How to Be a ACN/SMN.(Accepting any and all feedback)

I'm trying out my first Ranged Class at the moment and figured I'd go with ACN/SMN.
So with that being said, I was wondering what rotations are used from the lowest level and up, where your attributes are going, and how you use your Pet.(Not literally how you go about summoning one.)

As I said before, any and all feedback is welcome. I've skimmed around and haven't really found anything useful as far as ACN/SMN go. So any help will be greatly appreciated, please and thank you. Prefer tips from those who have experience with the Class but once more, any is welcome. Thank you.

I am currently levelling my SMN to 50 so far I just hit lvl42 and my rotations are like this

For single enemy

Bio, Bio 2, Miasma, Virus, Atherflow, Fester, Ruin 2 and repeat

for group of enemies

target marked mob

Bio, Bio 2, Miasma, Virus, Atherflow, Bane, Tri Disaster and Fester with a Ruin thrown in if time.

As for my pets, I'll be honest I let them attack the mobs and leave them to their own devices, ill heal as and when their hp gets low and I just recently aquired Rouse so that will be incorpareted shortly

There's this post, with a little discussion.

Unfortunately, I can't elaborate much, as my ACN is only lvl 16. . .

The ACN has been my favourite class and i level up almost fast and got all jobs (SMN and SCH both Lv 50) . In fact when i have problem in some main scenario quest i use my SMN and solve the problem. I begun as a PGL but when i discovered ACN i loved that class.

My rotation for SMN is the same as Jaynan Tesla said. As a said before i have my SCH but i feel afraid to play with that roll i think it is too much responsibility, any suggestions?

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Originally Posted by JaynanTesla

I am currently levelling my SMN to 50 so far I just hit lvl42 and my rotations are like this

For single enemy

Bio, Bio 2, Miasma, Virus, Atherflow, Fester, Ruin 2 and repeat

for group of enemies

target marked mob

Bio, Bio 2, Miasma, Virus, Atherflow, Bane, Tri Disaster and Fester with a Ruin thrown in if time.

As for my pets, I'll be honest I let them attack the mobs and leave them to their own devices, ill heal as and when their hp gets low and I just recently aquired Rouse so that will be incorpareted shortly

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There is a few things wrong with your rotation.

You want to start with your longest DoT which is Bio2 and go down based on how long the dot lasts for when you start a fight. By doing a Bio2, Miasma, Bio rotation you can get two festers off without having to reapply any of the dots. This allows you to be a bit more bursty in a shorter period than if you would have to reapply. You also want to get in the habit of doing this rotation because it grants the most bang for your buck when you use Contagion. You are also not getting your best bang for your buck when using Bane while doing your rotation either. Your Bio by the time you can hit bane without having massive SpellSpeed stacking to take done the GCD would be 7sec on the Bio if it doesn't get reset and since it is a 15% chance you can not count on it resetting.

Also, with the anti-virus crap that Yoshida put into the game using Virus whenever ya feel like is no longer the greatest idea since you will need to be saving it for o shit moments and don't want to have the 1min immunity to it when you need it the most.

I also personally hate using Ruin2 unless I am in a very movement intensive fight like Titan battles. The extra MP really isn't worth it. Simple Ruin Spam is the way to go when you don't have to move much.

Once you level some more you will want to throw in Miasma2 after Bio. Usually with me I cast Bio2 and Miasma as soon as I can and then while running towards the target to get in range of Miasma2 cast Bio since it is instant and then when in range hit Miasma2.

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Originally Posted by JaynanTesla

I am currently levelling my SMN to 50 so far I just hit lvl42 and my rotations are like this

For single enemy

Bio, Bio 2, Miasma, Virus, Atherflow, Fester, Ruin 2 and repeat

for group of enemies

target marked mob

Bio, Bio 2, Miasma, Virus, Atherflow, Bane, Tri Disaster and Fester with a Ruin thrown in if time.

