Which caster job? Genuinely looking for input

I decided to main AST through the story and initial progression, but I'm ready to pick up a DPS job again. I was a main SMN for all of HW, but after picking it back up, everything I used to know pretty much doesn't apply anymore and the job feels very unforgiving and complicated now. That said, I'm wondering is it worth relearning SMN for 4.x, or should I just pick up RDM or BLM? Thoughts from other Summoners?

(side note: I didn't see a thread like this up already, but if there is apologies for double-post)

Try em out and find which one you feel most comfortable with. Though you do have to keep in mind that SMN and BLM were gutted for some of their skills up to 60 so they'll definitely feel incomplete. RDM doesn't suffer from that issue and that mayhave a factor in how the jobs feel in comparison

As much as I enjoyed RDM, I personally am enjoying BLM a lot more (more so once I unlocked the Flare x4). Havn't touched SMN since 60 so can't really input on that one. Though one FC member who mained it all of HW (raided and usually 1st/2nd in dps) says it is almost making her want to switch to something else at this point.

I enjoy summoner. it is essentially about managing three different areas:
1) your aetherflow stacks to get you to dreadwyrm trance
2) your dreadwyrm trance which builds up stacks allowing you to summon demi-bahamut
3) your pet management allowing you to maximise the use of rouse when demi-bahamut isn't up.

it sounds harder than it is, and I quite like it.

(inb4 someone tells me i'm doing it completely wrong. :P )

I was a SMN main throughout the better part of 3.x, but I dropped it like a hot log as soon as SB rolled out.

I'm still in the process of leveling my RDM, but I am enjoying it. It seems to have a relatively simple rotation that is capable of putting out pretty decent DPS numbers - which reminds me of early 3.x SMN...

So that would probably be my recommendation. If you are just looking for funsies, it shouldn't particularly matter...but at the moment BLM and SMN both seem to be in kind of a wonky spot (which will hopefully be remedied soon).

Personally it really depends on your play style. It's nice to experiment. I enjoy BLM above all of them. You would need to learn about timing, cast interruptions, and 80% cast trigger a bit. SUM is fun and currently leveling it up to 60. RDM had very little experience looks fun, yet too much jumping around were I see players not timing properly their movements. If you can master the non flashy side movements it may be a fun one to par with BLM.When in doubt, Try them all lol.

I haven't touched BLM or SMN since 4.0 dropped, but I can at least say that RDM is simple to learn, flexible, and quite forgiving. I think it's fun, and probably worth at least trying out a little. The rotation changes some between 50 and 70 obviously, but you can basically learn the entire flow of the job as soon as you unlock it, so you wouldn't have to invest all the time in the world before seeing if you found it interesting at all.

I'll always be a SMN as my main DPS, but I can completely understand those who say it's frustrating and unforgiving to play. I'm glad the Aethertrail Attunement timer is gone (seriously, eff that gimmick, not every class needs to be a MNK), and I'm glad Ifrit-Egi has some competitive use again, but I feel like the devs took a ton of power out of our DoTs, pet (no more Spur) and Ruin III to put it back into this heavily cooldown-reliant Demi Bahamut mechanic, and I find that a little obnoxious considering the devs specifically said they wanted classes to be a little less punishing to play at the optimal level.

At this point, in their current states (and with BLM's planned changes for 4.05), I'd pick BLM or RDM (probs RDM, it has tons of strengths and no real weaknesses right now).

Wait until tomorrow and we'll see what the final changes for 4.05 are.

That said, Black Mage and Summoner are both punishing for new players. If you're not willing to learn the ins and outs of every encounter and plan out your movement and cds in advance, then go Red Mage.

Thanks all for your input. Sounds like I might be jumping on the Red Mage bandwagon. But hey, I'm sure Mimesis Lux will look great on my bookshelf!

RDM is currently the strongest caster (so strong that it beats two of current melee jobs in damage) but it's also the most boring and brain dead to play.

I have switched from SMN to RDM and it is so much better. I have job boosted BLM on an alt and I like it too. I recommend you try them both. You could take BLM to PoTD to test it.

