SMN n00b seeking help

Hey guys.

I'm a SCH main, but I prefer the SMN playstyle over the other dps jobs. If SE ever decides to split the stat allocations, I'd like to take it up as my dps job. However, having said all that, I'll have to admit that I have no idea wtf I'm doing whenever I'm asked to come as SMN to help for dungeons.

I understand how people would expect me to "know" how to play SMN when they see me at Lv48, but I've been SCH the whole time since it was accessible. I know my dmg output won't be as great because of how I allocated my pts to MND, but I'd still like a working idea of how to play the job.

Basically, my questions are:
1. What are the ideal summons and rotations I should use?
2. What cross-class skills are ideal?
3. How badly will my overall dmg suffer from having all my pts in MND

If older threads already exist and cover my questions, please post them here, so I can get more info. I kinda skimmed older posts and may have failed to see them. Thanks in advance.

Pets:

Emerald Carby for offense. Topaz makes a god tier tank or offtank for most content up through level 40. Use Titan and Garuda when you get them. 90 of the time, Garuda will be your go-to.

SMN doesn't really have a "rotation", persay. It more boils down to "DoT ALL THE THINGS!" and you use whatever casting order and move combos you need to make that happen fight-to-fight. Generally speaking I like Shadow Flare > (target one mob) Bio II > Miasma > Thunder > Bio >Contagion (Garuda's special move) > Bane

That's the "initial rotation" for each fight against multiple mobs. Then you mix it up with Fester and Ruin, or Miasma II on big crowds.

For bosses you take out Bane, use more Festers, and use the Archer cross-slass skill Raging Strikes right after Shadow Flare. You can also stack Rouse and Spur and then use Enkindle for a little damage spike.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Swear_Bear

Basically, my questions are:
1. What are the ideal summons and rotations I should use?
2. What cross-class skills are ideal?
3. How badly will my overall dmg suffer from having all my pts in MND

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1. Garuda
1a. Put Garuda on (Obey) Shadowflare > Raging Strikes > Bio II > Miasma > Bio > Fester > Thunder > Contagion > Ruin > Fester > Ruin > Aetherflow > Repeat Until Dead

2. Raging Strikes, Quelling Strikes, Swiftcast, Surecast.

3. Your damage will be noticably lower compared to a smn with all INT. Imagine if you were not wearing your acessories if you will.

My take on the SMN/SCH split. Pick one you like. If you pick SCH, play BLM as your DPS. If you pick SMN, play WHM as your healer. Playing either SCH or SMN without the right stat allocation is just going to make for a poor performance.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by T0rin

My take on the SMN/SCH split. Pick one you like. If you pick SCH, play BLM as your DPS. If you pick SMN, play WHM as your healer. Playing either SCH or SMN without the right stat allocation is just going to make for a poor performance.

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Well, my only dps classes are 15ARC and 26THM (swiftcast). Most of the dungeons I'm asked to help with range from Brayflox to Darkhold for gear farming or GC quests. In those cases, I only have 2 jobs to offer my assistance with -- SMN or SCH. If asked to go SCH, i can usually handle the task, but it's a different thing with SMN, hence this thread. :P

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zer0mr

2. Raging Strikes, Quelling Strikes, Swiftcast, Surecast, Internal Release.

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Internal release should be removed as we don’t cross-class pugilist (would be nice though).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by horaiyo

Internal release should be removed as we don’t cross-class pugilist (would be nice though).

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Cherio mate. Fixed. lol. I am at work right now so I can't remember all the skills I use on SMN atm.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zer0mr

1. Garuda
1a. Put Garuda on (Obey) Shadowflare > Raging Strikes > Bio II > Miasma > Bio > Fester > Thunder > Contagion > Ruin > Fester > Ruin > Aetherflow > Repeat Until Dead

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Do you mean Ruin or Ruin2? Just curious. I just thought the Blind effect would be more useful.

Ruin, you only want to use Ruin 2 when u have to move. (and isnt Ruin and Ruin2 do the same dps?, except Ruin2 is instant cast with blind effect.(ruin2 still has GCD anyway so it not like you can spam it.)
further more if your tank is PLD, you will want to stay away from ruin 2 as they mess up PLD flash timing.

Ruin 2 costs twice as much mana, so you only want to use it when you have to, and rarely ever for the Blind. Mana consumption is a major issue in the end game for SMN, and spamming Ruin 2 is the fastest way to run yourself out of mana.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Remn

Ruin, you only want to use Ruin 2 when u have to move. (and isnt Ruin and Ruin2 do the same dps?, except Ruin2 is instant cast with blind effect.(ruin2 still has GCD anyway so it not like you can spam it.)
further more if your tank is PLD, you will want to stay away from ruin 2 as they mess up PLD flash timing.

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I did not consider the whole Flash bit. Thanks.