(Un)Official Arcanist/Summmoner Feedback Thread

[HiirNoivl]

There are 3 reasons why people are having trouble with SMN dps. I'll start with the #1 reason and move on to the rest.

#1) Improper DoT rotations. DoTs have a cast time, a recast time, and an expiration date. That's a lot of time to be not-doing-damage. Yet I continually see SMNs using bio and Virus first during a battle. These are some of the most shortlived DoTs and are guaranteed to drop off while you're casting something else. And who knows when you're going to cast again? You might have to move, or something might get interrupted. Meantime, you're not doing ANY damage!

Your rotations should start out with Shadow Flare which should ALWAYS be up (30s). Then stack Bio II (also 30s) and Miasma (24s) and Tridisaster (20s) THEN toss your Instant Casts when you have a chance. That's at least 20s with 4 strong DoTs on it. Even if you cast nothing after this you will be dealing 125 damage for at least 20s per tick.

#2) Improper Egi management. Why don't people use Rouse or Spur? These should always be on cool down unless your egi is just... not attacking for some reason. Sustain should always stay up on the egi. Your egi dies? It happens. So long as your DoTs are up, recast the thing. And this time, Place it somewhere it won't get hurt.

3) Improper gear/stats -- If you want to be a scholar... be a scholar. If you want to play both, too bad. If you're stacking mind for SCH/WHM and then switch over to SMN, don't blame the class for your DPS problems.

[nimuniverse]

You are a bit off on rotation. First starting with shadow flare is not good unless your tank is staying at the same place. Most of the instances I have been in, tank pull with their range skill and bring back mob. When tank and mob are coming in. I am already hitting bio II and Misama. Also Tri-disaster is a waste, low potency with bind but the moment mob take damage, bind is gone. I normally go Bio II, Misama, Bio, Bane (if multiple), Misama II, Virus, Raging Strike, Fester, Thunder, Ruin II, Rouse, Spur, Ruin II, Fester, Aetherflow. During Bio's GCD, I have already run up to mob for Misama II. Virus, Raging Strike and Fester are also done on the way to and back from mob. I don't have Shadow Flare yet but I probably would be casting it between Bio and Thunder. I don't use Ruin since it's same damage as Ruin II but Ruin II is instant so I can save some time. And since SMN don't have mp issues. I do use Ruin on bosses though depending on mp.

BTW, damn. You have 50 on every job! Nice work (I am gonna assume 1.0 player?). Also I agree that people are having trouble because they don't understand the class's mechanic, not wear proper gear or have stats and assist egi. But pet control should be better in the sense that we should be able to control them while casting our own spell. If it is not the case then I learn and do with what I have. Just need to utilize the class effectively.

[HiirNoivl]

You are a bit off on rotation. First starting with shadow flare is not good unless your tank is staying at the same place. Most of the instances I have been in, tank pull with their range skill and bring back mob. When tank and mob are coming in. I am already hitting bio II and Misama. Also Tri-disaster is a waste, low potency with bind but the moment mob take damage, bind is gone. I normally go Bio II, Misama, Bio, Bane (if multiple), Misama II, Virus, Raging Strike, Fester, Thunder, Ruin II, Rouse, Spur, Ruin II, Fester, Aetherflow. During Bio's GCD, I have already run up to mob for Misama II. Virus, Raging Strike and Fester are also done on the way to and back from mob. I don't have Shadow Flare yet but I probably would be casting it between Bio and Thunder. I don't use Ruin since it's same damage as Ruin II but Ruin II is instant so I can save some time. And since SMN don't have mp issues. I do use Ruin on bosses though depending on mp.

BTW, damn. You have 50 on every job! Nice work (I am gonna assume 1.0 player?). Also I agree that people are having trouble because they don't understand the class's mechanic, not wear proper gear or have stats and assist egi. But pet control should be better in the sense that we should be able to control them while casting our own spell. If it is not the case then I learn and do with what I have. Just need to utilize the class effectively.

Yeah 1.0 player. SMN is new to everyone and I appreciate the extra feedback. I'll be adding Raging Strikes to my bar now.

You see, SMN DPS can be made higher with knowlege! When it comes to Tri Disaster Bind is not the point. The point is stacking Damage for the longest period possible. Short period DoTs are stressful because you have to keep reapplying them to maintain damage. Starting with Tri disaster and all means you have 20s-30s to do what you need to do (dodge, re position run away, whatever) before you even have to think about your damage dropping off. You have 20 secs to add a Bio or Virus or a Fester or a Bane Or play around with your Egi.

