Summoning Magic concept (video!)

[Zantetsuken]

>Esper

Come on, call em Primals ;_;

Btw, nice vid

Good call, I fixed the OP.


Some thoughts based on feedback thus far. EDIT: I added this to the OP

SMN as a pet class and my approach to final attacks aren't mutually exclusive. FFXI had a neat concept with the elemental spirit summons. When soloing, partying, etc, an elemental spirit would be good for all-around utility. (just make it so they are actually affordable to maintain, unlike FFXI)

For those that have played FFXII Revenant Wings, you'll remember that there were actually tiers of Espers to summon. A good approach as it gives variety and progression to the SMN job. For instance:

• Rank I (Earth): Earth Elemental (no MP consume)
• Rank II (Earth): Golem (FFXI style summon - Low MP consume)
• Rank III (Earth): Titan (FFXI style summon - High MP consume)
• Rank IV (Earth): Hashmal (Instance only)

• Rank I (Astral): Astral Elemental (no MP consume)
• Rank II (Astral): Carbuncle (FFXI style summon - Low MP consume)
• Rank III (Astral): Alexander (FFXI style summon - High MP consume)
• Rank IV (Astral): Ultima (Instance only)

• Rank I (Umbral): Umbral Elemental (no MP consume)
• Rank II (Umbral): Fenrir (FFXI style summon - Low MP consume)
• Rank III (Umbral): Diabolos (FFXI style summon - High MP consume)
• Rank IV (Umbral): Zalera (Instance only)
  

Come to think of it, FFXI went down this multi-tier road slightly with Odin and Alexander...

[DoctorMog]

LOVE IT.

+10

If they won't do pet classes, this is a great alternative.

(Maybe not the flame shield, enfire and all that during the cast)

But the instanced summon attack is a very good thought.

[DantesAmore]

DUDE SICK VIDEO!!!

[Reaujien]

Very nice video - I thoroughly enjoyed watching it multiple times.

I loved playing SMN in FFXI because of the "pet-class" feel of it, and that each avatar had some unique (and well-wanted) abilities. I also really liked the SMNs in FFVII - though I have to admit, I probably really just liked watching the [some] two-minute cut-scenes lol. I hope if (well, when) SMN is introduced they keep the same or similar play-style from that of FFXI, and with what you've (OP) introduced in your post/video would be an awesome idea to integrate into it as well - the TNG of the original Star Trek series in a way.

Having the robustness of FFXI's SMN mixed with the "supreme-power-like" (?) of FFVII's (and other FF's) SMNs could really create a unique job/class for FFXIV. Perhaps in small parties, xp groups, leve groups, etc., you would use abilities that were more geared towards those types of situations you would be expected to encounter; they would have a low risk and low to moderate outcomes (e.g., Carbuncle's Glittering Ruby or Shiva's Ice Spikes from FFXI - the cost of using these abilities were pretty low, and the effects were "meh" to "so-so"). Whereas in large-scale "end-game-like" content you would use abilities that would be considered high risk and high outcomes (e.g., SMN in FFXI's Astral Flow - drained all of your MP and could only use it every 2 hours but did some serious AoE damage. Not that I'm suggesting they bring back "2 hours" from that game, but just illustrating an example). As a player, you would have to decide which abilities to use/equip/set/etc. for the given situation: play too "risky" when it's not needed and you'll be left without means to do other abilities; play too "safe" during an intense battle and you'll be ineffective.

[VeranRamaden]

I think that if someone was within the area, you could not summon the same primal would work instead of instanced area. Also only one summonable at a time in a given area. That way keeps with the lore(ish) and wont spam kill peoples computers.

Example:

p = party
| = maximum distance
<--> = okay area
xx = not okay area

|<---------p--------->|xxxxxx|<---------p--------->|

If you were ok on distance, you'd get the whole shebang.
But if you were to close, the possibly the attack doesn't have a source.
Just a random fireball in this case. But that's lame.

OOOOO Idea!
Instanced area -> the choice to summon ala old school (like the OP) or pet style
Open World -> only pet style.

It'd be a win win imo.
old school would take longer but receive the buffs, just the summon would be stationary.
Could have a battle regime were you choose X amount of spells to cast.
And pet obviously like XI. Essentially you get the exact same things except can do physical dmg too.

[VeranRamaden]

Good call, I fixed the OP.


Some thoughts based on feedback thus far.

SMN as a pet class and my approach to final attacks aren't mutually exclusive. I didn't note this in the OP, but I thought that FFXI had a neat concept with the elemental spirit summons. When soloing, partying, etc, an elemental spirit would be good for all-around utility. (just make it so they are actually affordable to maintain, unlike FFXI)

For those that have played FFXII Revenant Wings, you'll remember that there were actually tiers of Espers to summon. A good approach as it gives variety and progression to the SMN job. For instance:

• Rank I (Earth): Earth Elemental (no MP consume)
• Rank II (Earth): Golem (FFXI style summon - Low MP consume)
• Rank III (Earth): Titan (FFXI style summon - High MP consume)
• Rank IV (Earth): Hashmal (Instance only)

• Rank I (Astral): Astral Elemental (no MP consume)
• Rank II (Astral): Carbuncle (FFXI style summon - Low MP consume)
• Rank III (Astral): Alexander (FFXI style summon - High MP consume)
• Rank IV (Astral): Ultima (Instance only)

• Rank I (Umbral): Umbral Elemental (no MP consume)
• Rank II (Umbral): Fenrir (FFXI style summon - Low MP consume)
• Rank III (Umbral): Diabolos (FFXI style summon - High MP consume)
• Rank IV (Umbral): Zalera (Instance only)
  

Come to think of it, FFXI went down this multi-tier road slightly with Odin and Alexander...



Another good idea~

This is a good idea as well!

[Lizam]

That is a really great video! It illustrates your idea very well ^^

However, I believe the Pet mechanic of the Summoner should still be included to please players who enjoy that too (like myself). If Summoners were able to build there class towards either mechanic or even hybrid themselves between the two, it would add a lot more depth to the job than what it's been any other Final Fantasy!

Great idea, man!

[neizero]

decent idea, I just don't think it would work. In a party with more than 1 SMN, only 1 can cast, so what do the others do? HEAL!??!

[User201109011315]

I would prefer a mount or pet system. Or a system where you assume the form of the summon.

[KumaAkuma]

Personally I wouldn't mind seeing Summoners being fused with a certain Primal themselves, becoming an avatar of that Primal and unlocking combat abilities from that primal.

You could be using the abilities the beastmen are using right now.