Working my way up (SMN)

[Ninster]

I'm currently lvl 38 SMN and every time I get a new spell/skill I get thrown for a loop. So could someone explain where/if Ruin II and Fester fit in?

Luckily I'm experimenting out the field instead of a dungeon, but the best I can figure is that Ruin II is a mana-eater if spammed.

And I'm not quite sure I understand Fester. Is it a 100 potency/DOT ATTACK or a buff to existing DOTs? The wording is a bit confusing to me.

[Ardan]

Fester damage is only affected by Bio 2/Miasma/Bio, your main three DoTs. When Fester is used when you have one of those DoTs on an enemy it will deal 100 potency. Two DoTs will lead to 200 potency and three DoTs will lead to 300 potency. If none of those DoTs are on an enemy and Fester is used it will deal absolutely nothing. It's crucial that all three of those effects are on an enemy at all times. Fester is your best burst damage tool.

As far as Ruin 2 goes it's a filler spell. You never want to spam this spell. Typically you will want to use this just before you're about to use Fester for some extra damage. The blind effect from Ruin 2 isn't crucial so don't worry about diminishing returns.

I'd recommend fooling around on the dummies found throughout the game. Practice rotations on those.

[Marianno]

You would only use ruin II spell when you are forced to move around do to fight mechanics or when the boss is casting something that could kill you and you don't want to get punished by it. Fester spell on the other hand is you bread and butter spell and is the root and source or your every increasing DOT power. In order to see the full effect of fester, you will need to first cast Bio II, Miasma, and Bio I or Miasma, Bio II, and Bio in those orders. Bio is instant cast so you will always want to cast that last. Then you would use fester spell after you have applied those three particular DOTs. Ruin II spell is instant so if you ever need to move or dodge something then that is when you use ruin II. Otherwise, always spam ruin I. Fester spell increases the potency at which the DOTs tick for making them deal more dmg. You can try this on a dummy and see the results or try this on an enemy

[Ninster]

Thanks very much guys, that makes more sense now. I kinda figured Ruin II was better as a one-off thing for the blind effect (well, at least in the field), but just wanted to confirm with someone else.

I do have more questions regarding Fester though. It's an Aetherflow ability. So at the moment I have three: Energy Drain, Bane, and Fester. Since I only have two stacks of Aetherflow at the moment, how do I go about making the most out of them?

I apologize if I should have figured this out by now, but I will say I haven't had any complaints as ACN/SMN in dungeons and trials so far, and I really would like to keep up the best effort I can in playing my role, at least up until endgame where things get... really ugly, from what I understand.

[Altimis]

Thanks very much guys, that makes more sense now. I kinda figured Ruin II was better as a one-off thing for the blind effect (well, at least in the field), but just wanted to confirm with someone else.

I do have more questions regarding Fester though. It's an Aetherflow ability. So at the moment I have three: Energy Drain, Bane, and Fester. Since I only have two stacks of Aetherflow at the moment, how do I go about making the most out of them?

I apologize if I should have figured this out by now, but I will say I haven't had any complaints as ACN/SMN in dungeons and trials so far, and I really would like to keep up the best effort I can in playing my role, at least up until endgame where things get... really ugly, from what I understand.

Be careful using Ruin II, you will drained MP so fast because Ruin II cost 133 MP per use while Ruin I cost 79 MP and equal MP, use Ruin I if you have long fight, otherwise, use Ruin II if you want to clean thing fast

Ruin II also have main advantage over Ruin I, no casting time and blind effect, its best to use when you need alot mobility (AKA kite or dodge AOE)

For Energy Drain - Use this when your MP is below by half, if not, use Fester instead to dish out damage

For Bane - Use this when you see target stand mob up 2-3 or more, very useful spell, if you fight only single target, do not use it, wasted Aetherflow, use Fester instead

Basically, Energy Drain and Bane as I mentioned above, if you not in that situation, do not use it, keep use Fester all the time

And last, you don't need to apology at all, its not wrong to ask, welcome to the world of Arcanist

[tOnni3]

About Ruin II
Pros :
1. Instant cast
2. Spamming Ruin II make auto-attack go off regularly (as you standstill during GCD) > dps incrase
3. Weave buff/debuff right after Ruin II (during GCD) can maximize casting down time

Con :
1. High MP consumption