SMN vs BLM

I can't decide, i know it's "what i enjoy playing", i'm not asking about being FOTM or OP, just what feels more useful endgame. I know both are viable, so let's just make it a poll, what would YOU choose?

They specialize in different areas, so it really depends on the event and the rest of the party.

SMN's forte is their DoT focus, allowing them to continue to deal damage while focusing on other things. This makes them good on fights that require a lot of moving around, like primal fights.

BLM's forte is burst damage, as well as area damage. They are far better suited for taking out adds quickly, and are especially useful in primal fights to help take down the nails/plumes/heart that will make the primal's massive attack a 1-hit KO.

I'd probably say BLM, as when they're needed they're REALLY needed.

For what it's worth, Summoner is the only non-healer that can Resurrect in battle without needing to use a Limit Break which comes in handy.

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Originally Posted by Urthdigger

I'd probably say BLM, as when they're needed they're REALLY needed.

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I strongly disagree:

1. Garuda has no mechanic that requires a BLM specifically, and SMN aoe can help nail the feathers easier by binding them.
2. Ifrit's nails can be downed by the SMN limit break too, which is IDENTICAL to the BLM one.
3. Being able to DPS Titan and his heart while avoiding mechanics makes SMN just as good as BLM.

Neither really shines more than the other, and I say this having cleared Turns 1-4 of BC with different groups.

Hate to say it, OP, but it does come down to which you find more fun to play.

PS, yes, being a SMN with Swiftcast means you can instantly rez someone who dies in battle.

IDK - People really <3 me when I join parties, but at the same time its awesome having a smn in the mix too. I do not think there is any one game-breaking strategy-definite reason for one to be better than the other. it comes down to play preference to you and only you. Every class has its advantage, and every class has something it cant do like the others - otherwise why have different classes, we should all just chat and say a/s/l ? :P but, no really, the important thing is that you enjoy what you are doing hehe.
Thing I can sayabout my black mage is they are burst damage - super long cast times on just about everything for the most part ( cuz swiftcast is a cool down hehe ), but sure packs a punch. Sleep is an awesome thing that I use a lot too.
I do wish I had cute little pokemon pets like smn o.o

I think i'll be going SMN, mainly because everywhere i see more and more BLMs.
I also have more fun with SMN.
Thanks Everyone for your input :)

Summoner... because we get a horn. /end thread

I honestly feel like Summoner is going to get some decent alterations in both Skill Sets and Summon Appearances within the next couple major patches, where as I think Black Mage will only get minor balance changes, so I am definitely going with Summoner here.

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Originally Posted by Orbital-Dragon

I honestly feel like Summoner is going to get some decent alterations in both Skill Sets and Summon Appearances within the next couple major patches, where as I think Black Mage will only get minor balance changes, so I am definitely going with Summoner here.

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They've already said they will not change the appearance of the current egis.

I disagree with BlossomRose while Urthdigger nailed it on the head. Smns shine when a boss requires the party to move a lot or tank and spank while BMs are best with boss mechanics that require killing other stuff than just the boss. I would much rather have two BMs than two Summoners in a Sunken Temple of Qarn, but SMNers do really well on the last boss in Brayflox's Longstop.

So here is my suggestion. Level both classes to 15, then decide. We can't decide for you based on what the class does better. That is irrelevant because parties will take either 1 BM or 1 SMR or both in any party.

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Originally Posted by seekerofpower

They've already said they will not change the appearance of the current egis.

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Yeah well "THEY" have said a lot of things. However, people forget we are the ones paying for the game. We are paying them for a service; meaning we are perfectly allowed to request or even demand things. Yoshi and his team are not all powerful Gods that have blessed us.. they are paid labor. When enough people want something, or complain rather... changes will come.

That being said I have seen quite a bit of rage and distaste for the current summoner layout. Personally I am not one of those people, but I am also not so blind to the truth of the matter. I fully expect some big changes revolving around the summoner in the foreseeable future.

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Originally Posted by KittenJitsu

Here is my suggestion. Level both classes to 15, then decide. We can't decide for you based on what the class does better. That is irrelevant because parties will take either 1 BM or 1 SMR or both in any party.

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I did level both to 15. My ARC is 28 and my THM is 15, thing is i don't like BLM mechanics but i'm not a fan of pets/companions. It's not that i dislike BLM mechanics but its just Fire and Ice Nukes, and their AoE Counterparts (i know they have some Utility such as Sleep, but besides that it's a pretty boring mechanic-wise class and i find SMN a little more entertaining), but to be honest i thought i was decided but i'm not, its different styles but i can't decide, i'm not looking for OP or i'd be going Archer/Bard, but what feels more useful between these two jobs endgame.

