Summoner Gameplay

[Yoninxi]

I can't even

[Victros]

I can't even

?? Sorry, what are you saying?

[MartaDemireux]

I can't even

Finish a sentence? :P

But for the topic at hand SMN is a bit more complex than BLM. Short version:

BLM:
Fire III to get 3 stacks of astral fire
Spam Fire I until out of MP
Blizzard III to get 3 stacks of umbral ice
Put on Thunder
Toss in Thunder III's when they proc
Toss in Fire III's when they proc
Buffs in the mix as well

SMN:
Buff up first so all your DoT's are peak DPS
Maintain Bio
Maintain Bio II
Maintain Miasma
Maintain Miasma II
Manage Aether stacks for DoT utility/burst DPS
Shadowflare
Ruin spam when everything's peachy
Pets:
Garuda - maintain Contagian and her DoT
Ifrit - Prevent from stunning

There's a bit more to each of course. BLM mechanic is pretty simple to get down when you play it enough. Due to casting times it's a bit harder to push out the DPS in movement-intense battles but it's still good DPS. SMN is easier to maintain high DPS due to instant casts (Ruin II when running instead of Ruin) and DoT's are a steady reliable source. The trade off is that SMN has a lot more to keep track of with all of their DoT's and their pets.

As they share most gear I honestly say level both up. BLM is awesome AoE and is great for speed runs. SMN is awesome single target and has the mobility factor for bosses. Leveling both up is also the best way to figure out which suits you better.

[Victros]

OK, thanks for breaking it down. I was told that with Summoner, they get an ability that refreshes all their DOT's. Is that true?

Is it my imagination, or is there more to keep track of in this game's PvE than in most MMO's??

[NintenPyjak64]

SMN:
Buff up first so all your DoT's are peak DPS
Maintain Bio
Maintain Bio II
Maintain Miasma
Maintain Miasma II
Manage Aether stacks for DoT utility/burst DPS
Shadowflare
Ruin spam when everything's peachy
Pets:
Garuda - maintain Contagian and her DoT
Ifrit - Prevent from stunning

You absolutely do not want to "maintain" Miasma II. It's potency unbuffed is the same as a Ruin so you're wasting tons of MP. Only use Miasma 2 when you're ready to cast Contagion to extend the potency

Aetherflow does more then DoT Utility and Burst Damage. Yes Fester is nice, but Aetherflow also restores MP inate

Shadowflare is the 4th DoT you need to maintain