Armor [x]
Rolling Thunder [x]
Lunar Roar [x]
Slowga [x]
Whispering Wind [/]
Ultimate Terror [/]
Crimson Howl [x]
Sleepga [x]
Lightning Armor [x]
Ecliptic Growl [x]
Glittering Ruby [x]
Earthen Ward [o]
Spring Water [/]
Hastega [o]
NoctoShield [o]
Ecliptic Howl[x]
Dream Shroud [o]
Healing Ruby II [o]
Earthen Armor [/]
Tidal Roar [/]
Fleet Wind [o]
Inferno Howl [x]
Diamond Storm [x]
Comment: garuda only has 2 helpful wards late game, i always use phalanx with stoneskin, diabolos self avatar buff, and the new stuff for taru tanks. use nightmare over sleepga.

Spirits:
*****
Light Spirit [/]
Dark Spirit [/]
Fire Spirit [/]
Earth Spirit [/]
Water Spirit [/]
Wind Spirit [/]
Thunder Spirit [/]
Ice Spirit [/]
Comment: spihon only reason to use them

Rages:
Night Terror [/]
Lunar Bay [/]
Holy Mist [/]
Grand Fall [o]
Thunderstorm [x]
Geocrush [x]
Wind Blade [x]
Heavenly Strike [x]
Meteor Strike [o]
Chaotic Strike [/]
Rush [x]
Predator Claws [o]
Spinning Dive [x]
Mountain Buster [x]
Flaming Crush [/]
Nether Blast [o]
Eclipse Bite [/]
IV-spells [o]
Meteorite [/]
Double Slap [x]
Megalith Throw [x]
Double Punch [x]
Tail Whip [x]
II-spells [x]
Crescent Fang [x]
Moonlit Charge [x]
Poison Nails [/]
Camisado [o]
Shock Strike [x]
Axe Kick [x]
Claw [x]
Barracuda Dive [x]
Rock Throw [x]
Punch [x]
Comment: i'm a magic smn so i use magic pacts a lot. merits full magic accuracy and magic damage hence why those 2 merit pacts are [o] cause they are level 5. since i do sea and events i'm called on to do certain damage types when needed, blunt, slash, but smn dosn't have a ranged pierce that counts. carby at level 90 does cheap good poison nail damage, IV nukes sometimes to save mp but still do high damage. i always use camisado after diabolos does his nether blast because it's just attacking 2 times in a row. nightmare then night terror.

[Razushu]

Favors
*****
Carbuncle's Favor [/]
Ifrit's Favor [/]
Shiva's Favor [/]
Garuda's Favor [/]
Titan's Favor [/]
Ramuh's Favor [/]
Leviathan's Favor [/]
Fenrir's Favor [/]
Diabolos' Favor [/]
Comment: Aside from Diabolo's and Carbuncle's none of the other's were ever used for anything other than - perp while doing stuff with friends. I've used Carbunlce's favor only ever for the regen and 50/50 diabolo's for - perp or the refresh

Wards
*****
Healing Ruby [O]
Shining Ruby [X]
Aerial Armor [/]
Frost Armor [/]
Rolling Thunder [/]
Lunar Roar [/]
Slowga [/]
Whispering Wind [O]
Ultimate Terror [X]
Crimson Howl [/
Sleepga [/]
Lightning Armor [/]
Ecliptic Growl [/]
Glittering Ruby [X]
Earthen Ward [/]
Spring Water [/]
Hastega [O]
NoctoShield [/]
Ecliptic Howl[/]
Dream Shroud [X]
Healing Ruby II [O]
Earthen Armor [X]
Tidal Roar [X]
Fleet Wind [O]
Inferno Howl [X]
Diamond Storm [X]
Comment: The healing pacts are pretty obvious i use them if i have the avatar out and need healing or in the case of Healing Ruby II if I'm main healing on something, the newer wards haven't really had occasion to use and most of the rest that i ticked / or X is because they either aren't usually useful or i'd only use them if i had extra MP and no other ward was needed from the avatar atm.

