FFXI Wiki - User contributions [en]

User:Cii

2026-07-29T21:07:15Z

Cii:

SMN guide: https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Cii/Sandbox




{{Mythic Weapon Progress Checklist
|Complete-Color = green
|Default-Color = black
|Weapon=Burtgang
|Captain Rank= Complete
|Gulool Ja Ja= Complete
|Gurfurlur the Menacing= Complete
|Medusa= Complete
|Armored Chariot= Complete
|Battleclad Chariot= Complete
|Long-Armed Chariot= Complete
|Long-Bowed Chariot= Complete
|Odin= Complete
|Alexandrite Obtained= 0
|Tokens Obtained= 62341
|Ichor Obtained= 36000
|Tinnin Fang=
|Sarameya Hide=
|Tyger Tail=
|Level 80=
|Level 85=
|ZNM Trial Wins= 0
|Salvage Trial Wins= 0
|Scoria Obtained= 0
|Beitetsu Obtained 119 I= 0
|Beitetsu Obtained 119 III= 0
|Galka Mask of Light= Complete
|Detritus Obtained 119 Aug= 0

|Assaults=
|Leujaoam Sanctum=
|Leujaoam Cleansing=
|Orichalcum Survey=
|Escort Professor Chanoix =
|Shanarha Grass Conservation =
|Counting Sheep =
|Supplies Recovery =
|Azure Experiments =
|Imperial Code =
|Red Versus Blue =
|Bloody Rondo =

|Mamool Ja Training Grounds =
|Imperial Agent Rescue =
|Preemptive Strike =
|Sagelord Elimination =
|Breaking Morale =
|The Double Agent =
|Imperial Treasure Retrieval =
|Blitzkrieg =
|Marids in the Mist =
|Azure Ailments =
|The Susanoo Shuffle =

|Lebros Cavern=
|Excavation Duty =
|Lebros Supplies =
|Troll Fugitives =
|Evade and Escape =
|Siegemaster Assassination =
|Apkallu Breeding =
|Wamoura Farm Raid =
|Egg Conservation =
|Operation: Black Pearl =
|Better Than One =

|Periqia=
|Seagull Grounded =
|Requiem =
|Saving Private Ryaaf =
|Shooting Down the Baron =
|Building Bridges =
|Stop the Bloodshed =
|Defuse the Threat =
|Operation: Snake Eyes =
|Wake the Puppet =
|The Price is Right =

|Ilrusi Atoll=
|Golden Salvage =
|Lamia No.13 =
|Extermination =
|Demolition Duty =
|Searat Salvation =
|Apkallu Seizure =
|Lost and Found =
|Deserter =
|Desperately Seeking Cephalopods =
|Bellerophon's Bliss =
}}

User:Cii

2026-07-29T20:55:12Z

Cii:

SMN guide: https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Cii/Sandbox


|Hide Weapon Progress= 

|Mythic Weapon Checklist=
{{Mythic Weapon Progress Checklist
|Complete-Color = green
|Default-Color = black
|Weapon=Burtgang
|Captain Rank= Complete
|Gulool Ja Ja= Complete
|Gurfurlur the Menacing= Complete
|Medusa= Complete
|Armored Chariot= Complete
|Battleclad Chariot= Complete
|Long-Armed Chariot= Complete
|Long-Bowed Chariot= Complete
|Odin= Complete
|Alexandrite Obtained= 0
|Tokens Obtained= 62341
|Ichor Obtained= 36000
|Tinnin Fang=
|Sarameya Hide=
|Tyger Tail=
|Level 80=
|Level 85=
|ZNM Trial Wins= 0
|Salvage Trial Wins= 0
|Scoria Obtained= 0
|Beitetsu Obtained 119 I= 0
|Beitetsu Obtained 119 III= 0
|Galka Mask of Light= Complete
|Detritus Obtained 119 Aug= 0

|Assaults=
|Leujaoam Sanctum=
|Leujaoam Cleansing=
|Orichalcum Survey=
|Escort Professor Chanoix =
|Shanarha Grass Conservation =
|Counting Sheep =
|Supplies Recovery =
|Azure Experiments =
|Imperial Code =
|Red Versus Blue =
|Bloody Rondo =

|Mamool Ja Training Grounds =
|Imperial Agent Rescue =
|Preemptive Strike =
|Sagelord Elimination =
|Breaking Morale =
|The Double Agent =
|Imperial Treasure Retrieval =
|Blitzkrieg =
|Marids in the Mist =
|Azure Ailments =
|The Susanoo Shuffle =

|Lebros Cavern=
|Excavation Duty =
|Lebros Supplies =
|Troll Fugitives =
|Evade and Escape =
|Siegemaster Assassination =
|Apkallu Breeding =
|Wamoura Farm Raid =
|Egg Conservation =
|Operation: Black Pearl =
|Better Than One =

|Periqia=
|Seagull Grounded =
|Requiem =
|Saving Private Ryaaf =
|Shooting Down the Baron =
|Building Bridges =
|Stop the Bloodshed =
|Defuse the Threat =
|Operation: Snake Eyes =
|Wake the Puppet =
|The Price is Right =

|Ilrusi Atoll=
|Golden Salvage =
|Lamia No.13 =
|Extermination =
|Demolition Duty =
|Searat Salvation =
|Apkallu Seizure =
|Lost and Found =
|Deserter =
|Desperately Seeking Cephalopods =
|Bellerophon's Bliss =
}}

User:Cii

2026-07-29T20:54:16Z

Cii:

SMN guide: https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Cii/Sandbox


|Hide Weapon Progress= 

|Mythic Weapon Checklist=
{{Mythic Weapon Progress Checklist
|Complete-Color = green
|Default-Color = black
|Weapon=Burtgang
|Captain Rank= Complete
|Gulool Ja Ja= Complete
|Gurfurlur the Menacing= Complete
|Medusa= Complete
|Armored Chariot= Complete
|Battleclad Chariot= Complete
|Long-Armed Chariot= Complete
|Long-Bowed Chariot= Complete
|Odin= Complete
|Alexandrite Obtained= 0
|Tokens Obtained= 62341
|Ichor Obtained= 36000
|Tinnin Fang=
|Sarameya Hide=
|Tyger Tail=
|Level 80=
|Level 85=
|ZNM Trial Wins= 0
|Salvage Trial Wins= 0
|Scoria Obtained= 0
|Beitetsu Obtained 119 I= 0
|Beitetsu Obtained 119 III= 0
|Galka Mask of Light= Complete
|Detritus Obtained 119 Aug= 0

|Assaults=
|Leujaoam Sanctum= Complete
|Leujaoam Cleansing= Complete
|Orichalcum Survey= Complete
|Escort Professor Chanoix = Complete
|Shanarha Grass Conservation = Complete
|Counting Sheep = Complete
|Supplies Recovery = Complete
|Azure Experiments = Complete
|Imperial Code = Complete
|Red Versus Blue = Complete
|Bloody Rondo = Complete

|Mamool Ja Training Grounds =
|Imperial Agent Rescue = Complete
|Preemptive Strike =
|Sagelord Elimination =
|Breaking Morale =
|The Double Agent =
|Imperial Treasure Retrieval =
|Blitzkrieg =
|Marids in the Mist =
|Azure Ailments =
|The Susanoo Shuffle = Complete

|Lebros Cavern=
|Excavation Duty = Complete
|Lebros Supplies = Complete
|Troll Fugitives = Complete
|Evade and Escape = Complete
|Siegemaster Assassination = Complete
|Apkallu Breeding = Complete
|Wamoura Farm Raid =
|Egg Conservation =
|Operation: Black Pearl =
|Better Than One =

|Periqia=
|Seagull Grounded = Complete
|Requiem =
|Saving Private Ryaaf =
|Shooting Down the Baron =
|Building Bridges =
|Stop the Bloodshed = Complete
|Defuse the Threat = Complete
|Operation: Snake Eyes =
|Wake the Puppet =
|The Price is Right =

|Ilrusi Atoll=
|Golden Salvage =
|Lamia No.13 =
|Extermination =
|Demolition Duty =
|Searat Salvation =
|Apkallu Seizure =
|Lost and Found = Complete
|Deserter =
|Desperately Seeking Cephalopods = Complete
|Bellerophon's Bliss =
}}

User:Cii/Sandbox

2026-05-14T06:19:33Z

Cii: /* More Advanced Blood Pact Sets */

{{Guide}}
This is just intended to help with getting your summoner to the level where you can start seeing some nice numbers.

{{color|red|style=bold|Recommended GS LUA (and helpful tools) by Pergatory: }} [https://pastebin.com/u/pergatory Link].

== Getting Started ==
As a new level 99 SMN, I recommend focusing your efforts on the following:
# Obtain an [[Epitaph]] or grab an [[Eminent Sachet]] while you work towards your 100 JP gift to equip a [[Sancus Sachet +1]]
# Create [[Blood Pact]] (BP) sets to improve your avatar's maximum damage per offensive ability
# Create a [[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|BP delay]] set to improve the frequency that you can perform Blood Pacts
# Create an idle set with enough [[Avatar perpetuation cost]] - to offset your avatar's constant [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | MP drain/upkeep]], and enough DT- to survive being hit with AOEs in content like Dyna D
# Obtain the 1200 JP Gift and eventually reach Master SMN

An additional note: [[Flaming Crush]] is going to be your highest damage [[Blood Pact]] against almost anything that doesn't resist it. Embrace [[Ifrit]].

== JSE Gear ==

The only three pieces you need are the [[Beckoner's Horn +2]], [[Con. Doublet +4]], and [[Beck. Pigaches +2]].
The Empyrean hat is for cooldowns, the Artifact body is for [[Blood Pact]] damage, and the Empyrean shoes are for idling, but can be used for damage if you can't get your hands on Apogee. Prioritize based on what you're lacking.

== Merits ==

'''Group 1:'''
* Avatar Physical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Physical Attack: 5
* Avatar Magical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Magical Attack: 5
* Summoning Magic Cast Time: Do not merit this. Build a [[Fast Cast]] set instead.

You can switch Magical Attack to Physical Accuracy and vise versa if you feel like you are having a problem with accuracy for a certain [[Blood Pact]] that you're using often. A good example of this is for AFAC strategies on [[Reisenjima]] HELMS - Physical Accuracy is very important there because you almost exclusively use [[Volt Strike]].

'''Group 2:'''
* [[Meteor Strike]]: 5
* [[Heavenly Strike]]: 1
* [[Wind Blade]]: 1
* [[Geocrush]]: 1
* [[Thunderstorm]]: 1
* [[Grand Fall]]: 1

You can merit whichever one of these you're using most often with the full 5 merits, [[Meteor Strike]] is recommended here because of the offensive power of [[Flaming Crush]], and the ability to use [[Apogee]] to burst off of the skillchains it creates.

Good examples of times to merit other blood pacts: [[Geocrush]] for sortie bosses A and E magic burst strat, [[Thunderstorm]] if you're mostly attacking with [[Volt Strike]] from [[Ramuh]], or [[Heavenly Strike]] if you're bursting on [[Darkness]].

== Idle Set ==
Most gearswap files will have a separate set for idling with and without your avatar. 
This set is for the former, and the goal here is to reach the [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | perpetuation cost]] cap of -14 MP/tic first and foremost.
Once you have reached the cap, avatars will cost at most 1 MP/tic, even with [[Avatar's Favor]] up, so your [[Auto Refresh]] will easily cover that.

# Reach the cap of -14 [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | avatar perpetuation cost]] in pet idle set
# Obtain a [[Caller's_Pendant | Caller's Pendant]] to grant your avatar free TP while standing around
# Fill the remaining slots on [[Refresh]] or defense stats afterward.
#* Note that [[Avatar's Favor]] effects are tiered off based on total skill and Favor+ gear.

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Recommended Start
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Eabani Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Physical Damage Taken -10%
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Enmerkar Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Eva.+20/Mag. Eva. +20, Pet: Damage taken -5%, Pet: Mag. Acc. +20/Mag. Dmg. +20, Pet: Regen +10, Pet: Magic Damage +10
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Beck. Pigaches +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
Both of these sets should be somewhere around -40% DT- (and 10+ refresh!), so a simple swap of one piece ([[Bunzi's Pants]] for example) should be enough for your DT- set to be at or near -50%.
 
 
[[Evoker's Ring]] is good, but very skippable. [[Shadow Ring]] is a fairly easy to obtain tanky alternative for your second slot.
 
 
[[Oneiros Grip]] and [[Fucho-No-Obi]] are optional low-mp switches to give you even more MP when you really need it.
 
 
Most of the pieces listed above and hereafter are interchangeable with their NQ and HQ variants. Customize your set based on available gear.

== Cheapest / Entry Damage Set ==

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Lowest Cost / Bar to Entry
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Gelos Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10 - Pet: Acc, Atk, Macc, Mab help, but keep any +10 BPdmg roll when starting
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+15 Pet: "Double Attack"+3% "Blood Pact" damage +13
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
At time of writing (12/12/2025), the above set should be roughly 12mil to complete. (16mil if you get an Elan Strap +1.) If you don't have the money for that, feel free to downgrade items from +1 to +0 - with the apogee at +0, it'll only be about 7mil!
However, the prices on these are pretty low right now, so if you're liking the job i'd focus on getting the +1s here ASAP.

There isn't really a satisfactory belt option that doesn't require endgame content - [[Klouskap Sash]] exists, but its also 1.5 mil or greater. I'd recommend sticking with something defensive until you can get your hands on the [[Regal Belt]] or [[Incarnation Sash]].

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Required Magic BP Items
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity -6 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+30 Pet: Damage Taken -4%
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist=
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|LegsAug = Huge damage boost to merit (magic) blood pacts
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Other Useful Items'''
* Optional: [[Sancus Sachet +1]] - If you can't get the [[Epitaph]], or already have one, this is actually a better option until the [[Epitaph]] is augmented. However, it costs >2mil, so if money is a concern, try to get that Sgili clear for the [[Epitaph]].
* -
* Optional: [[Shulmanu Collar]] - BIS for melee pacts until a near max JSE neck +1 or +2, if you already have it, great!
* -
* Optional: [[Smn. Collar +1]] - 2nd BIS only to the +2 when fully augmented, and only ~3mil at time of writing. Worth it if you have the funds and are willing to get the RP in Dynamis.
* -
* Optional: [[Apogee Dalmatica]] (Path A) (Magical BP) - the +1 is good, but expensive, and magical only BPs are hardly ever used. Don't spend your money on a +1 unless you get very deep into gearing the job.
* -
* Optional: [[Sroda Earring]] (Melee Pacts, BIS and cheap)
* -
* Questionable: [[Kyrene's Earring]] - If you have one laying around and are missing something else
* -
* Questionable: [[Apogee Mitts]] - If unsure that you want to play the job, make a pair of +0s with path C while you try it out. Do not waste money on a +1 pair of these.

|}

== More Advanced Blood Pact Sets ==
{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
Blood Pacts are generally categorized as either physical or magical damage, with the exception that Ifrit's [[Burning Strike]] and [[Flaming Crush]] are considered hybrid damage. 
In the event you have a Nirvana and HQ Apogee pieces at hand, see Pergatory's LUA file above on gear choices while Garland's [[Aftermath]] is up.
#For physical BPs, you will want stats such as BP Damage, Accuracy, Attack, and Pet: Double Attack. 
#For magical BPs, you will want BP Damage, Magic Attack, and perhaps Pet: TP Bonus. Avatars seem to have naturally high magic accuracy for their associated element 
#For hybrid BPs, there is usually a mixture of physical and magical BP stats, with a heavy emphasis on the magical end.
 
None of these sets will include REMA weapons, or very expensive minor upgrades like +2 JSE necks.
 
 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Shulmanu Collar
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Sroda Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Opashoro (Level 119)
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Smn. Collar +2
|NeckAug = MP +50, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +25, Blood Pact Damage +10%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Glyphic Doublet +3
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = C. Palug Ring
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = "Fast Cast" +10%, Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
You can use [[Apogee Attire Set]] +1 boots and hat for your physical set, but with the [[Helios Attire Set]] being easily attainable, I'd really recommend against buying a second pair of Apogee +1 for physical unless you're made of money. The Helios is typically better anyways - just requires some time to augment.

The [[Shulmanu Collar]] is probably not worth chasing just for SMN, as the [[Smn. Collar +1]] is better when fully augmented. Its mostly in this set in case you already have one for a different job.

The [[Sroda Earring]] is BIS as long as you've got enough accuracy in your set. The only reason the [[Beck. Earring +1]] is in mine is because the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] has 0 Pet: Accuracy.

Lastly, with Apollyon points being so accessible due to ???'s being shouted out every 3 days or so, i'd really recommend getting the [[Con. Doublet +4]]. You don't ever need to make the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] like I have, because of previously mentioned accuracy issues.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+60 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+30 "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = C. Palug Crown
|Neck = Smn. Collar +2
|NeckAug = MP +50, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +25, Blood Pact Damage +10%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: Magic Acc, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The [[Apogee Slacks +1]] are only better than the [[Enticer's Pants]] if you have the blood pact fully merited, or have TP over 1500. You don't really need a second pair of these, just stick with the [[Enticer's Pants]].

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] after about lvl 10.

[[Gelos Earring]] is about the same as the [[Beck. Earring]] for merit pacts.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Gelos Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20 Pet: "Double Attack"+4% "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = C. Palug Crown
|Neck = Smn. Collar +2
|NeckAug = MP +50, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +25, Blood Pact Damage +10%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The most important stat for [[Flaming Crush]] is Blood Pact Damage, as its counted twice: once on the physical hits, and once on the magical. That's why the [[Gelos Earring]] is recommended over the [[Beck. Earring]] here. Of course, if you already have a Beck. Earring, there's no reason to do the quest for the [[Gelos Earring]]. The damage difference is pretty minimal.

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] for hybrid pacts earlier than magical - switch as soon as you have some RP on it.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

[[Apogee Slacks +1]] (Path A) should be more damage than (Path D) for [[Flaming Crush]]. However, (Path D) is fine, so this upgrade is fairly unnecessary. With this same logic, the [[Apogee Dalmatica +1]] may be similar damage to the [[Con. Doublet +4]] - but the extra +60 accuracy on that top plays a huge role for [[Flaming Crush]]. If you miss either of the initial melee hits, your overall damage will completely plummet, because the magic hit's damage is based on the first two hits' damage.

Do not fret if you are missing the Omen/Vagary accessories; the bulk of your avatar's damage comes from your armor and weapon choices.

== BP Delay Reduction Gear ==
[[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|Blood Pact delays]] have a combined cap of -30 seconds from player gear and gifts, and no more than -15 seconds can be applied per delay tier. 
Once you have obtained the 500 JP (Superior 3) gift, the HQ [[Sancus Sachet]] and [[Baayami_Attire_Set|Baayami Attire Set]] can help you reach the BP delay cap while providing copious amounts of [[Summoning Magic Skill]]. 
An [[Espiritus]] can provide additional BP delay II if you do not mind potentially losing TP on swapping weapons. 

# Reach the cap of -30 seconds through gear and JP gifts
# Fill remaining slots with Summoning Skill and Favor+ gear to improve [[Avatar's Favor]] tier - the final 'tier' is at 670+ total skill.

{{color|red|style=bold|NOTE: }} Depending on your gearswap file, your BP delay set may be listed as a precast or midcast set. 
The delay set should equip as soon as a BP command is sent, and similarly, your BP damage sets should equip once your avatar begins its BP animation.

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -22 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
More than fully capped BP delay with 1200JP, plus 676 Summoning Magic Skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -18 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 0 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Eminent Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Shomonjijoe
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 100 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 500 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +3
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== Buff Duration / Summoning Skill Scaling Sets ==

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Buff Duration
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*This set gives 676 Summoning skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Summoning Skill +
|CaptionBottom = Alternative items
|Main =
|Sub = Vox Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Baayami Hat
|Neck = Incanter's Torque
|Ear1 = Andoaa Earring
|Ear2 = C. Palug Earring
|Body = Beck. Doublet +2
|Hands = Inyan. Dastanas +2
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Stikini Ring
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Beck. Spats +2
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path D: MP+70, "Summoning Magic Skill" +15, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*The [[Stikini Ring]] and [[Baayami Hat]] are very expensive for little benefit, so i'd recommend against them unless you already have them. They're mostly on this list so all options are shown.
*The [[Beckoner's Attire Set]] has a decent amount of skill, but its probably not worth building just for the skill bonus.

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Elemental Siphon
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Esper Stone +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Beck. Pigaches +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== SMN at a Glance ==
Here is where I attempt to answer questions and grossly generalize SMN at the same time: 

=== Skillchains and Magic Bursts ===
Physical and Hybrid BPs are analogous to player [[Weapon Skill|WSs]] and each have their own [[Summoner#Spells_and_Blood_Pacts|skillchain properties]]. 
Magic BPs are analogous to player spells and can be used in a [[Magic Burst|magic burst]]. 
In general, there is a short delay (just over a second) between using a BP command and when the BP is executed, so time your BPs accordingly.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchains (2-Step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst1
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Mountain Buster]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Gravitation]]
| [[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crag Throw]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Liquefaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Full Swing]]
| [[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Burning Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fusion]]
| [[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Conflag Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=5 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchain (3-step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #2
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #3
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #2
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]]1 [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
|-
| colspan=5|
1 Requires [[Apogee]] to BP twice in a row
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#0F0018"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Multi-SMN Skillchains
|- BGCOLOR="#2A0141"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Eclipse Bite]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]

|}

=== Blood Pacts and when to use them ===
A summary of useful BPs I have encountered for solo and group play. This list is not exhaustive.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#000822"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | I really need to...
|- BGCOLOR="#051549"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Rage
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Ward
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Potential Uses

|-
| Cleave targets
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderspark]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Level ? Holy]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
|
[[Vagary]] 
[[Salvage II| Salvage Farming]] 
[[Colonization_Reive|Colonization Reives]] 
[[Incursion]]

|-
| Curb enemy offense
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Tidal Roar]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Mewing Lullaby]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Eerie Eye]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' attack 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' TP 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Inflicts [[Silence]] and [[Amnesia]]
|-
| Buff party's offense
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crimson Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Inferno Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rolling Thunder]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Hastega_II|Hastega II]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crystal Blessing]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Attack Bonus 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enfire 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enthunder 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Haste II 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]TP Bonus 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Attack Bonus

|-
| Buff party's defense
|
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Armor]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Ward]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Perfect Defense]] [[File:Alexander_GUI.png|link=]] 2 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Frost Armor]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shining Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage mitigation 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Stoneskin 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage reduction 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice Spikes 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Defense+10%, MDT 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Defense Bonus
|-
| Dispel enemy buffs
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Lunar Roar]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Pavor Nocturnus]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[:Yggdreant|Yggdreants]] or [[Belladonna|Belladonna's]] 
[[Glassy Gorger]]

|-
| Sleep nearby enemies
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Nightmare]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Sleepga_(Blood_Pact)|Sleepga]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[Warder of Love]] 
[[Omen]] 
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]

|-
| Stun the enemy
|
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Transfixion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Chaotic Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shock Squall]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Helps [[:Trusts#Gessho|Gessho]] tank CP mobs.
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]
|-
| Heal my party
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Whispering Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Healing Ruby II]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Remove status ailments
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Soothing Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Run really fast
|
|
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Fleet Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Give party member Reraise
|
|
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Reraise II]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Deal hybrid damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Best damage while unresisted - check your monster beforehand. Fire/Magic/High Melee resist will chunk your damage. - example: [[Dynamis - Bastok (D)]](Green pull only)/[[Dynamis - Jeuno (D)]], [[Zerde]]

|-
| Deal melee damage
|
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]General Melee dmg - example: [[Reisenjima]] Helms ([[Erinys]], etc), but this will be your most used melee blood pact due to the stun. 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Slashing damage - example: [[Yakshi]]/[[Kalunga]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Blunt damage - example: [[Gigelorum]]/[[Gogmagog]] 

|-
| Deal magic damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Geocrush]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Fire damage (Light/Fusion/Liquefaction) 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice damage (Darkness/Distortion/Induration) 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Wind damage (Light/Fragmentation/Detonation) 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Earth damage (Darkness/Gravitation/Scission) 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Thunder damage (Light/Fragmentation/Impaction) 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Water damage (Darkness/Distortion/Reverberation)

|-
| colspan=4|
2 Requires [[Astral Flow]] to activate BP
|}

=== AFAC Strategy ===
Given the large amount of pet stats gained from SMN gifts and JP categories, I highly recommend maxing the [[Astral Flow]]/[[Astral Conduit]] effects and acquiring all the physical BP related stats (1710+ JP) prior to attempting an AFAC. 
Secondly, if you are using Gearswap, ensure that you are not accidentally swapping into a precast or aftercast set during [[Astral Conduit]]. 
At the time of this writing, Pergatory's LUA will equip an idle set following conduit BPs and assumes the user will stagger BPs approximately 1.25 seconds apart. 
If this proves inconvenient, you may opt to equip your BP set and //gs disable all during [[Astral Conduit]] '''[or]''' add code to disable his idle() function calls while conduit is up. 

'''Generic AFAC Algorithm'''
# Receive pre-fight buffs
# Activate [[Avatar's Favor]]
# If using [[Nirvana_(Level_119)|119 Nirvana]], or [[Opashoro]], build 3000 TP and gain [[Aftermath|AM3]] on fodder
# Pop NM
# Wait for GEO bubbles and offensive spells/JAs
# Hit [[Astral Flow]]
# Hit [[Astral Conduit]]
# Spam BPs
# Receive [[Mana Powder]] / [[Mana Mist]] during [[Astral Conduit]] from back line jobs if in [[Escha]] zone
# Watch your mana bar closely during your AFAC, and hit [[Convert]] if you ever drop below 300 - the goal is to get through two full mana bars during your AFAC if possible
# Once [[Astral Conduit]] wears:
# [[Apogee]], then BP (x2)
# Reset [[Apogee]] and [[Astral Flow]] + [[Astral Conduit]] via COR JAs and/or [[Super Revitalizer]] if in [[Escha]] zone
# Repeat until you or the boss dies

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#150101"
! colspan=10 style="text-align: center;" | Job Summary
|- BGCOLOR="#410202"
! width="15%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact
! width="15%" class=unsortable|SMN Food
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Indi-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Geo-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Entrust
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Offensive spells
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #1
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #2
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|RUN JAs
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|BRD Songs

|-
|
[[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]]
| [[Geo-Frailty]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Drachen Roll]]
| [[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]]

|-
| [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Frailty]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]] or [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
|
[[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]], [[File:Rolan._Daifuku_icon.png|link=Rolanberry Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Impact]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
| [[Companion's Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
| colspan=10|
[[Impact]], [[Odyllic Subterfuge]], and [[Refresh_(Status)|Refresh effects]] may be omitted based on NM and groups' comfort zone.
|-
| colspan=10|
Just use grape daifuku - there are other food options, but grapes are good for everything.
|}

== Acknowledgements ==
I took some of this straight from [https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Prismfang/Sandbox Prismfang's Sandbox], (especially the bottom half with info on what pacts do - I think its much nicer than having two pages open), with edits based on what I think is most realistic for someone newish to the job in 2025-2026.

Thanks to '''Pergatory''' of Asura for providing constructive feedback and all the SMNs on the FFXIAH.com forums for sharing their knowledge.

User:Cii/Sandbox

2026-05-14T06:17:28Z

Cii: /* More Advanced Blood Pact Sets */

{{Guide}}
This is just intended to help with getting your summoner to the level where you can start seeing some nice numbers.

{{color|red|style=bold|Recommended GS LUA (and helpful tools) by Pergatory: }} [https://pastebin.com/u/pergatory Link].

== Getting Started ==
As a new level 99 SMN, I recommend focusing your efforts on the following:
# Obtain an [[Epitaph]] or grab an [[Eminent Sachet]] while you work towards your 100 JP gift to equip a [[Sancus Sachet +1]]
# Create [[Blood Pact]] (BP) sets to improve your avatar's maximum damage per offensive ability
# Create a [[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|BP delay]] set to improve the frequency that you can perform Blood Pacts
# Create an idle set with enough [[Avatar perpetuation cost]] - to offset your avatar's constant [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | MP drain/upkeep]], and enough DT- to survive being hit with AOEs in content like Dyna D
# Obtain the 1200 JP Gift and eventually reach Master SMN

An additional note: [[Flaming Crush]] is going to be your highest damage [[Blood Pact]] against almost anything that doesn't resist it. Embrace [[Ifrit]].

== JSE Gear ==

The only three pieces you need are the [[Beckoner's Horn +2]], [[Con. Doublet +4]], and [[Beck. Pigaches +2]].
The Empyrean hat is for cooldowns, the Artifact body is for [[Blood Pact]] damage, and the Empyrean shoes are for idling, but can be used for damage if you can't get your hands on Apogee. Prioritize based on what you're lacking.

== Merits ==

'''Group 1:'''
* Avatar Physical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Physical Attack: 5
* Avatar Magical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Magical Attack: 5
* Summoning Magic Cast Time: Do not merit this. Build a [[Fast Cast]] set instead.

You can switch Magical Attack to Physical Accuracy and vise versa if you feel like you are having a problem with accuracy for a certain [[Blood Pact]] that you're using often. A good example of this is for AFAC strategies on [[Reisenjima]] HELMS - Physical Accuracy is very important there because you almost exclusively use [[Volt Strike]].

'''Group 2:'''
* [[Meteor Strike]]: 5
* [[Heavenly Strike]]: 1
* [[Wind Blade]]: 1
* [[Geocrush]]: 1
* [[Thunderstorm]]: 1
* [[Grand Fall]]: 1

You can merit whichever one of these you're using most often with the full 5 merits, [[Meteor Strike]] is recommended here because of the offensive power of [[Flaming Crush]], and the ability to use [[Apogee]] to burst off of the skillchains it creates.

Good examples of times to merit other blood pacts: [[Geocrush]] for sortie bosses A and E magic burst strat, [[Thunderstorm]] if you're mostly attacking with [[Volt Strike]] from [[Ramuh]], or [[Heavenly Strike]] if you're bursting on [[Darkness]].

== Idle Set ==
Most gearswap files will have a separate set for idling with and without your avatar. 
This set is for the former, and the goal here is to reach the [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | perpetuation cost]] cap of -14 MP/tic first and foremost.
Once you have reached the cap, avatars will cost at most 1 MP/tic, even with [[Avatar's Favor]] up, so your [[Auto Refresh]] will easily cover that.

# Reach the cap of -14 [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | avatar perpetuation cost]] in pet idle set
# Obtain a [[Caller's_Pendant | Caller's Pendant]] to grant your avatar free TP while standing around
# Fill the remaining slots on [[Refresh]] or defense stats afterward.
#* Note that [[Avatar's Favor]] effects are tiered off based on total skill and Favor+ gear.

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Recommended Start
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Eabani Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Physical Damage Taken -10%
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Enmerkar Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Eva.+20/Mag. Eva. +20, Pet: Damage taken -5%, Pet: Mag. Acc. +20/Mag. Dmg. +20, Pet: Regen +10, Pet: Magic Damage +10
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Beck. Pigaches +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
Both of these sets should be somewhere around -40% DT- (and 10+ refresh!), so a simple swap of one piece ([[Bunzi's Pants]] for example) should be enough for your DT- set to be at or near -50%.
 
 
[[Evoker's Ring]] is good, but very skippable. [[Shadow Ring]] is a fairly easy to obtain tanky alternative for your second slot.
 
 
[[Oneiros Grip]] and [[Fucho-No-Obi]] are optional low-mp switches to give you even more MP when you really need it.
 
 
Most of the pieces listed above and hereafter are interchangeable with their NQ and HQ variants. Customize your set based on available gear.

== Cheapest / Entry Damage Set ==

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Lowest Cost / Bar to Entry
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Gelos Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10 - Pet: Acc, Atk, Macc, Mab help, but keep any +10 BPdmg roll when starting
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+15 Pet: "Double Attack"+3% "Blood Pact" damage +13
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
At time of writing (12/12/2025), the above set should be roughly 12mil to complete. (16mil if you get an Elan Strap +1.) If you don't have the money for that, feel free to downgrade items from +1 to +0 - with the apogee at +0, it'll only be about 7mil!
However, the prices on these are pretty low right now, so if you're liking the job i'd focus on getting the +1s here ASAP.

There isn't really a satisfactory belt option that doesn't require endgame content - [[Klouskap Sash]] exists, but its also 1.5 mil or greater. I'd recommend sticking with something defensive until you can get your hands on the [[Regal Belt]] or [[Incarnation Sash]].

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Required Magic BP Items
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity -6 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+30 Pet: Damage Taken -4%
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist=
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|LegsAug = Huge damage boost to merit (magic) blood pacts
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Other Useful Items'''
* Optional: [[Sancus Sachet +1]] - If you can't get the [[Epitaph]], or already have one, this is actually a better option until the [[Epitaph]] is augmented. However, it costs >2mil, so if money is a concern, try to get that Sgili clear for the [[Epitaph]].
* -
* Optional: [[Shulmanu Collar]] - BIS for melee pacts until a near max JSE neck +1 or +2, if you already have it, great!
* -
* Optional: [[Smn. Collar +1]] - 2nd BIS only to the +2 when fully augmented, and only ~3mil at time of writing. Worth it if you have the funds and are willing to get the RP in Dynamis.
* -
* Optional: [[Apogee Dalmatica]] (Path A) (Magical BP) - the +1 is good, but expensive, and magical only BPs are hardly ever used. Don't spend your money on a +1 unless you get very deep into gearing the job.
* -
* Optional: [[Sroda Earring]] (Melee Pacts, BIS and cheap)
* -
* Questionable: [[Kyrene's Earring]] - If you have one laying around and are missing something else
* -
* Questionable: [[Apogee Mitts]] - If unsure that you want to play the job, make a pair of +0s with path C while you try it out. Do not waste money on a +1 pair of these.

|}

== More Advanced Blood Pact Sets ==
{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
Blood Pacts are generally categorized as either physical or magical damage, with the exception that Ifrit's [[Burning Strike]] and [[Flaming Crush]] are considered hybrid damage. 
In the event you have a Nirvana and HQ Apogee pieces at hand, see Pergatory's LUA file above on gear choices while Garland's [[Aftermath]] is up.
#For physical BPs, you will want stats such as BP Damage, Accuracy, Attack, and Pet: Double Attack. 
#For magical BPs, you will want BP Damage, Magic Attack, and perhaps Pet: TP Bonus. Avatars seem to have naturally high magic accuracy for their associated element 
#For hybrid BPs, there is usually a mixture of physical and magical BP stats, with a heavy emphasis on the magical end.
 
None of these sets will include REMA weapons, or very expensive minor upgrades like +2 JSE necks.
 
 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Shulmanu Collar
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Sroda Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Opashoro (Level 119)
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Glyphic Doublet +3
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = C. Palug Ring
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = "Fast Cast" +10%, Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
You can use [[Apogee Attire Set]] +1 boots and hat for your physical set, but with the [[Helios Attire Set]] being easily attainable, I'd really recommend against buying a second pair of Apogee +1 for physical unless you're made of money. The Helios is typically better anyways - just requires some time to augment.

The [[Shulmanu Collar]] is probably not worth chasing just for SMN, as the [[Smn. Collar +1]] is better when fully augmented. Its mostly in this set in case you already have one for a different job.

The [[Sroda Earring]] is BIS as long as you've got enough accuracy in your set. The only reason the [[Beck. Earring +1]] is in mine is because the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] has 0 Pet: Accuracy.

Lastly, with Apollyon points being so accessible due to ???'s being shouted out every 3 days or so, i'd really recommend getting the [[Con. Doublet +4]]. You don't ever need to make the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] like I have, because of previously mentioned accuracy issues.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+60 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+30 "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = C. Palug Crown
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: Magic Acc, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The [[Apogee Slacks +1]] are only better than the [[Enticer's Pants]] if you have the blood pact fully merited, or have TP over 1500. You don't really need a second pair of these, just stick with the [[Enticer's Pants]].

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] after about lvl 10.

[[Gelos Earring]] is about the same as the [[Beck. Earring]] for merit pacts.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Gelos Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20 Pet: "Double Attack"+4% "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = C. Palug Crown
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The most important stat for [[Flaming Crush]] is Blood Pact Damage, as its counted twice: once on the physical hits, and once on the magical. That's why the [[Gelos Earring]] is recommended over the [[Beck. Earring]] here. Of course, if you already have a Beck. Earring, there's no reason to do the quest for the [[Gelos Earring]]. The damage difference is pretty minimal.

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] for hybrid pacts earlier than magical - switch as soon as you have some RP on it.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

[[Apogee Slacks +1]] (Path A) should be more damage than (Path D) for [[Flaming Crush]]. However, (Path D) is fine, so this upgrade is fairly unnecessary. With this same logic, the [[Apogee Dalmatica +1]] may be similar damage to the [[Con. Doublet +4]] - but the extra +60 accuracy on that top plays a huge role for [[Flaming Crush]]. If you miss either of the initial melee hits, your overall damage will completely plummet, because the magic hit's damage is based on the first two hits' damage.

Do not fret if you are missing the Omen/Vagary accessories; the bulk of your avatar's damage comes from your armor and weapon choices.

== BP Delay Reduction Gear ==
[[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|Blood Pact delays]] have a combined cap of -30 seconds from player gear and gifts, and no more than -15 seconds can be applied per delay tier. 
Once you have obtained the 500 JP (Superior 3) gift, the HQ [[Sancus Sachet]] and [[Baayami_Attire_Set|Baayami Attire Set]] can help you reach the BP delay cap while providing copious amounts of [[Summoning Magic Skill]]. 
An [[Espiritus]] can provide additional BP delay II if you do not mind potentially losing TP on swapping weapons. 

# Reach the cap of -30 seconds through gear and JP gifts
# Fill remaining slots with Summoning Skill and Favor+ gear to improve [[Avatar's Favor]] tier - the final 'tier' is at 670+ total skill.

{{color|red|style=bold|NOTE: }} Depending on your gearswap file, your BP delay set may be listed as a precast or midcast set. 
The delay set should equip as soon as a BP command is sent, and similarly, your BP damage sets should equip once your avatar begins its BP animation.

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -22 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
More than fully capped BP delay with 1200JP, plus 676 Summoning Magic Skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -18 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 0 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Eminent Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Shomonjijoe
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 100 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 500 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +3
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== Buff Duration / Summoning Skill Scaling Sets ==

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Buff Duration
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*This set gives 676 Summoning skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Summoning Skill +
|CaptionBottom = Alternative items
|Main =
|Sub = Vox Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Baayami Hat
|Neck = Incanter's Torque
|Ear1 = Andoaa Earring
|Ear2 = C. Palug Earring
|Body = Beck. Doublet +2
|Hands = Inyan. Dastanas +2
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Stikini Ring
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Beck. Spats +2
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path D: MP+70, "Summoning Magic Skill" +15, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*The [[Stikini Ring]] and [[Baayami Hat]] are very expensive for little benefit, so i'd recommend against them unless you already have them. They're mostly on this list so all options are shown.
*The [[Beckoner's Attire Set]] has a decent amount of skill, but its probably not worth building just for the skill bonus.

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Elemental Siphon
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Esper Stone +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Beck. Pigaches +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== SMN at a Glance ==
Here is where I attempt to answer questions and grossly generalize SMN at the same time: 

=== Skillchains and Magic Bursts ===
Physical and Hybrid BPs are analogous to player [[Weapon Skill|WSs]] and each have their own [[Summoner#Spells_and_Blood_Pacts|skillchain properties]]. 
Magic BPs are analogous to player spells and can be used in a [[Magic Burst|magic burst]]. 
In general, there is a short delay (just over a second) between using a BP command and when the BP is executed, so time your BPs accordingly.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchains (2-Step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst1
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Mountain Buster]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Gravitation]]
| [[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crag Throw]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Liquefaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Full Swing]]
| [[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Burning Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fusion]]
| [[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Conflag Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=5 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchain (3-step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #2
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #3
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #2
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]]1 [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
|-
| colspan=5|
1 Requires [[Apogee]] to BP twice in a row
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#0F0018"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Multi-SMN Skillchains
|- BGCOLOR="#2A0141"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Eclipse Bite]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]

|}

=== Blood Pacts and when to use them ===
A summary of useful BPs I have encountered for solo and group play. This list is not exhaustive.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#000822"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | I really need to...
|- BGCOLOR="#051549"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Rage
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Ward
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Potential Uses

|-
| Cleave targets
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderspark]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Level ? Holy]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
|
[[Vagary]] 
[[Salvage II| Salvage Farming]] 
[[Colonization_Reive|Colonization Reives]] 
[[Incursion]]

|-
| Curb enemy offense
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Tidal Roar]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Mewing Lullaby]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Eerie Eye]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' attack 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' TP 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Inflicts [[Silence]] and [[Amnesia]]
|-
| Buff party's offense
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crimson Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Inferno Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rolling Thunder]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Hastega_II|Hastega II]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crystal Blessing]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Attack Bonus 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enfire 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enthunder 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Haste II 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]TP Bonus 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Attack Bonus

|-
| Buff party's defense
|
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Armor]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Ward]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Perfect Defense]] [[File:Alexander_GUI.png|link=]] 2 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Frost Armor]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shining Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage mitigation 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Stoneskin 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage reduction 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice Spikes 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Defense+10%, MDT 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Defense Bonus
|-
| Dispel enemy buffs
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Lunar Roar]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Pavor Nocturnus]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[:Yggdreant|Yggdreants]] or [[Belladonna|Belladonna's]] 
[[Glassy Gorger]]

|-
| Sleep nearby enemies
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Nightmare]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Sleepga_(Blood_Pact)|Sleepga]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[Warder of Love]] 
[[Omen]] 
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]

|-
| Stun the enemy
|
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Transfixion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Chaotic Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shock Squall]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Helps [[:Trusts#Gessho|Gessho]] tank CP mobs.
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]
|-
| Heal my party
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Whispering Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Healing Ruby II]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Remove status ailments
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Soothing Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Run really fast
|
|
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Fleet Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Give party member Reraise
|
|
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Reraise II]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Deal hybrid damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Best damage while unresisted - check your monster beforehand. Fire/Magic/High Melee resist will chunk your damage. - example: [[Dynamis - Bastok (D)]](Green pull only)/[[Dynamis - Jeuno (D)]], [[Zerde]]

|-
| Deal melee damage
|
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]General Melee dmg - example: [[Reisenjima]] Helms ([[Erinys]], etc), but this will be your most used melee blood pact due to the stun. 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Slashing damage - example: [[Yakshi]]/[[Kalunga]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Blunt damage - example: [[Gigelorum]]/[[Gogmagog]] 

|-
| Deal magic damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Geocrush]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Fire damage (Light/Fusion/Liquefaction) 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice damage (Darkness/Distortion/Induration) 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Wind damage (Light/Fragmentation/Detonation) 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Earth damage (Darkness/Gravitation/Scission) 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Thunder damage (Light/Fragmentation/Impaction) 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Water damage (Darkness/Distortion/Reverberation)

|-
| colspan=4|
2 Requires [[Astral Flow]] to activate BP
|}

=== AFAC Strategy ===
Given the large amount of pet stats gained from SMN gifts and JP categories, I highly recommend maxing the [[Astral Flow]]/[[Astral Conduit]] effects and acquiring all the physical BP related stats (1710+ JP) prior to attempting an AFAC. 
Secondly, if you are using Gearswap, ensure that you are not accidentally swapping into a precast or aftercast set during [[Astral Conduit]]. 
At the time of this writing, Pergatory's LUA will equip an idle set following conduit BPs and assumes the user will stagger BPs approximately 1.25 seconds apart. 
If this proves inconvenient, you may opt to equip your BP set and //gs disable all during [[Astral Conduit]] '''[or]''' add code to disable his idle() function calls while conduit is up. 

'''Generic AFAC Algorithm'''
# Receive pre-fight buffs
# Activate [[Avatar's Favor]]
# If using [[Nirvana_(Level_119)|119 Nirvana]], or [[Opashoro]], build 3000 TP and gain [[Aftermath|AM3]] on fodder
# Pop NM
# Wait for GEO bubbles and offensive spells/JAs
# Hit [[Astral Flow]]
# Hit [[Astral Conduit]]
# Spam BPs
# Receive [[Mana Powder]] / [[Mana Mist]] during [[Astral Conduit]] from back line jobs if in [[Escha]] zone
# Watch your mana bar closely during your AFAC, and hit [[Convert]] if you ever drop below 300 - the goal is to get through two full mana bars during your AFAC if possible
# Once [[Astral Conduit]] wears:
# [[Apogee]], then BP (x2)
# Reset [[Apogee]] and [[Astral Flow]] + [[Astral Conduit]] via COR JAs and/or [[Super Revitalizer]] if in [[Escha]] zone
# Repeat until you or the boss dies

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#150101"
! colspan=10 style="text-align: center;" | Job Summary
|- BGCOLOR="#410202"
! width="15%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact
! width="15%" class=unsortable|SMN Food
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Indi-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Geo-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Entrust
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Offensive spells
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #1
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #2
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|RUN JAs
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|BRD Songs

|-
|
[[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]]
| [[Geo-Frailty]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Drachen Roll]]
| [[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]]

|-
| [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Frailty]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]] or [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
|
[[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]], [[File:Rolan._Daifuku_icon.png|link=Rolanberry Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Impact]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
| [[Companion's Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
| colspan=10|
[[Impact]], [[Odyllic Subterfuge]], and [[Refresh_(Status)|Refresh effects]] may be omitted based on NM and groups' comfort zone.
|-
| colspan=10|
Just use grape daifuku - there are other food options, but grapes are good for everything.
|}

== Acknowledgements ==
I took some of this straight from [https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Prismfang/Sandbox Prismfang's Sandbox], (especially the bottom half with info on what pacts do - I think its much nicer than having two pages open), with edits based on what I think is most realistic for someone newish to the job in 2025-2026.

Thanks to '''Pergatory''' of Asura for providing constructive feedback and all the SMNs on the FFXIAH.com forums for sharing their knowledge.

User:Cii/Sandbox

2026-04-06T02:26:05Z

Cii: /* More Advanced Blood Pact Sets */

{{Guide}}
This is just intended to help with getting your summoner to the level where you can start seeing some nice numbers.

{{color|red|style=bold|Recommended GS LUA (and helpful tools) by Pergatory: }} [https://pastebin.com/u/pergatory Link].

== Getting Started ==
As a new level 99 SMN, I recommend focusing your efforts on the following:
# Obtain an [[Epitaph]] or grab an [[Eminent Sachet]] while you work towards your 100 JP gift to equip a [[Sancus Sachet +1]]
# Create [[Blood Pact]] (BP) sets to improve your avatar's maximum damage per offensive ability
# Create a [[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|BP delay]] set to improve the frequency that you can perform Blood Pacts
# Create an idle set with enough [[Avatar perpetuation cost]] - to offset your avatar's constant [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | MP drain/upkeep]], and enough DT- to survive being hit with AOEs in content like Dyna D
# Obtain the 1200 JP Gift and eventually reach Master SMN

An additional note: [[Flaming Crush]] is going to be your highest damage [[Blood Pact]] against almost anything that doesn't resist it. Embrace [[Ifrit]].

== JSE Gear ==

The only three pieces you need are the [[Beckoner's Horn +2]], [[Con. Doublet +4]], and [[Beck. Pigaches +2]].
The Empyrean hat is for cooldowns, the Artifact body is for [[Blood Pact]] damage, and the Empyrean shoes are for idling, but can be used for damage if you can't get your hands on Apogee. Prioritize based on what you're lacking.

== Merits ==

'''Group 1:'''
* Avatar Physical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Physical Attack: 5
* Avatar Magical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Magical Attack: 5
* Summoning Magic Cast Time: Do not merit this. Build a [[Fast Cast]] set instead.

You can switch Magical Attack to Physical Accuracy and vise versa if you feel like you are having a problem with accuracy for a certain [[Blood Pact]] that you're using often. A good example of this is for AFAC strategies on [[Reisenjima]] HELMS - Physical Accuracy is very important there because you almost exclusively use [[Volt Strike]].

'''Group 2:'''
* [[Meteor Strike]]: 5
* [[Heavenly Strike]]: 1
* [[Wind Blade]]: 1
* [[Geocrush]]: 1
* [[Thunderstorm]]: 1
* [[Grand Fall]]: 1

You can merit whichever one of these you're using most often with the full 5 merits, [[Meteor Strike]] is recommended here because of the offensive power of [[Flaming Crush]], and the ability to use [[Apogee]] to burst off of the skillchains it creates.

Good examples of times to merit other blood pacts: [[Geocrush]] for sortie bosses A and E magic burst strat, [[Thunderstorm]] if you're mostly attacking with [[Volt Strike]] from [[Ramuh]], or [[Heavenly Strike]] if you're bursting on [[Darkness]].

== Idle Set ==
Most gearswap files will have a separate set for idling with and without your avatar. 
This set is for the former, and the goal here is to reach the [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | perpetuation cost]] cap of -14 MP/tic first and foremost.
Once you have reached the cap, avatars will cost at most 1 MP/tic, even with [[Avatar's Favor]] up, so your [[Auto Refresh]] will easily cover that.

# Reach the cap of -14 [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | avatar perpetuation cost]] in pet idle set
# Obtain a [[Caller's_Pendant | Caller's Pendant]] to grant your avatar free TP while standing around
# Fill the remaining slots on [[Refresh]] or defense stats afterward.
#* Note that [[Avatar's Favor]] effects are tiered off based on total skill and Favor+ gear.

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Recommended Start
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Eabani Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Physical Damage Taken -10%
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Enmerkar Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Eva.+20/Mag. Eva. +20, Pet: Damage taken -5%, Pet: Mag. Acc. +20/Mag. Dmg. +20, Pet: Regen +10, Pet: Magic Damage +10
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Beck. Pigaches +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
Both of these sets should be somewhere around -40% DT- (and 10+ refresh!), so a simple swap of one piece ([[Bunzi's Pants]] for example) should be enough for your DT- set to be at or near -50%.
 
 
[[Evoker's Ring]] is good, but very skippable. [[Shadow Ring]] is a fairly easy to obtain tanky alternative for your second slot.
 
 
[[Oneiros Grip]] and [[Fucho-No-Obi]] are optional low-mp switches to give you even more MP when you really need it.
 
 
Most of the pieces listed above and hereafter are interchangeable with their NQ and HQ variants. Customize your set based on available gear.

== Cheapest / Entry Damage Set ==

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Lowest Cost / Bar to Entry
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Gelos Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10 - Pet: Acc, Atk, Macc, Mab help, but keep any +10 BPdmg roll when starting
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+15 Pet: "Double Attack"+3% "Blood Pact" damage +13
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
At time of writing (12/12/2025), the above set should be roughly 12mil to complete. (16mil if you get an Elan Strap +1.) If you don't have the money for that, feel free to downgrade items from +1 to +0 - with the apogee at +0, it'll only be about 7mil!
However, the prices on these are pretty low right now, so if you're liking the job i'd focus on getting the +1s here ASAP.

There isn't really a satisfactory belt option that doesn't require endgame content - [[Klouskap Sash]] exists, but its also 1.5 mil or greater. I'd recommend sticking with something defensive until you can get your hands on the [[Regal Belt]] or [[Incarnation Sash]].

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Required Magic BP Items
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity -6 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+30 Pet: Damage Taken -4%
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist=
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|LegsAug = Huge damage boost to merit (magic) blood pacts
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Other Useful Items'''
* Optional: [[Sancus Sachet +1]] - If you can't get the [[Epitaph]], or already have one, this is actually a better option until the [[Epitaph]] is augmented. However, it costs >2mil, so if money is a concern, try to get that Sgili clear for the [[Epitaph]].
* -
* Optional: [[Shulmanu Collar]] - BIS for melee pacts until a near max JSE neck +1 or +2, if you already have it, great!
* -
* Optional: [[Smn. Collar +1]] - 2nd BIS only to the +2 when fully augmented, and only ~3mil at time of writing. Worth it if you have the funds and are willing to get the RP in Dynamis.
* -
* Optional: [[Apogee Dalmatica]] (Path A) (Magical BP) - the +1 is good, but expensive, and magical only BPs are hardly ever used. Don't spend your money on a +1 unless you get very deep into gearing the job.
* -
* Optional: [[Sroda Earring]] (Melee Pacts, BIS and cheap)
* -
* Questionable: [[Kyrene's Earring]] - If you have one laying around and are missing something else
* -
* Questionable: [[Apogee Mitts]] - If unsure that you want to play the job, make a pair of +0s with path C while you try it out. Do not waste money on a +1 pair of these.

|}

== More Advanced Blood Pact Sets ==
{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
Blood Pacts are generally categorized as either physical or magical damage, with the exception that Ifrit's [[Burning Strike]] and [[Flaming Crush]] are considered hybrid damage. 
In the event you have a Nirvana and HQ Apogee pieces at hand, see Pergatory's LUA file above on gear choices while Garland's [[Aftermath]] is up.
#For physical BPs, you will want stats such as BP Damage, Accuracy, Attack, and Pet: Double Attack. 
#For magical BPs, you will want BP Damage, Magic Attack, and perhaps Pet: TP Bonus. Avatars seem to have naturally high magic accuracy for their associated element 
#For hybrid BPs, there is usually a mixture of physical and magical BP stats, with a heavy emphasis on the magical end.
 
None of these sets will include REMA weapons, or very expensive minor upgrades like +2 JSE necks.
 
 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Shulmanu Collar
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Sroda Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Glyphic Doublet +3
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = C. Palug Ring
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = "Fast Cast" +10%, Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
You can use [[Apogee Attire Set]] +1 boots and hat for your physical set, but with the [[Helios Attire Set]] being easily attainable, I'd really recommend against buying a second pair of Apogee +1 for physical unless you're made of money. The Helios is typically better anyways - just requires some time to augment.

The [[Shulmanu Collar]] is probably not worth chasing just for SMN, as the [[Smn. Collar +1]] is better when fully augmented. Its mostly in this set in case you already have one for a different job.

The [[Sroda Earring]] is BIS as long as you've got enough accuracy in your set. The only reason the [[Beck. Earring +1]] is in mine is because the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] has 0 Pet: Accuracy.

Lastly, with Apollyon points being so accessible due to ???'s being shouted out every 3 days or so, i'd really recommend getting the [[Con. Doublet +4]]. You don't ever need to make the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] like I have, because of previously mentioned accuracy issues.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+60 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+30 "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = C. Palug Crown
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: Magic Acc, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The [[Apogee Slacks +1]] are only better than the [[Enticer's Pants]] if you have the blood pact fully merited, or have TP over 1500. You don't really need a second pair of these, just stick with the [[Enticer's Pants]].

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] after about lvl 10.

[[Gelos Earring]] is about the same as the [[Beck. Earring]] for merit pacts.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Gelos Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20 Pet: "Double Attack"+4% "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = C. Palug Crown
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The most important stat for [[Flaming Crush]] is Blood Pact Damage, as its counted twice: once on the physical hits, and once on the magical. That's why the [[Gelos Earring]] is recommended over the [[Beck. Earring]] here. Of course, if you already have a Beck. Earring, there's no reason to do the quest for the [[Gelos Earring]]. The damage difference is pretty minimal.

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] for hybrid pacts earlier than magical - switch as soon as you have some RP on it.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

[[Apogee Slacks +1]] (Path A) should be more damage than (Path D) for [[Flaming Crush]]. However, (Path D) is fine, so this upgrade is fairly unnecessary. With this same logic, the [[Apogee Dalmatica +1]] may be similar damage to the [[Con. Doublet +4]] - but the extra +60 accuracy on that top plays a huge role for [[Flaming Crush]]. If you miss either of the initial melee hits, your overall damage will completely plummet, because the magic hit's damage is based on the first two hits' damage.

Do not fret if you are missing the Omen/Vagary accessories; the bulk of your avatar's damage comes from your armor and weapon choices.

== BP Delay Reduction Gear ==
[[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|Blood Pact delays]] have a combined cap of -30 seconds from player gear and gifts, and no more than -15 seconds can be applied per delay tier. 
Once you have obtained the 500 JP (Superior 3) gift, the HQ [[Sancus Sachet]] and [[Baayami_Attire_Set|Baayami Attire Set]] can help you reach the BP delay cap while providing copious amounts of [[Summoning Magic Skill]]. 
An [[Espiritus]] can provide additional BP delay II if you do not mind potentially losing TP on swapping weapons. 

# Reach the cap of -30 seconds through gear and JP gifts
# Fill remaining slots with Summoning Skill and Favor+ gear to improve [[Avatar's Favor]] tier - the final 'tier' is at 670+ total skill.

{{color|red|style=bold|NOTE: }} Depending on your gearswap file, your BP delay set may be listed as a precast or midcast set. 
The delay set should equip as soon as a BP command is sent, and similarly, your BP damage sets should equip once your avatar begins its BP animation.

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -22 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
More than fully capped BP delay with 1200JP, plus 676 Summoning Magic Skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -18 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 0 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Eminent Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Shomonjijoe
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 100 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 500 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +3
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== Buff Duration / Summoning Skill Scaling Sets ==

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Buff Duration
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*This set gives 676 Summoning skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Summoning Skill +
|CaptionBottom = Alternative items
|Main =
|Sub = Vox Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Baayami Hat
|Neck = Incanter's Torque
|Ear1 = Andoaa Earring
|Ear2 = C. Palug Earring
|Body = Beck. Doublet +2
|Hands = Inyan. Dastanas +2
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Stikini Ring
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Beck. Spats +2
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path D: MP+70, "Summoning Magic Skill" +15, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*The [[Stikini Ring]] and [[Baayami Hat]] are very expensive for little benefit, so i'd recommend against them unless you already have them. They're mostly on this list so all options are shown.
*The [[Beckoner's Attire Set]] has a decent amount of skill, but its probably not worth building just for the skill bonus.

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Elemental Siphon
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Esper Stone +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Beck. Pigaches +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== SMN at a Glance ==
Here is where I attempt to answer questions and grossly generalize SMN at the same time: 

=== Skillchains and Magic Bursts ===
Physical and Hybrid BPs are analogous to player [[Weapon Skill|WSs]] and each have their own [[Summoner#Spells_and_Blood_Pacts|skillchain properties]]. 
Magic BPs are analogous to player spells and can be used in a [[Magic Burst|magic burst]]. 
In general, there is a short delay (just over a second) between using a BP command and when the BP is executed, so time your BPs accordingly.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchains (2-Step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst1
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Mountain Buster]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Gravitation]]
| [[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crag Throw]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Liquefaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Full Swing]]
| [[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Burning Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fusion]]
| [[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Conflag Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=5 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchain (3-step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #2
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #3
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #2
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]]1 [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
|-
| colspan=5|
1 Requires [[Apogee]] to BP twice in a row
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#0F0018"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Multi-SMN Skillchains
|- BGCOLOR="#2A0141"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Eclipse Bite]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]

|}

=== Blood Pacts and when to use them ===
A summary of useful BPs I have encountered for solo and group play. This list is not exhaustive.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#000822"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | I really need to...
|- BGCOLOR="#051549"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Rage
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Ward
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Potential Uses

|-
| Cleave targets
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderspark]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Level ? Holy]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
|
[[Vagary]] 
[[Salvage II| Salvage Farming]] 
[[Colonization_Reive|Colonization Reives]] 
[[Incursion]]

|-
| Curb enemy offense
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Tidal Roar]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Mewing Lullaby]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Eerie Eye]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' attack 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' TP 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Inflicts [[Silence]] and [[Amnesia]]
|-
| Buff party's offense
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crimson Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Inferno Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rolling Thunder]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Hastega_II|Hastega II]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crystal Blessing]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Attack Bonus 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enfire 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enthunder 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Haste II 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]TP Bonus 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Attack Bonus

|-
| Buff party's defense
|
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Armor]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Ward]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Perfect Defense]] [[File:Alexander_GUI.png|link=]] 2 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Frost Armor]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shining Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage mitigation 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Stoneskin 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage reduction 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice Spikes 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Defense+10%, MDT 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Defense Bonus
|-
| Dispel enemy buffs
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Lunar Roar]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Pavor Nocturnus]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[:Yggdreant|Yggdreants]] or [[Belladonna|Belladonna's]] 
[[Glassy Gorger]]

|-
| Sleep nearby enemies
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Nightmare]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Sleepga_(Blood_Pact)|Sleepga]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[Warder of Love]] 
[[Omen]] 
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]

|-
| Stun the enemy
|
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Transfixion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Chaotic Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shock Squall]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Helps [[:Trusts#Gessho|Gessho]] tank CP mobs.
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]
|-
| Heal my party
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Whispering Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Healing Ruby II]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Remove status ailments
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Soothing Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Run really fast
|
|
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Fleet Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Give party member Reraise
|
|
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Reraise II]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Deal hybrid damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Best damage while unresisted - check your monster beforehand. Fire/Magic/High Melee resist will chunk your damage. - example: [[Dynamis - Bastok (D)]](Green pull only)/[[Dynamis - Jeuno (D)]], [[Zerde]]

|-
| Deal melee damage
|
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]General Melee dmg - example: [[Reisenjima]] Helms ([[Erinys]], etc), but this will be your most used melee blood pact due to the stun. 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Slashing damage - example: [[Yakshi]]/[[Kalunga]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Blunt damage - example: [[Gigelorum]]/[[Gogmagog]] 

|-
| Deal magic damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Geocrush]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Fire damage (Light/Fusion/Liquefaction) 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice damage (Darkness/Distortion/Induration) 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Wind damage (Light/Fragmentation/Detonation) 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Earth damage (Darkness/Gravitation/Scission) 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Thunder damage (Light/Fragmentation/Impaction) 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Water damage (Darkness/Distortion/Reverberation)

|-
| colspan=4|
2 Requires [[Astral Flow]] to activate BP
|}

=== AFAC Strategy ===
Given the large amount of pet stats gained from SMN gifts and JP categories, I highly recommend maxing the [[Astral Flow]]/[[Astral Conduit]] effects and acquiring all the physical BP related stats (1710+ JP) prior to attempting an AFAC. 
Secondly, if you are using Gearswap, ensure that you are not accidentally swapping into a precast or aftercast set during [[Astral Conduit]]. 
At the time of this writing, Pergatory's LUA will equip an idle set following conduit BPs and assumes the user will stagger BPs approximately 1.25 seconds apart. 
If this proves inconvenient, you may opt to equip your BP set and //gs disable all during [[Astral Conduit]] '''[or]''' add code to disable his idle() function calls while conduit is up. 

'''Generic AFAC Algorithm'''
# Receive pre-fight buffs
# Activate [[Avatar's Favor]]
# If using [[Nirvana_(Level_119)|119 Nirvana]], or [[Opashoro]], build 3000 TP and gain [[Aftermath|AM3]] on fodder
# Pop NM
# Wait for GEO bubbles and offensive spells/JAs
# Hit [[Astral Flow]]
# Hit [[Astral Conduit]]
# Spam BPs
# Receive [[Mana Powder]] / [[Mana Mist]] during [[Astral Conduit]] from back line jobs if in [[Escha]] zone
# Watch your mana bar closely during your AFAC, and hit [[Convert]] if you ever drop below 300 - the goal is to get through two full mana bars during your AFAC if possible
# Once [[Astral Conduit]] wears:
# [[Apogee]], then BP (x2)
# Reset [[Apogee]] and [[Astral Flow]] + [[Astral Conduit]] via COR JAs and/or [[Super Revitalizer]] if in [[Escha]] zone
# Repeat until you or the boss dies

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#150101"
! colspan=10 style="text-align: center;" | Job Summary
|- BGCOLOR="#410202"
! width="15%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact
! width="15%" class=unsortable|SMN Food
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Indi-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Geo-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Entrust
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Offensive spells
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #1
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #2
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|RUN JAs
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|BRD Songs

|-
|
[[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]]
| [[Geo-Frailty]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Drachen Roll]]
| [[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]]

|-
| [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Frailty]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]] or [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
|
[[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]], [[File:Rolan._Daifuku_icon.png|link=Rolanberry Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Impact]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
| [[Companion's Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
| colspan=10|
[[Impact]], [[Odyllic Subterfuge]], and [[Refresh_(Status)|Refresh effects]] may be omitted based on NM and groups' comfort zone.
|-
| colspan=10|
Just use grape daifuku - there are other food options, but grapes are good for everything.
|}

== Acknowledgements ==
I took some of this straight from [https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Prismfang/Sandbox Prismfang's Sandbox], (especially the bottom half with info on what pacts do - I think its much nicer than having two pages open), with edits based on what I think is most realistic for someone newish to the job in 2025-2026.

Thanks to '''Pergatory''' of Asura for providing constructive feedback and all the SMNs on the FFXIAH.com forums for sharing their knowledge.

Community Dark Knight Guide

2026-03-25T20:53:59Z

Cii: removed unhelpful trash gear page for the weapon skill Scourge and replaced with a link to where a set can be acquired.

{{Collaborative Guide}}

==General Information==
* One of the original six Advanced Jobs, as well as the direct opposite of Paladin.

* Physical damage dealer (re: DPS).

* Has the highest base physical attack rating and possesses the most physical attack traits of any job in the game.

:* TLDR: Hits '''really''' hard.
:* ''Please don't be a R15 Calad / R0 Sakpata DRK. . .'' - [[User:Brahmsz|Brahmsz]] ([[User talk:Brahmsz|talk]])

===Roles===
* Dark Knight is primarily a Damage Dealing class, or in more modern MMO vernacular a DPS. Within the scope of FFXI, DRK is a Heavy DD (because of its use of heavy armor and whose primary weapons are two-handed great swords and scythes).
* DRK fills additional roles in an auxiliary fashion such as:
:* An off-tank (with some finagling as a main tank);
:* A caster through its limited pool of enfeebling magic (which can be further extended using additional effect weaponskills);
:** As well as ''(but more particularly)'' through its unique line of Dark Magic spells.

* ''Dark Knight is a complex heavy DD to gear and play. You'll feel pulled to cast, but not too much. To take damage... but just enough. You'll debate TP phase vs. Weapon Skill phase damage ratios... and never feel completely satisfied. [DRK can be an] incredibly rewarding job to [deep] dive into and play in a variety of ways.'' -- Celebrindal

==Food & Medicines==
===Food===
'''Accuracy Options:'''
* [[File:Sublime Sushi icon.png|link=Sublime Sushi]] '''[[Sublime Sushi]]'''
* '''Stats:''' HP+40, MP+20, STR+6, DEX+7, MND-3, CHR+6 '''Accuracy / Ranged Accuracy+10% (Max. 100)''', "Resist Slow" +1.
** One of the best accuracy-based foods in the game.
*** Purchased from the Auction House. Crafted only.

* [[File:Grape Daifuku icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]] '''[[Grape Daifuku]]'''
* '''Stats:''' HP+20, STR+2, VIT+3, '''Accuracy / Ranged Accuracy+10% (Max. 80)''', '''Attack / Ranged Attack+10% (Max. 50)''', "Magic Attack. Bonus " +3. Mirrored Pet Stats.
** If Sublime Sushi is the best accuracy-based, Grape Daifuku comes in as a close second. Adding moderate attack in exchange for a small loss of accuracy.
*** Purchased from the [[Curio Moogle]] for 4,000 gil, 48,000 a stack.

* [[File:Seafood Gratin icon.png|link=Seafood Gratin]] '''[[Seafood Gratin]]'''
* '''Stats:''' DEX+7, MND+7, '''Accuracy / Ranged Accuracy+20% (Max. 70)''', Evasion / '''Magic Evasion+12% (Max. 60)'''.
** An honorable mention. A step down in accuracy, however, Seafood Gratin exchanges the further accuracy loss for a significant boost in magic evasion. (Which becomes a much bigger dealer in mid to late-endgame content.)
*** Purchased from the Auction House. Crafted only.

'''Attack Options:'''
* [[File:Red Curry Bun icon.png|link=Red Curry Bun]] '''[[Red Curry Bun]]'''
* '''Stats:''' '''Attack / Ranger Attack+23% (Max. 150)''', Demon Killer +4.
** One of the oldest attack foods in the game. Tried and true (if you have the accuracy to use it of course).
*** Purchased from the [[Curio Moogle]] for 7,000 gil, 84,000 a stack.

* [[File:Popo._con_Queso_icon.png|link=Popo. Con Queso]] '''[[Popo. Con Queso]]'''
* '''Stats:''' STR+5, MND+5, '''Attack / Ranged Attack+20% (Max. 130)''', Evasion / '''Magic Evasion+12% (Max. 60)'''.
** Honorable mention. Introduced around the same time as the above Seafood Gratin ''(serves as the attack food version)''.
*** Purchased from the Auction House. Crafted only.

* [[File:Carbonara icon.png|link=Carbonara]] '''[[Carbonara]]'''
* '''Stats:''' '''HP+14% (Max. 175)''', MP+10, STR+4, VIT+2, INT-3, Attack+17% (Max. 65), Evasion / '''Store TP+6'''.
** Honorable mention. Is an ''old school'' food item that definitely sees less use but still deserves a highlight due to the STP+ and the '''HP+%''' value (which can be abused for Drain 3 Shenanigans. '''Will come back to that later''').
*** Purchased from the [[Curio Moogle]] for 4,000 gil, 48,000 a stack.

'''Specialty Options:'''
* [[File:Marine Stewpot icon.png|link=Marine Stewpot]] '''[[Marine Stewpot]]'''
* '''Stats:''' '''HP+90, Accuracy/R. Accuracy/M. Accuracy +90, ''' Mirrored Pet Stats, -20 each.
** '''Group Food''' ''(~6 Party members within 10 yalms).''
** A highly desired food choice--particularly in endgame content and scenarios. '''Only exists as singles and does not stack.''' As mentioned in the above description, a Marine Stewpot will work on ''up to an entire party'' as long as each member is within 10 yalms of the person using it.
** '''Any party member with an existing food effect on will not receive the effect of the stewpot.'''
*** Purchased from the Auction House. Crafted only.

* [[File:Riverfin Soup icon.png|link=Riverfin Soup]] '''[[Riverfin Soup]]'''
* '''Stats:''' '''Accuracy / Ranged Accuracy +14% (Max. 90), Attack / Ranged Attack +18% (Cap: 80)''', Amorph Killer +5
** Honorable mention. Slightly stronger version of Daifuku. '''Only exists as singles and does not stack.'''
*** Purchased from the Auction House. Crafted only.

* [[File:Gyudon icon.png|link=Gyudon]] '''[[Gyudon]]'''
* '''Stats:''' '''Double Attack"+5%, Weapon skill damage +5%'''
** Introduced September '22. Largely speaks for itself. No addtional stats, so make sure you can actually hit something if you're going to use it.
*** Purchased from the Auction House. Crafted only.

* [[File:Popoto Gratin icon.png|link=Popoto Gratin]] '''[[Popoto Gratin]]'''
* '''Stats:''' '''Double Attack+5%, Store TP+5'''!!!
** Honorable mention. Very interesting food with a duration of 5 minutes but stacks to 99. Great for short battles.
*** NPC purchasable only. Available for purchase during [[The Green Festival]] in Lower Jeuno.

'''Defensive Options'''
* [[File:Om. Sandwich icon.png|link=Om. Sandwich]] '''[[Om. Sandwich]]'''
* '''Stats:''' '''HP+11% (Max. 150)''', VIT+7, MND+7, '''Accuracy+11% (Max. 80)''', '''DEF+11% (Max. 120)''', '''Enmity+4'''.
** Introduced in [[The Voracious Resurgence]] mission-line. Comparable to [[Miso Ramen]] in HP and Defense; exchanging Magic Evasion and Magic Defense Bonus for accuracy and '''enmity+'''.
*** Purchased from the Auction House. Crafted only.

===Medicines===
* [[File:Echo Drops icon.png|link=Echo Drops]] '''[[Echo Drops]]'''
** Useful for when silenced and no one else can (or is able to) Silena you. Keep these stocked.
*** Purchased from the [[Curio Moogle]] for 700 Gil.

* [[File:Remedy icon.png|link=Remedy]] '''[[Remedy]]'''
** Useful for curing most debuffs curable with -na spells (ie: Paralyna). You can receive 12 a month for free from ambuscade. Keep these stocked.
*** Purchased from the [[Curio Moogle]] for 3,000 Gil.

