Summoner and some tight DPS check

[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? >_>

[whiskeybravo]

SMN AoE is strong but takes time to tick out. Whereas BLM the damage is instant. IIRC B2/Mia/Bio/Mia2 w/ Shadow flare is in the neighborhood of 1200 potency, which is equal to 4 or 5 flares.

[givemeraptors]

SMN AoE is strong but takes time to tick out. Whereas BLM the damage is instant. IIRC B2/Mia/Bio/Mia2 w/ Shadow flare is in the neighborhood of 1200 potency, which is equal to 4 or 5 flares.

Yeah, although you can't chain 4-5 Flares at full power. Most you can do is two (I'm not counting using an Ether pot, strictly what the class can do under its own power).
Also, unlike Flares, the nature of DoTs means that SMNs can still pump out Ruins and Festers in addition to whatever their pet is doing. And the pet can be boosted too.

Without hard numbers it's hard to tell, but I would say SMN's edge out BLM with 4 targets (discounting the usage of outside items). Hmm, would like to see a test though.

[whiskeybravo]

Yeah, although you can't chain 4-5 Flares at full power. Most you can do is two (I'm not counting using an Ether pot, strictly what the class can do under its own power).
Also, unlike Flares, the nature of DoTs means that SMNs can still pump out Ruins and Festers in addition to whatever their pet is doing. And the pet can be boosted too.

Without hard numbers it's hard to tell, but I would say SMN's edge out BLM with 4 targets (discounting the usage of outside items). Hmm, would like to see a test though.

Definitely, I did the math a while back to figure that out. I don't have a lv50 BLM though so it was hard to compare exactly. I was interested to know how many flares could be squeezed into a similar time frame.

Really though, on 4+ targets you can still dot/bane the others fairly quickly.. Plus filler blizzard 2 or lolTridisaster

[ZhycranaDranix]

SMN Great for primals and things that need to take damage OVER TIME
Spike damage will come from Drags and BLMs
Constant Damage Bards and MNKs I think do those best

[Judge_Xero]

SMN AoE is strong but takes time to tick out. Whereas BLM the damage is instant. IIRC B2/Mia/Bio/Mia2 w/ Shadow flare is in the neighborhood of 1200 potency, which is equal to 4 or 5 flares.

Doesn't Flare get the Astral buff as well? Which I believe almost doubles it's Potency at 3 Stacks. So double flare should be close to a SMN DoT rotation. But Summoner can still use Contagion. Rouse +Spur Enkindle Aerial Slash Blizz II spam.

[Judge_Xero]

But Double Flare comes out a whole lot faster than the DoTs and also F2 does good damage.
I think the key to SMN burst is by using the pet. Especially now that Aerial Slash is Instant. (Rouse+AS)
You can even have your Pet attack one mob while you attack another. Dots+Fester is decent burst and the Pet + Rouse is 140 Potency. So about 420 potency by the time SMN has 400 potency on a mob.