This post summarizes a proposed long-term direction for Summoner (SMN) in 8.0, with the goal of preserving accessibility while restoring job identity, flexibility, and meaningful skill expression. A short section at the end also addresses Red Mage (RDM) raise tax, which is closely related.
Summoner – Core Design Goals
Primal Gauge
Dreadwyrm Aether
Rotation Flow (Baseline)
Bahamut & Raid Buff Interaction
Free Gauge oGCD (Recovery & Flexibility Tool)
Opener & Pre-Pull Consistency
Example Opener
Phoenix & Raise Utility
Phoenix is summoned using Primal Gauge like other Primals, but consumes Primal Gauge, grants no Dreadwyrm Aether, Delays Bahamut progression
Which results in:
Verraise consumes around 50 White Mana, which result in immediate mana imbalance, punishing when used, but not affecting damage output in clean run.
Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this feedback.
Continue reading...
Summoner – Core Design Goals
- Keep SMN approachable for casual players
- Glowing buttons guide the baseline rotation
- Restore a traditional FF summoner fantasy
- Smaller summons build toward a powerful apex summon
- Add optional skill expression
- Resource planning, timing, and risk–reward decisions
- Remain compatible with the 2-minute raid buff meta
- Reward alignment without hard-locking the job
Primal Gauge
- Max: 100
- Primal summon cost: 50
- Gauge is generated through standard GCDs
- Tuned so ~120 gauge is generated per minute
- Bank up to two Primal summons
- Delay spending without overcapping
- Smooth downtime and movement naturally
Dreadwyrm Aether
- Gained only from Primal summons
- 1 Dreadwyrm Aether per Primal, Max: 3
- At 3 Dreadwyrm Aether, Bahamut becomes available
- Dreaedwyrm Aether cannot overcap
Rotation Flow (Baseline)
- Build Primal Gauge with filler GCDs
- Summon Primals (Ifrit / Titan / Garuda) Large instant damage
- Each Primal grants 1 Dreadwyrn Aether
- At 3 Dreadwyrm Aether, summon Bahamut
Bahamut & Raid Buff Interaction
- Bahamut is resource-based ability (OGCD), not strictly time-locked
- Bahamut phase uses instant-cast GCDs for mobility
- If Bahamut is summoned during Searing Light, it upgrades into Solar Bahamut
Free Gauge oGCD (Recovery & Flexibility Tool)
- Grants +50 Primal Gauge, 2 charges
- Cannot exceed gauge cap
- Cannot be used pre-pull
- Death recovery
- Downtime smoothing
- Burst alignment flexibility
Opener & Pre-Pull Consistency
Example Opener
- SMN starts combat with 100 Primal Gauge
- −3s: Pre-cast first Primal (lands on pull)
- GCD 1: Second Primal
- oGCD: Free gauge skill (+50)
- GCD 2: Third Primal
- GCD 3: Bahamut → Solar Bahamut inside buffs
Phoenix & Raise Utility
Phoenix is summoned using Primal Gauge like other Primals, but consumes Primal Gauge, grants no Dreadwyrm Aether, Delays Bahamut progression
Which results in:
- No damage loss in perfect runs
- Real, visible cost when used in progression
- Lore-accurate
Verraise consumes around 50 White Mana, which result in immediate mana imbalance, punishing when used, but not affecting damage output in clean run.
Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this feedback.
Continue reading...