Idea to add support role to SMN

[RPGkiller999]

A summoner should use different summons in a fight to provide group buffs, right now it is merely a WoW warlock clone.

Changes:
1. Summons will only last 30 seconds, with 1 min CD so you cannot keep summon the same pet (Adds summon rotation)

2. Upon summon a 15 seconds buff will be granted by the party/raid:
Titan: Provides group shield
Ifrit : Slashing/piercing buff
Garuda : Spell haste/damage magic buff
Leviathan : Restore Party TP/MP

3. The quality of buff will depend on how many Aether flow charges you use, for example:
Titan : 5% HP shield (no AF charge)
7% HP shield (1 AF charge)
9% HP shield (2 AF charge)
12% HP shield (3 AF charge)

This will make summoner having to sacrifice dps to support the party. And summon rotation will add difficulty to the summoner job. A good summoner will need to anticipate boss attack to time Titan buff in time, while summon the right damage buffs for the right party composition.

[AmyNeudaiz]

Scholar already does the support role (Selene) with summons. I love support type classes and when I use Selene I feel that I do that role. It doesn't need to go beyond that and it's even based off the same class as summoner. Also, your idea would piss off a lot of current summoners.

Plus there's an alternative if you feel like you MUST have a pure support class. New pet job off of ACN all together as to not ruin anyone's current job.

[Thorauku]

This will make summoner having to sacrifice dps to support the party. And summon rotation will add difficulty to the summoner job. A good summoner will need to anticipate boss attack to time Titan buff in time, while summon the right damage buffs for the right party composition.

Summoner is a DPS class. Not a support class. Do supports even exist in this game? Duty Finder says nope.

[PriyaJugulataris]

Problems with this:
1. Doesn't really add complexity
2. Near Guarantees 1 or MORE Summoners a spot in a party
3. Pretty OP really if you consider what you're suggesting based off most in game content (Titan-Egi especially)
4. Once again, giving more reason to go full ranged DPS

I do agree that the Summoner needs to revamped to be focused on the SUMMON rather than DoTs, but your idea has more variables to consider.

[jars]

Summoner is a DPS class. Not a support class. Do supports even exist in this game? Duty Finder says nope.

PF says yes

but it's not summoner

[Ryuko]

To implement the type of changes you are suggesting, summoner will have to completely be reworked. Egis account for about 50-60 of your dps. Using Aetherflow charges for your 'buffs' would probably be a bad idea, as it would dramatically reduce our only burst (Fester). Even bards that 'sacrifice' dps by playing songs only see an 'overall' damage nerf... no huge nerf (or removal) of important abilities. What I COULD see working is allowing your pet to be 'weakened' (doing 30 dps instead of 60 for example) to give some sort of aura buff to the party... similar to bard, but then it would be exactly identical to bard, and that wouldn't be fair to bards. Summoners already have a lot of utility, in my opinion, which makes them closer to 'support' than any other dps (bard excluded obviously).

[Viridiana]

PF says yes

but it's not summoner

Oh? I'm looking at the party finder interface right now, and the only options I see are Tank, Healer, DPS, and Free. Not seeing anything about Support in there. . .

[jars]

you must not be looking hard enough

if you select a bad group they will have 2-3 slots reserved for supports because they can't do the instance without 2-3 bards, apparently

[Viridiana]

you must not be looking hard enough

if you select a bad group they will have 2-3 slots reserved for supports because they can't do the instance without 2-3 bards, apparently

Nope, even in PF, BRD is listed firmly under DPS.

[Thorauku]

you must not be looking hard enough

if you select a bad group they will have 2-3 slots reserved for supports because they can't do the instance without 2-3 bards, apparently

What? Here we go again that Bards are supports? You must be drunk sir.