As for my pets, I'll be honest I let them attack the mobs and leave them to their own devices, ill heal as and when their hp gets low and I just recently aquired Rouse so that will be incorpareted shortly

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Whatever you do OP, _DON'T_ do this. ^

Basically, there is no 'rotation', because doing good DPS relies on keeping DoTs up all the time, and with varied timers, the order of spell casting is always going to be something you determine on the fly..

An example single target (ST) spell casting order: Bio II, Miasma, Bio -> Fester (wait for Bio to land first), Miasma II, Contagion, Shadow Flare, Ruin, Ruin II -> Fester, Ruin, Bio, Miasma, Ruin, Bio II, etc.

Your goal is to clip (replace before the timer expires) the DoT as late as possible, without creating time where the DoT is not up at all. Do this with all 3 DoTs.

The AoE spell order will generally be similar to the ST spell order, except instead of Fester, you will be using Bane to spread DoTs. You will be casting Bio II, Miasma and Bio on an un-DoT'd mob, Bane the DoTs, until everything has DoTs. Assuming you have Swiftcast, it is a good idea to get Shadow Flare out first so it can be ticking on everything as you're DoTing it all up. (which usually takes upwards of ~18 seconds for 5-8 mobs) It is good to use Contagion on the first set of DoTs, so that the DoT expiration of the first set lines up better with the expiration of the second set. (assuming you have 5 or more targets) After everything has Bane'd DoTs, you'll toss out a Miasma II and start spamming Blizzard II until either a) everything is dead or b) stuff needs new DoTs.

As far as Garuda goes (you're going to want to always use Garuda, and anyone who says differently doesn't know what they are talking about), keep her on Obey, so that she only uses Wind Blade. You'll need to do the Aerial Blast (AoE spell) and Contagion on your own. If you need an immediate Contagion, issuing a Steady to Garuda right before you need it (to avoid another casting or two of Wind Blade) will allow you to get it as soon as you press the button, rather than waiting on her to finish what she is doing.

Don't use Miasma II on single targets unless you plan to Contagion it. Don't use Ruin II unless you need to move (to dodge a mechanic) or need to cast an off-GCD spell like Bane/Fester/Energy Drain/Enkindle/Rouse/Spur/etc. Don't use Bane or Fester until the final of the three DoTs is actually showing on the mob. (it takes a second to register between you sending the spell and the server acknowledging it and applying it) Don't use Sic for pets. Don't use Ifrit. Try to use all 3 Aetherflow charges every minute. Use Energy Drain as little as possible. When using Raging Strikes, cast it before your DoTs. Try to Contagion any RS'd DoTs to get more damage out of the buffed versions.

I'm sure there is more, but take half of what you read with a grain of salt, because a lot of people who think they know what they are talking about (like this guy I quoted) are dreadfully wrong. Until you get to know the class, you probably won't be able to distinguish the obvious bad advice from the good advice, so look for people to back each other up on what is good advice before you accept it as gospel.

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Originally Posted by Maku

Once you level some more you will want to throw in Miasma2 after Bio. Usually with me I cast Bio2 and Miasma as soon as I can and then while running towards the target to get in range of Miasma2 cast Bio since it is instant and then when in range hit Miasma2.

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Worth noting (just for sake of completeness) that you wouldn't Miasma2 on a single target unless you were also using Contagion. Also, you kinda want to be in melee range anyway, because the occasional auto-attack is just free damage.

Just wanted to add, that you're all assuming you can be in melee range... Miasma II shouldn't be used if there is a mechanic that will make it dangerous to run into melee range, or to stay there for that matter.

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Originally Posted by Craiger

Just wanted to add, that you're all assuming you can be in melee range... Miasma II shouldn't be used if there is a mechanic that will make it dangerous to run into melee range, or to stay there for that matter.

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I can't think of any ST content where you can't be in melee range, except perhaps BC Turn 5 phase 4/5.

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Originally Posted by T0rin

Use Energy Drain as little as possible.

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I only disagree with what is underlined, energy drain can be used effectively when no other mobs are available to fester, no point having it sitting there when it can drain points off the main target mob.