Should Summoner's Elemental Mastery Trait (lvl 86) be moved to lower levels?

[Mae_Proet]

Hi everyone,

I ask this question because whenever I'm synced to lower levels, I feel that Summoner's summons lack distinction.

For example, before level 86, garuda and titan effectively feel the same. Yet from level 86 onward, you need to begin thinking about whether it's optimal to cast garuda's slipstream or to just use titan for pure mobility. Given this example alone, I'd like it if the dev team would move the level 86 trait down as early as ARR.

For example, once you were to unlock the ifrit egi, you'd also gain its gap-closers. Likewise with the garuda egi, her slipstream, and titan egi his continuation-esque combo. Doing this would give Summoners early on during their leveling experience the time to build the muscle memory to know when to use which primal vs. just treating garuda and titan as the same thing for nearly 80 levels, and then having to break that muscle memory once you reach the current level cap of 90.

Other than that, I really love this job, and I'm excited to see the changes it'll receive throughout future patches/expansions.

[Vahenir]

It would definitely be nice to have this one at much lower levels as its basically what completes the rotation. A weaker version of the abilities should open up at lv60 when you unlock astral flow then when you hit 86 the current, or even better, versions unlock. It'd help with the problem of having way too few buttons on summoner.

[Ferrinus]

The 86 trait should come much earlier, along with potency buffs that ensure ruby/topaz/emerald ruin are always dps gains even when standing still. Heck, I could see Elemental Mastery being the level 50 trait.

[SineNomine]

I 100% agree. I was slowly leveling my SMN and it DRAMATICALLY changed in enjoyment once I hit 86 because things fell into place and the summons felt interesting and distinct. Plus they did something similar with Aethercharge being created to fill the same role as Dreadwyrm Trance because it would feel too basic without it.

With some quick checking I would say the following fits pretty naturally:

NEW TRAIT -
Elemental Flow Lv. 64.
Grants Ifrit's Favor upon executing Summon Ifrit, Titan's Favor upon executing Summon Titan, and Garuda's Favor upon executing Summon Garuda.
Enhances Astral Flow according to your current elemental attunement.
Ifrit's Favor Upgrade: Ruby Cyclone
Titan's Favor Upgrade: Rock Buster
Garuda's Favor Upgrade: Whirlwind

UPDATED TRAIT -
Elemental Mastery Lv. 86.
Upgrades Ruby Cyclone to Crimson Cyclone, Rock Buster to Mountain Buster, and Whirlwind to Slipstream.

NEW JOB ACTIONS -
Ruby Cyclone Lv. 64.
Spell
Instant cast
2.5s GCD
25 yalm range, 5 yalm AoE

Rushes forward and delivers a fire attack to target and all enemies nearby it with a potency of 280 for the first enemy, and 65% less for all remaining enemies.
Can only be executed while under the effect of Ifrit's Favor.
Cannot be executed while bound.

※Action changes to Ruby Strike upon execution.
※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.

Ruby Strike Lv. 64.
Spell
Instant cast
2.5s GCD
3 yalm range, 5 yalm AoE

Deals fire damage to target and all enemies nearby it with a potency of 280 for the first enemy, and 65% less for all remaining enemies.
Combo Action: Ruby Cyclone

※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.


Rock Buster Lv. 64.
Ability
Instant cast
1s GCD
25 yalm range, 5 yalm AoE

Deals earth damage to target and all enemies nearby it with a potency of 90 for the first enemy, and 70% less for all remaining enemies.
Can only be executed while under the effect of Titan's Favor.

※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.

Whirlwind Lv. 64.
Spell
3s cast
3.5s GCD
25 yalm range, 5 yalm AoE

Deals wind damage to target and all enemies nearby it with a potency of 280 for the first enemy, and 65% less for all remaining enemies.
Additional Effect: Creates a windstorm centered around the target, dealing damage to any enemies who enter
Potency: 20
Duration: 15s
Can only be executed while under the effect of Garuda's Favor.

※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.

[Mondschnee]

I agree with this 100 %.
The first time I logged in after the EW update I was so confused when I tried out SMN and I wasn't able to execute the rotation shown in the trailer. Then I realized that this will be the level 90 rotation. In my opinion, the new SMN starts to fall apart at level 70.
The kit we have now should be moved to level 80 at the latest to be justifyable. The thing that bothers me most as of now is that SMN feels so underdeveloped. From the mentioned levels on, new skills and/or summons should be added to make the job feel more complete and engaging/rewarding. Not that I'm hoping for that, but it would make the job feel better regardless.

[Vahlnir]

Yeah, I think it should be available earlier too. Honestly, below 86 and after 86 are 2 completely different experiences and the transition can be jarring.

[Sequora]

I don’t disagree with this, but I think something would need to be added between 80-90. This change would literally just make the 80-90 job progression be increased potencies, animations, and an extra charge of radiant aegis.

[MellowMink]

I was saying this in a more controversial thread about summoner changes too, but it was sadly ignored. The trait definitely should appear at lower levels since I feel it offers the biggest factors into deciding what order to cast summons in.

[Rolder50]

On one hand, it should definitely be a lower level to make the class more engaging, sooner. But on the other hand, if move it to say, level 60, then you won't have any new buttons or ANYTHING from 60 to 90. Which is more of a problem with the job in general but yknow.

[Mae_Proet]

I don’t disagree with this, but I think something would need to be added between 80-90. This change would literally just make the 80-90 job progression be increased potencies, animations, and an extra charge of radiant aegis.

I don't think that'd a bad thing. I think it's enough to more or less have your entire kit by 50, and just enjoy the battle encounters as you level. But perhaps it's just me, as I never enjoyed have to relearn my rotation/opener every 10 levels or so.