[nimuniverse]

I agree tri-disaster's point in solo, but in instances especially with paladin, you really don't need to readjust position assuming paladin uses flash. But yes tri-disaster is useful to make mob stay in same place. I would normally would cast tri-disaster (if i do) after all dots spread on mob, meaning after Bane. I see that Bane breaks bind since one of the DoT apply initial damage. (I may be wrong on this, will test again).

[Aqualisk]

Why would you not Raging Strikes first? Your DoT's snapshot your damage and you're much better off applying them first and then using Garuda pet to lengthen the duration of your boosted DoT's.

[Dixa]

Why would you not Raging Strikes first? Your DoT's snapshot your damage and you're much better off applying them first and then using Garuda pet to lengthen the duration of your boosted DoT's.

this.

raging strikes. longest dots cast first> shortest dots cast last. use the dot extender from your caster pet. now you can do other crap for 30 seconds while you have 4 (if you don't have thunder YOU ARE DOING IT WRONG) or more dots running at +20%. should actually give you enough time to fester at least once with +20% as well.

can summoner use the 20% dmg buff from 34 lancer too? i know bards can, and they stack for +40% if used together. (ideally better to use every 60s to go with the dot extending pet ability imo)

as for who kills mobs the fastest while leveling - ifrit egi + dps chocobo + 3 dots + fester = nearly instantly dead mob. i've not seen anything kill the world trash as fast as i can, even those also using a dps chocobo.

[nimuniverse]

Because that way I can get 2 Fester and 4 Ruins II in with Raging Strike. If I do at the beginning, I don't get 2 Fester, only get one. But you have a point. There is the math question, which does more dmg (dots with raging strike or two festers + 2 ruins). For garuda, it's unrealiable on when she applies. Are you using obey and telling pet to use it yourself? On ps3, micro managing pet that way became really tough with your skill rotations kicked in. Imagine having to do wind blade, shockwave, aerial blast etc manually along with your spells. I will take any tips on that. Thanks.

In regard to killing world's trash, even without chocobo, 3 dots + fester + ruin II = mob pretty dead. I actually don't even bother killing mob. I cast 3 dots, fester and move on next mob. By the time i get to second dot, first mob is dead from egi and coming to get 2nd mob.

[Dixa]

Because that way I can get 2 Fester and 4 Ruins II in with Raging Strike. If I do at the beginning, I don't get 2 Fester, only get one. But you have a point. There is the math question, which does more dmg (dots with raging strike or two festers + 2 ruins). For garuda, it's unrealiable on when she applies. Are you using obey and telling pet to use it yourself?

if you tell your pet to obey it generally stays in that stance for the duration of the dungeon. it dying, you dying, you zoning will reset it.

[FreyjaMists]

as a 50 smn running ifrit/titan/garuda Hard Modes with my FC i can tell you this, SMNs are definitely not weak.... for those who dont realize pets have a command to only auto attack, you could be using that over sic to allow you to choose when you want what cds being used. BLMs are going to beat us in burst, its simply how their kit works but when it comes to sustained damage we basically are kings.. my rotation looks like thisobey -> spur -> rouse-> Bio II -> Miasma ->thunder -> Bio -> contagion(DoT extender) ->bane(multi targets)/fester(single targets) -> Ruin x 4 -> fester -> ruin x4 -> fester -> Aetherflow -> Bio II -> Miasma -> thunder -> bio... (ill shadow flare if the boss is slowable or multiple adds, will use after bane if thats the case)
etc etc using abilities of CD.. i find during long boss fights a SMN can easily contend for top dmg.

[Seaverin]

as a 50 smn running ifrit/titan/garuda Hard Modes with my FC i can tell you this, SMNs are definitely not weak.... for those who dont realize pets have a command to only auto attack, you could be using that over sic to allow you to choose when you want what cds being used. BLMs are going to beat us in burst, its simply how their kit works but when it comes to sustained damage we basically are kings

All I gotta is. Thank you. So far your the only one that really understand the potential of SMN, I too have battle all H-Primals and slowly working on my gear towards Bahamut coil. These people who keep comparing SMN vs. BLM clearly are ignorant. Both class are viable and are good at certain things, SE did a good job at making each job "Unique" on its own way. I summoned Garuda-eggi vs H-garuda and for some reason Eggi doesn't take much dmg from her tornado/whirlwind (or w/e you call it), dunno if its lag, bug or what have you. It something I noticed.