Summoner Early Post-Launch Feedback at level 80

[CecMiller]

*snip*
As for hide like ability I dunno, I don't feel it. Giving us another skill just to manage aetherflow even more?

Current DWT>FBT system is more restricting it's a fact... But so far? In EX primals everything aligned pretty good. And even if we have to delay FBT or DWT cause of intermissions and such would it be THAT BIG of an issue? I honestly don't think so. Even during downtime cause of R3 boost R4s and Stacks it's not influencing damage that much. I don't see how old aetherflow system would work with addition of FBT. What do you propose here exactly? Aetherflow gives DWT then what? It'll be needed for FBT too? How will it work?
SMN received massive changes only cause it was a disaster in 4.0. Current threads are nowhere near the level of 4.0 ones.

Hide ability was just an example of them basically fixing the problem that existed with regards to pre-pull. It definately did just that. As did them just giving us full stacks. Its amazing how previously stacks could be maintained through instances (i.e. use Aetherflow before going to another area or before entering an instance) and you would be max stacks on entry AND your ability would be off cooldown so you're instantly ready to go. The only change required then? On wipe, instantly give us full stacks. That was literally the only change required. But this is all besides the point, it can be gleamed from their interview their entire "solution" is a giant failure.

Now onto DWT -> FBT and how its far more restricting:

Most obvious example: Dungeons. I don't think I need to expand on this but you will yourself pretty restricted here.

I think the best example is EX Titania. Not sure what your rotation is, but I find that I have to HOLD onto my FBT when the 3 adds appear as its off cooldown JUST as the 3rd add dies. Then she does her little intermission before summoning the big adds. Imagine now if it was based on Aetherflow - we wouldnt have the delay.

So how would Aetherflow work if it still was our cog for the cycle whilst allowing us to use it inside trances? There are a number of ways:

One way could be:
Aetherflow (spend stacks) gives us access to DWT
DWT gives us access to Bahamut
Aetherflow is now "enchanced" (spend stacks) and gives us access to FBT
FBT Resets the state of Aetherflow. (Though the "normal" aetherflow cannot be used until you have used FBT.

This is more downtime friendly as you can potentially hold enhanced Aetherflow. The downside is, to access the trances themselves you have to use the stacks and so you cant use them inside. Alternatively (assuming Aetherflow is back to its original state/60s), simply pressing the button could make the Trances "Active" instead of having to spend the stacks to activate DWT etc


Example:

1. Aetherflow (on use aka just to gain the stacks) gives us access to DWT aka button lights up and can be used whenever.(Can spend stacks inside).
Further, the next Aetherflow becomes "Enhanced" after DWT ends for its next use. This means we can use DWT however we want for the next 60s.
2. DWT gives us access to Bahamut as before.
3. Enhanced Aetherflow (on use aka just to gain the stacks) gives us access to FBT aka button lights up and can be used whenever. (You can spend stacks inside FBT).
Note: Enhanced AF cannot be used until you have used DWT as state prior. This avoids conflicting situations.
4. Aetherflow returns to normal for next use aka it would grant DWT again on refresh after FBT has ended.

We can be funny and call normal "Aetherflow" Energy Drain and "Enhanced Aetherflow" Energy Siphon. In effect, ending DWT upgrades Energy Drain to Energy Siphon whilst FBT ending changes Energy Siphon to Energy Drain. Also, I'd hope we can use both Energy Drain/Energy Siphon without a target in combat and preferablly between trash pulls in a dungeon if at all possible.

This avoids the aetherflow lockout in trances as was the case in 4.0+. You could also use the "enhanced" Aetherflow stacks inside bahamut as all it does is change DWT icon to FBT icon on use. Just be aware that the enkindles share times between the summons. I see no downside to this.

As for 4.0 SMN, there were a lot of threads but its going to take a while before people start posting about 5.0 SMN so I went ahead and made a fast start. JP forums share similar concerns. Also, the dps statistics were out for a good while and I even made tables back then to show how poor SMN was! See here: http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...76#post4282276

Once we get the data, I might do something similar again.

[SchrodingersWaffle]

Alternatively, simply pressing the button could make the Trances "Active" rather than spending the stacks

This is pretty much what Nemehk suggested, and it's my preferred solution to that particular problem.

[CecMiller]

This is pretty much what Nemehk suggested, and it's my preferred solution to that particular problem.

I'll have to admit, I didnt see it really - maybe I skim read too much or didnt understand what was meant But yeah, it sounds great! We can use AF inside Trances and there are no issues really and only benefits.

[SchrodingersWaffle]

I'll have to admit, I didnt see it really - maybe I skim read too much or didnt understand what was meant But yeah, it sounds great! We can use AF inside Trances and there are no issues really and only benefits.

The idea as I understood it was a button on a 60s CD that gave a 60s duration buff that enabled DWT and FBT.