* [[File:Reraiser icon.png|link=Reraiser]] '''[[Reraiser]]''' / [[File:Hi-Reraiser icon.png|link= Hi-Reraiser]] '''[[Hi-Reraiser]]'''
** Nothing wrong with keeping extra sources of Reraise in your pocket. Keep these stocked.
*** Purchased from the [[Curio Moogle]] for 1,000 and 1,500 Gil.

* [[File:Holy Water icon.png|link=Holy Water]] '''[[Holy Water]]'''
** Extremely useful to have, especially when spell priority or universal cool downs from back=line supports are bottle necked... Keep them stocked.
*** Purchased from the [[Curio Moogle]] for 1,000 Gil.

* [[File:Panacea icon.png|link=Panacea]] '''[[Panacea]]'''
** Sometimes you are overwhelmed with a number of debuffs (like an [[Impact]]) that need [[Erase]] and this is much faster than waiting on a support to erase them. Keep these stocked.
*** Purchased from the [[Curio Moogle]] for 20,000 Gil.

* [[File:Vile Elixir icon.png|link=Vile Elixir]] '''[[Vile Elixir]]''' / [[File:Vile Elixir +1 icon.png|link=Vile Elixir +1]] '''[[Vile Elixir +1]]'''
** You never know when these might come in handy. Even for other party members... Great for putting in a bazaar for back-line supports when in a pinch as well! A single [[Vile Elixir]] or HQ can save you in those situations. Keep these stocked.
*** Purchased from the [[Curio Moogle]]; 20,000 Gil for NQ. 40.000 Gil for HQ.
*** Often cheaper to buy off the Auction House.
*** A number of NM's and various content drop these for free as well.

* [[File:Antacid icon.png|link=Antacid]] '''[[Antacid]]'''
** Great for switching food on the fly when the situation calls for it. Keep a few, just in case.
***Purchased from the [[Curio Moogle]] for 1.000 Gil.

* [[File:El. Pachira Fruit icon.png|link=El. Pachira Fruit]] '''[[El. Pachira Fruit]]'''
* '''Effect:''' 1hp/tick Poison Effect for 2 minutes.
** Perhaps you aren't engaged and can't swap to a particular piece of equipment with a damage over time effect. Poisoning yourself is a good option. Keeps you awake when you know the mobs you are fighting will spam sleep. Keep a few on hand.
*** Purchased from the [[Ghemi Sinterilo]] for 154 Gil in [[Kazham]].

==Abilities, Traits, Merits, and Job Points==
===Abilities and Traits===
<hr style="border-color: darkslateblue">

{| border="0" width="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" valign="top"
|valign="top" width="39%" |
{| style="background:#eef8fe; text-align: center;" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" cellpadding="2" width="100%"
! style="background:#ccebfe; border-color: #59c1ff;" colspan="2"|[[Job Traits]]
|-
! style="background:#ccebfe; border-color: #59c1ff;" width="20%"|Lvl.
! style="background:#ccebfe; border-color: #59c1ff;" |Name
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''10'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Attack Bonus]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''15'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Desperate Blows]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''15'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Smite]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''20'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Resist Paralyze]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''20'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Damage Limit+]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''25'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Arcana Killer]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''30'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Attack Bonus|Attack Bonus II]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''35'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Smite|Smite II]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''40'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Resist Paralyze|Resist Paralyze II]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''40'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Damage Limit+|Damage Limit+ II]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''45'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Occult Acumen]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''45'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Stalwart Soul]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''50'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Attack Bonus|Attack Bonus III]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''50'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Resist Paralyze|Resist Paralyze III]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''55'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Smite|Smite III]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''55'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Damage Limit+|Damage Limit+ III]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''58'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Occult Acumen|Occult Acumen II]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''60'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Stalwart Soul|Stalwart Soul II]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''70'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Attack Bonus|Attack Bonus IV]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''70'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Damage Limit+|Damage Limit+ IV]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''71'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Occult Acumen|Occult Acumen III]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''75'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Resist Paralyze|Resist Paralyze IV]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''75'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Stalwart Soul|Stalwart Soul III]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''75''' {{Merit Icon}}
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Muted Soul]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''75'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Smite|Smite IV]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''76'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Attack Bonus|Attack Bonus V]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''80'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Damage Limit+|Damage Limit+ V]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''81'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Resist Paralyze|Resist Paralyze V]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''83'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Attack Bonus|Attack Bonus VI]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''84'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Occult Acumen|Occult Acumen IV]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''85'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Critical Attack Bonus]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''86'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Arcana Killer|Arcane Killer II]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''88'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Tactical Parry]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''90'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Stalwart Soul|Stalwart Soul IV]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''91'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Attack Bonus|Attack Bonus VII]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''95'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Critical Attack Bonus|Critical Attack Bonus II]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''95'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Smite|Smite V]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''97'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Occult Acumen|Occult Acumen V]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''98'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Tactical Parry|Tactical Parry II]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''99'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Attack Bonus|Attack Bonus VIII]]
|}
|width="10px"|

|valign="top" width="59%"|

{| style="background:#ffdede; text-align: center;" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" cellpadding="2" width="100%"
! style="background:#fbadad; border-color: #ee6a6a;" colspan="4"|[[Job Ability]]
|-
! style="background:#fbadad; border-color: #ee6a6a;" width="20%" |Lvl.
! style="background:#fbadad; border-color: #ee6a6a;" width="30%" |Name
! style="background:#fbadad; border-color: #ee6a6a;" width="50%" |Noteworthy Equipment
|-
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| '''1'''
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[Blood Weapon]]
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[File:Fallen's Cuirass icon.png|link=|20px]] [[Fallen's Cuirass]][[File:Fallen's Cuirass description.png|link=Fallen's Cuirass]]
|-
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| '''5'''
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[Arcane Circle]]
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[File:Igno. Sollerets icon.png|link=|20px]] [[Ignominy Sollerets]][[File:Igno. Sollerets description.png|link=Ignominy Sollerets]]
|-
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| '''15'''
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[Last Resort]]
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[File:Fallen's Sollerets icon.png|link=|20px]] [[Fallen's Sollerets]][[File:Fallen's Sollerets description.png|link=Fallen's Sollerets]] | [[File:Ankou's Mantle icon.png|link=|20px]] [[Ankou's Mantle]][[File:Ankou's Mantle description.png|link=Ankou's Mantle]]
|-
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| '''20'''
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[Weapon Bash]]
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[File:Igno. Gauntlets icon.png|link=|20px]] [[Ignominy Gauntlets]][[File:Igno. Gauntlets description.png|link=Ignominy Gauntlets]]
|-
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| '''30'''
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[Souleater]]
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[File:Ignominy Burgeonet icon.png|link=|20px]] [[Ignominy Burgeonet]][[File:Ignominy Burgeonet description.png|link=Ignominy Burgeonet]]
|-
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| '''55'''
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[Consume Mana]]
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"|
|-

|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| '''75''' {{Merit Icon}}
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[Dark Seal]]
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[File:Fallen's Burgeonet icon.png|link=|20px]] [[Fallen's Burgeonet]][[File:Fallen's Burgeonet description.png|link=Fallen's Burgeonet]]
|-
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| '''75''' {{Merit Icon}}
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[Diabolic Eye]]
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[File:Fall. Fin. Gaunt. icon.png|link=|20px]] [[Fallen's Finger Gauntlets]][[File:Fall. Fin. Gaunt. description.png|link=Fallen's Finger Gauntlets]]
|-
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| '''78'''
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[Nether Void]]
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[File:Heath. Flanchard icon.png|link=|20px]] [[Heathen's Flanchard]][[File:Heath. Flanchard description.png|link=Heathen's Flanchard]]
|-
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| '''87'''
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[Arcane Crest]]
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"|
|-
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| '''95'''
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[Scarlet Delirium]]
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"|
|-
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| '''96'''
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[Soul Enslavement]]
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"|
|-
|}
|-
|}

===Merits===
<hr style="border-color: darkslateblue">

{| style="width: 100%; max-width: 1600px; text-align: center;" class="wikitable R-Highlight-Orange mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" cellpadding="2"
! style="background:#fdc7a9; border-color: #fc8b4d;" colspan="4"|Group 1
|-
! style="background:#fdc7a9; border-color: #fc8b4d;" colspan="1" width="10%"|Name
! style="background:#fdc7a9; border-color: #fc8b4d;" colspan="1" width="35%"|Description
! style="background:#fdc7a9; border-color: #fc8b4d;" colspan="1" width="5%"|Level
! style="background:#fdc7a9; border-color: #fc8b4d;" colspan="1" width="50%"|Notes
|-
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| [[Souleater]] Recast
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| Shorten recast time by 12 seconds.
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| 0/5
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| Since this is already so niche, meriting into this does not really help in DPS.
|-
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| [[Arcane Circle]] Recast
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| Shorten recast time by 10 seconds.
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| 0/5
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| AF feet already boost the duration to 4:30 with a recast of 5:00.
|-
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| [[Last Resort]] Recast
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| Shorten recast time by 10 seconds.
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| 5/5
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| You want to reduce the downtime of this ability. 5/5 takes out 50 seconds from the recast. Minimal downtime = Higher DPS. High value investment.
|-
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| [[Last Resort]] Effect
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| +2% Attack, -2% Defense
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| 5/5
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| At 5/5 it will increase your attack under Last Resort by ~34.77% (89/256) and reduce your defense by the same amount. High value investment.
|-
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| [[Weapon Bash]] Recast
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| Shorten recast time by 6 seconds.
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| 0/5
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| You are going to hurt your DPS if you merit out of Last Resort Effect/Recast.
|-
|}
{| style="width: 100%; max-width: 1600px; text-align: center;" class="wikitable R-Highlight-Orange mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" cellpadding="2"
! style="background:#fdc7a9; border-color: #fc8b4d;" colspan="4"|Group 2
|-
! style="background:#fdc7a9; border-color: #fc8b4d;" colspan="1" width="10%"|Name
! style="background:#fdc7a9; border-color: #fc8b4d;" colspan="1" width="35%"|Description
! style="background:#fdc7a9; border-color: #fc8b4d;" colspan="1" width="5%"|Level
! style="background:#fdc7a9; border-color: #fc8b4d;" colspan="1" width="50%"|Notes
|-
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| [[Dark Seal]]
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| Enhances the accuracy of your next dark magic spell. Recast: 5min. Shorten cast time of all dark magic spells by 10% per merit.
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| 5/5
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| '''Highly desirable.''' Dark Seal is especially useful for higher end content with [[Nether Void]] as it increases your dark magic accuracy, but does not impact potency. The augmented relic head will increase the duration of a Dark Sealed spell by 10% per merit level. This boils down to a longer Drain III HP boost which is why you 5/5 this.
|-
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| [[Diabolic Eye]]
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| Reduces maximum HP by 15%, increases accuracy. Recast: 5min. Increase physical accuracy by 5% per merit.
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| 0/5 to 1/5
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| While an increase of +5% to overall accuracy (per merit) is nice, the loss of HP is undesirable and doesn't work well with current gameplay and mechanics.
|-
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| [[Muted Soul]]
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| Reduces enmity while using Souleater (separate from enmity gear/merits). Reduces enmity by 10(%) per merit.
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| 0/5 to 1/5
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| The enmity-10 is in fact -10%. Niche use as this affects enmity on '''all''' actions while Souleater is active.
|-
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| [[Desperate Blows]] Effect
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| Reduces delay for two-handed weapons while under the effect of Last Resort. Reduces delay by 2% per merit.
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| 0/5 to 5/5
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| '''Highly desirable.''' Last Resort offers a baseline 15% [[Job Ability Haste]] (for 2-handed weapons) by itself. Hasso & Haste Samba provide 10% (2-handed) and 5% (Any weapon type) respectively. And the cap for JA Haste is 25%. Without any additional Job Ability Haste, meriting Desperate Blows Effect 5/5 will place you at the JA Haste cap solely with Last Resort active. With capped Gear Haste (25%) and JA Haste (25%), you can cap (2-handed) weapon delay with just 30% [[Magic Haste]] (Haste II). Even though it reads that it reduces delay, Desperate Blows will not lower TP gain.
|-
|}

===Job Points===
<hr style="border-color: darkslateblue">

{| border="0" width="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" valign="top"
{| style="background:#ccebfe; text-align: center;" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" cellpadding="2" width="100%"
! style="background:#ccebfe; border-color: #59c1ff;" colspan="3"|[[Job Points]]
|-
! style="background:#ccebfe; border-color: #59c1ff;" colspan="1" width="20%"|Name
! style="background:#ccebfe; border-color: #59c1ff;" colspan="1" width="30%"|Description
! style="background:#ccebfe; border-color: #59c1ff;" colspan="1" width="50%"|Notes on Effects
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Blood Weapon]] Effect
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increases the amount of HP absorbed while under the effects of Blood Weapon.
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increases the amount of HP absorbed under Blood Weapon by 2% per point for a total of 40%.
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Soul Enslavement]] Effect
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increases the amount of TP absorbed while under the effects of Soul Enslavement.
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increases the amount of TP absorbed under Soul Enslavement by 1% per point for a total of 20%.
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Arcane Circle]] Effect
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Reduces the amount of damage taken from Arcana while under the effects of Arcane Circle.
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Reduces the amount of damage taken from Arcana while Arcane Circle is active by 1% per point for a total of 10%.
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Last Resort]] Effect
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increases physical attack while under the effects of Last Resort.
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increases physical attack during Last Resort by 2 per point for a total of 40 physical attack.
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Souleater]] Duration
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increases the effect duration of Souleater.
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increases the effect duration of Souleater by 1 second per point for a total of 20 seconds.
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Weapon Bash]] Effect
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increases damage dealt with Weapon Bash.
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increases the amount of damage dealt by Weapon Bash by 10 per point for a total of 200 damage.
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Nether Void]] Effect
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increase the amount absorbed by dark magic spells while under the effects of Nether Void.
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increases the amount absorbed by Drain, Aspir, and the Absorb-line by 2% per point for a total of 20% absorbed. Increases the number of beneficial statuses absorbed by Absorb-Attri by 1 per 10 points for a total 2 additional statuses.
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Arcane Crest]] Duration
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increases effect duration of Arcane Crest.
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increases effect duration of Arcane Crest by 1 second per point for a point of 20 seconds.
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Scarlet Delirium]] duration
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increases the effect duration of Scarlet Delirium.
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increases the effect duration of Scarlet Delirium's second stage by 1 second per point for a total of 20 seconds.
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Endark]] effect
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increases additional darkness damage and physical attack while under the effects of Endark. '''Hidden Bonus:''' Although it is not written in the help text, Endark Effect increases physical accuracy as well.
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increases Endark's en-spell damage, physical attack & physical accuracy by 1 per point for a total of 20 to each category.
|-
|}

==Support Jobs==
------
<div style="display:flex; flex-flow: row wrap; gap: 1em; align-items: flex-start; margin: 1em 0;">
{|style=" text-align: Left; flex: 1 0 20em; margin: 0;" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%
|width="100%"| [[File:Fighter's Mask icon.png|link=]] '''[[Warrior]]'''
|-
|valign=top|
: '''Blood Knight'''
: An uncommon subjob. Still has uses while soloing and/or low-manning content, as well as for [[Scarlet Delirium]] hilarity if used correctly.
* '''Abilities''': Berserk, Aggressor, Warcry.
* '''Traits''': Defense Bonus II, Double Attack, Max HP Bonus I, Fencer I, ''Double Attack II & Max HP Bonus II (ML5).''
|}
{|style=" text-align: Left; flex: 1 0 20em; margin: 0;" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%
|width="100%"| [[File:Kasuga Kabuto icon.png|link=]] '''[[Samurai]]'''
|-
|valign=top|
: The most commonly used subjob for a Dark Knight in a standard party or alliance setting. Mainly due in part to the offensive benefit of Hasso, as well as the defensive benefits of Seigan & Third Eye.
* '''Abilities''': Warding Circle, Third Eye, Hasso, Meditate, Seigan, Sekkanoki.
* '''Traits''': Zanshin II, Store TP II, ''Store TP III & Zanshin III (ML5).''
|}
</div>

<div style="display:flex; flex-flow: row wrap; gap: 1em; align-items: flex-start; margin: 1em 0;">
{|style=" text-align: Left; flex: 1 0 20em; margin: 0;" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%
|width="100%"| [[File:Rogue's Bonnet icon.png|link=]] '''[[Thief]]'''
|-
|valign=top|
:'''2004 Called...'''
: Long defunct subjob for Dark Knight. Just Don't.
* '''Abilities''': Sneak Attack, Trick Attack.
* '''Traits''': Treasure Hunter II, ''Triple Attack I (ML30).''
|}
{|style=" text-align: Left; flex: 1 0 20em; margin: 0;" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%
|width="100%"| [[File:Peltast's Mezail icon.png|link=]] '''[[Dragoon]]'''
|-
|valign=top|
: Recent changes such as the addition of [[WS Damage Boost]] trait and Mastery Level increases has made Dragoon a more interesting subjob with some niche utility. Still won't be used much by Dark Knight, but an honorable mention nonetheless.
* '''Abilities''': Jump, High Jump, ''Super Jump (ML5).''
* '''Traits''': Dragon Killer, Accuracy Bonus I, Conserve TP, WS Damage Boost, ''WS Damage Boost II (ML30).''
|}
</div>

<div style="display:flex; flex-flow: row wrap; gap: 1em; align-items: flex-start; margin: 1em 0;">
{|style=" text-align: Left; flex: 1 0 20em; margin: 0;" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%
|width="100%"| [[File:Hattori Zukin icon.png|link=]] '''[[Ninja]]'''
|-
|valign=top|
: Adds a host of spells, abilities, and traits to add to your soloing and/or low-man tool kit. Won't see as much use, but still worth having for situations where it will be needed.
* '''Traits''': Dual Wield III, Subtle Blow III, Max HP Boost II.
* '''Buffing Ninjutsu''': Tonko: Ichi/Ni, Utsusemi: Ichi/Ni.
* '''Enfeebling Ninjutsu''': Kurayami: Ichi/Ni, Hojo: Ichi/Ni, Dokumori: Ichi, Jubaku: Ichi.
* '''Elemental Ninjutsu''': Katon: Ichi/Ni, Suiton: Ichi/Ni, Raiton: Ichi/Ni, Doton: Ichi/Ni, Huton: Ichi/Ni, Hyoton: Ichi/Ni.
|}
{|style=" text-align: Left; flex: 1 0 20em; margin: 0;" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%
|width="100%"| [[File:Maculele Tiara icon.png|link=]] '''[[Dancer]]'''
|-
|valign=top|
: ''' "Dancing Mad" '''
: A high-utility subjob which provides Dual Wield and Job Ability Haste in the form of Haste Samba; survivability via Curing Waltz and Healing Waltz; debuffs such as Quickstep and Box Step; Sneak and Invisible via Spectral Jig, and self-Skillchains with Reverse Flourish. More ideal for soloing content which doesn't allow Trusts or subjects you to frequent debuffs.
* '''Traits''': Dual Wield II, Subtle Blow II, Evasion Bonus II, Accuracy Bonus.
* '''Abilities''': Sub-menus (see below)--
** '''Sambas''': Drain Samba I ~ II, Aspir Samba, Haste Samba.
** '''Waltzs''': Curing Waltz I ~ III, Divine Waltz, Healing Waltz.
** '''Steps''': Quickstep, Box Step, Stutter Step.
** '''Flourishs''': Animated Flourish, Desperate Flourish, Violent Flourish, Reverse Flourish, ''Building Flourish (ML5).''
** '''Jigs''': ''Chocobo Jig (ML30).''
|}
</div>

<div style="display:flex; flex-flow: row wrap; gap: 1em; align-items: flex-start; margin: 1em 0;">
{|style=" text-align: Left; flex: 1 0 20em; margin: 0;" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%
|width="100%"| [[File:Atrophy Chapeau icon.png|link=]] '''[[Red Mage]]'''
|-
|valign=top|
: '''Crimson Knight'''
: Another utility-based subjob for soloing and/or low-man purposes. Grants Dark Knight access to Healing Magic, key Enhancing Magic spells, and the extensive pool of low-level Enfeebling Magic spells that Red Mage normally specializes in.
* '''Abilities''': Convert
* '''Traits''': Fast Cast II, Magic Attack Bonus II, Magic Defense Bonus II, ''Fast Cast III (ML30).''
* '''Healing Magic''': Cure I ~ IV, Raise I.
* '''Enhancing Magic''': Barspells (self), Protect III, Shell II, Haste, Regen, Refresh, Phalanx.
* '''Enfeebling Magic''': Dia II, Diaga, Slow, Paralyze, Silence, Blind1., Dispel.
# Despite having access to most of the dark-aligned Enfeebling Magic spells, Dark Knight since its inception has not had native access to Blind...
|}
{|style=" text-align: Left; flex: 1 0 20em; margin: 0;" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%
|width="100%"| [[File:Scholar's M.board icon.png|link=]] '''[[Scholar]]'''
|-
|valign=top|
: '''The Tactician'''
: Scholar occupies a similar spot as Red Mage as a subjob for Dark Knight. However, Scholar offers further utility through various magic enhancing Job Abilities.
* '''Abilities''': Light Arts, Dark Arts, Sublimation. Sub-menus (see below)--
** '''Third Strategem use (ML5).'''
** Light Arts Stratagems: Penury, Addendum: White, Celery, Accession
** Dark Arts Stratagems: Parsimony, Alacrity, Addendum: Black, Manifestation, ''Ebullience (ML30).''
* '''Traits''': Resist Silence II, Max MP Boost.
* '''Healing Magic''': Cure I ~ III, Reraise, Status Effect -na's, ''Cure IV (ML30).''
* '''Enhancing Magic''': Storm Spells, Protect II, Shell II, Regen II, ''Protect III (ML5).''
* '''Enfeebling Magic''': Dispel.
|}
</div>

<div style="display:flex; flex-flow: row wrap; gap: 1em; align-items: flex-start; margin: 1em 0;">
{|style=" text-align: Left; flex: 1 0 20em; margin: 0;" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%
|width="100%"| [[File:Erilaz Galea icon.png|link=]] '''[[Rune Fencer]]'''
|-
|valign=top|
: '''Rune of Darkness'''
: A utility subjob choice in the case of soloing and/or low-manning purposes, aimed specifically for survival against magic damage and status effects. Offers quite a bit in terms of enmity tools when in an off-tank or even main tank scenario.
* '''Abilities''': Sub-menus (see below)--
** '''Rune Enchantment''': Ignus, Gellus, Flabra, Tellus, Sulpor, Unda, Lux, Tenebrae.
** '''Effusions''': Swordplay, Swipe & Lunge.
** '''Wards''': Vallation, Pflug, ''Valiance (ML5).''
** '''Traits''': Max HP Bonus II, Tenacity III, Magic Defense Bonus II, Inquartata II, Auto-Regen, "Magic Defense Bonus III & Accuracy Bonus I (ML5).''
** '''Enhancing Magic''': Barspells (self), Protect II, Shell II, Regen II, ''Stoneskin (ML 5).''
** '''Divine Magic''': Flash
|}
{|style=" text-align: Left; flex: 1 0 20em; margin: 0;" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" width="100%
|width="100%"| [[File:Ebers Cap icon.png|link=]] '''[[White Mage]]'''
|-
|valign=top|
: '''Gray Knight'''
: A niche subjob choice with similar utility to RDM or SCH, but with heightened emphasis on status curing.
* '''Abilities''': Divine Seal
* '''Traits''': Auto-Regen, Magic Defense Bonus II, ''Magic Defense Bonus III (ML5).''
* '''Healing Magic''': Cure I ~ IV, Curaga I ~ II, Reraise, Status Effect -na's, ''Curaga III (ML10)'', ''Reraise II (ML35).''
* '''Enhancing Magic''': Barspells (group), Protect III, Shell II, Regen II, Haste, ''Shell III (ML40).''
* '''Enfeebling Magic''': Dia II, Diaga, Slow, Paralyze, Silence.
* '''Divine Magic''': Flash
|}
</div>

==Weapons & Weapon Skills==
Dark Knight has access to a variety of weapon types and weaponskills. While in most cases a weaponskill's main purpose is to do as much damage as possible, some can be leveraged and utilized for a wide range of status effects that are useful across various situations.

===Weapons===
<hr style="border-color:"black">

====Primary Weapons====
=====Great Sword Options=====
{| style="width: 100%; max-width: 1600px;"
{| style="width: 100%; max-width: 1600px;"
* [[File:Macbain icon.png|link=]] '''[[Macbain]]''':
** How to obtain:
*** Chance coffer reward in Alluvion Skirmish zone [[Rala Waterways (U)]] upon successful objective achievements.
*** Trade 3 [[Mellidopt Wing]] to [[:Category:Alluvion_Skirmish#Lorissa|Lorissa]] in [[Yorcia Weald]].

* [[File:Kaja Claymore icon.png|link=]] '''[[Kaja Claymore]] / [[Nandaka]]''':
** How to Obtain:
*** Upgrades via materials bought from the [[Ambuscade]] NPC, [[Gorpa-Masorpa]].
*** Cost: 16,250 Hallmarks to upgrade from a base [[Tokko Claymore]] to a Kaja Claymore. 26,250 Hallmarks and one [[:Category:Pulse_Panoplia#Weapons|Pulse Weapon'''‡''']] to fully upgrade to a Nandaka.

* [[File:Raetic Algol icon.png|link=]] '''[[Raetic Algol]] / [[Raetic Algol +1]]''':
** How to Obtain:
*** Crafted Only.
**Requirements:
***To equip Raetic Algol, the player requires '''"Superior 3"''' status: '''500 Job Points spent/invested.'''

* [[File:Zulfiqar icon.png|link=]] '''[[Zulfiqar]]''':
** How to Obtain:
*** Chance drop from Gaes Fete NM [[Sarsaok]] in Reisenjima.
*** Can also be purchased for 800 Domain points from [[Zurim]].

* [[File:Montante icon.png|link=]] '''[[Montante]] / [[Montante +1]]''':
** How to Obtain:
*** Chance coffer reward from [[Sarama's Coffer]] item.
**** Coffers received from successfuly defeating [[Unity Concord|UNM]] [[Sarama]].
**See +1 for augments.

* [[File:Takoba icon.png|link=]] '''[[Takoba]]''':
** How to Obtain:
*** Chance drop from Gaes Fete NM [[Schah]] in Reisenjima.
|}

=====Scythe Options=====
{| style="width: 100%; max-width: 1600px;"
* [[File:Voluspa Scythe icon.png|link=]] '''[[Voluspa Scythe]]''':
** How to obtain:
*** Purchase from [[Zurim]] with Domain Invasion Points.
*** Cost: 80 Points.

{| style="width: 100%; max-width: 1600px;"
* [[File:Cronus icon.png|link=]] '''[[Cronus]]''':
** How to obtain:
*** Created by material trade-in to [[Oboro]]. Must have certain criteria met before Oboro will even speak to you, see NPC page for details.
*** Obtained by trading a [[Cehuetzi Claw]], a [[Ivory Sickle]], a [[Orichalcum Scythe]], and 150 of either [[Pluton|Plutons]], [[Beitetsu]], or [[Riftborn Boulder|Riftborn Boulders]].

{| style="width: 100%; max-width: 1600px;"
* [[File:Kaja Scythe icon.png|link=]] '''[[Kaja Scythe]] / [[Drepanum]]''':
** How to Obtain:
*** Upgrades via materials bought from the [[Ambuscade]] NPC, [[Gorpa-Masorpa]].
*** Cost: 16,250 Hallmarks to upgrade from a base [[Tokko Scythe]] to a Kaja Scythe. 26,250 Hallmarks and one [[:Category:Pulse_Panoplia#Weapons|Pulse Weapon'''‡''']] to fully upgrade to a Drepanum.

{| style="width: 100%; max-width: 1600px;"
* [[File:Inanna icon.png|link=]] '''[[Inanna]]''':
** How to obtain:
*** Chance coffer reward in Alluvion Skirmish zone [[Rala Waterways (U)]] upon successful objective achievements.
*** Trade 3 [[Mellidopt Wing]] to [[:Category:Alluvion_Skirmish#Lorissa|Lorissa]] in [[Yorcia Weald]].

*[[File:Crepuscular Scythe icon.png|link=]] '''[[Crepuscular Scythe]]''':
** How to Obtain:
***Chance drop from [[The Wyrm God]] High Tier Mission Battle.
***Cost: 30 Merit Points and <ahem> '''proper''' access requirement: Complete Abyssea ("Visions of"; "Scars of"; and "Heroes of") Add-on Scenarios.
**** Good luck!

* [[File:Agwu's Scythe icon.png|link=]] '''[[Agwu's Scythe]]''':
** How to Obtain:
*** Purchasable from the [[Pilgrim Moogle]] in Rabao after successfully defeating the Atonement 3 NM [[Ongo]] in Sheol: Gaol battlefield of [[Odyssey]].

* [[File:Dacnomania icon.png|link=]] '''[[Dacnomania]]''':
** How to Obtain:
*** Chance drop from Gaes Fete NM [[Warder of Courage]] in Escha - Ru'Aun.
**** Good luck!

=====Notes on Great Sword versus Scythe=====
*Have had a series of discussions and conversations around Great Sword and Scythe use. In particular, “Which is best?”, “Which is stronger (strongest)?” So taking a moment to discuss this topic, in an abundance of caution that it has not been explained well in other sections. [[User:Brahmsz|Brahmsz]] ([[User talk:Brahmsz|talk]])

*'''So which is stronger, Great or Scythe?'''
**Well… the short answer is: '''They are equivalent..''' and it really depends on what you are doing.
**As one of the oldest sayings in FFXI goes, ''“Shit's situational.”''

*'''Let's do some basic compare and contrast:'''
**Scythes typically have higher base damage ratings than Great Swords. '''But what does that mean…?'''
***'''Example:''' It means melee hits with Scythes are always higher.
***''It also means Scythes have a higher damage ceiling than Great Swords. More on that later.''
**Great Sword endgame Weaponskills do more raw damage.
**Scythe Weaponskills have better Skillchain properties. '''But what does that mean…?'''
***'''Example:''' It means Scythe Weaponskills link together easier to create long(er) Skillchains. Skillchain damage can (in some cases) mirror or overtake the damage your Weaponskill does by itself.
**Scythe Weaponskills, generally speaking, have more utility use. '''But what does that mean…?'''
***'''Example:''' Using: [[Guillotine]] to silence; [[Infernal Scythe]] to lower attack; [[Entropy]] to restore MP; [[Catastrophe]] to restore HP.

*'''Advanced Notes:'''
**As mentioned earlier, Scythe has “a higher damage ceiling” than Great Swords does. This has to do with Physical Damage Limit.
**As mentioned in the introduction, Dark Knight has the highest job trait tiers of both Physical [[Attack Bonus]] and [[Smite]]. Dark Knight also has the highest tiered trait of Physical [[Damage Limit+]] (Link provided).
***'''Put as plainly as possibly:'''
****Physical Damage Limit (PDL) is a function of “Physical Differential” (pDIF). PDL+ increases the maximum damage multiplier of pDIF, based on a ratio of Attack versus target Defense (for example, 2:1).
****Every weapon type has its own ratio maximum. Scythe PDL is 4.0 versus target Defense, where as Great Sword is 3.75 versus target Defense. '''But what does that mean…?'''
*****'''Example:''' If an enemy has a Defense rating of 1,000.. the player character’s damage caps off at 4,000 Attack with Scythe; and 3,750 Attack with Great Sword.

====Auxiliary Weapons====
=====Sword Options=====
{| style="width: 100%; max-width: 1600px;"
* [[File:Kaja Sword icon.png|link=]] '''[[Kaja Sword]] / [[Naegling]]''':
** How to Obtain:
*** Upgrades via materials bought from the [[Ambuscade]] NPC, [[Gorpa-Masorpa]].
*** Cost: 16,250 Hallmarks to upgrade from a base [[Tokko Sword]] to Kaja Sword. 26,250 Hallmarks and one [[:Category:Pulse_Panoplia#Weapons|Pulse Weapon'''‡''']] to fully upgrade to Naegling.

* [[File:Reikiko icon.png|link=]] '''[[Reikiko]]''':
** How to Obtain:
*** Chance drop from Gaes Fete NM [[Kouryu]] in Escha - Ru'Aun.

=====Axe Options=====
{| style="width: 100%; max-width: 1600px;"
* [[File:Kaja Axe icon.png|link=]] '''[[Kaja Axe]] / [[Dolichenus]]''':
** How to Obtain:
*** Upgrades via materials bought from the [[Ambuscade]] NPC, [[Gorpa-Masorpa]].
*** Cost: 16,250 Hallmarks to upgrade from a base [[Tokko Axe]] to a Kaja Axe. 26,250 Hallmarks and one [[:Category:Pulse_Panoplia#Weapons|Pulse Weapon'''‡''']] to fully upgrade to a Dolichenus.

* [[File:Beryllium Pick icon.png|link=]] '''[[Beryllium Pick]] / [[Beryllium Pick +1]]''':
** How to Obtain:
*** Crafted Only.
***To equip Raetic Beryllium Pick, the player requires '''"Superior 2"''' status: '''100 Job Points spent/invested.'''
|}

=====Great Axe Options=====
{| style="width: 100%; max-width: 1600px;"
* [[File:Kaja Chopper icon.png|link=]] '''[[Kaja Chopper]] / [[Lycurgos]]''':
** How to Obtain:
*** Upgrades via materials bought from the [[Ambuscade]] NPC, [[Gorpa-Masorpa]].
*** Cost: 16,250 Hallmarks to upgrade from a base [[Tokko Chopper]] to a Kaja Chopper. 26,250 Hallmarks and one [[:Category:Pulse_Panoplia#Weapons|Pulse Weapon'''‡''']] to fully upgrade to a Lycurgos.

* [[File:Hepatizon Axe icon.png|link=]] '''[[Hepatizon Axe]]''':
** How to Obtain:
*** Crafted Only.
**Requirements:
***To equip Hepatizon Axe, the player requires '''"Superior 2"''' status: '''100 Job Points spent/invested.'''
|}

=====Club Option=====
{| style="width: 100%; max-width: 1600px;"
* [[File:Loxotic Mace icon.png|link=]] '''[[Loxotic Mace]]''':
** How to Obtain:
*** Chance coffer reward from [[G. Grenade's Coffer]] item.
**** Coffers received from successfully defeating [[Unity Concord|UNM]] [[Grand Grenade]].
** See +1 for augments.
|}

===Ultimate Weapons===
<hr style="border-color:"black">

====Great Swords====
{| style="width: 100%; max-width: 1600px;"
* [[File:Ragnarok (Level 119 III) icon.png|link=]] '''[[Ragnarok (Level 119 III)]]''': [[Relic Weapon|Relic Great Sword]]
** Weapon Skill: [[Scourge]]

* [[File:Caladbolg (Level 119 III) icon.png|link=]] '''[[Caladbolg (Level 119 III)]]''': [[Empyrean Weapon|Empyrean Great Sword]]
** Weapon Skill: [[Torcleaver]]

* [[File: Helheim (Level 119) icon.png|link=]] '''[[Helheim]]''': [[Prime Weapons|Prime Great Sword]]
** Weapon Skill: [[Fimbulvetr]]
|}

====Scythes====
{| style="width: 100%; max-width: 1600px;"
*[[File:Apocalypse (Level 119 III) icon.png|link=]] '''[[Apocalypse (Level 119 III)]]''': [[Relic Weapon|Relic Scythe]]
** Weapon Skill: [[Catastrophe]]

* [[File:Liberator (Level 119 III) icon.png|link=]] '''[[Liberator (Level 119 III)]]''': [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic Scythe]]
** Weapon Skill: [[Insurgency]]

* [[File:Redemption (Level 119 III) icon.png|link=]] '''[[Redemption (Level 119 III)]]''': [[Empyrean Weapon|Empyrean Scythe]]
** Weapon Skill: [[Quietus]]

* [[File:Anguta icon.png|link=]] '''[[Anguta]]''': [[Aeonic Weapon|Aeonic Scythe]]
** Weapon Skill: [[Entropy]]

* [[File:Father Time icon.png|link=]] '''[[Father Time]]''': [[Su5|Divergence Su5 Scythe]]
** Weapon Skill: N/A

* [[File:Foenaria (Level 119) icon.png|link=]] '''[[Foenaria (Level 119)]]''': [[Prime Weapons|Prime Scythe]]
** Weapon Skill: [[Origin]]
|}

===Weapon Skills===
<hr style="border-color:"black">

====Great Sword====
{| style="width: 100%; max-width: 1600px"
* '''[[Shockwave]]''': Learned at 150 Great Sword Skill
:* One of the earliest utility-based weapon skills you can learn.
:* Functionally a short-ranged Sleepga centered around the player. Use it for larger pulls to make it easier for cures and tanking.
:* A full Accuracy & Magic Accuracy set such as Flamma +2 from [[Ambuscade Rewards|Ambuscade]] will land this on most fodder mobs.
:* Because of Shockwave's AoE (Area of Effect) nature, it can be [ab]used to whittle mobs down around the player with little consequence.
:* You can use a full set of [[Fallen%27s_Armor_Set|Relic Reforge +2 or +3]] to increase it's physical damage and still maintain a high level of Accuracy & Magic Accuracy.
|-

* '''[[Ground Strike]]''': Learnable at *250 Great Sword Skill '''minimum''' via the Weapon Skill Quest [[Inheritance]].
:** Accessible when equipped with [[File:Kaja Claymore icon.png|link=]][[Kaja Claymore]] & [[File:Nandaka icon.png|link=]][[Nandaka]] from Ambuscade.
:* 75 cap Torcleaver.
:* Great for opening, connecting, and/or closing skillchains with both Fragmentation and Distortion skillchain properties.
|-

* '''[[Herculean Slash]]''': Learned at 290 Great Sword Skill.
:* Low damage Ice-base Weapon skill.
:* Offers utility in its ability to paralyze mobs that you use it on. The paralysis may not be very potent but still worth keeping in mind.
|-

* '''[[Scourge]]''': Accessible when equipped with [[File:Ragnarok icon.png|link=]][[Ragnarok]].
:*Relic Weapon Skill
:* One of Great Sword's two Light skillchain property weapon skills and the '''only''' Fusion skillchain property weapon skill.
:* Alternative Great Sword Accuracy Swaps have made using [[Ragnarok (Level 119 III)|Ragnarok]] even more niche for this reason.
:* Scourge is a great skillchain linker for Great Swords on Dark Knight and provides an alternative for multi-step Fusion & Fragmentation into Light skillchains.
|-

* '''[[Resolution]]''': Learnable at 357 Great Sword Skill '''minimum'''. Requires Merit Points to unlock. Pleas see [[File:Merit Point-Icon.png|link=Merit#Weapon_Skill_Merit_Points]]
:* Dark Knights ''second best Great Sword weapon skill.''
:* Seeing as Resolution is a TP replicating weapon skill, the key is focusing on multi-hit proc's for spike damage. If a swing misses in the weapon skill, '''you will notice.'''
:* Resolution also offers utility in its Fragmentation property when fighting mobs that absorb skillchain damage (ie: Light skillchains from Torcleaver spam, or when you don't want to skillchain with the current "Meta" weapon skills like Savage Blade).
|-

*'''[[Torcleaver]]''': Accessible when equipped with [[File:Caladbolg icon.png|link=]][[Caladbolg]]. Learnable after completing [[Kupofried's Great Sword Moogle Magic]].
:* Empyrean Weapon Skill
:* By far Dark Knights ''strongest Great Sword weapon skill.'' Boasting an 80% Vitality modifier, you would want to stack as much [[Vitality|VIT]] and [[Weapon Skill Damage|WSDMG]] as you can.
:* Also scales '''extremely''' well with TP overflow, so the higher the TP you use this weapon skill at, the more damage you get out of it.
:* Pair this up with [[Caladbolg (Level 119 III)|Caladbolg]] and watch your overall damage soar. Even when solo, spamming light skillchains will do insane damage to mobs that aren't light based.
|-

*'''[[Fimbulvetr]]''': Accessible when equipped with [[File:Helheim (Level 119) icon.png|link=]][[Helheim]].
:*Prime Weapon Skill
:* On par with Torcleaver.
:* Stat modifiers and TP scaling are extremely competitive, but added bonus of having a 3-step skillchain into Darkness to boot.
:* Tethered to [[Helheim (Level 119 III)]] or [[Helheim (Level 119 II)|(Level 119 II)]]; Can only be used within [[Sortie]] with the [[Helheim (Level 119)]].
|}

====Scythe====
{| style="width: 100%; max-width: 1600px;"
* '''[[Shadow of Death]]''': Learned at 70 Scythe Skill.
:* Dark-base Elemental weapon skill which scales with TP.
:* Offers niche utility as an Elemental weapon skill. As such, Shadow of Death will never miss outside of special circumstances such as a magic shield.
:* Great for times where [double] Darkness weather can be [ab]used and / or for when Perfect Dodge or Invincible is active.
|-

* '''[[Guillotine]]''': Learned at 200 Scythe Skill.
:* Bread & butter Scythe weapon skill for Dark Knights of a certain age (75 Cap Era).
:* While lacking in the damage department, Guillotine serves two great purposes:
:** Skillchain connector for a four-step Light skillchain with Scythe.
:** As well as having a moderately high chance of landing Silence on most everything short of mobs with Resist Silence job trait.
|-

* '''[[Cross Reaper]]''': Learned at 225 Scythe Skill.
:* Dark Knight's ''strongest '''Scythe''' weapon skill'' by far.
:* Much like Torcleaver, Cross Reaper scales well with TP & is a necessary component in a standard three to five-step double Darkness skillchain.
:* While Cross Reaper may not be tied to an Ultimate weapon, it pairs very nicely with Anguta for ridiculous levels of damage.
|-

* '''[[Spiral Hell]]''': Learnable at 240 Scythe Skill minimum via the Weapon Skill Quest [[Souls in Shadow]].
:** Accessible when equipped with [[File:Kaja Scythe icon.png|link=]][[Kaja Scythe]] & [[File:Drepanum icon.png|link=]][[Drepanum]] from Ambuscade.
:* 75 cap Cross Reaper. Has fallen out of prominence due to positive adjustments to Cross Reaper and both weapon skills having the same skillchain property of Distortion.
:* ''Mentioning for historical reference moreso than for actual use.''
|-

* '''[[Infernal Scythe]]''': 300 Scythe Skill.
:* A 99 cap updated version of Shadow of Death.
:* In order to differentiate the two weapon skills, Internal Scythe '''does not''' scale with fTP, ''but also'' '''has no dINT modifier''' ''(Difference between player Intelligence and Mob Intelligence).''
:* Infernal Scythe also serves a utility purpose in lowering mob attack by 25% for a minimum of 3 minutes, similar to [[Weapon Break]].
:* Damage from Infernal Scythe won't be nearly as high as other weapon skills but definitely deserves an honorable mention.
|-

* '''[[Catastrophe]]''': Accessible when equipped with [[File:Apocalypse icon.png|link=]][[Apocalypse]].
:* Relic Weapon Skill
:* Relic-based weapon skill and Dark Knight's bread & butter entry point to soloing.
:** One of the two relic weapon skills Dark Knight has access to (the other being the greatsword skill Scourge).
:* Catastrophe has a static fTP value.
:** '''However''', the drain effect itself scales with TP (~70% of damage dealt).
:* With a fully upgraded (Afterglowed) item level 119 Apocalypse, Catastrophe's attached Aftermath effect offers +10% Job Ability Haste, easing off dependence to job abilities such as Last Resort, Hasso, or Haste Samba for capping melee delay.
|-

* '''[[Insurgency]]''': Accessible when equipped with [[File:Liberator icon.png|link=]][[Liberator]]. Learnable after completing [[Unlocking a Myth (Dark Knight)]].
:*Mythic Weapon Skill
:* Dark Knights second best1 ''Scythe'' weapon skill.
:* Primarily a damage weapon skill, Insurgency is unique in that it utilizes both multi-hit as well as front-loaded damage.
:* Similar to Scourge, Insurgency is the only Fusion option in the Scythe category.
# '''Requires''' fully upgraded [[Liberator (Level 119 III)]] in order to reach fully realized damage potential.
|-

* '''[[Quietus]]''': Accessible when equipped with [[File:Redemption icon.png|link=]][[Redemption]].. Learnable after completing [[Kupofried's Scythe Moogle Magic]].
:* Empyrean Weapon Skill
:** Dark Knight's other Empyrean weapon-based weapon skill.
:* Quietus has a static fTP value, but bears special mention for the fact that its special feature is "Ignore's Enemy Defense" starting at 10% (1,000 TP) up to 50% Defense Ignored (3,000 TP) which shines in lower buffed scenarios.
:* Quietus is the second Scythe weapon skill with a native Darkness skillchain property (with a sub-property of Gravitation), making it another excellent closer for a multi-step Darkness skillchain.
|-

* '''[[Entropy]]''': Learnable at 357 Scythe Skill '''minimum'''. Requires Merit Points to unlock. Pleas see [[File:Merit Point-Icon.png|link=Merit#Weapon_Skill_Merit_Points]].
:** Accessible when equipped with [[File:Anguta icon.png|link=]][[Anguta]].
:* Originally, a Merit Point weapon skill, Entropy was updated as an Aeonic weapon-based weapon skill.
:* Entropy's fTP value does not climb that high (starting at 0.75 to a maximum of 2.0).
:** However, Entropy is an fTP replicating weapon skill which means all swings hit at the same functional value. Which helps to close the gap in damage.
:* Entropy serves a significant utility purpose for Dark Knight in replenishing the player's MP pool by 15~20% of damage dealt.
:* When equipped with an [[File:Anguta icon.png|link=]]Anguta, Entropy gains a native Darkness skillchain property and unlocks the Aftermath effect of Level 4 ''Ultimate'' skillchains, Umbra & Radiance.
:** ''Skillchain damage gains a noticeable increase as well.''
|-

*'''[[Origin]]''': Accessible when equipped with [[File:Foenaria (Level 119) icon.png|link=]][[Foenaria]].
:*Prime Weapon Skill
:* On par with if not straight surpassing Cross Reaper. Added bonus that it restores HP & MP.
:* TP scaling is very generous!
:* Offers a simply 3-step Light skillchain option.
:* Tethered to [[Foenaria (Level 119 III)]] or [[Foenaria (Level 119 II)|(Level 119 II)]]; Can only be used within [[Sortie]] with [[Foenaria (Level 119)]].
|}

====Sword====
{| style="width: 100%; max-width: 1600px;"
* '''[[Savage Blade]]''': Learnable at 240 Sword Skill '''minimum''' via the Weapon Skill Quest [[Old Wounds]].
:** Accessible when mainhand is equipped with [[File:Kaja Sword icon.png|link=]][[Kaja Sword]] & [[File:Naegling icon.png|link=]][[Naegling]] from Ambuscade.
:* Scales well with fTP and TP overflow.
:** Does not synchronize well with Dark Knight's current playstyle.
|-

* '''[[Requiescat]]''': Learnable at 357 Sword Skill '''minimum'''. Requires Merit Points to unlock. Please see [[File:Merit Point-Icon.png|link=Merit#Weapon_Skill_Merit_Points]].
:* Requiescat was originally a Merit-based Weapon Skill which primarily served as a utility weapon skill for serving out Non-Elemental damage.
:* Skill ability reads as "Attack power varies with TP".
:** As such won't see much use outside of situations such as breaking through a specialty damage shield.
|-

* '''[[Sanguine Blade]]''': Learned at 300 Sword Skill.
:* Honorable mention. Castrophe without the Apocalypse.
:* Falls under Magic Weapon Skills, so will never miss, but... has a dINT stat attached.
:* Heavily influenced by MAB as well as Darkness affinity accessories.
:* Retains a static fTP value but the drain effect scales with TP (50% to 160%).
|}

====Axe====
{| style="width: 100%; max-width: 1600px;"
* '''[[Mistral Axe]]''': Accessible with a [[File:Beryllium Pick icon.png|link=]][[Beryllium Pick]] & [[File:Beryllium Pick +1 icon.png|link=]][[Beryllium Pick +1]].
:* A single-hit "ranged" weapon skill ''(usuable up to 15 yalms away)''.
:* Scales extremely well with TP and offers the Fusion skillchain property.
:* Only downside is Mistral Axe lacks a second weapon skill modifier and relies heavily on its 50% STR modifier.
:** Perhaps this was done for balance purposes.
|-

* '''[[Decimation]]''': Learnable at 240 Axe Skill '''minimum''' via the Weapon Skill Quest [[Axe the Competition]]. Accessible with [[File:Kaja Axe icon.png|link=]][[Kaja Axe]] / [[File:Dolichenus icon.png|link=]][[Dolichenus]] from ambuscade.
:* Mulit-hit weapon skill. Damage does not scale with TP.
:** However, Decimation is TP replicating and offers the Fusion skillchain property as well. Making it a highly effective weapon skill with minimal gear investment.
:* Highly recommended for new and returning players just starting out without REMA weapons.
|-

* '''[[Ruinator]]''': Learnable at 357 Axe Skill '''minimum'''. Requires Merit Points to unlock. Please see [[File:Merit Point-Icon.png|link=Merit#Weapon_Skill_Merit_Points]].
:* Essentially a Merit Point-based variation on Decimation.
:* In order to differentiate the two weapon skills, Ruinator Was given a 10% attack bonus and the Distortion skillchain property.
:* Ruinator primarily serves more as a skillchain connector than a source of damage.
:* Still worth keeping a point in if you can swing it. (No pun intended)
|}

====[[Great Axe]]====
{| style="width: 100%; max-width: 1600px;"
* '''[[Armor Break]]''': Learnable at 100 Great Axe Skill.
:* Learned at an even lower skill level than even Shockwave.
:** Armor Break is the earliest and one of the most effective utility weapon skills a Dark Knight can use.
:* Armor Break focuses on lowering the mob's defense, offering a Defense Down effect of -25% defense ranging from '''3 to 9 minutes''' based on the TP value used at.
|-

* '''[[Full Break]]''': Accessible when equipped with [[File:Hepatizon Axe +1 icon.png|link=]][[Hepatizon Axe +1]] & [[File:Hepatizon Axe icon.png|link=]][[Hepatizon Axe]].
:* Full Break is a combination of all the Great Axe weapon skills, but each effect is a lower potency than their individual-based weapon skills
:** Lowers mob attack and defense by 12.5% and lowers evasion and accuracy by 20 points.
:*Same as Armor Break above, the duration is based on TP value used at, at a minimum of 3 minutes.
:** Individual effects can each be resisted independent of one another.
|-

* '''[[Fell Cleave]]''': Learnable at 300 Great Axe Skill.
:* Excellent crowd control/cleaving weapon skill that deals damage based on [[Weapon Skill Damage|WSDMG]] gear as well as your [[Strength|STR]].
:* Damage does not scale with TP...
:** However, Fell Cleave's Area of Effect expands with higher TP values.
|-

* '''[[Upheaval]]''': Learnable at 357 Great Axe Skill '''minimum'''. Please see [[File:Merit Point-Icon.png|link=Merit#Weapon_Skill_Merit_Points]].
:* Strongest ''Great Axe'' weapon skill Dark Knight has access to. Period.
:* Merit Point based weapon skill; eerily similar to Insurgency (except for a high weapon skill modifier).
:** Utilizes both multi-hit as well as front-loaded damage and is yet another option for the Fusion skillchain property.
:* Is well worth keeping around, especially if you were to make a [[Lycurgos]].
:** ''But that's a point to explore later on.''
|}

====Club====
{| style="width: 100%; max-width: 1600px;"
* '''[[Judgment]]''': Learnable at 200 Club Skill.
:* The club equivalent of Savage Blade.
:* Scales extremely well with TP.
:* Great for situations where slashing damage may not be feasible or blunt damage is far more exploitable.
|}

==Equipment==

===Job Specific Equipment===
<hr style="border-color:"black">

====Artifact Armor====
{{Guide JSE Table
|Name= Ignominy Armor Set
|Collapsed= Yes
|Border Color= black
|Guide JSE=
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Ig. Burgeonet +3
|Item= Ig. Burgeonet +3
|Augment= N/A
|Upgrade= Maybe
|Notes= Largely a casting swap in piece used for the Absorb Duration.
}}
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Ignominy Cuirass +3
|Item= Ignominy Cuirass +3
|Augment= N/A
|Upgrade= Yes
|Notes= Prior to Nyame, is one of the strongest Weapon Skill Damage bodies you can have.
}}
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Ig. Gauntlets +3
|Item= Ig. Gauntlets +3
|Augment= N/A
|Upgrade= Maybe
|Notes= Swap piece for Weapon Bash. The Bash augmentation adds a Chainbound effect to the enemy, making skillchaining simpler.
}}
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Ig. Flanchard +3
|Item= Ig. Flanchard +3
|Augment= N/A
|Upgrade= Yes
|Notes= Significant amount of Double Attack. '''High priority piece.'''
}}
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Ig. Sollerets +3
|Item= Ig. Sollerets +3
|Augment= N/A
|Upgrade= No
|Notes= Swap in piece for extending the duration of Arcane Circle.
}}
}}

====Relic Armor====
{{Guide JSE Table
|Name= Fallen's Armor Set
|Collapsed= Yes
|Border Color= black
|Guide JSE=
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Fall. Burgeonet +3
|Item= Fall. Burgeonet +3
|Augment= Enhances "Dark Seal" effect
|Upgrade= Yes!
|Notes= Major Drain 3 as well as Absorb- swap when Dark Seal is being used. '''High priority piece.'''
}}
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Fall. Cuirass +3
|Item= Fall. Cuirass +3
|Augment= Enhances "Blood Weapon" effect
|Upgrade= Maybe.
|Notes= Significant Magic Attack Bonus stat. Prior to Nyame, useful for Magic Weapon Skills.
}}
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Fall. Fin. Gaunt. +3
|Item= Fall. Fin. Gaunt. +3
|Augment= Enhances "Diabolic Eye" effect
|Upgrade= Yes!
|Notes= Significant amounts of Magic Attack Bonus, Dark Magic Skill and Drain/Aspir potency. Major Drain 3 swap. Prior to Nyame, useful for Magic Weapon Skills. '''High priority piece.'''
}}
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Fall. Flanchard +3
|Item= Fall. Flanchard +3
|Augment= Enhances "Muted Soul" effect
|Upgrade= Yes!
|Notes= Prior to Nyame, one of the strongest Weapon Skill Damage pieces.
}}
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Fall. Sollerets +3
|Item= Fall. Sollerets +3
|Augment= Enhances "Desperate Blows" effect
|Upgrade= No.
|Notes=
}}

}}
{{Guide JSE Table
|Name= Divergence Weapon
|Collapsed= Yes
|Border Color= black
|Guide JSE=
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Father Time
|Item= Father Time
|Augment= Multiple.
|Upgrade= Yes.
|Notes= Shown previously in the weapon section, this Divergence-based Scythe is quite useful when augmented and used appropriately. Has three augment paths which turn it into either a mini-Empyrean, a mini-Mythic, or the strongest Drain/Aspir option in the weapon slot available. The HQ1 variant, [[Fallen's Scythe]], is also a decent alternative.
}}

}}
{{Guide JSE Table
|Name= Divergence Neck Accessory
|Collapsed= Yes
|Border Color= black
|Guide JSE=
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Abyssal Beads +2
|Item= Abyssal Beads +2
|Augment= STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Upgrade= Yes!
|Notes= Divergence-based neck slot. As can be gleaned, offers significant melee stats that play to DRK's strengths. Don't settle for less than the HQ1 variant, [[Abyssal Beads +1]].
}}
}}

====Empyrean Armor====
{{Guide JSE Table
|Name= Heathen's Armor Set
|Collapsed= Yes
|Border Color= black
|Guide JSE=
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Heath. Bur. +3
|Item= Heath. Bur. +3
|Augment= N/A
|Upgrade= Maybe.
|Notes= Selective Weapon Skill swap piece.
}}
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Heath. Cuirass +3
|Item= Heath. Cuirass +3
|Augment= N/A
|Upgrade= Yes!
|Notes= Massive Dread Spikes swap. '''High priority piece.'''
}}
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Heath. Gauntlets +3
|Item= Heath. Gauntlets +3
|Augment= N/A
|Upgrade= Maybe.
|Notes= Valuable Asborb-TP swap. YMMV as to how often that would be useful.
}}
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Heath. Flanchard +3
|Item= Heath. Flanchard +3
|Augment= N/A
|Upgrade= Yes!
|Notes= The other half to successful Dark Seal / Nethervoid ~> Drain 3 casts. '''High Priority piece.'''
}}
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Heath. Sollerets +3
|Item= Heath. Sollerets +3
|Augment= N/A
|Upgrade= Maybe.
|Notes= Buche swap for Occult Acumen shenanigans. Priot to Nyame, one of the stronger Magic Weapon Skill pieces available.
}}
}}
{{Guide JSE Table
|Name= Empyrean Armor Accessories
|Collapsed= Yes
|Border Color= black
|Guide JSE=
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Heath. Earring +2
|Item= Heath. Earring +2
|Augment= Acc/MAcc+16~20, WSD +4%~5%, STR/INT +7~15
|Upgrade= N/A
|Notes= One of the strongest Weapon Skill earrings currently available. Period. HQ1 is a bare minimum for swapping into any builds.
}}
}}

===Equipment Sets===
<hr style="background:black">
*'''Disclaimer: The sets posted herein are a bridge gap for new & returning players. This isn't a true end-to-end High-End sets guide. If you are already geared at or past the sets posted herein, please feel free to check out the High-End Sets Theorycafting thread on FFXIAH under the DRk forum.'''
*'''Sets herein will not be cover "Attack Cap" scanrios.''' --[[User:Brahmsz|Brahmsz]] ([[User talk:Brahmsz|talk]])
====TP Sets====
<hr style="background:black">
*'''All sets herein should be regarded as benchmark targets to gauge gear progression.'''
=====Starting Out=====
{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Starter Set
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|Main =
|Sub = Duplus Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Fire Bomblet
|Head = Gorney Morion +1
|Body = Gorney Haubert +1
|Hands = Gorney Moufles +1
|Legs = Gor. Brayettes +1
|Feet = Gor. Sollerets +1
|Neck = Chivalrous Chain
|Waist = Cetl Belt
|Ear1 = Ghillie Earring
|Ear2 = Ghillie Earring
|Ring1 = Rajas Ring
|Ring2 = Enlivened Ring
|Back = Cuchulain's Mantle
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= Yes
|Equipment Set Notes=This is the absolute bare minimum you should strive for to do beginning content with absolute strangers like lower difficulty Ambuscade, Domain Invasion, Geas Fete NM's, HTB's, low to mid-level Unity NM's, and more.

As soon as you can raise enough Bayld, make your way to the Peacekeepers' Coalition in Eastern Adoulin where Vesca is to buy the Gorney Armor Set +1. You can convert previously gained Copper Vouchers to gain at least 12,100 Bayld in order to buy the full set.
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Alt. Starter Set
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|Main =
|Sub = Duplus Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Fire Bomblet
|Head = Hervor Galea
|Body = Hervor Haubert
|Hands = Hervor Mouffles
|Legs = Hervor Brayettes
|Feet = Hervor Sollerets
|Neck = Chivalrous Chain
|Waist = Cetl Belt
|Ear1 = Ghillie Earring
|Ear2 = Ghillie Earring
|Ring1 = Rajas Ring
|Ring2 = Enlivened Ring
|Back = Cuchulain's Mantle
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= Yes
|Equipment Set Notes=The Hervor Set is an easy to obtain second baseline of gear. It's not impressive, but you can basically earn up to 2 pieces a day by just showing up and beating on stuff in Domain Invasion.
}}
}}

=====Stepping into an Ambuscade=====
{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= SpAmbu. NQ
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|Main =
|MainAug =
|Sub = Duplus Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Fire Bomblet
|Head = Flamma Zucchetto
|Neck = Abyssal Beads
|NeckAug= STR+15, STP+5, PDL+6%
|Ear1 = Brutal Earring
|Ear2 = Ghillie Earring
|Body = Flamma Korazin
|Hands = Sulevia's Gauntlets
|Ring1 = Rajas Ring
|Ring2 = Flamma Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug= DEX+20, Acc/Att+20, DA+10
|Waist= Ioskeha Belt
|Legs = Sulevia's Cuisses
|Feet = Flamma Gambieras
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=Ah, the beginnings of your [[Ambuscade]] journey.

Hopefully.. with other people! Upgrading your "Ambu" gear should be one of your biggest priorities after establishing a baseline 119 set from above. So work on pieces from both the Flamma and Sulevia sets as you go along!

The Flamma Head and Feet are pretty great, as well as the Sulevia hands, legs, and feet. You'll have uses for pieces from both sets for '''quite a while.'''

At this point, you can start doing more content with others with reasonable expectations.
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= SpAmbu. +1
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|Main =
|MainAug =
|Sub = Duplus Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Fire Bomblet
|Head = Flam. Zucchetto +1
|Neck = Abyssal Beads
|NeckAug= STR+15, STP+5, PDL+6%
|Ear1 = Brutal Earring
|Ear2 = Ghillie Earring
|Body = Flamma Korazin +1
|Hands = Sulev. Gauntlets +1
|Ring1 = Rajas Ring
|Ring2 = Flamma Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug= DEX+20, Acc/Att+20, DA+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Ioskeha Belt
|Legs = Sulevi. Cuisses +1
|Feet = Flam. Gambieras +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= SpAmbu. +2
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|Main =
|MainAug =
|Sub = Duplus Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Fire Bomblet
|Head = Flam. Zucchetto +2
|Neck = Abyssal Beads
|NeckAug= STR+15, STP+5, PDL+6%
|Ear1 = Brutal Earring
|Ear2 = Ghillie Earring
|Body = Flamma Korazin +2
|Hands = Sulev. Gauntlets +2
|Ring1 = Rajas Ring
|Ring2 = Flamma Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug= DEX+20, Acc/Att+20, Acc+10, DA+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Ioskeha Belt
|Legs = Sulev. Cuisses +2
|Feet = Flam. Gambieras +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
}}

=====Escha Ru'Aun & Reisenjima=====
{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Geas Fete Set 1
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|Main =
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Seething Bomblet
|Head = Flam. Zucchetto +2
|Neck = Abyssal Beads
|Ear1 = Cessance Earring
|Ear2 = Brutal Earring
|Body = Valorous Mail
|BodyAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, DA or STP+
|Hands = Sulev. Gauntlets +2
|Ring1 = Flamma Ring
|Ring2 = Petrov Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug= DEX+20, Acc/Att+20, Acc+10, DA+10
|Waist= Ioskeha Belt
|Legs = Odyssean Cuisses
|LegsAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, DA or STP+
|Feet = Flam. Gambieras +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Geas Fete Set 2
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|Main =
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Seeth. Bomblet +1
|Head = Flam. Zucchetto +2
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +1
|NeckAug= STR+20, STP+6, PDL+8%
|Ear1 = Cessance Earring
|Ear2 = Brutal Earring
|Body = Valorous Mail
|BodyAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, DA or STP+
|Hands = Sulev. Gauntlets +2
|Ring1 = Hetairoi Ring
|Ring2 = Petrov Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug= DEX+20, Acc/Att+20, Acc+10, DA+10
|Waist= Ioskeha Belt
|Legs = Odyssean Cuisses
|LegsAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, DA or STP+
|Feet = Flam. Gambieras +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
}}

{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Alt. Geas Fete Set (Store TP)
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|Main =
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Aurgelmir Orb
|Head = Flam. Zucchetto +2
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +1
|NeckAug= STR+20, STP+6, PDL+8%
|Ear1 = Cessance Earring
|Ear2 = Dedition Earring
|Body = Valorous Mail
|BodyAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, DA or STP+
|Hands = Acro Gauntlets
|Ring1 = Chirich Ring
|Ring2 = Petrov Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug= DEX+20, Acc/Att+20, Acc+10, DA+10
|Waist= Ioskeha Belt +1
|Legs = Odyssean Cuisses
|LegsAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, DA or STP+
|Feet = Valorous Greaves
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Alt. Geas Fete Set (Accuracy)
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|Main =
|Sub = Khonsu
|Range =
|Ammo = Seeth. Bomblet +1
|Head = Flam. Zucchetto +2
|Neck = Combatant's Torque
|Ear1 = Digni. Earring
|Ear2 = Telos Earring
|Body = Emicho Haubert +1
|BodyAug= HP+65, DEX+12, Acc+20
|Hands = Emi. Gauntlets +1
|HandsAug= HP+65, DEX+12, Acc+20
|Ring1 = Chirich Ring +1
|Ring2 = Chirich Ring +1
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug= DEX+20, Acc/Att+20, Acc+10, DA+10
|Waist= Ioskeha Belt +1
|Legs = Flamma Dirs +2
|Feet = Flam. Gambieras +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
* For the neck slot, [[Subtlety Spec.]] has higher accuracy in exchange for STP.
}}
}}

=====Omen & Dynamis Divergence=====
{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Omen Set 1
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|Main =
|MainAug =
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Aurgelmir Orb
|Head = Flam. Zucchetto +2
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Cessance Earring
|Ear2 = Dedition Earring
|Body = Valorous Mail
|BodyAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, STP+
|Hands = Sulev. Gauntlets +2
|Ring1 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Ring2 = Petrov Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug= DEX+20, Acc/Att+20, Acc+10, DA+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Ioskeha Belt +1
|Legs = Ig. Flanchard +2
|Feet = Flam. Gambieras +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Omen Set 2
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|Main =
|MainAug =
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Aurgelmir Orb
|Head = Flam. Zucchetto +2
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Cessance Earring
|Ear2 = Dedition Earring
|Body = Valorous Mail
|BodyAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, STP+
|Hands = Sulev. Gauntlets +2
|Ring1 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Ring2 = Petrov Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug= DEX+20, Acc/Att+20, Acc+10, DA+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Ioskeha Belt +1
|Legs = Ig. Flanchard +3
|Feet = Flam. Gambieras +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
}}

=====Odyssey & Sortie=====
{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Odyssey Set 1 (Rank 0)
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|Main =
|MainAug =
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Coiste Bodhar
|Head = Flam. Zucchetto +2
|HeadAug =
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Cessance Earring
|Ear2 = Telos Earring
|Body = Sakpata's Plate
|Hands = Sakpata's Gauntlets
|Ring1 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Ring2 = Petrov Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug= DEX+20, Acc/Att+20, Acc+10, DA+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Ioskeha Belt +1
|Legs = Sakpata's Cuisses
|Feet = Flam. Gambieras +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Odyssey Set 2 (Rank 20)
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|Main =
|MainAug =
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Coiste Bodhar
|AmmoAug = Att+15, STR+5
|Head = Sakpata's Helm
|HeadAug = Att+20, "Double Attack" DMG+10%, Acc/MAcc+5
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Cessance Earring
|Ear2 = Dedition Earring
|Body = Valorous Mail
|BodyAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, DA or STP+
|Hands = Sakpata's Gauntlets
|HandsAug = Att+20, STP+5, Acc/MAcc+5
|Ring1 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Ring2 = Moonbeam Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug= DEX+20, Acc/Att+20, Acc+10, DA+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Ioskeha Belt +1
|Legs = Sakpata's Cuisses
|LegsAug = Att+20, Skillchain DMG+10%, Acc/MAcc+5
|Feet = Flam. Gambieras +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
}}

{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Odyssey Set 3 (Rank 30)
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|Main =
|MainAug =
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Coiste Bodhar
|AmmoAug = Att+15, STR+10, DEX+10
|Head = Sakpata's Helm
|HeadAug = Att+30, "Double Attack" DMG+15%, Acc/MAcc+15, Cure Pot. Received+5%
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Cessance Earring
|Ear2 = Heath. Earring +2
|Ear2Aug = Acc/MAcc +16~20, WSD +4~5%, STR/INT +7~15
|Body = Valorous Mail
|BodyAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, DA or STP+
|Hands = Sakpata's Gauntlets
|HandsAug = Att+30, STP+8, Acc/MAcc+15, VIT+5
|Ring1 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Ring2 = Moonlight Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug= DEX+20, Acc/Att+20, Acc+10, DA+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Ioskeha Belt +1
|Legs = Ig. Flanchard +3
|Feet = Flam. Gambieras +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Alt. Odyssey Set 3 (Rank 30)
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|Main =
|MainAug =
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Coiste Bodhar
|AmmoAug = Att+15, STR+10, DEX+10
|Head = Flam. Zucchetto +2
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Cessance Earring
|Ear2 = Heath. Earring +2
|Ear2Aug = Acc/MAcc +16~20, WSD +4~5%, STR/INT +7~15
|Body = Valorous Mail
|BodyAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, DA or STP+
|Hands = Sakpata's Gauntlets
|HandsAug = Att+30, STP+8, Acc/MAcc+15, VIT+5
|Ring1 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Ring2 = Moonlight Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug= DEX+20, Acc/Att+20, Acc+10, DA+10, PDT-10%
|Waist = Sailfi Belt +1
|WaistAug = STR+15, DA+5%
|Legs = Ig. Flanchard +3
|Feet = Flam. Gambieras +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
}}
<hr style="background:gray">

====DT & TP Hybrid Builds====
<hr style="background:black">
<big>*'''A few notes on DT Sets and the advancement of TP Hybrid builds:'''</big>
:*There is no true "Best in Slot" (BiS) DT or Hybrid TP build.
:*Going back as far as the introduction of Ambuscade on up to Odyssey, Dark Knight (as well as many jobs) has seen a proliferation in DT-% (and to a lesser extent PDT-%) gear that also doubles as excellent TP options.
:*Your Mileage May Vary... depending on what you have access to and what you have the patience to attain.
:**'''So once again, use these sets as benchmarks to gauge where you stand as well as decide how & where you can improve your own gear builds/sets.'''
{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Basic DT-% Set I
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = SPAmbu. I
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Staunch Tathlum
|Head = Sulevia's Mask
|Neck = Twilight Torque
|Ear1 = Ethereal Earring
|Ear2 = Upsurge Earring
|Body = Sulevia's Plate.
|Hands = Sulevia's Gauntlets
|Ring1 = Sulevia's Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug= DEX+20, Acc/Att+20, DA+10, DT-5%
|Waist= Flume Belt
|Legs = Sulevia's Cuisses
|Feet = Sulevia's Leggings
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Basic DT-% Set II
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = SPAmbu. II
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Staunch Tathlum
|Head = Sulevia's Mask +2
|Neck = Twilight Torque
|Ear1 = Ethereal Earring
|Ear2 = Upsurge Earring
|Body = Sulevia's Plate. +2
|Hands = Sulev. Gauntlets +2
|Ring1 = Sulevia's Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug= DEX+20, Acc/Att+20, DA+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Flume Belt
|Legs = Sulev. Cuisses +2
|Feet = Sulev. Leggings +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
}}

{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Advanced DT-% Set I
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = HTB Based
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Staunch Tathlum
|Head = Hjarrandi Helm
|Neck = Combatant's Torque
|Ear1 = Cessance Earring
|Ear2 = Odnowa Earring
|Body = Hjarrandi Breast.
|Hands = Sulev. Gauntlets +2
|Ring1 = Moonbeam Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug= DEX+20, Acc/Att+20, Acc+10, DA+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Tempus Fugit
|Legs = Sulev. Cuisses +2
|Feet = Flam. Gambieras +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Advanced DT-% Set II
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Odyssey Based
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Coiste Bodhar
|Head = Sakpata's Helm
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +1
|NeckAug = STR+20, STP+6, PDL+8%
|Ear1 = Cessance Earring
|Ear2 = Odnowa Earring +1
|Body = Sakpata's Plate
|Hands = Sakpata's Gauntlets
|Ring1 = Moonbeam Ring
|Ring2 = Moonbeam Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug= DEX+20, Acc/Att+20, Acc+10, DA+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Sailfi Belt +1
|Legs = Sakpata's Cuisses
|Feet = Sakpata's Leggings
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
}}

<hr style="background:black">

====Utility, Situational & Misc Sets====
<hr style="background:gray">
*Situational awareness goes a long way...
*'''Sets herein may or may not see as much use but are nice to have around when the circumstances come up.'''

