SMN DPS: Pushing it to the limit

[SolarMisae]

So, my SMN is now full i90 gear, but I find that despite the amount of time I spend working at it I don't know how to push my DPS to the max level. What numbers should I be doing just myself, not including the pet's DPS?

And what kind of "rotations" (I know smn doesn't have a real rotation like other classes) should I be using? How should I be clipping dots? Should I always clip Bio first since it runs out first (what I've been doing) or stick to always doing Bio II > Miasma > Bio? When/how should I pop RS? And should I be keeping Shadowflare up at all times? And what times are the best times to throw that out?

I feel like I'm falling short because I don't have a complete grasp of everything I'm supposed to do 100% of the time. Now I don't think I'm bad, I just wanna know what I should do to be better. Veteran SMNs step up!

[RxRai]

I don't claim to be even a veteran at smn but I'll tell you what I think is good.
My opinion is that you should refresh them as they come off, clipping isn't as big a deal anymore and unless you want to watch for the individual tick, best thing would probably be to just get the dot up again asap to keep it ticking.
Before using fester, use Ruin II since fester is off the GCD and you'll do more damage without wasting time. RS directly before applying your first dot so you can get them all up and contagion.
Shadowflare whenever your swiftcast is ready unless you'll need it for raising. Use Ruin II again before casting swiftcast since it's off the GCD and then Shadowflare. You could also cast it at the start of a battle without using swiftcast to make use of the time taken to run to the boss. Also if you can find a safe place, while Ifrit is charging you can cast it where he'll land in the meantime.
Micro manage your pet and its abilities.

[Truefaith87]

While someone is posting on this topic and its still near front page.. Anyone have any handy macros for an up and coming smn as well? i have about 30 spots left for macros, and micromanage pet macros would be wonderful.

[SolarMisae]

There aren't really macros for SMN except maybe one or two...I have this for swiftcast rez.

/miccon "Resurrection"
/ac "Swiftcast" <me>
/ac "Resurrection" <t>

This creates a macro that you just mash to insta rez someone. There's also eye for an eye macros. I have this...

/micon "Eye for an Eye"
/ac "Eye for an Eye" <t>
/ac "Eye for an Eye" <tt>

This macro uses eye for an eye on either your target or your target's target. Usually used when locked onto a mob to target the tank without having to target them.

You could also bind a swiftcast summon macro maybe...

[Ryuko]

The only time I would suggest casting Bio first is if you are in the process of 'running in' (because it is instant and ON the global cooldown). Otherwise, follow the Bio II > Miasma > Bio rotation. I usually like to refresh these DoTs in order for the sake of simplicity (start when Bio II has 15 seconds left), but if a monster is going to die soon... you can refresh them in the opposite order (Bio > Miasma > Bio II) to keep the dots up *just long enough* for the mob to die. I do this a lot in Garuda Extreme on Chirada... One Bio II > Miasma > Bio rotation is ALMOST enough, so if she's not dead by the time my DoTs are going to wear, I'll throw up Bio... then Miasma... etc.

Shadowflare is most effectively used with adds. I'm pretty sure the slow component has no effect on bosses, but if there is a fight that has no adds or at least not difficult ones to kill... just prioritize it when you know the mob will be there for the full duration of the spell (30 seconds). I like to swiftcast the spell if I trust my party to not need raise from me at any point. If there is ever a point where you are 'waiting' for something to spawn, but you know it is GOING to spawn... you can cast shadowflare regularly without fear. One example that comes to mind is the superbomb phase of Titan Extreme. I'll usually run to the straight south before the superbomb spawns, and drop shadowflare a few seconds before it spawns. Every second helps.

Raging Strikes is most useful for "DPS checks" of the fight. If there is no dps check of the fight, or at least not a really tight one, I'll pop it when I know I'll get its full potential (at least two Festers). In most fights, I'll pop Raging Strikes in the beginning because it will be up by the time I need it again. In Titan hard, I used to save Raging Strikes for the heart... but no one needs to pop all their cooldowns at that point anymore.

The way you can push your DPS to the 'next level' is by paying special attention to what is on the global cooldown and what is not.

For example:

Your main dots (Bio II, Miasma, Bio) are ON the global cooldown.
Fester is not. Neither is any of the pet commands (I'm not talking about your Rouse+Spur+Enkindle... I'm referring to your actual pet commands... such as moving, using Contagion, etc).

To use this to your advantage, here is a typical opener for a fight for me:

Bio II > Miasma > Bio > Raging Strikes > Fester > Contagion (can use while casting) > SC > Shadowflare > Ruin 1 ... until Fester is ready again.

