Starting to play Summoner. Help?

[Tex_Mex]

How to become a Master Summoner in 1 easy step

Step 1: Don't play Summoner.

haha i loled at this comment.

Right now, Summoner is widely considered to be the weakest DPS class; though this is mostly due to its shortcomings in the Final Coil of Bahamut content. Summoner is very capable of all other game content right now, so if you are just playing casually or to have fun, SMN is fine. If you intend to get into end game (highest difficulty) content, then you should probably consider another DPS class like BLM

The basics of SMN are very simple:

Single target: maintain 100% DoT up time (Bio, Bio2, miasma, and Shadow Flare) and keep aetherflow on CD 100% of the time. This means you have to use your 3 festers every time they are available. All additional free time you have should be spent spamming Ruin (You can use Ruin2 when you have to move, but the higher MP cost will drain you rapidly if you use it all the time. DO NOT EVER use Miasma 2 in single target situations, it is a DPS loss unless you hit multiple targets with it.

Multi Target: get your 3 DoT's up on one target and use bane to transfer them to all nearby targets. Bane will only transfer Bio, Bio2, and Miasma. Make sure Shadow Flare and miasma 2 are used as well. If the fight will be shorter, do not be afraid to use blizzard 2 (BLM spell) to increase your damage once all your DoT's are up, but be warned that it will drain your MP VERY fast so do not use it during extended fights.

Pets: Ifrit does more DPS than Garuda (yes even with contagion) and should be used whenever possible; however, he requires more micro to keep alive and can be difficult to use. Garuda is a great option for beginner summoners until you learn the basics of pet micro.

Cross Class Abilities: Raging Strikes (ARC), Blizzard 2 (THM), Swiftcast (THM), Quelling Strikes (ARC) are pretty much mandatory, the last spot can be used on whatever you like. I end to take surecast, but it is not all that useful.

That's really about it.