Spirits:
*****
Light Spirit [O]
Dark Spirit [O]
Fire Spirit [O]
Earth Spirit [O]
Water Spirit [O]
Wind Spirit [O]
Thunder Spirit [O]
Ice Spirit [O]
Comment: Purely for Elemental Siphon

Rages:
Night Terror [/]
Lunar Bay [/]
Holy Mist [/]
Grand Fall []
Thunderstorm []
Geocrush []
Wind Blade [X]
Heavenly Strike [X]
Meteor Strike []
Chaotic Strike []
Rush [/]
Predator Claws [X]
Spinning Dive [/]
Mountain Buster [/]
Flaming Crush [/]
Nether Blast [/]
Eclipse Bite [/]
IV-spells [/]
Meteorite [/]
Double Slap [X]
Megalith Throw [X]
Double Punch [X]
Tail Whip [X]
II-spells [X]
Thunderspark [/]
Crescent Fang [X]
Moonlit Charge [X]
Poison Nails [X]
Camisado [X]
Shock Strike [X]
Axe Kick [X]
Claw [X]
Barracuda Dive [X]
Rock Throw [X]
Punch [X]
Comment: Mostly I just use what hurts the most in the moment or if I'm AOEing stuff thats weak Thunderspark I only have Windblade and Heavnly Strike atm but I'm thinking of changing that to have all elements covered

[Suljin]

Check with:
'O' = Use it frequently
'/' = Use it occasionally
'X' = Don't use it



Favors
*****
Carbuncle's Favor [/]
Ifrit's Favor [/]
Shiva's Favor [x]
Garuda's Favor [x]
Titan's Favor [x]
Ramuh's Favor [x]
Leviathan's Favor [x]
Fenrir's Favor [/]
Diabolos' Favor [/]
Comment:

Wards
*****
Healing Ruby [x]
Shining Ruby [x]
Aerial Armor [/]
Frost Armor [x]
Rolling Thunder [x]
Lunar Roar [/]
Slowga [x]
Whispering Wind [O]
Ultimate Terror [x]
Crimson Howl [x]
Sleepga [x]
Lightning Armor [x]
Ecliptic Growl [x]
Glittering Ruby [x]
Earthen Ward [O]
Spring Water [O]
Hastega [O]
NoctoShield [/]
Ecliptic Howl[/]
Dream Shroud [/]
Healing Ruby II [O]
Earthen Armor [/]
Tidal Roar [O]
Fleet Wind [O]
Inferno Howl [O]
Diamond Storm [/]
Comment:

Spirits:
*****
Light Spirit [/]
Dark Spirit [x]
Fire Spirit [x]
Earth Spirit [x]
Water Spirit [x]
Wind Spirit [x]
Thunder Spirit [x]
Ice Spirit [x]
Comment: I Have used my spirits to trigger !! solo on occasion, as well as light spirit for kiting since holy/flash/banish are good at grabbing hate.

Rages:
Night Terror [x]
Lunar Bay [/]
Holy Mist [/]
Grand Fall [/]
Thunderstorm [O]
Geocrush [O]
Wind Blade [O]
Heavenly Strike [O]
Meteor Strike [/]
Chaotic Strike [O]
Rush [x]
Predator Claws [O]
Spinning Dive [x]
Mountain Buster [/]
Flaming Crush [x]
Nether Blast [x]
Eclipse Bite [/]
IV-spells [x]
Meteorite [x]
Double Slap [x]
Megalith Throw [x]
Double Punch [x]
Tail Whip [x]
II-spells [x]
Crescent Fang [x]
Moonlit Charge [x]
Poison Nails [x]
Camisado [x]
Shock Strike [/]
Axe Kick [x]
Claw [x]
Barracuda Dive [x]
Rock Throw [x]
Punch [x]
Comment:

[Mystier]

Favors
*****
Carbuncle's Favor [x]
Ifrit's Favor [x]
Shiva's Favor [x]
Garuda's Favor [x]
Titan's Favor [x]
Ramuh's Favor [x]
Leviathan's Favor [x]
Fenrir's Favor [x]
Diabolos' Favor [o]

Comment:I only use Diabolos's Favor when I need to afk in a party, otherwise I really don't use favors. The time it takes to build the potency to reasonable effectiveness is too long. Add to it they lose thier own potency, and hold terrible hate to begin with means they are faily useless solo.

Wards
*****
Healing Ruby [x]
Shining Ruby [x]
Aerial Armor [x]
Frost Armor [x]
Rolling Thunder [x]
Lunar Roar [/]
Slowga [x]
Whispering Wind [o]
Ultimate Terror [x]
Crimson Howl [/]
Sleepga [o]
Lightning Armor [x]
Ecliptic Growl [o]
Glittering Ruby [x]
Earthen Ward [o]
Spring Water [o]
Hastega [o]
NoctoShield [o]
Ecliptic Howl[o]
Dream Shroud [o]
Healing Ruby II [o]
Earthen Armor [o]
Tidal Roar [o]
Fleet Wind [o]
Inferno Howl [o]
Diamond Storm [o]

Comment:The use of wards simply come down to how the fight is being fought, my role in the fight, and the actual target at hand. What is needed? If that's covered, what can help the most at that point in the fight. The extended duration of buffs due to skill is great. Just wish there was an increased potency of buffs based on the same skill.


