As a SMN, is it worth using Thunder?

[Kevee]

any way I can just auto "obey" instead of "sic" on fights? I hate having to click on obey every time a fight starts.

I have it bound to one of my mouse keys.

So I just do MB3+2 to start. MB3 is just milliseconds before KB key 2, since commands don't work while casting.


After you make it "obey" the first time, it will always be on "Obey" until you need to re-summon it.

I still tell it to "Obey" on every encounter, though, because otherwise it won't start attacking until after the Bio II debuff is present on the mob(which is a loss of ~3s for the pet, so 1 auto attack skill).

[rzr22]

So I've made it to 30.

My biggest issue with using Thunder is that it throws the DoT timers out of whack. Normally with Bio II > Miasma > Bio I, I'll refresh Bio I into Miasma into Bio II. The problem is thunder drops off sometime in between this.

Have you found any optimal way to refresh DoTs with Thunder present in your skills or should I just stick to refreshing the main three and then using Thunder whenever I can fit it in?

[Kevee]

So I've made it to 30.

My biggest issue with using Thunder is that it throws the DoT timers out of whack. Normally with Bio II > Miasma > Bio I, I'll refresh Bio I into Miasma into Bio II. The problem is thunder drops off sometime in between this.

Have you found any optimal way to refresh DoTs with Thunder present in your skills or should I just stick to refreshing the main three and then using Thunder whenever I can fit it in?

The only timers that "clash" are Miasma and Thunder(most of the time), but keep in mind that they are both CASTS and have animation time. So if they both have 5s left on the timer, cast them both one after the other.

Those 3 DoTs should be a priority, but it hasn't been a problem keeping Thunder up as well.

Edit: This goes for Bio II, and Shadow Flare, too. You don't want to start casting when they're below 2.5s or less on their timer. You want to do it before that, otherwise there's a period of time where the DoT isn't on the target, and if the global DoT timer ticks--You missed that one.

[rzr22]

I'm actually noticing the animation thing. If I Bane immediately after applying Bio I, it will not spread Bio I. I have to make sure to wait until I can see it on the enemy debuffs.

[Dixa]

SMN can't use Aero, only ACN.

Yes, it's worth it as it's an extra DOT that only takes 2.5 sec to cast. I do it after my usual rotation: Bio II > Miasma > Bio > Fester/Bane > Thunder

should be bio 2 > miasma > thunder > bio > fester/bane. this makes thunder and bio drop off within a second of each other.

[Kevee]

should be bio 2 > miasma > thunder > bio > fester/bane. this makes thunder and bio drop off within a second of each other.

No.

Thunder -> Bio means you Fester/Bane a GCD later, which means you use Aetherflow a GCD later. It's a chain you don't want to start on. Maximizing Fester usage maximizes our DPS.

[Dixa]

No.

Thunder -> Bio means you Fester/Bane a GCD later, which means you use Aetherflow a GCD later. It's a chain you don't want to start on. Maximizing Fester usage maximizes our DPS.

which matters almost nothing in the grand scheme of things, but matters a lot in managing dot re-application timing. the game has an internal 1s gcd on all abilities, even those off the gcd or with independent gcd's, this is why you cant hit rouse and spur instantly - you hit one and it's a second before the other will activate.

[nimuniverse]

Dixa:
It's not 1 second. It's 0.5 second. If you don't believe, try macro /wait .5. I tried it from .1 sec to .5 sec. It triggers at .5 sec.

[Rover1983]

I personally do all 4 dots before nuking so that my biggest number which are all 4 dots are up and rolling

[Conradus]

SMN can't use Aero, only ACN.

Don't forget, SCH can use it.