SMN AOE damage advice

[Kazumac]

So as the title states I'm looking for a little advice on how to approach large AOE pulls as a SMN. I'm relatively now to the job as I main SCH but now I'm finding myself helping from the dps side of things more and more and have become comfortable with my single target performance.

So how do you SMNs approach the large pulls such as the feathers in Garuda EX, T4 or even the opening pulls of a brayflox speed run?

I typically use a shadowflare miasma II, garuda's AOE and then tab through doing bio (or ruin if they are going down too fast for bio)... But I feel I'm not doing things correctly or getting meaningful dps in these situations. Or is the SMN's AOE capability just that lack luster beyond about 3 mobs? Any advice is appreciated.

[Huntington]

I do the standard three DoTs, Swiftcast Shadow Flare, run in for Miasma 2, while running in Garuda has Contagion'ed and I've Bane'ed, then Miasma 2 connects and I switch between groups of 3 so the standard three and Miasma 2 are always up along with Shadow Flare. Ruin is a waste on large groups when all my DoTs will be doing twice as much damage.

[Sen_Terrechant]

Blizzard II is a DPS increase with anything 3 targets or over compared to Ruin.

[Dwill]

Blizzard II is a DPS increase with anything 3 targets or over compared to Ruin.

Not to be that guy but since it's a 50 potency, it's anything 2 targets and over though it's debatable for the MP cost to gain for next pull haha

[Aanmer]

There are a few posts around the interwebs that list little tips and tricks for getting the most out of SMN AoE. This is pretty much the bread and butter; you'll start to notice little gaps here and there where you can improve on your timing.

On really big pulls, pretty much Haukke Hard and Bray, You're going to put out better damage if you put up Swiftcast Shadowflare and Miasma II BEFORE you apply your main dots.

Make sure Spur/Rouse are both active when you cast Enkindle.

As for Bane, the best thing to do is cast your main three dots then do your first Bane. Then start spamming Blizzard II and cast Contagion; once your dots are refreshed use Bane when its available. Bane targets are random but this double bane should get most of the mobs. Throw out an Enkindle somewhere in the Blizzard spam and you're pretty much good to go. Refresh Miasma II when needed.

As for smaller packs, it's what you would expect. For fights like T4 etc, you'll need to keep track of your MP consumption from Blizzard Spam. For a 4 man, #MoreDots #BurnIt.

[Sanguisio]

Make sure DOTs are fresh on garuda just before plumes spawn and bane when they come, go to the biggest cluster and blizzard. Only SF and miasma the plumes that near garuda otherwise it will be a waste.
If you really want to be efficient, save enkindle for plumes etc

[Judge_Xero]

I usually DoT the largest mob in the group first. (Largest HP pool)

RS, B2,M, B. Contagoin, Swift Shadow Flare, Bane, Miasma 2. DoT up next group while weaving Rouse Spur Enkindle Aerial Slash. Bane to next mobs.
M2 should fall off so re apply. Then Blizz 2 spam.

Using Quelling strikes is a good idea.

[Sen_Terrechant]

Not to be that guy but since it's a 50 potency, it's anything 2 targets and over though it's debatable for the MP cost to gain for next pull haha

Yeah two and over is fine as well, i just tend to think with two targets we are better off just going for our normal single target rotation [with bane of course] and switching targets after but thats me :3

[Alexandros_Hanarak]

was wondering about this myself, as I have taken SMN to be my main job. Usually in Bray what I do is DOTs, Bane, SF, then tab to look for target with no dots, apply dots and Bane again. I usually do this in groups of 6 mobs or more. Also, and please let me know if this is good or bad since I am semi-new to game (been playing since April); I made a macro where I linked Bane and Aerial Slash, that way when I bane a group I also make pet (Garuda-egi) do its AoE dmg attack on same bane target.

[Kazumac]

Thanks for all the responses. It is really helpful. I think I was coming at it from the right direction and would eventually get it but you have helped me along a little bit faster than doing all the experimenting on my own.

Much appreciated.