Summoner questions!

[Darkstride]

Contagion is nice but I can also manually maintain those buffs. The MP you save from contagion is negligible mostly.

I don't think you understand Contagion. Contagion isn't about MP management. It's about extending the duration so that you can do other damage while the DoT's run. Time saved on re-applying is time spent on dealing more damage. It's especially useful with Raging Strikes, because you are extending the duration of BUFFED DoTs.

I would also agree that Ifrit is never better than Garuda. Unless, of course, you don't yet have Garuda and are left with no choice.