{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Spell: Impact Set
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Pemphredo Tathlum
|Head =
|Neck = Erra Pendant
|Ear1 = Crep. Earring
|Ear2 = Digni. Earring
|Body = Crepuscular Cloak
|Hands = Nyame Gauntlets
|Ring1 = Stikini Ring +1
|Ring2 = Archon Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = INT+20, MAcc/MDMG+20, STP+10, PDT-10%, MAcc+10
|Waist= Oneiros Rope
|Legs = Nyame Flanchard
|Feet = Heath. Sollerets +3
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
*Friendly reminder that Impact can be utilized for Occult Acumen shenanigans as well.
*Twilight cloak can still be used if that's all you want to use it for but Crepuscular is practically necessary if you want to land it for full (or close to full) duration.
}}
}}
<hr style="background:gray">

====Great Sword Weapon Skills====
<hr style="background:black">
* As stated in the introduction at the top, Dark Knight "has the highest base physical attack rating and possesses the most physical attack [and physical damage limit] traits of any job in the game."
** This leads to murky circumstancess in which the job's greatest strength makes for uncertainty.
*** ie. "Am I Attack Capped or Attack uncapped?"
** '''The sets herein are not adjusted for Attack Capped Scenarios.'''
=====Torcleaver=====
{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Torcleaver Set I
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Odyssean Helm
|HeadAug = VIT, Acc/Att+, WSD+
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +1
|NeckAug = STR+20, STP+6, PDL+8%
|Ear1 = Ishvara Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Ignominy Cuirass +2
|Hands = Odyssean Gauntlets
|HandsAug = VIT+, Acc/Att+, WSD+
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Epaminondas's Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = VIT+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, VIT+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Grunfeld Rope
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +2
|Feet = Sulev. Leggings +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Torcleaver Set II
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Odyssean Helm
|HeadAug = VIT+, Acc/Att+, WSD+
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Thrud Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Ignominy Cuirass +3
|Hands = Odyssean Gauntlets
|HandsAug = VIT+, Acc/Att+, WSD+
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = VIT+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, VIT+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Sailfi Belt +1
|WaistAug = STR+15, DA+5%
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +3
|Feet = Heath. Sollerets +3
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Torcleaver Set III
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Odyssey R20
|Main =
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Nyame Helm
|HeadAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Thrud Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Ignominy Cuirass +3
|Hands = Nyame Gauntlets
|HandsAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = VIT+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, VIT+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Sailfi Belt +1
|WaistAug = STR+15, DA+5%
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +3
|Feet = Nyame Sollerets
|FeetAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
}}

=====Resolution=====
{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Resolution Set I
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Aurgelmir Orb
|Head = Flam. Zucchetto +2
|Neck = Fotia Gorget
|Ear1 = Brutal Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Body = Valorous Mail
|BodyAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, DA or STP
|Hands = Valorous Mitts
|HandsAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, DA
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, DA+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Fotia Belt
|Legs = Ig. Flanchard +2
|Feet = Flam. Gambieras +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Resolution Set II
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Aurgelmir Orb +1
|Head = Flam. Zucchetto +2
|Neck = Fotia Gorget
|Ear1 = Cessance Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Body = Valorous Mail
|BodyAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, DA or STP
|Hands = Valorous Mitts
|HandsAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, DA
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, DA+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Fotia Belt
|Legs = Ig. Flanchard +3
|Feet = Flam. Gambieras +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Resolution Set III
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Odyssey R20
|Main =
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Coiste Bodhar
|AmmoAug = Att+15, STR+5
|Head = Flam. Zucchetto +2
|Neck = Fotia Gorget
|Ear1 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear1Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Ear2 = Balder Earring
|Body = Sakpata's Plate
|BodyAug = Att+20, Resist All+10, Acc/MAcc+5
|Hands = Sakpata's Gauntlets
|HandsAug = Att+20, STP+5, Acc/MAcc+5
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, DA+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Fotia Belt
|Legs = Sakpata's Cuisses
|LegsAug = Att+20, Skillchain DMG+10%, Acc/MAcc+5
|Feet = Flam. Gambieras +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}

=====Scourge=====
[https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/50426/high-end-sets-advicesuggestionsideaslua See FFXIAH.com]

=====Ground Strike=====
{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Ground Strike Set I
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Odyssean Helm
|HeadAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, WSD+
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +1
|NeckAug = STR+20, STP+6, PDL+8%
|Ear1 = Ishvara Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Sulevia's Plate. +2
|Hands = Odyssean Gauntlets
|HandsAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, WSD+
|Ring1 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Ring2 = Karieyh Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Fotia Belt
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +2
|Feet = Sulev. Leggings +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Ground Strike Set II
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Odyssean Helm
|HeadAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, WSD+
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Thrud Earring
|Ear2 = Ishvara Earring
|Body = Ignominy Cuirass +3
|Hands = Odyssean Gauntlets
|HandsAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, WSD+
|Ring1 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Ring2 = Karieyh Ring +1
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Fotia Belt
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +3
|Feet = Heath. Sollerets +3
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Ground Strike Set III
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Odyssey R20
|Main =
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Nyame Helm
|HeadAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Thrud Earring
|Ear2 = Ishvara Earring
|Body = Nyame Mail
|BodyAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+10%, DA+3%
|Hands = Nyame Gauntlets
|HandsAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|Ring1 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Ring2 = Karieyh Ring +1
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Fotia Belt
|Legs = Sakpata's Cuisses
|LegsAug = Att+20, Skillchain DMG+10%, Acc/MAcc+5
|Feet = Nyame Sollerets
|FeetAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
}}

=====Shockwave=====
{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Shockwave Set I
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Fall. Burgeonet +2
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Ishvara Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Ignominy Cuirass +2
|Hands = Fall. Fin. Gaunt. +2
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Karieyh Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Fotia Belt
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +2
|Feet = Sulev. Leggings +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Shockwave Set II
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Fall. Burgeonet +3
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Thrud Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Ignominy Cuirass +3
|Hands = Fall. Fin. Gaunt. +3
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Karieyh Ring +1
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Fotia Belt
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +3
|Feet = Heath. Sollerets +3
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Shockwave Set III
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Odyssey R20
|Main =
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Nyame Helm
|HeadAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Thrud Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Nyame Mail
|BodyAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+10%, DA+3%
|Hands = Nyame Gauntlets
|HandsAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Fotia Belt
|Legs = Nyame Flanchard
|LegsAug = Att+25, WSD+9%, DA+3%
|Feet = Nyame Sollerets
|FeetAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
}}

=====Herculean Slash=====
{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Herculean Slash Set I
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Odyssean Helm
|HeadAug = Acc/Att+, WSD+
|Neck = Sanctity Necklace
|Ear1 = Friomisi Earring
|Ear2 = Hecate's Earring
|Body = Fall. Cuirass +2
|Hands = Fall. Fin. Gaunt. +2
|Ring1 = Epaminondas's Ring
|Ring2 = Karieyh Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = VIT+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, VIT+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Eschan Stone
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +2
|Feet = Sulev. Leggings +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Herculean Slash Set II
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Odyssean Helm
|HeadAug = Acc/Att+, WSD+
|Neck = Sanctity Necklace
|Ear1 = Friomisi Earring
|Ear2 = Hecate's Earring
|Body = Fall. Cuirass +3
|Hands = Fall. Fin. Gaunt. +3
|Ring1 = Epaminondas's Ring
|Ring2 = Karieyh Ring +1
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = VIT+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, VIT+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Eschan Stone
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +3
|Feet = Heath. Sollerets +3
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Herculean Slash Set III
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Odyssey R20
|Main =
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Nyame Helm
|HeadAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|Neck = Sanctity Necklace
|Ear1 = Friomisi Earring
|Ear2 = Hecate's Earring
|Body = Nyame Mail
|BodyAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+10%, DA+3%
|Hands = Nyame Gauntlets
|HandsAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|Ring1 = Epaminondas's Ring
|Ring2 = Metamor. Ring +1
|Ring2Aug = MAcc+10, INT/MND/CHR+10
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = VIT+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, VIT+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Eschan Stone
|Legs = Nyame Flanchard
|LegsAug = Att+25, WSD+9%, DA+3%
|Feet = Heath. Sollerets +3
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
}}
<hr style="background:gray">

====Scythe Weapon Skills====
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
<hr style="background:gray">
* As stated in the introduction at the top, Dark Knight "has the highest base physical attack rating and possesses the most physical attack [and physical damage limit] traits of any job in the game."
** This leads to murky circumstancess in which the job's greatest strength makes for uncertainty.
*** ie. "Am I Attack Capped or Attack uncapped?"
** '''The sets herein are not adjusted for Attack Capped Scenarios.'''
=====Cross Reaper=====
{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Cross Reaper Set I
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Ratri Sallet
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +1
|NeckAug = STR+20, STP+6, PDL+8%
|Ear1 = Ishvara Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Ignominy Cuirass +2
|Hands = Ratri Gadlings
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Epaminondas's Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Grunfeld Rope
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +2
|Feet = Sulev. Leggings +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= no
|Equipment Set Notes=
*Ratri gear is easily accessible (with 500 JP invested).
**Reisenjima augmented gear is still a fine alternative that can be utilized for other purposess down the road.
*Ratri set is worth keeping around for Dread Spikes Shenanigans, but I would advise upgrading from it quickly.
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Cross Reaper Set II
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom =
|Main = Anguta
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Ratri Sallet +1
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Thrud Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Ignominy Cuirass +3
|Hands = Rat. Gadlings +1
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Sailfi Belt +1
|WaistAug = STR+15, DA+5%
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +3
|Feet = Heath. Sollerets +3
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Cross Reaper Set III
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Odyssey R20
|Main = Anguta
|MainAug = Base DMG+17, Entropy DMG+10%, Acc/MAcc+30
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Nyame Helm
|HeadAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Thrud Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Ignominy Cuirass +3
|Hands = Nyame Gauntlets
|HandsAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Sailfi Belt +1
|WaistAug = STR+15, DA+5%
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +3
|Feet = Nyame Sollerets
|FeetAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
}}

=====Insurgency=====
{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Insurgency Set I
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Hjarrandi Helm
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +1
|NeckAug = STR+20, STP+6, PDL+8%
|Ear1 = Ishvara Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Ignominy Cuirass +2
|Hands = Argosy Mufflers
|HandsAug = Path D: STR+15, DA+2%, Haste+2%
|Ring1 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Ring2 = Karieyh Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Fotia Belt
|Legs = Ratri Cuisses
|Feet = Sulev. Leggings +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= no
|Equipment Set Notes=
*In this particular case, Ratri Legs are in here for the STP it gives to Multi-hit Scythe weapon skills like Insurgency & Guillotine. I've found I fall short of a 4~5 hit without them personally.
*Hit builds become less of a concern when using a Liberator in sets II through IV.
**If you don't have a Liberator; are using Insurgency without one; or don't plan on making one in the future, my personal suggestion is keep the Ratri Cuisses/+1 around in case.
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Insurgency Set II
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom =
|Main = Liberator (Level 119 III)
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Hjarrandi Helm
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Thrud Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Ignominy Cuirass +3
|Hands = Argosy Mufflers +1
|HandsAug = Path D: STR+20, DA+3%, Haste+3%
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Sailfi Belt +1
|WaistAug = STR+15, DA+5%
|Legs = Ratri Cuisses +1
|Feet = Heath. Sollerets +3
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Insurgency Set III
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Odyssey R20
|Main = Liberator (Level 119 III)
|MainAug = Base DMG+34, Insurgency DMG+15%, Acc/MAcc+30
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Nyame Helm
|HeadAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear1Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Ear2 = Balder Earring
|Body = Nyame Mail
|BodyAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+10%, DA+4%
|Hands = Sakpata's Gauntlets
|HandsAug = Att+20, STP+5, Acc/MAcc+5
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Kentarch Belt +1
|WaistAug = STR/DEX+10
|Legs = Sakpata's Cuisses
|LegAug = Att+25, Skillchain DMG+13%, Acc/MAcc+10
|Feet = Nyame Sollerets
|FeetAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
}}

=====Quietus=====
{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Quietus Set I
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Ratri Sallet
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +1
|NeckAug = STR+20, STP+6, PDL+8%
|Ear1 = Ishvara Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Ignominy Cuirass +2
|Hands = Ratri Gadlings
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Epaminondas's Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Fotia Belt
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +2
|Feet = Sulev. Leggings +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Quietus Set II
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom =
|Main = Redemption (Level 119 III)
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Crepuscular Pebble
|Head = Ratri Sallet +1
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Thrud Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Ignominy Cuirass +3
|Hands = Rat. Gadlings +1
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Fotia Belt
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +3
|Feet = Heath. Sollerets +3
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Quietus Set III
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Odyssey R20
|Main = Redemption (Level 119 III)
|MainAug = Base DMG+13, Quietus DMG+10%, STR/DEX/INT/MND+15
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Crepuscular Pebble
|Head = Nyame Helm
|HeadAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Thrud Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Body = Sakpata's Plate
|BodyAug = Att+20, Resist All+10, Acc/MAcc+5
|Hands = Sakpata's Gauntlets
|HandsAug = Att+20, STP+5, Acc/MAcc+5
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Fotia Belt
|Legs = Sakpata's Cuisses
|LegsAug = Att+20, Skillchain DMG+10%, Acc/MAcc+5
|Feet = Nyame Sollerets
|FeetAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
}}

=====Catastrophe=====
{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Catastrophe Set I
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Ratri Sallet
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +1
|NeckAug = STR+20, STP+6, PDL+8%
|Ear1 = Thrud Earring
|Ear2 = Ishvara Earring
|Body = Ignominy Cuirass +2
|Hands = Ratri Gadlings
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Epaminondas's Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Grunfeld Rope
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +2
|Feet = Sulev. Leggings +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Catastrophe Set II
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom =
|Main = Apocalypse (Level 119 III)
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Ratri Sallet +1
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Thrud Earring
|Ear2 = Lugra Earring +1
|Ear2Aug = DEF+20, STR/DEX/VIT/INT+8
|Body = Ignominy Cuirass +3
|Hands = Rat. Gadlings +1
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Sailfi Belt +1
|WaistAug = STR+15, DA+5%
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +3
|Feet = Heath. Sollerets +3
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Catastrophe Set III
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Odyssey R20
|Main = Apocalypse (Level 119 III)
|MainAug = Base DMG+21, Catastrophe DMG+20%, "Drain" potency+10%
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Crepuscular Pebble
|Head = Nyame Helm
|HeadAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Thrud Earring
|Ear2 = Heath. Earring +2
|Ear2Aug = Acc/MAcc+16~20, WSD+4~5%, STR/INT+7~15
|Body = Nyame Mail
|BodyAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+10%, DA+3%
|Hands = Nyame Gauntlets
|HandsAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Sailfi Belt +1
|WaistAug = STR+15, DA+5%
|Legs = Nyame Flanchard
|LegAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+9%, DA+3%
|Feet = Nyame Sollerets
|FeetAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
}}

=====Entropy=====
{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Entropy Set I
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Seeth. Bomblet +1
|Head = Hjarrandi Helm
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +1
|NeckAug = STR+20, STP+6, PDL+8%
|Ear1 = Cessance Earring
|Ear2 = Brutal Earring
|Body = Valorous Mail
|BodyAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, DA or STP
|Hands = Valorous Mitts
|HandsAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, DA
|Ring1 = Flamma Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = INT+20, Acc/Att+20, DA+10%, INT+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Fotia Belt
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +2
|Feet = Flam. Gambieras +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Entropy Set II
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom =
|Main = Anguta
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Seeth. Bomblet +1
|Head = Hjarrandi Helm
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Cessance Earring
|Ear2 = Malignance Earring
|Body = Valorous Mail
|BodyAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, DA or STP
|Hands = Valorous Mitts
|HandsAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, DA
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = INT+20, Acc/Att+20, DA+10%, INT+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Fotia Belt
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +3
|Feet = Flam. Gambieras +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Entropy Set III
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Odyssey R20
|Main = Anguta
|MainAug = Base DMG+17, Entropy DMG+10%, Acc/MAcc+30
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Coiste Bodhar
|AmmoAug = Att+15, STR+5
|Head = Hjarrandi Helm
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Lugra Earring +1
|EarAug = STR/DEX/VIT/INT+8
|Ear2 = Balder Earring
|Body = Sakpata's Plate
|BodyAug = Att+20, Resist All+10, Acc/MAcc+5
|Hands = Sakpata's Gauntlets
|HandsAug = Att+20, STP+5, Acc/MAcc+5
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, INT+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Fotia Belt
|Legs = Ratri Cuisses +1
|Feet = Sakpata's Leggings
|FeetAug = Att+20, Subtle Blow+10, Acc/MAcc+5
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= no
|Equipment Set Notes=
* This is another case in which I lean towards using Ratri Leggings for the STP value they add.
}}
}}

=====Guillotine=====
{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Guillotine Set I
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Seeth. Bomblet +1
|Head = Hjarrandi Helm
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +1
|NeckAug = STR+20, STP+6, PDL+8%
|Ear1 = Cessance Earring
|Ear2 = Brutal Earring
|Body = Valorous Mail
|BodyAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, DA or STP
|Hands = Valorous Mitts
|HandsAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, DA
|Ring1 = Flamma Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, DA+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Grunfeld Rope
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +2
|Feet = Flam. Gambieras +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Guillotine Set II
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Seeth. Bomblet +1
|Head = Hjarrandi Helm
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Cessance Earring
|Ear2 = Brutal Earring
|Body = Valorous Mail
|BodyAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, DA or STP
|Hands = Valorous Mitts
|HandsAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, DA
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, DA+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Sailfi Belt +1
|WaistAug = STR+15, DA+5%
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +3
|Feet = Flam. Gambieras +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Guillotine Set III
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Odyssey R20
|Main =
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Coiste Bodhar
|AmmoAug = Att+15, STR+5
|Head = Hjarrandi Helm
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Cessance Earring
|Ear2 = Balder Earring
|Body = Sakpata's Plate
|BodyAug = Att+20, Resist All+10, Acc/MAcc+5
|Hands = Sakpata's Gauntlets
|HandsAug = Att+20, STP+5, Acc/MAcc+5
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Sailfi Belt +1
|WaistAug = STR+15, DA+5%
|Legs = Ratri Cuisses +1
|Feet = Sakpata's Leggings
|FeetAug = Att+20, Subtle Blow+10, Acc/MAcc+5
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= no
|Equipment Set Notes=
*Again, this is a case in which I lean on the Ratri Leggings.
**The prevalence of DT- gear makes this largely a non-issue.
}}
}}

=====Shadow of Death=====
{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Shadow of Death Set I
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Pixie Hairpin +1
|Neck = Sanctity Necklace
|Ear1 = Friomisi Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Fall. Cuirass +2
|Hands = Fall. Fin. Gaunt. +2
|Ring1 = Archon Ring
|Ring2 = Karieyh Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = INT+20, MAcc/Mdmg+20, WSD+10%, INT+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Eschan Stone
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +2
|Feet = Sulev. Leggings +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Shadow of Death Set II
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom =
|Main = Anguta
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Pixie Hairpin +1
|Neck = Sanctity Necklace
|Ear1 = Friomisi Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Fall. Cuirass +3
|Hands = Fall. Fin. Gaunt. +3
|Ring1 = Archon Ring
|Ring2 = Karieyh Ring +1
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = INT+20, MAcc/Mdmg+20, WSD+10%, INT+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Skrymir Cord
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +3
|Feet = Heath. Sollerets +3
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Shadow of Death Set III
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Odyssey R20
|Main = Anguta
|MainAug = Base DMG+17, Entropy DMG+10%, Acc/MAcc+30
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Pixie Hairpin +1
|Neck = Sibyl Scarf
|Ear1 = Friomisi Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Nyame Mail
|BodyAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+10%, DA+3%
|Hands = Nyame Gauntlets
|HandsAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|Ring1 = Archon Ring
|Ring2 = Epaminondas's Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = INT+20, MAcc/Mdmg+20, WSD+10%, INT+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Skrymir Cord +1
|Legs = Nyame Flanchard
|LegsAug = Att+25, WSD+9%, DA+3%
|Feet = Nyame Sollerets
|FeetAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
}}

=====Infernal Scythe=====
{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Infernal Scythe Set I
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Pixie Hairpin +1
|Neck = Sanctity Necklace
|Ear1 = Friomisi Earring
|Ear2 = Hecate's Earring
|Body = Fall. Cuirass +2
|Hands = Fall. Fin. Gaunt. +2
|Ring1 = Archon Ring
|Ring2 = Karieyh Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = INT+20, MAcc/Mdmg+20, WSD+10%, INT+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Eschan Stone
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +2
|Feet = Ratri Sollerets
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Infernal Scythe Set II
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom =
|Main = Fallen's Scythe
|MainAug = "Drain" potency+20%, WSD+10%
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Pixie Hairpin +1
|Neck = Sanctity Necklace
|Ear1 = Friomisi Earring
|Ear2 = Malignance Earring
|Body = Fall. Cuirass +3
|Hands = Fall. Fin. Gaunt. +3
|Ring1 = Archon Ring
|Ring2 = Karieyh Ring +1
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = INT+20, MAcc/Mdmg+20, WSD+10%, INT+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Skrymir Cord
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +3
|Feet = Heath. Sollerets +3
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Infernal Scythe Set III
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Odyssey R20
|Main = Father Time
|MainAug = Base DMG+15, "Drain" potency+25%, WSD+15%
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Pixie Hairpin +1
|Neck = Baetyl Pendant
|Ear1 = Friomisi Earring
|Ear2 = Heath. Earring +2
|Ear2Aug = Acc/MAcc+16~20, WSD+4~5%, STR/INT+7~15
|Body = Nyame Mail
|BodyAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+10%, DA+3%
|Hands = Nyame Gauntlets
|HandsAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|Ring1 = Archon Ring
|Ring2 = Epaminondas's Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = INT+20, MAcc/Mdmg+20, WSD+10%, INT+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Skrymir Cord +1
|Legs = Nyame Flanchard
|LegsAug = Att+25, WSD+9%, DA+3%
|Feet = Nyame Sollerets
|FeetAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=
}}
}}

=====Origin=====
<hr style="background:gray">
{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#724a31
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=#000080
|Set Name= Origin Set
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Odyssey R20
|Main = Foenaria (Level 119 III)
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Nyame Helm
|HeadAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear1Aug = TP Bonus+250
|Ear2 = Heath. Earring +2
|Ear2Aug = Acc/MAcc+16~20, WSD+4~5%, STR/INT+7~15
|Body = Nyame Mail
|BodyAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+10%, DA+3%
|Hands = Nyame Gauntlets
|HandsAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Sailfi Belt +1
|WaistAug = STR+15, DA+5%
|Legs = Nyame Flanchard
|LegAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+9%, DA+3%
|Feet = Heath. Sollerets +3
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= no
|Equipment Set Notes= This will likely be the only Origin set I'll be posting.
}}
}}

====Sword Weapon Skill Sets====
<hr style="background:gray">
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
=====Savage Blade=====
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Savage Blade I
|CaptionBottom =
|Main = Naegling
|Sub = Blurred Shield +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Odyssean Helm
|HeadAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, WSD+
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +1
|NeckAug = STR+20, STP+6, PDL+8%
|Ear1 = Ishvara Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Ignominy Cuirass +2
|Hands = Odyssean Gauntlets
|HandsAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, WSD+
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Epaminondas's Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Grunfeld Rope
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +2
|Feet = Sulev. Leggings +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Savage Blade II
|CaptionBottom =
|Main = Naegling
|Sub = Blurred Shield +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Crepuscular Pebble
|Head = Odyssean Helm
|HeadAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, WSD+
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Thrud Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Ignominy Cuirass +3
|Hands = Odyssean Gauntlets
|HandsAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, WSD+
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Sailfi Belt +1
|WaistAug = STR+15, DA+5%
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +3
|Feet = Heath. Sollerets +3
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Savage Blade III
|CaptionBottom = Odyssey R20
|Main = Naegling
|Sub = Blurred Shield +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Crepuscular Pebble
|Head = Nyame Helm
|HeadAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Thrud Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Ignominy Cuirass +3
|Hands = Sakpata's Gauntlets
|HandsAug = Att+20, STP+5, Acc/MAcc+5
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Sailfi Belt +1
|WaistAug = STR+15, DA+5%
|Legs = Sakpata's Cuisses
|LegsAug = Att+20, Skillchain DMG+10%, Acc/MAcc+5
|Feet = Nyame Sollerets
|FeetAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

=====Requiescat=====
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Requiescat I
|CaptionBottom =
|Main = Naegling
|Sub = Blurred Shield +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Aurgelmir Orb
|Head = Hjarrandi Helm
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +1
|NeckAug = STR+20, STP+6, PDL+8%
|Ear1 = Cessance Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Body = Valorous Mail
|BodyAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, DA or STP
|Hands = Valorous Mitts
|HandsAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, DA
|Ring1 = Flamma Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, DA+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Fotia Belt
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +2
|Feet = Flam. Gambieras +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Requiescat II
|CaptionBottom =
|Main = Naegling
|Sub = Blurred Shield +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Aurgelmir Orb +1
|Head = Hjarrandi Helm
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Cessance Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Body = Valorous Mail
|BodyAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, DA or STP
|Hands = Valorous Mitts
|HandsAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, DA
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, DA+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Fotia Belt
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +3
|Feet = Flam. Gambieras +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Requiescat III
|CaptionBottom = Odyssey R20
|Main = Naegling
|Sub = Blurred Shield +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Crepuscular Pebble
|AmmoAug = Att+15, STR+5
|Head = Hjarrandi Helm
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2 = Balder Earring
|Body = Sakpata's Plate
|BodyAug = Att+20, Resist All+10, Acc/MAcc+5
|Hands = Sakpata's Gauntlets
|HandsAug = Att+20, STP+5, Acc/MAcc+5
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Fotia Belt
|Legs = Sakpata's Cuisses
|LegsAug = Att+20, Skillchain DMG+10%, Acc/MAcc+5
|Feet = Sakpata's Leggings
|FeetAug = Att+20, Subtle Blow+10, Acc/MAcc+5
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

=====Sanguine Blade=====
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Sanguine Blade I
|CaptionBottom =
|Main = Naegling
|Sub = Blurred Shield +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Pixie Hairpin +1
|Neck = Sanctity Necklace
|Ear1 = Friomisi Earring
|Ear2 = Hecate's Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Fall. Cuirass +2
|Hands = Fall. Fin. Gaunt. +2
|Ring1 = Archon Ring
|Ring2 = Karieyh Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = INT+20, MAcc/Mdmg+20, WSD+10%, INT+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Eschan Stone
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +2
|Feet = Sulev. Leggings +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Sanguine Blade II
|CaptionBottom =
|Main = Naegling
|Sub = Blurred Shield +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Pixie Hairpin +1
|Neck = Sanctity Necklace
|Ear1 = Friomisi Earring
|Ear2 = Malignance Earring
|Body = Fall. Cuirass +3
|Hands = Fall. Fin. Gaunt. +3
|Ring1 = Archon Ring
|Ring2 = Karieyh Ring +1
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = INT+20, MAcc/Mdmg+20, WSD+10%, INT+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Skrymir Cord
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +3
|Feet = Heath. Sollerets +3
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Sanguine Blade III
|CaptionBottom = Odyssey R20
|Main = Naegling
|Sub = Blurred Shield +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Pixie Hairpin +1
|Neck = Baetyl Pendant
|Ear1 = Friomisi Earring
|Ear2 = Malignance Earring
|Body = Nyame Mail
|BodyAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+10%, DA+3%
|Hands = Nyame Gauntlets
|HandsAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|Ring1 = Archon Ring
|Ring2 = Epaminondas's Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = INT+20, MAcc/Mdmg+20, WSD+10%, INT+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Skrymir Cord +1
|Legs = Nyame Flanchard
|LegsAug = Att+25, WSD+9%, DA+3%
|Feet = Nyame Sollerets
|FeetAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}
<hr style="background:gray">

====Axe Weapon Skills====
<hr style="background:gray">
=====Decimation=====
*<big>A couple of notes on Decimation</big>
**The sets for Decimation can effectively be copy/pasted from Resolution.
**Decimation sets are identical to Ruinator and to save time and space '''this subsection will be used for both Decimation & Ruinator.'''
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Decimation I
|CaptionBottom =
|Main = Dolichenus
|Sub = Kaja Axe
|Range =
|Ammo = Aurgelmir Orb
|Head = Flam. Zucchetto +2
|Neck = Fotia Gorget
|Ear1 = Brutal Earring
|Ear2 = Cessance Earring
|Body = Valorous Mail
|BodyAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, DA or STP
|Hands = Valorous Mitts
|HandsAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, DA
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, DA+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Fotia Belt
|Legs = Ig. Flanchard +2
|Feet = Flam. Gambieras +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Decimation II
|CaptionBottom =
|Main = Dolichenus
|Sub = Zantetsuken
|Range =
|Ammo = Aurgelmir Orb +1
|Head = Flam. Zucchetto +2
|Neck = Fotia Gorget
|Ear1 = Brutal Earring
|Ear2 = Cessance Earring
|Body = Valorous Mail
|BodyAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, DA or STP
|Hands = Valorous Mitts
|HandsAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, DA
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, DA+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Fotia Belt
|Legs = Ig. Flanchard +3
|Feet = Flam. Gambieras +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Decimation III
|CaptionBottom = Odyssey R20
|Main = Dolichenus
|Sub = Sangarius +1
|SubAug = DMG+35, Acc/MAcc+30, QA+3%
|Range =
|Ammo = Coiste Bodhar
|AmmoAug = Att+15, STR+5
|Head = Flam. Zucchetto +2
|Neck = Fotia Gorget
|Ear1 = Lugra Earring +1
|Ear1Aug = DEF+20, STR/DEX/VIT/INT+8
|Ear2 = Balder Earring
|Body = Sakpata's Plate
|BodyAug = Att+20, Resist All+10, Acc/MAcc+5
|Hands = Sakpata's Gauntlets
|HandsAug = Att+20, STP+5, Acc/MAcc+5
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, DA+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Fotia Belt
|Legs = Sakpata's Cuisses
|LegsAug = Att+20, Skillchain DMG+10%, Acc/MAcc+5
|Feet = Flam. Gambieras +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

=====Mistral Axe=====
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Mistral Axe I
|CaptionBottom =
|Main = Beryllium Pick
|Sub = Blurred Shield
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Odyssean Helm
|HeadAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, WSD+
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +1
|NeckAug = STR+20, STP+6, PDL+8%
|Ear1 = Ishvara Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Ignominy Cuirass +2
|Hands = Odyssean Gauntlets
|HandsAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, WSD+
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Epaminondas's Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Grunfeld Rope
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +2
|Feet = Sulev. Leggings +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Mistral Axe II
|CaptionBottom =
|Main = Beryllium Pick +1
|Sub = Blurred Shield +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Odyssean Helm
|HeadAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, WSD+
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Thrud Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Ignominy Cuirass +3
|Hands = Odyssean Gauntlets
|HandsAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, WSD+
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Sailfi Belt
|WaistAug = SR+15, DA+5%
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +3
|Feet = Heath. Sollerets +3
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Mistral Axe III
|CaptionBottom = Odyssey R20
|Main = Beryllium Pick +1
|Sub = Blurred Shield +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Crepuscular Pebble
|Head = Nyame Helm
|HeadAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Thrud Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Ignominy Cuirass +3
|Hands = Nyame Gauntlets
|HandsAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Sailfi Belt
|WaistAug = SR+15, DA+5%
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +3
|Feet = Nyame Sollerets
|FeetAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}
<hr style="background:gray">

====Great Axe Weapon Skills====
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
<hr style="background:gray">
=====Upheaval=====
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Upheaval I
|CaptionBottom =
|Main = Lycurgos
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Odyssean Helm
|HeadAug = VIT+, Acc/Att+, WSD+
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +1
|NeckAug = STR+20, STP+6, PDL+8%
|Ear1 = Ishvara Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Ignominy Cuirass +2
|Hands = Odyssean Gauntlets
|HandsAug = VIT+, Acc/Att+, WSD+
|Ring1 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Ring2 = Karieyh Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = VIT+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, VIT+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Fotia Belt
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +2
|Feet = Sulev. Leggings +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Upheaval II
|CaptionBottom =
|Main = Lycurgos
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Odyssean Helm
|HeadAug = VIT+, Acc/Att+, WSD+
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Thrud Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Ignominy Cuirass +3
|Hands = Odyssean Gauntlets
|HandsAug = VIT+, Acc/Att+, WSD+
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = VIT+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, VIT+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Sailfi Belt +1
|WaistAug = STR+15, DA+5%
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +3
|Feet = Heath. Sollerets +3
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Upheaval III
|CaptionBottom = Odyssey R20
|Main = Lycurgos
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Nyame Helm
|HeadAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Thrud Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Ignominy Cuirass +3
|Hands = Sakpata's Gauntlets
|HandsAug = Att+20, STP+5, Acc/MAcc+5
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = VIT+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, VIT+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Sailfi Belt +1
|WaistAug = STR+15, DA+5%
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +3
|Feet = Nyame Sollerets
|FeetAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

=====Armor Break=====
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Armor Break I
|CaptionBottom =
|Main = Lycurgos
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Fall. Burgeonet +2
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Ishvara Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Ignominy Cuirass +2
|Hands = Fall. Fin. Gaunt. +2
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Karieyh Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Fotia Belt
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +2
|Feet = Sulev. Leggings +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Armor Break II
|CaptionBottom =
|Main = Lycurgos
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Fall. Burgeonet +3
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Thrud Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Ignominy Cuirass +3
|Hands = Fall. Fin. Gaunt. +3
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Karieyh Ring +1
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Fotia Belt
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +3
|Feet = Heath. Sollerets +3
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Armor Break III
|CaptionBottom = Odyssey R20
|Main = Lycurgos
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Nyame Helm
|HeadAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Thrud Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Nyame Mail
|BodyAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+10%, DA+3%
|Hands = Nyame Gauntlets
|HandsAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Fotia Belt
|Legs = Nyame Flanchard
|LegsAug = Att+25, WSD+9%, DA+3%
|Feet = Nyame Sollerets
|FeetAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}
<hr style="background:gray">

====Club Weapon Skill====
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
<hr style="background:gray">
=====Judgment=====
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Judgment I
|CaptionBottom =
|Main = Loxotic Mace +1
|MainAug = DMG+33, Acc/MAcc+40, WSD+10%
|Sub = Blurred Shield +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Knobkierrie
|Head = Odyssean Helm
|HeadAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, WSD+
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +1
|NeckAug = STR+20, STP+6, PDL+8%
|Ear1 = Ishvara Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Ignominy Cuirass +2
|Hands = Odyssean Gauntlets
|HandsAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, WSD+
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Epaminondas's Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Grunfeld Rope
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +2
|Feet = Sulev. Leggings +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Judgment II
|CaptionBottom =
|Main = Loxotic Mace +1
|MainAug = DMG+33, Acc/MAcc+40, WSD+10%
|Sub = Blurred Shield +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Crepuscular Pebble
|Head = Odyssean Helm
|HeadAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, WSD+
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Thrud Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Ignominy Cuirass +3
|Hands = Odyssean Gauntlets
|HandsAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, WSD+
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Sailfi Belt +1
|WaistAug = STR+15, DA+5%
|Legs = Fall. Flanchard +3
|Feet = Heath. Sollerets +3
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Judgment III
|CaptionBottom = Odyssey R20
|Main = Loxotic Mace +1
|MainAug = DMG+33, Acc/MAcc+40, WSD+10%
|Sub = Blurred Shield +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Crepuscular Pebble
|Head = Nyame Helm
|HeadAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|Neck = Abyssal Beads +2
|NeckAug = STR+25, STP+7, PDL+10%
|Ear1 = Thrud Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Ignominy Cuirass +3
|Hands = Sakpata's Gauntlets
|HandsAug = Att+20, STP+5, Acc/MAcc+5
|Ring1 = Regal Ring
|Ring2 = Niqmaddu Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+20, Acc/Att+20, WSD+10%, STR+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Sailfi Belt +1
|WaistAug = STR+15, DA+5%
|Legs = Sakpata's Cuisses
|LegsAug = Att+20, Skillchain DMG+10%, Acc/MAcc+5
|Feet = Nyame Sollerets
|FeetAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}
<hr style="background:gray">

====Magic Casting Sets====
<hr style="background:black">
=====Fast Cast=====
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Fast Cast
|CaptionBottom = FC+%
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sapience Orb
|Head = Carmine Mask
|HeadAug = Acc+15, MAcc+10, FC+3%
|Neck = Voltsurge Torque
|Ear1 = Etiolation Earring
|Ear2 = Loquac. Earring
|Body = Fall. Cuirass +2
|Hands = Leyline Gloves
|HandsAug = FC+3%
|Ring1 = Prolix Ring
|Ring2 = Kishar Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = FC+10%
|Waist=
|Legs = Eschite Cuisses
|LegsAug = MAB+25, Cons. MP+6, FC+5%
|Feet = Carmine Greaves
|FeetAug = HP/MP+60, PDT-3%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Fast Cast
|CaptionBottom = FC+78%
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sapience Orb
|Head = Carmine Mask +1
|HeadAug = Acc+20, MAcc+12, FC+4%
|Neck = Voltsurge Torque
|Ear1 = Enchntr. Earring +1
|Ear2 = Loquac. Earring
|Body = Fall. Cuirass +3
|Hands = Leyline Gloves
|HandsAug = FC+3%
|Ring1 = Prolix Ring
|Ring2 = Kishar Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = FC+10%
|Waist=
|Legs = Eschite Cuisses
|LegsAug = MAB+25, Cons. MP+6, FC+5%
|Feet = Carmine Greaves +1
|FeetAug = HP/MP+80, PDT-4%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Fast Cast
|CaptionBottom = FC+78%
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sapience Orb
|Head = Carmine Mask +1
|HeadAug = Acc+20, MAcc+12, FC+4%
|Neck = Orunmila's Torque
|Ear1 = Malignance Earring
|Ear2 = Loquac. Earring
|Body = Fall. Cuirass +3
|Hands = Leyline Gloves
|HandsAug = FC+3%
|Ring1 = Kishar Ring
|Ring2 = Rahab Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = FC+10%
|Waist=
|Legs = Odyssean Cuisses
|LegsAug = FC+6%
|Feet = Odyssean Greaves
|FeetAug = FC+6%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|-
|}

=====Endark=====
*Endark serves two purposes:
# Additional moderate darkness-based enspell damage which decays with each melee swing.
# Increases physical attack based on Dark Magic Skill when cast. Attack buff decays as well with each melee swing.
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Endark Set 1
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sapience Orb
|Head = Igno. Burgeonet +1
|Neck = Aesir Torque
|Ear1 = Dark Earring
|Ear2 = Mani Earring
|Body = Carm. Scale Mail
|Hands = Fall. Fin. Gaunt. +1
|Ring1 = Stikini Ring
|Ring2 = Evanescence Ring
|Back = Niht Mantle
|BackAug = Dark Magic Skill +10
|Waist= Casso Sash
|Legs = Eschite Cuisses
|LegsAug = MAB+25, Cons. MP+6, FC+5%
|Feet = Odyssean Greaves
|FeetAug = FC+6%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Endark Set 2
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Pemphredo Tathlum
|Head = Ig. Burgeonet +2
|Neck = Incanter's Torque
|Ear1 = Abyssal Earring
|Ear2 = Mani Earring
|Body = Carm. Scale Mail
|Hands = Fall. Fin. Gaunt. +2
|Ring1 = Stikini Ring
|Ring2 = Evanescence Ring
|Back = Niht Mantle
|BackAug = Dark Magic Skill +10
|Waist= Casso Sash
|Legs = Heath. Flanchard +2
|Feet = Ratri Sollerets
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Endark Set 3
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Pemphredo Tathlum
|Head = Ig. Burgeonet +3
|Neck = Incanter's Torque
|Ear1 = Abyssal Earring
|Ear2 = Mani Earring
|Body = Carm. Sc. Mail +1
|Hands = Fall. Fin. Gaunt. +3
|Ring1 = Stikini Ring +1
|Ring2 = Evanescence Ring
|Back = Niht Mantle
|BackAug = Dark Magic Skill +10
|Waist= Casso Sash
|Legs = Heath. Flanchard +3
|Feet = Rat. Sollerets +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|-
|}

=====Stun=====
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Stun Set 1
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sapience Orb
|Head = Carmine Mask
|HeadAug = Acc+15, MAcc+10, FC+3%
|Neck = Erra Pendant
|Ear1 = Enchntr. Earring +1
|Ear2 = Gwati Earring
|Body = Carm. Scale Mail
|Hands = Leyline Gloves
|HandsAug = Acc+15, MAcc+15, MAB+15, FC+3%
|Ring1 = Stikini Ring
|Ring2 = Kishar Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = INT+20, MAcc/MDMG+20, FC+10%, PDT-10%
|Waist= Eschan Stone
|Legs = Eschite Cuisses
|LegsAug = MAB+25, Cons. MP+6, FC+5%
|Feet = Odyssean Greaves
|FeetAug = FC+6%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Stun Set 2
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Pemphredo Tathlum
|Head = Fall. Burgeonet +2
|Neck = Erra Pendant
|Ear1 = Digni. Earring
|Ear2 = Malignance Earring
|Body = Fall. Cuirass +2
|Hands = Fall. Fin. Gaunt. +2
|Ring1 = Stikini Ring
|Ring2 = Kishar Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = INT+20, MAcc/MDMG+20, FC+10%, PDT-10%
|Waist= Eschan Stone
|Legs = Eschite Cuisses
|LegsAug = MAB+25, Cons. MP+6, FC+5%
|Feet = Ratri Sollerets
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Stun Set 3
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Pemphredo Tathlum
|Head = Fall. Burgeonet +3
|Neck = Erra Pendant
|Ear1 = Digni. Earring
|Ear2 = Malignance Earring
|Body = Fall. Cuirass +3
|Hands = Fall. Fin. Gaunt. +3
|Ring1 = Stikini Ring +1
|Ring2 = Kishar Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = INT+20, MAcc/MDMG+20, FC+10%, PDT-10%
|Waist= Eschan Stone
|Legs = Nyame Flanchard
|Feet = Rat. Sollerets +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|-
|}

=====Drain=====
*Please note that Drain II & III grant a bonus HP buff to the player exceeding the player's normal HP.
**The native cap for Drain II/III is 9,999 HP.
***The 9,999 HP cap can be exceeded by food with the ''HP+%'' stat.
*Drain is ineffective against undead.
*Note on Drain II and III set:
**This set assumes you are casting Drain II or III under [[Dark Seal]] & [[Nether Void]] to take advantage of the Fallen Burgeonet's Dark Seal augment for enhanced Dark Magic spell effect duration.
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Drain (I) Set 1
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sapience Orb
|Head = Pixie Hairpin +1
|Neck = Erra Pendant
|Ear1 = Nehalennia Earring
|Ear2 = Hirudinea Earring
|Body = Carm. Sc. Mail +1
|Hands = Fall. Fin. Gaunt. +2
|Ring1 = Evanescence Ring
|Ring2 = Archon Ring
|Back = Niht Mantle
|BackAug = Dark Magic Skill +10
|Waist= Austerity Belt +1
|Legs = Eschite Cuisses
|LegsAug = MAB+25, Cons. MP+6, FC+5%
|Feet = Odyssean Greaves
|FeetAug = MAcc+30, FC+6%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Drain (I) Set 2
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sapience Orb
|Head = Pixie Hairpin +1
|Neck = Erra Pendant
|Ear1 = Nehalennia Earring
|Ear2 = Hirudinea Earring
|Body = Carm. Sc. Mail +1
|Hands = Fall. Fin. Gaunt. +3
|Ring1 = Evanescence Ring
|Ring2 = Archon Ring
|Back = Niht Mantle
|BackAug = Dark Magic Skill +10
|Waist= Austerity Belt +1
|Legs = Eschite Cuisses
|LegsAug = MAB+25, Cons. MP+6, FC+5%
|Feet = Nyame Sollerets
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|-
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Drain II and III
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Pemphredo Tathlum
|Head = Fall. Burgeonet +3
|Neck = Erra Pendant
|Ear1 = Nehalennia Earring
|Ear2 = Hirudinea Earring
|Body = Carm. Sc. Mail +1
|Hands = Fall. Fin. Gaunt. +3
|Ring1 = Evanescence Ring
|Ring2 = Archon Ring
|Back = Niht Mantle
|BackAug = Dark Magic Skill +10
|Waist= Austerity Belt +1
|Legs = Heath. Flanchard +3
|Feet = Rat. Sollerets +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

=====Absorb Sets=====
*Work in Progress.

=====Dread Spikes=====
*For anyone unfamiliar with or fortunate enough to not have faced an enemy with Dread Spikes, it is a spell that envelops the caster in darkness-based spikes that drains HP back from the enemy whenever they hit you in a melee round.
**Dread Spikes has a cap of 50% of the '''player's maximum HP upon cast.'''
***The HP cap can be increased by Job Points Gift and additional equipment. '''Exceeding 100% of maximum HP.'''
*Ineffective against undead.
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Dread Spikes I
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Charitoni Sling
|Head = Ratri Sallet
|Neck = Dualism Collar +1
|Ear1 = Tuisto Earring
|Ear2 = Upsurge Earring
|Body = Heathen's Cuirass
|Hands = Ratri Gadlings
|Ring1 = Moonbeam Ring
|Ring2 = Meridian Ring
|Back = Aenoth. Mantle +1
|Waist= Oneiros Belt
|Legs = Ratri Cuisses
|Feet = Ratri Sollerets
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Dread Spikes II
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Egoist's Tathlum
|Head = Ratri Sallet +1
|Neck = Unmoving Collar +1
|NeckAug = DEF+30, HP+200
|Ear1 = Tuisto Earring
|Ear2 = Odnowa Earring +1
|Ear2Aug = DEF+30, DT-3%
|Body = Heath. Cuirass +2
|Hands = Rat. Gadlings +1
|Ring1 = Moonlight Ring
|Ring2 = Gelatinous Ring +1
|Ring2Aug = VIT+15, HP+100
|Back = Moonlight Cape
|Waist= Gold Mog. Belt
|Legs = Ratri Cuisses +1
|Feet = Rat. Sollerets +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Dread Spikes III
|CaptionBottom = +3,507 HP
|Main = Crepuscular Scythe
|Sub = Utu Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Happy Egg
|Head = Ratri Sallet +1
|Neck = Unmoving Collar +1
|NeckAug = DEF+30, HP+200
|Ear1 = Tuisto Earring
|Ear2 = Odnowa Earring +1
|Ear2Aug = DEF+30, DT-3%
|Body = Heath. Cuirass +3
|Hands = Rat. Gadlings +1
|Ring1 = Moonlight Ring
|Ring2 = Gelatinous Ring +1
|Ring2Aug = VIT+15, HP+100
|Back = Moonlight Cape
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Ratri Cuisses +1
|Feet = Rat. Sollerets +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|-
|}

[[Category:Job Guides]]

=====Enfeebling Magic=====
*Though not used often in group content, Dark Knight does infact have access to Enfeebling Magic. Dark Knight has access to the majority of darkness aligned Enfeebling spells (with a glaring exception to Blind). When properly geared for it, a DRK can easily toss an additional sleep, break, or Bind to help in a pinch.
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Enfeebling Set 1
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sapience Orb
|Head = Carmine Mask
|HeadAug = Acc+15, MAcc+10, FC+3%
|Neck = Erra Pendant
|Ear1 = Enchntr. Earring +1
|Ear2 = Vor Earring
|Body = Ignominy Cuirass +2
|Hands = Fall. Fin. Gaunt. +2
|Ring1 = Kishar Ring
|Ring2 = Stikini Ring
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = INT+20, MAcc/MDMG+20, FC+10%, PDT-10%, MAcc+10
|Waist= Casso Sash
|Legs = Eschite Cuisses
|Feet = Ig. Sollerets +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Enfeebling Set 2
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Pemphredo Tathlum
|Head = Carmine Mask +1
|HeadAug = Acc+20, MAcc+12, FC+4%
|Neck = Henic Torque
|Ear1 = Malignance Earring
|Ear2 = Vor Earring
|Body = Ignominy Cuirass +3
|Hands = Fall. Fin. Gaunt. +3
|Ring1 = Kishar Ring
|Ring2 = Stikini Ring +1
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = INT+20, MAcc/MDMG+20, FC+10%, PDT-10%, MAcc+10
|Waist= Casso Sash
|Legs = Eschite Cuisses
|Feet = Ig. Sollerets +3
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Enfeebling Set 3
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Pemphredo Tathlum
|Head = Carmine Mask +1
|HeadAug = Acc+20, MAcc+12, FC+4%
|Neck = Incanter's Torque
|Ear1 = Malignance Earring
|Ear2 = Digni. Earring
|Body = Ignominy Cuirass +3
|Hands = Nyame Gauntlets
|Ring1 = Kishar Ring
|Ring2 = Stikini Ring +1
|Back = Ankou's Mantle
|BackAug = INT+20, MAcc/MDMG+20, FC+10%, PDT-10%, MAcc+10
|Waist= Casso Sash
|Legs = Nyame Flanchard
|Feet = Nyame Sollerets
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|-
|}

User:Cii/Sandbox

2026-03-08T05:02:24Z

Cii:

{{Guide}}
This is just intended to help with getting your summoner to the level where you can start seeing some nice numbers.

{{color|red|style=bold|Recommended GS LUA (and helpful tools) by Pergatory: }} [https://pastebin.com/u/pergatory Link].

== Getting Started ==
As a new level 99 SMN, I recommend focusing your efforts on the following:
# Obtain an [[Epitaph]] or grab an [[Eminent Sachet]] while you work towards your 100 JP gift to equip a [[Sancus Sachet +1]]
# Create [[Blood Pact]] (BP) sets to improve your avatar's maximum damage per offensive ability
# Create a [[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|BP delay]] set to improve the frequency that you can perform Blood Pacts
# Create an idle set with enough [[Avatar perpetuation cost]] - to offset your avatar's constant [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | MP drain/upkeep]], and enough DT- to survive being hit with AOEs in content like Dyna D
# Obtain the 1200 JP Gift and eventually reach Master SMN

An additional note: [[Flaming Crush]] is going to be your highest damage [[Blood Pact]] against almost anything that doesn't resist it. Embrace [[Ifrit]].

== JSE Gear ==

The only three pieces you need are the [[Beckoner's Horn +2]], [[Con. Doublet +4]], and [[Beck. Pigaches +2]].
The Empyrean hat is for cooldowns, the Artifact body is for [[Blood Pact]] damage, and the Empyrean shoes are for idling, but can be used for damage if you can't get your hands on Apogee. Prioritize based on what you're lacking.

== Merits ==

'''Group 1:'''
* Avatar Physical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Physical Attack: 5
* Avatar Magical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Magical Attack: 5
* Summoning Magic Cast Time: Do not merit this. Build a [[Fast Cast]] set instead.

You can switch Magical Attack to Physical Accuracy and vise versa if you feel like you are having a problem with accuracy for a certain [[Blood Pact]] that you're using often. A good example of this is for AFAC strategies on [[Reisenjima]] HELMS - Physical Accuracy is very important there because you almost exclusively use [[Volt Strike]].

'''Group 2:'''
* [[Meteor Strike]]: 5
* [[Heavenly Strike]]: 1
* [[Wind Blade]]: 1
* [[Geocrush]]: 1
* [[Thunderstorm]]: 1
* [[Grand Fall]]: 1

You can merit whichever one of these you're using most often with the full 5 merits, [[Meteor Strike]] is recommended here because of the offensive power of [[Flaming Crush]], and the ability to use [[Apogee]] to burst off of the skillchains it creates.

Good examples of times to merit other blood pacts: [[Geocrush]] for sortie bosses A and E magic burst strat, [[Thunderstorm]] if you're mostly attacking with [[Volt Strike]] from [[Ramuh]], or [[Heavenly Strike]] if you're bursting on [[Darkness]].

== Idle Set ==
Most gearswap files will have a separate set for idling with and without your avatar. 
This set is for the former, and the goal here is to reach the [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | perpetuation cost]] cap of -14 MP/tic first and foremost.
Once you have reached the cap, avatars will cost at most 1 MP/tic, even with [[Avatar's Favor]] up, so your [[Auto Refresh]] will easily cover that.

# Reach the cap of -14 [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | avatar perpetuation cost]] in pet idle set
# Obtain a [[Caller's_Pendant | Caller's Pendant]] to grant your avatar free TP while standing around
# Fill the remaining slots on [[Refresh]] or defense stats afterward.
#* Note that [[Avatar's Favor]] effects are tiered off based on total skill and Favor+ gear.

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Recommended Start
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Eabani Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Physical Damage Taken -10%
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Enmerkar Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Eva.+20/Mag. Eva. +20, Pet: Damage taken -5%, Pet: Mag. Acc. +20/Mag. Dmg. +20, Pet: Regen +10, Pet: Magic Damage +10
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Beck. Pigaches +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
Both of these sets should be somewhere around -40% DT- (and 10+ refresh!), so a simple swap of one piece ([[Bunzi's Pants]] for example) should be enough for your DT- set to be at or near -50%.
 
 
[[Evoker's Ring]] is good, but very skippable. [[Shadow Ring]] is a fairly easy to obtain tanky alternative for your second slot.
 
 
[[Oneiros Grip]] and [[Fucho-No-Obi]] are optional low-mp switches to give you even more MP when you really need it.
 
 
Most of the pieces listed above and hereafter are interchangeable with their NQ and HQ variants. Customize your set based on available gear.

== Cheapest / Entry Damage Set ==

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Lowest Cost / Bar to Entry
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Gelos Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10 - Pet: Acc, Atk, Macc, Mab help, but keep any +10 BPdmg roll when starting
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+15 Pet: "Double Attack"+3% "Blood Pact" damage +13
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
At time of writing (12/12/2025), the above set should be roughly 12mil to complete. (16mil if you get an Elan Strap +1.) If you don't have the money for that, feel free to downgrade items from +1 to +0 - with the apogee at +0, it'll only be about 7mil!
However, the prices on these are pretty low right now, so if you're liking the job i'd focus on getting the +1s here ASAP.

There isn't really a satisfactory belt option that doesn't require endgame content - [[Klouskap Sash]] exists, but its also 1.5 mil or greater. I'd recommend sticking with something defensive until you can get your hands on the [[Regal Belt]] or [[Incarnation Sash]].

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Required Magic BP Items
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity -6 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+30 Pet: Damage Taken -4%
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist=
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|LegsAug = Huge damage boost to merit (magic) blood pacts
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Other Useful Items'''
* Optional: [[Sancus Sachet +1]] - If you can't get the [[Epitaph]], or already have one, this is actually a better option until the [[Epitaph]] is augmented. However, it costs >2mil, so if money is a concern, try to get that Sgili clear for the [[Epitaph]].
* -
* Optional: [[Shulmanu Collar]] - BIS for melee pacts until a near max JSE neck +1 or +2, if you already have it, great!
* -
* Optional: [[Smn. Collar +1]] - 2nd BIS only to the +2 when fully augmented, and only ~3mil at time of writing. Worth it if you have the funds and are willing to get the RP in Dynamis.
* -
* Optional: [[Apogee Dalmatica]] (Path A) (Magical BP) - the +1 is good, but expensive, and magical only BPs are hardly ever used. Don't spend your money on a +1 unless you get very deep into gearing the job.
* -
* Optional: [[Sroda Earring]] (Melee Pacts, BIS and cheap)
* -
* Questionable: [[Kyrene's Earring]] - If you have one laying around and are missing something else
* -
* Questionable: [[Apogee Mitts]] - If unsure that you want to play the job, make a pair of +0s with path C while you try it out. Do not waste money on a +1 pair of these.

|}

== More Advanced Blood Pact Sets ==
{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
Blood Pacts are generally categorized as either physical or magical damage, with the exception that Ifrit's [[Burning Strike]] and [[Flaming Crush]] are considered hybrid damage. 
In the event you have a Nirvana and HQ Apogee pieces at hand, see Pergatory's LUA file above on gear choices while Garland's [[Aftermath]] is up.
#For physical BPs, you will want stats such as BP Damage, Accuracy, Attack, and Pet: Double Attack. 
#For magical BPs, you will want BP Damage, Magic Attack, and perhaps Pet: TP Bonus. Avatars seem to have naturally high magic accuracy for their associated element 
#For hybrid BPs, there is usually a mixture of physical and magical BP stats, with a heavy emphasis on the magical end.
 
None of these sets will include REMA weapons, or very expensive minor upgrades like +2 JSE necks.
 
 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Shulmanu Collar
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Sroda Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Glyphic Doublet +3
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = "Fast Cast" +10%, Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
You can use [[Apogee Attire Set]] +1 boots and hat for your physical set, but with the [[Helios Attire Set]] being easily attainable, I'd really recommend against buying a second pair of Apogee +1 for physical unless you're made of money. The Helios is typically better anyways - just requires some time to augment.

The [[Shulmanu Collar]] is probably not worth chasing just for SMN, as the [[Smn. Collar +1]] is better when fully augmented. Its mostly in this set in case you already have one for a different job.

The [[Sroda Earring]] is BIS as long as you've got enough accuracy in your set. The only reason the [[Beck. Earring +1]] is in mine is because the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] has 0 Pet: Accuracy.

Lastly, with Apollyon points being so accessible due to ???'s being shouted out every 3 days or so, i'd really recommend getting the [[Con. Doublet +4]]. You don't ever need to make the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] like I have, because of previously mentioned accuracy issues.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+60 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+30 "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = C. Palug Crown
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: Magic Acc, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The [[Apogee Slacks +1]] are only better than the [[Enticer's Pants]] if you have the blood pact fully merited, or have TP over 1500. You don't really need a second pair of these, just stick with the [[Enticer's Pants]].

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] after about lvl 10.

[[Gelos Earring]] is about the same as the [[Beck. Earring]] for merit pacts.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Gelos Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20 Pet: "Double Attack"+4% "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = C. Palug Crown
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The most important stat for [[Flaming Crush]] is Blood Pact Damage, as its counted twice: once on the physical hits, and once on the magical. That's why the [[Gelos Earring]] is recommended over the [[Beck. Earring]] here. Of course, if you already have a Beck. Earring, there's no reason to do the quest for the [[Gelos Earring]]. The damage difference is pretty minimal.

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] for hybrid pacts earlier than magical - switch as soon as you have some RP on it.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

[[Apogee Slacks +1]] (Path A) should be more damage than (Path D) for [[Flaming Crush]]. However, (Path D) is fine, so this upgrade is fairly unnecessary. With this same logic, the [[Apogee Dalmatica +1]] may be similar damage to the [[Con. Doublet +4]] - but the extra +60 accuracy on that top plays a huge role for [[Flaming Crush]]. If you miss either of the initial melee hits, your overall damage will completely plummet, because the magic hit's damage is based on the first two hits' damage.

Do not fret if you are missing the Omen/Vagary accessories; the bulk of your avatar's damage comes from your armor and weapon choices.

== BP Delay Reduction Gear ==
[[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|Blood Pact delays]] have a combined cap of -30 seconds from player gear and gifts, and no more than -15 seconds can be applied per delay tier. 
Once you have obtained the 500 JP (Superior 3) gift, the HQ [[Sancus Sachet]] and [[Baayami_Attire_Set|Baayami Attire Set]] can help you reach the BP delay cap while providing copious amounts of [[Summoning Magic Skill]]. 
An [[Espiritus]] can provide additional BP delay II if you do not mind potentially losing TP on swapping weapons. 

# Reach the cap of -30 seconds through gear and JP gifts
# Fill remaining slots with Summoning Skill and Favor+ gear to improve [[Avatar's Favor]] tier - the final 'tier' is at 670+ total skill.

{{color|red|style=bold|NOTE: }} Depending on your gearswap file, your BP delay set may be listed as a precast or midcast set. 
The delay set should equip as soon as a BP command is sent, and similarly, your BP damage sets should equip once your avatar begins its BP animation.

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -22 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
More than fully capped BP delay with 1200JP, plus 676 Summoning Magic Skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -18 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 0 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Eminent Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Shomonjijoe
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 100 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 500 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +3
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== Buff Duration / Summoning Skill Scaling Sets ==

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Buff Duration
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*This set gives 676 Summoning skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Summoning Skill +
|CaptionBottom = Alternative items
|Main =
|Sub = Vox Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Baayami Hat
|Neck = Incanter's Torque
|Ear1 = Andoaa Earring
|Ear2 = C. Palug Earring
|Body = Beck. Doublet +2
|Hands = Inyan. Dastanas +2
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Stikini Ring
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Beck. Spats +2
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path D: MP+70, "Summoning Magic Skill" +15, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*The [[Stikini Ring]] and [[Baayami Hat]] are very expensive for little benefit, so i'd recommend against them unless you already have them. They're mostly on this list so all options are shown.
*The [[Beckoner's Attire Set]] has a decent amount of skill, but its probably not worth building just for the skill bonus.

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Elemental Siphon
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Esper Stone +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Beck. Pigaches +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== SMN at a Glance ==
Here is where I attempt to answer questions and grossly generalize SMN at the same time: 

=== Skillchains and Magic Bursts ===
Physical and Hybrid BPs are analogous to player [[Weapon Skill|WSs]] and each have their own [[Summoner#Spells_and_Blood_Pacts|skillchain properties]]. 
Magic BPs are analogous to player spells and can be used in a [[Magic Burst|magic burst]]. 
In general, there is a short delay (just over a second) between using a BP command and when the BP is executed, so time your BPs accordingly.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchains (2-Step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst1
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Mountain Buster]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Gravitation]]
| [[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crag Throw]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Liquefaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Full Swing]]
| [[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Burning Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fusion]]
| [[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Conflag Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=5 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchain (3-step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #2
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #3
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #2
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]]1 [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
|-
| colspan=5|
1 Requires [[Apogee]] to BP twice in a row
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#0F0018"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Multi-SMN Skillchains
|- BGCOLOR="#2A0141"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Eclipse Bite]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]

|}

=== Blood Pacts and when to use them ===
A summary of useful BPs I have encountered for solo and group play. This list is not exhaustive.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#000822"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | I really need to...
|- BGCOLOR="#051549"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Rage
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Ward
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Potential Uses

|-
| Cleave targets
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderspark]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Level ? Holy]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
|
[[Vagary]] 
[[Salvage II| Salvage Farming]] 
[[Colonization_Reive|Colonization Reives]] 
[[Incursion]]

|-
| Curb enemy offense
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Tidal Roar]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Mewing Lullaby]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Eerie Eye]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' attack 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' TP 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Inflicts [[Silence]] and [[Amnesia]]
|-
| Buff party's offense
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crimson Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Inferno Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rolling Thunder]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Hastega_II|Hastega II]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crystal Blessing]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Attack Bonus 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enfire 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enthunder 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Haste II 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]TP Bonus 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Attack Bonus

|-
| Buff party's defense
|
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Armor]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Ward]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Perfect Defense]] [[File:Alexander_GUI.png|link=]] 2 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Frost Armor]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shining Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage mitigation 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Stoneskin 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage reduction 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice Spikes 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Defense+10%, MDT 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Defense Bonus
|-
| Dispel enemy buffs
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Lunar Roar]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Pavor Nocturnus]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[:Yggdreant|Yggdreants]] or [[Belladonna|Belladonna's]] 
[[Glassy Gorger]]

|-
| Sleep nearby enemies
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Nightmare]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Sleepga_(Blood_Pact)|Sleepga]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[Warder of Love]] 
[[Omen]] 
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]

|-
| Stun the enemy
|
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Transfixion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Chaotic Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shock Squall]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Helps [[:Trusts#Gessho|Gessho]] tank CP mobs.
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]
|-
| Heal my party
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Whispering Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Healing Ruby II]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Remove status ailments
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Soothing Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Run really fast
|
|
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Fleet Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Give party member Reraise
|
|
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Reraise II]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Deal hybrid damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Best damage while unresisted - check your monster beforehand. Fire/Magic/High Melee resist will chunk your damage. - example: [[Dynamis - Bastok (D)]](Green pull only)/[[Dynamis - Jeuno (D)]], [[Zerde]]

|-
| Deal melee damage
|
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]General Melee dmg - example: [[Reisenjima]] Helms ([[Erinys]], etc), but this will be your most used melee blood pact due to the stun. 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Slashing damage - example: [[Yakshi]]/[[Kalunga]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Blunt damage - example: [[Gigelorum]]/[[Gogmagog]] 

|-
| Deal magic damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Geocrush]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Fire damage (Light/Fusion/Liquefaction) 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice damage (Darkness/Distortion/Induration) 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Wind damage (Light/Fragmentation/Detonation) 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Earth damage (Darkness/Gravitation/Scission) 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Thunder damage (Light/Fragmentation/Impaction) 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Water damage (Darkness/Distortion/Reverberation)

|-
| colspan=4|
2 Requires [[Astral Flow]] to activate BP
|}

=== AFAC Strategy ===
Given the large amount of pet stats gained from SMN gifts and JP categories, I highly recommend maxing the [[Astral Flow]]/[[Astral Conduit]] effects and acquiring all the physical BP related stats (1710+ JP) prior to attempting an AFAC. 
Secondly, if you are using Gearswap, ensure that you are not accidentally swapping into a precast or aftercast set during [[Astral Conduit]]. 
At the time of this writing, Pergatory's LUA will equip an idle set following conduit BPs and assumes the user will stagger BPs approximately 1.25 seconds apart. 
If this proves inconvenient, you may opt to equip your BP set and //gs disable all during [[Astral Conduit]] '''[or]''' add code to disable his idle() function calls while conduit is up. 

'''Generic AFAC Algorithm'''
# Receive pre-fight buffs
# Activate [[Avatar's Favor]]
# If using [[Nirvana_(Level_119)|119 Nirvana]], or [[Opashoro]], build 3000 TP and gain [[Aftermath|AM3]] on fodder
# Pop NM
# Wait for GEO bubbles and offensive spells/JAs
# Hit [[Astral Flow]]
# Hit [[Astral Conduit]]
# Spam BPs
# Receive [[Mana Powder]] / [[Mana Mist]] during [[Astral Conduit]] from back line jobs if in [[Escha]] zone
# Watch your mana bar closely during your AFAC, and hit [[Convert]] if you ever drop below 300 - the goal is to get through two full mana bars during your AFAC if possible
# Once [[Astral Conduit]] wears:
# [[Apogee]], then BP (x2)
# Reset [[Apogee]] and [[Astral Flow]] + [[Astral Conduit]] via COR JAs and/or [[Super Revitalizer]] if in [[Escha]] zone
# Repeat until you or the boss dies

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#150101"
! colspan=10 style="text-align: center;" | Job Summary
|- BGCOLOR="#410202"
! width="15%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact
! width="15%" class=unsortable|SMN Food
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Indi-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Geo-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Entrust
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Offensive spells
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #1
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #2
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|RUN JAs
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|BRD Songs

|-
|
[[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]]
| [[Geo-Frailty]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Drachen Roll]]
| [[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]]

|-
| [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Frailty]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]] or [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
|
[[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]], [[File:Rolan._Daifuku_icon.png|link=Rolanberry Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Impact]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
| [[Companion's Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
| colspan=10|
[[Impact]], [[Odyllic Subterfuge]], and [[Refresh_(Status)|Refresh effects]] may be omitted based on NM and groups' comfort zone.
|-
| colspan=10|
Just use grape daifuku - there are other food options, but grapes are good for everything.
|}

== Acknowledgements ==
I took some of this straight from [https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Prismfang/Sandbox Prismfang's Sandbox], (especially the bottom half with info on what pacts do - I think its much nicer than having two pages open), with edits based on what I think is most realistic for someone newish to the job in 2025-2026.

Thanks to '''Pergatory''' of Asura for providing constructive feedback and all the SMNs on the FFXIAH.com forums for sharing their knowledge.

User:Cii/Sandbox

2026-03-08T05:01:50Z

Cii:

{{Guide}}
This is just intended to help with getting your summoner to the level where you can start seeing some nice numbers.

{{color|red|style=bold|Recommended GS LUA (and helpful tools) by Pergatory: }} [https://pastebin.com/u/pergatory Link].

== Getting Started ==
As a new level 99 SMN, I recommend focusing your efforts on the following:
# Obtain an [[Epitaph]] or grab an [[Eminent Sachet]] while you work towards your 100 JP gift to equip a [[Sancus Sachet +1]]
# Create [[Blood Pact]] (BP) sets to improve your avatar's maximum damage per offensive ability
# Create a [[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|BP delay]] set to improve the frequency that you can perform Blood Pacts
# Create an idle set with enough [[Avatar perpetuation cost]] - to offset your avatar's constant [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | MP drain/upkeep]], and enough DT- to survive being hit with AOEs in content like Dyna D
# Obtain the 1200 JP Gift and eventually reach Master SMN

An additional note: [[Flaming Crush]] is going to be your highest damage [[Blood Pact]] against almost anything that doesn't resist it. Embrace [[Ifrit]].

== JSE Gear ==

The only three pieces you need are the [[Beck. Horn +2]], [[Con. Doublet +4]], and [[Beck. Pigaches +2]].
The Empyrean hat is for cooldowns, the Artifact body is for [[Blood Pact]] damage, and the Empyrean shoes are for idling, but can be used for damage if you can't get your hands on Apogee. Prioritize based on what you're lacking.

== Merits ==

'''Group 1:'''
* Avatar Physical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Physical Attack: 5
* Avatar Magical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Magical Attack: 5
* Summoning Magic Cast Time: Do not merit this. Build a [[Fast Cast]] set instead.

You can switch Magical Attack to Physical Accuracy and vise versa if you feel like you are having a problem with accuracy for a certain [[Blood Pact]] that you're using often. A good example of this is for AFAC strategies on [[Reisenjima]] HELMS - Physical Accuracy is very important there because you almost exclusively use [[Volt Strike]].

'''Group 2:'''
* [[Meteor Strike]]: 5
* [[Heavenly Strike]]: 1
* [[Wind Blade]]: 1
* [[Geocrush]]: 1
* [[Thunderstorm]]: 1
* [[Grand Fall]]: 1

You can merit whichever one of these you're using most often with the full 5 merits, [[Meteor Strike]] is recommended here because of the offensive power of [[Flaming Crush]], and the ability to use [[Apogee]] to burst off of the skillchains it creates.

Good examples of times to merit other blood pacts: [[Geocrush]] for sortie bosses A and E magic burst strat, [[Thunderstorm]] if you're mostly attacking with [[Volt Strike]] from [[Ramuh]], or [[Heavenly Strike]] if you're bursting on [[Darkness]].

== Idle Set ==
Most gearswap files will have a separate set for idling with and without your avatar. 
This set is for the former, and the goal here is to reach the [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | perpetuation cost]] cap of -14 MP/tic first and foremost.
Once you have reached the cap, avatars will cost at most 1 MP/tic, even with [[Avatar's Favor]] up, so your [[Auto Refresh]] will easily cover that.

# Reach the cap of -14 [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | avatar perpetuation cost]] in pet idle set
# Obtain a [[Caller's_Pendant | Caller's Pendant]] to grant your avatar free TP while standing around
# Fill the remaining slots on [[Refresh]] or defense stats afterward.
#* Note that [[Avatar's Favor]] effects are tiered off based on total skill and Favor+ gear.

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Recommended Start
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Eabani Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Physical Damage Taken -10%
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Enmerkar Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Eva.+20/Mag. Eva. +20, Pet: Damage taken -5%, Pet: Mag. Acc. +20/Mag. Dmg. +20, Pet: Regen +10, Pet: Magic Damage +10
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Beck. Pigaches +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
Both of these sets should be somewhere around -40% DT- (and 10+ refresh!), so a simple swap of one piece ([[Bunzi's Pants]] for example) should be enough for your DT- set to be at or near -50%.
 
 
[[Evoker's Ring]] is good, but very skippable. [[Shadow Ring]] is a fairly easy to obtain tanky alternative for your second slot.
 
 
[[Oneiros Grip]] and [[Fucho-No-Obi]] are optional low-mp switches to give you even more MP when you really need it.
 
 
Most of the pieces listed above and hereafter are interchangeable with their NQ and HQ variants. Customize your set based on available gear.

