Abyssea Solo Master: SMN or BST?

[Linh]

I love Summoner, but is BST a better option if I wanna solo or duo box NMs like Orthrus?

This is in regards to BST Vs. SMN soloing while in Abyssea only of course.

[Sparthos]

BST. 'cause it has TH and without procs.... you're gonna need it.

[Zaknafein]

It's very situational. Bst is best on some target's, and smn excels on others. Regardless of which your using make sure you have Atma of Ducal Gaurd.

[wish12oz]

THF, DNC and NIN all have BST and SMN beat.
But really, THF wins for having TH.

[Alderin]

THF, DNC and NIN all have BST and SMN beat.
But really, THF wins for having TH.

Really?

I don't have BST or SMN levelled...

I do have NIN & THF levelled. Solo? Out of those 2x I would pick NIN/DNC... Thf lacks the ability to heal themselves if /nin, and lacks the shadows if /dnc to absorb the unstunnable / uninterruptable nukes / TP. Unless you are solo'ing lowby stuff - THF is very impractical.

I also have a few friends that have both BST or SMN levelled. They can solo stuff that none of us pet-less jobs could dream of.

Ironclad Smiter in Altep? No problem!
Turul? Nope, no issues.
Kathurai? Yeah still cake...

Sure with an ideal party setup of a healer, staggers etc - it is more efficient. However BST & SMN can solo these without a sweat. Might take a little longer but can certainly be done.

Would love to watch a THF/NIN or THF/DNC try to solo any of those above mobs. That is just naming a few that SMN and BST trump over.

[Jar]

pup wins <_<

[Gennadi]

Beastmasters can solo while all others die and cry out for raises.

[Dallas]

SMN is good, BST is better. Having one of each covers most NMs.

[Arciel]

between BST and SMN, definitely BST cos you get better gear options and more diverse pet options. Yuly is particularly good cos of eva, triple attack and TH.
however, do note that BST is also the more expensive option.

[Dreamin]

I agreed with Dallas on having both to cover most cases. Personally, I preferred using SMN and DNC when solo'ing in NM in Abyssea even though I have BST finished. BST might have more diverse pet options, but SMN's avatars can cover all the elemental strength/weakness for single/dual magic based NMs as well as better native PD- with just Ducal Guard without having to gear specifically for PD-.

BST does have the one big advantage of having TH pet but you can always get Dread if you really must have TH.