Personally I would rather have a BLM for boss mechanics because adds can kill at higher dungeons. Even at lv 35, dungeons become exponentially harder. For example in The Sunken Temple of Qarn (35-37) the first boss spawns two bees. If those bees do not die in a few second they will most likely 1 shot the tank unless they are over geared. I ran with two summoners last night and it was harder than it should have been because their dots have no burst. This could have been easily fixed with a different class. Instead of two summoners we could have ran with a monk and summoner. Unfortunately they were free company mates and neither had another dps class.

I agree with you BLM have very little taste in skills and rotation. No diversity or creativity. This needs to be fixed IMO. Summoners are definitely fun to play yet i love BLM aoe dmg.

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Originally Posted by Orbital-Dragon

Yeah well "THEY" have said a lot of things. However, people forget we are the ones paying for the game. We are paying them for a service; meaning we are perfectly allowed to request or even demand things. Yoshi and his team are not all powerful Gods that have blessed us.. they are paid labor. When enough people want something, or complain rather... changes will come.

That being said I have seen quite a bit of rage and distaste for the current summoner layout. Personally I am not one of those people, but I am also not so blind to the truth of the matter. I fully expect some big changes revolving around the summoner in the foreseeable future.

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Except the people complaining about this are in the minority. Most of us are happy with the way the SMN plays and how the egis look. It is just the few folks that complain about everything that have a problem.

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Originally Posted by seekerofpower

They've already said they will not change the appearance of the current egis.

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They aren't changing them, but they did say they are adding more with level increases. There's also 6 carbuncles in the client (meaning 4 currently unused)

BLM has enough creativity for me. I've had times where me using Manawall has gotten us past a boss after everyone else has wiped (an lol moment of course xD), where manaward and physick has given whm more time to focus on healing others, and where sleep is useful. Hell apocostasis even helps a tank on Titan hm (though really, i rarely use it). People love to have my power in parties. And I love to see 1400 crits in 4man and 1600 in 8 mans :). Cant wait till i get full dl for em. Im leveling a summoner too just because I like the epic book swipe lol.

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Originally Posted by KittenJitsu

Personally I would rather have a BLM for boss mechanics because adds can kill at higher dungeons. Even at lv 35, dungeons become exponentially harder. For example in The Sunken Temple of Qarn (35-37) the first boss spawns two bees. If those bees do not die in a few second they will most likely 1 shot the tank unless they are over geared. I ran with two summoners last night and it was harder than it should have been because their dots have no burst. This could have been easily fixed with a different class. Instead of two summoners we could have ran with a monk and summoner. Unfortunately they were free company mates and neither had another dps class.

I agree with you BLM have very little taste in skills and rotation. No diversity or creativity. This needs to be fixed IMO. Summoners are definitely fun to play yet i love BLM aoe dmg.

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u just ran with 2 baddies smn...u do know smn have nuke spell called ruin...more than enough if ur issue is the bees

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Originally Posted by KittenJitsu

I would much rather have two BMs than two Summoners in a Sunken Temple of Qarn,

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Really? I must suck badly then. I tried it 4 times and I didn't finish it once. The Tanks keeps leaving. Well, I also discovered that I need to upgrade my gear (HQ lvl 28 maybe isn't the right one).

What do you guys suggest to do with Fire I/II/III? Start with Fire III until the MP drains, give a last shot with Fire I, or what? Obviously I know about when to use Fire II. :)

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Originally Posted by ForteXX

They aren't changing them, but they did say they are adding more with level increases. There's also 6 carbuncles in the client (meaning 4 currently unused)

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I know that. I was responding to the guy who said he "knows" they will change the look of the current egis, because "no one" likes them.

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Originally Posted by Craniux

u just ran with 2 baddies smn...u do know smn have nuke spell called ruin...more than enough if ur issue is the bees

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I will admit I was running with 1 derpy summoner and the other was good. But ruin vs fire III... who has better burst dmg? A BLM will kill the bee much faster than a summoner.

Besides one boss mechanic, it is always better to have 1 of each class in any dungeon party.

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Originally Posted by Michelasso

Really? I must suck badly then. I tried it 4 times and I didn't finish it once. The Tanks keeps leaving. Well, I also discovered that I need to upgrade my gear (HQ lvl 28 maybe isn't the right one).

What do you guys suggest to do with Fire I/II/III? Start with Fire III until the MP drains, give a last shot with Fire I, or what? Obviously I know about when to use Fire II. :)

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Uh you should always be upgrading your gear. O.o what? lol

I believe casting fire III till mp is dry is the best option. Right? <--- never lved a therm past 10.