== Cheapest / Entry Damage Set ==

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Lowest Cost / Bar to Entry
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Gelos Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10 - Pet: Acc, Atk, Macc, Mab help, but keep any +10 BPdmg roll when starting
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+15 Pet: "Double Attack"+3% "Blood Pact" damage +13
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
At time of writing (12/12/2025), the above set should be roughly 12mil to complete. (16mil if you get an Elan Strap +1.) If you don't have the money for that, feel free to downgrade items from +1 to +0 - with the apogee at +0, it'll only be about 7mil!
However, the prices on these are pretty low right now, so if you're liking the job i'd focus on getting the +1s here ASAP.

There isn't really a satisfactory belt option that doesn't require endgame content - [[Klouskap Sash]] exists, but its also 1.5 mil or greater. I'd recommend sticking with something defensive until you can get your hands on the [[Regal Belt]] or [[Incarnation Sash]].

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Required Magic BP Items
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity -6 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+30 Pet: Damage Taken -4%
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist=
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|LegsAug = Huge damage boost to merit (magic) blood pacts
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Other Useful Items'''
* Optional: [[Sancus Sachet +1]] - If you can't get the [[Epitaph]], or already have one, this is actually a better option until the [[Epitaph]] is augmented. However, it costs >2mil, so if money is a concern, try to get that Sgili clear for the [[Epitaph]].
* -
* Optional: [[Shulmanu Collar]] - BIS for melee pacts until a near max JSE neck +1 or +2, if you already have it, great!
* -
* Optional: [[Smn. Collar +1]] - 2nd BIS only to the +2 when fully augmented, and only ~3mil at time of writing. Worth it if you have the funds and are willing to get the RP in Dynamis.
* -
* Optional: [[Apogee Dalmatica]] (Path A) (Magical BP) - the +1 is good, but expensive, and magical only BPs are hardly ever used. Don't spend your money on a +1 unless you get very deep into gearing the job.
* -
* Optional: [[Sroda Earring]] (Melee Pacts, BIS and cheap)
* -
* Questionable: [[Kyrene's Earring]] - If you have one laying around and are missing something else
* -
* Questionable: [[Apogee Mitts]] - If unsure that you want to play the job, make a pair of +0s with path C while you try it out. Do not waste money on a +1 pair of these.

|}

== More Advanced Blood Pact Sets ==
{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
Blood Pacts are generally categorized as either physical or magical damage, with the exception that Ifrit's [[Burning Strike]] and [[Flaming Crush]] are considered hybrid damage. 
In the event you have a Nirvana and HQ Apogee pieces at hand, see Pergatory's LUA file above on gear choices while Garland's [[Aftermath]] is up.
#For physical BPs, you will want stats such as BP Damage, Accuracy, Attack, and Pet: Double Attack. 
#For magical BPs, you will want BP Damage, Magic Attack, and perhaps Pet: TP Bonus. Avatars seem to have naturally high magic accuracy for their associated element 
#For hybrid BPs, there is usually a mixture of physical and magical BP stats, with a heavy emphasis on the magical end.
 
None of these sets will include REMA weapons, or very expensive minor upgrades like +2 JSE necks.
 
 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Shulmanu Collar
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Sroda Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Glyphic Doublet +3
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = "Fast Cast" +10%, Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
You can use [[Apogee Attire Set]] +1 boots and hat for your physical set, but with the [[Helios Attire Set]] being easily attainable, I'd really recommend against buying a second pair of Apogee +1 for physical unless you're made of money. The Helios is typically better anyways - just requires some time to augment.

The [[Shulmanu Collar]] is probably not worth chasing just for SMN, as the [[Smn. Collar +1]] is better when fully augmented. Its mostly in this set in case you already have one for a different job.

The [[Sroda Earring]] is BIS as long as you've got enough accuracy in your set. The only reason the [[Beck. Earring +1]] is in mine is because the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] has 0 Pet: Accuracy.

Lastly, with Apollyon points being so accessible due to ???'s being shouted out every 3 days or so, i'd really recommend getting the [[Con. Doublet +4]]. You don't ever need to make the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] like I have, because of previously mentioned accuracy issues.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+60 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+30 "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = C. Palug Crown
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: Magic Acc, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The [[Apogee Slacks +1]] are only better than the [[Enticer's Pants]] if you have the blood pact fully merited, or have TP over 1500. You don't really need a second pair of these, just stick with the [[Enticer's Pants]].

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] after about lvl 10.

[[Gelos Earring]] is about the same as the [[Beck. Earring]] for merit pacts.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Gelos Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20 Pet: "Double Attack"+4% "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = C. Palug Crown
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The most important stat for [[Flaming Crush]] is Blood Pact Damage, as its counted twice: once on the physical hits, and once on the magical. That's why the [[Gelos Earring]] is recommended over the [[Beck. Earring]] here. Of course, if you already have a Beck. Earring, there's no reason to do the quest for the [[Gelos Earring]]. The damage difference is pretty minimal.

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] for hybrid pacts earlier than magical - switch as soon as you have some RP on it.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

[[Apogee Slacks +1]] (Path A) should be more damage than (Path D) for [[Flaming Crush]]. However, (Path D) is fine, so this upgrade is fairly unnecessary. With this same logic, the [[Apogee Dalmatica +1]] may be similar damage to the [[Con. Doublet +4]] - but the extra +60 accuracy on that top plays a huge role for [[Flaming Crush]]. If you miss either of the initial melee hits, your overall damage will completely plummet, because the magic hit's damage is based on the first two hits' damage.

Do not fret if you are missing the Omen/Vagary accessories; the bulk of your avatar's damage comes from your armor and weapon choices.

== BP Delay Reduction Gear ==
[[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|Blood Pact delays]] have a combined cap of -30 seconds from player gear and gifts, and no more than -15 seconds can be applied per delay tier. 
Once you have obtained the 500 JP (Superior 3) gift, the HQ [[Sancus Sachet]] and [[Baayami_Attire_Set|Baayami Attire Set]] can help you reach the BP delay cap while providing copious amounts of [[Summoning Magic Skill]]. 
An [[Espiritus]] can provide additional BP delay II if you do not mind potentially losing TP on swapping weapons. 

# Reach the cap of -30 seconds through gear and JP gifts
# Fill remaining slots with Summoning Skill and Favor+ gear to improve [[Avatar's Favor]] tier - the final 'tier' is at 670+ total skill.

{{color|red|style=bold|NOTE: }} Depending on your gearswap file, your BP delay set may be listed as a precast or midcast set. 
The delay set should equip as soon as a BP command is sent, and similarly, your BP damage sets should equip once your avatar begins its BP animation.

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -22 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
More than fully capped BP delay with 1200JP, plus 676 Summoning Magic Skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -18 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 0 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Eminent Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Shomonjijoe
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 100 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 500 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +3
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== Buff Duration / Summoning Skill Scaling Sets ==

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Buff Duration
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*This set gives 676 Summoning skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Summoning Skill +
|CaptionBottom = Alternative items
|Main =
|Sub = Vox Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Baayami Hat
|Neck = Incanter's Torque
|Ear1 = Andoaa Earring
|Ear2 = C. Palug Earring
|Body = Beck. Doublet +2
|Hands = Inyan. Dastanas +2
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Stikini Ring
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Beck. Spats +2
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path D: MP+70, "Summoning Magic Skill" +15, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*The [[Stikini Ring]] and [[Baayami Hat]] are very expensive for little benefit, so i'd recommend against them unless you already have them. They're mostly on this list so all options are shown.
*The [[Beckoner's Attire Set]] has a decent amount of skill, but its probably not worth building just for the skill bonus.

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Elemental Siphon
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Esper Stone +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Beck. Pigaches +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== SMN at a Glance ==
Here is where I attempt to answer questions and grossly generalize SMN at the same time: 

=== Skillchains and Magic Bursts ===
Physical and Hybrid BPs are analogous to player [[Weapon Skill|WSs]] and each have their own [[Summoner#Spells_and_Blood_Pacts|skillchain properties]]. 
Magic BPs are analogous to player spells and can be used in a [[Magic Burst|magic burst]]. 
In general, there is a short delay (just over a second) between using a BP command and when the BP is executed, so time your BPs accordingly.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchains (2-Step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst1
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Mountain Buster]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Gravitation]]
| [[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crag Throw]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Liquefaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Full Swing]]
| [[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Burning Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fusion]]
| [[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Conflag Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=5 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchain (3-step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #2
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #3
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #2
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]]1 [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
|-
| colspan=5|
1 Requires [[Apogee]] to BP twice in a row
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#0F0018"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Multi-SMN Skillchains
|- BGCOLOR="#2A0141"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Eclipse Bite]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]

|}

=== Blood Pacts and when to use them ===
A summary of useful BPs I have encountered for solo and group play. This list is not exhaustive.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#000822"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | I really need to...
|- BGCOLOR="#051549"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Rage
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Ward
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Potential Uses

|-
| Cleave targets
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderspark]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Level ? Holy]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
|
[[Vagary]] 
[[Salvage II| Salvage Farming]] 
[[Colonization_Reive|Colonization Reives]] 
[[Incursion]]

|-
| Curb enemy offense
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Tidal Roar]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Mewing Lullaby]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Eerie Eye]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' attack 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' TP 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Inflicts [[Silence]] and [[Amnesia]]
|-
| Buff party's offense
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crimson Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Inferno Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rolling Thunder]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Hastega_II|Hastega II]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crystal Blessing]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Attack Bonus 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enfire 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enthunder 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Haste II 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]TP Bonus 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Attack Bonus

|-
| Buff party's defense
|
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Armor]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Ward]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Perfect Defense]] [[File:Alexander_GUI.png|link=]] 2 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Frost Armor]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shining Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage mitigation 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Stoneskin 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage reduction 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice Spikes 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Defense+10%, MDT 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Defense Bonus
|-
| Dispel enemy buffs
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Lunar Roar]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Pavor Nocturnus]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[:Yggdreant|Yggdreants]] or [[Belladonna|Belladonna's]] 
[[Glassy Gorger]]

|-
| Sleep nearby enemies
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Nightmare]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Sleepga_(Blood_Pact)|Sleepga]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[Warder of Love]] 
[[Omen]] 
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]

|-
| Stun the enemy
|
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Transfixion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Chaotic Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shock Squall]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Helps [[:Trusts#Gessho|Gessho]] tank CP mobs.
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]
|-
| Heal my party
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Whispering Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Healing Ruby II]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Remove status ailments
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Soothing Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Run really fast
|
|
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Fleet Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Give party member Reraise
|
|
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Reraise II]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Deal hybrid damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Best damage while unresisted - check your monster beforehand. Fire/Magic/High Melee resist will chunk your damage. - example: [[Dynamis - Bastok (D)]](Green pull only)/[[Dynamis - Jeuno (D)]], [[Zerde]]

|-
| Deal melee damage
|
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]General Melee dmg - example: [[Reisenjima]] Helms ([[Erinys]], etc), but this will be your most used melee blood pact due to the stun. 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Slashing damage - example: [[Yakshi]]/[[Kalunga]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Blunt damage - example: [[Gigelorum]]/[[Gogmagog]] 

|-
| Deal magic damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Geocrush]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Fire damage (Light/Fusion/Liquefaction) 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice damage (Darkness/Distortion/Induration) 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Wind damage (Light/Fragmentation/Detonation) 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Earth damage (Darkness/Gravitation/Scission) 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Thunder damage (Light/Fragmentation/Impaction) 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Water damage (Darkness/Distortion/Reverberation)

|-
| colspan=4|
2 Requires [[Astral Flow]] to activate BP
|}

=== AFAC Strategy ===
Given the large amount of pet stats gained from SMN gifts and JP categories, I highly recommend maxing the [[Astral Flow]]/[[Astral Conduit]] effects and acquiring all the physical BP related stats (1710+ JP) prior to attempting an AFAC. 
Secondly, if you are using Gearswap, ensure that you are not accidentally swapping into a precast or aftercast set during [[Astral Conduit]]. 
At the time of this writing, Pergatory's LUA will equip an idle set following conduit BPs and assumes the user will stagger BPs approximately 1.25 seconds apart. 
If this proves inconvenient, you may opt to equip your BP set and //gs disable all during [[Astral Conduit]] '''[or]''' add code to disable his idle() function calls while conduit is up. 

'''Generic AFAC Algorithm'''
# Receive pre-fight buffs
# Activate [[Avatar's Favor]]
# If using [[Nirvana_(Level_119)|119 Nirvana]], or [[Opashoro]], build 3000 TP and gain [[Aftermath|AM3]] on fodder
# Pop NM
# Wait for GEO bubbles and offensive spells/JAs
# Hit [[Astral Flow]]
# Hit [[Astral Conduit]]
# Spam BPs
# Receive [[Mana Powder]] / [[Mana Mist]] during [[Astral Conduit]] from back line jobs if in [[Escha]] zone
# Watch your mana bar closely during your AFAC, and hit [[Convert]] if you ever drop below 300 - the goal is to get through two full mana bars during your AFAC if possible
# Once [[Astral Conduit]] wears:
# [[Apogee]], then BP (x2)
# Reset [[Apogee]] and [[Astral Flow]] + [[Astral Conduit]] via COR JAs and/or [[Super Revitalizer]] if in [[Escha]] zone
# Repeat until you or the boss dies

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#150101"
! colspan=10 style="text-align: center;" | Job Summary
|- BGCOLOR="#410202"
! width="15%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact
! width="15%" class=unsortable|SMN Food
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Indi-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Geo-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Entrust
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Offensive spells
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #1
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #2
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|RUN JAs
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|BRD Songs

|-
|
[[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]]
| [[Geo-Frailty]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Drachen Roll]]
| [[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]]

|-
| [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Frailty]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]] or [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
|
[[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]], [[File:Rolan._Daifuku_icon.png|link=Rolanberry Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Impact]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
| [[Companion's Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
| colspan=10|
[[Impact]], [[Odyllic Subterfuge]], and [[Refresh_(Status)|Refresh effects]] may be omitted based on NM and groups' comfort zone.
|-
| colspan=10|
Just use grape daifuku - there are other food options, but grapes are good for everything.
|}

== Acknowledgements ==
I took some of this straight from [https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Prismfang/Sandbox Prismfang's Sandbox], (especially the bottom half with info on what pacts do - I think its much nicer than having two pages open), with edits based on what I think is most realistic for someone newish to the job in 2025-2026.

Thanks to '''Pergatory''' of Asura for providing constructive feedback and all the SMNs on the FFXIAH.com forums for sharing their knowledge.

Community Paladin Guide

2026-02-02T07:49:42Z

Cii: /* "Spell Interruption Rate Down" */

{{Collaborative Guide}}

==Latest Updates==
*Beginning the process of updating, cleaning, and streamlining guide. More to come. --[[User:Brahmsz|Brahmsz]] ([[User talk:Brahmsz|talk]]) 23:59, 22 November 2025 (UTC)
*Working top-down:
**Updated and streamlined Food & Medicine section; Support Jobs are now listed plainly; Blue Mage Spell section now includes MP Cost, Casting & Recast time columns for easier/quicker reference.
**Further broke down, divided, and collapsed the Sword & Shield entries into subsections for (hopefully) better readability.
**JSE (Artifact & Relic Armor) sections updated to reflect increase to +4. (Reverence Gauntlets +4 page needs an uploaded icon photo)--[[User:Brahmsz|Brahmsz]] ([[User talk:Brahmsz|talk]]) 18:26, 2 January 2026 (UTC)
**Updated New & Returning Players sections to be in line with more current guide layout. Streamlined or shortened wordy explainers/notes.
**Added additional information to Enmity section for Enmity Loss Reduction. --[[User:Brahmsz|Brahmsz]] ([[User talk:Brahmsz|talk]]) 17:57, 25 January 2026 (UTC)

==General Information==
* One of the original six Advanced Jobs, as well as the direct opposite of Dark Knight.
* One of the two standard tank jobs in the game.
* Possesses the highest base Physical Defense rating as well as the most Physical Defense & Shield Mastery Traits of any job in the game.
* Is a safe choice for breaking into content.

===Roles===
* Traditional Tank with emphasis on physical damage mitigation.
* Keeps the monster's attention away from the other front-line and back-line players/characters by maintaining high levels of Enmity.
* Paladin's role has expanded in the healing category with the addition (and expansion) of the job ability Majesty.
** Through the use of the ability Majesty, single-target Cures are expanded to Area of Effect status.

==Food and Medicines==
===Food===
'''Recomended:'''
*{{ItemIcon|Miso Ramen|24}} '''[[Miso Ramen]]'''
:*'''HP+100, STR/VIT+5, DEF+10% (Max. 170), Mag. Def. Bonus+5, Mag. Eva.+10% (Max. 50), Resist Slow+10.'''
:*Best defensive food there is. Combines HP, Defense, Magic Defense & Magic Evasion all in one.
:**Purchased from the Auction House. Crafted only.

*{{ItemIcon|Om. Sandwich|24}} '''[[Om. Sandwich]]'''
:*'''HP+11% (Max. 150), VIT/MND+7, Acc.+11% (80), Def.+11% (120), Enm.+4.'''
:*Comparable to Miso Ramen in HP and Defense; exchanges Magic Defense & Magic Evasion for Accuracy & Enmity+.
:**Purchased from the Auction House. Crafted only.

'''Alternatives:'''
*{{ItemIcon|Black Curry Bun|24}} '''[[Black Curry Bun]]'''
:*'''DEX+2, VIT+4, INT+1, Acc./R. Acc+5, Evasion+5, DEF+15% (Max. 180), Resist Sleep+3, HHP+2, HMP+1.'''
:*Black Curry Buns have 10 more defense than Miso Ramen, but lacks the other benefits. The good thing is Black Curry Buns are a fraction of the price of Miso (market depending).
:** Purchased from the [[Curio Moogle]] for 4,000 gil, 48,000 a stack.

*{{ItemIcon|Tavnazian Taco|24}} '''[[Tavnazian Taco]]'''
:*'''HP/MP+20, DEX/AGI/CHR+4, VIT+6, DEF+25% (Max. 150), HHP/MP+1.'''
:*Relic of its time. There is no reason to use this anymore, but if you are at lower level it will provide better defense than most of the above foods.
:**Purchased from the [[Curio Moogle]] for 4,000 gil, 48,000 a stack.

*{{ItemIcon|Rabbit Pie|24}} '''[[Rabbit Pie]]'''
:*'''STR/VIT+5 INT-2 Att./R.Att+25%, DEF+25% (Max. 100).'''
:*Honorable mention. The Attack & Defense parameters aren't as high but definitely worth keeping in mind.
:**Purchased from [[Curio Moogle]] for 3,000 gil, 36,000 gil a stack.

===Medicines===
*{{ItemIcon|Antidote|24}} '''[[Antidote]]''': Cures Poison.
*{{ItemIcon|Echo Drops|24}} '''[[Echo Drops]]''': Cures Silence.
*{{ItemIcon|Holy Water|24}} '''[[Holy Water]]''': Cures Curse, Bane, and Doom ''(Sometimes).''
*{{ItemIcon|Remedy|24}} '''[[Remedy]]''': Cures most status effects covered by -na line. ''(Virus/Plague and Curses/Doom not included)''
*{{ItemIcon|Panacea|24}} '''[[Panacea]]''': Cures most status effects curable by Erase.
*{{ItemIcon|Vile Elixir|24}} '''[[Vile Elixir]]''': Emergency heal (50% HP).
*{{ItemIcon|Vile Elixir +1|24}} '''[[Vile Elixir +1]]''': Emergency heal (FULL HP).
*{{ItemIcon|Antacid|24}} '''[[Antacid]]''': Clears current food status.
*{{ItemIcon|Reraiser|24}} '''[[Reraiser]]'''
*{{ItemIcon|Hi-Reraiser|24}} '''[[Hi-Reraiser]]'''
*{{ItemIcon|Instant Reraise|24}} '''[[Instant Reraise]]'''
*{{ItemIcon|Instant Reraise III|24}} '''[[Instant Reraise III]]'''

==Support Jobs==
*Support jobs or "Sub Jobs" can range and see variable use dependent on situation. The standard two support jobs are '''Warrior''' and '''Blue Mage''', with special mention for '''Dark Knight''', '''Rune Fencer''', as well as '''Scholar'''.
**All five support jobs have their situations, and should be used accordingly. The higher end / more challenging content will most likely lean towards the use of BLU.
**However, as Power Creep continues with newer & stronger armor sets (but more specifically Master Level increases), the likelihood is RUN will become the prevalent support job of choice.
*For the sake of thoroughness, please see below for a variety of support jobs and reasons advocating for their use.

*{{ItemIcon|Fighter's Mask|24}} '''[[Warrior]]'''
:*A classic support job, reminiscent of ye olden Level 75-Cap days. Warrior still has its uses for solo and/or low-manning content.
:*'''Abilities''': [[Berserk]], [[Aggressor]], [[Warcry]].
:*'''Traits''': [[Double Attack]] I, [[Attack Bonus]] I, [[Smite]] I, [[Damage Limit+]] I, [[Fencer]] I.
:*'''Master Levels'''
:**[[Double Attack]] II (ML5)
:**[[Fencer]] II (ML45)

{{ItemIcon|Mirage Keffiyeh|24}} '''[[Blue Mage]]'''
:*One of the most solid support jobs Paladin can sub. Blue Mage offers strong physical defense through the spell [[Cocoon]] as well as an array of enmity generating spells to keep the monster(s) focused on you.
:*Spells are set up within a point system customized to the players particular needs for Job Traits and utility purposes alike.
:*'''Spells & Traits''': '''Please reference Notes on /BLU section below.'''

{{ItemIcon|Bale Burgeonet|24}} '''[[Dark Knight]]'''
:*An aggressive support job with high enmity options. Dark Knight sacrifices defense for offense, but with the direction that gear and Master Levels are going, lapses in defensive layers are becoming less of a concern.
:*'''Abilities''': [[Last Resort]], [[Souleater]].
:*'''Spells''': [[Stun]], [[Poisonga]].
:*'''Traits''': [[Attack Bonus]] II, [[Smite]] II, [[Damage Limit+]] II, [[Stalwart Soul]] I.
:*'''Master Levels'''
:**[[Attack Bonus]] III (ML5)
:**[[Smite]] III (ML30)
:**[[Damage Limit+]] III (ML30)
:**[[Consume Mana]] (ML30)

{{ItemIcon|Erilaz Galea|24}} '''[[Rune Fencer]]'''
:*Regarded as the '''other''' main tank of the game. Rune Fencer aims more broadly at defending against magic damage and status effects. Offers quite a bit in terms of defensive layers & enmity tools.
:*'''Abilities''': Sub-menus (see below)--
:**'''Rune Enchantment''': [[Ignis]], [[Gelus]], [[Flabra]], [[Tellus]], [[Sulpor]], [[Unda]], [[Lux]], [[Tenebrae]].
:**'''Effusions''': [[Swordplay]], [[Swipe]] & [[Lunge]].
:**'''Wards''': [[Vallation]], [[Pflug]].
:**'''Traits''': [[Tenacity]] III, [[Magic Defense Bonus]] II, [[Inquartata]] II, [[Auto-Regen]],
:**'''Enhancing Magic''': [[Barspell]] (self), [[Regen II]].
:*'''Master Levels'''
:**[[Valiance]] (ML5)
:**[[Stoneskin]] (ML5)
:**[[Magic Defense Bonus]] III & [[Accuracy Bonus]] I (ML5)
:**[[Foil]]!!! (ML45)

{{ItemIcon|Acad._Mortarboard|24}} '''[[Scholar]]'''
:*With the introduction of Sortie, Scholar gained a renewed look for PLD's arsenal. This is the most versatile subjob for main healing. It helps boost lacking magic skills up to B+ Rank for [[Healing Magic]], [[Enhancing Magic]] and [[Enfeebling Magic]]. Storm Spells help maximize their Healing magic, and its AOE buff spells are invaluable; such as [[Regen III]], [[Aquaveil]], and [[Phalanx]].
:*'''Abilities''': [[Light Arts]], [[Dark Arts]], [[Sublimation]]
:**[[Light Arts]] - Increases your current Skill level for Healing, Enfeebling, and Enhancing to B+ rank. Reduces Mana costs, casting and recasting time for White magic. Increases mana costs, casting and recasting time for black magic.
:***Stratagems: [[Penury]], [[Celerity]], [[Accession]]
:**[[Dark Arts]] - Increases your current skill level for Enfeebling, Elemental, and Dark Magic to B+. Reduces Mana costs, casting and recasting time for Black Magic. Increases mana costs, casting and recasting time for White Magic.
:***Stratagems: [[Parsimony]], [[Alacrity]], [[Manifestation]]
:*'''Traits''': [[Resist Silence|Resist Silence II]], [[Max MP Boost]], [[Conserve MP]], [[Clear Mind|Clear Mind II]], [[Tranquil Heart|Tranquil Heart II]]
:*'''Enhancing Magic''': [[Storm|Storm Spells]]
:*'''Elemental Magic''': [[Helix|Helix Spells]]
:*'''Master Levels'''
:**'''Third Stratagem''': MLv.5
:**[[Clear Mind|Clear Mind III]]: MLv.5
:**[[Rapture]]: MLv.30
:**[[Regen III]]: MLv.50

==Tanking: Mitigation & Enmity==
*A Paladin's job of tanking can be split into two [simplified] schools of thought: 1) Mitigating incoming damage and negative status effects through ''layering defensive measures''; and 2) ''Maintaining a high(er) level of enmity'' over other party and/or alliance members. Please see below.

===Layering Defenses===
*As mentioned above, the key to mitigating damage and negative statuses is through layering defenses against them.

:*On the physical side for Paladin, it starts with the most basic of stats of Vitality and Physical Defense. Further enhanced by stats such as Physical Damage Taken -% (PDT-%) gear and its more advanced form Damage Taken -% (DT-%) gear. Paladin also specializes in shield blocking which further reduces damage when ''facing an attacking monster upon successful block''. There are various spells and abilities which augment physical defenses such as Protect, Phalanx, Sentinel and Rampart.

:*On the magical side for Paladin, it starts with the the stats of Intelligence, Mind, Magic Defense and Magic Evasion. Further enhanced by magic damage taken -% (MDT-%) gear and its more advanced form Damage Taken -% gear ''(which covers bother Physical and Magical damage, but also the less often seen Breathe damage)''. There are various spells and abilities which augment magical defenses such as Shell ''(which is itself a form of MDT-%)'' and Fealty for example.

===Enmity===
*Enmity itself can be divided into two specific measurable types: '''Cumulative Enmity and Volatile Enmity. '''

:*Cumulative Enmity is largely static and typically builds slower than its counterpart. Cumulative Enmity is reduced by outside actions such as taking damage and getting debuffed (negative status effects). See below in Enmity Management for more detail.

:*Volatile Enmity is more fluid in that it builds quickly--typically (but not always) at a rate of three times that of Cumulative Enmity. Volatile Enmity however, natively reduces overtime. '''Approximately 60 Volatile Enmity per second.'''

*''Please see Enmity Table section below for the measurable caps on both types of enmity.''

*Enmity in general can be split across three categories: '''Curing, Damage, and Actions'''. The first two are fairly self-explanatory but here is a direct link for further explanation: [[Enmity#Enmity_Gain|Damage and Cure Enmity Gain]]. Please see below for Actions.

:*Virtually every player action in the game generates enmity. Although most don't do much, "enmity actions" would be actions with notable enmity value(s) attached. ''(Such as Flash or Provoke)''

====Enmity Management: Enmity Loss Reduction====
*Additionally, management of Enmity loss is a key function in a tank's role and responsibilities.
*Enmity Loss Reduction applies in two separate multiplicative steps, through Enmity+ and Enmity Lost Reduction. '''Up to total of -75% Cumulative Enmity Loss.'''
**The first step is through collective Enmity+ in gear. Every +2 Enmity equals -1% Enmity Loss Reduction, capping at 50% (+100 Enmity).
**The second step is gained through the "Enmity Loss Reduction" stat, via the following sources:
***[[Foe Sirvente]], [[Creed Collar]], [[Chev. Cuisses +3]], and [[Burtgang (Level 119 III)]].
***Enmity Loss Reduction caps at 50%.

====Enmity Table====
*As per the Enmity page:
:*The cap enmity is 60,000 total (30,000 each of Cumulative '''(CE)''' and Volatile Enmity '''(VE)''').
:*If multiple players have enmity on a monster ''(on the hate list)'', the monster will target the player on the hate list with the highest combined enmity values.
:*In the case of multiple players having identical enmity values ''(being at enmity cap for example)'', a monster will target the player that acted most recently.

{| style="background:#ccebfe; text-align: center; width: 100%; max-width: 788px;" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed C1-Bold" cellpadding="2"
! style="background:#ccebfe; border-color: #59c1ff;" colspan="3"|Enmity Table
|-
! style="background:#ccebfe; border-color: #59c1ff;" colspan="1" width="20%"|Ability
! style="background:#ccebfe; border-color: #59c1ff;" colspan="1" width="30%"|Cumulative Enmity Value
! style="background:#ccebfe; border-color: #59c1ff;" colspan="1" width="50%"|Volatile Enmity Value
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Invincible]]
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|'''1 CE1'''
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|'''7,200 VE'''
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Shield Bash]]
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|450 CE
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|900 VE
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Sentinel]]
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|0 CE
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|900 VE
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Rampart]]
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|320 CE
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|320 VE
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Palisade]]
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|900 CE
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|1,800 VE
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Majesty]]
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|0 CE
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|300 VE
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Divine Emblem]]
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|0 CE
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|300 VE
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Fealty]]
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|1 CE
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|300 VE
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Chivalry]]
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|1 CE
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|300 VE
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Intervene]]
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|??? CE
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|??? VE
|-
! style="background:#ccebfe; border-color: #59c1ff;" colspan="1" width="20%"|Spell
! style="background:#ccebfe; border-color: #59c1ff;" colspan="1" width="30%"|Cumulative Enmity Value
! style="background:#ccebfe; border-color: #59c1ff;" colspan="1" width="50%"|Volatile Enmity Value
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Flash]]
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|180 CE
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|1,280 VE
|-
|}

# '''The Cumulative Enmity Value for Invincible is 2,001 with 20/20 Job Points invested in the Invincible Category. Please reference the Job Points section below.'''

===Notes on Tanking /BLU===
<hr style="border-color: gray">
Blue Mage as a sub (or support job) has been a main stay for PLD for a quite some time now. "/BLU" provides a number of benefits both directly and indirectly to help bolster the player's defenses and Enmity gain & retention. ''Those familiar with setting their Blue Magic spell list may already know this but it's worth mentioning that you only are able to set 14 spells or a total of 30 points (whichever comes first) as a Level 49 /BLU.'' With Master Levels allowing access to Blue Magic spells from Levels 50~59, at Master level 10, those caps increase to 16 spells and 35 set points, respectively. 

See below for a list of spells to think about setting: 

*'''Non-Mastered'''
:*Direct Uses
:**[[Cocoon]]: Increases Physical Defense rating by 50%.
:**[[Bomb Toss]] and [[Cursed Sphere]] are both Medium Range (13.5 Yalm distance) spells for multi-target Area of Effect pulls (7 Yalm Radius).
:***An example of where this is useful would be for [[Dynamis_-_Divergence|Dynamis Divergence]] Wave 3 fetter pulls.
:**[[Blank Gaze]]: Single-target Enmity spell.
:**[[Jettatura]]: Front conal Enmity Spell (9 Yalm range, 30~45° cone).
:**Caster-Focused Area of Effect Enmity Spells: As the bullet point indicates, /BLU has a variety of AoE spells focused around the caster which can be used to either tag a group of mobs or bolster the Enmity already established on a group of enemies.
:***[[Sheep Song]], [[Stinking Gas]], [[Soporific]], and [[Geist Wall]].
:***'''Please Note: There is a 15 target maximum initial Enmity establishing limit. So for example, if there is a group of 20 monsters and you cast an AoE Enmity spell covering all 20, only 15 will add you to their Enmity List. Anything past that limit has to be either tagged individually one at a time or AoE'd outside of that initial 15 targets.''' 

:*Job Traits
:**[[Healing Breeze]] + [[Sheep Song]] provides [[Auto_Regen|Auto Regen]] 

:*Stat Gains Yes, stat gains. Even with the amount of stats given by Item Level equipment, you still will have some spell slots left over to add additional stats according to your own personal preferences. In this case, listing spells which add a few extra points of HP as it's objectively the most reasonable gain one can get out of the list and may push you over a HP threshold:
:**[[Wild Oats]] HP+10, [[Feather Storm]] HP+5, [[Screwdriver]] HP+10, [[Healing Breeze]] HP+10, [[Sheep Song]] HP+5, [[Helldive]] HP+5, [[Wild Carrot]] HP+5 

*'''Master Level 5+:'''
:*Direct Uses
:**Caster-Focused Area of Effect Enmity Spells:
:***[[Cold Wave]]: Becomes an additional option in your rotation after ML 15 and even has a minor added benefit of applying a Frost DoT.
:*Job Traits
:**[[Ice Break]] (ML5) + [[Magnetite Cloud]] provides [[Magic_Defense_Bonus|Magic Defense Bonus]]
:*Stat Gains
:**[[Radiant Breath]] HP+5
====/BLU Enmity Table====
{| style="background:#ccebfe; text-align: center; width: 100%; max-width: 788px;" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed C1-Bold" cellpadding="2"
! style="background:#ccebfe; border-color: #59c1ff;" colspan="5"|Enmity Table
|-
! style="background:#ccebfe; border-color: #59c1ff;" colspan="1" width="20%"|Spell
! style="background:#ccebfe; border-color: #59c1ff;" colspan="1" width="20%"|Base Cumulative Enmity (CE)
! style="background:#ccebfe; border-color: #59c1ff;" colspan="1" width="20%"|Base Volatile Enmity (VE)
! style="background:#ccebfe; border-color: #59c1ff;" colspan="1" width="20%"|MP Cost
! style="background:#ccebfe; border-color: #59c1ff;" colspan="1" width="20%"|Cast Time / Recast (Seconds)
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Blank Gaze]]
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|320 CE
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|320 VE
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|25 MP
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|3s / 10s
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Jettatura]]
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|180 CE
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|1,020 VE
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|37 MP
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|0.5s / 60s
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Sheep Song]]
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|320 CE
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|320 VE
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|22 MP
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|3s / 60s
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Stinking Gas]]
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|320 CE
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|320 VE
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|44 MP
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|4s / 37s
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Geist Wall]]
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|320 CE
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|320 VE
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|46 MP
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|3s / 30s
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Soporific]]
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|320 CE
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|320 VE
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|24 MP
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|3s / 90s
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Cold Wave]] '''ML15'''
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|320 CE
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|320 VE
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|37 MP
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|4s / 60s
|-
|}

====Picking your Spells====
[[User:Brahmsz|Brahmsz]] ([[User talk:Brahmsz|talk]]): This is more of a personal notation, but your set list of spells while limited in capacity by sub is a still a matter of personal preference. All the spells listed here should have their respective links but in an abundance of caution for those who will likely skip over these sorts of things here's some tips:
:*MP Cost, Casting time, Casting & AoE Range, and Stat Gains (HP) are all considerations for what spells you choose.
:**Personally, I lean more into a spell set that favors HP gains to push my HP cap over a given threshold, just as an example.
:***As such, I avoid Soporific & Geist Wall as they both have '''HP-10.'''
:**Of the 4 non-Master Level AoE spells available, Sheep Song has the lowest MP Cost (22MP), followed in order by Soporific (24MP), Stinking Gas (44MP), and Geist Wall (46MP).
:***Stinking Gas has the longest casting time at 4 seconds compared to 3 seconds for the others.
:****Geist Wall has the shortest recast time (30 sec), followed by Stinking Gas (37s), Sheep Song (60s), and Soporific (90s).
:**Cursed Sphere has a lower MP Cost (32v42), Cast Time (3v4), and Recast (20v25) over Bomb Toss while having the same Casting & AoE Range.

==Abilities, Traits, Merits, and Job Points==
===Abilities and Traits===
<hr style="border-color: gray">

{| border="0" width="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" valign="top"
|valign="top" width="39%" |
{| style="background:#eef8fe; text-align: center;" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" cellpadding="2" width="100%"
! style="background:#ccebfe; border-color: #59c1ff;" colspan="2"|[[Job Traits]]
|-
! style="background:#ccebfe; border-color: #59c1ff;" width="20%"|Lvl.
! style="background:#ccebfe; border-color: #59c1ff;" |Name
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''5'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Undead Killer]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''10'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Defense Bonus]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''20'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Resist Sleep]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''25'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Shield Mastery]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''30'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Defense Bonus | Defense Bonus II]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''35'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Auto Refresh]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''40'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Resist Sleep | Resist Sleep II]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''50'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Defense Bonus | Defense Bonus III]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''50'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Shield Mastery | Shield Mastery II]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''60'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Resist Sleep | Resist Sleep III]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''70'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Defense Bonus | Defense Bonus IV]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''70'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Shield Barrier | Shield Barrier]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''75'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Resist Sleep | Resist Sleep IV]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''75'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Shield Mastery | Shield Mastery III]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''75''' {{Merit Icon}}
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Iron Will]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''75''' {{Merit Icon}}
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Guardian]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''76'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Defense Bonus | Defense V]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''77'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Shield Defense Bonus]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''79'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Critical Defense Bonus]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''81'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Resist Sleep | Resist Sleep V]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''86'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Undead Killer | Undead Killer II]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''91'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Defense Bonus | Defense Bonus VI]]
|-
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| '''96'''
|style="border-color: #59c1ff;"| [[Shield Mastery | Shield Mastery IV]]
|}
|width="10px"|

|valign="top" width="59%"|

{| style="background:#ffdede; text-align: center;" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" cellpadding="2" width="100%"
! style="background:#fbadad; border-color: #ee6a6a;" colspan="4"|[[Job Ability]]
|-
! style="background:#fbadad; border-color: #ee6a6a;" width="20%" |Lvl.
! style="background:#fbadad; border-color: #ee6a6a;" width="30%" |Name
! style="background:#fbadad; border-color: #ee6a6a;" width="50%" |Noteworthy Equipment
|-
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| '''1'''
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[Invincible]]
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[File:Cab. Breeches icon.png|link=|20px]] [[Caballarius Breeches]][[File:Cab. Breeches description.png|link=Caballarius Breeches]]
|-
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| '''5'''
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[Holy Circle]]
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[File:Rev. Leggings icon.png|link=|20px]] [[Reverence Leggings]][[File:Rev. Leggings description.png|link=Reverence Leggings]]
|-
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| '''15'''
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[Shield Bash]]
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[File:Cab. Gauntlets icon.png|link=|20px]] [[Caballarius Gauntlets]][[File:Cab. Gauntlets description.png|link=Caballarius Gauntlets]]
|-
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| '''30'''
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[Sentinel]]
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[File:Cab. Leggings icon.png|link=|20px]] [[Caballarius Leggings]][[File:Cab. Leggings description.png|link=Caballarius Leggings]]
|-
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| '''35'''
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[Cover]]
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[File:Rev. Coronet icon.png|link=|20px]] [[Reverence Coronet]][[File:Rev. Coronet description.png|link=Reverence Coronet]] | [[File:Cab. Surcoat icon.png|link=|20px]] [[Caballarius Surcoat]][[File:Cab. Surcoat description.png|link=Caballarius Surcoat]]
|-
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| '''62'''
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[Rampart]]
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[File:Cab. Coronet icon.png|link=|20px]] [[Caballarius Coronet]][[File:Cab. Coronet description.png|link=Caballarius Coronet]]
|-
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| '''70'''
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[Majesty]]
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"|
|-
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| '''75''' {{Merit Icon}}
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[Fealty]]
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[File:Cab. Surcoat icon.png|link=|20px]] [[Caballarius Surcoat]][[File:Cab. Surcoat description.png|link=Caballarius Surcoat]]
|-
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| '''75''' {{Merit Icon}}
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[Chivalry]]
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[File:Cab. Gauntlets icon.png|link=|20px]] [[Caballarius Gauntlets]][[File:Cab. Gauntlets description.png|link=Caballarius Gauntlets]]
|-
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| '''78'''
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[Divine Emblem]]
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[File:Chev. Sabatons icon.png|link=|20px]] [[Chevalier's Sabatons]][[File:Chev. Sabatons description.png|link=Chevalier's Sabatons]]
|-
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| '''87'''
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[Sepulcher]]
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"|
|-
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| '''95'''
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[Palisade]]
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"|
|-
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| '''96'''
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"| [[Intervene]]
|style="border-color: #ee6a6a;"|
|-
|}
|-
|}

===Merits===
<hr style="border-color: gray">

{| style="width: 100%; max-width: 1600px; text-align: center;" class="wikitable R-Highlight-Orange mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" cellpadding="2"
! style="background:#fdc7a9; border-color: #fc8b4d;" colspan="4"|Group 1
|-
! style="background:#fdc7a9; border-color: #fc8b4d;" colspan="1" width="10%"|Name
! style="background:#fdc7a9; border-color: #fc8b4d;" colspan="1" width="35%"|Description
! style="background:#fdc7a9; border-color: #fc8b4d;" colspan="1" width="5%"|Level
! style="background:#fdc7a9; border-color: #fc8b4d;" colspan="1" width="50%"|Notes
|-
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| [[Shield Bash]] Recast
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| Shorten recast time by 2 seconds.
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| 0/5
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| Shield Bash timer has been significantly reduced to 60 seconds. The additional seconds off are not worth it.
|-
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| [[Holy Circle]] Recast
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| Shorten recast time by 10 seconds.
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| 0/5
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| Artifact feet already boost the duration to 4:30 with a recast of 5:00.
|-
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| [[Sentinel]] Recast
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| Shorten recast time by 10 seconds.
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| 5/5
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| You want to reduce the downtime of this ability. 5/5 takes off 50 seconds from the recast. High value investment.
|-
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| [[Cover]] effect length
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| Lengthen time of effect by 4 seconds.
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| 0/5
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| Cover has fallen out of use and extending duration will not help in most situations.
|-
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| [[Rampart]] Recast
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| Shorten recast time by 4 seconds.
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| 5/5
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| You want to reduce the downtime on Rampart as well. High value investment.
|-
|}
{| style="width: 100%; max-width: 1600px; text-align: center;" class="wikitable R-Highlight-Orange mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" cellpadding="2"
! style="background:#fdc7a9; border-color: #fc8b4d;" colspan="4"|Group 2
|-
! style="background:#fdc7a9; border-color: #fc8b4d;" colspan="1" width="10%"|Name
! style="background:#fdc7a9; border-color: #fc8b4d;" colspan="1" width="35%"|Description
! style="background:#fdc7a9; border-color: #fc8b4d;" colspan="1" width="5%"|Level
! style="background:#fdc7a9; border-color: #fc8b4d;" colspan="1" width="50%"|Notes
|-
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| [[Fealty]]
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| Grants a powerful resistance to enfeebling magic. Recast: 10min. Increase duration by 5 seconds.
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| 1/5 to 4/5
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| '''Invest at least one point''' While the description simply says ''enfeebling magic'', Fealty also has clutch uses against certain non-spell / TP-based status effects and even some elemental damaging spells. The augmented relic body will increase the duration of Fealty by 4 seconds per merit level. This is still a 10 minute ability and comes down to person preference.
|-
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| [[Chivalry]]
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| Converts TP to MP. Recast: 10min. Increase amount of MP granted by 5%.
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| 1/5 to 4/5
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| '''Invest at least one point'''The bare minimum return on Chivalry with 1,000 TP should be mid 600's. The augmented relic hands will increase the TP-based portion of the MP restoration by 10%. This is still a 10 minute ability and comes down to person preference.
|-
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| [[Iron Will]]
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| Adds a spell interruption down effect to Rampart. Increase effect by 19%.
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| 0/5
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| Shield Mastery gives 100% Spell Interruption Rate down upon a successful block, making Iron Will largely antiquated and unnecessary.
|-

|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| [[Guardian]]
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| Reduces enmity loss while using Sentinel. Increase effect by 19 percent.
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| 5/5
|style="background:#fde1d2; border-color: #fc8b4d;"| '''Highly Desirable.''' The enmity loss reduction on this trait is hefty and should be embraced wholeheartedly.
|-
|}

===Job Points===
<hr style="border-color: gray">

{| border="0" width="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" valign="top"
{| style="background:#ccebfe; text-align: center;" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" cellpadding="2" width="100%"
! style="background:#ccebfe; border-color: #59c1ff;" colspan="3"|[[Job Points]]
|-
! style="background:#ccebfe; border-color: #59c1ff;" colspan="1" width="20%"|Name
! style="background:#ccebfe; border-color: #59c1ff;" colspan="1" width="30%"|Description
! style="background:#ccebfe; border-color: #59c1ff;" colspan="1" width="50%"|Notes on Effects
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Invincible]] Effect
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increases the amount of static enmity accrued from activating Invincible.
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increases static enmity under Invincible by 100 per point for a total of 2,000.
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Intervene]] Effect
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increases damage dealt when using Intervene.
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increase damage dealt by Intervene by 2% per point for a total of 40%.
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Holy Circle]] Effect
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Reduces the amount of damage taken from Undead while under the effects of Holy Circle.
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Reduces the amount of damage taken from Undead while Holy Circle is active by 1% per point for a total of 10%.
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Sentinel]] Effect.
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increases enmity while under the effects of Sentinel.
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increases enmity while Sentinel is active by 1 per point for a total of 20 enmity.
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Shield Bash]] Effect
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increases damage dealt with Shield Bash.
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increases damage dealt by Shield Bash by 10 per point for a total of 200 damage.
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Cover]] Duration
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increases the effect duration of Cover.
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increase effect duration of Cover by 1 second per point for a total of 20 seconds.
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Divine Emblem]] Effect
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increases divine magic damage while under the effects of Divine Emblem.
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increases magic damage dealt by the Banish and Holy spells by 2 per point for a total of 40 damage.
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Sepulcher]] Duration
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increases the effect duration of Sepulcher.
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increases effect duration of Sepulcher by 1 second per point for a point of 20 seconds.
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Palisade]] Effect
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increases the effect duration of Palisade.
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increases the effect duration of Palisade by 1 second per point for a total of 20 seconds.
|-
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|[[Enlight]] Effect
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increases additional light damage and physical accuracy while under the effects of Enlight.
|style="background:#eef8fe; border-color: #59c1ff;"|Increases Enlight's en-spell damage and physical accuracy by 1 per point for a total of 20 in each category.
|-
|}

==Weapons==
===Swords & Shields===
Taking a moment to touch upon sword and shield choices for Paladin. There is a variety of sword choices to choose from. And while your mileage may vary depending on which sword you choose to wield, there are only a handful of shields for use in endgame scenarios.
====Swords====
<hr style="background:gray">
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:350>
====={{ItemIcon|Tokko Sword|24}}Beginner Swords=====
These swords are your immediate priority if you're a fresh level 99 with no resources.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
*[[Eminent Scimitar]]: Quite possibly the earliest and easiest iLvl sword you can obtain (since there is no Homestead/Bayld swords for Paladins).
**Cost: 7,000 Sparks.
*[[Voluspa Sword]]: Honorable mention. If you started collecting Domain Points from Domain Invasion, an extremely easy iLvl 119 sword. An added bonus is Volupsa Sword gains large stat increases during Domain Invasion.
**Cost: 80 Domain Points from [[Zurim]].
</div>
</div>
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:350>
====={{ItemIcon|Kaja Sword|24}}Intermediate Swords=====
This subsection represents the next progressive step forward. Obtainable through participation in Domain Invasion, Ambuscade, and other Content.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
*[[Kaja Sword]]: '''Recommended Offensive benchmark target.''' Grants access to the weaponskill Savage Blade.
**Cost: 16,250 Hallmarks to upgrade from a base [[Tokko Sword]] to Kaja Sword.
*[[Nixxer]]: '''Recommended Defensive benchmark target.''' Standard Physical Damage tanking sword. Features PDT-6% and Shield Blockrate+3%. Four augment paths for additional stats. Pairs nicely with Priwen or Ochain.
**How to obtain:
***Purchase from [[Zurim]] 200 Domain Points.
***Chance drop from [[Palila]] in Escha - Ru'an.
*[[Brilliance]]: Honorable mention. Featuring a base Enmity+7, Enlight damage+15 (Enlight duration +15 seconds), and Damage Taken-3%. Max augment grants Enmity+7 (total Enmity+14), Shield Skill+10, Divine Magic Skill+15, and Base DMG+, respectively. Pairs nicely with Priwen or Srivatsa.
**How to obtain:
***Randomized prize from successfully defeating [[Sajj'aka]] in Wave 3 of [[Sinister Reign]]. Randomized augments at reward screen.
***Access Requirement: Complete Seekers of Adoulin storyline.
</div>
</div>
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:350>
====={{ItemIcon|Naegling|24}}Advanced Swords=====
Start of "Endgame." Recommended for broad and niche use cases.
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
*[[Naegling]]: Final form to Kaja Sword. Grants access to the weaponskill Savage Blade.
**Cost: 10,000 Hallmarks to upgrade from a Kaja Sword. Additionally, one [[:Category:Pulse_Panoplia#Weapons|Pulse Weapon'''‡''']] required.
*[[Sakpata's Sword]]: HP+100, MP+40, Fast Cast+10%, DT-10%, and Potency of Phalanx Received +5.
**How to obtain: Purchasable from the [[Pilgrim Moogle]] in Rabao after successfully defeating the Atonement 3 NM [[Kalunga]] in Sheol - Gaol of [[Odyssey]].
*[[Malignance Sword]]: Honorable mention. VIT/INT/MND+25, Magic Defense Bonus+8, Fast Cast+8%, Refresh+1, and Resist All Status Ailments+10.
**How to obtain:
***Chance drop from [[Maiden of the Dusk]] High Tier Mission Battle.
***Access Requirement: Complete Wings of the Goddess storyline.
***Cost: 10 Merit Points per entry.
</div>
</div>

=====DAMPER Swords=====
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:350>
<div class="mw-collapsible-content">
Shortened for '''D'''ivergence, '''A'''eonic, '''M'''ythic, '''P'''rime, '''E'''mpyrean, & '''R'''elic weapons. Descriptions herein assume 119 (III).
*(D)[[File:Cabal. Sword icon.png]] [[Cabal. Sword]] / [[File:Moralltach icon.png]] [[Moralltach]]: Paladin's Divergence weapon, the former being the HQ1 and the latter being the HQ2. On paper, these are decent hybrid melee weapons sporting Accuracy/Attack, HP/MP+, and Converts % of Maximum HP to Defense. However, the real benefit of these swords are their Path C augments: additional HP+, Cure Potency+, and Refresh+, respectively. Pairs very nicely with the job ability [[Majesty]].
**Requirements:
***To equip Caballarius Sword, the player requires "Superior 4" status: 1,200 Job Points spent/invested.
***To equip Moralltach, the player requires "Superior 5" status: Job Mastery; 2,100 Job Points spent/invested.

*(A)[[File:Sequence icon.png]] [[Sequence]]: The one of the two Aeonic pieces Paladin has access to (the other being the shield Srivatsa). Aeonics are the only ultimate weapon category to boast TP Bonus+500. Sequence's aftermath effect unlocks Level 4 skillchain properties Radiance and/or Umbra, respectively. Fair warning though, Sequence's associated weaponskill [[Requiescat]] is mainly a utility weaponskill and as such should not be depended upon for damage.

*(M)[[File:Burtgang icon.png]] [[Burtgang]]: Paladin's ultimate job-specific Mythic weapon. One of the few in-game weapons that breaks the PDT cap (PDT II-18%), raising it to a maximum of PDT-68%. Has a massive Enmity+23 as well as Enmity Reduction Upon Taking Damage-20%. Burtgang's associated weaponskill [[Atonement]] has a finite damage cap, but in exchange gives a massive Enmity boost, which can go a long way in higher end content.

*(P)[[File:Caliburnus (Level 119) icon.png|link=]] [[Caliburnus (Level 119)]]: Paladin's Prime One-Handed Sword. Relatively speaking, Caliburnus is about on par with the other Prime Weapons for damage output. Offers Refresh+2 and DT-5%.

*(E)[[File:Almace icon.png]] [[Almace]]: One of two Empyrean weapons Paladin has access to (The other being the greatsword Caladbolg). Almace comes with an additional DEX+50, which helps to further boost it's associated weaponskill [[Chant du Cygne]] as well as an attached Aftermath effect of Occasionally Triples Damage.

*(R)[[File:Excalibur icon.png]] [[Excalibur]]: Paladin's original ultimate [Relic] weapon. Also, one of two Relic weapons Paladin has access to (the other being the greatsword Ragnarok). Allowing the use of the weaponskill [[Knights of Round]] with an attached Aftermath effect of Regen +30 & Refresh +3 on the user.
**Notes:
***Has a hidden effect of dealing triple damage on the first swing of an attack round 13% of the time.
****Deals slashing damage equal to 25% of the wielder's current HP. This displays as an "Additional Effect" line in the in-game chat log.
***At Rank 15 Augmentation, the wielder also gains an additional Shield Blockrate+10%.
</div>
</div>

====Shields====
<hr style="background:gray">
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:350>
*[[File:Priwen icon.png]]: '''Recommended benchmark target''' for new or returning players to the job. It comes with DT-6%, Phalanx Received+2, and triples blockrate under Reprisal(!!!). Even after you upgrade from Priwen, hold on to it as a Phalanx+ swap.
**Priwen can be further enhanced through augmentation.
***At Rank 15, Priwen gains HP +50, Magic Evasion +50, and an additional DT-3%.
**Requirements:
***Meet minimum requirements to be "recognized" by [[Oboro]].
****Trade him a [[Cehuetzi Pelt]], [[Januwiyah]], [[Darksteel Shield]], and 150 of either [[Pluton]], [[Beitetsu]], or [[Riftborn Boulder]].
****For augmentation, trade Oboro your Priwen and one of above mentioned currency to start. Then trade 299 more after initial augment to complete the process.

*[[File: Blurred Shield icon.png]]: Most likely one of the first shield investments into a Hybrid DD build. Offers Accuracy/Attack+15, Shield Blockrate+5%, and WSD+5%. HQ(+1) version offers Fencer Bonus+1, making this an excellent choice for content where you can afford to melee and tank.
**Requirements:
***To equip Blurred Shield/+1, the player requires "Superior 2" status: 100 Job Points spent/invested.

*[[File:Ajax +1 icon.png]]: A very niche shield that offers Enhancing Magic Received Duration +10% when augmented to Rank 15, making it quite useful for Enhancement duration buff swaps. Enhancing Magic Duration and the Augment version of the effect are added at separate steps in the duration+ formula.
**See [[Enhancing_Magic#Equipment_Bonuses]] for more info.
**How to Obtain:
***[[Coca]] [[UNM]].
****Chance drop from [[Coca's Coffer]] item.

*[[File:Sacro Bulwark icon.png]] {{imgpop|[[Sacro Bulwark]]|Sacro Bulwark description.png|link=}}: Another fascinating entry deserving of honorable mention. Has DT-10%, Shield Blockrate+15%, Spell Interruption Rate-7%, and Cure Potency+5%. Sacro Bulwark is niche, but makes for an excellent "support tank" shield. Pairs nicely with the job ability [[Majesty]] for an increase in cure power.
**How to Obtain:
***Chance drop from [[Divine Interference]] High-Tier Mission Battlefield.
***Access Requirement: Complete Treasure of Aht Urhgan storyline.
***Cost: 10 Merit Points per entry.

*[[File:Adamas icon.png]] {{imgpop|[[Adamas]]|Adamas description.png|link=}}: Another very niche shield. Still deserving of honorable mention. The predecessor to Priwen during the Lv.99-Cap era of the game, Adamas is the only other shield in the game with the "Enhances Reprisal" effect (triples blockrate under Reprisal). Adamas also offers a significant boost to Resist All Status Ailments (+20%). Pairs nicely with a Malignance Sword.
**How to Obtain:
***Chance drop from [[Provenance Watcher]].
***Access Requirement: Progress up the [[Voidwatch]] questline until you gain [[Provenance]] access.
</div>
=====REAP Shields=====
<hr style="background:gray">
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="width:350>
*[[File:Aegis icon.png]] {{imgpop|[[Aegis]]|Aegis (Level 99 II) description.png|link=}}: Paladin's first Ultimate Shield.
One of three Relics Paladin has access to. The first piece of equipment in game to break a specific Damage Taken cap (MDT II -50%). Despite sporting MDT-50%, maximum player MDT caps -87.5%. Makes Magic Damage received barely noticeable, even on the highest content. It also augments [[Shield Bash]] by adding an additional 250 damage. Aegis' biggest downside is that as a non-iLevel shield, its blockrate will be floored to the bare minimum, 5%.

*[[File:Ochain icon.png]] {{imgpop|[[Ochain]]|Ochain (Level 99 II) description.png|link=}}: Paladin's original Physical Defense answer to Aegis.
Ochain is one of three Empyreans Paladin has access to. It's also one of '''two''' shields with the Size 6 designation. While Ochain is also a non-iLevel shield, it has a hidden effect of a starting blockrate at "~108%".1 The size 6 shield designation of Ochain comes with a small caveat: despite Ochain's size 6 designation, it actually has a '''reduced''' physical damage reduction upon successful block.2 All that said, Ochain's blockrate is still noticeably high (even with the widened gap between player skill and mob level in higher end content) and provides one of the best layers of physical defense in the game.
# The 108% is reflective of a player character at level 99 player, so long as their Shield Skill is equivalent to mob combat skill/level. At level 99, Shield Blockrate begins to uncap at mob level 107.
# Physical damage reduction upon successful block is determined by shield size. Each size up gains an increase in physical damage reduction upon successful block up to size 5. '''see chart below'''

*[[File:Srivatsa icon.png]] {{imgpop|[[Srivatsa]]|Srivatsa description.png|link=}}: Paladin's modern Hybrid Defense.
Srivatsa is one of two Aeonics Paladin has access to. Sporting the second highest defense stat at 150 defense, HP+150, Accuracy/Attack+35, Enmity+15, DT-8%, and Annuls Damage-5%. Prior to Master Levels, the player has to build around it to make it truly effective. Pairs nicely with Caballarius Sword / Moralltach for a massive HP boost. With enough master levels (20+) and enough +block rate (at least +8) against high level enemies this shield can rival Ochain. This does not mean it is always better, but in some situations it might overtake other options and is worth making.

*[[File:Duban (Level 119 III) icon.png]] {{imgpop|[[Duban (Level 119 III)]]|Duban (Level 119 III) description.png|link=}}: Paladin's newest and possibly strongest Hybrid Defense Shield.
Duban is a part of the Prime Weapon line. Duban must be completed in stages. At Stage II (Lv.119), Duban gains Size 6 designation. Meaning it has the same benefit of Ochain's enhanced blockrate, but with the advantage of Item Level status. At Stage III (Lv.119 II), Duban gains MDT (II)-15%.. a complete Duban offers MDT (II)-25% for a maximum of MDT-75%.
</div>

====Shield Size Chart====
<hr style="background:gray">
See [[Shield Skill]] for information about block rate and damage reduction.
{{:Shield Skill}}

 
====Notes Concerning Priwen, Ochain, Duban, & Srivatsa====
--[[User:Brahmsz|Brahmsz]] ([[User talk:Brahmsz|talk]]) After a series of conversations, questions, and misunderstandings, adding this set of notes to '''hopefully''' clear up and give a better understanding of how these three shields compare and can be used in content. 01:44, 26 October 2022 (EDT)

=====How They Compare=====
*So let's start with some basic comparisons:
**Priwen is Size 3; Srivatsa is Size 5; and Ochain & Duban is Size 6. '''Please review above chart for physical damage reduction on successful block and unadjusted starting blockrates.'''
**Priwen is the only non-ultimate shield of the three.
***Priwen is also the only shield of the three that has the rare "Enhances Reprisal" stat attached.
**Ochain is the only non-item level (iLVL) shield of the four.
***Ochain has a hidden unnamed status effect (likely tied to its Size 6 classification) that grants it an extraordinarily high blockrate.
**As of the November 2022 Update, [[Duban]] is now officially the second Size 6 shield in the game.
**Of the three item level shields (Priwen, Dubann, & Srivatsa), Srivatsa has the highest Shield Skill+ attached (More on this later).

=====How They Work=====
*'''I would strongly encourage people read the [[:Shield Skill]] page to get a better understanding of how shield blocking works.'''
**The '''extremely''' simplified explanation is thus: there are four components to shield blocking; (1) Player Shield Skill; (2) Mob Combat Skill; (3) Unadjusted starting blockrate based on the Shield Size; and (4) blockrate adjustment based on level adjustment.

*'''So how do these shields function in combat situations?'''
*Let's break this down into two (three) situations: ''Reprisal active; Palisade active; Reprisal AND Palisade on cooldown (or dispelled).''

:*''Reprisal'' increases blockrate by 50% (current blockrate x1.50) and increases Shield Skill by 15% (skill x 1.15).
:**Priwen enhances Reprisal's effect, doubling it to a 3.0 multiplier, and gains a moderate increase in its Shield Skill.
:**Ochain's & Duban's blockrates simply gets better with a 1.5 multiplier.
:**Srivatsa sees gains from the 1.5 Reprisal effect, but gains ground via the 1.15 skill multiplier as it has the highest item level Shield Skill+.

:*''Palisade'' is a flat percentage-based increase to blockrate. Base Palisade grants +30% blockrate. With 20/20 Job Points invested in Palisade, the increase is +50% blockrate.
:**The blockrate percentage Palisade grants is applied regardless of player Shield skill or floored (5%) blockrate.
:**'''What this means is…''' Palisade can be utilized to close the gap on blockrate when say… Reprisal is on cooldown/dispelled or the fourth component of ''blockrate adjustment based on level adjustment'' warrants it.
:**'''Please be advised that Palisade has a secondary and more prudent purpose for tanking besides increasing blockrate.'''

:*This leaves the third situation of ''Reprisal AND Palisade on cooldown (or dispelled).''
:**Priwen falls behind in such a situation. Due in part to not only its status as a "normal" Size 3 shield, but the higher level the Mob or Content the player is facing, the dramatically lower Priwen's blockrate becomes in this situation.
:**Ochain's and Duban's blockrates remain high regardless. Due in large part to their special Size 6 shield classifications and the significant blockrate that provides.
:**Srivatsa falls somewhere in the middle between the previous two. As stated, Srivatsa is not only equivalent to ILVL 122, it offers the highest Shield skill of any shield PLD can wear. As a size 5 shield (not to mention classification as an ultimate armament), Srivatsa enjoys higher thresholds of ''physical damage reduction on successful block'' and ''unadjusted starting blockrate.''

=====TL;DR=====
**Without diving into my personal view, here is how it breaks down:
*** Priwen works perfectly fine '''as long as''' Reprisal is active.
***Ochain simply works, but Duban effectively replaces it if you have one.
***Srivatsa takes some work to build around at first but gains significant ground as your gear improves.
**''Ultimately, it is your choice to use whichever shield you feel more comfortable with for physical defense scenarios. This guide exists to provide you with information, in order to make informed choices.''

==Great Sword Options==
* [[File:Voluspa Blade icon.png|link=]][[Voluspa Blade]]

* [[File:Home. Claymore icon.png|link=]][[Homestead Claymore]]

* [[File:Nibiru Faussar icon.png|link=]][[Nibiru Faussar]]

* [[File:Macbain icon.png|link=]][[Macbain]]

* [[File:Takoba icon.png|link=]][[Takoba]]

* [[File:Nandaka icon.png|link=]][[Nandaka]]

* [[File:Raetic Algol +1 icon.png|link=]][[Raetic Algol +1]]

* [[File:Montante +1 icon.png|link=]][[Montante +1]]

* [[File:Agwu's Claymore icon.png|link=]][[Agwu's Claymore]]

===REMA Great Swords===
* [[File:Ragnarok (Level 119 III) icon.png|link=]][[Ragnarok (Level 119 III)]]

* [[File:Caladbolg (Level 119 III) icon.png|link=]][[Caladbolg (Level 119 III)]]

==Club Options==
* [[File:Divinity icon.png|link=]][[Divinity]]

* [[File:Beryllium Mace +1 icon.png|link=]][[Beryllium Mace +1]]

* [[File:Blurred Rod +1 icon.png|link=]][[Blurred Rod +1]]

==Spear Options==
* [[File:Exalted Spear icon.png|link=]][[Exalted Spear]]

* [[File:Raetic Halberd +1 icon.png|link=]][[Raetic Halberd +1]]

* [[File:Shining One icon.png|link=]][[Shining One]]

==Equipment==
===Job Specific Equipment===
====Artifact Armor====
{{Guide JSE Table
|Name= Reverence Armor Set
|Collapsed= Yes
|Border Color= black
|Guide JSE=
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Rev. Coronet +4
|Item= Rev. Coronet +4
|Augment=
|Upgrade= No
|Notes= Middling HP+ & Enmity+. Cover has lost a lot of use so the duration effect isn't likely to change anything. Fully upgraded +3 isn't worth the cost outside of completionist circles.
}}
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Rev. Surcoat +4
|Item= Rev. Surcoat +4
|Augment=
|Upgrade= Yes
|Notes= Major piece with high upgrade value. Massive HP+ swap piece with a significant amount of Fast Cast and Damage Taken-% attached.
}}
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Rev. Gauntlets +3
|Item= Rev. Gauntlets +3
|Augment=
|Upgrade= Yes
|Notes= Moderately high HP+ and middling Enmity+. Shield Mastery +2 effect won't move the needle much. Fully upgraded +3 isn't worth the cost outside of completionist circles.
}}
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Rev. Breeches +4
|Item= Rev. Breeches +4
|Augment=
|Upgrade= Yes
|Notes= Still a major HP+ swap piece with the highest HP for this slot. Physical Damage Taken -% is still fairly high and helps balance out sets when swapping in accessories or gear with HP+ augments is a pain on the higher end of the spectrum.
}}
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Rev. Leggings +4
|Item= Rev. Leggings +4
|Augment=
|Upgrade= Yes
|Notes= Provides one of the largest chunks of shield skill for a shield block build; significant Damage Taken to MP conversion (Your Mileage May Vary); as well as extending Holy circle's duration to four and half minutes and augmenting its damage reduction & damage multiplier effects. Niche but still significant.
}}
}}

====Relic Armor====
{{Guide JSE Table
|Name= Caballarius Armor Set
|Collapsed= Yes
|Border Color= black
|Guide JSE=
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Cab. Coronet +4
|Item= Cab. Coronet +4
|Augment= Enhances "Iron Will" effect
|Upgrade= Yes
|Notes= Worth it just for the Rampart duration alone. HP+ and Enmity+ are bonuses. ''Iron Will augment is only active while worn.''
}}
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Cab. Surcoat +4
|Item= Cab. Surcoat +4
|Augment= Enhances "Fealty" effect
|Upgrade= Yes
|Notes= High HP+, Damage Taken-%, and Enmity+. While Cover may not see as much use, the damage conversion is still noticeable. Fealty Duration is also a significant gain when it is available.
}}
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Cab. Gauntlets +4
|Item= Cab. Gauntlets +4
|Augment= Enhances "Chivalry" effect
|Upgrade= Yes
|Notes= Significant HP+ and matching Enmity+ with other sources. Augment increases TP to MP conversion of Chivalry. '''Worth it just for transforming Shield Bash into a highly accurate non-elemental dispel.'''
}}
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Cab. Breeches +4
|Item= Cab. Breeches +4
|Augment= Enhances "Invincible" effect
|Upgrade= YMMV
|Notes= A middle of the road all-round piece. Upgrade discretion up to the player, but keep it around and upgrade at your leisure. Augment extends Invincible by 10 seconds.
}}
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Cab. Leggings +4
|Item= Cab. Leggings +4
|Augment= Enhances "Guardian" effect
|Upgrade= Yes
|Notes= Low to average HP+ and Enmity+ compared to other sources. Worth upgrading just for augmenting and extending Sentinel window. '''Make it and embrace it.'''
}}

}}
{{Guide JSE Table
|Name= Divergence Weapon
|Collapsed= Yes
|Border Color= black
|Guide JSE=
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Cabal. Sword
|Item= Cabal. Sword
|Augment= Path C
|Upgrade=
|Notes= Great sword when you are needing to be the main healer.
}}
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Moralltach
|Item= Moralltach
|Augment= Path C
|Upgrade=
|Notes= Step up from the su4, but for the additional benefits of HP+50, +5% cure, and +1 refresh. Not worth the price tag, unless you're a HQ collector.
}}

}}
{{Guide JSE Table
|Name= Divergence Neck Accessory
|Collapsed= Yes
|Border Color= black
|Guide JSE=
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Kgt. Beads +2
|Item= Kgt. Beads +2
|Augment= R15/20/25:HP+30/45/60VIT&MND+10/12/15DT-5/6/7%
|Upgrade= N/A
|Notes= The HQ1 and HQ2 have use cases from the HP+ & DT-% stats. Beneficial for general tanking purposes and is a useful swap for Savage Blade due to the MND+. Don't bother with the NQ...
}}
}}

====Empyrean Armor====
{{Guide JSE Table
|Name= Chevalier Armor Set
|Collapsed= Yes
|Border Color= black
|Guide JSE=
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Chev. Armet +3
|Item= Chev. Armet +3
|Augment=
|Upgrade= Yes!
|Notes= Moderate HP+, Fast Cast+%, Shield Skill+, and Converts Physical Damage to MP with significant Damage Taken-%.
}}
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Chev. Cuirass +3
|Item= Chev. Cuirass +3
|Augment=
|Upgrade= Yes
|Notes= Moderately high HP+ and significant Spell Interruption Rate Down+%. Tying the damage taken-% stat to the player's enmity is both a gift and a curse.
}}
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Chev. Gauntlets +3
|Item= Chev. Gauntlets +3
|Augment=
|Upgrade= Maybe
|Notes= Low HP+. Lacks Enmity but significant damage taken-%. Rare stat of Shield Defense Bonus+.
}}
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Chev. Cuisses +3
|Item= Chev. Cuisses +3
|Augment=
|Upgrade= Yes!
|Notes= Moderate HP+ and high damage taken-%. Adds rare stat of Enmity Retention +12.
}}
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Chev. Sabatons +3
|Item= Chev. Sabatons +3
|Augment=
|Upgrade= Yes
|Notes= Low HP+ but moderately high Enmity+ as well as Fast Cast compared to other sources. Worth it just for Divine Emblem+ enhancement.
}}
}}
{{Guide JSE Table
|Name= Empyrean Armor Accessories
|Collapsed= Yes
|Border Color= black
|Guide JSE=
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Creed Collar
|Item= Creed Collar
|Augment=
|Upgrade= N/A
|Notes= Rare stat of enmity retention. Your May Mileage Vary, but still recommended.
}}
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Creed Baudrier
|Item= Creed Baudrier
|Augment=
|Upgrade= N/A
|Notes= High use piece. Moderate Defense & Magic Defense Bonus , High HP & Enmity. Highly recommended!!
}}
{{Guide JSE
|Border Color= black
|Icon= Chev. Earring +2
|Item= Chev. Earring +2
|Augment= Acc/MAcc+16~20, DT-6%, STR/VIT+7~15
|Upgrade= N/A
|Notes= High physical defense, moderate Shield Skill+, and Cure Potency+ for its slot. Augment offers high amount of damage taken -%, all of which is helpful for building future sets around.
}}
}}

===Notes on Gear Prioritization & Acquisition===
<hr style="background:black">
In an effort to better understand where some people may be having trouble, an interesting conversation occurred about gear prioritization. My original assumption when writing this Community Guide was that people would naturally follow the order below in the New/Returning Player section ('''Tank Set''', then onto '''Casting''' or '''Enmity Actions'''). However, as time has passed on, that may not always be the case... So, with that in mind I came up with a series of questions that one could ask themselves--to perhaps better contextualize and facilitate that thought process. 
--[[User:Brahmsz|Brahmsz]] ([[User talk:Brahmsz|talk]]) 03:10, 1 October 2025 (UTC)

====Gear Prioritization Questions...====
*'''Thoughtful:''' Do I have enough Defense+ and Damage Taken- to take low damage / survive?
**'''Intermediate:''' How much damage am I taking and where can I improve to make it lower?
***'''Advanced:''' How much of that damage will my Phalanx set cover?
*'''Thoughtful:''' Do I have enough Fast Cast+ to get a spell off in time?
**'''Intermediate:''' What is the time frame (in seconds) I'm aiming for?
**'''Intermediate:''' If in a pinch, can I time my spell casts between attack rounds?
***'''Advanced:''' If not, do I have enough SIRD (Spell Interruption Rate Down (gear + merits) to simply cast without caring?
*'''Thoughtful:''' Do my spell casting sets have enough Defense+ and Damage Taken- to take low damage / survive?
*'''Thoughtful:''' Do my Job Ability and/or Spell sets have enough Enmity+ to both draw and maintain mob attention from the party?
**'''Intermediate:''' What's the maximum amount of Enmity+ I can put into a Spell or Job Ability?
**'''Intermediate:''' Do my Job Ability and/or Spell sets have enough Defense+ and Damage Taken- to take low damage / survive?
***'''Advanced:''' Based on the damage I'm taking, how is this effecting my Enmity Retention?
***'''Advanced:''' What does a balanced ratio between Defense+ and Enmity+ look like for me?