Spirits:
*****
Light Spirit [o]
Dark Spirit [o]
Fire Spirit [o]
Earth Spirit [o]
Water Spirit [o]
Wind Spirit [o]
Thunder Spirit [o]
Ice Spirit [o]

Comment:I'm really enjoying keeping the spirits out lately due to them being free now on matching day or weather. Something different. Though I again wish that we would update their spell lists to reflect a growth in levels. And there should be an increased MAB as they grow in level too. Share some actual BLM job traits. It is what they are. Give em the faster cast and native MAB. And the Tier V spells!

Rages:
Night Terror [o]
Lunar Bay [o]
Holy Mist [o]
Grand Fall [o]
Thunderstorm [o]
Geocrush [o]
Wind Blade [o]
Heavenly Strike [o]
Meteor Strike [o]
Chaotic Strike [o]
Rush [o]
Predator Claws [o]
Spinning Dive [o]
Mountain Buster [o]
Flaming Crush [o]
Nether Blast []
Eclipse Bite [o]
IV-spells [x]
Meteorite [x]
Double Slap [x]
Megalith Throw [x]
Double Punch [x]
Tail Whip [x]
II-spells [x]
Crescent Fang [x]
Moonlit Charge [x]
Poison Nails [x]
Camisado [x]
Shock Strike [x]
Axe Kick [x]
Claw [x]
Barracuda Dive [x]
Rock Throw [x]
Punch [x]

Comment: I make use of all the highest tier Physical and Magical based BPs. Though again I usually decide which damage type I'm going to be using due to atma choices influencing the numbers dramatically.

I really don't mind the BP choices that we have. I'd like to see a couple more AoE damage hopefully, and some unique buffs to the smn job before all is said and done. My biggest issue with the job is the BP timers. The timer is too long these days. Avatars can't generate enough hate with DOTs, nor can they cause spike enough to cap hate that way either. Buff pacts should be no longer then 30 Seconds cool down and onlyfor some pacts. The Pact's Potency/Functionality should dictate how long a cooldown should be, it should more resemble spell recast timers. The fact is we're still gonna be limited to our manapools for one, no bp is really that cheap that spamming it isn't gonna drain us, just like spamming Ancient Magic or Cure 6 spells do to blm and whm. The perp cost, BP cost, and Avatar's lack of retaining hate is more then enough to compensate with the spike damage. Just my 2 cents.

[Venrymel]

Favors
*****
Carbuncle's Favor [O]
Ifrit's Favor [O]
Shiva's Favor [/]
Garuda's Favor [/]
Titan's Favor [O]
Ramuh's Favor [O]
Leviathan's Favor [/]
Fenrir's Favor [/]
Diabolos' Favor [O]
Comment: For each list, situation dictates necessity. As you can see, there aren't any that I altogether don't use. SMN being a support job, I'm sad whenever I'm a party to myself or with few people to assist within the alliance. All of these provide an opportunity to help party members do damage or be protected from it; added to that each avatar has Wards and Rages to the same effect.

Wards
*****
Healing Ruby [O]
Shining Ruby [/]
Glittering Ruby [/]
Healing Ruby II [O]
Crimson Howl [/]
Inferno Howl [O]
Frost Armor [/]
Sleepga [/]
Diamond Storm [/]
Aerial Armor [/]
Whispering Wind [/]
Hastega [O]
Fleet Wind [O]
Earthen Ward [O]
Earthen Armor [/]
Rolling Thunder [O]
Lightning Armor [/]
Slowga [O]
Spring Water [O]
Tidal Roar [O]
Lunar Cry [/] This one was missing from your list. ^^
Lunar Roar [/]
Ecliptic Growl [/]
Ecliptic Howl [/]
Somnolence [/] This one was missing from your list. ^^
Nightmare [/] This one was missing from your list. ^^
Ultimate Terror [/]
NoctoShield [O]
Dream Shroud [/]
Comment: Situation dictates necessity.

