[Aksannyi]

Most RDMs don't want anything. I merely posted (my first post in this thread) that the few RDMs who still want to complain have no right to. And I'm still not complaining about RDM really, I've always felt it was fine the way it was. The new update could have been something more useful, but as it is now I never really play RDM anyway so it hardly matters.

[Darkhound]

ok guys.. this is a SMN thread not a RDM, so let us get back on track.

Any ideas or suggestions that we might get Atomos anytime soon?

[Malacite]

I really don't see us getting Atomos at all... he's a part of the Walk of Echos. How do you summon a mob that's directly tied to, if not actually the zone?

I'm betting on either something entirely new, or perhaps SE has been wracking their brain trying to find a way to bring Bahamut to an appropriate power level for players. Though, if they are doing that they could sure as shit start by changing Mega and Giga Flare back to non-elemental damage tyvm.

[Aksannyi]

With a constant string of repeatable Bahamut fights that have actual drops instead of a quest reward at the end, I don't see Bahamut changing into the next avatar. Besides, he looks too much like Diabolos.

I couldn't even begin to suggest what summon SE would hand out, but I'm doubting very much that it will be Bahamut.

[odjnlinus]

Brothers and Doomtrain (what does XI have trains yet?

ok then Brothers and ummm Eden or something lol

[Takelli]

Why not have the three sisters summon from FFX, and X-2?

Those three are a bitch to fight in the game, and they could be really useful as well.

BP: Tri-Attack Each one swings at the monster, and deals triple the normal damage for each attack.

Each sister could also be based one one type of magic as well. Blu, White, and Black. One can heal, one can deal damage, and the other can Sc+ Mb with the others.

but it will have an increased perp cost as to help keep balance in the game. But it could still be over powerd...

[Ketaru]

Maybe I'm suggesting something way out in left field...but what of Cait Sith?

[Ziero]

It's not out of left field.

Originally Posted by Ketaru

Getting off your high horse might be a good start. I already said I don't realistically want anything.

Fixing the fact the damage dealt by Enspell II is calculated by your Enhancing Magic at the time of each swing rather than at the time of casting might be another.

While you might not have asked for anything, Mal asked for a game breaking job trait AND an increase to Melee DPS for Rdm.

Originally Posted by Malacite

I really don't see us getting Atomos at all... he's a part of the Walk of Echos. How do you summon a mob that's directly tied to, if not actually the zone?

I'm betting on either something entirely new, or perhaps SE has been wracking their brain trying to find a way to bring Bahamut to an appropriate power level for players. Though, if they are doing that they could sure as shit start by changing Mega and Giga Flare back to non-elemental damage tyvm.

Bahamut will never be a playable summon and

spoiler

Cait Sith already summons Atomos for you to fight

[Armando]

Originally Posted by Takelli

*snip*

No no no no no no no no no. No more of this "ludicrious spike damage at the expense of large amount of MP" business. That just leads to SMN burns in BCs and introduces nothing new to SMN gameplay.

[DakAttack]

It would be nice, if when summoned, avatars would perform an initial on-summon ability. Nothing ground breaking; something that would most likely affect only the party in some way, because single and multi-enemy targeting might be difficult for an automated offensive ability. As neat as it would be, unless a target needed to be specified when summoning an avatar, like Ifrit, you couldn't really blame him for jumping out of nowhere and punching some random dude in the face. Each avatar's on-summon ability would have to grant certain bonuses that would make it beneficial to multiple roles, though perhaps not in all situations.

This would provide an instant and cost-free bonus for simply summoning the avatar, and bring back some of the beloved theatrics of summoning a giant beast to open up a can of whoop-ass. The next hurdle to jump would be in giving the summoners and the summoner's party members a reason to want the avatars be perpetuated over a period of time.

This may not be necessary, but I think one key to seeing avatars being perpetuated for much longer are smaller costs, and two ways of doing that would be lowering the MP per tick, or increasing the seconds between ticks.

Summoners need something to do while perpetuating an avatar, other than using blood pacts every now and then, so that they're time is spent more towards performing Summoner tasks, rather than White Mage tasks. I would like to see something similar to a Puppeteer's control of their puppet, where upkeep is required for optimal performance.

[Aksannyi]

Like Ifrit gives party members a small STR bonus, Ramuh gives them DEX? Something like that? Nothing major, but just something to encourage the avatars to be out a bit longer. Meaning, as long as they're out, the bonus remains.

Or do you mean an ability, so you can summon, it does its ability, and dismiss right away? I guess if it were at no extra MP cost that could be kinda cool, but it doesn't really change anything unless the bonuses are really good. I mean you even gave Garuda Hastega and no one wants SMNs in their parties anyway.

[Armando]

I've always felt it's incredibly asinine that you're conjuring up a beast that's totally aligned with a specific element...and its mere presence means nothing. The very fact that you have an avatar or elemental out should, at the very least, induce a permanent pseudo-day/weather effect on the party and the mob(s). And their melee damage should be at least partially magical (you know, like the Primes?) You're summoning the goddamned Celestial Avatar of Ice but that doesn't mean jack shit when it's punching and kicking crabs and slimes normally. A RDM with an enspell does more magical damage than an Avatar.

So much for magical beings.

I don't think Dak meant this sort of passive bonus though. Regarding what he mentioned, I feel such a mechanic would actually deter the notion of perpetuating, unless you could only keep the bonus from the most recently summoned avatar. Otherwise you'll have SMNs cycling avatars just to trigger their on-summon free bonuses and have multiple bonuses up at a time.

[Aksannyi]

That is a good point.

[DakAttack]

Perpetual enspell and day/weather effects would make a great addition, and would give great reason to perpetuate the avatars. Enspells would offer something for the melee, while day and weather effects would offer something for the mages. They just need something to do while perpetuating.

Yea, I guess my idea might cause summoners to cycle through avatars, but it could be prevented somewhat. I think I'd rather jump on the complete elemental domination idea.

[Yellow Mage]

Originally Posted by Armando

Regarding what he mentioned, I feel such a mechanic would actually deter the notion of perpetuating, unless you could only keep the bonus from the most recently summoned avatar. Otherwise you'll have SMNs cycling avatars just to trigger their on-summon free bonuses and have multiple bonuses up at a time.

I think a party-wide bonus just for having a summon present is a splendid idea. Not something that would completely fix the job, but it would definitely go towards giving incentives to actually keeping summons active.

Heck, it's more than possible with the current game mechanics, too - SNM bosses have those "Aura" effects, after all.