SMN Rework/Update Pitch

[Khryseis_Astra]

I get the arguments that some want the current ones to be fleshed out, and that is something they should do eventually, but thematically having 3 elements + 3 random finishers is not rounded out. Pokemon starters work because they make a "rock, paper, scissors" triangle, but FF has their own established 6 sided version in the elemental wheel, which only half is represented right now. In hindsight they should have started with 3, added the other 3, then worked their way up to Bahamut/Phoenix/etc, but that's not what they did. So it kinda feels like a mess atm.

That said, with the exception of Solar Bahamut feeling like a bit of a set back, I feel like SE has been making great strides in making SMN thematically how it should be within FFXIV. So I def want to give them credit there. I'm hoping that in 8.0 and beyond the class gets fully realized.

I agree… the reveal of Solar Bahamut was disappointing to me, not so much because it’s “another Bahamut,” but because they didn’t round out our elements first, to change up the rotation building up to it. Solar Bahamut is essentially “Hydaelyn/Light,” so that’s fine, IF they’re actually building up to an elemental balance.

But for what it is now, SMN actually does feel more like a true “Final Fantasy Summoner,” just woefully incomplete at level 100, especially compared to PCT’s full elemental kit.

Honestly I think a lot of the issues stem from one, the Arcanist into SCH/SMN split, and two, the decision (whenever it was made, but I have a hunch it was before the SMN rework) to add Beastmaster. I know some people miss all the pet actions, but Summoner has not traditionally been a pet class, it’s supposed to summon things! lol Looking at all the FF6 references sneaking into Dawntrail and knowing my SMN can only summon 6 things, and not even the most logical six, is sad. And I did enjoy the whole DOT plus spread of old SMN, but that’s one of those things that was more Arcanist than SMN so I get why they took it out.

I guess to sum up, I feel like the rework was a step in the right direction, but they waited way too long and now SMN is feels like it’s fallen behind the other casters and isn’t complete. I still love the job, but it’s not where it could be or should be at level 100.

[AlphaXXI]

I wonder what the reception to Solar would have been if it was straight up Hydaelyn with a filter or something. Sure it'd be spoilery but they included her amano artwork in marketing material for endwalker so it's not like they really care that much. Of course it wouldn't fix the rest of the issues.

[rawker]

snip

If what you say is correct, then what about FF10, FF11, FF12, FF13... does that mean that the representation of summoner in those games are wrong? I get that some people here hate pets. I get that.. but as this game took inspiration to the pet based summoner, it should have stayed as such and have fixed the underlying issues that made it clunky.

It is very saddening that you drew in people who are into the pet mechanics, only to flip them off.

That's something haters will never understand.

[Zykorberus]

I agree… the reveal of Solar Bahamut was disappointing to me, not so much because it’s “another Bahamut,” but because they didn’t round out our elements first, to change up the rotation building up to it. Solar Bahamut is essentially “Hydaelyn/Light,” so that’s fine, IF they’re actually building up to an elemental balance.

But for what it is now, SMN actually does feel more like a true “Final Fantasy Summoner,” just woefully incomplete at level 100, especially compared to PCT’s full elemental kit.

I even would agree to eliminate the "phase" aspect to it (as well as the egis) and make the summons be spells, each with a different effect/range/targeting/duration and give those spells the Primal animation so it does feel like a summon in order for your rotation to not be eternal but still be able to use and see your character call more summons which is the satisfaction factor if the point is not to "clutter" the job's rotation or whatever.