Summoner Demystified: A Guide for Beginners

[Alisa180]

Let's say SE does that calculation and determines the sum of the basic DPS four DPS and the tanks do in an encounter comes out to 100 DPS (just to use an easy number). They then take this number and cut it as mentioned, so the raid requires 85 group DPS minimum to clear.

It is safe to assume that the established theorycrafted rotations and playstyles will result in close to 100% of your Job's theoretical maximum DPS. Obviously in a raid environment, this is an unrealistic number, but we can still consider it the DPS ceiling. So let's visualize what we have so far:

Theoretical maximum DPS (approx. 100 for this encounter, and only approachable with theorycrafted rotations and playstyles)

Let me stop you right there. I literally just said that it was *highly unlikely* that the 'theorectical maximum' is the 'base DPS' the devs use. Remember, this is the same team taken off guard by Healer DPS (which they are on record as not required). Something like, say, using Raging Strikes within DWT is something I have sincere doubts they included in their calculations.

Here's how I see it: An optimal rotation provides DPS *above* the 'base' DPS expected by the devs. So, to use a version of your visualization:

P-'Optimal' DPS (In this case, assumed to be between 120% and 130% of the 'base' DPS assumed by the devs.)
P
P
P-'Base' DPS (100, less then 'optimal)
P
P
<-----Passing zone
P
P
P
Minimum DPS required for encounter (85, in this case).
F
F
F
<------Failing zone
F
F
F

In this example, you still have plenty of breathing room for mistakes, so long as everyone is at least making the 'base' DPS. Optimal provides *more* breathing room, naturally, but its not *strictly nesscary.* Which means you can use a less then optimal rotation and still have sufficient room for human error. This is how I see it.

(P.S. It's assumed that if you are doing Savage you are naturally looking to do more then the 'base' rotation. I even specifically say the rotation is not meant to meet Alex Savage's DPS checks.)

[cgbspender]

I don t think the introduction of rotations can hurt anyone. As the OP stated right away, the purpose of the guide is not to create a perfect dps - do they exist at all ?- but to give information for whoever wants to master the basics, the intermediate level AND eventually an advanced level of play, for which he did say that there are other guides out there which will fill the blanks.

[Solarra]

Thanks for taking the time to write this OP. You have a nice writing style and the guide is easy to understand. I hope you don't get discouraged and continue to work on it.

FeliAiko: I've been reading through your comments and I can see you have some concerns.
I agree that if someone learns the wrong way to do something, having to unlearn that and then learn the correct way is going to present a huge hurdle. If the mistake is engrained deeply enough it can be something that will persist for a long time. I do hope you will continue helping the OP in a positive way and suggesting improvements.

A lot of guides are written by and for experienced players; for a beginner, especially one without much mmo experience, they can be very hard to follow. What's obvious and easy to a highly skilled, experienced player isn't always obvious and easy for the rest of us.
A guide that takes you from 1 -60 and explains everything rather than assuming you already know, is going to be so useful.

I want to level my summoner next and since I'm not particularly enjoying Bard, I'm hoping to switch. I'll definitely be checking back here to see how this project progresses.

[FeliAiko]

Snip.

In light of this thread, I've gone back and forth in my head over making a SMN Beginner's/Leveling Guide of sorts, divided into 4 parts (15-30, 30-50, 50-60, then 60 & Endgame) with sub-sections for each. In your case though (being a lvl 15 Arcanist according to your Lodestone), I'd say for now you can apply the majority of what OP mentioned here as you level up to 50 at least.

[Solarra]

In light of this thread, I've gone back and forth in my head over making a SMN Beginner's/Leveling Guide of sorts, divided into 4 parts (15-30, 30-50, 50-60, then 60 & Endgame) with sub-sections for each. In your case though (being a lvl 15 Arcanist according to your Lodestone), I'd say for now you can apply the majority of what OP mentioned here as you level up to 50 at least.

Thanks for the reply. My Arcanist is on hold at the moment as I'm concentrating on getting through the MSQ.

I do hope you go ahead and make your guide, I find a little hand-holding through the early stages can really make a difference to how comfortable I feel with a class. Even at low levels is nice to know you are using your abilities correctly and making a solid contribution.

[Havenchild]

In light of this thread, I've gone back and forth in my head over making a SMN Beginner's/Leveling Guide of sorts, divided into 4 parts (15-30, 30-50, 50-60, then 60 & Endgame) with sub-sections for each.

This was the way I was intending to go about it. You would then elaborate on the skills in these level increments and how they adjust your playstyle uptil this point. I was intending on getting it done but progression hit pretty hard in terms of time management. If OP could do it this way, I could link it in the other thread and give credit.

[FeliAiko]

In light of this thread, I've gone back and forth in my head over making a SMN Beginner's/Leveling Guide of sorts, divided into 4 parts (15-30, 30-50, 50-60, then 60 & Endgame) with sub-sections for each.

So after a considerable lull in activity concerning this project (despite the excerpt I put out a while back), I've wound up working on it again. I'd say it's about 80-90% complete now (although constant last minute additions and revisions to already complete sections doesn't help the cause), largely just the Level 60 segment to deal with now. Trouble at the moment is trying to present it in a way where it's not seen as infringing or outright repeating what other established, accomplished guides have mentioned but we'll see how it goes.

Rather than provide another excerpt like before, I'll post the Contents List so you can get an idea of what I've covered and what I aim to deal with accordingly:

*edit* Guide is more or less done now, barring any last minute revisions (story of this project's life really). Just need to fill in the Introduction section.

(Note: Titles subject to change)

Austerities of Magic
A Summoner Levelling Guide
by Feli Cilvia of Odin (EU)

Part I: Introduction
- Aim of Guide (Under Construction)

Part II: Summoner: An Overview
- How DoTs work
- The Pets
-> Pet Micromanagement
-> Pet Survival
- Aetherflow
- Utility: More than a DPS?

