Connecting the DoTs: A Summoner Guide

[Fatshine]

I read this entirely, and as a SMN main, this is really good. The only thing I would change is the 1 - 4 seconds part. I would elaborate and say start recast of Bio II and Miasma at 2 or 3 seconds depending on Spell Speed, and Bio at 1 or 0 seconds left on the timer because it's instant. Future Summoners have to make the refresh as close as ever possible to the final tick but at the same time, not wait too long and have it fall off. For Shadowflare, I would try to recast at 4 seconds because of it's slightly longer cast time. Squeeeeeeze that refresh Summoners! Of course, if dealing with mechanics, recast slightly earlier so that it doesn't fall off.

Another thing is Miasma II. The duration and mp cost do not make it worth it unless 3 things. Either 3 or more adds, or under Raging Strikes, or Contagion, but best is under both Raging Strikes/Contagion. So Miasma II seems to benefit more when using Garuda.

My last tip is being elaborate on pets. Ifrit is best used on near stationary targets i.e. the single target "melee" pet, Garuda is best used for adds and/or bosses that move too much i.e. the multi target "caster" pet, and Titan for solo play or very rare dungeon situations like a tank is terrible or leaves the duty i.e. the leveling or open world pet. (So in dungeons, do not use Garuda for the entire time like 99% of Summoners do. Adds? Garuda, near stationary boss fight? Which is most, then Swiftcast > Ifrit. After the boss, Swiftcast > Garuda. This makes you stand out as a SMN because you actually know the benefit of your pets)

**An interesting note is your DPS will still be higher using Ifrit (even without Dragon Kick, Dancing Edge, etc) over the Garuda Contagion/Poison Pot Combo. The poison combo is best used if you cannot use Ifrit for whatever reason, and want to increase DPS.**

Even further suggestions:
It is great to attach all the pets AOE to Bane in a macro, or, just Garuda. Ifrit's AOE attack has abysmal range and is around himself. Therefore you have to "place" in between adds to make it effective. Don't even bother. Attach Garuda's Aerial Slash to Bane. Why? AOE, AOE, AOE. A lot of people think SMN AOE is really bad compared to BLM. Obviously BLM is king, but doing the right things make SMN AOE amazing. For example let's say there are a horde of adds. Shadowflare, 3 Dots on one, Bane (with the macro Garuda will Aerial Slash doing even MORE AOE) Miasma II, Spur, Ruin II an add, Rouse, Ruin II an add, Enkindle, Blizzard 2 spam.....that is ALOT of AOE damage. This is not even counting any buffs like Raging Strikes or a Ninja's Trick Attack.

So surprisingly, there is a lot to Summoner that many may not know about. Learn and pick up a Grimoire!