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.

[Nailkita]

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.

Emerald Carbuncle is summonable when you don't have garuda and has the same abilities (though named differently) and an adorable corgi waddle.

[givemeraptors]

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.

I was just mentioning the MP thing as a sidenote, I didn't say it was all about MP management. It's main effect is obviously about doing more damage. It's a great ability, but also essentially the only thing that keeps Garuda ahead of Ifrit. There are plenty of times where I don't care about Contagion e.g. when mobs are dying too fast for it to matter.

And while I understand it keeps your DPS up, I'm not going to freak out over a slightly lowered damage output because I prefer a more manageable Ifrit on some fights. For instance, using Ifrit to take on adds with radiant shield up etc. etc.

[Hitokirinomad]

You mean besides that Garuda still out parses Ifrit, doesn't cause stun immunity, and has to deal with a lot of the stupid melee problems? No other reason to use Ifrit over Garuda than those?