I love RDM but BLM is so nice!!!!

BLM has more DPS on paper but the mobility required for certain encounters allow RDM to perform. If you're not doing savage content then you should play what you want. The 4.05 BLM changes give them higher damage ceilings and more mobility.

Black Mage or Red Mage. Black Mage is the AoE god, but is punished severely for moving. however the buffs to their cast speed may help with that a bit.

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Originally Posted by Higashikata

RDM is currently the strongest caster (so strong that it beats two of current melee jobs in damage) but it's also the most boring and brain dead to play.

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Dude, what you call "Boring" and "Brain Dead" I call "Interesting" and "Fun" definitely more so than having 30 abilities and needing all of them. that kind of bloat just makes things un fun.

RDM if you don't track timers well...

BLM if you are good with timers...

don't touch SMN.

Play summoner while it's still in the game =D

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Originally Posted by Chalbee

I decided to main AST through the story and initial progression, but I'm ready to pick up a DPS job again. I was a main SMN for all of HW, but after picking it back up, everything I used to know pretty much doesn't apply anymore and the job feels very unforgiving and complicated now. That said, I'm wondering is it worth relearning SMN for 4.x, or should I just pick up RDM or BLM? Thoughts from other Summoners?

(side note: I didn't see a thread like this up already, but if there is apologies for double-post)

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Having main'd SMN in HW, I was more than happy to pick up RDM as SB came out, wasn't and still are not going to be disappointed. Only thing that I do have issues with, but that might be a bit more personal, without having to micro manage that pet, and not having a "strict" rotation to follow, since it's more "proc" based, I do get bored in dungeons/trials more often. That's when I go play healer if I want a challenge lol. Anyways, take a look at it, and maybe you might enjoy it more, than you think you would.

RDM is the fastest to learn.

I dabbled in SMN in 3.x (main PLD from 2.0 to 3.2, then started a new character to main BLM in 3.x) and have only played the RDM to level 53 but I love the simplicity of the RDM job. It is the perfect caster dps to accompany whatever main job you already have. I now exclusively run the daily roulettes using my RDM because it's just so much more enjoyable to know that I can have a relaxed time yet still do my part properly.

If you're looking for a change of pace but don't intend to spend time analysing rotations and so on, RDM is definitely worth a look. After all, you can just do the job quest and you're ready to take it into the Lv 50 dungeons for a spin.

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but I love the simplicity of the RDM job. It is the perfect caster dps to accompany whatever main job you already have. I now exclusively run the daily roulettes using my RDM because it's just so much more enjoyable to know that I can have a relaxed time yet still do my part properly.

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I really wish I could say that about every class. Isn't that how Square enix really should be designing all classes to some extent? based on how natural and fun it feels to play rather than some overcomplex rotation and how well you can make use of skill bloat?

Well, you have the vocal minority to thank for that, probably. BLM used to be simple, and people made fun of it, and some BLM players complained that it was boring. So in 3.x BLM became a literal hell of managing everything imaginable: procs, cooldowns, running buff, short buff, and the long damage buffs.

I just hope devs have learnt their lesson with BLM and don't make RDM repeat the same failures.

We can only pray that Yoshida remember how he responded to BLM not having a raise: it's a BLM, that's just how BLM is. So that next time someone cry that the RDM is boring, devs will say, "then play other jobs."

I mained ninja in arr and hw with blm as my backup 2nd class. blm wasnt bad but a bit over complex with its rotations as mentioned already and when I saw that RDM pretty much combined both of these i was happy to try it out.

A few pointers on RDM. firstly dont be to concerned with melee dps outside of when your gauge is full your melee dps sucks so you should be casting to fill your gauge again. Movement due to your jump skills not only can be used to jump in to the boss from range to use those melee attacks but it can also help you avoid damage if you see a circle under you. Lastly make sure to add the sub skill that helps you recharge mana again it'll be very handy at times when dealing with bad parties that require you to throw in assist res's.

RDM is god :)