===New and/or Returning Players Sets===
<hr style="background:black">
*'''One of the biggest challenges a Paladin will ever face isn't a NM or content event, but balancing their HP pool across various sets.'''
*'''All sets herein should be regarded as benchmark targets to gauge gear progression.'''
*'''For more advanced sets, please scroll down to Advanced Section [[Community_Paladin_Guide#Advanced_Section|(10.3)]].'''

====Tanking Sets====
<hr style="background:gray">
*Generalized Tanking sets for those new to PLD or returning after a long period of time.
{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#808080
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=
|Set Name= Fresh to 99 (119)
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Damage Taken-50%.
|Main = Nixxer
|MainAug = DMG+17, STR+15, VIT+15
|Sub = Priwen
|Range =
|Ammo = Charitoni Sling
|Head = Sulevia's Mask
|Neck = Twilight Torque
|Ear1 = Ethereal Earring
|Ear2 = Upsurge Earring
|Body = Sulevia's Plate.
|Hands = Sulevia's Gauntlets
|Ring1 = Sulevia's Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= HP+60, M.Eva./Eva.+20, Enm.+10, M.Eva+10, DT-5%
|Waist= Creed Baudrier
|Legs = Sulevia's Cuisses
|Feet = Sulevia's Leggings
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=*Consider this a starting benchmark.
*NQ Sulevia set is the absolute bare minimum entry-level set a new PLD should have.
**The Sulevia set also doubles as a solid foundation for building Hybrid sets which will be covered later.
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#808080
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=
|Set Name= Basic Abjuration 119
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionBottom = Damage Taken-34% PDT-22% MDT-6% MDT(II)-50%
|Main = Nixxer
|MainAug = DMG+17, STR+15, VIT+15
|Sub = Aegis (Level 99)
|Range =
|Ammo = Staunch Tathlum
|Head = Souveran Schaller
|HeadAug = HP+80, VIT+10, PDT-3%
|Neck = Loricate Torque
|Ear1 = Ethereal Earring
|Ear2 = Odnowa Earring
|Body = Souveran Cuirass
|BodyAug = HP+80, Enm.+7, Cure Rec.+10%
|Hands = Souv. Handschuhs
|HandsAug = HP+50, Shield Skill+10, PDT-3%
|Ring1 = Gelatinous Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug = HP+60, M.Eva./Eva.+20, Enm.+10, M.Eva+10, DT-5%
|Waist= Creed Baudrier
|Legs = Souveran Diechlings
|LegsAug = HP+80, Enm.+7, Cure Rec.+10%
|Feet = Souveran Schuhs
|FeetAug = HP+50, Atk.+20, MDT-3%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=*NQ Souveran is the functional benchmark of a PLD's tanking sets.
*NQ Souveran will be a noticeable upgrade in HP and other stats.
**All 119 Abjurations can be bought for 400 Domain Invasion points each from [[Zurim]].
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#808080
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=
|Set Name= HQ Abjuration 119
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionBottom = Damage Taken-38% DT-10% (Set Bonus) PDT-26% MDT -11%
|Main = Nixxer
|MainAug = DMG+17, STR+15, VIT+15
|Sub = Ochain
|Range =
|Ammo = Staunch Tathlum +1
|Head = Souv. Schaller +1
|HeadAug = HP+105, VIT+12, PDT-4%
|Neck = Loricate Torque +1
|Ear1 = Odnowa Earring
|Ear2 = Odnowa Earring +1
|Body = Souv. Cuirass +1
|BodyAug = HP+105, Enm.+9, Cure Rec.+15%
|Hands = Souv. Handsch. +1
|HandsAug = HP+65, Shield Skill+15, PDT-4%
|Ring1 = Gelatinous Ring +1
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= HP+60, M.Eva./Eva.+20, Enm.+10, M.Eva+10, DT-5%
|Waist= Creed Baudrier
|Legs = Souv. Diechlings +1
|LegsAug = HP+105, Enm.+9, Cure Rec.+15%
|Feet = Souveran Schuhs +1
|FeetAug = HP+65, Atk.+25, MDT-4%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=*HQ Souveran set.
**The advantages the HQ set has over the NQ is increased HP as well as the set bonus:
***Damage Taken-2% per piece for a maximum of Damage Taken-10% while wearing all 5 pieces.
**Please note: Only the Body and Legs have "Cure Received +15%" augment. "Cure Received" caps at 30%.
*'''This HQ set is a benchmark and not indicative of the next step forward.'''
}}
}}

=====Notes on Shield Block Tank Sets=====
-- [[User:Brahmsz|Brahmsz]] ([[User talk:Brahmsz|talk]]) -- Been giving this a fair amount of thought and decided Shield Block builds deserved a mention here in the New/Returning section. 16:35, 8 June 2021 (EDT)
*There are currently two approaches to a Paladin Shield Block build: 1) Shield Skill+. 2)Shield Block+. Each with their own strengths and weaknesses.
**The idea behind a Shield Skill+ build is to close the gap between you the player's Shield skill and the target enemy's combat skill (specifically under [[Reprisal]]).
***Please see the [[Shield Skill]] page for the most up-to-date formula on how shield skill works and effects Block Rate.
**The idea behind a Shield Block+ build is to raise the "floor" of a given shield size's Block Rate.
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#808080
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=
|Set Name= Shield Skill+
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionBottom = Shield Skill+225 Shield Skill+258 (Reprisal)
|Main = Brilliance
|MainAug = Shield Skill+10
|Sub = Srivatsa
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Chev. Armet +3
|Neck = Combatant's Torque
|Ear1 = Foresti Earring
|Ear2 = Chev. Earring +2
|Body =
|Hands = Souv. Handsch. +1
|HandsAug = HP+65, Shield Skill+15, PDT-4%
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= HP+60, M.Eva./Eva.+20, Enm.+10, M.Eva+10, Block Chance+5%
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet = Rev. Leggings +4
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=*'''By no means a fully functional set.'''
**Fit as many examples of Shield-Skill-focused gear as I could think of.
}}
<hr style="background:gray">

====Enmity (General) Sets====
*General use enmity set(s) for non-specific actions/abilities.
{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#808080
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=
|Set Name= Enmity Set 1
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Enmity +59~63
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Charitoni Sling
|Head = Rev. Coronet +1
|Neck = Unmoving Collar
|Ear1 = Friomisi Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Rev. Surcoat +1
|Hands = Rev. Gauntlets +1
|Ring1 = Provocare Ring
|Ring2 = Apeile Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug = HP+60, M.Eva./Eva.+20, Enm.+10, M.Eva+10, DT-5%
|Waist= Creed Baudrier
|Legs = Rev. Breeches +1
|Feet = Cab. Leggings
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= Yes
|Equipment Set Notes=*Consider this set a starting benchmark.
*Very reasonable and obtainable as an entry set.
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#808080
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=
|Set Name= Enmity Set 1
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Enmity +103~114
|Main = Brilliance
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Iron Gobbet
|Head = Souveran Schaller
|HeadAug = HP+80, Enm.+7, Cure Rec.+10%
|Neck = Moonbeam Necklace
|Ear1 = Friomisi Earring
|Ear2 = Cryptic Earring
|Body = Souveran Cuirass
|BodyAug = HP+80, Enm.+7, Cure Rec.+10%
|Hands = Souv. Handschuhs
|HandsAug = HP+80, Enm.+7, Cure Rec.+10%
|Ring1 = Supershear Ring
|Ring2 = Apeile Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug = HP+60, M.Eva./Eva.+20, Enm.+10, M.Eva+10, DT-5%
|Waist= Creed Baudrier
|Legs = Souveran Diechlings
|LegsAug = HP+80, Enm.+7, Cure Rec.+10%
|Feet = Eschite Greaves
|FeetAug = HP+80, PDT-4%, Enm.+7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= Yes
|Equipment Set Notes=*Abj. 119 sets are Exclusive only.
**So you can have multiple copies of individual pieces to suit your needs.
**All 119 Abjurations can be bought for 400 Domain Invasion points each from [[Zurim]].
*Significantly higher Enmity+.
*Note:
**[[Brilliance]] gains up to +7 Enmity as an augment.
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#808080
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=
|Set Name= Enmity Set 3
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Enmity +128
|Main = Burtgang
|Sub = Srivatsa
|Range =
|Ammo = Sapience Orb
|Head = Souv. Schaller +1
|HeadAug = HP+105, Enm.+9, Cure Rec.+15%
|Neck = Moonlight Necklace
|Ear1 = Trux Earring
|Ear2 = Cryptic Earring
|Body = Souv. Cuirass +1
|BodyAug = HP+105, Enm.+9, Cure Rec.+15%
|Hands = Souv. Handsch. +1
|HandsAug = HP+105, Enm.+9, Cure Rec.+15%
|Ring1 = Supershear Ring
|Ring2 = Eihwaz Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug = HP+60, M.Eva./Eva.+20, Enm.+10, M.Eva+10, DT-5%
|Waist= Creed Baudrier
|Legs = Souv. Diechlings +1
|LegsAug = HP+105, Enm.+9, Cure Rec.+15%
|Feet = Eschite Greaves
|FeetAug = HP+80, PDT-4%, Enm.+7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= Yes
|Equipment Set Notes=*HQ set.
*Significantly higher Enmity+ from second set.
*Foot Slot Alternative: Augmented [[Yorium Sabatons]] (Enm+10, PDT+4, M.Eva+20)
*'''This HQ set is a benchmark and not indicative of the next step forward.'''
}}
}}
<hr style="background:gray">

====Flash (Magic Enmity) Sets====
*Enmity sets for use with Flash.
**Can be used for additional single-target enmity spells such as [[Blank Gaze]] and [[Jettatura]]; as well as AoE enmity spells such as [[Sheep Song]], [[Stinking Gas]], [[Soporific]], and [[Geist Wall]].
*Flash/Magic Enmity sets are slightly more complicated than the above Enmity (General) Sets, balancing enmity due to recast times of spells.
{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#808080
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=
|Set Name= Flash Set 1
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Fast Cast +18% Enmity +49~53
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Charitoni Sling
|Head = Chevalier's Armet
|Neck = Unmoving Collar
|Ear1 = Friomisi Earring
|Ear2 = Loquac. Earring
|Body = Rev. Surcoat +1
|Hands = Rev. Gauntlets +1
|Ring1 = Provocare Ring
|Ring2 = Apeile Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug = HP+60, M.Eva./Eva.+20, FC+10, M.Eva+10, DT-5%
|Waist= Creed Baudrier
|Legs = Rev. Breeches +1
|Feet = Cab. Leggings
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= Yes
|Equipment Set Notes=*This set isn't a large deviation from the above first general enmity set.
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#808080
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=
|Set Name= Flash Set 2
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Fast Cast +31% Enmity +71~82
|Main = Brilliance
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sapience Orb
|Head = Carmine Mask
|HeadAug = Acc/M.Acc+15, Fast Cast+3%
|Neck = Moonbeam Necklace
|Ear1 = Friomisi Earring
|Ear2 = Cryptic Earring
|Body = Souveran Cuirass
|BodyAug = HP+80, Enm.+7, Cure Rec.+10%
|Hands = Souv. Handschuhs
|HandsAug = HP+80, Enm.+7, Cure Rec.+10%
|Ring1 = Supershear Ring
|Ring2 = Apeile Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug = HP+60, M.Eva./Eva.+20, FC+10, M.Eva+10, DT-5%
|Waist= Creed Baudrier
|Legs = Souveran Diechlings
|LegsAug = HP+80, Enm.+7, Cure Rec.+10%
|Feet = Carmine Greaves
|FeetAug = HP/MP+60 PDT-3%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= Yes
|Equipment Set Notes=*See above set comment about Abjuration 119 pieces.
*Notable increase in Fast Cast and Enmity over the first set.
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#808080
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=
|Set Name= Flash Set 3
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Fast Cast +34% Enmity +92
|Main = Burtgang
|Sub = Srivatsa
|Range =
|Ammo = Sapience Orb
|Head = Carmine Mask +1
|HeadAug = Acc/M.Acc+20, Fast Cast+4%
|Neck = Moonlight Necklace
|Ear1 = Trux Earring
|Ear2 = Cryptic Earring
|Body = Souv. Cuirass +1
|BodyAug = HP+105, Enm.+9, Cure Rec.+15%
|Hands = Souv. Handsch. +1
|HandsAug = HP+105, Enm.+9, Cure Rec.+15%
|Ring1 = Supershear Ring
|Ring2 = Eihwaz Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug = HP+60, M.Eva./Eva.+20, FC+10, M.Eva+10, DT-5%
|Waist= Creed Baudrier
|Legs = Souv. Diechlings +1
|LegsAug = HP+105, Enm.+9, Cure Rec.+15%
|Feet = Carmine Greaves +1
|FeetAug = HP/MP+80, PDT-4%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= Yes
|Equipment Set Notes=*HQ set.
*'''This HQ set is a benchmark and not indicative of the next step forward.'''
}}
}}
<hr style="background:gray">

====Phalanx Sets====
*General equipment sets to further enhance the damage mitigation effect of [[Phalanx]] for Paladin.
*[[Enhancing Magic]] on Paladin (with merits, non-master) caps at 350 skill before gear.
**Phalanx potency caps at 500 Enhancing Magic skill.
**Phalanx is ''roughly'' 1 damage absorbed every 29 Enhancing Magic skill. Please check table below.
**Which is why "Phalanx+" gear is always better, as it is added as a flat damage reduction after the enhancing skill is counted up.
***For example if you have -32 damage from skill and -20 damage from gear, that equals -52 physical damage.
**As the formula for Phalanx floors the result, keep in mind that overshooting or undershooting a threshold means you're likely wasting stats. Keep this in mind when gearing as you might be able to substitute +enhancing skill items that are not contributing.
**'''Master Levels will change the skill tiers for the player, but that is more of a concern for the Advanced Section Magic Casting Sets. (11.4.6)'''
*If a Red Mage ('''or a SCH/RDM for Accession + Phalanx''') is in the party with you, then "Phalanx Received" gear will also effect the potency of [[Phalanx II]] when cast on you.
{| style="border: 1px solid #3C6A95; text-align: center; margin: 10px;" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" max-width="100%" align="center"
! style="background: #A6DBFD; border-bottom: 1px solid #3C6A95;" colspan=100% | Notable Phalanx Tiers
|-
| style="background: #A6DBFD; border-right: 1px solid #3C6A95; border-bottom: 1px solid #3C6A95;" | '''Skill:'''
| style="border-bottom: 1px solid #3C6A95;" | 300
| style="background: #D8EFFE; border-left: 1px solid #3C6A95; border-right: 1px solid #3C6A95; border-bottom: 1px solid #3C6A95;" | 329
| style="border-bottom: 1px solid #3C6A95;" | 358
| style="background: #D8EFFE; border-left: 1px solid #3C6A95; border-right: 1px solid #3C6A95; border-bottom: 1px solid #3C6A95;" | 386
| style="border-bottom: 1px solid #3C6A95;" | 415
| style="background: #D8EFFE; border-left: 1px solid #3C6A95; border-right: 1px solid #3C6A95; border-bottom: 1px solid #3C6A95;" | 443
| style="border-bottom: 1px solid #3C6A95;" | 472
| style="background: #D8EFFE; border-left: 1px solid #3C6A95; border-bottom: 1px solid #3C6A95;" | 500
|-
| style="background: #A6DBFD; border-right: 1px solid #3C6A95;" | '''-Dmg:'''
| -28
| style="background: #D8EFFE; border-left: 1px solid #3C6A95; border-right: 1px solid #3C6A95;" | -29
| -30
| style="background: #D8EFFE; border-left: 1px solid #3C6A95; border-right: 1px solid #3C6A95;" | -31
| -32
| style="background: #D8EFFE; border-left: 1px solid #3C6A95; border-right: 1px solid #3C6A95;" | -33
| -34
| style="background: #D8EFFE; border-left: 1px solid #3C6A95;" | -35
|}
{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#808080
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=
|Set Name= Phalanx Set 1
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Enh. skill: 358 Add. -22 Dmg after Enh. Skill
|Main =
|Sub = Priwen
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Yorium Barbuta
|HeadAug = Phalanx+3
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Augment. Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Yorium Cuirass
|BodyAug = Phalanx+3
|Hands = Yorium Gauntlets
|HandsAug = Phalanx+3
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Weard Mantle
|BackAug = Phalanx+1~5
|Waist= Olympus Sash
|Legs = Yorium Cuisses
|LegsAug = Phalanx+3
|Feet = Yorium Sabatons
|FeetAug = Phalanx+3
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= Yes
|Equipment Set Notes=*Very reasonable entry benchmark set.
**Hand and foot slots can be skipped if you can get Souveran.
*Note:
**The Yorium set is obtained via:
#[[Alluvion Skirmish]]
#Exchanging [[Mellidopt Wing]] with [[Category:Alluvion_Skirmish#Lorissa|Lorissa]]
#exchange [[Kupon A-ASYW]]
**Yorium "Phalanx+" augment is obtained via NPC: [[Divainy-Gamainy]]
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#808080
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=
|Set Name= Phalanx Set 2
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Enh. skill: 358 Add. -24 Dmg after Enh. Skill
|Main =
|Sub = Priwen
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Yorium Barbuta
|HeadAug = Phalanx+3
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 = Andoaa Earring
|Body = Yorium Cuirass
|BodyAug = Phalanx+3
|Hands = Souv. Handschuhs
|HandsAug = HP+50, Shield Skill+10, PDT-3%
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Weard Mantle
|BackAug = Phalanx+1~5
|Waist= Olympus Sash
|Legs = Yorium Cuisses
|LegsAug = Phalanx+3
|Feet = Souveran Schuhs
|FeetAug = HP+50, Atk.+20, MDT-3%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= Yes
|Equipment Set Notes=*'''NQ Souveran Hands and Feet have a default Phalanx+4 attached.'''
**All 119 Abjurations can be bought for 400 Domain Invasion points each from [[Zurim]].
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#808080
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=
|Set Name= Phalanx Set 3
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Enh. Skill: 388 Add. -30 Dmg after Enh. Skill
|Main = Deacon Sword
|Sub = Priwen
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Yorium Barbuta
|HeadAug = Phalanx+3
|Neck = Incanter's Torque
|Ear1 = Mimir Earring
|Ear2 = Andoaa Earring
|Body = Yorium Cuirass
|BodyAug = Phalanx+3
|Hands = Souv. Handsch. +1
|HandsAug = HP+65, Shield Skill+15, PDT-4%
|Ring1 = Stikini Ring +1
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Weard Mantle
|BackAug = Phalanx+1~5
|Waist= Olympus Sash
|Legs = Yorium Cuisses
|LegsAug = Phalanx+3
|Feet = Souveran Schuhs +1
|FeetAug = HP+65, Atk.+25, MDT-4%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= Yes
|Equipment Set Notes=*'''Souveran+1 Hands and Feet have a default Phalanx+5 attached.'''
*'''As mentioned above, this HQ set is a benchmark.'''
}}
}}

{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#808080
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=
|Set Name= Phalanx Set 4
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Enh. Skill: 388 Add. -33 Dmg after Enh. Skill
|Main = Sakpata's Sword
|Sub = Priwen
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Yorium Barbuta
|HeadAug = Phalanx +3
|Neck = Incanter's Torque
|Ear1 = Mimir Earring
|Ear2 = Andoaa Earring
|Body = Yorium Cuirass
|BodyAug = Phalanx+3
|Hands = Souv. Handsch. +1
|HandsAug = HP+65, Shield Skill+15, PDT-4%
|Ring1 = Stikini Ring +1
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Weard Mantle
|BackAug = Phalanx+1~5
|Waist= Olympus Sash
|Legs = Sakpata's Cuisses
|Feet = Souveran Schuhs +1
|FeetAug = HP+65, Atk.+25, MDT-4%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= Yes
|Equipment Set Notes=*With Odyssey gear added.
}}
}}
<hr style="background:gray">

====Reprisal Sets====
*General equipment sets to further enhance the damage mitigation effect of [[Reprisal]] on the Paladin.
*Reprisal increases block rate by 50% of your current block rate. (Current block rate × 1.5)
**For Priwen: Current block rate × 3.
*Also increases current shield skill by +15%.(x1.15)
**The skill bonus is based on your current total shield skill at any given time, '''not''' calculated upon casting.
**My suggestion: '''Focus on spell duration & enmity, with a bit of Fast Cast thrown in for good merit.'''
{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#808080
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=
|Set Name= Reprisal Set 1
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom =PDT-24%, MDT-3% DT-9% Enm.+68, FC+12%
|Main = Nixxer
|MainAug = DMG+17, STR+15, VIT+15
|Sub = Priwen
|SubAug = HP+50, M.Eva+50, DT-3%
|Range =
|Ammo = Charitoni Sling
|Head = Eschite Helm
|HeadAug = HP+80, Enm.+7, Cure Rec.+10%
|Neck = Unmoving Collar
|Ear1 = Friomisi Earring
|Ear2 = Loquac. Earring
|Body = Shabti Cuirass
|Hands = Eschite Gauntlets
|HandsAug = HP+80, Enm.+7, PDT-4%
|Ring1 = Provocare Ring
|Ring2 = Apeile Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug = HP+60, Eva/M.Eva+20, FC+10%, M.Eva+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Creed Baudrier
|Legs = Eschite Cuisses
|LegsAug = HP+80, Enm.+7, PDT-4%
|Feet = Eschite Greaves
|FeetAug = HP+80, Enm.+7, PDT-4%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= Yes
|Equipment Set Notes=*Very reasonable and obtainable entry set.
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#808080
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=
|Set Name= Reprisal Set 2
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom =PDT-16%, MDT-7% DT-12% Enm.+63, FC+24%
|Main = Nixxer
|MainAug = DMG+17, STR+15, VIT+15
|Sub = Priwen
|SubAug = HP+50, M.Eva+50, DT-3%
|Range =
|Ammo = Sapience Orb
|Head = Carmine Mask
|HeadAug = Acc/M.Acc+15, Fast Cast+3%
|Neck = Moonbeam Necklace
|Ear1 = Friomisi Earring
|Ear2 = Cryptic Earring
|Body = Shabti Cuirass
|Hands = Souv. Handschuhs
|HandsAug = HP+80, Enm.+7, Cure Rec.+10%
|Ring1 = Supershear Ring
|Ring2 = Apeile Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug = HP+60, Eva/M.Eva+20, FC+10%, M.Eva+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Creed Baudrier
|Legs = Souveran Diechlings
|LegsAug = HP+80, Enm.+7, Cure Rec.+10%
|Feet = Eschite Greaves
|FeetAug = HP+80, Enm.+7, PDT-4%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= Yes
|Equipment Set Notes=*See above comments about Abj. 119 gear.
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#808080
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=
|Set Name= Reprisal Set 3
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom =PDT-16%, MDT-8% DT-16% Enm.+75, FC+27%
|Main = Nixxer
|Sub = Priwen
|SubAug = HP+50, M.Eva+50, DT-3%
|Range =
|Ammo = Sapience Orb
|Head = Carmine Mask +1
|HeadAug = Acc/M.Acc+20/12, FC+4%
|Neck = Moonlight Necklace
|Ear1 = Trux Earring
|Ear2 = Cryptic Earring
|Body = Shab. Cuirass +1
|Hands = Souv. Handsch. +1
|HandsAug = HP+105, Enm.+9, Cure Rec.+15%
|Ring1 = Supershear Ring
|Ring2 = Eihwaz Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug = HP+60, Eva/M.Eva+20, FC+10%, M.Eva+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Creed Baudrier
|Legs = Souv. Diechlings +1
|LegsAug = HP +105, Enm. +9, Cure Rec. +15%
|Feet = Eschite Greaves
|FeetAug = HP+80, PDT-4%, Enmity+7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= Yes
|Equipment Set Notes=*HQ set.
*'''This HQ set is a benchmark and not indicative of the next step forward.'''
}}
}}
<hr style="background:gray">

====Enlight Sets====
*General equipment sets to further enhance the damage of [[Enlight]] and [[Enlight II]].
*Enlight comes with a secondary effect: Enhanced physical accuracy based upon Divine Magic skill at time of cast.
**[[Divine Magic]] on Paladin (with merits and job points) caps at 440 before gear.
**The pool of Divine Magic Skill gear a Paladin has access to is limited.
***Not all gear listed here is necessary but is listed none-the-less as honorable mentions.
{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#808080
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=
|Set Name= Enlight Set 1
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck = Inquisitor's Chain
|Ear1 = Knight's Earring
|Ear2 = Divine Earring
|Body = Rev. Surcoat +1
|Hands = Eschite Gauntlets
|HandsAug = HP+80, Enm.+7, PDT-4%
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Altruistic Cape
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=*Very reasonable and obtainable entry set.
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#808080
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=
|Set Name= Enlight Set 2
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom =
|Main = Brilliance
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Jumalik Helm
|Neck = Incanter's Torque
|Ear1 = Knight's Earring
|Ear2 = Divine Earring
|Body = Rev. Surcoat +2
|Hands = Eschite Gauntlets
|HandsAug = HP+80, Enm.+7, PDT-4%
|Ring1 = Stikini Ring
|Ring2 = Stikini Ring
|Back = Altruistic Cape
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=*Brillaince gains up to +15 Divine Magic Skill as an augment.
**[[Brilliance]] and [[Jumalik Helm]] are both '''randomized prizes''' from successfully defeating [[Sajj'aka]] in Wave 3 of [[Sinister Reign]]
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#808080
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=
|Set Name= Enlight Set 3
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom =
|Main = Brilliance
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Jumalik Helm
|Neck = Incanter's Torque
|Ear1 = Knight's Earring
|Ear2 = Saxnot Earring
|Body = Rev. Surcoat +4
|Hands = Eschite Gauntlets
|HandsAug = HP+80, Enm.+7, PDT-4%
|Ring1 = Stikini Ring +1
|Ring2 = Stikini Ring +1
|Back = Altruistic Cape
|Waist= Asklepian Belt
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=*'''This set is just a benchmark and not indicative of the next step forward.'''
}}
}}
<hr style="background:gray">

====Fast Cast Sets====
*Pretty self-explanatory. General equipment sets to reduce spell casting & spell recast times.
**Maximum achievable Fast Cast is 80%.
**Recast reduction is half of the cast time reduction, rounded down to the nearest whole percentage.
***Thus, Fast Cast's maximum contribution to recast reduction is 40%.
{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#808080
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=
|Set Name= Fast Cast Set 1
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Fast Cast+37%
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Chev. Armet +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Enchntr. Earring +1
|Ear2 = Loquac. Earring
|Body = Odyss. Chestplate
|BodyAug = FC+1~6%
|Hands =
|Ring1 = Prolix Ring
|Ring2 =
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug = HP+80, Eva/M.Eva+20, FC+10%, PDT-10%
|Waist=
|Legs = Arjuna Breeches
|Feet = Odyssean Greaves
|FeetAug = FC+1~6%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=*[[Enchntr. Earring +1]] may set you back some in Gil if you were to buy it, however, it is an easily accessible option.
**Also obtainable as a '''possible''' reward for successful completion of [[Walk of Echoes]] battlefield #10 '''(Surged Only)'''.
*Odyssean Armor can be augmented with Fern Stones for up to +6% Fast Cast with [[Oseem]] in Norg.
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#808080
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=
|Set Name= Fast Cast Set 2
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Fast Cast+58%
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sapience Orb
|Head = Carmine Mask
|HeadAug = Acc+15, M.Acc+10, FC+3%
|Neck = Voltsurge Torque
|Ear1 = Enchntr. Earring +1
|Ear2 = Loquac. Earring
|Body = Rev. Surcoat +2
|Hands = Leyline Gloves
|HandsAug = Acc/M.Acc+15, MAB+15, FC+3%
|Ring1 = Prolix Ring
|Ring2 =
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug = HP+80, Eva/M.Eva+20, FC+10%, PDT-10%
|Waist=
|Legs = Eschite Cuisses
|LegsAug = MAB+25, Consrv. MP+6, FC+5%
|Feet = Carmine Greaves
|FeetAug = HP/MP+60, PDT-3%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=*NQ Aburation-based set.
*See above comments about Abj. 119 gear.
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#808080
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=
|Set Name= Fast Cast Set 3
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Fast Cast+79%
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sapience Orb
|Head = Carmine Mask +1
|HeadAug = Acc+20, M.Acc+12, FC+4%
|Neck = Orunmila's Torque
|Ear1 = Enchntr. Earring +1
|Ear2 = Loquac. Earring
|Body = Rev. Surcoat +4
|Hands = Leyline Gloves
|HandsAug = Acc/M.Acc+15, MAB+15, FC+3%
|Ring1 = Kishar Ring
|Ring2 = Naji's Loop
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug = HP+80, Eva/M.Eva+20, FC+10%, PDT-10%
|Waist=
|Legs = Enif Cosciales
|Feet = Chev. Sabatons +3
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=*Third set may seem a bit out of order as it carries pieces from lvl 99 content.
*[[Enif Cosciales]] Fast Cast value is +8%.
*'''This set is a benchmark and not indicative of the next step forward.'''
}}
}}
<hr style="background:gray">

===="Spell Interruption Rate Down"====
*Spell Interruption Rate Down, or "SIRD" equipment reduces the likelihood of a player's spell casting being interrupted by a physical attack. ''Specifically for situations you want to make certain a spell finishes casting''
*It is possible to reach -100% Spell Interruption Rate though gear or a combination of gear and merits.
**'''Due to how Spell Interruption Rate is calculated, the player must have a total of -102% Spell Interruption Rate Down.'''
*As mentioned, Spell Interruption Rate can also be increased by merits.
**Each increase to this merit category will grant the player a global -2% Spell Interruption chance, up to a total of -10%.
***Fully upgraded SIRD merits costs 15 merit points (1>2>3>4>5).
{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#808080
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=
|Set Name= SIRD Set 1 (Escha Route)
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Interruption-104%
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Staunch Tathlum
|Head = Eschite Helm
|HeadAug = Path C: SIRD-15%
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Knightly Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Eschite Breast.
|BodyAug = Path C: SIRD-15%
|Hands = Eschite Gauntlets
|HandsAug = Path C: SIRD-15%
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug = SIRD-10%
|Waist= Audumbla Sash
|Legs = Eschite Cuisses
|LegsAug = Path C: SIRD-15%
|Feet = Eschite Greaves
|FeetAug = Path C: SIRD-15%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=*[[Audumbla Sash]] obtained in exchange for 1,000 Domain Invasion points to [[Zurim]].
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#808080
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=
|Set Name= SIRD Set 2 (Adoulin Route)
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Interruption-104%
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Staunch Tathlum
|Head = Souveran Schaller
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Knightly Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Yorium Cuirass
|BodyAug = SIRD-10%
|Hands = Yorium Gauntlets
|HandsAug = SIRD-10%
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|BackAug=
|Waist= Audumbla Sash
|Legs = Founder's Hose
|Feet = Yorium Sabatons
|FeetAug = SIRD-10%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=*See above comments on Alluvion Skirmish armor Augmenting.
}}
}}
*Two different routes for a beginning or returning player with the same result: '''Capped SIRD with 0 merits invested.'''

{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#808080
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=
|Set Name= SIRD - Max Per Slot
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Interruption -173%
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Staunch Tathlum +1
|Head = Souv. Schaller +1
|Neck = Moonlight Necklace
|Ear1 = Knightly Earring
|Ear2 = Nourish. Earring +1
|Ear2Aug = Resist Silence+15, SIRD-5%
|Body = Chev. Cuirass +3
|Hands = Eschite Gauntlets
|HandsAug = Path C: SIRD-15%
|Ring1 = Evanescence Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug = SIRD-10%
|Waist= Audumbla Sash
|Legs = Founder's Hose
|Feet = Odyssean Greaves
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= no
|Equipment Set Notes=*'''Not to be taken literally!
*Listing all pieces for choice and familiarity, depending upon spell.
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#808080
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=
|Set Name= Alternative SIRD Pieces
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Regal Gauntlets
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist = Rumination Sash
|Legs = Cab. Breeches +4
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=*Alternatives listed to help a player reach 102% SIRD.
*[[Regal Gauntlets]] are a rare drop from [[Ou]].
*[[Rumination Sash]] is a drop from [[Putraxia]].
*[[Cab. Breeches +3]] Provide SIRD-10%.
**+4 version is for further M.Eva.
}}
}}
<hr style="background:black">

===<big>Advanced Section</big>===
*If you've made it down to here, then you're crossing over into Endgame territory. This space was setup to curate sets in an efficient and reasonably optimized manner. Different contributors have their own specific section with their personal recommendations on what to wear, circumstances depending.

====HP Values by Race====
*'''Inputting base HP values of each race for reference herein. Non-mastered but 15/15 HP Merits assumed.'''
**Tarutaru: 1,798 HP
**Mithra: 1,828 HP
**Hume: 1,828 HP
**Elvaan: 1,868 HP
**Galka: 1,928 HP

====Notable Master Level HP Thresholds====
*'''Master Level HP increase per Level: +7.'''
**'''Notable Thresholds:'''
***ML15. HP +105
***ML29. HP +203
***ML36. HP +252 HP
***ML43. HP +301 HP
***ML50. HP +350 HP

====Notes on Optimizing for HP Management====
So, originally I thought this wasn't something I thought needed to address, but after reading elsewhere I'm addressing it here. [[User:Brahmsz|Brahmsz]] ([[User talk:Brahmsz|talk]])
*HP management when swapping gear is one of the most important (and often times unspoken) responsibilities of tanking. Some may find this surprising, but I'm a Vanilla XI player. I wrote the Community Guide from that perspective. With that said, taking some time to address the styles of play that accompany HP swaps for optimal and efficient HP Management.

*'''A Bit of History:'''
**Long, long ago, Vanilla XI players used to swap gear via macros (up to six pieces at a time per macro) for an action--such as a weaponskill, job ability, or spellcasting. Whatever order equipment was written in, was the order it would swap (more on this later). Later on, early adapters of Windower & Ashita used text files to swap full sets of gear in much the same way (line by line), but without the extra button pushes.

*'''Currently:'''
**Today, we have Equipsets for Vanilla XI; Gearswap for Windower; and Luashitacast for Ashita users.
***Equipsets read & load all 16 equipment slots in this order: From left to right, top to bottom. Mainhand weapon slot is first (1), Foot slot is last (16).
***Gearswap (and assumedly Luashitacast) are written as a gear list, with main visible armor pieces first and accessories following after. The caveat being, they both offer the capability of assigning a priority order to each individual piece of gear in a set.
***It's my personal belief that setting gear priority is based off the same principle as early equipment macro & text file equipment swaps.

*'''Things To Keep In Mind:'''
**Equipsets are subject to a global one ('''1''') second delay between swaps. Third party swaps are not.
**Comparatively, the differences in individual gear slots' HP values can cause radical HP swings. Typically resulting in significant drops in HP if you're not mindful of swaps.
*'''TL;DR:'''
**While I've done my best to keep equipment sets as close in HP values as possible, the best advice I can give is this:
***'''Prioritize your highest HP swaps first:''' Reverence Surcoat +2/3/4; Moonbeam/light Rings; Odnowa Earring+1, Tuisto and Alabaster Earrings, Souveran +1 (when unavoidable/absolutely necessary).
***'''Please note:''' ''Personally,'' I adapted by writing in '''up to three (3)''' items (per action, per macro) preceding an Equipset change. While this may sound dramatic, if you're sets have progressed anything like mine have, you likely have certain pieces that are essentially "anchor points" that everything swaps around anyway.

===Sets by Brahmsz===
<hr style="background:black">
*'''These my recommendations, based on my sets and personal preferences.'''
*'''The following sets reflect an Elvaan with full HP merits. Non-Mastered.'''
*'''No weapon(s) or shields will be included.'''
====Tanking Sets====
=====Standard Sets=====
{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#808080
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=
|Set Name= General Purpose Tank Set (Odyssey/Sortie/Limbus)
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Damage Taken -50% HP: 3,028
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Staunch Tathlum +1
|Head = Chev. Armet +3
|Neck = Kgt. Beads +2
|NeckAug = HP+60, VIT/MND+15, DT-7%
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Tuisto Earring
|Body = Sakpata's Plate
|Hands = Sakpata's Gauntlets
|Ring1 = Shadow Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Ring2Aug = R25+: Eva./M.Eva.+10
|Back = Shadow Mantle
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Chev. Cuisses +3
|Feet = Sakpata's Leggings
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=*This is my baseline general tanking set.
**Empyrean+2/3 has made capping DT-% extremely easy.
*Various builds can be built around and branch off from here.
*Offers higher Physical Defense, Magic Evasion, and Magic Defense Bonus over most anything else prior to it.
}}
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set Table
|Header Notes=
|Guide Equipment Sets=
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#808080
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=
|Set Name= Shield Block Set
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Damage Taken -50% HP: 3,088 Shield Skill+89
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Staunch Tathlum +1
|Head = Chev. Armet +3
|Neck = Combatant's Torque
|Ear1 = Foresti Earring
|Ear2 = Chev. Earring +2
|Ear2Aug = Acc/MAcc+16~20, DT-6%, STR/VIT+7~15
|Body = Adamantite Armor
|Hands = Souv. Handsch. +1
|HandsAug = HP+65, Shield Skill+15, PDT-4%
|Ring1 = Moonlight Ring
|Ring2 = Moonlight Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= HP+60, M.Eva./Eva.+20, Enm.+10, M.Eva+10, Block Chance+5%
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Chev. Cuisses +3
|Feet = Rev. Leggings +4
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=*Heavy emphasis on shield skill+.
*Chevalier's Earring +1 is advised bare minimum.
*Hoxne Torque is the highest available source of Shield Skill at +30.
}}
{{Guide Equipment Set
|Set Name Background=#808080
|Set Name Text Color=
|Set Name Text Shadow=
|Set Name= Layered Defense Set
|Set Border Color=
|Equipment Set=
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =
|CaptionBottom = Damage Taken -50% HP: ?,???
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Staunch Tathlum +1
|Head = Chev. Armet +3
|Neck = Warder's Charm +1
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Chev. Earring +2
|Ear2Aug = Acc/MAcc+16~20, DT-6%, STR/VIT+7~15
|Body = Sakpata's Plate
|BodyAug = R30: Resist All+15%
|Hands = Chev. Gauntlets +3
|Ring1 = Shadow Ring
|Ring2 = Fortified Ring
|Back = Shadow Mantle
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Chev. Cuisses +3
|Feet = Sworn Sabatons
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|Collapse Notes= yes
|Equipment Set Notes=*Multiple defensive layers. Missing Light/Dark resistance.
*Survival by all available means.
*Honorable mention for [[Adamantite Armor]].
**Whichever body you prefer at this point is highly subjective, and is by no means set in stone.
}}
}}

=====Specialized Sets=====
*WIP.
<hr style="background:gray">

====Situational Sets====
<hr style="background:gray">
*Situational awareness goes a long way...
*'''Sets herein may or may not see as much use but are nice to have around when the circumstances come up.'''
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Death Resist Set
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 = Warden's Ring
|Ring2 = Shadow Ring
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Zombie Set
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Twilight Helm
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Twilight Mail
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = H.Water & Cursna
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck = Nicander's Necklace
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 = Purity Ring
|Ring2 = Blenmot's Ring +1
|Back =
|Waist= Gishdubar Sash
|Legs = Shabti Cuisses +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|-
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|

|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
*The Crepuscular set is the Item Level version to these, but with a far lower droprate.
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
*I prefer to lean on Holy Waters over waiting on a [[Cursna]].
*Ring slot can easily be replaced with [[Eshmun's Ring]] if you prefer Cursna Received instead.
|-
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Shield Bash (Dispel)
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sapience Orb
|Head = Loess Barbuta +1
|HeadAug = Enm.+10, DT-10%, All Attr.+10
|Neck = Moonlight Necklace
|Ear1 = Trux Earring
|Ear2 = Cryptic Earring
|Body = Souv. Cuirass +1
|BodyAug = HP+105, Enm.+9, Cure Rec.+15%
|Hands = Cab. Gauntlets +3
|Ring1 = Apeile Ring
|Ring2 = Apeile Ring +1
|Ring2Aug = DEF+20, MDB +5
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= HP+60, M.Eva/Eva+20, M.Eva+10, Enm.+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Creed Baudrier
|Legs = Souv. Diechlings +1
|LegsAug = HP+105, Enm.+9, Cure Rec.+15
|Feet = Eschite Greaves
|FeetAug = HP+80, PDT-4%, Enmity+7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Knock Back Redux
|CaptionBottom =
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 = Vocane Ring +1
|Ring2 =
|Back = Philidor Mantle
|Waist=
|Legs = Dashing Subligar
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Resistance Set
|CaptionBottom = WIP +109% Resist All
|Main = Malignance Sword
|Sub = Adamas
|Range =
|Ammo = Staunch Tathlum +1
|Head = Volte Cap
|Neck = Kgt. Beads +2
|NeckAug = HP+60, VIT/MND+15, DT-7%
|Ear1 = Hearty Earring
|Ear2 = Odnowa Earring +1
|Ear2Aug = DEF+30, DT-3%
|Body = Sakpata's Plate
|BodyAug = R25: Attack+25, Resist All+13%, Acc/MAcc+10
|Hands = Macabre Gaunt. +1
|HandsAug = M.Eva+75, Resist All+10, All Attr.+10
|Ring1 = Moonlight Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= HP+60, M.Eva./Eva.+20, M.Eva+10, Resist All+10%
|Waist= Carrier's Sash
|Legs = Volte Hose
|Feet = Volte Boots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|-
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
*Mainly just the Maximum Enmity set (see below) with [[Cab. Gauntlets +3]] swapped in.
*+2 is enough to gain the Dispel additional effect.
**Dispel effect on the gauntlets is 95% accuracy.
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
*To my knowledge, Vocane Ring is the only way to reach a full +6 in Knock Back Reduction gear.
**There are multiple back slot options & the single leg slot option.
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
*Not capped on PDT.
*Reminder, "Resist [Status]" gear is halved against NM's.
|}
<hr style="background:gray">

====Enmity Sets====
<hr style="background:gray">
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Functional Enmity Set
|CaptionBottom = Enmity +128 HP: 2,949
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sapience Orb
|Head = Loess Barbuta +1
|HeadAug = Enm.+10, DT-10%, All Attr.+10
|Neck = Moonlight Necklace
|Ear1 = Trux Earring
|Ear2 = Cryptic Earring
|Body = Souv. Cuirass +1
|BodyAug = HP+105, Enm.+9, Cure Rec.+15%
|Hands = Souv. Handsch. +1
|HandsAug = HP+105, Enm.+9, Cure Rec.+15%
|Ring1 = Supershear Ring
|Ring2 = Eihwaz Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= HP+60, M.Eva/Eva+20, M.Eva+10, Enm.+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Creed Baudrier
|Legs = Souv. Diechlings +1
|LegsAug = HP+105, Enm.+9, Cure Rec.+15
|Feet = Eschite Greaves
|FeetAug = HP+80, PDT-4%, Enmity+7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Maximum Enmity
|CaptionBottom = Enmity +145 HP: 2,535. . .
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sapience Orb
|Head = Loess Barbuta +1
|HeadAug = Enm.+10, DT-10%, All Attr.+10
|Neck = Moonlight Necklace
|Ear1 = Trux Earring
|Ear2 = Cryptic Earring
|Body = Souv. Cuirass +1
|BodyAug = HP+105, Enm.+9, Cure Rec.+15%
|Hands = Yorium Gauntlets
|HandsAug = M.Eva+20, PDT-4%, Enm+10
|Ring1 = Apeile Ring
|Ring2 = Apeile Ring +1
|Ring2Aug = DEF+20, MDB +5
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= HP+60, M.Eva/Eva+20, M.Eva+10, Enm.+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Creed Baudrier
|Legs = Odyssean Cuisses
|LegsAug = Enm.+8
|Feet = Eschite Greaves
|FeetAug = HP+80, PDT-4%, Enmity+7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|-
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
*Same set as the above 119 HQ Souveran Set in New/Returnees Section.
*Assumes you're in the top ranked Unity.
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
*Changes out four pieces of gear for a gain of 17 Enmity.
**You also drops HP by approximately 414...
*Assumes you're in the top ranked Unity.
|-
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = MEv/MDB Enm. Set
|CaptionBottom = Enmity +98 HP: 2,924
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sapience Orb
|Head = Yorium Barbuta
|HeadAug = M.Eva+20, PDT-4%, Enm+10
|Neck = Moonlight Necklace
|Ear1 = Tuisto Earring
|Ear2 = Odnowa Earring +1
|Ear2Aug = DEF+30, DT-3%
|Body = Obviat. Cuirass +1
|BodyAug = MEva.+60, Enm.+5, All Attr.+10
|Hands = Macabre Gaunt. +1
|HandsAug = MEva.+75, Resist All+10%, All Attr.+10
|Ring1 = Vexer Ring +1
|Ring2 = Apeile Ring +1
|Ring2Aug = DEF+20, MDB +5
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= HP+60, M.Eva/Eva+20, M.Eva+10, Enm.+10, [???]
|Waist= Creed Baudrier
|Legs = Souv. Diechlings +1
|LegsAug = HP+105, Enm.+9, Cure Rec.+15
|Feet = Chev. Sabatons +3
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|-
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
*Sparked by conversations around Odyssey fights and Enmity swaps.
**Currently, to the best of my knowledge the best M.Eva/MDB focused Enmity+ swaps you can wear.
*'''Neck, R.Ring & Ammo slots negotiable depending on HP preferences.'''
*Assumes you're in the top ranked Unity.
|-
|}
<hr style="background:gray">

====Hybrid Sets====
<hr style="background:gray">
*Designed to contribute damage '''safely''' prioritizing HP > DT/PDT/MDT > Accuracy/Attack > STP/DA/TA/QA. In that order.
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid I
|CaptionBottom = DT -30% PDT -23% MDT -8% HP: 3,118
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Aurgelmir Orb +1
|Head = Rev. Coronet +3
|Neck = Sanctity Necklace
|Ear1 = Odnowa Earring
|Ear2 = Odnowa Earring +1
|Ear2Aug = DEF +30, DT-3%
|Body = Cab. Surcoat +3
|Hands = Souv. Handsch. +1
|HandsAug = HP+65, STR+12, Acc +13
|Ring1 = Moonlight Ring
|Ring2 = Moonlight Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= HP+60, Acc/Att+20, Acc+10, STP+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Eschan Stone
|Legs = Rev. Breeches +3
|Feet = Ar. Gambieras +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid II
|CaptionBottom = DT -37% PDT -10% MDT -3% HP: 2,731
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Aurgelmir Orb +1
|Head = Flam. Zucchetto +2
|Neck = Sanctity Necklace
|Ear1 = Odnowa Earring
|Ear2 = Odnowa Earring +1
|Ear2Aug = DEF +30, DT-3%
|Body = Cab. Surcoat +3
|Hands = Sulev. Gauntlets +2
|Ring1 = Moonlight Ring
|Ring2 = Moonlight Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= HP+60, Acc/Att+20, Acc+10, STP+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Sailfi Belt +1
|WaistAug = STR+15, DA+5%
|Legs = Sulev. Cuisses +2
|Feet = Flam. Gambieras +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid III
|CaptionBottom = DT -49% HP: 2,653
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Aurgelmir Orb +1
|Head = Hjarrandi Helm
|Neck = Combatant's Torque
|Ear1 = Mache Earring +1
|Ear2 = Telos Earring
|Body = Hjarrandi Breast.
|Hands = Sulev. Gauntlets +2
|Ring1 = Moonlight Ring
|Ring2 = Moonlight Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= HP+60, Acc/Att+20, Acc+10, STP+10, DT-5%
|Waist= Tempus Fugit +1
|Legs = Sulev. Cuisses +2
|Feet = Flam. Gambieras +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|-
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
*The primary function for this build is to contribute damage without sacrificing much HP.
*The damage you put out won't be spectacular but whatever you're facing's damage won't be either. lol
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
*A more ''realistic'' hybrid build.
*Sacrifices some HP, DT/PDT/MDT for STP/DA/TA.
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
*'''Unrealistic expectations.''' A fun build non-the-less!
|-
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid IV
|CaptionBottom = DT -50% HP: 2,754
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Aurgelmir Orb +1
|Head = Sakpata's Helm
|Neck = Combatant's Torque
|Ear1 = Cessance Earring
|Ear2 = Odnowa Earring +1
|Ear2Aug = DEF+30, DT-3%
|Body = Sakpata's Plate
|Hands = Sakpata's Gauntlets
|Ring1 = Moonlight Ring
|Ring2 = Moonlight Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= HP+60, Acc/Att+20, Acc+10, STP+10, Resist All+10%
|Waist= Sailfi Belt +1
|WaistAug = STR+15, DA+5
|Legs = Sakpata's Cuisses
|Feet = Sakpata's Leggings
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|-
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
* Sakpata.
** Get it. Embrace it.
|}
<hr style="background:gray">

====Weaponskill Sets====
<hr style="background:gray">
*Here's where things start to get into the weeds. "How much of my defenses am I willing to sacrifice for bigger numbers?"
**Insert Thanos.gif "Everything."
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Savage Blade I (Old)
|CaptionBottom = 2,357 HP
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Aurgelmir Orb +1
|Head = Odyssean Helm
|HeadAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, WSD+
|Neck =Kgt. Beads +2
|NeckAug = HP+60, VIT/MND+15, DT-7%
|Ear1 = Thrud Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Valorous Mail
|BodyAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, WSD+
|Hands = Odyssean Gauntlets
|HansAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, WSD+
|Ring1 = Epaminondas's Ring
|Ring2 = Regal Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= STR+20, Acc/Att+20, STR+10, WSD+10%, PDT-10%
|Waist= Sailfi Belt +1
|WaistAug = STR+15, DA+5%
|Legs = Valorous Hose
|LegsAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, WSD+
|Feet = Sulev. Leggings +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Savage Blade II
|CaptionBottom = 2,507 HP
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Aurgelmir Orb +1
|Head = Odyssean Helm
|HeadAug = STR+, Acc/Att+, WSD+
|Neck =Kgt. Beads +2
|NeckAug = HP+60, VIT/MND+15, DT-7%
|Ear1 = Thrud Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Sakpata's Plate
|Hands = Sakpata's Gauntlets
|Ring1 = Epaminondas's Ring
|Ring2 = Regal Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= HP+60, Acc/Att+20, STR+10, WSD+10%, PDT-10%
|Waist= Sailfi Belt +1
|WaistAug = STR+15, DA+5%
|Legs = Sakpata's Cuisses
|Feet = Sulev. Leggings +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Savage Blade III
|CaptionBottom = 2,384 HP
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Aurgelmir Orb +1
|Head = Nyame Helm
|HeadAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|Neck = Kgt. Beads +2
|NeckAug = HP+60, VIT/MND+15, DT-7%
|Ear1 = Thrud Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Nyame Mail
|BodyAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+10%, DA+3%
|Hands = Nyame Gauntlets
|HansAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|Ring1 = Epaminondas's Ring
|Ring2 = Regal Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= HP+60, Acc/Att+20, STR+10, WSD+10%, PDT-10%
|Waist= Sailfi Belt +1
|WaistAug = STR+15, DA+5%
|Legs = Nyame Flanchard
|LegsAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+9%, DA+3%
|Feet = Nyame Sollerets
|FeetAug = Path B: Att+25, WSD+8%, DA+2%
|List = Y
}}
|-
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
*Pre-Odyssey Set.
*Weeeee! Throw caution to the wind!
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
*Safe Set.
*Doubles as a Knights of Round set.
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
*Notes on Neck:
**If you wanna be a cheapskate: Fotia Gorget. If you wanna Savage like a big boi: Kgt. Beads +1 or +2.
|-
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
<hr style="background:gray">
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Atonement I
|CaptionBottom = 2,828 HP
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sapience Orb
|Head = Loess Barbuta +1
|HeadAug = Enm.+10, DT-10%, All Attr.+10
|Neck = Moonlight Necklace
|Ear1 = Trux Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Souv. Cuirass +1
|BodyAug = HP+105, Enm.+9, Cure Rec.+15%
|Hands = Souv. Handsch. +1
|HandsAug = HP+105, Enm.+9, Cure Rec.+15%
|Ring1 = Vexer Ring +1
|Ring2 = Eihwaz Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= HP+60, M.Eva/Eva+20, M.Eva+10, Enm.10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Fotia Belt
|Legs = Souv. Diechlings +1
|LegsAug = HP +105, Enm. +9, Cure Rec. +15
|Feet = Eschite Greaves
|FeetAug = HP+80, PDT-4%, Enmity+7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|-
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
*Doubles as a General Enmity Set.
|-
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
<hr style="background:gray">
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Chant du Cygne I
|CaptionBottom = 2,481 HP
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Aurgelmir Orb +1
|Head = Flam. Zucchetto +2
|Neck = Fotia Gorget
|Ear1 = Cessance Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Hjarrandi Breast.
|Hands = Flam. Manopolas +2
|Ring1 = Flamma Ring
|Ring2 = Regal Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= HP+60, Acc/Att+20, DEX+10, Crit.+10%, PDT-10%
|Waist= Fotia Belt
|Legs = Valorous Hose
|LegsAug = DEX+, Acc/Att+, Crit+
|Feet = Flam. Gambieras +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Chant Du Cygne II
|CaptionBottom = 2,350 HP
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Aurgelmir Orb +1
|Head = Valorous Mask
|HeadAug = DEX+, Acc/Att+, DA+
|Neck = Fotia Gorget
|Ear1 = Cessance Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Hjarrandi Breast.
|Hands = Flam. Manopolas +2
|Ring1 = Begrudging Ring
|Ring2 = Regal Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= DEX+20, Acc/Att+20, Crit.+10% DEX+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Fotia Belt
|Legs = Valorous Hose
|LegsAug = DEX+, Acc/Att+, Crit+
|Feet = Valorous Greaves
|FeetAug = DEX+, Acc/Att+, DA+
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|-
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
*Safe set.
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
*All in.
|-
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
<hr style="background:gray">
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Requiescat I
|CaptionBottom = 2,449 HP
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Aurgelmir Orb +1
|Head = Hjarrandi Helm
|Neck = Fotia Gorget
|Ear1 = Cessance Earring
|Ear2 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear2Aug = TP Bonus +250
|Body = Sakpata's Plate
|Hands = Sakpata's Gauntlets
|Ring1 = Petrov Ring
|Ring2 = Regal Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= MND+20, Acc/Att+20, MND+10, DA+10%, PDT-10%
|Waist= Fotia Belt
|Legs = Sakpata's Cuisses
|Feet = Sakpata's Leggings
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|-
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
*Requiescat is already a poopy weaponskill...
*You can quite legitimately get away with just filling in as much Acc/Att and Mult-Attack as possible and call it a day.
|-
|}
<hr style="background:gray">

====Magic Evasion Sets====
<hr style="background:gray">
*Resisting Status Ailments as well as Non-Elemental damage such as [[Mijin Gakure]].
**Secondary benefit being Magic damage and Breathe damage reduction via resistance check.
***'''ie:''' 1/2 resist (50% damage taken); 1/4 resist (25% damage taken); 1/8 resist (12.5% damage taken).
****1/8 resistance tier '''on elemental damage''' is also a possibility if Magic Evasion is high enough and a modicum amount of elemental resist is stacked on as well.
**'''Note: "Resist All" and "Resist [Insert Ailment]" gear's effectiveness is automatically halved against NM's.'''
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = M.Evasion Set I
|CaptionBottom = 578 M.Eva 2,328 HP
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Staunch Tathlum
|Head = Volte Salade
|Neck = Moonbeam Necklace
|Ear1 = Eabani Earring
|Ear2 = Flashward Earring
|Body = Chozor. Coselete
|Hands = Macabre Gaunt.
|HandsAug = M.Eva+75, Resist All+10, Base Stats+10
|Ring1 = Purity Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= HP+60, M.Eva./Eva.+20, Enm.+10, M.Eva+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Carrier's Sash
|Legs = Volte Brayettes
|Feet = Founder's Greaves
|FeetAug = M.Eva+15
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = M.Evasion Set II
|CaptionBottom = 661 M.Eva 2,341 HP
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Staunch Tathlum +1
|Head = Volte Salade
|Neck = Moonlight Necklace
|Ear1 = Eabani Earring
|Ear2 = Sanare Earring
|Body = Volte Haubert
|Hands = Macabre Gaunt.
|HandsAug = M.Eva+75, Resist All+10, All Attr.+10
|Ring1 = Purity Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= HP+60, M.Eva./Eva.+20, Enm.+10, M.Eva+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Carrier's Sash
|Legs = Volte Brayettes
|Feet = Volte Sollerets
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = M.Evasion Set III
|CaptionBottom = 685 M.Eva 2,434 HP
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Staunch Tathlum +1
|Head = Volte Cap
|Neck = Moonlight Necklace
|Ear1 = Eabani Earring
|Ear2 = Sanare Earring
|Body = Sacro Breastplate
|Hands = Volte Bracers
|Ring1 = Vengeful Ring
|Ring2 = Purity Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= HP+60, M.Eva./Eva.+20, M.Eva+10, Resist All+10%
|Waist= Carrier's Sash
|Legs = Volte Brayettes
|Feet = Volte Sollerets
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|-
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
*With the exception of gear from the [[Volte Armor Set]], this set is fairly simple to put together.
*Don't forget you can equip an augmented [[Priwen]] for an additional M.Eva+50.
*'''Skip to sets IV ~ VI if you have Odyssey: Sheol Goal (Atonement's 3 & 4) & Sortie access access.'''
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
*Next step up from first set.
*'''Skip to sets IV ~ VI if you have Odyssey: Sheol Goal (Atonement's 3 & 4) & Sortie access.'''
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
*Alternate body swap: Fully Augmented [[Obviat. Cuirass +1]] for an equal amount of M.Eva.
*'''Skip to sets IV ~ VI if you have Odyssey: Sheol Goal (Atonement's 3 & 4) & Sortie access.'''
|-
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop =M.Eva Set IV (Odyssey)
|CaptionBottom = 737 M.Eva, MDB +46 2,677 HP INT +189 MND +89
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Staunch Tathlum +1
|Head = Sakpata's Helm
|Neck = Warder's Charm +1
|Ear1 = Eabani Earring
|Ear2 = Sanare Earring
|Body = Sakpata's Plate
|Hands = Sakpata's Gauntlets
|Ring1 = Vengeful Ring
|Ring2 = Purity Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= HP+60, M.Eva./Eva.+20, M.Eva+10, Resist All+10%
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Sakpata's Cuisses
|Feet = Sakpata's Leggings
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = M.Eva Set V (Odyssey)
|CaptionBottom = 737 M.Eva, MDB +33 2,717 HP INT +228 MND +103
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Staunch Tathlum +1
|Head = Nyame Helm
|Neck = Warder's Charm +1
|Ear1 = Eabani Earring
|Ear2 = Sanare Earring
|Body = Nyame Mail
|Hands = Nyame Gauntlets
|Ring1 = Vengeful Ring
|Ring2 = Purity Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= HP+60, M.Eva./Eva.+20, M.Eva+10, Resist All+10%
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Nyame Flanchard
|Feet = Nyame Sollerets
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = M.Eva Set VI (Sortie)
|CaptionBottom = 611+ M.Eva, MDB +39~ 2,629+ HP INT +239 MND +???
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Vanir Battery
|Head = Chev. Armet +3
|Neck = Warder's Charm +1
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 = Odnowa Earring +1
|Ear2Aug = DEF+30, DT-3%
|Body = Nyame Mail
|Hands = Chev. Gauntlets +3
|Ring1 = Shadow Ring
|Ring2 = Vexer Ring +1
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= HP+60, M.Eva./Eva.+20, Enm.+10, M.Eva+10,
|Waist=
|Legs = Chev. Cuisses +3
|Feet = Nyame Sollerets
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|-
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
* Odyssey gear, particularly Sakpata has changed the standard.
** Get access to [[Kalunga]] and embrace the blurple.
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
* Nyame set has equal Magic Evasion and HP.
** Has lower MDB but has much higher INT/MND.
** Accessible after defeating [[Bumba]].
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
* This set is a new addition after the previous two.
* Takes a dip in Magic Evasion to focus on more balanced stats.
** Utilizes Empyrean +3 as other choice swaps to focus gain additional Absorption and Nullification properties.
*** Accessible from [[Sortie]] Basement access and appropriate currency & materials.
* Waist and Earring left open as these options are open to personal preference:
** Waist options- Platinum Moogle Belt or Carrier's Sash.
** Ear1 options- Eabani Earring or Sanare Earring.
|}
<hr style="background:gray">

====Magic Casting Sets====
<hr style="background:gray">
*Keep in mind you tend to lose HP while swapping. Especially for FC, so add in HP+ gear where you can or feel that you should.
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Fast Cast
|CaptionBottom = FC+85% 2337 HP. . .
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sapience Orb
|Head = Carmine Mask +1
|HeadAug = Acc/M.Acc+20/12, FC+4%
|Neck = Orunmila's Torque
|Ear1 = Enchntr. Earring +1
|Ear2 = Loquac. Earring
|Body = Rev. Surcoat +3
|Hands = Leyline Gloves
|HandsAug = FC +3%
|Ring1 = Kishar Ring
|Ring2 = Rahab Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug = HP+60, Eva/M.Eva+20, FC+10%, M.Eva+10, PDT-10%
|Waist=
|Legs = Enif Cosciales
|Feet = Chev. Sabatons +3
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Spell Interrupt Down
|CaptionBottom = Interrupt -160%
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Staunch Tathlum +1
|Head = Souv. Schaller +1
|Neck = Moonlight Necklace
|Ear1 = Knightly Earring
|Ear2 = Nourish. Earring +1
|Ear2Aug = Resist Silence+10, SIRD-5%
|Body = Chev. Cuirass +3
|Hands = Yorium Gauntlets
|HandsAug = SIRD-10%
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug = SIRD-10%
|Waist= Audumbla Sash
|Legs = Founder's Hose
|Feet = Odyssean Greaves
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Enhancing Duration
|CaptionBottom = +30% Enh. Duration
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Shab. Cuirass +1
|Hands = Regal Gauntlets
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|-
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
*This ''should'' be the maximum amount of Fast Cast a Paladin can wear.
*[[Enif Cosciales]] grants FC+8%.
*As seen above, this set drops your HP... hard.
*Pick and choose which pieces are worthwhile.
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
*Here as a reminder of all the options available.
*Also, a quick reminder that Spell Interruption Rate can be merited!
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
*Can be used with the Protect & Shell line, [[Phalanx]], [[Reprisal]], and [[Crusade]], if self-cast, respectively. '''(If you so choose.)'''
*Can be pushed further with an augmented [[Ajax +1]] shield for an additional 10%*.
** *Gear with '''Augmented''' [[Enhancing Magic Duration]] is a separate term from the non-augmented variety and will act '''multiplicatively'''.
|-
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Flash
|CaptionBottom = +112 Enmity +25% Fast Cast 3,012 HP
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sapience Orb
|Head = Loess Barbuta +1
|HeadAug = Enm.+10, DT-10%, All Attr.+10
|Neck = Moonlight Necklace
|Ear1 = Cryptic Earring
|Ear2 = Odnowa Earring +1
|Ear2Aug = DEF+30/DT-3%
|Body = Rev. Surcoat +3
|Hands = Souv. Handsch. +1
|HandsAug = HP+105, Enm.+9, Cure Rec.+15%
|Ring1 = Vexer Ring +1
|Ring2 = Eihwaz Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= HP+60, M.Eva/Eva+20, M.Eva+10, Enm.+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Creed Baudrier
|Legs = Souv. Diechlings +1
|LegsAug = HP +105, Enm. +9, Cure Rec. +15%
|Feet = Chev. Sabatons +3
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Flash SIRD
|CaptionBottom = +57 Enmity +20% Fast Cast 2,985 HP
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Staunch Tathlum +1
|Head = Souv. Schaller +1
|HeadAug = HP+105, Enm.+9, Cure Rec.+15%
|Neck = Moonlight Necklace
|Ear1 = Cryptic Earring
|Ear2 = Odnowa Earring +1
|Earring2Aug = DEF+30, DT-3%
|Body = Rev. Surcoat +3
|Hands = Souv. Handsch. +1
|HandsAug = HP+105, Enm.+9, Cure Rec.+15%
|Ring1 = Vexer Ring +1
|Ring2 = Eihwaz Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= HP+60, M.Eva/Eva+20, M.Eva+10, FC+10%, PDT-10%
|Waist= Audumbla Sash
|Legs = Founder's Hose
|Feet = Odyssean Greaves
|FeetAug = FC+6%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|-
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
*When casting under Divine Emblem, a Fast Cast Augment cape is preferable.
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
*''Flash SIRD set can still reach capped Spell Interruption Rate by swapping in [[Chev. Cuirass +3]], [[Chev. Sabatons +3]].''
**Enmity gain of 17, Fast Cast gain of 4%.
**''These swaps would also drop HP by approximately 71 HP.''
|-
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Cure (Capped)
|CaptionBottom = Cure Pot.+50% Cure Rec.+30% 2.977 HP
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Egoist's Tathlum
|Head = Loess Barbuta +1
|HeadAug = Enm+10, DT-10%, All Attr.+10
|Neck = Sacro Gorget
|Ear1 = Tuisto Earring
|Ear2 = Cryptic Earring
|Body = Souv. Cuirass +1
|BodyAug = HP+105, Enm.+9, Cure Rec.+15%
|Hands = Macabre Gaunt. +1
|HandsAug = M.Eva+75, Resist All+10, All Attr.+10
|Ring1 = Vexer Ring +1
|Ring2 = Eihwaz Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= HP+60, M.Eva/Eva+20, M.Eva+10, Cure Pot.+10%, PDT-10%
|Waist= Creed Baudrier
|Legs = Souv. Diechlings +1
|LegsAug = HP+105, Enm.+9, Cure Rec.+15%
|Feet = Chev. Sabatons +3
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Cure SIRD (Capped)
|CaptionBottom = Cure Pot.+50% Cure Rec.+30% 2,847 HP
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Staunch Tathlum +1
|Head = Souv. Schaller +1
|HeadAug = HP+105, Enm.+9, Cure Rec.+15%
|Neck = Moonlight Necklace
|Ear1 = Tuisto Earring
|Ear2 = Nourish. Earring +1
|Earring2Aug = Resist Silence +15, SIRD-5%
|Body = Souv. Cuirass +1
|BodyAug = HP+105, Enm.+9, Cure Rec.+15%
|Hands = Macabre Gaunt. +1
|HandsAug = M.Eva+75, Resist All+10, All Attr.+10
|Ring1 = Gelatinous Ring +1
|Ring1Aug = VIT+15, HP+100
|Ring2 = Eihwaz Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= HP+60, M.Eva/Eva+20, M.Eva+10, Cure Pot.+10%, PDT-10%
|Waist= Audumbla Sash
|Legs = Founder's Hose
|Feet = Odyssean Greaves
|FeetAug = Cure Pot. +4~6%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|-
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
*Capped Cure Potency, Cure Potency Received, and PDT.
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
*A drop of 100 HP in exchange for uninterruptible self-cure bombing.
|-
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Phalanx
|CaptionBottom = Phalanx+30 3,146 HP
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sapience Orb
|Head = Odyssean Helm
|HeadAug = Phalanx+5
|Neck = Unmoving Collar +1
|NeckAug = DEF+20, HP+200
|Ear1 = Mimir Earring
|Ear2 = Odnowa Earring +1
|Earring2Aug = DEF+30, DT-3%
|Body = Odyss. Chestplate
|BodyAug = Phalanx+5
|Hands = Souv. Handsch. +1
|HandsAug = HP+65, Shield Skill+15, PDT-4%
|Ring1 = Moonlight Ring
|Ring2 = Moonlight Ring
|Back = Weard Mantle
|BackAug = Phalanx+5
|Waist= Creed Baudrier
|Legs = Sakpata's Cuisses
|Feet = Souveran Schuhs +1
|FeetAug = HP+65, Atk.+25, MDT-4%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Phalanx SIRD
|CaptionBottom = Phalanx+20 2,699 HP
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Staunch Tathlum +1
|Head = Souv. Schaller +1
|HeadAug = HP+105, Enm.+9, Cure Rec.+15%
|Neck = Moonlight Necklace
|Ear1 = Mimir Earring
|Ear2 = Odnowa Earring +1
|Earring2Aug = DEF+30, DT-3%
|Body = Odyss. Chestplate
|BodyAug = Phalanx+5
|Hands = Souv. Handsch. +1
|HandsAug = HP+105, Enm.+9, Cure Rec.+15%
|Ring1 = Moonlight Ring
|Ring2 = Moonlight Ring
|Back = Weard Mantle
|BackAug = Phalanx+5
|Waist= Audumbla Sash
|Legs = Founder's Hose
|Feet = Odyssean Greaves
|FeetAug = Phalanx+5
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|-
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
*
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
*''Phalanx SIRD set can still reach +30 with DM augmented [[Odyssean Helm]], [[Knightly Earring]], Unity augmented [[Nourish. Earring +1]] and 2 Merits invested in SIRD.''
**''These swaps would also drop HP by approximately 273 HP...''
|-
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Reprisal
|CaptionBottom = 3,041 HP
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sapience Orb
|Head = Loess Barbuta +1
|HeadAug = Enm+10, DT-10%, All Attr.+10
|Neck = Moonlight Necklace
|Ear1 = Cryptic Earring
|Ear2 = Odnowa Earring +1
|Earring2Aug = DEF+30, DT-3%
|Body = Shab. Cuirass +1
|Hands = Regal Gauntlets
|Ring1 = Vexer Ring +1
|Ring2 = Eihwaz Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug = HP+60, Eva/M.Eva+20, FC+10%, M.Eva+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Creed Baudrier
|Legs = Souv. Diechlings +1
|LegsAug = HP +105, Enm. +9, Cure Rec. +15%
|Feet = Chev. Sabatons +3
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Reprisal SIRD
|CaptionBottom = 2,720 HP
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sapience Orb
|Head = Souv. Schaller +1
|HeadAug = HP+105, Enm.+9, Cure Rec.+15%
|Neck = Moonlight Necklace
|Ear1 = Cryptic Earring
|Ear2 = Odnowa Earring +1
|Earring2Aug = DEF+30, DT-3%
|Body = Shab. Cuirass +1
|Hands = Regal Gauntlets
|Ring1 = Gelatinous Ring +1
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug = HP+60, Eva/M.Eva+20, FC+10%, M.Eva+10, PDT-10%
|Waist= Audumbla Sash
|Legs = Founder's Hose
|Feet = Odyssean Greaves
|FeetAug = FC+6%
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|-
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
*Reprisal no longer requires maximum HP swaps.
**My suggestion: Focus on spell duration & enmity, with a bit of Fast Cast thrown in for good merit.
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
|-
|}

===Sets by Galkapryme===
<hr style="background:black">
*'''PLD According to G-Pryme: Est. 1 Jan. 2025 (Under Construction)'''
*These sets are based off a Galka PLD/RUN ML 44 with full HP merits, Enmity+ merits, and SIRD merits. The numbers may vary depending on subjob, Unity rankings, and whichever way the Van A'Diel winds blow.
*I don't bother with "Old" sets, "New and Returning Player" sets or TP sets/Hybrid sets. You can find those above. A PLD's primary function is to tank, and in many cases cure (though my base set includes a nice balance of defense and offense). I will try limit the sets to those, and I will also provide WS sets, as they have utility in Endgame. However, there's already a wiki page for almost all job WS sets.
*Sword and Shield will be included in the sets; While I understand that we use different weapons with different sets, my intent is to match the optimal sword and shield with the appropriate set.
*'''Upcoming Sets:''' Enmity (spiked), FC, Bash, Cure, Phalanx, SIRD,

====Tanking Sets====
<hr style="background:gray">
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Primary Engaged Set
|CaptionBottom = DT: Capped DEF: 1998 HP: 3109 Enmity: 74 MEVA: 642 MDB: 34 SIRD: 20
|Main = Burtgang
|MainAug = R15
|Sub = Duban (Level 119 III)
|Range =
|Ammo = Coiste Bodhar
|Head = Chev. Armet +3
|Neck = Kgt. Beads +2
|NeckAug = HP+60, VIT/MND+15, DT-7%
|Ear1 = Foresti Earring
|Ear2 = Chev. Earring +1
|Ear2Aug = Acc/M.Acc 11~15, DT -3~5%
|Body = Chev. Cuirass +3
|Hands = Chev. Gauntlets +3
|Ring1 = Gelatinous Ring +1
|Ring1Aug = VIT+15, HP+100
|Ring2 = Moonlight Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= VIT+20, Acc+30, M.Acc+20, Dbl.Attk.+10, M.Eva+15
|Waist= Creed Baudrier
|Legs = Chev. Cuisses +3
|Feet = Chev. Sabatons +3
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Enmity Retention
|CaptionBottom = DT: Capped DEF:1939 HP: 3219 Enmity: 102 MEVA: 548 MDB 46
|Main = Burtgang
|MainAug = R15
|Sub = Srivatsa
|Range =
|Ammo = Staunch Tathlum +1
|Head = Chev. Armet +3
|Neck = Kgt. Beads +2
|Ear1 = Foresti Earring
|Ear2 = Chev. Earring +1
|Ear2Aug = DEF+30, DT-3%
|Body = Adamantite Armor
|Hands = Cab. Gauntlets +3
|Ring1 = Apeile Ring +1
|Ring2 = Moonlight Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= HP+60, M.Eva./Eva.+20, Enm.+10, M.Eva+10, Block Chance+5%
|Waist= Creed Baudrier
|Legs = Chev. Cuisses +3
|LegsAug = Chance of successful block+
|Feet = Chev. Sabatons +3
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = MEVA
|CaptionBottom = PDT: 41% MDT: Capped MEVA: 794 MDB: 44 HP: 3,101
|Main = Malignance Sword
|Sub = Duban (Level 119 III)
|Range =
|Ammo = Vanir Battery
|Head = Nyame Helm
|Neck = Warder's Charm +1
|Ear1 = Eabani Earring
|Ear2 = Flashward Earring
|Body = Nyame Mail
|Hands = Nyame Gauntlets
|Ring1 = Vengeful Ring
|Ring2 = Purity Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= INT+20, M.Eva. 30/Eva.+20, Enm.+10, Occ. Resist. +10
|Waist= Asklepian Belt
|Legs = Nyame Flanchard
|Feet = Nyame Sollerets
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|-
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
*Base tank set that balances DEF, HP, Acc, Attk, block rate, and enmity.
*Suitable options include Aegis, Srivatsa, Adamantite Armor, Staunch Tathlum +1, and some others. However, I find this to be a good balance.
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
*This set focuses on maintaining capped CE loss reduction and balancing that with DEF, HP, and DT down.
*Some better stats than the base set, but a little less DEF and weak in the MEVA department.
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
*This set focuses specifically on MEVA but does have 44 MDB. A specific MDB set will be added later.
|}
<hr style="background:gray">
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = MDB
|CaptionBottom = DT: Capped DEF:1761 HP: 3035 MDB 69
|Main = Burtgang
|MainAug = R15
|Sub = Aegis
|Range =
|Ammo = Vanir Battery
|Head = Sakpata's Helm
|Neck = Warder's Charm +1
|Ear1 = Spellbr. Earring
|Ear2 = Sanare Earring
|Body = Adamantite Armor
|Hands = Sakpata's Gauntlets
|Ring1 = Vexer Ring +1
|Ring2 = Vexer Ring +1
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= MND+30, M.Eva./Eva.+20, Enm.+10, Occ. resist.+10
|Waist= Creed Baudrier
|Legs = Sakpata's Cuisses
|Feet = Sakpata's Leggings
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Aminon
|CaptionBottom = DT: Capped DEF: 1741 HP: 2830 Enmity: 14 MEVA: 678 MDB: 66 SIRD: 20
|Main = Excalibur
|MainAug = R15
|Sub = Aegis
|Range =
|Ammo = Vanir Battery
|Head = Sakpata's Helm
|Neck = Coatl Gorget +1
|Ear1 = Spellbr. Earring
|Ear2 = Sanare Earring
|Body = Adamantite Armor
|Hands = Sakpata's Gauntlets
|Ring1 = Shadow Ring
|Ring2 = Vexer Ring +1
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug= MND+30, M.Eva./Eva.+20, Enm.+10, Occ. resist.+10
|Waist= Asklepian Belt
|Legs = Sakpata's Cuisses
|Feet = Sakpata's Leggings
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

===Sets by Community, for community===
<hr style="background:gray">
====Weaponskill Sets====
<hr style="background:gray">
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = [[Knights of Round]]
|CaptionBottom =
|Main = Excalibur (Level 119 III)
|MainAug = DMG: +9, [[Knights of Round|KoR]]: Damage +20%, Chance of successful block +10%
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Coiste Bodhar
|Head = Nyame Helm
|HeadAug = Path B
|Neck = Rep. Plat. Medal
|Ear1 = Lugra Earring +1
|Ear1Aug = DEF+20, STR/DEX/VIT/INT+8
|Ear2 = Thrud Earring
|Body = Nyame Mail
|BodyAug = Path B
|Hands = Nyame Gauntlets
|HandsAug = Path B
|Ring1 = Epaminondas's Ring
|Ring2 = Regal Ring
|Back = Rudianos's Mantle
|BackAug = STR+30,Acc/Atk+20, WSD +10%,Damage taken-5%
|Waist= Kentarch Belt +1
|WaistAug = STR/DEX+10
|Legs = Nyame Flanchard
|LegsAug = Path B
|Feet = Nyame Sollerets
|FeetAug = Path B
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

====Situational Sets====
<hr style="background:gray">
{| style="width:100%; max-width:1800px
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Full Refresh
|CaptionBottom = +15~19
|Main = Moralltach
|MainAug = Path C
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Homiliary
|Head = Jumalik Helm
|Neck = Creed Collar
|Ear1 = Moonshade Earring
|Ear1Aug = Latent Effect: Refresh, MP +25
|Ear2 =
|Body = Crepuscular Mail
|Hands = Regal Gauntlets
|Ring1 = Stikini Ring +1
|Ring2 = Stikini Ring +1
|Back =
|Waist= Fucho-no-Obi
|Legs = Odyssean Cuisses
|LegsAug = [[Dark Matter]] Refresh
|Feet = Odyssean Greaves
|FeetAug = [[Dark Matter]] Refresh
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;" |
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = [[Stoneskin]]
|CaptionBottom = +110
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck = Stone Gorget
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 = Earthcry Earring
|Body =
|Hands = Stone Mufflers
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist= Siegel Sash
|Legs = Haven Hose
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|-
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
*Other noteworthy pieces:
**{{tooltip|text=[[Caliburnus (Level 119)]]|tooltip=[[File:Caliburnus (Level 119) description.png]]}}
**{{tooltip|text=[[Jumalik Mail]]|tooltip=[[File:Jumalik Mail description.png]]}}
**{{tooltip|text=[[Sibyl Scarf]]|tooltip=[[File:Sibyl Scarf description.png]]}}
**[[Coatl Gorget]][[File:Coatl Gorget description.png|link=Coatl Gorget]] | [[Coatl Gorget +1]][[File:Coatl Gorget +1 description.png|link=Coatl Gorget +1]]
|style="width: 33%; vertical-align: top;"|
|}

User:Cii/Sandbox

2026-02-02T01:45:47Z

Cii: /* More Advanced Blood Pact Sets */

{{Guide}}
This is just intended to help with getting your summoner to the level where you can start seeing some nice numbers.

