Summoners---What To Do???

[Mask_Of_Death]

Okay, I've been reading FAQ's and forum posts and sections ALL over the place about being a Summoner because i would like to get my character to that point. However, almost EVERYWHERE i have read have made Summoner out to SUCK. They say it's sucky, not worth it, too many bugs, it's nothing but a messy curetank, better off with WHM...I mean, basically EVERYONE says it sucks....but I know that can't be true or there would be no SMNs, so, can someone PLEASE tell me some GOOD points to being a summoner? At least so that my hopes aren't completely crushed. Thanks a lot.

[Mikeb]

It's ONLY good if you have most/all the prime summons. Just getting the summons involves weeks of playing time - questing to get fame, and leveling a job high enough to be able to beat the summons (takes a party of 6 60+ players to get the summons). AFTER all that work, it seems to be a decent job (the summoners I've partied with who have all summons are very valuable party members).

[snwburton2]

don't listen to anyone who says this job stinks...i hate these people....i wish very terrible things to happen to all of them...slowly....those folks tell me to please "put my avatars away so i can focus on healing."

I outdamage all but drk, rng, and blm
tip#1:
*USE THE AVATARS WHOSE DAY IT IS!*
tip#2:
*CARRY A POLE, SWITCH IT ON AFTER YOU'VE SUMMONED. GET IN THERE AND MIX IT UP!*

I can heal as good as a whm
tip#3:
*WORK WITH YOUR WHM TO MAKE SURE SOMEONE ALWAYS HAS MP!*

tip#3:
*WHEN SOMEONE SAYS 'SMN STINKS!' LAUGH AT THEM...THROW SOMETHING AT THEM.... .POO WORKS WELL...*

i love smn, love my avatars, carbuncle rocks, people complaining about me keeping my smns in the mix are insecure....you are NOT a whm, dont let ppl treat you like one.

[Deedlit]

My only gripe about summoners is that for the amount of effort you need to put into the job, the avatars should really be more powerful than what they are. Many summoners get discouraged by this - I mean, you can have people telling you in a PT to put your summon away, its a waste of mp, go cure!!1! I'd love to tell them to go to hell, but the problem is, the avatar melee capabilities aren't all that great. At level 26, they're comparable to a PLD - big whoop, so is my WHM.

However, I love the job regardless, but I wish there was a little tuning due to happen - I'm tired of feeling guilty at keeping my summons out if we have a WHM already.