Part III: Level 15-30: Learning the Art
- The Starter Opener
-> The Starter Opener: AOE
- Level 30 - Bane: The Turning Point

Part IV: Level 30-40: Expanding the Art, Part 1
- Cross Class Checklist
- Three's A Crowd
- The Expanded Opener
-> DoTs and Buffs
- Level 35 - Fester: Another Turning Point
-> The issue with Bio and Fester
- Level 38 - Ruin vs Ruin II
- More Utility Skills

Part V: Level 40-49: Expanding the Art, Part 2
- Ifrit-Egi vs Garuda-Egi
-> Pet buffs
- Level 46 - The 4th DoT
- The Expanded Opener, Revised

Part VI: Level 50: The Evoker
- Enkindle: One Skill To Rule Them All
- How To: Shadowflare
- How To: Stutter Step
- The 2.x Opener

Part VII: Level 50-56: Sustaining the Art
- Level 52 - Bringing the Pain
-> Painflare vs Bane
- Level 54 - Ruin Comes in IIIs
- Level 56 - The Tri-Fecta

Part VIII: Level 58-60: Elevating the Art
- Level 58 - Enter the Dragon
- Maximising Dreadwyrm Trance
-> Maximising DWT: AoE
- Aethertrails in the Sky

Part IX: Level 60: The Dreadspawn
- Deathflare: The Exclamation Point
- Aethertrails in the Sky II
- The Level 60 Openers
-> Level 60 Opener: AoE
- How To: Expert Roulette
- How To: Trials and Raids (Under Construction)

Part X: References and Acknowledgements

[RedHerb]

Uh... I don't want to bash your guide, because I'm not the greatest SMN and this is coming from your heart, I can tell.

HOWEVER!

There's a lot of misinformation in here. You really should practice a little bit more before you begin trying to make a guide. There's still a lot you need to learn, especially when it comes to weaving in between your GCD rotation. Never, ever, pop 4 oGCDs back-to-back like that. That's a mess.

Never leave Garuda/Carbuncle on sic, the pushback is annoying. Especially to a tank who know has to chase this mob across the room.

If you're in DWT, might be a good idea to Tri-D -> RuinIII -> Fester -> RuinIII -> Deathflare. Honestly if you've got Garuda out and you're feelin' a little fancy with weaving, you can even swing an Enkindle (with Rouse and Spur in there) as well as a cool Contagion for fun to stretch out the DWT'd Tri-D.

[Alisa180]

Uh... I don't want to bash your guide, because I'm not the greatest SMN and this is coming from your heart, I can tell.

HOWEVER!

There's a lot of misinformation in here. You really should practice a little bit more before you begin trying to make a guide. There's still a lot you need to learn, especially when it comes to weaving in between your GCD rotation. Never, ever, pop 4 oGCDs back-to-back like that. That's a mess.

Never leave Garuda/Carbuncle on sic, the pushback is annoying. Especially to a tank who know has to chase this mob across the room.

If you're in DWT, might be a good idea to Tri-D -> RuinIII -> Fester -> RuinIII -> Deathflare. Honestly if you've got Garuda out and you're feelin' a little fancy with weaving, you can even swing an Enkindle (with Rouse and Spur in there) as well as a cool Contagion for fun to stretch out the DWT'd Tri-D.

I fixed the guide to change the thing about Garuda/Carbuncle.

I'm very well aware I have problems weaving oGCDs. I've made that clear repeatedly in the guide, and eve have a whole section dedicated to addressing it. Popping 4 oGCDS might be messy, but it works for now. FYI, I myself don't pop Killing Strikes at the start anymore, and have Rouse+Spur on a macro.

Additionally, I've recently stumbled upon information that suggests Enkindle is not affected by Killing Strikes and DWT. If so, then popping that plus Rouse+Spur at the start is perfectly fine.

FeliAiko says she's going to make a guide of her own, and I hope she does. I suspect it will be better then mine. The quality of my guide aside, as Solarra has shown, there's a very real need for DPS guides that assume nothing from the reader. This serves the niche until either something better comes up, or I improve upon it.

In other news, happy 3.1 everyone! I've added a couple useful macros to the guide. And still procrastinating on actually adding formatting the damn thing. >_<;

This was the way I was intending to go about it. You would then elaborate on the skills in these level increments and how they adjust your playstyle uptil this point. I was intending on getting it done but progression hit pretty hard in terms of time management. If OP could do it this way, I could link it in the other thread and give credit.

Consider it done. It will take a few days, naturally, not to mention 3.1 is finally out so that will take up a chunk of my time. But I can see how this is a good idea, and will start re-writing accordingly.

[Solarra]

I am delighted you are continuing with this project

As I said originally, you have a nice writing style. You present the information clearly and come across as very approachable at the same time.
I think new players reading the guide will appreciate the fact that you aren't afraid to admit to making the odd mistake now and then. It is going to reassure them when they find themselves struggling with some of the harder aspects of the class.
Truly exceptional players often don't remember what it was like to be a beginner or never really found things difficult at all. It's hard for someone like that to help a person who is struggling because they are not going to understand why.

Some people might feel uneasy when someone writing a guide or trying to teach something admits to not knowing everything. To me that says you can honestly assess your own knowledge and you don't have ego problems. It also suggests you are the type of person who will constantly reassess what they know and continue to learn and improve.
I have a lot of respect for the way you have handled criticism as well, discussing the issues raised, taking suggestions on board and making changes.

I've bookmarked this thread and will be coming back regularly. I'll also point any friends who are starting Arcanist in this direction.