Job Adjustments: Summoner (03/10/2006)

[spooky]

The next version update will feature adjustments to several jobs. In this installment, we would like to describe the changes on the way for summoners.

Changes to the Summoner Job

Summoners use the Blood Pact pet command as their main way of doing battle. Both attacks and support/healing magic are included in this command and operate with a single recast time.

The development team has decided to split Blood Pact into two commands to allow players to select a strategy to fit the current situation once every minute.

[The New Blood Pacts]
The summoner pet command Blood Pact will be divided into two categories, each with its own recast time. "Blood Pact: Rage" will focus on direct damage and special attacks, while "Blood Pact: Ward" will center on support, enfeebling, and healing magic.

· Blood Pact: Rage (Recast time: 1 minute)
Orders the avatar to use special attacks.

· Blood Pact: Ward (Recast time: 1 minute)
Orders the avatar to use support abilities.

[Summoning Magic Skill]
- Effects on Blood Pact
Blood Pact will receive different effects when the value added by equipment or merit points exceeds the skill cap for that level.

For example, players can experience increased accuracy when using Blood Pact: Rage or lengthened effect durations when using Blood Pact: Ward. The length of the duration increased varies depending on which Blood Pact is used, but will not exceed 180 seconds.

A player whose summoning magic skill is lower than the skill cap will not experience any penalties, such as a decrease in accuracy or shortened effect durations.

- Skill Increases
The instances in which players can increase their skill will also be changed in accordance with the adjustments to summoning magic skill.

Originally, calling forth an avatar would sometimes improve a player's summoning magic skill. Soon players will also be able to experience increases in skill when using the Blood Pact: Rage and Blood Pact: Ward pet commands.

That wraps up the job-related changes coming in the next version update. More are scheduled for future updates, though, so keep checking the main page for the latest news!

[Kriz]

Quaint, and looks like they've made increasing skill easier. Guess all those SMNs who spammed casted to raise skill are gonna be mad...

[Ahnuld]

That wraps up the job-related changes coming in the next version update. More are scheduled for future updates, though, so keep checking the main page for the latest news!

[Reality]

That wraps up the job-related changes coming in the next version update. More are scheduled for future updates, though, so keep checking the main page for the latest news!

so much for

Warrior - Weapons experts capable of using a variety of different weapon skills
Adjustments Planned: Changes to the number of equippable weapon types

[Julian]

Damnit, where's the bst party-buff type update? I could care less about this smn update -.-

[Plow]

Good stuff. Wonder how much effect the skill is going to have.

Don't think I'll bother with a summoning torque/earring just yet.

[Elondir]

Good stuff. Wonder how much effect the skill is going to have.

Don't think I'll bother with a summoning torque/earring just yet.

Price hike inc? Like with Shield Torque for about 3 weeks...

[Lithiani]

Good for a quick profitteering stint.

[HAcoreRD]

As a 75 SMN I'm not in anyway excited about this update.


M E H

Meh.

[Celeras]

As a 75 SMN I'm not in anyway excited about this update.


M E H

Meh.

Aka: My summoning skill is gimp and diversity is bad, PREDATOR CLAW ONRI.

[Retrieving/C.D/Searain]

Blood Pact will receive different effects when the value added by equipment or merit points exceeds the skill cap for that level.

For example, players can experience increased accuracy when using Blood Pact: Rage or lengthened effect durations when using Blood Pact: Ward. The length of the duration increased varies depending on which Blood Pact is used, but will not exceed 180 seconds.

Maybe Hastega will last a bit longer now and will be actually worth the MP making SMN a viable main healer for hardcore merit parties.

[Tomino]

now Bahamut Staff is the Summoner's Ridill 8)

[Eaglestrike]

now Bahamut Staff is the Summoner's Ridill 8)

Not Claustrum?

[Lithiani]

lolClaustrum

Anyway, depending on which way you want to look at it, SMNs are now either twice as effective, or half as likely to want to main heal. YMMV.

[Not Kuno]

The length of the duration increased varies depending on which Blood Pact is used, but will not exceed 180 seconds.

Earthen ward nerf YAY

[GRT]

The length of the duration increased varies depending on which Blood Pact is used, but will not exceed 180 seconds.

Earthen ward nerf YAY

seems to me like it means the extra duration provided by increased smn skills can't exceed 180 seconds, not total

[Not Kuno]

The length of the duration increased varies depending on which Blood Pact is used, but will not exceed 180 seconds.

Earthen ward nerf YAY

seems to me like it means the extra duration provided by increased smn skills can't exceed 180 seconds, not total

Oh hmm maybe. Ok I'll say this then:

My smn magic skill is gimp YAY

[JoOeetheplatypuS]

[quote=Not Kuno]

The length of the duration increased varies depending on which Blood Pact is used, but will not exceed 180 seconds.

Earthen ward nerf YAY

seems to me like it means the extra duration provided by increased smn skills can't exceed 180 seconds, not total

Oh hmm maybe. Ok I'll say this then:

My smn magic skill is gimp YAY[/quote:a3976]

Didnt you say you've been 75 SMN for 2 years?

Holy shit

[Plow]

[quote=Not Kuno]

The length of the duration increased varies depending on which Blood Pact is used, but will not exceed 180 seconds.

Earthen ward nerf YAY

seems to me like it means the extra duration provided by increased smn skills can't exceed 180 seconds, not total

Oh hmm maybe. Ok I'll say this then:

My smn magic skill is gimp YAY[/quote:58793]

Mine kinda is too ; ; You do get a decent amount naturally, and of course I think about every smn had a crazy "zomg must cap smn skill" period at one point or another but damn... the easy +20 skill almost all smn wear all the time just cuz it happens to be on good pieces sure is decieving lol.

edit:

Didnt you say you've been 75 SMN for 2 years?

Holy shit

Dude when it comes to summoning skill, just don't go there. Seriously.

[chiz]

Just means she hasn't spent the last 2 years botting SMNs in rolanberry.

Pretty big update for SMN, should really increase their usefulness in an alliance setting. But as someone said....need to see how MP keeps up with 2x as many BPs + cost to summon an avatar although you could cut that down a bit by using the same avatar for both an offensive and defensive buff.

Edit: To the person who mentioned other job updates not being included, they've covered every job that had the "expect changes in the upcoming version update!". I'd expect the rest in the next 1-2 updates.