{{color|red|style=bold|Recommended GS LUA (and helpful tools) by Pergatory: }} [https://pastebin.com/u/pergatory Link].

== Getting Started ==
As a new level 99 SMN, I recommend focusing your efforts on the following:
# Obtain an [[Epitaph]] or grab an [[Eminent Sachet]] while you work towards your 100 JP gift to equip a [[Sancus Sachet +1]]
# Create [[Blood Pact]] (BP) sets to improve your avatar's maximum damage per offensive ability
# Create a [[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|BP delay]] set to improve the frequency that you can perform Blood Pacts
# Create an idle set with enough [[Avatar perpetuation cost]] - to offset your avatar's constant [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | MP drain/upkeep]], and enough DT- to survive being hit with AOEs in content like Dyna D
# Obtain the 1200 JP Gift and eventually reach Master SMN

An additional note: [[Flaming Crush]] is going to be your highest damage [[Blood Pact]] against almost anything that doesn't resist it. Embrace [[Ifrit]].

== Merits ==

'''Group 1:'''
* Avatar Physical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Physical Attack: 5
* Avatar Magical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Magical Attack: 5
* Summoning Magic Cast Time: Do not merit this. Build a [[Fast Cast]] set instead.

You can switch Magical Attack to Physical Accuracy and vise versa if you feel like you are having a problem with accuracy for a certain [[Blood Pact]] that you're using often. A good example of this is for AFAC strategies on [[Reisenjima]] HELMS - Physical Accuracy is very important there because you almost exclusively use [[Volt Strike]].

'''Group 2:'''
* [[Meteor Strike]]: 5
* [[Heavenly Strike]]: 1
* [[Wind Blade]]: 1
* [[Geocrush]]: 1
* [[Thunderstorm]]: 1
* [[Grand Fall]]: 1

You can merit whichever one of these you're using most often with the full 5 merits, [[Meteor Strike]] is recommended here because of the offensive power of [[Flaming Crush]], and the ability to use [[Apogee]] to burst off of the skillchains it creates.

Good examples of times to merit other blood pacts: [[Geocrush]] for sortie bosses A and E magic burst strat, [[Thunderstorm]] if you're mostly attacking with [[Volt Strike]] from [[Ramuh]], or [[Heavenly Strike]] if you're bursting on [[Darkness]].

== Idle Set ==
Most gearswap files will have a separate set for idling with and without your avatar. 
This set is for the former, and the goal here is to reach the [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | perpetuation cost]] cap of -14 MP/tic first and foremost.
Once you have reached the cap, avatars will cost at most 1 MP/tic, even with [[Avatar's Favor]] up, so your [[Auto Refresh]] will easily cover that.

# Reach the cap of -14 [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | avatar perpetuation cost]] in pet idle set
# Obtain a [[Caller's_Pendant | Caller's Pendant]] to grant your avatar free TP while standing around
# Fill the remaining slots on [[Refresh]] or defense stats afterward.
#* Note that [[Avatar's Favor]] effects are tiered off based on total skill and Favor+ gear.

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Recommended Start
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Eabani Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Physical Damage Taken -10%
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Enmerkar Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Eva.+20/Mag. Eva. +20, Pet: Damage taken -5%, Pet: Mag. Acc. +20/Mag. Dmg. +20, Pet: Regen +10, Pet: Magic Damage +10
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Beck. Pigaches +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
Both of these sets should be somewhere around -40% DT- (and 10+ refresh!), so a simple swap of one piece ([[Bunzi's Pants]] for example) should be enough for your DT- set to be at or near -50%.
 
 
[[Evoker's Ring]] is good, but very skippable. [[Shadow Ring]] is a fairly easy to obtain tanky alternative for your second slot.
 
 
[[Oneiros Grip]] and [[Fucho-No-Obi]] are optional low-mp switches to give you even more MP when you really need it.
 
 
Most of the pieces listed above and hereafter are interchangeable with their NQ and HQ variants. Customize your set based on available gear.

== Cheapest / Entry Damage Set ==

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Lowest Cost / Bar to Entry
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Gelos Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10 - Pet: Acc, Atk, Macc, Mab help, but keep any +10 BPdmg roll when starting
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+15 Pet: "Double Attack"+3% "Blood Pact" damage +13
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
At time of writing (12/12/2025), the above set should be roughly 12mil to complete. (16mil if you get an Elan Strap +1.) If you don't have the money for that, feel free to downgrade items from +1 to +0 - with the apogee at +0, it'll only be about 7mil!
However, the prices on these are pretty low right now, so if you're liking the job i'd focus on getting the +1s here ASAP.

There isn't really a satisfactory belt option that doesn't require endgame content - [[Klouskap Sash]] exists, but its also 1.5 mil or greater. I'd recommend sticking with something defensive until you can get your hands on the [[Regal Belt]] or [[Incarnation Sash]].

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Required Magic BP Items
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity -6 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+30 Pet: Damage Taken -4%
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist=
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|LegsAug = Huge damage boost to merit (magic) blood pacts
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Other Useful Items'''
* Optional: [[Sancus Sachet +1]] - If you can't get the [[Epitaph]], or already have one, this is actually a better option until the [[Epitaph]] is augmented. However, it costs >2mil, so if money is a concern, try to get that Sgili clear for the [[Epitaph]].
* -
* Optional: [[Shulmanu Collar]] - BIS for melee pacts until a near max JSE neck +1 or +2, if you already have it, great!
* -
* Optional: [[Smn. Collar +1]] - 2nd BIS only to the +2 when fully augmented, and only ~3mil at time of writing. Worth it if you have the funds and are willing to get the RP in Dynamis.
* -
* Optional: [[Apogee Dalmatica]] (Path A) (Magical BP) - the +1 is good, but expensive, and magical only BPs are hardly ever used. Don't spend your money on a +1 unless you get very deep into gearing the job.
* -
* Optional: [[Sroda Earring]] (Melee Pacts, BIS and cheap)
* -
* Questionable: [[Kyrene's Earring]] - If you have one laying around and are missing something else
* -
* Questionable: [[Apogee Mitts]] - If unsure that you want to play the job, make a pair of +0s with path C while you try it out. Do not waste money on a +1 pair of these.

|}

== More Advanced Blood Pact Sets ==
{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
Blood Pacts are generally categorized as either physical or magical damage, with the exception that Ifrit's [[Burning Strike]] and [[Flaming Crush]] are considered hybrid damage. 
In the event you have a Nirvana and HQ Apogee pieces at hand, see Pergatory's LUA file above on gear choices while Garland's [[Aftermath]] is up.
#For physical BPs, you will want stats such as BP Damage, Accuracy, Attack, and Pet: Double Attack. 
#For magical BPs, you will want BP Damage, Magic Attack, and perhaps Pet: TP Bonus. Avatars seem to have naturally high magic accuracy for their associated element 
#For hybrid BPs, there is usually a mixture of physical and magical BP stats, with a heavy emphasis on the magical end.
 
None of these sets will include REMA weapons, or very expensive minor upgrades like +2 JSE necks.
 
 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Shulmanu Collar
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Sroda Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Glyphic Doublet +3
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = "Fast Cast" +10%, Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
You can use [[Apogee Attire Set]] +1 boots and hat for your physical set, but with the [[Helios Attire Set]] being easily attainable, I'd really recommend against buying a second pair of Apogee +1 for physical unless you're made of money. The Helios is typically better anyways - just requires some time to augment.

The [[Shulmanu Collar]] is probably not worth chasing just for SMN, as the [[Smn. Collar +1]] is better when fully augmented. Its mostly in this set in case you already have one for a different job.

The [[Sroda Earring]] is BIS as long as you've got enough accuracy in your set. The only reason the [[Beck. Earring +1]] is in mine is because the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] has 0 Pet: Accuracy.

Lastly, with Apollyon points being so accessible due to ???'s being shouted out every 3 days or so, i'd really recommend getting the [[Con. Doublet +4]]. You don't ever need to make the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] like I have, because of previously mentioned accuracy issues.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+60 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+30 "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = C. Palug Crown
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: Magic Acc, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The [[Apogee Slacks +1]] are only better than the [[Enticer's Pants]] if you have the blood pact fully merited, or have TP over 1500. You don't really need a second pair of these, just stick with the [[Enticer's Pants]].

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] after about lvl 10.

[[Gelos Earring]] is about the same as the [[Beck. Earring]] for merit pacts.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Gelos Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20 Pet: "Double Attack"+4% "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = C. Palug Crown
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The most important stat for [[Flaming Crush]] is Blood Pact Damage, as its counted twice: once on the physical hits, and once on the magical. That's why the [[Gelos Earring]] is recommended over the [[Beck. Earring]] here. Of course, if you already have a Beck. Earring, there's no reason to do the quest for the [[Gelos Earring]]. The damage difference is pretty minimal.

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] for hybrid pacts earlier than magical - switch as soon as you have some RP on it.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

[[Apogee Slacks +1]] (Path A) should be more damage than (Path D) for [[Flaming Crush]]. However, (Path D) is fine, so this upgrade is fairly unnecessary. With this same logic, the [[Apogee Dalmatica +1]] may be similar damage to the [[Con. Doublet +4]] - but the extra +60 accuracy on that top plays a huge role for [[Flaming Crush]]. If you miss either of the initial melee hits, your overall damage will completely plummet, because the magic hit's damage is based on the first two hits' damage.

Do not fret if you are missing the Omen/Vagary accessories; the bulk of your avatar's damage comes from your armor and weapon choices.

== BP Delay Reduction Gear ==
[[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|Blood Pact delays]] have a combined cap of -30 seconds from player gear and gifts, and no more than -15 seconds can be applied per delay tier. 
Once you have obtained the 500 JP (Superior 3) gift, the HQ [[Sancus Sachet]] and [[Baayami_Attire_Set|Baayami Attire Set]] can help you reach the BP delay cap while providing copious amounts of [[Summoning Magic Skill]]. 
An [[Espiritus]] can provide additional BP delay II if you do not mind potentially losing TP on swapping weapons. 

# Reach the cap of -30 seconds through gear and JP gifts
# Fill remaining slots with Summoning Skill and Favor+ gear to improve [[Avatar's Favor]] tier - the final 'tier' is at 670+ total skill.

{{color|red|style=bold|NOTE: }} Depending on your gearswap file, your BP delay set may be listed as a precast or midcast set. 
The delay set should equip as soon as a BP command is sent, and similarly, your BP damage sets should equip once your avatar begins its BP animation.

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -22 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
More than fully capped BP delay with 1200JP, plus 676 Summoning Magic Skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -18 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 0 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Eminent Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Shomonjijoe
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 100 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 500 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +3
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== Buff Duration / Summoning Skill Scaling Sets ==

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Buff Duration
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*This set gives 676 Summoning skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Summoning Skill +
|CaptionBottom = Alternative items
|Main =
|Sub = Vox Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Baayami Hat
|Neck = Incanter's Torque
|Ear1 = Andoaa Earring
|Ear2 = C. Palug Earring
|Body = Beck. Doublet +2
|Hands = Inyan. Dastanas +2
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Stikini Ring
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Beck. Spats +2
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path D: MP+70, "Summoning Magic Skill" +15, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*The [[Stikini Ring]] and [[Baayami Hat]] are very expensive for little benefit, so i'd recommend against them unless you already have them. They're mostly on this list so all options are shown.
*The [[Beckoner's Attire Set]] has a decent amount of skill, but its probably not worth building just for the skill bonus.

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Elemental Siphon
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Esper Stone +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Beck. Pigaches +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== SMN at a Glance ==
Here is where I attempt to answer questions and grossly generalize SMN at the same time: 

=== Skillchains and Magic Bursts ===
Physical and Hybrid BPs are analogous to player [[Weapon Skill|WSs]] and each have their own [[Summoner#Spells_and_Blood_Pacts|skillchain properties]]. 
Magic BPs are analogous to player spells and can be used in a [[Magic Burst|magic burst]]. 
In general, there is a short delay (just over a second) between using a BP command and when the BP is executed, so time your BPs accordingly.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchains (2-Step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst1
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Mountain Buster]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Gravitation]]
| [[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crag Throw]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Liquefaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Full Swing]]
| [[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Burning Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fusion]]
| [[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Conflag Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=5 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchain (3-step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #2
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #3
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #2
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]]1 [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
|-
| colspan=5|
1 Requires [[Apogee]] to BP twice in a row
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#0F0018"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Multi-SMN Skillchains
|- BGCOLOR="#2A0141"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Eclipse Bite]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]

|}

=== Blood Pacts and when to use them ===
A summary of useful BPs I have encountered for solo and group play. This list is not exhaustive.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#000822"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | I really need to...
|- BGCOLOR="#051549"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Rage
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Ward
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Potential Uses

|-
| Cleave targets
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderspark]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Level ? Holy]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
|
[[Vagary]] 
[[Salvage II| Salvage Farming]] 
[[Colonization_Reive|Colonization Reives]] 
[[Incursion]]

|-
| Curb enemy offense
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Tidal Roar]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Mewing Lullaby]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Eerie Eye]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' attack 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' TP 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Inflicts [[Silence]] and [[Amnesia]]
|-
| Buff party's offense
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crimson Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Inferno Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rolling Thunder]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Hastega_II|Hastega II]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crystal Blessing]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Attack Bonus 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enfire 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enthunder 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Haste II 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]TP Bonus 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Attack Bonus

|-
| Buff party's defense
|
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Armor]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Ward]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Perfect Defense]] [[File:Alexander_GUI.png|link=]] 2 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Frost Armor]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shining Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage mitigation 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Stoneskin 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage reduction 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice Spikes 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Defense+10%, MDT 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Defense Bonus
|-
| Dispel enemy buffs
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Lunar Roar]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Pavor Nocturnus]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[:Yggdreant|Yggdreants]] or [[Belladonna|Belladonna's]] 
[[Glassy Gorger]]

|-
| Sleep nearby enemies
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Nightmare]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Sleepga_(Blood_Pact)|Sleepga]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[Warder of Love]] 
[[Omen]] 
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]

|-
| Stun the enemy
|
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Transfixion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Chaotic Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shock Squall]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Helps [[:Trusts#Gessho|Gessho]] tank CP mobs.
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]
|-
| Heal my party
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Whispering Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Healing Ruby II]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Remove status ailments
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Soothing Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Run really fast
|
|
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Fleet Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Give party member Reraise
|
|
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Reraise II]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Deal hybrid damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Best damage while unresisted - check your monster beforehand. Fire/Magic/High Melee resist will chunk your damage. - example: [[Dynamis - Bastok (D)]](Green pull only)/[[Dynamis - Jeuno (D)]], [[Zerde]]

|-
| Deal melee damage
|
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]General Melee dmg - example: [[Reisenjima]] Helms ([[Erinys]], etc), but this will be your most used melee blood pact due to the stun. 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Slashing damage - example: [[Yakshi]]/[[Kalunga]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Blunt damage - example: [[Gigelorum]]/[[Gogmagog]] 

|-
| Deal magic damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Geocrush]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Fire damage (Light/Fusion/Liquefaction) 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice damage (Darkness/Distortion/Induration) 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Wind damage (Light/Fragmentation/Detonation) 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Earth damage (Darkness/Gravitation/Scission) 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Thunder damage (Light/Fragmentation/Impaction) 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Water damage (Darkness/Distortion/Reverberation)

|-
| colspan=4|
2 Requires [[Astral Flow]] to activate BP
|}

=== AFAC Strategy ===
Given the large amount of pet stats gained from SMN gifts and JP categories, I highly recommend maxing the [[Astral Flow]]/[[Astral Conduit]] effects and acquiring all the physical BP related stats (1710+ JP) prior to attempting an AFAC. 
Secondly, if you are using Gearswap, ensure that you are not accidentally swapping into a precast or aftercast set during [[Astral Conduit]]. 
At the time of this writing, Pergatory's LUA will equip an idle set following conduit BPs and assumes the user will stagger BPs approximately 1.25 seconds apart. 
If this proves inconvenient, you may opt to equip your BP set and //gs disable all during [[Astral Conduit]] '''[or]''' add code to disable his idle() function calls while conduit is up. 

'''Generic AFAC Algorithm'''
# Receive pre-fight buffs
# Activate [[Avatar's Favor]]
# If using [[Nirvana_(Level_119)|119 Nirvana]], or [[Opashoro]], build 3000 TP and gain [[Aftermath|AM3]] on fodder
# Pop NM
# Wait for GEO bubbles and offensive spells/JAs
# Hit [[Astral Flow]]
# Hit [[Astral Conduit]]
# Spam BPs
# Receive [[Mana Powder]] / [[Mana Mist]] during [[Astral Conduit]] from back line jobs if in [[Escha]] zone
# Watch your mana bar closely during your AFAC, and hit [[Convert]] if you ever drop below 300 - the goal is to get through two full mana bars during your AFAC if possible
# Once [[Astral Conduit]] wears:
# [[Apogee]], then BP (x2)
# Reset [[Apogee]] and [[Astral Flow]] + [[Astral Conduit]] via COR JAs and/or [[Super Revitalizer]] if in [[Escha]] zone
# Repeat until you or the boss dies

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#150101"
! colspan=10 style="text-align: center;" | Job Summary
|- BGCOLOR="#410202"
! width="15%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact
! width="15%" class=unsortable|SMN Food
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Indi-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Geo-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Entrust
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Offensive spells
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #1
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #2
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|RUN JAs
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|BRD Songs

|-
|
[[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]]
| [[Geo-Frailty]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Drachen Roll]]
| [[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]]

|-
| [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Frailty]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]] or [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
|
[[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]], [[File:Rolan._Daifuku_icon.png|link=Rolanberry Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Impact]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
| [[Companion's Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
| colspan=10|
[[Impact]], [[Odyllic Subterfuge]], and [[Refresh_(Status)|Refresh effects]] may be omitted based on NM and groups' comfort zone.
|-
| colspan=10|
Just use grape daifuku - there are other food options, but grapes are good for everything.
|}

== Acknowledgements ==
I took some of this straight from [https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Prismfang/Sandbox Prismfang's Sandbox], (especially the bottom half with info on what pacts do - I think its much nicer than having two pages open), with edits based on what I think is most realistic for someone newish to the job in 2025-2026.

Thanks to '''Pergatory''' of Asura for providing constructive feedback and all the SMNs on the FFXIAH.com forums for sharing their knowledge.

User:Cii/Sandbox

2026-01-26T05:12:12Z

Cii: /* AFAC Strategy */

{{Guide}}
This is just intended to help with getting your summoner to the level where you can start seeing some nice numbers.

{{color|red|style=bold|Recommended GS LUA (and helpful tools) by Pergatory: }} [https://pastebin.com/u/pergatory Link].

== Getting Started ==
As a new level 99 SMN, I recommend focusing your efforts on the following:
# Obtain an [[Epitaph]] or grab an [[Eminent Sachet]] while you work towards your 100 JP gift to equip a [[Sancus Sachet +1]]
# Create [[Blood Pact]] (BP) sets to improve your avatar's maximum damage per offensive ability
# Create a [[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|BP delay]] set to improve the frequency that you can perform Blood Pacts
# Create an idle set with enough [[Avatar perpetuation cost]] - to offset your avatar's constant [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | MP drain/upkeep]], and enough DT- to survive being hit with AOEs in content like Dyna D
# Obtain the 1200 JP Gift and eventually reach Master SMN

An additional note: [[Flaming Crush]] is going to be your highest damage [[Blood Pact]] against almost anything that doesn't resist it. Embrace [[Ifrit]].

== Merits ==

'''Group 1:'''
* Avatar Physical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Physical Attack: 5
* Avatar Magical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Magical Attack: 5
* Summoning Magic Cast Time: Do not merit this. Build a [[Fast Cast]] set instead.

You can switch Magical Attack to Physical Accuracy and vise versa if you feel like you are having a problem with accuracy for a certain [[Blood Pact]] that you're using often. A good example of this is for AFAC strategies on [[Reisenjima]] HELMS - Physical Accuracy is very important there because you almost exclusively use [[Volt Strike]].

'''Group 2:'''
* [[Meteor Strike]]: 5
* [[Heavenly Strike]]: 1
* [[Wind Blade]]: 1
* [[Geocrush]]: 1
* [[Thunderstorm]]: 1
* [[Grand Fall]]: 1

You can merit whichever one of these you're using most often with the full 5 merits, [[Meteor Strike]] is recommended here because of the offensive power of [[Flaming Crush]], and the ability to use [[Apogee]] to burst off of the skillchains it creates.

Good examples of times to merit other blood pacts: [[Geocrush]] for sortie bosses A and E magic burst strat, [[Thunderstorm]] if you're mostly attacking with [[Volt Strike]] from [[Ramuh]], or [[Heavenly Strike]] if you're bursting on [[Darkness]].

== Idle Set ==
Most gearswap files will have a separate set for idling with and without your avatar. 
This set is for the former, and the goal here is to reach the [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | perpetuation cost]] cap of -14 MP/tic first and foremost.
Once you have reached the cap, avatars will cost at most 1 MP/tic, even with [[Avatar's Favor]] up, so your [[Auto Refresh]] will easily cover that.

# Reach the cap of -14 [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | avatar perpetuation cost]] in pet idle set
# Obtain a [[Caller's_Pendant | Caller's Pendant]] to grant your avatar free TP while standing around
# Fill the remaining slots on [[Refresh]] or defense stats afterward.
#* Note that [[Avatar's Favor]] effects are tiered off based on total skill and Favor+ gear.

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Recommended Start
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Eabani Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Physical Damage Taken -10%
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Enmerkar Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Eva.+20/Mag. Eva. +20, Pet: Damage taken -5%, Pet: Mag. Acc. +20/Mag. Dmg. +20, Pet: Regen +10, Pet: Magic Damage +10
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Beck. Pigaches +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
Both of these sets should be somewhere around -40% DT- (and 10+ refresh!), so a simple swap of one piece ([[Bunzi's Pants]] for example) should be enough for your DT- set to be at or near -50%.
 
 
[[Evoker's Ring]] is good, but very skippable. [[Shadow Ring]] is a fairly easy to obtain tanky alternative for your second slot.
 
 
[[Oneiros Grip]] and [[Fucho-No-Obi]] are optional low-mp switches to give you even more MP when you really need it.
 
 
Most of the pieces listed above and hereafter are interchangeable with their NQ and HQ variants. Customize your set based on available gear.

== Cheapest / Entry Damage Set ==

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Lowest Cost / Bar to Entry
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Gelos Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10 - Pet: Acc, Atk, Macc, Mab help, but keep any +10 BPdmg roll when starting
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+15 Pet: "Double Attack"+3% "Blood Pact" damage +13
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
At time of writing (12/12/2025), the above set should be roughly 12mil to complete. (16mil if you get an Elan Strap +1.) If you don't have the money for that, feel free to downgrade items from +1 to +0 - with the apogee at +0, it'll only be about 7mil!
However, the prices on these are pretty low right now, so if you're liking the job i'd focus on getting the +1s here ASAP.

There isn't really a satisfactory belt option that doesn't require endgame content - [[Klouskap Sash]] exists, but its also 1.5 mil or greater. I'd recommend sticking with something defensive until you can get your hands on the [[Regal Belt]] or [[Incarnation Sash]].

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Required Magic BP Items
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity -6 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+30 Pet: Damage Taken -4%
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist=
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|LegsAug = Huge damage boost to merit (magic) blood pacts
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Other Useful Items'''
* Optional: [[Sancus Sachet +1]] - If you can't get the [[Epitaph]], or already have one, this is actually a better option until the [[Epitaph]] is augmented. However, it costs >2mil, so if money is a concern, try to get that Sgili clear for the [[Epitaph]].
* -
* Optional: [[Shulmanu Collar]] - BIS for melee pacts until a near max JSE neck +1 or +2, if you already have it, great!
* -
* Optional: [[Smn. Collar +1]] - 2nd BIS only to the +2 when fully augmented, and only ~3mil at time of writing. Worth it if you have the funds and are willing to get the RP in Dynamis.
* -
* Optional: [[Apogee Dalmatica]] (Path A) (Magical BP) - the +1 is good, but expensive, and magical only BPs are hardly ever used. Don't spend your money on a +1 unless you get very deep into gearing the job.
* -
* Optional: [[Sroda Earring]] (Melee Pacts, BIS and cheap)
* -
* Questionable: [[Kyrene's Earring]] - If you have one laying around and are missing something else
* -
* Questionable: [[Apogee Mitts]] - If unsure that you want to play the job, make a pair of +0s with path C while you try it out. Do not waste money on a +1 pair of these.

|}

== More Advanced Blood Pact Sets ==
{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
Blood Pacts are generally categorized as either physical or magical damage, with the exception that Ifrit's [[Burning Strike]] and [[Flaming Crush]] are considered hybrid damage. 
In the event you have a Nirvana and HQ Apogee pieces at hand, see Pergatory's LUA file above on gear choices while Garland's [[Aftermath]] is up.
#For physical BPs, you will want stats such as BP Damage, Accuracy, Attack, and Pet: Double Attack. 
#For magical BPs, you will want BP Damage, Magic Attack, and perhaps Pet: TP Bonus. Avatars seem to have naturally high magic accuracy for their associated element 
#For hybrid BPs, there is usually a mixture of physical and magical BP stats, with a heavy emphasis on the magical end.
 
None of these sets will include REMA weapons, or very expensive minor upgrades like +2 JSE necks.
 
 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Shulmanu Collar
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Sroda Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Glyphic Doublet +3
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = "Fast Cast" +10%, Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
You can use [[Apogee Attire Set]] +1 boots and hat for your physical set, but with the [[Helios Attire Set]] being easily attainable, I'd really recommend against buying a second pair of Apogee +1 for physical unless you're made of money. The Helios is typically better anyways - just requires some time to augment.

The [[Shulmanu Collar]] is probably not worth chasing just for SMN, as the [[Smn. Collar +1]] is better when fully augmented. Its mostly in this set in case you already have one for a different job.

The [[Sroda Earring]] is BIS as long as you've got enough accuracy in your set. The only reason the [[Beck. Earring +1]] is in mine is because the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] has 0 Pet: Accuracy.

Lastly, with Apollyon points being so accessible due to ???'s being shouted out every 3 days or so, i'd really recommend getting the [[Con. Doublet +4]]. You don't ever need to make the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] like I have, because of previously mentioned accuracy issues.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+60 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+30 "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: Magic Acc, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The [[Apogee Slacks +1]] are only better than the [[Enticer's Pants]] if you have the blood pact fully merited, or have TP over 1500. You don't really need a second pair of these, just stick with the [[Enticer's Pants]].

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] after about lvl 10.

[[Gelos Earring]] is about the same as the [[Beck. Earring]] for merit pacts.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Gelos Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20 Pet: "Double Attack"+4% "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The most important stat for [[Flaming Crush]] is Blood Pact Damage, as its counted twice: once on the physical hits, and once on the magical. That's why the [[Gelos Earring]] is recommended over the [[Beck. Earring]] here. Of course, if you already have a Beck. Earring, there's no reason to do the quest for the [[Gelos Earring]]. The damage difference is pretty minimal.

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] for hybrid pacts earlier than magical - switch as soon as you have some RP on it.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

[[Apogee Slacks +1]] (Path A) should be more damage than (Path D) for [[Flaming Crush]]. However, (Path D) is fine, so this upgrade is fairly unnecessary. With this same logic, the [[Apogee Dalmatica +1]] may be similar damage to the [[Con. Doublet +4]] - but the extra +60 accuracy on that top plays a huge role for [[Flaming Crush]]. If you miss either of the initial melee hits, your overall damage will completely plummet, because the magic hit's damage is based on the first two hits' damage.

Do not fret if you are missing the Omen/Vagary accessories; the bulk of your avatar's damage comes from your armor and weapon choices.

== BP Delay Reduction Gear ==
[[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|Blood Pact delays]] have a combined cap of -30 seconds from player gear and gifts, and no more than -15 seconds can be applied per delay tier. 
Once you have obtained the 500 JP (Superior 3) gift, the HQ [[Sancus Sachet]] and [[Baayami_Attire_Set|Baayami Attire Set]] can help you reach the BP delay cap while providing copious amounts of [[Summoning Magic Skill]]. 
An [[Espiritus]] can provide additional BP delay II if you do not mind potentially losing TP on swapping weapons. 

# Reach the cap of -30 seconds through gear and JP gifts
# Fill remaining slots with Summoning Skill and Favor+ gear to improve [[Avatar's Favor]] tier - the final 'tier' is at 670+ total skill.

{{color|red|style=bold|NOTE: }} Depending on your gearswap file, your BP delay set may be listed as a precast or midcast set. 
The delay set should equip as soon as a BP command is sent, and similarly, your BP damage sets should equip once your avatar begins its BP animation.

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -22 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
More than fully capped BP delay with 1200JP, plus 676 Summoning Magic Skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -18 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 0 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Eminent Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Shomonjijoe
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 100 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 500 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +3
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== Buff Duration / Summoning Skill Scaling Sets ==

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Buff Duration
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*This set gives 676 Summoning skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Summoning Skill +
|CaptionBottom = Alternative items
|Main =
|Sub = Vox Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Baayami Hat
|Neck = Incanter's Torque
|Ear1 = Andoaa Earring
|Ear2 = C. Palug Earring
|Body = Beck. Doublet +2
|Hands = Inyan. Dastanas +2
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Stikini Ring
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Beck. Spats +2
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path D: MP+70, "Summoning Magic Skill" +15, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*The [[Stikini Ring]] and [[Baayami Hat]] are very expensive for little benefit, so i'd recommend against them unless you already have them. They're mostly on this list so all options are shown.
*The [[Beckoner's Attire Set]] has a decent amount of skill, but its probably not worth building just for the skill bonus.

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Elemental Siphon
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Esper Stone +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Beck. Pigaches +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== SMN at a Glance ==
Here is where I attempt to answer questions and grossly generalize SMN at the same time: 

=== Skillchains and Magic Bursts ===
Physical and Hybrid BPs are analogous to player [[Weapon Skill|WSs]] and each have their own [[Summoner#Spells_and_Blood_Pacts|skillchain properties]]. 
Magic BPs are analogous to player spells and can be used in a [[Magic Burst|magic burst]]. 
In general, there is a short delay (just over a second) between using a BP command and when the BP is executed, so time your BPs accordingly.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchains (2-Step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst1
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Mountain Buster]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Gravitation]]
| [[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crag Throw]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Liquefaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Full Swing]]
| [[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Burning Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fusion]]
| [[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Conflag Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=5 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchain (3-step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #2
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #3
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #2
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]]1 [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
|-
| colspan=5|
1 Requires [[Apogee]] to BP twice in a row
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#0F0018"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Multi-SMN Skillchains
|- BGCOLOR="#2A0141"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Eclipse Bite]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]

|}

=== Blood Pacts and when to use them ===
A summary of useful BPs I have encountered for solo and group play. This list is not exhaustive.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#000822"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | I really need to...
|- BGCOLOR="#051549"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Rage
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Ward
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Potential Uses

|-
| Cleave targets
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderspark]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Level ? Holy]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
|
[[Vagary]] 
[[Salvage II| Salvage Farming]] 
[[Colonization_Reive|Colonization Reives]] 
[[Incursion]]

|-
| Curb enemy offense
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Tidal Roar]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Mewing Lullaby]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Eerie Eye]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' attack 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' TP 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Inflicts [[Silence]] and [[Amnesia]]
|-
| Buff party's offense
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crimson Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Inferno Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rolling Thunder]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Hastega_II|Hastega II]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crystal Blessing]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Attack Bonus 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enfire 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enthunder 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Haste II 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]TP Bonus 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Attack Bonus

|-
| Buff party's defense
|
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Armor]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Ward]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Perfect Defense]] [[File:Alexander_GUI.png|link=]] 2 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Frost Armor]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shining Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage mitigation 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Stoneskin 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage reduction 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice Spikes 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Defense+10%, MDT 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Defense Bonus
|-
| Dispel enemy buffs
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Lunar Roar]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Pavor Nocturnus]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[:Yggdreant|Yggdreants]] or [[Belladonna|Belladonna's]] 
[[Glassy Gorger]]

|-
| Sleep nearby enemies
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Nightmare]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Sleepga_(Blood_Pact)|Sleepga]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[Warder of Love]] 
[[Omen]] 
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]

|-
| Stun the enemy
|
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Transfixion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Chaotic Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shock Squall]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Helps [[:Trusts#Gessho|Gessho]] tank CP mobs.
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]
|-
| Heal my party
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Whispering Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Healing Ruby II]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Remove status ailments
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Soothing Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Run really fast
|
|
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Fleet Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Give party member Reraise
|
|
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Reraise II]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Deal hybrid damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Best damage while unresisted - check your monster beforehand. Fire/Magic/High Melee resist will chunk your damage. - example: [[Dynamis - Bastok (D)]](Green pull only)/[[Dynamis - Jeuno (D)]], [[Zerde]]

|-
| Deal melee damage
|
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]General Melee dmg - example: [[Reisenjima]] Helms ([[Erinys]], etc), but this will be your most used melee blood pact due to the stun. 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Slashing damage - example: [[Yakshi]]/[[Kalunga]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Blunt damage - example: [[Gigelorum]]/[[Gogmagog]] 

|-
| Deal magic damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Geocrush]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Fire damage (Light/Fusion/Liquefaction) 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice damage (Darkness/Distortion/Induration) 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Wind damage (Light/Fragmentation/Detonation) 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Earth damage (Darkness/Gravitation/Scission) 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Thunder damage (Light/Fragmentation/Impaction) 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Water damage (Darkness/Distortion/Reverberation)

|-
| colspan=4|
2 Requires [[Astral Flow]] to activate BP
|}

=== AFAC Strategy ===
Given the large amount of pet stats gained from SMN gifts and JP categories, I highly recommend maxing the [[Astral Flow]]/[[Astral Conduit]] effects and acquiring all the physical BP related stats (1710+ JP) prior to attempting an AFAC. 
Secondly, if you are using Gearswap, ensure that you are not accidentally swapping into a precast or aftercast set during [[Astral Conduit]]. 
At the time of this writing, Pergatory's LUA will equip an idle set following conduit BPs and assumes the user will stagger BPs approximately 1.25 seconds apart. 
If this proves inconvenient, you may opt to equip your BP set and //gs disable all during [[Astral Conduit]] '''[or]''' add code to disable his idle() function calls while conduit is up. 

'''Generic AFAC Algorithm'''
# Receive pre-fight buffs
# Activate [[Avatar's Favor]]
# If using [[Nirvana_(Level_119)|119 Nirvana]], or [[Opashoro]], build 3000 TP and gain [[Aftermath|AM3]] on fodder
# Pop NM
# Wait for GEO bubbles and offensive spells/JAs
# Hit [[Astral Flow]]
# Hit [[Astral Conduit]]
# Spam BPs
# Receive [[Mana Powder]] / [[Mana Mist]] during [[Astral Conduit]] from back line jobs if in [[Escha]] zone
# Watch your mana bar closely during your AFAC, and hit [[Convert]] if you ever drop below 300 - the goal is to get through two full mana bars during your AFAC if possible
# Once [[Astral Conduit]] wears:
# [[Apogee]], then BP (x2)
# Reset [[Apogee]] and [[Astral Flow]] + [[Astral Conduit]] via COR JAs and/or [[Super Revitalizer]] if in [[Escha]] zone
# Repeat until you or the boss dies

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#150101"
! colspan=10 style="text-align: center;" | Job Summary
|- BGCOLOR="#410202"
! width="15%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact
! width="15%" class=unsortable|SMN Food
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Indi-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Geo-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Entrust
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Offensive spells
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #1
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #2
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|RUN JAs
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|BRD Songs

|-
|
[[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]]
| [[Geo-Frailty]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Drachen Roll]]
| [[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]]

|-
| [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Frailty]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]] or [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
|
[[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]], [[File:Rolan._Daifuku_icon.png|link=Rolanberry Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Impact]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
| [[Companion's Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
| colspan=10|
[[Impact]], [[Odyllic Subterfuge]], and [[Refresh_(Status)|Refresh effects]] may be omitted based on NM and groups' comfort zone.
|-
| colspan=10|
Just use grape daifuku - there are other food options, but grapes are good for everything.
|}

== Acknowledgements ==
I took some of this straight from [https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Prismfang/Sandbox Prismfang's Sandbox], (especially the bottom half with info on what pacts do - I think its much nicer than having two pages open), with edits based on what I think is most realistic for someone newish to the job in 2025-2026.

Thanks to '''Pergatory''' of Asura for providing constructive feedback and all the SMNs on the FFXIAH.com forums for sharing their knowledge.

User:Cii/Sandbox

2026-01-02T02:49:48Z

Cii: /* Idle Set */

{{Guide}}
This is just intended to help with getting your summoner to the level where you can start seeing some nice numbers.

{{color|red|style=bold|Recommended GS LUA (and helpful tools) by Pergatory: }} [https://pastebin.com/u/pergatory Link].

== Getting Started ==
As a new level 99 SMN, I recommend focusing your efforts on the following:
# Obtain an [[Epitaph]] or grab an [[Eminent Sachet]] while you work towards your 100 JP gift to equip a [[Sancus Sachet +1]]
# Create [[Blood Pact]] (BP) sets to improve your avatar's maximum damage per offensive ability
# Create a [[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|BP delay]] set to improve the frequency that you can perform Blood Pacts
# Create an idle set with enough [[Avatar perpetuation cost]] - to offset your avatar's constant [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | MP drain/upkeep]], and enough DT- to survive being hit with AOEs in content like Dyna D
# Obtain the 1200 JP Gift and eventually reach Master SMN

An additional note: [[Flaming Crush]] is going to be your highest damage [[Blood Pact]] against almost anything that doesn't resist it. Embrace [[Ifrit]].

== Merits ==

'''Group 1:'''
* Avatar Physical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Physical Attack: 5
* Avatar Magical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Magical Attack: 5
* Summoning Magic Cast Time: Do not merit this. Build a [[Fast Cast]] set instead.

You can switch Magical Attack to Physical Accuracy and vise versa if you feel like you are having a problem with accuracy for a certain [[Blood Pact]] that you're using often. A good example of this is for AFAC strategies on [[Reisenjima]] HELMS - Physical Accuracy is very important there because you almost exclusively use [[Volt Strike]].

'''Group 2:'''
* [[Meteor Strike]]: 5
* [[Heavenly Strike]]: 1
* [[Wind Blade]]: 1
* [[Geocrush]]: 1
* [[Thunderstorm]]: 1
* [[Grand Fall]]: 1

You can merit whichever one of these you're using most often with the full 5 merits, [[Meteor Strike]] is recommended here because of the offensive power of [[Flaming Crush]], and the ability to use [[Apogee]] to burst off of the skillchains it creates.

Good examples of times to merit other blood pacts: [[Geocrush]] for sortie bosses A and E magic burst strat, [[Thunderstorm]] if you're mostly attacking with [[Volt Strike]] from [[Ramuh]], or [[Heavenly Strike]] if you're bursting on [[Darkness]].

== Idle Set ==
Most gearswap files will have a separate set for idling with and without your avatar. 
This set is for the former, and the goal here is to reach the [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | perpetuation cost]] cap of -14 MP/tic first and foremost.
Once you have reached the cap, avatars will cost at most 1 MP/tic, even with [[Avatar's Favor]] up, so your [[Auto Refresh]] will easily cover that.

# Reach the cap of -14 [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | avatar perpetuation cost]] in pet idle set
# Obtain a [[Caller's_Pendant | Caller's Pendant]] to grant your avatar free TP while standing around
# Fill the remaining slots on [[Refresh]] or defense stats afterward.
#* Note that [[Avatar's Favor]] effects are tiered off based on total skill and Favor+ gear.

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Recommended Start
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Eabani Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Physical Damage Taken -10%
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Enmerkar Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Eva.+20/Mag. Eva. +20, Pet: Damage taken -5%, Pet: Mag. Acc. +20/Mag. Dmg. +20, Pet: Regen +10, Pet: Magic Damage +10
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Beck. Pigaches +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
Both of these sets should be somewhere around -40% DT- (and 10+ refresh!), so a simple swap of one piece ([[Bunzi's Pants]] for example) should be enough for your DT- set to be at or near -50%.
 
 
[[Evoker's Ring]] is good, but very skippable. [[Shadow Ring]] is a fairly easy to obtain tanky alternative for your second slot.
 
 
[[Oneiros Grip]] and [[Fucho-No-Obi]] are optional low-mp switches to give you even more MP when you really need it.
 
 
Most of the pieces listed above and hereafter are interchangeable with their NQ and HQ variants. Customize your set based on available gear.

== Cheapest / Entry Damage Set ==

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Lowest Cost / Bar to Entry
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Gelos Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10 - Pet: Acc, Atk, Macc, Mab help, but keep any +10 BPdmg roll when starting
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+15 Pet: "Double Attack"+3% "Blood Pact" damage +13
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
At time of writing (12/12/2025), the above set should be roughly 12mil to complete. (16mil if you get an Elan Strap +1.) If you don't have the money for that, feel free to downgrade items from +1 to +0 - with the apogee at +0, it'll only be about 7mil!
However, the prices on these are pretty low right now, so if you're liking the job i'd focus on getting the +1s here ASAP.

There isn't really a satisfactory belt option that doesn't require endgame content - [[Klouskap Sash]] exists, but its also 1.5 mil or greater. I'd recommend sticking with something defensive until you can get your hands on the [[Regal Belt]] or [[Incarnation Sash]].

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Required Magic BP Items
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity -6 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+30 Pet: Damage Taken -4%
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist=
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|LegsAug = Huge damage boost to merit (magic) blood pacts
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Other Useful Items'''
* Optional: [[Sancus Sachet +1]] - If you can't get the [[Epitaph]], or already have one, this is actually a better option until the [[Epitaph]] is augmented. However, it costs >2mil, so if money is a concern, try to get that Sgili clear for the [[Epitaph]].
* -
* Optional: [[Shulmanu Collar]] - BIS for melee pacts until a near max JSE neck +1 or +2, if you already have it, great!
* -
* Optional: [[Smn. Collar +1]] - 2nd BIS only to the +2 when fully augmented, and only ~3mil at time of writing. Worth it if you have the funds and are willing to get the RP in Dynamis.
* -
* Optional: [[Apogee Dalmatica]] (Path A) (Magical BP) - the +1 is good, but expensive, and magical only BPs are hardly ever used. Don't spend your money on a +1 unless you get very deep into gearing the job.
* -
* Optional: [[Sroda Earring]] (Melee Pacts, BIS and cheap)
* -
* Questionable: [[Kyrene's Earring]] - If you have one laying around and are missing something else
* -
* Questionable: [[Apogee Mitts]] - If unsure that you want to play the job, make a pair of +0s with path C while you try it out. Do not waste money on a +1 pair of these.

|}

== More Advanced Blood Pact Sets ==
{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
Blood Pacts are generally categorized as either physical or magical damage, with the exception that Ifrit's [[Burning Strike]] and [[Flaming Crush]] are considered hybrid damage. 
In the event you have a Nirvana and HQ Apogee pieces at hand, see Pergatory's LUA file above on gear choices while Garland's [[Aftermath]] is up.
#For physical BPs, you will want stats such as BP Damage, Accuracy, Attack, and Pet: Double Attack. 
#For magical BPs, you will want BP Damage, Magic Attack, and perhaps Pet: TP Bonus. Avatars seem to have naturally high magic accuracy for their associated element 
#For hybrid BPs, there is usually a mixture of physical and magical BP stats, with a heavy emphasis on the magical end.
 
None of these sets will include REMA weapons, or very expensive minor upgrades like +2 JSE necks.
 
 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Shulmanu Collar
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Sroda Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Glyphic Doublet +3
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = "Fast Cast" +10%, Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
You can use [[Apogee Attire Set]] +1 boots and hat for your physical set, but with the [[Helios Attire Set]] being easily attainable, I'd really recommend against buying a second pair of Apogee +1 for physical unless you're made of money. The Helios is typically better anyways - just requires some time to augment.

The [[Shulmanu Collar]] is probably not worth chasing just for SMN, as the [[Smn. Collar +1]] is better when fully augmented. Its mostly in this set in case you already have one for a different job.

The [[Sroda Earring]] is BIS as long as you've got enough accuracy in your set. The only reason the [[Beck. Earring +1]] is in mine is because the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] has 0 Pet: Accuracy.

Lastly, with Apollyon points being so accessible due to ???'s being shouted out every 3 days or so, i'd really recommend getting the [[Con. Doublet +4]]. You don't ever need to make the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] like I have, because of previously mentioned accuracy issues.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+60 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+30 "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: Magic Acc, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The [[Apogee Slacks +1]] are only better than the [[Enticer's Pants]] if you have the blood pact fully merited, or have TP over 1500. You don't really need a second pair of these, just stick with the [[Enticer's Pants]].

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] after about lvl 10.

[[Gelos Earring]] is about the same as the [[Beck. Earring]] for merit pacts.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Gelos Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20 Pet: "Double Attack"+4% "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The most important stat for [[Flaming Crush]] is Blood Pact Damage, as its counted twice: once on the physical hits, and once on the magical. That's why the [[Gelos Earring]] is recommended over the [[Beck. Earring]] here. Of course, if you already have a Beck. Earring, there's no reason to do the quest for the [[Gelos Earring]]. The damage difference is pretty minimal.

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] for hybrid pacts earlier than magical - switch as soon as you have some RP on it.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

[[Apogee Slacks +1]] (Path A) should be more damage than (Path D) for [[Flaming Crush]]. However, (Path D) is fine, so this upgrade is fairly unnecessary. With this same logic, the [[Apogee Dalmatica +1]] may be similar damage to the [[Con. Doublet +4]] - but the extra +60 accuracy on that top plays a huge role for [[Flaming Crush]]. If you miss either of the initial melee hits, your overall damage will completely plummet, because the magic hit's damage is based on the first two hits' damage.

Do not fret if you are missing the Omen/Vagary accessories; the bulk of your avatar's damage comes from your armor and weapon choices.

== BP Delay Reduction Gear ==
[[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|Blood Pact delays]] have a combined cap of -30 seconds from player gear and gifts, and no more than -15 seconds can be applied per delay tier. 
Once you have obtained the 500 JP (Superior 3) gift, the HQ [[Sancus Sachet]] and [[Baayami_Attire_Set|Baayami Attire Set]] can help you reach the BP delay cap while providing copious amounts of [[Summoning Magic Skill]]. 
An [[Espiritus]] can provide additional BP delay II if you do not mind potentially losing TP on swapping weapons. 

# Reach the cap of -30 seconds through gear and JP gifts
# Fill remaining slots with Summoning Skill and Favor+ gear to improve [[Avatar's Favor]] tier - the final 'tier' is at 670+ total skill.

{{color|red|style=bold|NOTE: }} Depending on your gearswap file, your BP delay set may be listed as a precast or midcast set. 
The delay set should equip as soon as a BP command is sent, and similarly, your BP damage sets should equip once your avatar begins its BP animation.

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -22 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
More than fully capped BP delay with 1200JP, plus 676 Summoning Magic Skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -18 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 0 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Eminent Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Shomonjijoe
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 100 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 500 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +3
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== Buff Duration / Summoning Skill Scaling Sets ==

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Buff Duration
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*This set gives 676 Summoning skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Summoning Skill +
|CaptionBottom = Alternative items
|Main =
|Sub = Vox Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Baayami Hat
|Neck = Incanter's Torque
|Ear1 = Andoaa Earring
|Ear2 = C. Palug Earring
|Body = Beck. Doublet +2
|Hands = Inyan. Dastanas +2
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Stikini Ring
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Beck. Spats +2
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path D: MP+70, "Summoning Magic Skill" +15, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*The [[Stikini Ring]] and [[Baayami Hat]] are very expensive for little benefit, so i'd recommend against them unless you already have them. They're mostly on this list so all options are shown.
*The [[Beckoner's Attire Set]] has a decent amount of skill, but its probably not worth building just for the skill bonus.

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Elemental Siphon
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Esper Stone +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Beck. Pigaches +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== SMN at a Glance ==
Here is where I attempt to answer questions and grossly generalize SMN at the same time: 

=== Skillchains and Magic Bursts ===
Physical and Hybrid BPs are analogous to player [[Weapon Skill|WSs]] and each have their own [[Summoner#Spells_and_Blood_Pacts|skillchain properties]]. 
Magic BPs are analogous to player spells and can be used in a [[Magic Burst|magic burst]]. 
In general, there is a short delay (just over a second) between using a BP command and when the BP is executed, so time your BPs accordingly.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchains (2-Step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst1
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Mountain Buster]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Gravitation]]
| [[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crag Throw]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Liquefaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Full Swing]]
| [[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Burning Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fusion]]
| [[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Conflag Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=5 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchain (3-step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #2
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #3
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #2
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]]1 [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
|-
| colspan=5|
1 Requires [[Apogee]] to BP twice in a row
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#0F0018"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Multi-SMN Skillchains
|- BGCOLOR="#2A0141"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Eclipse Bite]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]

|}

=== Blood Pacts and when to use them ===
A summary of useful BPs I have encountered for solo and group play. This list is not exhaustive.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#000822"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | I really need to...
|- BGCOLOR="#051549"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Rage
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Ward
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Potential Uses

|-
| Cleave targets
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderspark]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Level ? Holy]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
|
[[Vagary]] 
[[Salvage II| Salvage Farming]] 
[[Colonization_Reive|Colonization Reives]] 
[[Incursion]]

|-
| Curb enemy offense
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Tidal Roar]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Mewing Lullaby]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Eerie Eye]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' attack 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' TP 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Inflicts [[Silence]] and [[Amnesia]]
|-
| Buff party's offense
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crimson Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Inferno Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rolling Thunder]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Hastega_II|Hastega II]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crystal Blessing]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Attack Bonus 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enfire 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enthunder 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Haste II 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]TP Bonus 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Attack Bonus

|-
| Buff party's defense
|
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Armor]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Ward]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Perfect Defense]] [[File:Alexander_GUI.png|link=]] 2 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Frost Armor]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shining Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage mitigation 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Stoneskin 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage reduction 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice Spikes 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Defense+10%, MDT 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Defense Bonus
|-
| Dispel enemy buffs
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Lunar Roar]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Pavor Nocturnus]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[:Yggdreant|Yggdreants]] or [[Belladonna|Belladonna's]] 
[[Glassy Gorger]]

|-
| Sleep nearby enemies
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Nightmare]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Sleepga_(Blood_Pact)|Sleepga]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[Warder of Love]] 
[[Omen]] 
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]

|-
| Stun the enemy
|
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Transfixion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Chaotic Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shock Squall]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Helps [[:Trusts#Gessho|Gessho]] tank CP mobs.
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]
|-
| Heal my party
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Whispering Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Healing Ruby II]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Remove status ailments
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Soothing Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Run really fast
|
|
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Fleet Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Give party member Reraise
|
|
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Reraise II]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Deal hybrid damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Best damage while unresisted - check your monster beforehand. Fire/Magic/High Melee resist will chunk your damage. - example: [[Dynamis - Bastok (D)]](Green pull only)/[[Dynamis - Jeuno (D)]], [[Zerde]]

|-
| Deal melee damage
|
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]General Melee dmg - example: [[Reisenjima]] Helms ([[Erinys]], etc), but this will be your most used melee blood pact due to the stun. 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Slashing damage - example: [[Yakshi]]/[[Kalunga]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Blunt damage - example: [[Gigelorum]]/[[Gogmagog]] 

|-
| Deal magic damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Geocrush]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Fire damage (Light/Fusion/Liquefaction) 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice damage (Darkness/Distortion/Induration) 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Wind damage (Light/Fragmentation/Detonation) 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Earth damage (Darkness/Gravitation/Scission) 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Thunder damage (Light/Fragmentation/Impaction) 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Water damage (Darkness/Distortion/Reverberation)

|-
| colspan=4|
2 Requires [[Astral Flow]] to activate BP
|}

=== AFAC Strategy ===
Given the large amount of pet stats gained from SMN gifts and JP categories, I highly recommend maxing the [[Astral Flow]]/[[Astral Conduit]] effects and acquiring all the physical BP related stats (1710+ JP) prior to attempting an AFAC. 
Secondly, if you are using Gearswap, ensure that you are not accidentally swapping into a precast or aftercast set during [[Astral Conduit]]. 
At the time of this writing, Pergatory's LUA will equip an idle set following conduit BPs and assumes the user will stagger BPs approximately 1.25 seconds apart. 
If this proves inconvenient, you may opt to equip your BP set and //gs disable all during [[Astral Conduit]] '''[or]''' add code to disable his idle() function calls while conduit is up. 

'''Generic AFAC Algorithm'''
# Receive pre-fight buffs
# Activate [[Avatar's Favor]]
# If using [[Nirvana_(Level_119)|119 Nirvana]], or [[Opashoro]], build 3000 TP and gain [[Aftermath|AM3]] on fodder
# Pop NM
# Wait for GEO bubbles and offensive spells/JAs
# Hit [[Astral Flow]]
# Hit [[Astral Conduit]]
# Spam BPs
# Receive [[Mana Powder]] / [[Mana Mist]] during [[Astral Conduit]] from back line jobs if in [[Escha]] zone
# Watch your mana bar closely during your AFAC, and hit [[Convert]] if you ever drop below 300 - the goal is to get through two full mana bars during your AFAC if possible
# Once [[Astral Conduit]] wears:
# [[Apogee]], then BP (x2)
# Reset [[Apogee]] and [[Astral Flow]] + [[Astral Conduit]] via COR JAs and/or [[Super Revitalizer]] if in [[Escha]] zone
# Repeat until you or the boss dies

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#150101"
! colspan=10 style="text-align: center;" | Job Summary
|- BGCOLOR="#410202"
! width="15%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact
! width="15%" class=unsortable|SMN Food
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Indi-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Geo-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Entrust
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Offensive spells
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #1
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #2
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|RUN JAs
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|BRD Songs

|-
|
[[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]]
| [[Geo-Frailty]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Drachen Roll]]
| [[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]]

|-
| [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Frailty]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]] or [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
|
[[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Impact]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
| [[Companion's Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
| colspan=10|
[[Impact]], [[Odyllic Subterfuge]], and [[Refresh_(Status)|Refresh effects]] may be omitted based on NM and groups' comfort zone.
|-
| colspan=10|
Just use grape daifuku - there are other food options, but grapes are good for everything.
|}

== Acknowledgements ==
I took some of this straight from [https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Prismfang/Sandbox Prismfang's Sandbox], (especially the bottom half with info on what pacts do - I think its much nicer than having two pages open), with edits based on what I think is most realistic for someone newish to the job in 2025-2026.

Thanks to '''Pergatory''' of Asura for providing constructive feedback and all the SMNs on the FFXIAH.com forums for sharing their knowledge.

User:Cii/Sandbox

2026-01-01T04:05:51Z

Cii: /* More Advanced Blood Pact Sets */

{{Guide}}
This is just intended to help with getting your summoner to the level where you can start seeing some nice numbers.

{{color|red|style=bold|Recommended GS LUA (and helpful tools) by Pergatory: }} [https://pastebin.com/u/pergatory Link].

== Getting Started ==
As a new level 99 SMN, I recommend focusing your efforts on the following:
# Obtain an [[Epitaph]] or grab an [[Eminent Sachet]] while you work towards your 100 JP gift to equip a [[Sancus Sachet +1]]
# Create [[Blood Pact]] (BP) sets to improve your avatar's maximum damage per offensive ability
# Create a [[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|BP delay]] set to improve the frequency that you can perform Blood Pacts
# Create an idle set with enough [[Avatar perpetuation cost]] - to offset your avatar's constant [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | MP drain/upkeep]], and enough DT- to survive being hit with AOEs in content like Dyna D
# Obtain the 1200 JP Gift and eventually reach Master SMN

An additional note: [[Flaming Crush]] is going to be your highest damage [[Blood Pact]] against almost anything that doesn't resist it. Embrace [[Ifrit]].

== Merits ==

'''Group 1:'''
* Avatar Physical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Physical Attack: 5
* Avatar Magical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Magical Attack: 5
* Summoning Magic Cast Time: Do not merit this. Build a [[Fast Cast]] set instead.

You can switch Magical Attack to Physical Accuracy and vise versa if you feel like you are having a problem with accuracy for a certain [[Blood Pact]] that you're using often. A good example of this is for AFAC strategies on [[Reisenjima]] HELMS - Physical Accuracy is very important there because you almost exclusively use [[Volt Strike]].

'''Group 2:'''
* [[Meteor Strike]]: 5
* [[Heavenly Strike]]: 1
* [[Wind Blade]]: 1
* [[Geocrush]]: 1
* [[Thunderstorm]]: 1
* [[Grand Fall]]: 1

You can merit whichever one of these you're using most often with the full 5 merits, [[Meteor Strike]] is recommended here because of the offensive power of [[Flaming Crush]], and the ability to use [[Apogee]] to burst off of the skillchains it creates.

Good examples of times to merit other blood pacts: [[Geocrush]] for sortie bosses A and E magic burst strat, [[Thunderstorm]] if you're mostly attacking with [[Volt Strike]] from [[Ramuh]], or [[Heavenly Strike]] if you're bursting on [[Darkness]].

== Idle Set ==
Most gearswap files will have a separate set for idling with and without your avatar. 
This set is for the former, and the goal here is to reach the [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | perpetuation cost]] cap of -14 MP/tic first and foremost.
Once you have reached the cap, avatars will cost at most 1 MP/tic, even with [[Avatar's Favor]] up, so your [[Auto Refresh]] will easily cover that.

# Reach the cap of -14 [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | avatar perpetuation cost]] in pet idle set
# Obtain a [[Caller's_Pendant | Caller's Pendant]] to grant your avatar free TP while standing around
# Fill the remaining slots on [[Refresh]] or defense stats afterward.
#* Note that [[Avatar's Favor]] effects are tiered off based on total skill and Favor+ gear.

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Recommended Start
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Eabani Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Physical Damage Taken -10%
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Enmerkar Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Eva.+20/Mag. Eva. +20, Pet: Damage taken -5%, Pet: Mag. Acc. +20/Mag. Dmg. +20, Pet: Regen +10, Pet: Magic Damage +10
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Lengo Pants
|LegsAug = Refresh +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
Both of these sets should be somewhere around -40% DT- (and 10+ refresh!), so a simple swap of one piece ([[Bunzi's Pants]] for example) should be enough for your DT- set to be at or near -50%.
 
 
[[Evoker's Ring]] is good, but very skippable. [[Shadow Ring]] is a fairly easy to obtain tanky alternative for your second slot.
 
 
[[Oneiros Grip]] and [[Fucho-No-Obi]] are optional low-mp switches to give you even more MP when you really need it.
 
 
Most of the pieces listed above and hereafter are interchangeable with their NQ and HQ variants. Customize your set based on available gear.

== Cheapest / Entry Damage Set ==

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Lowest Cost / Bar to Entry
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Gelos Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10 - Pet: Acc, Atk, Macc, Mab help, but keep any +10 BPdmg roll when starting
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+15 Pet: "Double Attack"+3% "Blood Pact" damage +13
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
At time of writing (12/12/2025), the above set should be roughly 12mil to complete. (16mil if you get an Elan Strap +1.) If you don't have the money for that, feel free to downgrade items from +1 to +0 - with the apogee at +0, it'll only be about 7mil!
However, the prices on these are pretty low right now, so if you're liking the job i'd focus on getting the +1s here ASAP.

There isn't really a satisfactory belt option that doesn't require endgame content - [[Klouskap Sash]] exists, but its also 1.5 mil or greater. I'd recommend sticking with something defensive until you can get your hands on the [[Regal Belt]] or [[Incarnation Sash]].

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Required Magic BP Items
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity -6 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+30 Pet: Damage Taken -4%
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist=
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|LegsAug = Huge damage boost to merit (magic) blood pacts
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Other Useful Items'''
* Optional: [[Sancus Sachet +1]] - If you can't get the [[Epitaph]], or already have one, this is actually a better option until the [[Epitaph]] is augmented. However, it costs >2mil, so if money is a concern, try to get that Sgili clear for the [[Epitaph]].
* -
* Optional: [[Shulmanu Collar]] - BIS for melee pacts until a near max JSE neck +1 or +2, if you already have it, great!
* -
* Optional: [[Smn. Collar +1]] - 2nd BIS only to the +2 when fully augmented, and only ~3mil at time of writing. Worth it if you have the funds and are willing to get the RP in Dynamis.
* -
* Optional: [[Apogee Dalmatica]] (Path A) (Magical BP) - the +1 is good, but expensive, and magical only BPs are hardly ever used. Don't spend your money on a +1 unless you get very deep into gearing the job.
* -
* Optional: [[Sroda Earring]] (Melee Pacts, BIS and cheap)
* -
* Questionable: [[Kyrene's Earring]] - If you have one laying around and are missing something else
* -
* Questionable: [[Apogee Mitts]] - If unsure that you want to play the job, make a pair of +0s with path C while you try it out. Do not waste money on a +1 pair of these.

|}

== More Advanced Blood Pact Sets ==
{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
Blood Pacts are generally categorized as either physical or magical damage, with the exception that Ifrit's [[Burning Strike]] and [[Flaming Crush]] are considered hybrid damage. 
In the event you have a Nirvana and HQ Apogee pieces at hand, see Pergatory's LUA file above on gear choices while Garland's [[Aftermath]] is up.
#For physical BPs, you will want stats such as BP Damage, Accuracy, Attack, and Pet: Double Attack. 
#For magical BPs, you will want BP Damage, Magic Attack, and perhaps Pet: TP Bonus. Avatars seem to have naturally high magic accuracy for their associated element 
#For hybrid BPs, there is usually a mixture of physical and magical BP stats, with a heavy emphasis on the magical end.
 
None of these sets will include REMA weapons, or very expensive minor upgrades like +2 JSE necks.
 
 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Shulmanu Collar
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Sroda Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Glyphic Doublet +3
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = "Fast Cast" +10%, Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
You can use [[Apogee Attire Set]] +1 boots and hat for your physical set, but with the [[Helios Attire Set]] being easily attainable, I'd really recommend against buying a second pair of Apogee +1 for physical unless you're made of money. The Helios is typically better anyways - just requires some time to augment.

The [[Shulmanu Collar]] is probably not worth chasing just for SMN, as the [[Smn. Collar +1]] is better when fully augmented. Its mostly in this set in case you already have one for a different job.

The [[Sroda Earring]] is BIS as long as you've got enough accuracy in your set. The only reason the [[Beck. Earring +1]] is in mine is because the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] has 0 Pet: Accuracy.

Lastly, with Apollyon points being so accessible due to ???'s being shouted out every 3 days or so, i'd really recommend getting the [[Con. Doublet +4]]. You don't ever need to make the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] like I have, because of previously mentioned accuracy issues.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+60 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+30 "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: Magic Acc, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The [[Apogee Slacks +1]] are only better than the [[Enticer's Pants]] if you have the blood pact fully merited, or have TP over 1500. You don't really need a second pair of these, just stick with the [[Enticer's Pants]].

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] after about lvl 10.

[[Gelos Earring]] is about the same as the [[Beck. Earring]] for merit pacts.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Gelos Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20 Pet: "Double Attack"+4% "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The most important stat for [[Flaming Crush]] is Blood Pact Damage, as its counted twice: once on the physical hits, and once on the magical. That's why the [[Gelos Earring]] is recommended over the [[Beck. Earring]] here. Of course, if you already have a Beck. Earring, there's no reason to do the quest for the [[Gelos Earring]]. The damage difference is pretty minimal.

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] for hybrid pacts earlier than magical - switch as soon as you have some RP on it.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

[[Apogee Slacks +1]] (Path A) should be more damage than (Path D) for [[Flaming Crush]]. However, (Path D) is fine, so this upgrade is fairly unnecessary. With this same logic, the [[Apogee Dalmatica +1]] may be similar damage to the [[Con. Doublet +4]] - but the extra +60 accuracy on that top plays a huge role for [[Flaming Crush]]. If you miss either of the initial melee hits, your overall damage will completely plummet, because the magic hit's damage is based on the first two hits' damage.

Do not fret if you are missing the Omen/Vagary accessories; the bulk of your avatar's damage comes from your armor and weapon choices.