Spirits:
*****
Light Spirit [/]
Fire Spirit [/]
Ice Spirit [/]
Wind Spirit [/]
Earth Spirit [/]
Thunder Spirit [/]
Water Spirit [/]
Dark Spirit [/]
Comment: These are mainly for Elemental Siphon, but they're good in a pinch because of how quickly can be summoned. I haven't made use of the new reduction in perpetuation. I don't remember reading that it existed, but regardless, I of course prefer having the avatars for their pacts and favors.

Rages:
Poison Nails [/]
Meteorite [/]
Holy Mist [/]
Punch [/]
II-spells [/]
Burning Strike [/] This one was missing from your list. ^^
Double Punch [/]
IV-spells [/]
Flaming Crush []
Meteor Strike [X]
Axe Kick [/]
Double Slap [/]
Rush [/]
Heavenly Strike [X]
Claw [/]
Predator Claws [O]
Wind Blade [X]
Rock Throw [/]
Rock Buster [/] This one was missing from your list.^^
Megalith Throw [/]
Mountain Buster [/]
Geocrush [X]
Shock Strike [/]
Thunderspark [O] This one was missing from your list. ^^
Chaotic Strike [/]
Thunderstorm [O]
Barracuda Dive [/]
Tail Whip [/]
Spinning Dive [/]
Grand Fall [O]
Moonlit Charge [/]
Crescent Fang [O]
Eclipse Bite [O]
Lunar Bay [O]
Camisado [/]
Nether Blast [/]
Night Terror [/]
Comment: The only abilities I don't use at all are Merits aside from Levi and Ramuh. I choose to specialize to cap damage on them. It's not quite as important a thing now that Abyssea exists. With planning, I could always switch to a different one for a mega boss fight, but I don't get asked to endgame type much, and don't commit to the hectic nature of planning any of it.

I favor Levi and Ramuh; aside from Diabolos, they're the first ones' staves I'm getting through Magian Trials to reduce perpetuation.

I don't understand people using so few of the Blood Pacts. They all have their uses. A particular avatar for its Favor and its pacts in the process. I think one minute is doing just fine as a recast. Various avatars' varying Rages mean using a little bit of MP for a quick hit above melee or, legitimately, more for more (depending). Eclipse Bite usually doesn't disappoint, but even Predator Claws hits for barely more than melee sometimes—adored as it is for the powerful punch it purportedly packs.

I'm quite happy that more than Ramuh finally have a Ward for added melee elemental damage and that Ifrit and Titan at last have more than one Ward. I'm also happy Fenrir now has just one Pact that uses his TP.

Mana Cede is awesome, too. A quick jump to AoE healing or magic damage.

The only thing I think makes almost no sense about some avatars' pacts are Garuda and Levi's healing Wards. According to their respective stories, Garuda's should be the one to negate ailments. The thing that mitigates this confusion is Garuda's Hastega and Levi's otherwise far less useful Wards.

Tidal Roar fits great, I think. If developers would consider swapping Whispering Wind and Spring Water's ailment bonuses, I suggest a Ward for Levi that would comparitively, perhaps radically, alter the party's hate balance to mitigate that loss. Something akin to "Provoke", but something that does as much to draw attention as to confuse the attention of the enemy(ies). To be clearer, I think it would make sense as something that's a Ward AoE party target, or Ward AoE enemy target.

[Kensagaku]

Favors
*****
Carbuncle's Favor [X]
Ifrit's Favor [/]
Shiva's Favor [X]
Garuda's Favor [/]
Titan's Favor [/]
Ramuh's Favor [X]
Leviathan's Favor [X]
Fenrir's Favor [X]
Diabolos' Favor [/]
Comment: Favors don't really get much use for me, because either your avatar has to be up front adding TP to the mob with attacks or your SMN has to be up there in AoE range to give the buff from an idle avatar. I also do a lot of solo/duo on SMN.

Wards
*****
Healing Ruby [O]
Shining Ruby [/]
Aerial Armor [O]
Frost Armor [/]
Rolling Thunder [X]
Lunar Roar [/]
Slowga [X]
Whispering Wind [O]
Ultimate Terror [X]
Crimson Howl [X]
Sleepga [/]
Lightning Armor [/]
Ecliptic Growl [X]
Glittering Ruby [X]
Earthen Ward [/]
Spring Water [O]
Hastega [/]
NoctoShield [X]
Ecliptic Howl[X]
Dream Shroud [X]
Healing Ruby II [/]
Earthen Armor [/]
Tidal Roar [X]
Fleet Wind [O]
Inferno Howl [X]
Diamond Storm [X]
Comment: I generally don't use a lot of wards. Spring Water/Whispering Wind are useful for getting your pet a bit of extra health to ride out a BP: Rage timer if necessary. Shadows from Aerial armor are nice, as is the SS. And of course everyone loves Fleet Wind. SMN Mazurka ftw.