Now here is the REAL trick... my Ruin I takes 2.42 seconds to cast, currently. So, I can get about four Ruin 1s off before Fester is ready again... BUT, due to slight lag in the game, I'll only realistically get three off before Fester is ready... so here is what I do... Three Ruin 1s, one Ruin 2, Fester. This is the fastest way to do damage with this particular situation because Ruin 2 does the damage instantly. While it DOES trigger your gcd... it doesn't matter because Fester is OFF the gcd and so you can use it while waiting for the gcd to be ready again. Then you can continue your usual Ruin 1 spam.

Unless your tank (paladin) is specifically saving flash for hard-hitting abilities (MB in Titan hard for example), there is no reason not to use Ruin 2. While avoiding something, throw off a ruin 2. While running, throw off a Ruin 2. Just remember to keep your 'filler' spell to primarily Ruin 1s, or you'll go OOM.

Finally, Miasma II: very useful against multiple mobs, but the damage from it (10 potency for 15 seconds) only makes sense on single target IF you are using contagion to extend dots. Using the example above, I would use it before Fester so that it is counted on the mob by the time I trigger contagion. Remember that you need to actually be close for it to hit the mob... it's a self-AoE.

The best way to 'maximize' your dps is to learn fights WELL. The better you know a fight, the better you will be about managing your festers and contagions for optimum output. You'll know exactly when to drop shadowflares, extended dots, etc.

I hope this has helped.

[Azoryl]

Bio II > Miasma > Bio > Raging Strikes > Fester > Contagion (can use while casting) > SC > Shadowflare > Ruin 1 ... until Fester is ready again.

This is horrible... Raging strikes after you applied all you dots is really bad. The good opening sequence should go...

Raging Strikes > Bio II > Miasma > Bio > Miasma II > Contagion > Ruin II + Fester(or Bane) > Shadowflare > Ruin 1....

[Ryuko]

This is horrible... Raging strikes after you applied all you dots is really bad. The good opening sequence should go...

Raging Strikes > Bio II > Miasma > Bio > Miasma II > Contagion > Ruin II + Fester(or Bane) > Shadowflare > Ruin 1....

How nice of you to insult me in your response. Anyway, I know it seems logical to cast dots first, but I actually had someone parse it once... Unless you can afford to stand absolutely still (that means no dodging whatsoever -- which is extremely rare in extreme modes, exception being garuda), 2x RS buffed Festers will tend to do more damage than one RS Fester + buffed dots. With your way, there is a chance you won't get two buffed festers -- If you time RS + dots + your first fester perfectly, you will literally only have 1-2 seconds to get off your second Fester before RS wears off, and this timing is extremely tight so I prefer to just use it for the two Festers immediately. Then, you can recast your buffed RS dots after (or between) the two Festers without worry, and you'll still get the buffed damage you wanted (you'll have approximately 10 seconds left after both festers to recast your dots with buffs). With my way, you have less of a chance of missing the two buffed Festers (and by that I mean if you have to move or stop at any point while casting the dots after RS, you will not be able to use two buffed festers).

I suppose it sort of depends on gear, though. My crit rate is 510 so the crazy high damage from the high chance of a RS crit fester is way greater than a normal RS dot will parse. So no, my way is not horrible. I implore you to try it and let me know your results, as gear will be a variable in this debate.

[Deelo]

This is horrible... Raging strikes after you applied all you dots is really bad. The good opening sequence should go...

Raging Strikes > Bio II > Miasma > Bio > Miasma II > Contagion > Ruin II + Fester(or Bane) > Shadowflare > Ruin 1....

This guy knows what he's doing.

[Seobit]

If you time RS + dots + your first fester perfectly, you will literally only have 1-2 seconds to get off your second Fester before RS wears off, and this timing is extremely tight so I prefer to just use it for the two Festers immediately.

I have never failed to get 2 festers off in a RS. It doesn't happen, unless you're incredibly clumsy. Or playing on pad I guess.

Raging Strikes > Bio 2 > Miasma > Bio | Fester > Miasma 2 | Swiftcast > Shadowflare > Rouse | Spur > Ruin 2 | Enkindle > Ruin 2 | Fester > Bio + Contagion (raging strikes end)

Shadowflare over ruin always if you know it will run its duration. Ruin 2 weaving and miasma 2 with contagion is cute but it hardly makes a difference, and if mp is tight it can do more harm than good, and usually put to better use making more liberal use of ruin 2 during movement.

Maximize uptime, minimize movement, know when to use cooldowns and aetherflow stacks to get the most out of them. Place pet in good locations so it doesn't die.

It's hard to give good advice on improving dps for SMN without going into specific details for each individual bosses. The basics are stupid simple.

Macros are for lazy people. Lazy people don't top dps.

[jars]

probably the most important thing about summoner dps is don't let your dots fall off, EVER, and using ruin 2 so you don't leave a lot of ruin damage sitting on the table when you want to use instant casts.