SMN to BLM

[PenelopeWinn]

Do I have to use garuda end game??? What if I want to use Ifrit only? I'm thinking I would get allot of people telling me to use garuda. I keep up on my dots faithfully so contagion would not be a big loss to me.

IMO it really depends on the fight. I play on PS3 so i don't parse myself but I'm told I am higher on T8 with Ifrit then Garuda so obviously he is a viable option and you don't only have to use Garuda.

[Vallhallix]

I too started out as a SMN. I was the biggest SMN fanboy too. I guess once you go BLM you don't go back. BLM is superior in almost everyway. Crowd control, AOE pretty much infinite mana. There's not a situation BLM doesn't rule in. PvP, Mobs, single target. Ive had much better experiences in all these situations with my BLM than I did my SMN.

The drawback to SMN all its damage is build up over time, its one burst ability requires aether. BLM getting procs can do double the amount of fester switch to blizz 3 and do it all over again while fester is still on cd. SMNs one big burst AoE is tied to the pet Garuda and has a hefty cd making it pretty much useless in battle. Its basically like a weaker Flare with a cd.

As a SMN I always felt weak. I was a good SMN and still did great dps but it always felt puny. I felt like I had to do too much work just to do half the equal damage other classes such as BLM do and more. As a BLM I feel STRONK. BLM takes down enemies fast with no remorse.

[Empressia]

SNIP

then by all means get urself a dps meter and watch HOW FREAKING FAR SUM DPS > BLM DPS

[ChaozK]

then by all means get urself a dps meter and watch HOW FREAKING FAR SUM DPS > BLM DPS

Well tbf not anymore post BLM buffs.

[Dwill]

As a SMN I always felt weak. I was a good SMN and still did great dps but it always felt puny.

That statement is so contradictory. 400 DPS while with a lot of little numbers that adds up or 400 DPS with a few hard hitting skills is still 400 DPS in the end.

[drmambo1999]

That statement is so contradictory. 400 DPS while with a lot of little numbers that adds up or 400 DPS with a few hard hitting skills is still 400 DPS in the end.

Yeah, but I do see what he is saying here. I went from SMN to BLM and "visually" there is a difference on how we perceive the damage being done. It is all just burst though. I noticed immediately that I was killing things faster as a SMN at the time though. I like both classes. There are some scenarios where I prefer my BLM and others where SMN shines. Burst is nice for killing adds off quickly while the DOTs SMNs have are nice for the over all fight. We all have our roles so People should play what they want and be content knowing that. I would personally like something....anything done in a patch that might help make it a bit easier for a BLM to catch up with over all DPS in end game though.

[Vallhallix]

That statement is so contradictory. 400 DPS while with a lot of little numbers that adds up or 400 DPS with a few hard hitting skills is still 400 DPS in the end.

This is only in drawn out fights. A BLM will dispatch an enemy before a SMN has everything set up. This coming from someone who tested it. Both classes equally geared both with Animus. SMN does well in long fights, not so much dispatching enemies swiftly which is very necessary for dps checks. If you have both a SMN and BLM attacking a single enemy both starting at the exact same time the BLM would have either killed or have the enemy at 25% health by the time it takes a SMN to get all dots up, shadow flare and fester. Even in drawn out fights i'd still give it to BLM for being able to dispatch enemies faster. A SMN is sort of horrible getting rid of adds in dps checks. They have to do much more work just to do equal dmg output as others at base. I think SMN only advantage is when there's heavy mechanics involved that require constant moving but even then a BLM is able to pop manward/wall and eat the damage. Thats why BLM has those skills it was meant to sit and eat some damage while getting some good burst dmg in. There's also the chance of that you'll get procs. Ive gotten them while running many times and they're instant so moving is a non issue. SMN is a good class but ultimately I prefer having other DPS with me as many don't know how to play a SMN at its maximum potential.

[Sen_Terrechant]

Do I have to use garuda end game??? What if I want to use Ifrit only? I'm thinking I would get allot of people telling me to use garuda. I keep up on my dots faithfully so contagion would not be a big loss to me.

Contagion isnt really a DPS increase by itself aside from extended a Raging Strikes DoT. Its a DPS increase because its times you can just be nuking, AND it helps conserve mana.
Ifrit is fine in some fights, but a rule of thumb is anything where the boss isnt a stationary dummy or in fights he would easily die- just use Garuda

[drmambo1999]

Contagion isnt really a DPS increase by itself aside from extended a Raging Strikes DoT. Its a DPS increase because its times you can just be nuking, AND it helps conserve mana.
Ifrit is fine in some fights, but a rule of thumb is anything where the boss isnt a stationary dummy or in fights he would easily die- just use Garuda

I would have to agree. I haven't gotten my SMN to 50 yet, but since Garuda is ranged and does good damage, over all I would imagine she would be best in most end game scenarios. If you have to focus on healing ifrit because he is taking too much damage that would take from your dps as well. I have yet to play end game with SMN so I can't say for certain but I imagine myself at least using garuda in most fights, or Titan (less so on him though as he is more of a tank than a damage dealer.) Like said above though, depends on the situation.

[DistraughtKoala]

I smn everything besides t8 in second coil now. I only go blm on that fight because I'm lazy and can turret. It's still a dps loss for me, but that's the difference in weapons.