== BP Delay Reduction Gear ==
[[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|Blood Pact delays]] have a combined cap of -30 seconds from player gear and gifts, and no more than -15 seconds can be applied per delay tier. 
Once you have obtained the 500 JP (Superior 3) gift, the HQ [[Sancus Sachet]] and [[Baayami_Attire_Set|Baayami Attire Set]] can help you reach the BP delay cap while providing copious amounts of [[Summoning Magic Skill]]. 
An [[Espiritus]] can provide additional BP delay II if you do not mind potentially losing TP on swapping weapons. 

# Reach the cap of -30 seconds through gear and JP gifts
# Fill remaining slots with Summoning Skill and Favor+ gear to improve [[Avatar's Favor]] tier - the final 'tier' is at 670+ total skill.

{{color|red|style=bold|NOTE: }} Depending on your gearswap file, your BP delay set may be listed as a precast or midcast set. 
The delay set should equip as soon as a BP command is sent, and similarly, your BP damage sets should equip once your avatar begins its BP animation.

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -22 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
More than fully capped BP delay with 1200JP, plus 676 Summoning Magic Skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -18 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 0 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Eminent Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Shomonjijoe
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 100 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 500 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +3
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== Buff Duration / Summoning Skill Scaling Sets ==

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Buff Duration
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*This set gives 676 Summoning skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Summoning Skill +
|CaptionBottom = Alternative items
|Main =
|Sub = Vox Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Baayami Hat
|Neck = Incanter's Torque
|Ear1 = Andoaa Earring
|Ear2 = C. Palug Earring
|Body = Beck. Doublet +2
|Hands = Inyan. Dastanas +2
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Stikini Ring
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Beck. Spats +2
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path D: MP+70, "Summoning Magic Skill" +15, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*The [[Stikini Ring]] and [[Baayami Hat]] are very expensive for little benefit, so i'd recommend against them unless you already have them. They're mostly on this list so all options are shown.
*The [[Beckoner's Attire Set]] has a decent amount of skill, but its probably not worth building just for the skill bonus.

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Elemental Siphon
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Esper Stone +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Beck. Pigaches +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== SMN at a Glance ==
Here is where I attempt to answer questions and grossly generalize SMN at the same time: 

=== Skillchains and Magic Bursts ===
Physical and Hybrid BPs are analogous to player [[Weapon Skill|WSs]] and each have their own [[Summoner#Spells_and_Blood_Pacts|skillchain properties]]. 
Magic BPs are analogous to player spells and can be used in a [[Magic Burst|magic burst]]. 
In general, there is a short delay (just over a second) between using a BP command and when the BP is executed, so time your BPs accordingly.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchains (2-Step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst1
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Mountain Buster]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Gravitation]]
| [[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crag Throw]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Liquefaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Full Swing]]
| [[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Burning Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fusion]]
| [[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Conflag Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=5 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchain (3-step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #2
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #3
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #2
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]]1 [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
|-
| colspan=5|
1 Requires [[Apogee]] to BP twice in a row
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#0F0018"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Multi-SMN Skillchains
|- BGCOLOR="#2A0141"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Eclipse Bite]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]

|}

=== Blood Pacts and when to use them ===
A summary of useful BPs I have encountered for solo and group play. This list is not exhaustive.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#000822"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | I really need to...
|- BGCOLOR="#051549"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Rage
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Ward
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Potential Uses

|-
| Cleave targets
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderspark]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Level ? Holy]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
|
[[Vagary]] 
[[Salvage II| Salvage Farming]] 
[[Colonization_Reive|Colonization Reives]] 
[[Incursion]]

|-
| Curb enemy offense
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Tidal Roar]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Mewing Lullaby]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Eerie Eye]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' attack 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' TP 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Inflicts [[Silence]] and [[Amnesia]]
|-
| Buff party's offense
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crimson Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Inferno Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rolling Thunder]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Hastega_II|Hastega II]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crystal Blessing]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Attack Bonus 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enfire 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enthunder 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Haste II 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]TP Bonus 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Attack Bonus

|-
| Buff party's defense
|
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Armor]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Ward]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Perfect Defense]] [[File:Alexander_GUI.png|link=]] 2 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Frost Armor]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shining Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage mitigation 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Stoneskin 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage reduction 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice Spikes 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Defense+10%, MDT 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Defense Bonus
|-
| Dispel enemy buffs
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Lunar Roar]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Pavor Nocturnus]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[:Yggdreant|Yggdreants]] or [[Belladonna|Belladonna's]] 
[[Glassy Gorger]]

|-
| Sleep nearby enemies
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Nightmare]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Sleepga_(Blood_Pact)|Sleepga]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[Warder of Love]] 
[[Omen]] 
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]

|-
| Stun the enemy
|
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Transfixion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Chaotic Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shock Squall]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Helps [[:Trusts#Gessho|Gessho]] tank CP mobs.
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]
|-
| Heal my party
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Whispering Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Healing Ruby II]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Remove status ailments
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Soothing Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Run really fast
|
|
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Fleet Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Give party member Reraise
|
|
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Reraise II]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Deal hybrid damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Best damage while unresisted - check your monster beforehand. Fire/Magic/High Melee resist will chunk your damage. - example: [[Dynamis - Bastok (D)]](Green pull only)/[[Dynamis - Jeuno (D)]], [[Zerde]]

|-
| Deal melee damage
|
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]General Melee dmg - example: [[Reisenjima]] Helms ([[Erinys]], etc), but this will be your most used melee blood pact due to the stun. 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Slashing damage - example: [[Yakshi]]/[[Kalunga]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Blunt damage - example: [[Gigelorum]]/[[Gogmagog]] 

|-
| Deal magic damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Geocrush]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Fire damage (Light/Fusion/Liquefaction) 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice damage (Darkness/Distortion/Induration) 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Wind damage (Light/Fragmentation/Detonation) 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Earth damage (Darkness/Gravitation/Scission) 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Thunder damage (Light/Fragmentation/Impaction) 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Water damage (Darkness/Distortion/Reverberation)

|-
| colspan=4|
2 Requires [[Astral Flow]] to activate BP
|}

=== AFAC Strategy ===
Given the large amount of pet stats gained from SMN gifts and JP categories, I highly recommend maxing the [[Astral Flow]]/[[Astral Conduit]] effects and acquiring all the physical BP related stats (1710+ JP) prior to attempting an AFAC. 
Secondly, if you are using Gearswap, ensure that you are not accidentally swapping into a precast or aftercast set during [[Astral Conduit]]. 
At the time of this writing, Pergatory's LUA will equip an idle set following conduit BPs and assumes the user will stagger BPs approximately 1.25 seconds apart. 
If this proves inconvenient, you may opt to equip your BP set and //gs disable all during [[Astral Conduit]] '''[or]''' add code to disable his idle() function calls while conduit is up. 

'''Generic AFAC Algorithm'''
# Receive pre-fight buffs
# Activate [[Avatar's Favor]]
# If using [[Nirvana_(Level_119)|119 Nirvana]], or [[Opashoro]], build 3000 TP and gain [[Aftermath|AM3]] on fodder
# Pop NM
# Wait for GEO bubbles and offensive spells/JAs
# Hit [[Astral Flow]]
# Hit [[Astral Conduit]]
# Spam BPs
# Receive [[Mana Powder]] / [[Mana Mist]] during [[Astral Conduit]] from back line jobs if in [[Escha]] zone
# Watch your mana bar closely during your AFAC, and hit [[Convert]] if you ever drop below 300 - the goal is to get through two full mana bars during your AFAC if possible
# Once [[Astral Conduit]] wears:
# [[Apogee]], then BP (x2)
# Reset [[Apogee]] and [[Astral Flow]] + [[Astral Conduit]] via COR JAs and/or [[Super Revitalizer]] if in [[Escha]] zone
# Repeat until you or the boss dies

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#150101"
! colspan=10 style="text-align: center;" | Job Summary
|- BGCOLOR="#410202"
! width="15%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact
! width="15%" class=unsortable|SMN Food
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Indi-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Geo-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Entrust
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Offensive spells
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #1
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #2
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|RUN JAs
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|BRD Songs

|-
|
[[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]]
| [[Geo-Frailty]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Drachen Roll]]
| [[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]]

|-
| [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Frailty]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]] or [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
|
[[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Impact]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
| [[Companion's Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
| colspan=10|
[[Impact]], [[Odyllic Subterfuge]], and [[Refresh_(Status)|Refresh effects]] may be omitted based on NM and groups' comfort zone.
|-
| colspan=10|
Just use grape daifuku - there are other food options, but grapes are good for everything.
|}

== Acknowledgements ==
I took some of this straight from [https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Prismfang/Sandbox Prismfang's Sandbox], (especially the bottom half with info on what pacts do - I think its much nicer than having two pages open), with edits based on what I think is most realistic for someone newish to the job in 2025-2026.

Thanks to '''Pergatory''' of Asura for providing constructive feedback and all the SMNs on the FFXIAH.com forums for sharing their knowledge.

User:Cii

2025-12-14T12:37:33Z

Cii: Created page with "SMN guide: https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Cii/Sandbox"

SMN guide: https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Cii/Sandbox

User:Cii/Sandbox

2025-12-13T12:33:19Z

Cii: /* Idle Set */

{{Guide}}
This is just intended to help with getting your summoner to the level where you can start seeing some nice numbers.

{{color|red|style=bold|Recommended GS LUA (and helpful tools) by Pergatory: }} [https://pastebin.com/u/pergatory Link].

== Getting Started ==
As a new level 99 SMN, I recommend focusing your efforts on the following:
# Obtain an [[Epitaph]] or grab an [[Eminent Sachet]] while you work towards your 100 JP gift to equip a [[Sancus Sachet +1]]
# Create [[Blood Pact]] (BP) sets to improve your avatar's maximum damage per offensive ability
# Create a [[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|BP delay]] set to improve the frequency that you can perform Blood Pacts
# Create an idle set with enough [[Avatar perpetuation cost]] - to offset your avatar's constant [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | MP drain/upkeep]], and enough DT- to survive being hit with AOEs in content like Dyna D
# Obtain the 1200 JP Gift and eventually reach Master SMN

An additional note: [[Flaming Crush]] is going to be your highest damage [[Blood Pact]] against almost anything that doesn't resist it. Embrace [[Ifrit]].

== Merits ==

'''Group 1:'''
* Avatar Physical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Physical Attack: 5
* Avatar Magical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Magical Attack: 5
* Summoning Magic Cast Time: Do not merit this. Build a [[Fast Cast]] set instead.

You can switch Magical Attack to Physical Accuracy and vise versa if you feel like you are having a problem with accuracy for a certain [[Blood Pact]] that you're using often. A good example of this is for AFAC strategies on [[Reisenjima]] HELMS - Physical Accuracy is very important there because you almost exclusively use [[Volt Strike]].

'''Group 2:'''
* [[Meteor Strike]]: 5
* [[Heavenly Strike]]: 1
* [[Wind Blade]]: 1
* [[Geocrush]]: 1
* [[Thunderstorm]]: 1
* [[Grand Fall]]: 1

You can merit whichever one of these you're using most often with the full 5 merits, [[Meteor Strike]] is recommended here because of the offensive power of [[Flaming Crush]], and the ability to use [[Apogee]] to burst off of the skillchains it creates.

Good examples of times to merit other blood pacts: [[Geocrush]] for sortie bosses A and E magic burst strat, [[Thunderstorm]] if you're mostly attacking with [[Volt Strike]] from [[Ramuh]], or [[Heavenly Strike]] if you're bursting on [[Darkness]].

== Idle Set ==
Most gearswap files will have a separate set for idling with and without your avatar. 
This set is for the former, and the goal here is to reach the [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | perpetuation cost]] cap of -14 MP/tic first and foremost.
Once you have reached the cap, avatars will cost at most 1 MP/tic, even with [[Avatar's Favor]] up, so your [[Auto Refresh]] will easily cover that.

# Reach the cap of -14 [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | avatar perpetuation cost]] in pet idle set
# Obtain a [[Caller's_Pendant | Caller's Pendant]] to grant your avatar free TP while standing around
# Fill the remaining slots on [[Refresh]] or defense stats afterward.
#* Note that [[Avatar's Favor]] effects are tiered off based on total skill and Favor+ gear.

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Recommended Start
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Eabani Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Physical Damage Taken -10%
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Enmerkar Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Eva.+20/Mag. Eva. +20, Pet: Damage taken -5%, Pet: Mag. Acc. +20/Mag. Dmg. +20, Pet: Regen +10, Pet: Magic Damage +10
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Lengo Pants
|LegsAug = Refresh +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
Both of these sets should be somewhere around -40% DT- (and 10+ refresh!), so a simple swap of one piece ([[Bunzi's Pants]] for example) should be enough for your DT- set to be at or near -50%.
 
 
[[Evoker's Ring]] is good, but very skippable. [[Shadow Ring]] is a fairly easy to obtain tanky alternative for your second slot.
 
 
[[Oneiros Grip]] and [[Fucho-No-Obi]] are optional low-mp switches to give you even more MP when you really need it.
 
 
Most of the pieces listed above and hereafter are interchangeable with their NQ and HQ variants. Customize your set based on available gear.

== Cheapest / Entry Damage Set ==

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Lowest Cost / Bar to Entry
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Gelos Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10 - Pet: Acc, Atk, Macc, Mab help, but keep any +10 BPdmg roll when starting
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+15 Pet: "Double Attack"+3% "Blood Pact" damage +13
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
At time of writing (12/12/2025), the above set should be roughly 12mil to complete. (16mil if you get an Elan Strap +1.) If you don't have the money for that, feel free to downgrade items from +1 to +0 - with the apogee at +0, it'll only be about 7mil!
However, the prices on these are pretty low right now, so if you're liking the job i'd focus on getting the +1s here ASAP.

There isn't really a satisfactory belt option that doesn't require endgame content - [[Klouskap Sash]] exists, but its also 1.5 mil or greater. I'd recommend sticking with something defensive until you can get your hands on the [[Regal Belt]] or [[Incarnation Sash]].

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Required Magic BP Items
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity -6 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+30 Pet: Damage Taken -4%
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist=
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|LegsAug = Huge damage boost to merit (magic) blood pacts
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Other Useful Items'''
* Optional: [[Sancus Sachet +1]] - If you can't get the [[Epitaph]], or already have one, this is actually a better option until the [[Epitaph]] is augmented. However, it costs >2mil, so if money is a concern, try to get that Sgili clear for the [[Epitaph]].
* -
* Optional: [[Shulmanu Collar]] - BIS for melee pacts until a near max JSE neck +1 or +2, if you already have it, great!
* -
* Optional: [[Smn. Collar +1]] - 2nd BIS only to the +2 when fully augmented, and only ~3mil at time of writing. Worth it if you have the funds and are willing to get the RP in Dynamis.
* -
* Optional: [[Apogee Dalmatica]] (Path A) (Magical BP) - the +1 is good, but expensive, and magical only BPs are hardly ever used. Don't spend your money on a +1 unless you get very deep into gearing the job.
* -
* Optional: [[Sroda Earring]] (Melee Pacts, BIS and cheap)
* -
* Questionable: [[Kyrene's Earring]] - If you have one laying around and are missing something else
* -
* Questionable: [[Apogee Mitts]] - If unsure that you want to play the job, make a pair of +0s with path C while you try it out. Do not waste money on a +1 pair of these.

|}

== More Advanced Blood Pact Sets ==
{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
Blood Pacts are generally categorized as either physical or magical damage, with the exception that Ifrit's [[Burning Strike]] and [[Flaming Crush]] are considered hybrid damage. 
In the event you have a Nirvana and HQ Apogee pieces at hand, see Pergatory's LUA file above on gear choices while Garland's [[Aftermath]] is up.
#For physical BPs, you will want stats such as BP Damage, Accuracy, Attack, and Pet: Double Attack. 
#For magical BPs, you will want BP Damage, Magic Attack, and perhaps Pet: TP Bonus. Avatars seem to have naturally high magic accuracy for their associated element 
#For hybrid BPs, there is usually a mixture of physical and magical BP stats, with a heavy emphasis on the magical end.
 
None of these sets will include REMA weapons, or very expensive minor upgrades like +2 JSE necks.
 
 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Shulmanu Collar
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Sroda Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Glyphic Doublet +3
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = "Fast Cast" +10%, Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
You can use [[Apogee Attire Set]] +1 boots and hat for your physical set, but with the [[Helios Attire Set]] being easily attainable, I'd really recommend against buying a second pair of Apogee +1 for physical unless you're made of money. The Helios is typically better anyways - just requires some time to augment.

The [[Shulmanu Collar]] is probably not worth chasing just for SMN, as the [[Smn. Collar +1]] is better when fully augmented. Its mostly in this set in case you already have one for a different job.

The [[Sroda Earring]] is BIS as long as you've got enough accuracy in your set. The only reason the [[Beck. Earring +1]] is in mine is because the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] has 0 Pet: Accuracy.

Lastly, with Apollyon points being so accessible due to ???'s being shouted out every 3 days or so, i'd really recommend getting the [[Con. Doublet +4]]. You don't ever need to make the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] like I have, because of previously mentioned accuracy issues.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+60 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+30 "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: Magic Acc, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The [[Apogee Slacks +1]] are only better than the [[Enticer's Pants]] if you have the blood pact fully merited, or have TP over 1500. You don't really need a second pair of these, just stick with the [[Enticer's Pants]].

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] after about lvl 10.

[[Gelos Earring]] is about the same as the [[Beck. Earring]] for merit pacts.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Gelos Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20 Pet: "Double Attack"+4% "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The most important stat for [[Flaming Crush]] is Blood Pact Damage, as its counted twice: once on the physical hits, and once on the magical. That's the the [[Gelos Earring]] is recommended over the [[Beck. Earring]] here. Of course, if you already have a Beck. Earring, there's no reason to do the quest for the [[Gelos Earring]]. The damage difference is pretty minimal.

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] for hybrid pacts earlier than magical - switch as soon as you have some RP on it.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

[[Apogee Slacks +1]] (Path A) should be more damage than (Path D) for [[Flaming Crush]]. However, (Path D) is fine, so this upgrade is fairly unnecessary. With this same logic, the [[Apogee Dalmatica +1]] may be similar damage to the [[Con. Doublet +4]] - but the extra +60 accuracy on that top plays a huge role for [[Flaming Crush]]. If you miss either of the initial melee hits, your overall damage will completely plummet, because the magic hit's damage is based on the first two hits' damage.

Do not fret if you are missing the Omen/Vagary accessories; the bulk of your avatar's damage comes from your armor and weapon choices.

== BP Delay Reduction Gear ==
[[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|Blood Pact delays]] have a combined cap of -30 seconds from player gear and gifts, and no more than -15 seconds can be applied per delay tier. 
Once you have obtained the 500 JP (Superior 3) gift, the HQ [[Sancus Sachet]] and [[Baayami_Attire_Set|Baayami Attire Set]] can help you reach the BP delay cap while providing copious amounts of [[Summoning Magic Skill]]. 
An [[Espiritus]] can provide additional BP delay II if you do not mind potentially losing TP on swapping weapons. 

# Reach the cap of -30 seconds through gear and JP gifts
# Fill remaining slots with Summoning Skill and Favor+ gear to improve [[Avatar's Favor]] tier - the final 'tier' is at 670+ total skill.

{{color|red|style=bold|NOTE: }} Depending on your gearswap file, your BP delay set may be listed as a precast or midcast set. 
The delay set should equip as soon as a BP command is sent, and similarly, your BP damage sets should equip once your avatar begins its BP animation.

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -22 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
More than fully capped BP delay with 1200JP, plus 676 Summoning Magic Skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -18 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 0 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Eminent Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Shomonjijoe
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 100 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 500 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +3
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== Buff Duration / Summoning Skill Scaling Sets ==

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Buff Duration
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*This set gives 676 Summoning skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Summoning Skill +
|CaptionBottom = Alternative items
|Main =
|Sub = Vox Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Baayami Hat
|Neck = Incanter's Torque
|Ear1 = Andoaa Earring
|Ear2 = C. Palug Earring
|Body = Beck. Doublet +2
|Hands = Inyan. Dastanas +2
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Stikini Ring
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Beck. Spats +2
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path D: MP+70, "Summoning Magic Skill" +15, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*The [[Stikini Ring]] and [[Baayami Hat]] are very expensive for little benefit, so i'd recommend against them unless you already have them. They're mostly on this list so all options are shown.
*The [[Beckoner's Attire Set]] has a decent amount of skill, but its probably not worth building just for the skill bonus.

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Elemental Siphon
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Esper Stone +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Beck. Pigaches +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== SMN at a Glance ==
Here is where I attempt to answer questions and grossly generalize SMN at the same time: 

=== Skillchains and Magic Bursts ===
Physical and Hybrid BPs are analogous to player [[Weapon Skill|WSs]] and each have their own [[Summoner#Spells_and_Blood_Pacts|skillchain properties]]. 
Magic BPs are analogous to player spells and can be used in a [[Magic Burst|magic burst]]. 
In general, there is a short delay (just over a second) between using a BP command and when the BP is executed, so time your BPs accordingly.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchains (2-Step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst1
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Mountain Buster]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Gravitation]]
| [[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crag Throw]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Liquefaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Full Swing]]
| [[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Burning Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fusion]]
| [[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Conflag Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=5 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchain (3-step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #2
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #3
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #2
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]]1 [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
|-
| colspan=5|
1 Requires [[Apogee]] to BP twice in a row
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#0F0018"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Multi-SMN Skillchains
|- BGCOLOR="#2A0141"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Eclipse Bite]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]

|}

=== Blood Pacts and when to use them ===
A summary of useful BPs I have encountered for solo and group play. This list is not exhaustive.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#000822"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | I really need to...
|- BGCOLOR="#051549"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Rage
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Ward
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Potential Uses

|-
| Cleave targets
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderspark]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Level ? Holy]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
|
[[Vagary]] 
[[Salvage II| Salvage Farming]] 
[[Colonization_Reive|Colonization Reives]] 
[[Incursion]]

|-
| Curb enemy offense
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Tidal Roar]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Mewing Lullaby]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Eerie Eye]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' attack 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' TP 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Inflicts [[Silence]] and [[Amnesia]]
|-
| Buff party's offense
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crimson Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Inferno Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rolling Thunder]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Hastega_II|Hastega II]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crystal Blessing]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Attack Bonus 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enfire 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enthunder 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Haste II 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]TP Bonus 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Attack Bonus

|-
| Buff party's defense
|
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Armor]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Ward]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Perfect Defense]] [[File:Alexander_GUI.png|link=]] 2 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Frost Armor]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shining Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage mitigation 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Stoneskin 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage reduction 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice Spikes 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Defense+10%, MDT 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Defense Bonus
|-
| Dispel enemy buffs
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Lunar Roar]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Pavor Nocturnus]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[:Yggdreant|Yggdreants]] or [[Belladonna|Belladonna's]] 
[[Glassy Gorger]]

|-
| Sleep nearby enemies
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Nightmare]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Sleepga_(Blood_Pact)|Sleepga]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[Warder of Love]] 
[[Omen]] 
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]

|-
| Stun the enemy
|
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Transfixion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Chaotic Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shock Squall]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Helps [[:Trusts#Gessho|Gessho]] tank CP mobs.
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]
|-
| Heal my party
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Whispering Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Healing Ruby II]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Remove status ailments
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Soothing Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Run really fast
|
|
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Fleet Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Give party member Reraise
|
|
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Reraise II]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Deal hybrid damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Best damage while unresisted - check your monster beforehand. Fire/Magic/High Melee resist will chunk your damage. - example: [[Dynamis - Bastok (D)]](Green pull only)/[[Dynamis - Jeuno (D)]], [[Zerde]]

|-
| Deal melee damage
|
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]General Melee dmg - example: [[Reisenjima]] Helms ([[Erinys]], etc), but this will be your most used melee blood pact due to the stun. 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Slashing damage - example: [[Yakshi]]/[[Kalunga]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Blunt damage - example: [[Gigelorum]]/[[Gogmagog]] 

|-
| Deal magic damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Geocrush]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Fire damage (Light/Fusion/Liquefaction) 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice damage (Darkness/Distortion/Induration) 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Wind damage (Light/Fragmentation/Detonation) 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Earth damage (Darkness/Gravitation/Scission) 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Thunder damage (Light/Fragmentation/Impaction) 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Water damage (Darkness/Distortion/Reverberation)

|-
| colspan=4|
2 Requires [[Astral Flow]] to activate BP
|}

=== AFAC Strategy ===
Given the large amount of pet stats gained from SMN gifts and JP categories, I highly recommend maxing the [[Astral Flow]]/[[Astral Conduit]] effects and acquiring all the physical BP related stats (1710+ JP) prior to attempting an AFAC. 
Secondly, if you are using Gearswap, ensure that you are not accidentally swapping into a precast or aftercast set during [[Astral Conduit]]. 
At the time of this writing, Pergatory's LUA will equip an idle set following conduit BPs and assumes the user will stagger BPs approximately 1.25 seconds apart. 
If this proves inconvenient, you may opt to equip your BP set and //gs disable all during [[Astral Conduit]] '''[or]''' add code to disable his idle() function calls while conduit is up. 

'''Generic AFAC Algorithm'''
# Receive pre-fight buffs
# Activate [[Avatar's Favor]]
# If using [[Nirvana_(Level_119)|119 Nirvana]], or [[Opashoro]], build 3000 TP and gain [[Aftermath|AM3]] on fodder
# Pop NM
# Wait for GEO bubbles and offensive spells/JAs
# Hit [[Astral Flow]]
# Hit [[Astral Conduit]]
# Spam BPs
# Receive [[Mana Powder]] / [[Mana Mist]] during [[Astral Conduit]] from back line jobs if in [[Escha]] zone
# Watch your mana bar closely during your AFAC, and hit [[Convert]] if you ever drop below 300 - the goal is to get through two full mana bars during your AFAC if possible
# Once [[Astral Conduit]] wears:
# [[Apogee]], then BP (x2)
# Reset [[Apogee]] and [[Astral Flow]] + [[Astral Conduit]] via COR JAs and/or [[Super Revitalizer]] if in [[Escha]] zone
# Repeat until you or the boss dies

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#150101"
! colspan=10 style="text-align: center;" | Job Summary
|- BGCOLOR="#410202"
! width="15%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact
! width="15%" class=unsortable|SMN Food
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Indi-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Geo-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Entrust
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Offensive spells
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #1
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #2
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|RUN JAs
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|BRD Songs

|-
|
[[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]]
| [[Geo-Frailty]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Drachen Roll]]
| [[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]]

|-
| [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Frailty]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]] or [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
|
[[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Impact]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
| [[Companion's Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
| colspan=10|
[[Impact]], [[Odyllic Subterfuge]], and [[Refresh_(Status)|Refresh effects]] may be omitted based on NM and groups' comfort zone.
|-
| colspan=10|
Just use grape daifuku - there are other food options, but grapes are good for everything.
|}

== Acknowledgements ==
I took some of this straight from [https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Prismfang/Sandbox Prismfang's Sandbox], (especially the bottom half with info on what pacts do - I think its much nicer than having two pages open), with edits based on what I think is most realistic for someone newish to the job in 2025-2026.

Thanks to '''Pergatory''' of Asura for providing constructive feedback and all the SMNs on the FFXIAH.com forums for sharing their knowledge.

User:Cii/Sandbox

2025-12-13T12:10:17Z

Cii: /* Cheapest / Entry Damage Set */

{{Guide}}
This is just intended to help with getting your summoner to the level where you can start seeing some nice numbers.

{{color|red|style=bold|Recommended GS LUA (and helpful tools) by Pergatory: }} [https://pastebin.com/u/pergatory Link].

== Getting Started ==
As a new level 99 SMN, I recommend focusing your efforts on the following:
# Obtain an [[Epitaph]] or grab an [[Eminent Sachet]] while you work towards your 100 JP gift to equip a [[Sancus Sachet +1]]
# Create [[Blood Pact]] (BP) sets to improve your avatar's maximum damage per offensive ability
# Create a [[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|BP delay]] set to improve the frequency that you can perform Blood Pacts
# Create an idle set with enough [[Avatar perpetuation cost]] - to offset your avatar's constant [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | MP drain/upkeep]], and enough DT- to survive being hit with AOEs in content like Dyna D
# Obtain the 1200 JP Gift and eventually reach Master SMN

An additional note: [[Flaming Crush]] is going to be your highest damage [[Blood Pact]] against almost anything that doesn't resist it. Embrace [[Ifrit]].

== Merits ==

'''Group 1:'''
* Avatar Physical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Physical Attack: 5
* Avatar Magical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Magical Attack: 5
* Summoning Magic Cast Time: Do not merit this. Build a [[Fast Cast]] set instead.

You can switch Magical Attack to Physical Accuracy and vise versa if you feel like you are having a problem with accuracy for a certain [[Blood Pact]] that you're using often. A good example of this is for AFAC strategies on [[Reisenjima]] HELMS - Physical Accuracy is very important there because you almost exclusively use [[Volt Strike]].

'''Group 2:'''
* [[Meteor Strike]]: 5
* [[Heavenly Strike]]: 1
* [[Wind Blade]]: 1
* [[Geocrush]]: 1
* [[Thunderstorm]]: 1
* [[Grand Fall]]: 1

You can merit whichever one of these you're using most often with the full 5 merits, [[Meteor Strike]] is recommended here because of the offensive power of [[Flaming Crush]], and the ability to use [[Apogee]] to burst off of the skillchains it creates.

Good examples of times to merit other blood pacts: [[Geocrush]] for sortie bosses A and E magic burst strat, [[Thunderstorm]] if you're mostly attacking with [[Volt Strike]] from [[Ramuh]], or [[Heavenly Strike]] if you're bursting on [[Darkness]].

== Idle Set ==
Most gearswap files will have a separate set for idling with and without your avatar. 
This set is for the former, and the goal here is to reach the [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | perpetuation cost]] cap of -14 MP/tic first and foremost.
Once you have reached the cap, avatars will cost at most 1 MP/tic, even with [[Avatar's Favor]] up, so your [[Auto Refresh]] will easily cover that.

# Reach the cap of -14 [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | avatar perpetuation cost]] in pet idle set
# Obtain a [[Caller's_Pendant | Caller's Pendant]] to grant your avatar free TP while standing around
# Fill the remaining slots on [[Refresh]] or defense stats afterward.
#* Note that [[Avatar's Favor]] effects are tiered off based on total skill and Favor+ gear.

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Recommended Start
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Eabani Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Physical Damage Taken -10%
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Enmerkar Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Eva.+20/Mag. Eva. +20, Pet: Damage taken -5%, Pet: Mag. Acc. +20/Mag. Dmg. +20, Pet: Regen +10, Pet: Magic Damage +10
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Lengo Pants
|LegsAug = Refresh +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
Both of these sets should be somewhere around -40% DT- (and 10+ refresh!), so a simple swap of one piece ([[Bunzi's Pants]] for example) should be enough for your DT- set to be at or near -50%.
 
 
[[Evoker's Ring]] is good, but very skippable. [[Shadow Ring]] is a fairly easy to obtain tanky alternative for your second slot.
 
 
Most of the pieces listed above and hereafter are interchangeable with their NQ and HQ variants. Customize your set based on available gear.

== Cheapest / Entry Damage Set ==

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Lowest Cost / Bar to Entry
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Gelos Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10 - Pet: Acc, Atk, Macc, Mab help, but keep any +10 BPdmg roll when starting
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+15 Pet: "Double Attack"+3% "Blood Pact" damage +13
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
At time of writing (12/12/2025), the above set should be roughly 12mil to complete. (16mil if you get an Elan Strap +1.) If you don't have the money for that, feel free to downgrade items from +1 to +0 - with the apogee at +0, it'll only be about 7mil!
However, the prices on these are pretty low right now, so if you're liking the job i'd focus on getting the +1s here ASAP.

There isn't really a satisfactory belt option that doesn't require endgame content - [[Klouskap Sash]] exists, but its also 1.5 mil or greater. I'd recommend sticking with something defensive until you can get your hands on the [[Regal Belt]] or [[Incarnation Sash]].

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Required Magic BP Items
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity -6 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+30 Pet: Damage Taken -4%
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist=
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|LegsAug = Huge damage boost to merit (magic) blood pacts
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Other Useful Items'''
* Optional: [[Sancus Sachet +1]] - If you can't get the [[Epitaph]], or already have one, this is actually a better option until the [[Epitaph]] is augmented. However, it costs >2mil, so if money is a concern, try to get that Sgili clear for the [[Epitaph]].
* -
* Optional: [[Shulmanu Collar]] - BIS for melee pacts until a near max JSE neck +1 or +2, if you already have it, great!
* -
* Optional: [[Smn. Collar +1]] - 2nd BIS only to the +2 when fully augmented, and only ~3mil at time of writing. Worth it if you have the funds and are willing to get the RP in Dynamis.
* -
* Optional: [[Apogee Dalmatica]] (Path A) (Magical BP) - the +1 is good, but expensive, and magical only BPs are hardly ever used. Don't spend your money on a +1 unless you get very deep into gearing the job.
* -
* Optional: [[Sroda Earring]] (Melee Pacts, BIS and cheap)
* -
* Questionable: [[Kyrene's Earring]] - If you have one laying around and are missing something else
* -
* Questionable: [[Apogee Mitts]] - If unsure that you want to play the job, make a pair of +0s with path C while you try it out. Do not waste money on a +1 pair of these.

|}

== More Advanced Blood Pact Sets ==
{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
Blood Pacts are generally categorized as either physical or magical damage, with the exception that Ifrit's [[Burning Strike]] and [[Flaming Crush]] are considered hybrid damage. 
In the event you have a Nirvana and HQ Apogee pieces at hand, see Pergatory's LUA file above on gear choices while Garland's [[Aftermath]] is up.
#For physical BPs, you will want stats such as BP Damage, Accuracy, Attack, and Pet: Double Attack. 
#For magical BPs, you will want BP Damage, Magic Attack, and perhaps Pet: TP Bonus. Avatars seem to have naturally high magic accuracy for their associated element 
#For hybrid BPs, there is usually a mixture of physical and magical BP stats, with a heavy emphasis on the magical end.
 
None of these sets will include REMA weapons, or very expensive minor upgrades like +2 JSE necks.
 
 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Shulmanu Collar
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Sroda Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Glyphic Doublet +3
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = "Fast Cast" +10%, Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
You can use [[Apogee Attire Set]] +1 boots and hat for your physical set, but with the [[Helios Attire Set]] being easily attainable, I'd really recommend against buying a second pair of Apogee +1 for physical unless you're made of money. The Helios is typically better anyways - just requires some time to augment.

The [[Shulmanu Collar]] is probably not worth chasing just for SMN, as the [[Smn. Collar +1]] is better when fully augmented. Its mostly in this set in case you already have one for a different job.

The [[Sroda Earring]] is BIS as long as you've got enough accuracy in your set. The only reason the [[Beck. Earring +1]] is in mine is because the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] has 0 Pet: Accuracy.

Lastly, with Apollyon points being so accessible due to ???'s being shouted out every 3 days or so, i'd really recommend getting the [[Con. Doublet +4]]. You don't ever need to make the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] like I have, because of previously mentioned accuracy issues.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+60 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+30 "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: Magic Acc, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The [[Apogee Slacks +1]] are only better than the [[Enticer's Pants]] if you have the blood pact fully merited, or have TP over 1500. You don't really need a second pair of these, just stick with the [[Enticer's Pants]].

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] after about lvl 10.

[[Gelos Earring]] is about the same as the [[Beck. Earring]] for merit pacts.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Gelos Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20 Pet: "Double Attack"+4% "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The most important stat for [[Flaming Crush]] is Blood Pact Damage, as its counted twice: once on the physical hits, and once on the magical. That's the the [[Gelos Earring]] is recommended over the [[Beck. Earring]] here. Of course, if you already have a Beck. Earring, there's no reason to do the quest for the [[Gelos Earring]]. The damage difference is pretty minimal.

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] for hybrid pacts earlier than magical - switch as soon as you have some RP on it.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

[[Apogee Slacks +1]] (Path A) should be more damage than (Path D) for [[Flaming Crush]]. However, (Path D) is fine, so this upgrade is fairly unnecessary. With this same logic, the [[Apogee Dalmatica +1]] may be similar damage to the [[Con. Doublet +4]] - but the extra +60 accuracy on that top plays a huge role for [[Flaming Crush]]. If you miss either of the initial melee hits, your overall damage will completely plummet, because the magic hit's damage is based on the first two hits' damage.

Do not fret if you are missing the Omen/Vagary accessories; the bulk of your avatar's damage comes from your armor and weapon choices.

== BP Delay Reduction Gear ==
[[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|Blood Pact delays]] have a combined cap of -30 seconds from player gear and gifts, and no more than -15 seconds can be applied per delay tier. 
Once you have obtained the 500 JP (Superior 3) gift, the HQ [[Sancus Sachet]] and [[Baayami_Attire_Set|Baayami Attire Set]] can help you reach the BP delay cap while providing copious amounts of [[Summoning Magic Skill]]. 
An [[Espiritus]] can provide additional BP delay II if you do not mind potentially losing TP on swapping weapons. 

# Reach the cap of -30 seconds through gear and JP gifts
# Fill remaining slots with Summoning Skill and Favor+ gear to improve [[Avatar's Favor]] tier - the final 'tier' is at 670+ total skill.

{{color|red|style=bold|NOTE: }} Depending on your gearswap file, your BP delay set may be listed as a precast or midcast set. 
The delay set should equip as soon as a BP command is sent, and similarly, your BP damage sets should equip once your avatar begins its BP animation.

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -22 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
More than fully capped BP delay with 1200JP, plus 676 Summoning Magic Skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -18 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 0 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Eminent Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Shomonjijoe
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 100 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 500 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +3
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== Buff Duration / Summoning Skill Scaling Sets ==

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Buff Duration
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*This set gives 676 Summoning skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Summoning Skill +
|CaptionBottom = Alternative items
|Main =
|Sub = Vox Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Baayami Hat
|Neck = Incanter's Torque
|Ear1 = Andoaa Earring
|Ear2 = C. Palug Earring
|Body = Beck. Doublet +2
|Hands = Inyan. Dastanas +2
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Stikini Ring
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Beck. Spats +2
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path D: MP+70, "Summoning Magic Skill" +15, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*The [[Stikini Ring]] and [[Baayami Hat]] are very expensive for little benefit, so i'd recommend against them unless you already have them. They're mostly on this list so all options are shown.
*The [[Beckoner's Attire Set]] has a decent amount of skill, but its probably not worth building just for the skill bonus.

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Elemental Siphon
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Esper Stone +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Beck. Pigaches +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== SMN at a Glance ==
Here is where I attempt to answer questions and grossly generalize SMN at the same time: 

=== Skillchains and Magic Bursts ===
Physical and Hybrid BPs are analogous to player [[Weapon Skill|WSs]] and each have their own [[Summoner#Spells_and_Blood_Pacts|skillchain properties]]. 
Magic BPs are analogous to player spells and can be used in a [[Magic Burst|magic burst]]. 
In general, there is a short delay (just over a second) between using a BP command and when the BP is executed, so time your BPs accordingly.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchains (2-Step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst1
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Mountain Buster]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Gravitation]]
| [[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crag Throw]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Liquefaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Full Swing]]
| [[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Burning Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fusion]]
| [[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Conflag Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=5 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchain (3-step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #2
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #3
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #2
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]]1 [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
|-
| colspan=5|
1 Requires [[Apogee]] to BP twice in a row
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#0F0018"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Multi-SMN Skillchains
|- BGCOLOR="#2A0141"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Eclipse Bite]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]

|}

=== Blood Pacts and when to use them ===
A summary of useful BPs I have encountered for solo and group play. This list is not exhaustive.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#000822"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | I really need to...
|- BGCOLOR="#051549"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Rage
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Ward
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Potential Uses

|-
| Cleave targets
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderspark]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Level ? Holy]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
|
[[Vagary]] 
[[Salvage II| Salvage Farming]] 
[[Colonization_Reive|Colonization Reives]] 
[[Incursion]]

|-
| Curb enemy offense
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Tidal Roar]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Mewing Lullaby]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Eerie Eye]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' attack 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' TP 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Inflicts [[Silence]] and [[Amnesia]]
|-
| Buff party's offense
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crimson Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Inferno Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rolling Thunder]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Hastega_II|Hastega II]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crystal Blessing]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Attack Bonus 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enfire 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enthunder 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Haste II 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]TP Bonus 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Attack Bonus

|-
| Buff party's defense
|
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Armor]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Ward]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Perfect Defense]] [[File:Alexander_GUI.png|link=]] 2 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Frost Armor]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shining Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage mitigation 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Stoneskin 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage reduction 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice Spikes 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Defense+10%, MDT 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Defense Bonus
|-
| Dispel enemy buffs
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Lunar Roar]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Pavor Nocturnus]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[:Yggdreant|Yggdreants]] or [[Belladonna|Belladonna's]] 
[[Glassy Gorger]]

|-
| Sleep nearby enemies
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Nightmare]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Sleepga_(Blood_Pact)|Sleepga]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[Warder of Love]] 
[[Omen]] 
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]

|-
| Stun the enemy
|
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Transfixion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Chaotic Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shock Squall]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Helps [[:Trusts#Gessho|Gessho]] tank CP mobs.
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]
|-
| Heal my party
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Whispering Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Healing Ruby II]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Remove status ailments
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Soothing Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Run really fast
|
|
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Fleet Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Give party member Reraise
|
|
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Reraise II]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Deal hybrid damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Best damage while unresisted - check your monster beforehand. Fire/Magic/High Melee resist will chunk your damage. - example: [[Dynamis - Bastok (D)]](Green pull only)/[[Dynamis - Jeuno (D)]], [[Zerde]]

|-
| Deal melee damage
|
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]General Melee dmg - example: [[Reisenjima]] Helms ([[Erinys]], etc), but this will be your most used melee blood pact due to the stun. 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Slashing damage - example: [[Yakshi]]/[[Kalunga]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Blunt damage - example: [[Gigelorum]]/[[Gogmagog]] 

|-
| Deal magic damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Geocrush]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Fire damage (Light/Fusion/Liquefaction) 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice damage (Darkness/Distortion/Induration) 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Wind damage (Light/Fragmentation/Detonation) 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Earth damage (Darkness/Gravitation/Scission) 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Thunder damage (Light/Fragmentation/Impaction) 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Water damage (Darkness/Distortion/Reverberation)

|-
| colspan=4|
2 Requires [[Astral Flow]] to activate BP
|}

=== AFAC Strategy ===
Given the large amount of pet stats gained from SMN gifts and JP categories, I highly recommend maxing the [[Astral Flow]]/[[Astral Conduit]] effects and acquiring all the physical BP related stats (1710+ JP) prior to attempting an AFAC. 
Secondly, if you are using Gearswap, ensure that you are not accidentally swapping into a precast or aftercast set during [[Astral Conduit]]. 
At the time of this writing, Pergatory's LUA will equip an idle set following conduit BPs and assumes the user will stagger BPs approximately 1.25 seconds apart. 
If this proves inconvenient, you may opt to equip your BP set and //gs disable all during [[Astral Conduit]] '''[or]''' add code to disable his idle() function calls while conduit is up. 

'''Generic AFAC Algorithm'''
# Receive pre-fight buffs
# Activate [[Avatar's Favor]]
# If using [[Nirvana_(Level_119)|119 Nirvana]], or [[Opashoro]], build 3000 TP and gain [[Aftermath|AM3]] on fodder
# Pop NM
# Wait for GEO bubbles and offensive spells/JAs
# Hit [[Astral Flow]]
# Hit [[Astral Conduit]]
# Spam BPs
# Receive [[Mana Powder]] / [[Mana Mist]] during [[Astral Conduit]] from back line jobs if in [[Escha]] zone
# Watch your mana bar closely during your AFAC, and hit [[Convert]] if you ever drop below 300 - the goal is to get through two full mana bars during your AFAC if possible
# Once [[Astral Conduit]] wears:
# [[Apogee]], then BP (x2)
# Reset [[Apogee]] and [[Astral Flow]] + [[Astral Conduit]] via COR JAs and/or [[Super Revitalizer]] if in [[Escha]] zone
# Repeat until you or the boss dies

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#150101"
! colspan=10 style="text-align: center;" | Job Summary
|- BGCOLOR="#410202"
! width="15%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact
! width="15%" class=unsortable|SMN Food
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Indi-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Geo-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Entrust
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Offensive spells
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #1
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #2
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|RUN JAs
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|BRD Songs

|-
|
[[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]]
| [[Geo-Frailty]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Drachen Roll]]
| [[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]]

|-
| [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Frailty]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]] or [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
|
[[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Impact]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
| [[Companion's Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
| colspan=10|
[[Impact]], [[Odyllic Subterfuge]], and [[Refresh_(Status)|Refresh effects]] may be omitted based on NM and groups' comfort zone.
|-
| colspan=10|
Just use grape daifuku - there are other food options, but grapes are good for everything.
|}

== Acknowledgements ==
I took some of this straight from [https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Prismfang/Sandbox Prismfang's Sandbox], (especially the bottom half with info on what pacts do - I think its much nicer than having two pages open), with edits based on what I think is most realistic for someone newish to the job in 2025-2026.

Thanks to '''Pergatory''' of Asura for providing constructive feedback and all the SMNs on the FFXIAH.com forums for sharing their knowledge.

User:Cii/Sandbox

2025-12-13T08:59:03Z

Cii: /* Blood Pacts and when to use them */

{{Guide}}
This is just intended to help with getting your summoner to the level where you can start seeing some nice numbers.

{{color|red|style=bold|Recommended GS LUA (and helpful tools) by Pergatory: }} [https://pastebin.com/u/pergatory Link].

== Getting Started ==
As a new level 99 SMN, I recommend focusing your efforts on the following:
# Obtain an [[Epitaph]] or grab an [[Eminent Sachet]] while you work towards your 100 JP gift to equip a [[Sancus Sachet +1]]
# Create [[Blood Pact]] (BP) sets to improve your avatar's maximum damage per offensive ability
# Create a [[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|BP delay]] set to improve the frequency that you can perform Blood Pacts
# Create an idle set with enough [[Avatar perpetuation cost]] - to offset your avatar's constant [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | MP drain/upkeep]], and enough DT- to survive being hit with AOEs in content like Dyna D
# Obtain the 1200 JP Gift and eventually reach Master SMN

An additional note: [[Flaming Crush]] is going to be your highest damage [[Blood Pact]] against almost anything that doesn't resist it. Embrace [[Ifrit]].

== Merits ==

'''Group 1:'''
* Avatar Physical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Physical Attack: 5
* Avatar Magical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Magical Attack: 5
* Summoning Magic Cast Time: Do not merit this. Build a [[Fast Cast]] set instead.

You can switch Magical Attack to Physical Accuracy and vise versa if you feel like you are having a problem with accuracy for a certain [[Blood Pact]] that you're using often. A good example of this is for AFAC strategies on [[Reisenjima]] HELMS - Physical Accuracy is very important there because you almost exclusively use [[Volt Strike]].

'''Group 2:'''
* [[Meteor Strike]]: 5
* [[Heavenly Strike]]: 1
* [[Wind Blade]]: 1
* [[Geocrush]]: 1
* [[Thunderstorm]]: 1
* [[Grand Fall]]: 1

You can merit whichever one of these you're using most often with the full 5 merits, [[Meteor Strike]] is recommended here because of the offensive power of [[Flaming Crush]], and the ability to use [[Apogee]] to burst off of the skillchains it creates.

Good examples of times to merit other blood pacts: [[Geocrush]] for sortie bosses A and E magic burst strat, [[Thunderstorm]] if you're mostly attacking with [[Volt Strike]] from [[Ramuh]], or [[Heavenly Strike]] if you're bursting on [[Darkness]].

== Idle Set ==
Most gearswap files will have a separate set for idling with and without your avatar. 
This set is for the former, and the goal here is to reach the [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | perpetuation cost]] cap of -14 MP/tic first and foremost.
Once you have reached the cap, avatars will cost at most 1 MP/tic, even with [[Avatar's Favor]] up, so your [[Auto Refresh]] will easily cover that.

# Reach the cap of -14 [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | avatar perpetuation cost]] in pet idle set
# Obtain a [[Caller's_Pendant | Caller's Pendant]] to grant your avatar free TP while standing around
# Fill the remaining slots on [[Refresh]] or defense stats afterward.
#* Note that [[Avatar's Favor]] effects are tiered off based on total skill and Favor+ gear.

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Recommended Start
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Eabani Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Physical Damage Taken -10%
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Enmerkar Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Eva.+20/Mag. Eva. +20, Pet: Damage taken -5%, Pet: Mag. Acc. +20/Mag. Dmg. +20, Pet: Regen +10, Pet: Magic Damage +10
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Lengo Pants
|LegsAug = Refresh +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
Both of these sets should be somewhere around -40% DT- (and 10+ refresh!), so a simple swap of one piece ([[Bunzi's Pants]] for example) should be enough for your DT- set to be at or near -50%.
 
 
[[Evoker's Ring]] is good, but very skippable. [[Shadow Ring]] is a fairly easy to obtain tanky alternative for your second slot.
 
 
Most of the pieces listed above and hereafter are interchangeable with their NQ and HQ variants. Customize your set based on available gear.

== Cheapest / Entry Damage Set ==

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Lowest Cost / Bar to Entry
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Gelos Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10 - Pet: Acc, Atk, Macc, Mab help, but keep any +10 BPdmg roll when starting
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Hurch'lan Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+15 Pet: "Double Attack"+3% "Blood Pact" damage +13
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Total Cost: '''
At time of writing (12/12/2025), the above set should be roughly 12mil to complete. (16mil if you get an Elan Strap +1.) If you don't have the money for that, feel free to downgrade items from +1 to +0 - with the apogee at +0, it'll only be about 7mil!
However, the prices on these are pretty low right now, so if you're liking the job i'd focus on getting the +1s here ASAP.

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Required Magic BP Items
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity -6 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+30 Pet: Damage Taken -4%
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist=
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|LegsAug = Huge damage boost to merit (magic) blood pacts
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Other Useful Items'''
* Optional: [[Sancus Sachet +1]] - If you can't get the [[Epitaph]], or already have one, this is actually a better option until the [[Epitaph]] is augmented. However, it costs >2mil, so if money is a concern, try to get that Sgili clear for the [[Epitaph]].
* -
* Optional: [[Shulmanu Collar]] - BIS for melee pacts until a near max JSE neck +1 or +2, if you already have it, great!
* -
* Optional: [[Smn. Collar +1]] - 2nd BIS only to the +2 when fully augmented, and only ~3mil at time of writing. Worth it if you have the funds and are willing to get the RP in Dynamis.
* -
* Optional: [[Apogee Dalmatica]] (Path A) (Magical BP) - the +1 is good, but expensive, and magical only BPs are hardly ever used. Don't spend your money on a +1 unless you get very deep into gearing the job.
* -
* Optional: [[Sroda Earring]] (Melee Pacts, BIS and cheap)
* -
* Questionable: [[Kyrene's Earring]] - If you have one laying around and are missing something else
* -
* Questionable: [[Apogee Mitts]] - If unsure that you want to play the job, make a pair of +0s with path C while you try it out. Do not waste money on a +1 pair of these.

|}

== More Advanced Blood Pact Sets ==
{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
Blood Pacts are generally categorized as either physical or magical damage, with the exception that Ifrit's [[Burning Strike]] and [[Flaming Crush]] are considered hybrid damage. 
In the event you have a Nirvana and HQ Apogee pieces at hand, see Pergatory's LUA file above on gear choices while Garland's [[Aftermath]] is up.
#For physical BPs, you will want stats such as BP Damage, Accuracy, Attack, and Pet: Double Attack. 
#For magical BPs, you will want BP Damage, Magic Attack, and perhaps Pet: TP Bonus. Avatars seem to have naturally high magic accuracy for their associated element 
#For hybrid BPs, there is usually a mixture of physical and magical BP stats, with a heavy emphasis on the magical end.
 
None of these sets will include REMA weapons, or very expensive minor upgrades like +2 JSE necks.
 
 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Shulmanu Collar
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Sroda Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Glyphic Doublet +3
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = "Fast Cast" +10%, Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
You can use [[Apogee Attire Set]] +1 boots and hat for your physical set, but with the [[Helios Attire Set]] being easily attainable, I'd really recommend against buying a second pair of Apogee +1 for physical unless you're made of money. The Helios is typically better anyways - just requires some time to augment.

The [[Shulmanu Collar]] is probably not worth chasing just for SMN, as the [[Smn. Collar +1]] is better when fully augmented. Its mostly in this set in case you already have one for a different job.

The [[Sroda Earring]] is BIS as long as you've got enough accuracy in your set. The only reason the [[Beck. Earring +1]] is in mine is because the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] has 0 Pet: Accuracy.

Lastly, with Apollyon points being so accessible due to ???'s being shouted out every 3 days or so, i'd really recommend getting the [[Con. Doublet +4]]. You don't ever need to make the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] like I have, because of previously mentioned accuracy issues.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+60 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+30 "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: Magic Acc, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The [[Apogee Slacks +1]] are only better than the [[Enticer's Pants]] if you have the blood pact fully merited, or have TP over 1500. You don't really need a second pair of these, just stick with the [[Enticer's Pants]].

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] after about lvl 10.

[[Gelos Earring]] is about the same as the [[Beck. Earring]] for merit pacts.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Gelos Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20 Pet: "Double Attack"+4% "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The most important stat for [[Flaming Crush]] is Blood Pact Damage, as its counted twice: once on the physical hits, and once on the magical. That's the the [[Gelos Earring]] is recommended over the [[Beck. Earring]] here. Of course, if you already have a Beck. Earring, there's no reason to do the quest for the [[Gelos Earring]]. The damage difference is pretty minimal.

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] for hybrid pacts earlier than magical - switch as soon as you have some RP on it.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

[[Apogee Slacks +1]] (Path A) should be more damage than (Path D) for [[Flaming Crush]]. However, (Path D) is fine, so this upgrade is fairly unnecessary. With this same logic, the [[Apogee Dalmatica +1]] may be similar damage to the [[Con. Doublet +4]] - but the extra +60 accuracy on that top plays a huge role for [[Flaming Crush]]. If you miss either of the initial melee hits, your overall damage will completely plummet, because the magic hit's damage is based on the first two hits' damage.

Do not fret if you are missing the Omen/Vagary accessories; the bulk of your avatar's damage comes from your armor and weapon choices.

== BP Delay Reduction Gear ==
[[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|Blood Pact delays]] have a combined cap of -30 seconds from player gear and gifts, and no more than -15 seconds can be applied per delay tier. 
Once you have obtained the 500 JP (Superior 3) gift, the HQ [[Sancus Sachet]] and [[Baayami_Attire_Set|Baayami Attire Set]] can help you reach the BP delay cap while providing copious amounts of [[Summoning Magic Skill]]. 
An [[Espiritus]] can provide additional BP delay II if you do not mind potentially losing TP on swapping weapons. 

# Reach the cap of -30 seconds through gear and JP gifts
# Fill remaining slots with Summoning Skill and Favor+ gear to improve [[Avatar's Favor]] tier - the final 'tier' is at 670+ total skill.

{{color|red|style=bold|NOTE: }} Depending on your gearswap file, your BP delay set may be listed as a precast or midcast set. 
The delay set should equip as soon as a BP command is sent, and similarly, your BP damage sets should equip once your avatar begins its BP animation.

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -22 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
More than fully capped BP delay with 1200JP, plus 676 Summoning Magic Skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -18 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 0 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Eminent Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Shomonjijoe
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 100 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 500 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +3
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== Buff Duration / Summoning Skill Scaling Sets ==

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Buff Duration
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*This set gives 676 Summoning skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Summoning Skill +
|CaptionBottom = Alternative items
|Main =
|Sub = Vox Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Baayami Hat
|Neck = Incanter's Torque
|Ear1 = Andoaa Earring
|Ear2 = C. Palug Earring
|Body = Beck. Doublet +2
|Hands = Inyan. Dastanas +2
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Stikini Ring
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Beck. Spats +2
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path D: MP+70, "Summoning Magic Skill" +15, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*The [[Stikini Ring]] and [[Baayami Hat]] are very expensive for little benefit, so i'd recommend against them unless you already have them. They're mostly on this list so all options are shown.
*The [[Beckoner's Attire Set]] has a decent amount of skill, but its probably not worth building just for the skill bonus.

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Elemental Siphon
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Esper Stone +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Beck. Pigaches +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== SMN at a Glance ==
Here is where I attempt to answer questions and grossly generalize SMN at the same time: 

=== Skillchains and Magic Bursts ===
Physical and Hybrid BPs are analogous to player [[Weapon Skill|WSs]] and each have their own [[Summoner#Spells_and_Blood_Pacts|skillchain properties]]. 
Magic BPs are analogous to player spells and can be used in a [[Magic Burst|magic burst]]. 
In general, there is a short delay (just over a second) between using a BP command and when the BP is executed, so time your BPs accordingly.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchains (2-Step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst1
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Mountain Buster]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Gravitation]]
| [[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crag Throw]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Liquefaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Full Swing]]
| [[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Burning Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fusion]]
| [[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Conflag Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=5 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchain (3-step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #2
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #3
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #2
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]]1 [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
|-
| colspan=5|
1 Requires [[Apogee]] to BP twice in a row
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#0F0018"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Multi-SMN Skillchains
|- BGCOLOR="#2A0141"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Eclipse Bite]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]

|}

=== Blood Pacts and when to use them ===
A summary of useful BPs I have encountered for solo and group play. This list is not exhaustive.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#000822"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | I really need to...
|- BGCOLOR="#051549"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Rage
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Ward
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Potential Uses

|-
| Cleave targets
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderspark]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Level ? Holy]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
|
[[Vagary]] 
[[Salvage II| Salvage Farming]] 
[[Colonization_Reive|Colonization Reives]] 
[[Incursion]]

|-
| Curb enemy offense
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Tidal Roar]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Mewing Lullaby]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Eerie Eye]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' attack 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' TP 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Inflicts [[Silence]] and [[Amnesia]]
|-
| Buff party's offense
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crimson Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Inferno Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rolling Thunder]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Hastega_II|Hastega II]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crystal Blessing]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Attack Bonus 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enfire 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enthunder 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Haste II 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]TP Bonus 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Attack Bonus

|-
| Buff party's defense
|
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Armor]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Ward]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Perfect Defense]] [[File:Alexander_GUI.png|link=]] 2 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Frost Armor]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shining Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage mitigation 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Stoneskin 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage reduction 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice Spikes 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Defense+10%, MDT 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Defense Bonus
|-
| Dispel enemy buffs
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Lunar Roar]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Pavor Nocturnus]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[:Yggdreant|Yggdreants]] or [[Belladonna|Belladonna's]] 
[[Glassy Gorger]]

|-
| Sleep nearby enemies
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Nightmare]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Sleepga_(Blood_Pact)|Sleepga]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[Warder of Love]] 
[[Omen]] 
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]

|-
| Stun the enemy
|
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Transfixion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Chaotic Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shock Squall]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Helps [[:Trusts#Gessho|Gessho]] tank CP mobs.
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]
|-
| Heal my party
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Whispering Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Healing Ruby II]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Remove status ailments
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Soothing Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Run really fast
|
|
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Fleet Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Give party member Reraise
|
|
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Reraise II]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Deal hybrid damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Best damage while unresisted - check your monster beforehand. Fire/Magic/High Melee resist will chunk your damage. - example: [[Dynamis - Bastok (D)]](Green pull only)/[[Dynamis - Jeuno (D)]], [[Zerde]]

|-
| Deal melee damage
|
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]General Melee dmg - example: [[Reisenjima]] Helms ([[Erinys]], etc), but this will be your most used melee blood pact due to the stun. 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Slashing damage - example: [[Yakshi]]/[[Kalunga]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Blunt damage - example: [[Gigelorum]]/[[Gogmagog]] 

|-
| Deal magic damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Geocrush]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Fire damage (Light/Fusion/Liquefaction) 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice damage (Darkness/Distortion/Induration) 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Wind damage (Light/Fragmentation/Detonation) 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Earth damage (Darkness/Gravitation/Scission) 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Thunder damage (Light/Fragmentation/Impaction) 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Water damage (Darkness/Distortion/Reverberation)

|-
| colspan=4|
2 Requires [[Astral Flow]] to activate BP
|}

=== AFAC Strategy ===
Given the large amount of pet stats gained from SMN gifts and JP categories, I highly recommend maxing the [[Astral Flow]]/[[Astral Conduit]] effects and acquiring all the physical BP related stats (1710+ JP) prior to attempting an AFAC. 
Secondly, if you are using Gearswap, ensure that you are not accidentally swapping into a precast or aftercast set during [[Astral Conduit]]. 
At the time of this writing, Pergatory's LUA will equip an idle set following conduit BPs and assumes the user will stagger BPs approximately 1.25 seconds apart. 
If this proves inconvenient, you may opt to equip your BP set and //gs disable all during [[Astral Conduit]] '''[or]''' add code to disable his idle() function calls while conduit is up. 

'''Generic AFAC Algorithm'''
# Receive pre-fight buffs
# Activate [[Avatar's Favor]]
# If using [[Nirvana_(Level_119)|119 Nirvana]], or [[Opashoro]], build 3000 TP and gain [[Aftermath|AM3]] on fodder
# Pop NM
# Wait for GEO bubbles and offensive spells/JAs
# Hit [[Astral Flow]]
# Hit [[Astral Conduit]]
# Spam BPs
# Receive [[Mana Powder]] / [[Mana Mist]] during [[Astral Conduit]] from back line jobs if in [[Escha]] zone
# Watch your mana bar closely during your AFAC, and hit [[Convert]] if you ever drop below 300 - the goal is to get through two full mana bars during your AFAC if possible
# Once [[Astral Conduit]] wears:
# [[Apogee]], then BP (x2)
# Reset [[Apogee]] and [[Astral Flow]] + [[Astral Conduit]] via COR JAs and/or [[Super Revitalizer]] if in [[Escha]] zone
# Repeat until you or the boss dies

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#150101"
! colspan=10 style="text-align: center;" | Job Summary
|- BGCOLOR="#410202"
! width="15%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact
! width="15%" class=unsortable|SMN Food
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Indi-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Geo-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Entrust
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Offensive spells
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #1
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #2
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|RUN JAs
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|BRD Songs

|-
|
[[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]]
| [[Geo-Frailty]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Drachen Roll]]
| [[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]]

|-
| [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Frailty]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]] or [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
|
[[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Impact]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
| [[Companion's Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
| colspan=10|
[[Impact]], [[Odyllic Subterfuge]], and [[Refresh_(Status)|Refresh effects]] may be omitted based on NM and groups' comfort zone.
|-
| colspan=10|
Just use grape daifuku - there are other food options, but grapes are good for everything.
|}

== Acknowledgements ==
I took some of this straight from [https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Prismfang/Sandbox Prismfang's Sandbox], (especially the bottom half with info on what pacts do - I think its much nicer than having two pages open), with edits based on what I think is most realistic for someone newish to the job in 2025-2026.

Thanks to '''Pergatory''' of Asura for providing constructive feedback and all the SMNs on the FFXIAH.com forums for sharing their knowledge.

User:Cii/Sandbox

2025-12-13T08:41:07Z

Cii: /* AFAC Strategy */

{{Guide}}
This is just intended to help with getting your summoner to the level where you can start seeing some nice numbers.

{{color|red|style=bold|Recommended GS LUA (and helpful tools) by Pergatory: }} [https://pastebin.com/u/pergatory Link].

== Getting Started ==
As a new level 99 SMN, I recommend focusing your efforts on the following:
# Obtain an [[Epitaph]] or grab an [[Eminent Sachet]] while you work towards your 100 JP gift to equip a [[Sancus Sachet +1]]
# Create [[Blood Pact]] (BP) sets to improve your avatar's maximum damage per offensive ability
# Create a [[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|BP delay]] set to improve the frequency that you can perform Blood Pacts
# Create an idle set with enough [[Avatar perpetuation cost]] - to offset your avatar's constant [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | MP drain/upkeep]], and enough DT- to survive being hit with AOEs in content like Dyna D
# Obtain the 1200 JP Gift and eventually reach Master SMN

An additional note: [[Flaming Crush]] is going to be your highest damage [[Blood Pact]] against almost anything that doesn't resist it. Embrace [[Ifrit]].

== Merits ==

'''Group 1:'''
* Avatar Physical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Physical Attack: 5
* Avatar Magical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Magical Attack: 5
* Summoning Magic Cast Time: Do not merit this. Build a [[Fast Cast]] set instead.

You can switch Magical Attack to Physical Accuracy and vise versa if you feel like you are having a problem with accuracy for a certain [[Blood Pact]] that you're using often. A good example of this is for AFAC strategies on [[Reisenjima]] HELMS - Physical Accuracy is very important there because you almost exclusively use [[Volt Strike]].

'''Group 2:'''
* [[Meteor Strike]]: 5
* [[Heavenly Strike]]: 1
* [[Wind Blade]]: 1
* [[Geocrush]]: 1
* [[Thunderstorm]]: 1
* [[Grand Fall]]: 1

You can merit whichever one of these you're using most often with the full 5 merits, [[Meteor Strike]] is recommended here because of the offensive power of [[Flaming Crush]], and the ability to use [[Apogee]] to burst off of the skillchains it creates.

Good examples of times to merit other blood pacts: [[Geocrush]] for sortie bosses A and E magic burst strat, [[Thunderstorm]] if you're mostly attacking with [[Volt Strike]] from [[Ramuh]], or [[Heavenly Strike]] if you're bursting on [[Darkness]].

== Idle Set ==
Most gearswap files will have a separate set for idling with and without your avatar. 
This set is for the former, and the goal here is to reach the [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | perpetuation cost]] cap of -14 MP/tic first and foremost.
Once you have reached the cap, avatars will cost at most 1 MP/tic, even with [[Avatar's Favor]] up, so your [[Auto Refresh]] will easily cover that.

# Reach the cap of -14 [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | avatar perpetuation cost]] in pet idle set
# Obtain a [[Caller's_Pendant | Caller's Pendant]] to grant your avatar free TP while standing around
# Fill the remaining slots on [[Refresh]] or defense stats afterward.
#* Note that [[Avatar's Favor]] effects are tiered off based on total skill and Favor+ gear.

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Recommended Start
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Eabani Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Physical Damage Taken -10%
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Enmerkar Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Eva.+20/Mag. Eva. +20, Pet: Damage taken -5%, Pet: Mag. Acc. +20/Mag. Dmg. +20, Pet: Regen +10, Pet: Magic Damage +10
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Lengo Pants
|LegsAug = Refresh +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
Both of these sets should be somewhere around -40% DT- (and 10+ refresh!), so a simple swap of one piece ([[Bunzi's Pants]] for example) should be enough for your DT- set to be at or near -50%.
 
 
[[Evoker's Ring]] is good, but very skippable. [[Shadow Ring]] is a fairly easy to obtain tanky alternative for your second slot.
 
 
Most of the pieces listed above and hereafter are interchangeable with their NQ and HQ variants. Customize your set based on available gear.

== Cheapest / Entry Damage Set ==

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Lowest Cost / Bar to Entry
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Gelos Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10 - Pet: Acc, Atk, Macc, Mab help, but keep any +10 BPdmg roll when starting
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Hurch'lan Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+15 Pet: "Double Attack"+3% "Blood Pact" damage +13
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Total Cost: '''
At time of writing (12/12/2025), the above set should be roughly 12mil to complete. (16mil if you get an Elan Strap +1.) If you don't have the money for that, feel free to downgrade items from +1 to +0 - with the apogee at +0, it'll only be about 7mil!
However, the prices on these are pretty low right now, so if you're liking the job i'd focus on getting the +1s here ASAP.

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Required Magic BP Items
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity -6 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+30 Pet: Damage Taken -4%
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist=
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|LegsAug = Huge damage boost to merit (magic) blood pacts
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Other Useful Items'''
* Optional: [[Sancus Sachet +1]] - If you can't get the [[Epitaph]], or already have one, this is actually a better option until the [[Epitaph]] is augmented. However, it costs >2mil, so if money is a concern, try to get that Sgili clear for the [[Epitaph]].
* -
* Optional: [[Shulmanu Collar]] - BIS for melee pacts until a near max JSE neck +1 or +2, if you already have it, great!
* -
* Optional: [[Smn. Collar +1]] - 2nd BIS only to the +2 when fully augmented, and only ~3mil at time of writing. Worth it if you have the funds and are willing to get the RP in Dynamis.
* -
* Optional: [[Apogee Dalmatica]] (Path A) (Magical BP) - the +1 is good, but expensive, and magical only BPs are hardly ever used. Don't spend your money on a +1 unless you get very deep into gearing the job.
* -
* Optional: [[Sroda Earring]] (Melee Pacts, BIS and cheap)
* -
* Questionable: [[Kyrene's Earring]] - If you have one laying around and are missing something else
* -
* Questionable: [[Apogee Mitts]] - If unsure that you want to play the job, make a pair of +0s with path C while you try it out. Do not waste money on a +1 pair of these.

|}

== More Advanced Blood Pact Sets ==
{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
Blood Pacts are generally categorized as either physical or magical damage, with the exception that Ifrit's [[Burning Strike]] and [[Flaming Crush]] are considered hybrid damage. 
In the event you have a Nirvana and HQ Apogee pieces at hand, see Pergatory's LUA file above on gear choices while Garland's [[Aftermath]] is up.
#For physical BPs, you will want stats such as BP Damage, Accuracy, Attack, and Pet: Double Attack. 
#For magical BPs, you will want BP Damage, Magic Attack, and perhaps Pet: TP Bonus. Avatars seem to have naturally high magic accuracy for their associated element 
#For hybrid BPs, there is usually a mixture of physical and magical BP stats, with a heavy emphasis on the magical end.
 
None of these sets will include REMA weapons, or very expensive minor upgrades like +2 JSE necks.
 
 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Shulmanu Collar
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Sroda Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Glyphic Doublet +3
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = "Fast Cast" +10%, Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
You can use [[Apogee Attire Set]] +1 boots and hat for your physical set, but with the [[Helios Attire Set]] being easily attainable, I'd really recommend against buying a second pair of Apogee +1 for physical unless you're made of money. The Helios is typically better anyways - just requires some time to augment.

The [[Shulmanu Collar]] is probably not worth chasing just for SMN, as the [[Smn. Collar +1]] is better when fully augmented. Its mostly in this set in case you already have one for a different job.

The [[Sroda Earring]] is BIS as long as you've got enough accuracy in your set. The only reason the [[Beck. Earring +1]] is in mine is because the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] has 0 Pet: Accuracy.

Lastly, with Apollyon points being so accessible due to ???'s being shouted out every 3 days or so, i'd really recommend getting the [[Con. Doublet +4]]. You don't ever need to make the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] like I have, because of previously mentioned accuracy issues.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+60 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+30 "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: Magic Acc, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The [[Apogee Slacks +1]] are only better than the [[Enticer's Pants]] if you have the blood pact fully merited, or have TP over 1500. You don't really need a second pair of these, just stick with the [[Enticer's Pants]].

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] after about lvl 10.

[[Gelos Earring]] is about the same as the [[Beck. Earring]] for merit pacts.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Gelos Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20 Pet: "Double Attack"+4% "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The most important stat for [[Flaming Crush]] is Blood Pact Damage, as its counted twice: once on the physical hits, and once on the magical. That's the the [[Gelos Earring]] is recommended over the [[Beck. Earring]] here. Of course, if you already have a Beck. Earring, there's no reason to do the quest for the [[Gelos Earring]]. The damage difference is pretty minimal.

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] for hybrid pacts earlier than magical - switch as soon as you have some RP on it.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

[[Apogee Slacks +1]] (Path A) should be more damage than (Path D) for [[Flaming Crush]]. However, (Path D) is fine, so this upgrade is fairly unnecessary. With this same logic, the [[Apogee Dalmatica +1]] may be similar damage to the [[Con. Doublet +4]] - but the extra +60 accuracy on that top plays a huge role for [[Flaming Crush]]. If you miss either of the initial melee hits, your overall damage will completely plummet, because the magic hit's damage is based on the first two hits' damage.

Do not fret if you are missing the Omen/Vagary accessories; the bulk of your avatar's damage comes from your armor and weapon choices.

