Connecting the DoTs: A Summoner Guide

[Havenchild]

Mana isn't a problem anymore? Huh.

Alright.

Do you have any numbers for pet damage equations? I needs them for my dps simulator.

I couldn't find the thread anymore where this was stated. Sometime ago iirc, Xero and another user had ran these calculations. I never tried to run this entirely on my own.

I'm still currently trying to find it.

[Fatshine]

I read this entirely, and as a SMN main, this is really good. The only thing I would change is the 1 - 4 seconds part. I would elaborate and say start recast of Bio II and Miasma at 2 or 3 seconds depending on Spell Speed, and Bio at 1 or 0 seconds left on the timer because it's instant. Future Summoners have to make the refresh as close as ever possible to the final tick but at the same time, not wait too long and have it fall off. For Shadowflare, I would try to recast at 4 seconds because of it's slightly longer cast time. Squeeeeeeze that refresh Summoners! Of course, if dealing with mechanics, recast slightly earlier so that it doesn't fall off.

Another thing is Miasma II. The duration and mp cost do not make it worth it unless 3 things. Either 3 or more adds, or under Raging Strikes, or Contagion, but best is under both Raging Strikes/Contagion. So Miasma II seems to benefit more when using Garuda.

My last tip is being elaborate on pets. Ifrit is best used on near stationary targets i.e. the single target "melee" pet, Garuda is best used for adds and/or bosses that move too much i.e. the multi target "caster" pet, and Titan for solo play or very rare dungeon situations like a tank is terrible or leaves the duty i.e. the leveling or open world pet. (So in dungeons, do not use Garuda for the entire time like 99% of Summoners do. Adds? Garuda, near stationary boss fight? Which is most, then Swiftcast > Ifrit. After the boss, Swiftcast > Garuda. This makes you stand out as a SMN because you actually know the benefit of your pets)

**An interesting note is your DPS will still be higher using Ifrit (even without Dragon Kick, Dancing Edge, etc) over the Garuda Contagion/Poison Pot Combo. The poison combo is best used if you cannot use Ifrit for whatever reason, and want to increase DPS.**

Even further suggestions:
It is great to attach all the pets AOE to Bane in a macro, or, just Garuda. Ifrit's AOE attack has abysmal range and is around himself. Therefore you have to "place" in between adds to make it effective. Don't even bother. Attach Garuda's Aerial Slash to Bane. Why? AOE, AOE, AOE. A lot of people think SMN AOE is really bad compared to BLM. Obviously BLM is king, but doing the right things make SMN AOE amazing. For example let's say there are a horde of adds. Shadowflare, 3 Dots on one, Bane (with the macro Garuda will Aerial Slash doing even MORE AOE) Miasma II, Spur, Ruin II an add, Rouse, Ruin II an add, Enkindle, Blizzard 2 spam.....that is ALOT of AOE damage. This is not even counting any buffs like Raging Strikes or a Ninja's Trick Attack.

So surprisingly, there is a lot to Summoner that many may not know about. Learn and pick up a Grimoire!

[Kittyband]

Are they not changing summoner in less then two months? Or will you change your guide entirely if the class is heavily reworked?

[Fatshine]

Are they not changing summoner in less then two months? Or will you change your guide entirely if the class is heavily reworked?

The OP clearly stated that it's a work on process and come 3.0, the guide will have edits and new information.

[Kittyband]

The OP clearly stated that it's a work on process and come 3.0, the guide will have edits and new information.

This is why I'm wondering, the guide is detailed out but if the new changes completely revamp how SMN is played, then the whole guide would need to change and not just a few minor edits because the entire thing would be out dated. Book marking for now regardless and because I love the name.

[Havenchild]

This is why I'm wondering, the guide is detailed out but if the new changes completely revamp how SMN is played, then the whole guide would need to change and not just a few minor edits because the entire thing would be out dated. Book marking for now regardless and because I love the name.

Don't worry, I will fully go through the guide again as well as detail what was updated come 3.0 and what has changed through testing. I plan on using a sorta "in-testing" section, where with user support as well, we can figure out the overall better optimal rotations and gameplay and I will try my best to stay on top of that.

[Squa]

trying to figure out an optimum summoner burn cycle, few questions

Do pets benefit from Dreadworm trance? Should I save my pet cooldowns (Rouse/Spur/Enkindle) for Dreadworm?

[OneWingedSora]

trying to figure out an optimum summoner burn cycle, few questions

Do pets benefit from Dreadworm trance? Should I save my pet cooldowns (Rouse/Spur/Enkindle) for Dreadworm?

Nope, pets only benefit from food and potions iirc. But since you usually line up pot with DWT, you probably wanna try to fit in Enkindle during DWT.

Also, Dreadworm :P

[Squa]

Nope, pets only benefit from food and potions iirc. But since you usually line up pot with DWT, you probably wanna try to fit in Enkindle during DWT.

Also, Dreadworm :P

OK, I noticed people would line up Raging Strikes with their pet combo attacks, I assume this will be not effective either.
Dreadwyrm

[rzr22]

Hey, I'm fairly new to SMN and I'm also a fairly fresh 60 SMN. I didn't really play SMN before the expansion, and I'm wondering if any of the info in the main post is out of date.

What pet is best to use now? The OP seems to make Ifrit sound the best in most situations, but is that true now with Dreadwyrm Trance and the ability to extend the 10% increased DoT duration?

Can someone give me a good opener? I'm having trouble figuring out when to use Raging Strikes and Tri-Disaster. I assume we hold both back for Trance.

Do you ever Trance without Tri-Disaster? If so, what do you cast during the duration?

What's the optimal Trance rotation? I'm trying to fit two Festers in, but I always mess up and am not sure on the timing.