Job Adjustments: Summoner (10/03/2006)

[neighbortaru]

http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics...06/detail.html


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!

[Shirai]

Re: Job Adjustments: Summoner (10/03/2006)

I've posted it in the summoner boards for smn discussion but I'll give my opinion regarding the update here as well.

Frankly I'm very happy to see our Blood pacts getting devided into 2 groups which in my opinion will show very useful in a traditional exp party and several other situations letting us play our main jobs more then our subjobs.
Also this update might make us able to make some blood pacts even a bit more powerful.
(IE. Ifrit with Crimson Howl + Physical Blood pact, Diabolos with Dream shroud + Nether Blast or even Fenrir with Ecliptic Growl + Eclipse bite.)

As for the summoning magic skill, I do hope indeed that it will be a bit easier to skill up.
I haven't done anything as of late to try and cap it but I hope they also upped the rate of skill ups a bit.
I'm absolutely happy with is that they won't give penalties if you haven't capped your skill yet but do give bonuses if you have stuff that pushes your skill above cap.

Two thumbs up for this update.

[Murphie]

Re: Job Adjustments: Summoner (10/03/2006)

Nerf SMN prz.

[Mhurron]

Re: Job Adjustments: Summoner (10/03/2006)

Nerf SMN prz.

Nerf Murphie plz
This is starting to look like its going to be a different game by the time I get back.

[Murphie]

Re: Job Adjustments: Summoner (10/03/2006)

I do need to be nerfed. My sheer awesomeness is really difficult for other people to deal with.

Seriously though (and I already said this in the SMN thread) I think this is a pretty sexy update. This, and the changes to SAM are really pretty awesome, and I'm glad to see them.

[Mhurron]

Re: Job Adjustments: Summoner (10/03/2006)

I do need to be nerfed. My sheer awesomeness

Um, ya, thats the problem, awesomeness....
...
...
More on topic, the changes to how summoning magic skillups seem interesting. Looks like this might be SE's changes to get summoners to leave their summons out more often.

[Murphie]

Re: Job Adjustments: Summoner (10/03/2006)

Clearly, Mhurron can't handle my sheer awesomeness.

The bit about the delay seems a bit confusing, but this is from an outsider's perspective. I haven't ever leveled SMN past 4 (although I've wanted to). I'm sure it's not nearly as complex as I think it is though (the timers, not the leveling).

[Mog]

Re: Job Adjustments: Summoner (10/03/2006)



Where's blm on the list of uberly awesome changes? Come on, SE! Let's fix this tp=burn update already!

[Pai Pai Master]

Re: Job Adjustments: Summoner (10/03/2006)

Sounds interesting, and I'm actually kinda glad they aren't making any changes to Warrior at the moment. Gives me time to start leveling up SAM and SMN.

[Thott]

Re: Job Adjustments: Summoner (10/03/2006)

I am in love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
to add on smn needed smoething to jazz up the job, we also need it to not drain our mp if we use a BP and the target runs off before it goes offf. tired of having to use dia because of that lol

[KoukiRyu]

Re: Job Adjustments: Summoner (10/03/2006)

I'm in love too! XD I'm so excited about this now on SMN...can't wait till I actually get some worthwhile BP's to use with the new split :D

[Neomage]

Re: Job Adjustments: Summoner (10/03/2006)

yeai! now I actually have a reason to finish the avatar fights!

[KoukiRyu]

Re: Job Adjustments: Summoner (10/03/2006)

Haha, I was gonna do them anyway, but this just gets me more hyped up about them...just got Ifrit and Titan's whispers last night, gonna grab some more tonight and get my bauble for Fenny, and hopefully get to 20 to soro my own avatars :3

[neighbortaru]

Re: Job Adjustments: Summoner (10/03/2006)

Where's blm on the list of uberly awesome changes? Come on, SE! Let's fix this tp=burn update already!

did you forget the last "uberly awesome" change to BLMs that SE made?

[Balfree]

Re: Job Adjustments: Summoner (10/03/2006)

Wow i almost sort of kinda wanna lvl up smn now o.O;;;

Just sad that theyre only doing these changes after like 4 years :\.. ishyness.

Though yea, i can understand they would want to please the masses before alot more quit for other games *rolleyes*