SMN mp needs sorting out

[Numenor1379]

Seriously, the problem isn't summoner. It is Blm. If it wasn't the only other caster to compare resource management to, this thread wouldn't exist. Melee have the EXACT same resource troubles but it is universal to all melee. That is why there is no complaining about it. The community has accepted it and found a way to deal with the issue. Paeon. If there were enough caster DD classes then party makeups would change to one melee, two casters, and a bard singing ballad when needed.

In reality there ARE other caster classes you can compare SMN to... WHM and SCH. The problem is that for optimal DPS output a SMN has the same MP costs as a SCH but without the ability to use Aetherflow for as much MP regen as a SCH does, while at the same time not having a passive such as Shroud that gives a huge boost to MP like the WHM.

BLMs aren't the problem as that class was designed for MP regen through self buffs. SMNs lack this.

So, from there we've got a couple of options. A potency increase in the MP regen ability of Aetherflow (we'll ignore ED as that really shouldn't be used by a SMN if at all possible). Perhaps a Shroud-like buff could be added when Aetherflow is at 3 stacks? OR the SMN MP costs need to be reduced.

The damage output of SMNs is fine so long as they don't run their MP dry as fast as they currently do. If their MP drain was scaled such that it'd hit bottom around the same rate as a WHM does then Ballad could be sync'd between those classes and we'd not have issues with "oh, we don't use Ballad for SMNs".