Spirits:
*****
Light Spirit [/]
Dark Spirit [X]
Fire Spirit [X]
Earth Spirit [X]
Water Spirit [X]
Wind Spirit [X]
Thunder Spirit [X]
Ice Spirit [X]
Comment: The Xs are there because I only use them for Siphon, or to catch a mob if I don't have enough time to retreat to summon an avatar. Light Spirit is used for self-buffs.

Rages:
Night Terror [X]
Lunar Bay [/]
Holy Mist [X]
Grand Fall [O]
Thunderstorm [X]
Geocrush [X]
Wind Blade [X]
Heavenly Strike [O]
Meteor Strike [X]
Chaotic Strike [/]
Rush [X]
Predator Claws [O]
Spinning Dive [/]
Mountain Buster [X]
Flaming Crush [X]
Nether Blast [X]
Eclipse Bite [X]
IV-spells [X]
Meteorite [X]
Double Slap [X]
Megalith Throw [X]
Double Punch [X]
Tail Whip [X]
II-spells [X]
Crescent Fang [X]
Moonlit Charge [X]
Poison Nails [X]
Camisado [X]
Shock Strike [X]
Axe Kick [X]
Claw [X]
Barracuda Dive [X]
Rock Throw [X]
Punch [X]
Comment: Mostly the high-end ones... I have 5/5 Heavenly Strike/Grand Fall Merits, but I use PClaws for phys, and then vary on my other rages depending on situation.

[Defiledsickness]

Favors
*****
Carbuncle's Favor [/]
Ifrit's Favor [X]
Shiva's Favor [X]
Garuda's Favor [X]
Titan's Favor [X]
Ramuh's Favor [X]
Leviathan's Favor [X]
Fenrir's Favor [X]
Diabolos' Favor [/]
Comment: i used favors when i leveled smn up cuz my dmg sucked. i dont use them now because i only play smn to kill things with other pet jobs

Wards
*****
Healing Ruby [X]
Shining Ruby [/]
Aerial Armor [/]
Frost Armor [/]
Rolling Thunder [X]
Lunar Roar [X]
Slowga [X]
Whispering Wind [O]
Ultimate Terror [X]
Crimson Howl [/]
Sleepga [X]
Lightning Armor [/]
Ecliptic Growl [X]
Glittering Ruby [X]
Earthen Ward [X]
Spring Water [X]
Hastega [O]
NoctoShield [X]
Ecliptic Howl[X]
Dream Shroud [X]
Healing Ruby II [/]
Earthen Armor [/]
Tidal Roar [X]
Fleet Wind [O]
Inferno Howl [X]
Diamond Storm [/]
Comment: i use Ward pacts to either heal or because im bored waiting for rage

Spirits:
*****
Light Spirit [X]
Dark Spirit [X]
Fire Spirit [X]
Earth Spirit [X]
Water Spirit [X]
Wind Spirit [X]
Thunder Spirit [X]
Ice Spirit [X]
Comment: i only use to get back mp

Rages:
Night Terror [X]
Lunar Bay [X]
Holy Mist [X]
Grand Fall [X]
Thunderstorm [X]
Geocrush [X]
Wind Blade [/]
Heavenly Strike [O]
Meteor Strike [X]
Chaotic Strike [X]
Rush [/]
Predator Claws [O]
Spinning Dive [X]
Mountain Buster [X]
Flaming Crush [X]
Nether Blast [X]
Eclipse Bite [X]
IV-spells [/]
Meteorite [X]
Double Slap [X]
Megalith Throw [X]
Double Punch [X]
Tail Whip [X]
II-spells [X]
Crescent Fang [X]
Moonlit Charge [X]
Poison Nails [X]
Camisado [X]
Shock Strike [X]
Axe Kick [X]
Claw [X]
Barracuda Dive [X]
Rock Throw [X]
Punch [X]
Comment: i mostly just use Garuda or Shiva. only recently Merited Garuda T2 so i'll probably turn that to an [O] over the next few months. but Predator Claws will stay my fav.