Summoner and some tight DPS check

[Puwarh]

As a summoner I find some trouble when it comes to a very tight DPS check with many target to deal with like the final boss of Tam-tara HM or Garuda plums.

What I do will be
- in loose group like tam-tara HM , focus my pet (garuda for sure) to the same target, bio + ruin II untill one down and switch target. still there are damn multiple adds to kill. I cannot keep doing 3DoT + feaster due to it's cool down and casting time and I can do that for only 3 of them but I have to deal with 10+ of them
- in tight group like garuda's plum, miasma 2 to the group then spam blizzard II, and use all garuda's AOE still it's 4 group to deal with.

I think we are specialize in dealing massive damage in long term not bust them out.

Any suggestion for improvement? Please tell

[Machetazzo]

I feel you!
In some circumstances we are having a hard time bursting adds and it depends highly on fight mechanics.

Generally when I learn the fight, understand how my group handles particular phases, I start anticipating phases in order to provide as much dps as possible.
By anticipating I mean timing my Aetherstacks and CDs, as well as dots on main target or possible target for bane.

From what you say, you do quite fine. What I would add to rotation is swift shadowflare if mobs are not expected to move away. People underestimate this skill, while it hits way harder than miasma II - dont remember exact number as I am at work, but i.e. miasma II will hit on average 30dmg per tick, while shadowflare will do 80-90dmg per tick.

If adds spawn close to my main target, which for majority of the time will be boss, then I always try to time my dots to be fresh on boss, keep aether stacks up, as well as contagion. This is quite easy scenario as you just have to bane them, but seen many summoners not thinking ahead with their CDs and Aether on such cases.
Also, if adds are expected to stay in one place and not spread all around the place, then you should keep swift off CD and cast on spawn shadowflare in their spot.

In case you cannot bane and have to dot everything from the beginning, then I always try to ask myself a question on how long those adds will stay up. if the HP is low and burn is high, then just do what you said(miasma II, blizz, ruda's aoe) with addition of swift+shadowflare (in case they are not expected to run away).
In case of DPS check which lasts longer and adds are spread, dot as many as possible and try to use contagion on the add which is not the priority target for rest of your group, best 2nd or 3rd so you get the most of your dots.


Also, it is a huge help if your teammembers have knowledge of other classes than their own and know how to improve overall performance of the group.
Seen plenty summoners who i.e. burn their festers asap on Twintania and are on 30 sec CD for any burst, while in few seconds comes conflag so they cannot bane+fester and the conflag gets long.
I think the key for proper burst with Summoner is anticipation of upcomming mechanic and taking it into account before you burn your all Aether stacks and/or CDs on boss, who usually does not even have a need for bursting other than standard dmg output from the party. In fact, sometimes it is even recommended to slow down due to fight mechanics.

Regards,
M

[givemeraptors]

Like Machetazzo said, the key is anticipation. Stocking up on Aetherflow stacks to Bane --> Fester, also don't forget about Energy Drain, in a pinch you can output some nice burst, especially if you have 6 stacks waiting in anticipation. Sometimes if things get desperate (kill it or wipe) I will use Enkindle.

Also don't forget about Rouse + Spur. You can save those for burst as well (but never hold on to things past their cd, i.e. holding onto Rouse for over a minute).

[Zamii]

honestly, garuda extreme plumes is the only fight that really comes to mind where for a SMN its best to just leave the majority of our dps to the group, and i'de prefer more fights like this, it seems to be our only weak point is low hp adds like this.
sometimes you just have to rely on your group a little more, i know its probably not what you wanted to hear, but the game is designed around not having many doubles of classes in fights.

that one exception aside, what everyone else has said is pretty much right on the mark.

[Puwarh]

Thanks guys gonna try them in tam-tara HM today

[Lycia]

Is it weird that I like the fact that we're not the super bursty DPS members of the fight? One thing I love about being a SMN is the ability to still be doing great DoT on a mob, while focusing on offering a bit of help on the adds. Its the one class that I feel that I can be totally effective all around. Drop a battle rezz, focus on multiple targets and still damage the boss in a matter of 5-10 seconds.

[Mjytresz]

Is it weird that I like the fact that we're not the super bursty DPS members of the fight? One thing I love about being a SMN is the ability to still be doing great DoT on a mob, while focusing on offering a bit of help on the adds. Its the one class that I feel that I can be totally effective all around. Drop a battle rezz, focus on multiple targets and still damage the boss in a matter of 5-10 seconds.

You know, considering how mediocre most classes are in terms of AoE output, there's probably a reason every static runs with a BLM nowadays.
Considering most statics bring a BLM for AoE, what's great about Summoner compared to other DPS?

[Lycia]

You know, considering how mediocre most classes are in terms of AoE output, there's probably a reason every static runs with a BLM nowadays.
Considering most statics bring a BLM for AoE, what's great about Summoner compared to other DPS?

To each their own. I think I bring a swiss army knife to a fight. Like I said, its not always about burst, and while specific fights require massive movements at times which reduces others ability to do damage on a mob, our DoT's still tick while up. I by no means have ever been a big Theory Crafter, and don't mathematically know who does better DPS and what not, I do know in long fights I've witnessed my skills help win. At the end of the day, that's my goal. Don't care if i'm at the top of the charts, or bottom. If the boss dies then that's great.

I think us having the ability to battle raise, while Contagion is keeping my DoT's up, and spreading out my tick around multiple targets if needed is what makes my abilities grand in a raid. The nice part about this game is that we all bring a niche to the table, but all are not required. Makes it more fun IMHO. That's why I don't cry about our lack of burst.

[givemeraptors]

You know, considering how mediocre most classes are in terms of AoE output, there's probably a reason every static runs with a BLM nowadays.
Considering most statics bring a BLM for AoE, what's great about Summoner compared to other DPS?

Bwaahaha

At 4 targets and under SMN AoE is actually the best in the game with Bane delivering a whopping 890 potency unboosted per target, plus you can Swiftcast a Shadowflare on top of it. If you were really hurting you could even use an Enkindle. With the notable exception of T4 most endgame content doesn't spawn 4+ adds at once.

At over 4 targets SMN pulls ahead when adds can't be grouped together e.g. Ifrit Ex, Ramuh Ex. because they can multi-dot where other classes will have to burst down targets one at a time.

And you have a SMN or SCH to 50...wut? >_>