Connecting the DoTs: A Summoner Guide

[Sleigh]

First phase it's a slight rDPS boost (same damage but no Radiant Shield if using Garuda), but you almost always have to move Ifrit while you can often leave Garuda somewhere safe. Final phase, see above; I don't even think the boss attacks to proc Radiant Shield in the first place.

[Sidra]

I would literally LOVE to use Ifrit. But I just can't see the reason ever. If I map it out in my head, there are always a few places where it might make a small gain - A2S overgeared is an example because nothing lives long enough for Contagion to be of use. But when you compare the small gain you may get, with what you may lose from moving, extra TLC it needs...it's just not worth it. Even for a 100% stationary boss, I wouldn't use Ifrit. It's probably combined with the fact you get really good at using Garuda, learn fight timings with her etc. Ifrit changes all the timings...and again the payoff even if you perfected it is so small it's not worth going through the re-learning process. Dunno how they could buff Ifrit wihtout buffing SMN, but I'd be open to something cool.

[Fernosaur]

Dunno how they could buff Ifrit wihtout buffing SMN, but I'd be open to something cool.

In my somewhat ignorant and humble opinion, Ifrit should just flat out do considerably more damage than Garuda with his attacks instead of having that weird damage penalty that puts them both on par. Not only is he at a bigger risk of eating cleaves and melee AoEs, but the downtime he gets from forced movement is terrible... I also see no reason to use him q-q

[audi5000]

i tried using ifrit in a4s a couple of times. i had trouble killing my add without garuda, and radiant shield was useless, but it honestly wasnt too bad.

[Sleigh]

Ifrit does do more than Garuda.

It is not Ifrit doing the same DPS as Garuda. It is Contagion being so strong with the opener and further DWT that even the two out for the most part. Radiant Shield does make Ifrit theoretically pull ahead of Garuda, but there are many advantages to Garuda, both in efficiency and convenience, that just make Ifrit so questionable.

[Fernosaur]

Ifrit does do more than Garuda.

It is not Ifrit doing the same DPS as Garuda. It is Contagion being so strong with the opener and further DWT that even the two out for the most part. Radiant Shield does make Ifrit theoretically pull ahead of Garuda, but there are many advantages to Garuda, both in efficiency and convenience, that just make Ifrit so questionable.

Yeah I know he does more, but the damage Ifrit brings vs Garuda's damage boost from Contagion "balance" out in a way that it all ends up being in Garuda's favor. I sorta meant that Ifrit should be able to deal a much more considerable amount damage by himself than Garuda in order to compensate for his obvious and unavoidable flaws. Garuda just works way too well with SMN's toolkit.

[Takaokami]

Any thoughts on SMN melds? I'm completely new to melding TBH, but read some people said VIT is a good investment to start doing Midas savage. Not sure if they were generalizing for all classes or actually referring only to tanks...

[Fernosaur]

I'd personally go Accuracy (if needed) > Crit > Spellspeed. The later only works for the amount of Ruin IIIs you can fit into one Dreadwyrm Trance, so I dunno if there's gonna be a soft cap for it or not. People need to do some maths on that I guess.

Then again, I'm a philistine ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Havenchild]

I'd personally go Accuracy (if needed) > Crit > Spellspeed. The later only works for the amount of Ruin IIIs you can fit into one Dreadwyrm Trance, so I dunno if there's gonna be a soft cap for it or not. People need to do some maths on that I guess.

Then again, I'm a philistine ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I don't think you will need Accuracy. The gear is already overloaded with it. In terms of Spellspeed, you can get a pretty meaty side of SS just from gear alone. To get an extra Ruin III, you will need likely over 900 to 1k+ and that won't be worth the exchange from possible Crit and Det, unless at least with Crit, there's some sort of softcap.

Crit > Det melds will almost undoubtedly be the best on every piece.

[Violette]

I don't think you will need Accuracy. The gear is already overloaded with it. In terms of Spellspeed, you can get a pretty meaty side of SS just from gear alone. To get an extra Ruin III, you will need likely over 900 to 1k+ and that won't be worth the exchange from possible Crit and Det, unless at least with Crit, there's some sort of softcap.

Crit > Det melds will almost undoubtedly be the best on every piece.

If it gets your recast under 2.35s naturally, an arrow (maybe selene, have not tested), will get you into 4xr3 territory.