PvP Job Series: Summoner

Today, we focus on how the Summoner job as the main role compares in competitive PvP.

Based on the above performance rating, Summoners are a decent option in the PvP environment. Let’s take a look closer by first analyzing its abilities.

For more information on this job, visit the job link: Summoner.

Abilities

Summoner’s Summon skillset focuses on evoking the power of espers to deal damage or provide beneficial effects to the party. Just like the other mages we mentioned in previous PvP Job Series articles, Summoner’s magicks rely on both the caster and the target’s Faith to be the most effective. One interesting tidbit is that summons do not hurt friendlies and you can target your allies to “attach” a summon for later turns. While we won’t go over each of their abilities, we will highlight a few notable ones that make up their arsenal:

Shiva/Ramuh/Ifrit (action) – These ice, lightning, and fire-elemental magic damage summons are best known for their short cast time and also scales up with gear, like Black Robe.

Golem (action) – This defensive summon creates a “damage shield” around all allies that is based on the caster’s maximum HP. This shield absorbs damage from basic attacks, Jump, Throw, and Aim up until the damage exceeds the shield value. This is a very good ability in the Starter format.

Zodiark (action) – Though this summon has high MP cost and slow casting, it is very hard-hitting and attaching it to an ally early can lead to devastating blows to your opponent.

Stats

Stats as a primary job: HP: 70% | MP: 125% | SP: 90% | PA: 50% | MA: 125%
C-EV: 5 | Move: 3 | Jump: 3

Can equip: Rod, Staves, Hats, Clothing, Robes

Compared to Time Mage and Black Mage, Summoner has less Speed and Magick Attack with less HP bulk. However, they do have access to both rods and staves so you have a wider variety of weapons to choose from. Sadly, Summoners as the main job isn’t the best in most cases as Time and Black Mage both can utilize Summon more effectively with higher MA. Make sure to use Time Mage’s Swiftness ability to cut down the cast time in half, rounded up.

Conclusion

Summoner has a variety of magicks in its skillset that can be handy at the right moment. With that being said, Summon seems to be best as a secondary ability on the other mage jobs when looking at min-maxing damage or support. Summoners sadly fall short of being a competitive job option in most PvP formats.