== BP Delay Reduction Gear ==
[[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|Blood Pact delays]] have a combined cap of -30 seconds from player gear and gifts, and no more than -15 seconds can be applied per delay tier. 
Once you have obtained the 500 JP (Superior 3) gift, the HQ [[Sancus Sachet]] and [[Baayami_Attire_Set|Baayami Attire Set]] can help you reach the BP delay cap while providing copious amounts of [[Summoning Magic Skill]]. 
An [[Espiritus]] can provide additional BP delay II if you do not mind potentially losing TP on swapping weapons. 

# Reach the cap of -30 seconds through gear and JP gifts
# Fill remaining slots with Summoning Skill and Favor+ gear to improve [[Avatar's Favor]] tier - the final 'tier' is at 670+ total skill.

{{color|red|style=bold|NOTE: }} Depending on your gearswap file, your BP delay set may be listed as a precast or midcast set. 
The delay set should equip as soon as a BP command is sent, and similarly, your BP damage sets should equip once your avatar begins its BP animation.

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -22 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
More than fully capped BP delay with 1200JP, plus 676 Summoning Magic Skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -18 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 0 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Eminent Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Shomonjijoe
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 100 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 500 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +3
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== Buff Duration / Summoning Skill Scaling Sets ==

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Buff Duration
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*This set gives 676 Summoning skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Summoning Skill +
|CaptionBottom = Alternative items
|Main =
|Sub = Vox Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Baayami Hat
|Neck = Incanter's Torque
|Ear1 = Andoaa Earring
|Ear2 = C. Palug Earring
|Body = Beck. Doublet +2
|Hands = Inyan. Dastanas +2
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Stikini Ring
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Beck. Spats +2
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path D: MP+70, "Summoning Magic Skill" +15, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*The [[Stikini Ring]] and [[Baayami Hat]] are very expensive for little benefit, so i'd recommend against them unless you already have them. They're mostly on this list so all options are shown.
*The [[Beckoner's Attire Set]] has a decent amount of skill, but its probably not worth building just for the skill bonus.

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Elemental Siphon
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Esper Stone +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Beck. Pigaches +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== SMN at a Glance ==
Here is where I attempt to answer questions and grossly generalize SMN at the same time: 

=== Skillchains and Magic Bursts ===
Physical and Hybrid BPs are analogous to player [[Weapon Skill|WSs]] and each have their own [[Summoner#Spells_and_Blood_Pacts|skillchain properties]]. 
Magic BPs are analogous to player spells and can be used in a [[Magic Burst|magic burst]]. 
In general, there is a short delay (just over a second) between using a BP command and when the BP is executed, so time your BPs accordingly.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchains (2-Step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst1
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Mountain Buster]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Gravitation]]
| [[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crag Throw]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Liquefaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Full Swing]]
| [[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Burning Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fusion]]
| [[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Conflag Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=5 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchain (3-step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #2
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #3
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #2
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]]1 [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
|-
| colspan=5|
1 Requires [[Apogee]] to BP twice in a row
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#0F0018"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Multi-SMN Skillchains
|- BGCOLOR="#2A0141"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Eclipse Bite]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]

|}

=== Blood Pacts and when to use them ===
A summary of useful BPs I have encountered for solo and group play. This list is not exhaustive.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#000822"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | I really need to...
|- BGCOLOR="#051549"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Rage
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Ward
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Potential Uses

|-
| Cleave targets
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderspark]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Level ? Holy]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
|
[[Vagary]] 
[[Salvage II| Salvage Farming]] 
[[Colonization_Reive|Colonization Reives]] 
[[Incursion]]

|-
| Curb enemy offense
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Tidal Roar]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Mewing Lullaby]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Eerie Eye]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' attack 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' TP 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Inflicts [[Silence]] and [[Amnesia]]
|-
| Buff party's offense
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crimson Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Inferno Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rolling Thunder]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Hastega_II|Hastega II]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crystal Blessing]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Attack Bonus 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enfire 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enthunder 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Haste II 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]TP Bonus 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Attack Bonus

|-
| Buff party's defense
|
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Armor]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Ward]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Perfect Defense]] [[File:Alexander_GUI.png|link=]] 2 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Frost Armor]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shining Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage mitigation 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Stoneskin 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage reduction 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice Spikes 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Defense+10%, MDT 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Defense Bonus
|-
| Dispel enemy buffs
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Lunar Roar]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Pavor Nocturnus]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[:Yggdreant|Yggdreants]] or [[Belladonna|Belladonna's]] 
[[Glassy Gorger]]

|-
| Sleep nearby enemies
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Nightmare]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Sleepga_(Blood_Pact)|Sleepga]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[Warder of Love]] 
[[Omen]] 
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]

|-
| Stun the enemy
|
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Transfixion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Chaotic Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shock Squall]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Helps [[:Trusts#Gessho|Gessho]] tank CP mobs.
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]
|-
| Heal my party
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Whispering Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Healing Ruby II]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Remove status ailments
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Soothing Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Run really fast
|
|
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Fleet Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Give party member Reraise
|
|
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Reraise II]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Deal hybrid damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Best damage while unresisted - check your monster beforehand. Fire/Magic/High Melee resist will chunk your damage. - example: [[Dynamis - Bastok (D)]](Green pull only)/[[Dynamis - Jeuno (D)]]

|-
| Deal melee damage
|
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]General Melee dmg - example: Reisenjima Helms, but this will be your most used melee blood pact due to the stun. 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Slashing damage - example: [[Yakshi]]/[[Kalunga]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Blunt damage - example: [[Gigelorum]]/[[Gogmagog]] 

|-
| Deal magic damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Geocrush]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Fire damage (Light/Fusion/Liquefaction) 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice damage (Darkness/Distortion/Induration) 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Wind damage (Light/Fragmentation/Detonation) 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Earth damage (Darkness/Gravitation/Scission) 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Thunder damage (Light/Fragmentation/Impaction) 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Water damage (Darkness/Distortion/Reverberation)

|-
| colspan=4|
2 Requires [[Astral Flow]] to activate BP
|}

=== AFAC Strategy ===
Given the large amount of pet stats gained from SMN gifts and JP categories, I highly recommend maxing the [[Astral Flow]]/[[Astral Conduit]] effects and acquiring all the physical BP related stats (1710+ JP) prior to attempting an AFAC. 
Secondly, if you are using Gearswap, ensure that you are not accidentally swapping into a precast or aftercast set during [[Astral Conduit]]. 
At the time of this writing, Pergatory's LUA will equip an idle set following conduit BPs and assumes the user will stagger BPs approximately 1.25 seconds apart. 
If this proves inconvenient, you may opt to equip your BP set and //gs disable all during [[Astral Conduit]] '''[or]''' add code to disable his idle() function calls while conduit is up. 

'''Generic AFAC Algorithm'''
# Receive pre-fight buffs
# Activate [[Avatar's Favor]]
# If using [[Nirvana_(Level_119)|119 Nirvana]], or [[Opashoro]], build 3000 TP and gain [[Aftermath|AM3]] on fodder
# Pop NM
# Wait for GEO bubbles and offensive spells/JAs
# Hit [[Astral Flow]]
# Hit [[Astral Conduit]]
# Spam BPs
# Receive [[Mana Powder]] / [[Mana Mist]] during [[Astral Conduit]] from back line jobs if in [[Escha]] zone
# Watch your mana bar closely during your AFAC, and hit [[Convert]] if you ever drop below 300 - the goal is to get through two full mana bars during your AFAC if possible
# Once [[Astral Conduit]] wears:
# [[Apogee]], then BP (x2)
# Reset [[Apogee]] and [[Astral Flow]] + [[Astral Conduit]] via COR JAs and/or [[Super Revitalizer]] if in [[Escha]] zone
# Repeat until you or the boss dies

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#150101"
! colspan=10 style="text-align: center;" | Job Summary
|- BGCOLOR="#410202"
! width="15%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact
! width="15%" class=unsortable|SMN Food
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Indi-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Geo-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Entrust
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Offensive spells
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #1
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #2
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|RUN JAs
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|BRD Songs

|-
|
[[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]]
| [[Geo-Frailty]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Drachen Roll]]
| [[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]]

|-
| [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Frailty]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]] or [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
|
[[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Impact]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
| [[Companion's Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
| colspan=10|
[[Impact]], [[Odyllic Subterfuge]], and [[Refresh_(Status)|Refresh effects]] may be omitted based on NM and groups' comfort zone.
|-
| colspan=10|
Just use grape daifuku - there are other food options, but grapes are good for everything.
|}

== Acknowledgements ==
I took some of this straight from [https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Prismfang/Sandbox Prismfang's Sandbox], (especially the bottom half with info on what pacts do - I think its much nicer than having two pages open), with edits based on what I think is most realistic for someone newish to the job in 2025-2026.

Thanks to '''Pergatory''' of Asura for providing constructive feedback and all the SMNs on the FFXIAH.com forums for sharing their knowledge.

User:Cii/Sandbox

2025-12-13T08:39:41Z

Cii: /* Skillchains and Magic Bursts */

{{Guide}}
This is just intended to help with getting your summoner to the level where you can start seeing some nice numbers.

{{color|red|style=bold|Recommended GS LUA (and helpful tools) by Pergatory: }} [https://pastebin.com/u/pergatory Link].

== Getting Started ==
As a new level 99 SMN, I recommend focusing your efforts on the following:
# Obtain an [[Epitaph]] or grab an [[Eminent Sachet]] while you work towards your 100 JP gift to equip a [[Sancus Sachet +1]]
# Create [[Blood Pact]] (BP) sets to improve your avatar's maximum damage per offensive ability
# Create a [[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|BP delay]] set to improve the frequency that you can perform Blood Pacts
# Create an idle set with enough [[Avatar perpetuation cost]] - to offset your avatar's constant [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | MP drain/upkeep]], and enough DT- to survive being hit with AOEs in content like Dyna D
# Obtain the 1200 JP Gift and eventually reach Master SMN

An additional note: [[Flaming Crush]] is going to be your highest damage [[Blood Pact]] against almost anything that doesn't resist it. Embrace [[Ifrit]].

== Merits ==

'''Group 1:'''
* Avatar Physical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Physical Attack: 5
* Avatar Magical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Magical Attack: 5
* Summoning Magic Cast Time: Do not merit this. Build a [[Fast Cast]] set instead.

You can switch Magical Attack to Physical Accuracy and vise versa if you feel like you are having a problem with accuracy for a certain [[Blood Pact]] that you're using often. A good example of this is for AFAC strategies on [[Reisenjima]] HELMS - Physical Accuracy is very important there because you almost exclusively use [[Volt Strike]].

'''Group 2:'''
* [[Meteor Strike]]: 5
* [[Heavenly Strike]]: 1
* [[Wind Blade]]: 1
* [[Geocrush]]: 1
* [[Thunderstorm]]: 1
* [[Grand Fall]]: 1

You can merit whichever one of these you're using most often with the full 5 merits, [[Meteor Strike]] is recommended here because of the offensive power of [[Flaming Crush]], and the ability to use [[Apogee]] to burst off of the skillchains it creates.

Good examples of times to merit other blood pacts: [[Geocrush]] for sortie bosses A and E magic burst strat, [[Thunderstorm]] if you're mostly attacking with [[Volt Strike]] from [[Ramuh]], or [[Heavenly Strike]] if you're bursting on [[Darkness]].

== Idle Set ==
Most gearswap files will have a separate set for idling with and without your avatar. 
This set is for the former, and the goal here is to reach the [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | perpetuation cost]] cap of -14 MP/tic first and foremost.
Once you have reached the cap, avatars will cost at most 1 MP/tic, even with [[Avatar's Favor]] up, so your [[Auto Refresh]] will easily cover that.

# Reach the cap of -14 [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | avatar perpetuation cost]] in pet idle set
# Obtain a [[Caller's_Pendant | Caller's Pendant]] to grant your avatar free TP while standing around
# Fill the remaining slots on [[Refresh]] or defense stats afterward.
#* Note that [[Avatar's Favor]] effects are tiered off based on total skill and Favor+ gear.

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Recommended Start
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Eabani Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Physical Damage Taken -10%
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Enmerkar Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Eva.+20/Mag. Eva. +20, Pet: Damage taken -5%, Pet: Mag. Acc. +20/Mag. Dmg. +20, Pet: Regen +10, Pet: Magic Damage +10
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Lengo Pants
|LegsAug = Refresh +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
Both of these sets should be somewhere around -40% DT- (and 10+ refresh!), so a simple swap of one piece ([[Bunzi's Pants]] for example) should be enough for your DT- set to be at or near -50%.
 
 
[[Evoker's Ring]] is good, but very skippable. [[Shadow Ring]] is a fairly easy to obtain tanky alternative for your second slot.
 
 
Most of the pieces listed above and hereafter are interchangeable with their NQ and HQ variants. Customize your set based on available gear.

== Cheapest / Entry Damage Set ==

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Lowest Cost / Bar to Entry
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Gelos Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10 - Pet: Acc, Atk, Macc, Mab help, but keep any +10 BPdmg roll when starting
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Hurch'lan Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+15 Pet: "Double Attack"+3% "Blood Pact" damage +13
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Total Cost: '''
At time of writing (12/12/2025), the above set should be roughly 12mil to complete. (16mil if you get an Elan Strap +1.) If you don't have the money for that, feel free to downgrade items from +1 to +0 - with the apogee at +0, it'll only be about 7mil!
However, the prices on these are pretty low right now, so if you're liking the job i'd focus on getting the +1s here ASAP.

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Required Magic BP Items
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity -6 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+30 Pet: Damage Taken -4%
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist=
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|LegsAug = Huge damage boost to merit (magic) blood pacts
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Other Useful Items'''
* Optional: [[Sancus Sachet +1]] - If you can't get the [[Epitaph]], or already have one, this is actually a better option until the [[Epitaph]] is augmented. However, it costs >2mil, so if money is a concern, try to get that Sgili clear for the [[Epitaph]].
* -
* Optional: [[Shulmanu Collar]] - BIS for melee pacts until a near max JSE neck +1 or +2, if you already have it, great!
* -
* Optional: [[Smn. Collar +1]] - 2nd BIS only to the +2 when fully augmented, and only ~3mil at time of writing. Worth it if you have the funds and are willing to get the RP in Dynamis.
* -
* Optional: [[Apogee Dalmatica]] (Path A) (Magical BP) - the +1 is good, but expensive, and magical only BPs are hardly ever used. Don't spend your money on a +1 unless you get very deep into gearing the job.
* -
* Optional: [[Sroda Earring]] (Melee Pacts, BIS and cheap)
* -
* Questionable: [[Kyrene's Earring]] - If you have one laying around and are missing something else
* -
* Questionable: [[Apogee Mitts]] - If unsure that you want to play the job, make a pair of +0s with path C while you try it out. Do not waste money on a +1 pair of these.

|}

== More Advanced Blood Pact Sets ==
{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
Blood Pacts are generally categorized as either physical or magical damage, with the exception that Ifrit's [[Burning Strike]] and [[Flaming Crush]] are considered hybrid damage. 
In the event you have a Nirvana and HQ Apogee pieces at hand, see Pergatory's LUA file above on gear choices while Garland's [[Aftermath]] is up.
#For physical BPs, you will want stats such as BP Damage, Accuracy, Attack, and Pet: Double Attack. 
#For magical BPs, you will want BP Damage, Magic Attack, and perhaps Pet: TP Bonus. Avatars seem to have naturally high magic accuracy for their associated element 
#For hybrid BPs, there is usually a mixture of physical and magical BP stats, with a heavy emphasis on the magical end.
 
None of these sets will include REMA weapons, or very expensive minor upgrades like +2 JSE necks.
 
 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Shulmanu Collar
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Sroda Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Glyphic Doublet +3
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = "Fast Cast" +10%, Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
You can use [[Apogee Attire Set]] +1 boots and hat for your physical set, but with the [[Helios Attire Set]] being easily attainable, I'd really recommend against buying a second pair of Apogee +1 for physical unless you're made of money. The Helios is typically better anyways - just requires some time to augment.

The [[Shulmanu Collar]] is probably not worth chasing just for SMN, as the [[Smn. Collar +1]] is better when fully augmented. Its mostly in this set in case you already have one for a different job.

The [[Sroda Earring]] is BIS as long as you've got enough accuracy in your set. The only reason the [[Beck. Earring +1]] is in mine is because the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] has 0 Pet: Accuracy.

Lastly, with Apollyon points being so accessible due to ???'s being shouted out every 3 days or so, i'd really recommend getting the [[Con. Doublet +4]]. You don't ever need to make the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] like I have, because of previously mentioned accuracy issues.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+60 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+30 "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: Magic Acc, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The [[Apogee Slacks +1]] are only better than the [[Enticer's Pants]] if you have the blood pact fully merited, or have TP over 1500. You don't really need a second pair of these, just stick with the [[Enticer's Pants]].

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] after about lvl 10.

[[Gelos Earring]] is about the same as the [[Beck. Earring]] for merit pacts.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Gelos Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20 Pet: "Double Attack"+4% "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The most important stat for [[Flaming Crush]] is Blood Pact Damage, as its counted twice: once on the physical hits, and once on the magical. That's the the [[Gelos Earring]] is recommended over the [[Beck. Earring]] here. Of course, if you already have a Beck. Earring, there's no reason to do the quest for the [[Gelos Earring]]. The damage difference is pretty minimal.

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] for hybrid pacts earlier than magical - switch as soon as you have some RP on it.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

[[Apogee Slacks +1]] (Path A) should be more damage than (Path D) for [[Flaming Crush]]. However, (Path D) is fine, so this upgrade is fairly unnecessary. With this same logic, the [[Apogee Dalmatica +1]] may be similar damage to the [[Con. Doublet +4]] - but the extra +60 accuracy on that top plays a huge role for [[Flaming Crush]]. If you miss either of the initial melee hits, your overall damage will completely plummet, because the magic hit's damage is based on the first two hits' damage.

Do not fret if you are missing the Omen/Vagary accessories; the bulk of your avatar's damage comes from your armor and weapon choices.

== BP Delay Reduction Gear ==
[[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|Blood Pact delays]] have a combined cap of -30 seconds from player gear and gifts, and no more than -15 seconds can be applied per delay tier. 
Once you have obtained the 500 JP (Superior 3) gift, the HQ [[Sancus Sachet]] and [[Baayami_Attire_Set|Baayami Attire Set]] can help you reach the BP delay cap while providing copious amounts of [[Summoning Magic Skill]]. 
An [[Espiritus]] can provide additional BP delay II if you do not mind potentially losing TP on swapping weapons. 

# Reach the cap of -30 seconds through gear and JP gifts
# Fill remaining slots with Summoning Skill and Favor+ gear to improve [[Avatar's Favor]] tier - the final 'tier' is at 670+ total skill.

{{color|red|style=bold|NOTE: }} Depending on your gearswap file, your BP delay set may be listed as a precast or midcast set. 
The delay set should equip as soon as a BP command is sent, and similarly, your BP damage sets should equip once your avatar begins its BP animation.

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -22 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
More than fully capped BP delay with 1200JP, plus 676 Summoning Magic Skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -18 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 0 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Eminent Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Shomonjijoe
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 100 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 500 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +3
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== Buff Duration / Summoning Skill Scaling Sets ==

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Buff Duration
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*This set gives 676 Summoning skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Summoning Skill +
|CaptionBottom = Alternative items
|Main =
|Sub = Vox Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Baayami Hat
|Neck = Incanter's Torque
|Ear1 = Andoaa Earring
|Ear2 = C. Palug Earring
|Body = Beck. Doublet +2
|Hands = Inyan. Dastanas +2
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Stikini Ring
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Beck. Spats +2
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path D: MP+70, "Summoning Magic Skill" +15, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*The [[Stikini Ring]] and [[Baayami Hat]] are very expensive for little benefit, so i'd recommend against them unless you already have them. They're mostly on this list so all options are shown.
*The [[Beckoner's Attire Set]] has a decent amount of skill, but its probably not worth building just for the skill bonus.

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Elemental Siphon
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Esper Stone +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Beck. Pigaches +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== SMN at a Glance ==
Here is where I attempt to answer questions and grossly generalize SMN at the same time: 

=== Skillchains and Magic Bursts ===
Physical and Hybrid BPs are analogous to player [[Weapon Skill|WSs]] and each have their own [[Summoner#Spells_and_Blood_Pacts|skillchain properties]]. 
Magic BPs are analogous to player spells and can be used in a [[Magic Burst|magic burst]]. 
In general, there is a short delay (just over a second) between using a BP command and when the BP is executed, so time your BPs accordingly.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchains (2-Step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst1
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Mountain Buster]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Gravitation]]
| [[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crag Throw]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Liquefaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Full Swing]]
| [[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Burning Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fusion]]
| [[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Conflag Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=5 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchain (3-step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #2
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #3
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #2
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]]1 [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
|-
| colspan=5|
1 Requires [[Apogee]] to BP twice in a row
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#0F0018"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Multi-SMN Skillchains
|- BGCOLOR="#2A0141"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Eclipse Bite]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]

|}

=== Blood Pacts and when to use them ===
A summary of useful BPs I have encountered for solo and group play. This list is not exhaustive.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#000822"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | I really need to...
|- BGCOLOR="#051549"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Rage
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Ward
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Potential Uses

|-
| Cleave targets
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderspark]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Level ? Holy]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
|
[[Vagary]] 
[[Salvage II| Salvage Farming]] 
[[Colonization_Reive|Colonization Reives]] 
[[Incursion]]

|-
| Curb enemy offense
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Tidal Roar]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Mewing Lullaby]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Eerie Eye]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' attack 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' TP 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Inflicts [[Silence]] and [[Amnesia]]
|-
| Buff party's offense
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crimson Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Inferno Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rolling Thunder]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Hastega_II|Hastega II]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crystal Blessing]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Attack Bonus 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enfire 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enthunder 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Haste II 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]TP Bonus 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Attack Bonus

|-
| Buff party's defense
|
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Armor]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Ward]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Perfect Defense]] [[File:Alexander_GUI.png|link=]] 2 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Frost Armor]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shining Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage mitigation 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Stoneskin 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage reduction 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice Spikes 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Defense+10%, MDT 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Defense Bonus
|-
| Dispel enemy buffs
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Lunar Roar]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Pavor Nocturnus]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[:Yggdreant|Yggdreants]] or [[Belladonna|Belladonna's]] 
[[Glassy Gorger]]

|-
| Sleep nearby enemies
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Nightmare]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Sleepga_(Blood_Pact)|Sleepga]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[Warder of Love]] 
[[Omen]] 
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]

|-
| Stun the enemy
|
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Transfixion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Chaotic Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shock Squall]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Helps [[:Trusts#Gessho|Gessho]] tank CP mobs.
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]
|-
| Heal my party
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Whispering Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Healing Ruby II]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Remove status ailments
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Soothing Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Run really fast
|
|
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Fleet Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Give party member Reraise
|
|
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Reraise II]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Deal hybrid damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Best damage while unresisted - check your monster beforehand. Fire/Magic/High Melee resist will chunk your damage. - example: [[Dynamis - Bastok (D)]](Green pull only)/[[Dynamis - Jeuno (D)]]

|-
| Deal melee damage
|
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]General Melee dmg - example: Reisenjima Helms, but this will be your most used melee blood pact due to the stun. 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Slashing damage - example: [[Yakshi]]/[[Kalunga]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Blunt damage - example: [[Gigelorum]]/[[Gogmagog]] 

|-
| Deal magic damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Geocrush]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Fire damage (Light/Fusion/Liquefaction) 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice damage (Darkness/Distortion/Induration) 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Wind damage (Light/Fragmentation/Detonation) 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Earth damage (Darkness/Gravitation/Scission) 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Thunder damage (Light/Fragmentation/Impaction) 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Water damage (Darkness/Distortion/Reverberation)

|-
| colspan=4|
2 Requires [[Astral Flow]] to activate BP
|}

=== AFAC Strategy ===
Given the large amount of pet stats gained from SMN gifts and JP categories, I highly recommend maxing the [[Astral Flow]]/[[Astral Conduit]] effects and acquiring all the physical BP related stats (1710+ JP) prior to attempting an AFAC. 
Secondly, if you are using Gearswap, ensure that you are not accidentally swapping into a precast or aftercast set during [[Astral Conduit]]. 
At the time of this writing, Pergatory's LUA will equip an idle set following conduit BPs and assumes the user will stagger BPs approximately 1.25 seconds apart. 
If this proves inconvenient, you may opt to equip your BP set and //gs disable all during [[Astral Conduit]] '''[or]''' add code to disable his idle() function calls while conduit is up. 

'''Generic AFAC Algorithm'''
# Receive pre-fight buffs
# Activate [[Avatar's Favor]]
# If using [[Nirvana_(Level_119)|119 Nirvana]], build 3000 TP and gain [[Aftermath|AM3]] on fodder
# Pop NM
# Wait for GEO bubbles and offensive spells/JAs
# Hit [[Astral Flow]]
# Hit [[Astral Conduit]]
# Spam BPs
# Receive [[Mana Powder]] / [[Mana Mist]] during [[Astral Conduit]] from back line jobs if in [[Escha]] zone
# Watch your mana bar closely during your AFAC, and hit [[Convert]] if you ever drop below 300 - the goal is to get through two full mana bars during your AFAC if possible
# Once [[Astral Conduit]] wears:
# [[Apogee]], then BP (x2)
# Reset [[Apogee]] and [[Astral Flow]] + [[Astral Conduit]] via COR JAs and/or [[Super Revitalizer]] if in [[Escha]] zone
# Repeat until you or the boss dies

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#150101"
! colspan=10 style="text-align: center;" | Job Summary
|- BGCOLOR="#410202"
! width="15%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact
! width="15%" class=unsortable|SMN Food
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Indi-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Geo-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Entrust
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Offensive spells
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #1
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #2
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|RUN JAs
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|BRD Songs

|-
|
[[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]]
| [[Geo-Frailty]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Drachen Roll]]
| [[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]]

|-
| [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Frailty]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]] or [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
|
[[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Impact]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
| [[Companion's Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
| colspan=10|
[[Impact]], [[Odyllic Subterfuge]], and [[Refresh_(Status)|Refresh effects]] may be omitted based on NM and groups' comfort zone.
|-
| colspan=10|
Just use grape daifuku - there are other food options, but grapes are good for everything.
|}

== Acknowledgements ==
I took some of this straight from [https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Prismfang/Sandbox Prismfang's Sandbox], (especially the bottom half with info on what pacts do - I think its much nicer than having two pages open), with edits based on what I think is most realistic for someone newish to the job in 2025-2026.

Thanks to '''Pergatory''' of Asura for providing constructive feedback and all the SMNs on the FFXIAH.com forums for sharing their knowledge.

User:Cii/Sandbox

2025-12-13T08:39:25Z

Cii: /* Skillchains and Magic Bursts */

{{Guide}}
This is just intended to help with getting your summoner to the level where you can start seeing some nice numbers.

{{color|red|style=bold|Recommended GS LUA (and helpful tools) by Pergatory: }} [https://pastebin.com/u/pergatory Link].

== Getting Started ==
As a new level 99 SMN, I recommend focusing your efforts on the following:
# Obtain an [[Epitaph]] or grab an [[Eminent Sachet]] while you work towards your 100 JP gift to equip a [[Sancus Sachet +1]]
# Create [[Blood Pact]] (BP) sets to improve your avatar's maximum damage per offensive ability
# Create a [[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|BP delay]] set to improve the frequency that you can perform Blood Pacts
# Create an idle set with enough [[Avatar perpetuation cost]] - to offset your avatar's constant [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | MP drain/upkeep]], and enough DT- to survive being hit with AOEs in content like Dyna D
# Obtain the 1200 JP Gift and eventually reach Master SMN

An additional note: [[Flaming Crush]] is going to be your highest damage [[Blood Pact]] against almost anything that doesn't resist it. Embrace [[Ifrit]].

== Merits ==

'''Group 1:'''
* Avatar Physical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Physical Attack: 5
* Avatar Magical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Magical Attack: 5
* Summoning Magic Cast Time: Do not merit this. Build a [[Fast Cast]] set instead.

You can switch Magical Attack to Physical Accuracy and vise versa if you feel like you are having a problem with accuracy for a certain [[Blood Pact]] that you're using often. A good example of this is for AFAC strategies on [[Reisenjima]] HELMS - Physical Accuracy is very important there because you almost exclusively use [[Volt Strike]].

'''Group 2:'''
* [[Meteor Strike]]: 5
* [[Heavenly Strike]]: 1
* [[Wind Blade]]: 1
* [[Geocrush]]: 1
* [[Thunderstorm]]: 1
* [[Grand Fall]]: 1

You can merit whichever one of these you're using most often with the full 5 merits, [[Meteor Strike]] is recommended here because of the offensive power of [[Flaming Crush]], and the ability to use [[Apogee]] to burst off of the skillchains it creates.

Good examples of times to merit other blood pacts: [[Geocrush]] for sortie bosses A and E magic burst strat, [[Thunderstorm]] if you're mostly attacking with [[Volt Strike]] from [[Ramuh]], or [[Heavenly Strike]] if you're bursting on [[Darkness]].

== Idle Set ==
Most gearswap files will have a separate set for idling with and without your avatar. 
This set is for the former, and the goal here is to reach the [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | perpetuation cost]] cap of -14 MP/tic first and foremost.
Once you have reached the cap, avatars will cost at most 1 MP/tic, even with [[Avatar's Favor]] up, so your [[Auto Refresh]] will easily cover that.

# Reach the cap of -14 [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | avatar perpetuation cost]] in pet idle set
# Obtain a [[Caller's_Pendant | Caller's Pendant]] to grant your avatar free TP while standing around
# Fill the remaining slots on [[Refresh]] or defense stats afterward.
#* Note that [[Avatar's Favor]] effects are tiered off based on total skill and Favor+ gear.

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Recommended Start
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Eabani Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Physical Damage Taken -10%
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Enmerkar Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Eva.+20/Mag. Eva. +20, Pet: Damage taken -5%, Pet: Mag. Acc. +20/Mag. Dmg. +20, Pet: Regen +10, Pet: Magic Damage +10
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Lengo Pants
|LegsAug = Refresh +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
Both of these sets should be somewhere around -40% DT- (and 10+ refresh!), so a simple swap of one piece ([[Bunzi's Pants]] for example) should be enough for your DT- set to be at or near -50%.
 
 
[[Evoker's Ring]] is good, but very skippable. [[Shadow Ring]] is a fairly easy to obtain tanky alternative for your second slot.
 
 
Most of the pieces listed above and hereafter are interchangeable with their NQ and HQ variants. Customize your set based on available gear.

== Cheapest / Entry Damage Set ==

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Lowest Cost / Bar to Entry
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Gelos Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10 - Pet: Acc, Atk, Macc, Mab help, but keep any +10 BPdmg roll when starting
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Hurch'lan Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+15 Pet: "Double Attack"+3% "Blood Pact" damage +13
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Total Cost: '''
At time of writing (12/12/2025), the above set should be roughly 12mil to complete. (16mil if you get an Elan Strap +1.) If you don't have the money for that, feel free to downgrade items from +1 to +0 - with the apogee at +0, it'll only be about 7mil!
However, the prices on these are pretty low right now, so if you're liking the job i'd focus on getting the +1s here ASAP.

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Required Magic BP Items
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity -6 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+30 Pet: Damage Taken -4%
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist=
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|LegsAug = Huge damage boost to merit (magic) blood pacts
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Other Useful Items'''
* Optional: [[Sancus Sachet +1]] - If you can't get the [[Epitaph]], or already have one, this is actually a better option until the [[Epitaph]] is augmented. However, it costs >2mil, so if money is a concern, try to get that Sgili clear for the [[Epitaph]].
* -
* Optional: [[Shulmanu Collar]] - BIS for melee pacts until a near max JSE neck +1 or +2, if you already have it, great!
* -
* Optional: [[Smn. Collar +1]] - 2nd BIS only to the +2 when fully augmented, and only ~3mil at time of writing. Worth it if you have the funds and are willing to get the RP in Dynamis.
* -
* Optional: [[Apogee Dalmatica]] (Path A) (Magical BP) - the +1 is good, but expensive, and magical only BPs are hardly ever used. Don't spend your money on a +1 unless you get very deep into gearing the job.
* -
* Optional: [[Sroda Earring]] (Melee Pacts, BIS and cheap)
* -
* Questionable: [[Kyrene's Earring]] - If you have one laying around and are missing something else
* -
* Questionable: [[Apogee Mitts]] - If unsure that you want to play the job, make a pair of +0s with path C while you try it out. Do not waste money on a +1 pair of these.

|}

== More Advanced Blood Pact Sets ==
{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
Blood Pacts are generally categorized as either physical or magical damage, with the exception that Ifrit's [[Burning Strike]] and [[Flaming Crush]] are considered hybrid damage. 
In the event you have a Nirvana and HQ Apogee pieces at hand, see Pergatory's LUA file above on gear choices while Garland's [[Aftermath]] is up.
#For physical BPs, you will want stats such as BP Damage, Accuracy, Attack, and Pet: Double Attack. 
#For magical BPs, you will want BP Damage, Magic Attack, and perhaps Pet: TP Bonus. Avatars seem to have naturally high magic accuracy for their associated element 
#For hybrid BPs, there is usually a mixture of physical and magical BP stats, with a heavy emphasis on the magical end.
 
None of these sets will include REMA weapons, or very expensive minor upgrades like +2 JSE necks.
 
 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Shulmanu Collar
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Sroda Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Glyphic Doublet +3
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = "Fast Cast" +10%, Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
You can use [[Apogee Attire Set]] +1 boots and hat for your physical set, but with the [[Helios Attire Set]] being easily attainable, I'd really recommend against buying a second pair of Apogee +1 for physical unless you're made of money. The Helios is typically better anyways - just requires some time to augment.

The [[Shulmanu Collar]] is probably not worth chasing just for SMN, as the [[Smn. Collar +1]] is better when fully augmented. Its mostly in this set in case you already have one for a different job.

The [[Sroda Earring]] is BIS as long as you've got enough accuracy in your set. The only reason the [[Beck. Earring +1]] is in mine is because the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] has 0 Pet: Accuracy.

Lastly, with Apollyon points being so accessible due to ???'s being shouted out every 3 days or so, i'd really recommend getting the [[Con. Doublet +4]]. You don't ever need to make the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] like I have, because of previously mentioned accuracy issues.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+60 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+30 "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: Magic Acc, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The [[Apogee Slacks +1]] are only better than the [[Enticer's Pants]] if you have the blood pact fully merited, or have TP over 1500. You don't really need a second pair of these, just stick with the [[Enticer's Pants]].

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] after about lvl 10.

[[Gelos Earring]] is about the same as the [[Beck. Earring]] for merit pacts.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Gelos Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20 Pet: "Double Attack"+4% "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The most important stat for [[Flaming Crush]] is Blood Pact Damage, as its counted twice: once on the physical hits, and once on the magical. That's the the [[Gelos Earring]] is recommended over the [[Beck. Earring]] here. Of course, if you already have a Beck. Earring, there's no reason to do the quest for the [[Gelos Earring]]. The damage difference is pretty minimal.

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] for hybrid pacts earlier than magical - switch as soon as you have some RP on it.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

[[Apogee Slacks +1]] (Path A) should be more damage than (Path D) for [[Flaming Crush]]. However, (Path D) is fine, so this upgrade is fairly unnecessary. With this same logic, the [[Apogee Dalmatica +1]] may be similar damage to the [[Con. Doublet +4]] - but the extra +60 accuracy on that top plays a huge role for [[Flaming Crush]]. If you miss either of the initial melee hits, your overall damage will completely plummet, because the magic hit's damage is based on the first two hits' damage.

Do not fret if you are missing the Omen/Vagary accessories; the bulk of your avatar's damage comes from your armor and weapon choices.

== BP Delay Reduction Gear ==
[[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|Blood Pact delays]] have a combined cap of -30 seconds from player gear and gifts, and no more than -15 seconds can be applied per delay tier. 
Once you have obtained the 500 JP (Superior 3) gift, the HQ [[Sancus Sachet]] and [[Baayami_Attire_Set|Baayami Attire Set]] can help you reach the BP delay cap while providing copious amounts of [[Summoning Magic Skill]]. 
An [[Espiritus]] can provide additional BP delay II if you do not mind potentially losing TP on swapping weapons. 

# Reach the cap of -30 seconds through gear and JP gifts
# Fill remaining slots with Summoning Skill and Favor+ gear to improve [[Avatar's Favor]] tier - the final 'tier' is at 670+ total skill.

{{color|red|style=bold|NOTE: }} Depending on your gearswap file, your BP delay set may be listed as a precast or midcast set. 
The delay set should equip as soon as a BP command is sent, and similarly, your BP damage sets should equip once your avatar begins its BP animation.

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -22 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
More than fully capped BP delay with 1200JP, plus 676 Summoning Magic Skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -18 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 0 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Eminent Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Shomonjijoe
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 100 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 500 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +3
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== Buff Duration / Summoning Skill Scaling Sets ==

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Buff Duration
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*This set gives 676 Summoning skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Summoning Skill +
|CaptionBottom = Alternative items
|Main =
|Sub = Vox Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Baayami Hat
|Neck = Incanter's Torque
|Ear1 = Andoaa Earring
|Ear2 = C. Palug Earring
|Body = Beck. Doublet +2
|Hands = Inyan. Dastanas +2
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Stikini Ring
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Beck. Spats +2
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path D: MP+70, "Summoning Magic Skill" +15, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*The [[Stikini Ring]] and [[Baayami Hat]] are very expensive for little benefit, so i'd recommend against them unless you already have them. They're mostly on this list so all options are shown.
*The [[Beckoner's Attire Set]] has a decent amount of skill, but its probably not worth building just for the skill bonus.

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Elemental Siphon
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Esper Stone +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Beck. Pigaches +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== SMN at a Glance ==
Here is where I attempt to answer questions and grossly generalize SMN at the same time: 

=== Skillchains and Magic Bursts ===
Physical and Hybrid BPs are analogous to player [[Weapon Skill|WSs]] and each have their own [[Summoner#Spells_and_Blood_Pacts|skillchain properties]]. 
Magic BPs are analogous to player spells and can be used in a [[Magic Burst|magic burst]]. 
In general, there is a short delay (just over a second) between using a BP command when the BP is executed, so time your BPs accordingly.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchains (2-Step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst1
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Mountain Buster]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Gravitation]]
| [[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crag Throw]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Liquefaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Full Swing]]
| [[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Burning Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fusion]]
| [[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Conflag Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=5 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchain (3-step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #2
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #3
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #2
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]]1 [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
|-
| colspan=5|
1 Requires [[Apogee]] to BP twice in a row
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#0F0018"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Multi-SMN Skillchains
|- BGCOLOR="#2A0141"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Eclipse Bite]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]

|}

=== Blood Pacts and when to use them ===
A summary of useful BPs I have encountered for solo and group play. This list is not exhaustive.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#000822"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | I really need to...
|- BGCOLOR="#051549"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Rage
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Ward
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Potential Uses

|-
| Cleave targets
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderspark]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Level ? Holy]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
|
[[Vagary]] 
[[Salvage II| Salvage Farming]] 
[[Colonization_Reive|Colonization Reives]] 
[[Incursion]]

|-
| Curb enemy offense
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Tidal Roar]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Mewing Lullaby]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Eerie Eye]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' attack 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' TP 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Inflicts [[Silence]] and [[Amnesia]]
|-
| Buff party's offense
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crimson Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Inferno Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rolling Thunder]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Hastega_II|Hastega II]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crystal Blessing]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Attack Bonus 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enfire 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enthunder 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Haste II 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]TP Bonus 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Attack Bonus

|-
| Buff party's defense
|
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Armor]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Ward]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Perfect Defense]] [[File:Alexander_GUI.png|link=]] 2 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Frost Armor]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shining Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage mitigation 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Stoneskin 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage reduction 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice Spikes 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Defense+10%, MDT 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Defense Bonus
|-
| Dispel enemy buffs
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Lunar Roar]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Pavor Nocturnus]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[:Yggdreant|Yggdreants]] or [[Belladonna|Belladonna's]] 
[[Glassy Gorger]]

|-
| Sleep nearby enemies
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Nightmare]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Sleepga_(Blood_Pact)|Sleepga]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[Warder of Love]] 
[[Omen]] 
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]

|-
| Stun the enemy
|
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Transfixion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Chaotic Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shock Squall]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Helps [[:Trusts#Gessho|Gessho]] tank CP mobs.
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]
|-
| Heal my party
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Whispering Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Healing Ruby II]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Remove status ailments
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Soothing Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Run really fast
|
|
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Fleet Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Give party member Reraise
|
|
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Reraise II]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Deal hybrid damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Best damage while unresisted - check your monster beforehand. Fire/Magic/High Melee resist will chunk your damage. - example: [[Dynamis - Bastok (D)]](Green pull only)/[[Dynamis - Jeuno (D)]]

|-
| Deal melee damage
|
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]General Melee dmg - example: Reisenjima Helms, but this will be your most used melee blood pact due to the stun. 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Slashing damage - example: [[Yakshi]]/[[Kalunga]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Blunt damage - example: [[Gigelorum]]/[[Gogmagog]] 

|-
| Deal magic damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Geocrush]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Fire damage (Light/Fusion/Liquefaction) 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice damage (Darkness/Distortion/Induration) 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Wind damage (Light/Fragmentation/Detonation) 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Earth damage (Darkness/Gravitation/Scission) 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Thunder damage (Light/Fragmentation/Impaction) 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Water damage (Darkness/Distortion/Reverberation)

|-
| colspan=4|
2 Requires [[Astral Flow]] to activate BP
|}

=== AFAC Strategy ===
Given the large amount of pet stats gained from SMN gifts and JP categories, I highly recommend maxing the [[Astral Flow]]/[[Astral Conduit]] effects and acquiring all the physical BP related stats (1710+ JP) prior to attempting an AFAC. 
Secondly, if you are using Gearswap, ensure that you are not accidentally swapping into a precast or aftercast set during [[Astral Conduit]]. 
At the time of this writing, Pergatory's LUA will equip an idle set following conduit BPs and assumes the user will stagger BPs approximately 1.25 seconds apart. 
If this proves inconvenient, you may opt to equip your BP set and //gs disable all during [[Astral Conduit]] '''[or]''' add code to disable his idle() function calls while conduit is up. 

'''Generic AFAC Algorithm'''
# Receive pre-fight buffs
# Activate [[Avatar's Favor]]
# If using [[Nirvana_(Level_119)|119 Nirvana]], build 3000 TP and gain [[Aftermath|AM3]] on fodder
# Pop NM
# Wait for GEO bubbles and offensive spells/JAs
# Hit [[Astral Flow]]
# Hit [[Astral Conduit]]
# Spam BPs
# Receive [[Mana Powder]] / [[Mana Mist]] during [[Astral Conduit]] from back line jobs if in [[Escha]] zone
# Watch your mana bar closely during your AFAC, and hit [[Convert]] if you ever drop below 300 - the goal is to get through two full mana bars during your AFAC if possible
# Once [[Astral Conduit]] wears:
# [[Apogee]], then BP (x2)
# Reset [[Apogee]] and [[Astral Flow]] + [[Astral Conduit]] via COR JAs and/or [[Super Revitalizer]] if in [[Escha]] zone
# Repeat until you or the boss dies

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#150101"
! colspan=10 style="text-align: center;" | Job Summary
|- BGCOLOR="#410202"
! width="15%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact
! width="15%" class=unsortable|SMN Food
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Indi-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Geo-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Entrust
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Offensive spells
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #1
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #2
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|RUN JAs
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|BRD Songs

|-
|
[[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]]
| [[Geo-Frailty]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Drachen Roll]]
| [[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]]

|-
| [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Frailty]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]] or [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
|
[[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Impact]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
| [[Companion's Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
| colspan=10|
[[Impact]], [[Odyllic Subterfuge]], and [[Refresh_(Status)|Refresh effects]] may be omitted based on NM and groups' comfort zone.
|-
| colspan=10|
Just use grape daifuku - there are other food options, but grapes are good for everything.
|}

== Acknowledgements ==
I took some of this straight from [https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Prismfang/Sandbox Prismfang's Sandbox], (especially the bottom half with info on what pacts do - I think its much nicer than having two pages open), with edits based on what I think is most realistic for someone newish to the job in 2025-2026.

Thanks to '''Pergatory''' of Asura for providing constructive feedback and all the SMNs on the FFXIAH.com forums for sharing their knowledge.

User:Cii/Sandbox

2025-12-13T08:33:04Z

Cii: /* More Advanced Blood Pact Sets */

{{Guide}}
This is just intended to help with getting your summoner to the level where you can start seeing some nice numbers.

{{color|red|style=bold|Recommended GS LUA (and helpful tools) by Pergatory: }} [https://pastebin.com/u/pergatory Link].

== Getting Started ==
As a new level 99 SMN, I recommend focusing your efforts on the following:
# Obtain an [[Epitaph]] or grab an [[Eminent Sachet]] while you work towards your 100 JP gift to equip a [[Sancus Sachet +1]]
# Create [[Blood Pact]] (BP) sets to improve your avatar's maximum damage per offensive ability
# Create a [[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|BP delay]] set to improve the frequency that you can perform Blood Pacts
# Create an idle set with enough [[Avatar perpetuation cost]] - to offset your avatar's constant [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | MP drain/upkeep]], and enough DT- to survive being hit with AOEs in content like Dyna D
# Obtain the 1200 JP Gift and eventually reach Master SMN

An additional note: [[Flaming Crush]] is going to be your highest damage [[Blood Pact]] against almost anything that doesn't resist it. Embrace [[Ifrit]].

== Merits ==

'''Group 1:'''
* Avatar Physical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Physical Attack: 5
* Avatar Magical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Magical Attack: 5
* Summoning Magic Cast Time: Do not merit this. Build a [[Fast Cast]] set instead.

You can switch Magical Attack to Physical Accuracy and vise versa if you feel like you are having a problem with accuracy for a certain [[Blood Pact]] that you're using often. A good example of this is for AFAC strategies on [[Reisenjima]] HELMS - Physical Accuracy is very important there because you almost exclusively use [[Volt Strike]].

'''Group 2:'''
* [[Meteor Strike]]: 5
* [[Heavenly Strike]]: 1
* [[Wind Blade]]: 1
* [[Geocrush]]: 1
* [[Thunderstorm]]: 1
* [[Grand Fall]]: 1

You can merit whichever one of these you're using most often with the full 5 merits, [[Meteor Strike]] is recommended here because of the offensive power of [[Flaming Crush]], and the ability to use [[Apogee]] to burst off of the skillchains it creates.

Good examples of times to merit other blood pacts: [[Geocrush]] for sortie bosses A and E magic burst strat, [[Thunderstorm]] if you're mostly attacking with [[Volt Strike]] from [[Ramuh]], or [[Heavenly Strike]] if you're bursting on [[Darkness]].

== Idle Set ==
Most gearswap files will have a separate set for idling with and without your avatar. 
This set is for the former, and the goal here is to reach the [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | perpetuation cost]] cap of -14 MP/tic first and foremost.
Once you have reached the cap, avatars will cost at most 1 MP/tic, even with [[Avatar's Favor]] up, so your [[Auto Refresh]] will easily cover that.

# Reach the cap of -14 [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | avatar perpetuation cost]] in pet idle set
# Obtain a [[Caller's_Pendant | Caller's Pendant]] to grant your avatar free TP while standing around
# Fill the remaining slots on [[Refresh]] or defense stats afterward.
#* Note that [[Avatar's Favor]] effects are tiered off based on total skill and Favor+ gear.

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Recommended Start
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Eabani Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Physical Damage Taken -10%
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Enmerkar Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Eva.+20/Mag. Eva. +20, Pet: Damage taken -5%, Pet: Mag. Acc. +20/Mag. Dmg. +20, Pet: Regen +10, Pet: Magic Damage +10
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Lengo Pants
|LegsAug = Refresh +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
Both of these sets should be somewhere around -40% DT- (and 10+ refresh!), so a simple swap of one piece ([[Bunzi's Pants]] for example) should be enough for your DT- set to be at or near -50%.
 
 
[[Evoker's Ring]] is good, but very skippable. [[Shadow Ring]] is a fairly easy to obtain tanky alternative for your second slot.
 
 
Most of the pieces listed above and hereafter are interchangeable with their NQ and HQ variants. Customize your set based on available gear.

== Cheapest / Entry Damage Set ==

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Lowest Cost / Bar to Entry
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Gelos Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10 - Pet: Acc, Atk, Macc, Mab help, but keep any +10 BPdmg roll when starting
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Hurch'lan Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+15 Pet: "Double Attack"+3% "Blood Pact" damage +13
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Total Cost: '''
At time of writing (12/12/2025), the above set should be roughly 12mil to complete. (16mil if you get an Elan Strap +1.) If you don't have the money for that, feel free to downgrade items from +1 to +0 - with the apogee at +0, it'll only be about 7mil!
However, the prices on these are pretty low right now, so if you're liking the job i'd focus on getting the +1s here ASAP.

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Required Magic BP Items
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity -6 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+30 Pet: Damage Taken -4%
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist=
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|LegsAug = Huge damage boost to merit (magic) blood pacts
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Other Useful Items'''
* Optional: [[Sancus Sachet +1]] - If you can't get the [[Epitaph]], or already have one, this is actually a better option until the [[Epitaph]] is augmented. However, it costs >2mil, so if money is a concern, try to get that Sgili clear for the [[Epitaph]].
* -
* Optional: [[Shulmanu Collar]] - BIS for melee pacts until a near max JSE neck +1 or +2, if you already have it, great!
* -
* Optional: [[Smn. Collar +1]] - 2nd BIS only to the +2 when fully augmented, and only ~3mil at time of writing. Worth it if you have the funds and are willing to get the RP in Dynamis.
* -
* Optional: [[Apogee Dalmatica]] (Path A) (Magical BP) - the +1 is good, but expensive, and magical only BPs are hardly ever used. Don't spend your money on a +1 unless you get very deep into gearing the job.
* -
* Optional: [[Sroda Earring]] (Melee Pacts, BIS and cheap)
* -
* Questionable: [[Kyrene's Earring]] - If you have one laying around and are missing something else
* -
* Questionable: [[Apogee Mitts]] - If unsure that you want to play the job, make a pair of +0s with path C while you try it out. Do not waste money on a +1 pair of these.

|}

== More Advanced Blood Pact Sets ==
{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
Blood Pacts are generally categorized as either physical or magical damage, with the exception that Ifrit's [[Burning Strike]] and [[Flaming Crush]] are considered hybrid damage. 
In the event you have a Nirvana and HQ Apogee pieces at hand, see Pergatory's LUA file above on gear choices while Garland's [[Aftermath]] is up.
#For physical BPs, you will want stats such as BP Damage, Accuracy, Attack, and Pet: Double Attack. 
#For magical BPs, you will want BP Damage, Magic Attack, and perhaps Pet: TP Bonus. Avatars seem to have naturally high magic accuracy for their associated element 
#For hybrid BPs, there is usually a mixture of physical and magical BP stats, with a heavy emphasis on the magical end.
 
None of these sets will include REMA weapons, or very expensive minor upgrades like +2 JSE necks.
 
 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Shulmanu Collar
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Sroda Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Glyphic Doublet +3
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = "Fast Cast" +10%, Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
You can use [[Apogee Attire Set]] +1 boots and hat for your physical set, but with the [[Helios Attire Set]] being easily attainable, I'd really recommend against buying a second pair of Apogee +1 for physical unless you're made of money. The Helios is typically better anyways - just requires some time to augment.

The [[Shulmanu Collar]] is probably not worth chasing just for SMN, as the [[Smn. Collar +1]] is better when fully augmented. Its mostly in this set in case you already have one for a different job.

The [[Sroda Earring]] is BIS as long as you've got enough accuracy in your set. The only reason the [[Beck. Earring +1]] is in mine is because the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] has 0 Pet: Accuracy.

Lastly, with Apollyon points being so accessible due to ???'s being shouted out every 3 days or so, i'd really recommend getting the [[Con. Doublet +4]]. You don't ever need to make the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] like I have, because of previously mentioned accuracy issues.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+60 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+30 "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: Magic Acc, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The [[Apogee Slacks +1]] are only better than the [[Enticer's Pants]] if you have the blood pact fully merited, or have TP over 1500. You don't really need a second pair of these, just stick with the [[Enticer's Pants]].

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] after about lvl 10.

[[Gelos Earring]] is about the same as the [[Beck. Earring]] for merit pacts.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Gelos Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20 Pet: "Double Attack"+4% "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The most important stat for [[Flaming Crush]] is Blood Pact Damage, as its counted twice: once on the physical hits, and once on the magical. That's the the [[Gelos Earring]] is recommended over the [[Beck. Earring]] here. Of course, if you already have a Beck. Earring, there's no reason to do the quest for the [[Gelos Earring]]. The damage difference is pretty minimal.

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] for hybrid pacts earlier than magical - switch as soon as you have some RP on it.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

[[Apogee Slacks +1]] (Path A) should be more damage than (Path D) for [[Flaming Crush]]. However, (Path D) is fine, so this upgrade is fairly unnecessary. With this same logic, the [[Apogee Dalmatica +1]] may be similar damage to the [[Con. Doublet +4]] - but the extra +60 accuracy on that top plays a huge role for [[Flaming Crush]]. If you miss either of the initial melee hits, your overall damage will completely plummet, because the magic hit's damage is based on the first two hits' damage.

Do not fret if you are missing the Omen/Vagary accessories; the bulk of your avatar's damage comes from your armor and weapon choices.

== BP Delay Reduction Gear ==
[[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|Blood Pact delays]] have a combined cap of -30 seconds from player gear and gifts, and no more than -15 seconds can be applied per delay tier. 
Once you have obtained the 500 JP (Superior 3) gift, the HQ [[Sancus Sachet]] and [[Baayami_Attire_Set|Baayami Attire Set]] can help you reach the BP delay cap while providing copious amounts of [[Summoning Magic Skill]]. 
An [[Espiritus]] can provide additional BP delay II if you do not mind potentially losing TP on swapping weapons. 

# Reach the cap of -30 seconds through gear and JP gifts
# Fill remaining slots with Summoning Skill and Favor+ gear to improve [[Avatar's Favor]] tier - the final 'tier' is at 670+ total skill.

{{color|red|style=bold|NOTE: }} Depending on your gearswap file, your BP delay set may be listed as a precast or midcast set. 
The delay set should equip as soon as a BP command is sent, and similarly, your BP damage sets should equip once your avatar begins its BP animation.

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -22 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
More than fully capped BP delay with 1200JP, plus 676 Summoning Magic Skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -18 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 0 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Eminent Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Shomonjijoe
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 100 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 500 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +3
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== Buff Duration / Summoning Skill Scaling Sets ==

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Buff Duration
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*This set gives 676 Summoning skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Summoning Skill +
|CaptionBottom = Alternative items
|Main =
|Sub = Vox Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Baayami Hat
|Neck = Incanter's Torque
|Ear1 = Andoaa Earring
|Ear2 = C. Palug Earring
|Body = Beck. Doublet +2
|Hands = Inyan. Dastanas +2
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Stikini Ring
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Beck. Spats +2
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path D: MP+70, "Summoning Magic Skill" +15, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*The [[Stikini Ring]] and [[Baayami Hat]] are very expensive for little benefit, so i'd recommend against them unless you already have them. They're mostly on this list so all options are shown.
*The [[Beckoner's Attire Set]] has a decent amount of skill, but its probably not worth building just for the skill bonus.

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Elemental Siphon
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Esper Stone +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Beck. Pigaches +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== SMN at a Glance ==
Here is where I attempt to answer questions and grossly generalize SMN at the same time: 

=== Skillchains and Magic Bursts ===
Physical and Hybrid BPs are analogous to player [[Weapon Skill|WSs]] and each have their own [[Summoner#Spells_and_Blood_Pacts|skillchain properties]]. 
Magic BPs are analogous to player spells and can be used in a [[Magic Burst|magic burst]]. 
In general, there is a short delay between using a BP command when the BP is executed, so time your BPs accordingly.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchains (2-Step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst1
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Mountain Buster]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Gravitation]]
| [[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crag Throw]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Liquefaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Full Swing]]
| [[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Burning Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fusion]]
| [[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Conflag Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=5 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchain (3-step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #2
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #3
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #2
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]]1 [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
|-
| colspan=5|
1 Requires [[Apogee]] to BP twice in a row
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#0F0018"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Multi-SMN Skillchains
|- BGCOLOR="#2A0141"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Eclipse Bite]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]

|}

=== Blood Pacts and when to use them ===
A summary of useful BPs I have encountered for solo and group play. This list is not exhaustive.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#000822"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | I really need to...
|- BGCOLOR="#051549"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Rage
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Ward
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Potential Uses

|-
| Cleave targets
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderspark]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Level ? Holy]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
|
[[Vagary]] 
[[Salvage II| Salvage Farming]] 
[[Colonization_Reive|Colonization Reives]] 
[[Incursion]]

|-
| Curb enemy offense
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Tidal Roar]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Mewing Lullaby]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Eerie Eye]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' attack 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' TP 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Inflicts [[Silence]] and [[Amnesia]]
|-
| Buff party's offense
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crimson Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Inferno Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rolling Thunder]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Hastega_II|Hastega II]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crystal Blessing]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Attack Bonus 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enfire 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enthunder 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Haste II 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]TP Bonus 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Attack Bonus

|-
| Buff party's defense
|
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Armor]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Ward]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Perfect Defense]] [[File:Alexander_GUI.png|link=]] 2 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Frost Armor]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shining Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage mitigation 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Stoneskin 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage reduction 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice Spikes 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Defense+10%, MDT 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Defense Bonus
|-
| Dispel enemy buffs
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Lunar Roar]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Pavor Nocturnus]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[:Yggdreant|Yggdreants]] or [[Belladonna|Belladonna's]] 
[[Glassy Gorger]]

|-
| Sleep nearby enemies
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Nightmare]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Sleepga_(Blood_Pact)|Sleepga]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[Warder of Love]] 
[[Omen]] 
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]

|-
| Stun the enemy
|
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Transfixion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Chaotic Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shock Squall]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Helps [[:Trusts#Gessho|Gessho]] tank CP mobs.
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]
|-
| Heal my party
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Whispering Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Healing Ruby II]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Remove status ailments
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Soothing Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Run really fast
|
|
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Fleet Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Give party member Reraise
|
|
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Reraise II]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Deal hybrid damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Best damage while unresisted - check your monster beforehand. Fire/Magic/High Melee resist will chunk your damage. - example: [[Dynamis - Bastok (D)]](Green pull only)/[[Dynamis - Jeuno (D)]]

|-
| Deal melee damage
|
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]General Melee dmg - example: Reisenjima Helms, but this will be your most used melee blood pact due to the stun. 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Slashing damage - example: [[Yakshi]]/[[Kalunga]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Blunt damage - example: [[Gigelorum]]/[[Gogmagog]] 

|-
| Deal magic damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Geocrush]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Fire damage (Light/Fusion/Liquefaction) 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice damage (Darkness/Distortion/Induration) 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Wind damage (Light/Fragmentation/Detonation) 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Earth damage (Darkness/Gravitation/Scission) 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Thunder damage (Light/Fragmentation/Impaction) 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Water damage (Darkness/Distortion/Reverberation)

|-
| colspan=4|
2 Requires [[Astral Flow]] to activate BP
|}

=== AFAC Strategy ===
Given the large amount of pet stats gained from SMN gifts and JP categories, I highly recommend maxing the [[Astral Flow]]/[[Astral Conduit]] effects and acquiring all the physical BP related stats (1710+ JP) prior to attempting an AFAC. 
Secondly, if you are using Gearswap, ensure that you are not accidentally swapping into a precast or aftercast set during [[Astral Conduit]]. 
At the time of this writing, Pergatory's LUA will equip an idle set following conduit BPs and assumes the user will stagger BPs approximately 1.25 seconds apart. 
If this proves inconvenient, you may opt to equip your BP set and //gs disable all during [[Astral Conduit]] '''[or]''' add code to disable his idle() function calls while conduit is up. 

'''Generic AFAC Algorithm'''
# Receive pre-fight buffs
# Activate [[Avatar's Favor]]
# If using [[Nirvana_(Level_119)|119 Nirvana]], build 3000 TP and gain [[Aftermath|AM3]] on fodder
# Pop NM
# Wait for GEO bubbles and offensive spells/JAs
# Hit [[Astral Flow]]
# Hit [[Astral Conduit]]
# Spam BPs
# Receive [[Mana Powder]] / [[Mana Mist]] during [[Astral Conduit]] from back line jobs if in [[Escha]] zone
# Watch your mana bar closely during your AFAC, and hit [[Convert]] if you ever drop below 300 - the goal is to get through two full mana bars during your AFAC if possible
# Once [[Astral Conduit]] wears:
# [[Apogee]], then BP (x2)
# Reset [[Apogee]] and [[Astral Flow]] + [[Astral Conduit]] via COR JAs and/or [[Super Revitalizer]] if in [[Escha]] zone
# Repeat until you or the boss dies

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#150101"
! colspan=10 style="text-align: center;" | Job Summary
|- BGCOLOR="#410202"
! width="15%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact
! width="15%" class=unsortable|SMN Food
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Indi-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Geo-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Entrust
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Offensive spells
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #1
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #2
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|RUN JAs
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|BRD Songs

|-
|
[[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]]
| [[Geo-Frailty]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Drachen Roll]]
| [[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]]

|-
| [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Frailty]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]] or [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
|
[[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Impact]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
| [[Companion's Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
| colspan=10|
[[Impact]], [[Odyllic Subterfuge]], and [[Refresh_(Status)|Refresh effects]] may be omitted based on NM and groups' comfort zone.
|-
| colspan=10|
Just use grape daifuku - there are other food options, but grapes are good for everything.
|}

== Acknowledgements ==
I took some of this straight from [https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Prismfang/Sandbox Prismfang's Sandbox], (especially the bottom half with info on what pacts do - I think its much nicer than having two pages open), with edits based on what I think is most realistic for someone newish to the job in 2025-2026.

Thanks to '''Pergatory''' of Asura for providing constructive feedback and all the SMNs on the FFXIAH.com forums for sharing their knowledge.

User:Cii/Sandbox

2025-12-13T08:32:32Z

Cii: /* More Advanced Blood Pact Sets */

{{Guide}}
This is just intended to help with getting your summoner to the level where you can start seeing some nice numbers.

{{color|red|style=bold|Recommended GS LUA (and helpful tools) by Pergatory: }} [https://pastebin.com/u/pergatory Link].

== Getting Started ==
As a new level 99 SMN, I recommend focusing your efforts on the following:
# Obtain an [[Epitaph]] or grab an [[Eminent Sachet]] while you work towards your 100 JP gift to equip a [[Sancus Sachet +1]]
# Create [[Blood Pact]] (BP) sets to improve your avatar's maximum damage per offensive ability
# Create a [[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|BP delay]] set to improve the frequency that you can perform Blood Pacts
# Create an idle set with enough [[Avatar perpetuation cost]] - to offset your avatar's constant [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | MP drain/upkeep]], and enough DT- to survive being hit with AOEs in content like Dyna D
# Obtain the 1200 JP Gift and eventually reach Master SMN

An additional note: [[Flaming Crush]] is going to be your highest damage [[Blood Pact]] against almost anything that doesn't resist it. Embrace [[Ifrit]].

== Merits ==

'''Group 1:'''
* Avatar Physical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Physical Attack: 5
* Avatar Magical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Magical Attack: 5
* Summoning Magic Cast Time: Do not merit this. Build a [[Fast Cast]] set instead.

You can switch Magical Attack to Physical Accuracy and vise versa if you feel like you are having a problem with accuracy for a certain [[Blood Pact]] that you're using often. A good example of this is for AFAC strategies on [[Reisenjima]] HELMS - Physical Accuracy is very important there because you almost exclusively use [[Volt Strike]].

'''Group 2:'''
* [[Meteor Strike]]: 5
* [[Heavenly Strike]]: 1
* [[Wind Blade]]: 1
* [[Geocrush]]: 1
* [[Thunderstorm]]: 1
* [[Grand Fall]]: 1

You can merit whichever one of these you're using most often with the full 5 merits, [[Meteor Strike]] is recommended here because of the offensive power of [[Flaming Crush]], and the ability to use [[Apogee]] to burst off of the skillchains it creates.

Good examples of times to merit other blood pacts: [[Geocrush]] for sortie bosses A and E magic burst strat, [[Thunderstorm]] if you're mostly attacking with [[Volt Strike]] from [[Ramuh]], or [[Heavenly Strike]] if you're bursting on [[Darkness]].

== Idle Set ==
Most gearswap files will have a separate set for idling with and without your avatar. 
This set is for the former, and the goal here is to reach the [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | perpetuation cost]] cap of -14 MP/tic first and foremost.
Once you have reached the cap, avatars will cost at most 1 MP/tic, even with [[Avatar's Favor]] up, so your [[Auto Refresh]] will easily cover that.

# Reach the cap of -14 [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | avatar perpetuation cost]] in pet idle set
# Obtain a [[Caller's_Pendant | Caller's Pendant]] to grant your avatar free TP while standing around
# Fill the remaining slots on [[Refresh]] or defense stats afterward.
#* Note that [[Avatar's Favor]] effects are tiered off based on total skill and Favor+ gear.

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Recommended Start
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Eabani Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Physical Damage Taken -10%
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Enmerkar Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Eva.+20/Mag. Eva. +20, Pet: Damage taken -5%, Pet: Mag. Acc. +20/Mag. Dmg. +20, Pet: Regen +10, Pet: Magic Damage +10
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Lengo Pants
|LegsAug = Refresh +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
Both of these sets should be somewhere around -40% DT- (and 10+ refresh!), so a simple swap of one piece ([[Bunzi's Pants]] for example) should be enough for your DT- set to be at or near -50%.
 
 
[[Evoker's Ring]] is good, but very skippable. [[Shadow Ring]] is a fairly easy to obtain tanky alternative for your second slot.
 
 
Most of the pieces listed above and hereafter are interchangeable with their NQ and HQ variants. Customize your set based on available gear.

== Cheapest / Entry Damage Set ==

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Lowest Cost / Bar to Entry
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Gelos Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10 - Pet: Acc, Atk, Macc, Mab help, but keep any +10 BPdmg roll when starting
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Hurch'lan Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+15 Pet: "Double Attack"+3% "Blood Pact" damage +13
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Total Cost: '''
At time of writing (12/12/2025), the above set should be roughly 12mil to complete. (16mil if you get an Elan Strap +1.) If you don't have the money for that, feel free to downgrade items from +1 to +0 - with the apogee at +0, it'll only be about 7mil!
However, the prices on these are pretty low right now, so if you're liking the job i'd focus on getting the +1s here ASAP.

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Required Magic BP Items
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity -6 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+30 Pet: Damage Taken -4%
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist=
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|LegsAug = Huge damage boost to merit (magic) blood pacts
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Other Useful Items'''
* Optional: [[Sancus Sachet +1]] - If you can't get the [[Epitaph]], or already have one, this is actually a better option until the [[Epitaph]] is augmented. However, it costs >2mil, so if money is a concern, try to get that Sgili clear for the [[Epitaph]].
* -
* Optional: [[Shulmanu Collar]] - BIS for melee pacts until a near max JSE neck +1 or +2, if you already have it, great!
* -
* Optional: [[Smn. Collar +1]] - 2nd BIS only to the +2 when fully augmented, and only ~3mil at time of writing. Worth it if you have the funds and are willing to get the RP in Dynamis.
* -
* Optional: [[Apogee Dalmatica]] (Path A) (Magical BP) - the +1 is good, but expensive, and magical only BPs are hardly ever used. Don't spend your money on a +1 unless you get very deep into gearing the job.
* -
* Optional: [[Sroda Earring]] (Melee Pacts, BIS and cheap)
* -
* Questionable: [[Kyrene's Earring]] - If you have one laying around and are missing something else
* -
* Questionable: [[Apogee Mitts]] - If unsure that you want to play the job, make a pair of +0s with path C while you try it out. Do not waste money on a +1 pair of these.

|}

== More Advanced Blood Pact Sets ==
{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
Blood Pacts are generally categorized as either physical or magical damage, with the exception that Ifrit's [[Burning Strike]] and [[Flaming Crush]] are considered hybrid damage. 
In the event you have a Nirvana and HQ Apogee pieces at hand, see Pergatory's LUA file above on gear choices while Garland's [[Aftermath]] is up.
#For physical BPs, you will want stats such as BP Damage, Accuracy, Attack, and Pet: Double Attack. 
#For magical BPs, you will want BP Damage, Magic Attack, and perhaps Pet: TP Bonus. Avatars seem to have naturally high magic accuracy for their associated element 
#For hybrid BPs, there is usually a mixture of physical and magical BP stats, with a heavy emphasis on the magical end.
 
None of these sets will include REMA weapons, or very expensive minor upgrades like +2 JSE necks.
 
 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Shulmanu Collar
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Sroda Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Glyphic Doublet +3
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = "Fast Cast" +10%, Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
You can use [[Apogee Attire Set]] +1 boots and hat for your physical set, but with the [[Helios Attire Set]] being easily attainable, I'd really recommend against buying a second pair of Apogee +1 for physical unless you're made of money. The Helios is typically better anyways - just requires some time to augment.

The [[Shulmanu Collar]] is probably not worth chasing just for SMN, as the [[Smn. Collar +1]] is better when fully augmented. Its mostly in this set in case you already have one for a different job.

The [[Sroda Earring]] is BIS as long as you've got enough accuracy in your set. The only reason the [[Beck. Earring +1]] is in mine is because the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] has 0 Pet: Accuracy.

Lastly, with Apollyon points being so accessible due to ???'s being shouted out every 3 days or so, i'd really recommend getting the [[Con. Doublet +4]]. You don't ever need to make the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] like I have, because of previously mentioned accuracy issues.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+60 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+30 "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: Magic Acc, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The [[Apogee Slacks +1]] are only better than the [[Enticer's Pants]] if you have the blood pact fully merited, or have TP over 1500. You don't really need a second pair of these, just stick with the [[Enticer's Pants]].

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] after about lvl 10.

[[Gelos Earring]] is about the same as the [[Beck. Earring]] for merit pacts.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Gelos Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20 Pet: "Double Attack"+4% "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The most important stat for [[Flaming Crush]] is Blood Pact Damage, as its counted twice: once on the physical hits, and once on the magical. That's the the [[Gelos Earring]] is recommended over the [[Beck. Earring]] here. Of course, if you already have a Beck. Earring, there's no reason to do the quest for the [[Gelos Earring]]. The damage difference is pretty minimal.

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] for hybrid pacts earlier than magical - switch as soon as you have some RP on it.

[[Beck. Earring]] is worse than the [[Gelos Earring]] for [[Flaming Crush]], but if you already have it then you don't need to get the [[Gelos Earring]].

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

[[Apogee Slacks +1]] (Path A) should be more damage than (Path D) for [[Flaming Crush]]. However, (Path D) is fine, so this upgrade is fairly unnecessary. With this same logic, the [[Apogee Dalmatica +1]] may be similar damage to the [[Con. Doublet +4]] - but the extra +60 accuracy on that top plays a huge role for [[Flaming Crush]]. If you miss either of the initial melee hits, your overall damage will completely plummet, because the magic hit's damage is based on the first two hits' damage.

Do not fret if you are missing the Omen/Vagary accessories; the bulk of your avatar's damage comes from your armor and weapon choices.

== BP Delay Reduction Gear ==
[[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|Blood Pact delays]] have a combined cap of -30 seconds from player gear and gifts, and no more than -15 seconds can be applied per delay tier. 
Once you have obtained the 500 JP (Superior 3) gift, the HQ [[Sancus Sachet]] and [[Baayami_Attire_Set|Baayami Attire Set]] can help you reach the BP delay cap while providing copious amounts of [[Summoning Magic Skill]]. 
An [[Espiritus]] can provide additional BP delay II if you do not mind potentially losing TP on swapping weapons. 

# Reach the cap of -30 seconds through gear and JP gifts
# Fill remaining slots with Summoning Skill and Favor+ gear to improve [[Avatar's Favor]] tier - the final 'tier' is at 670+ total skill.

{{color|red|style=bold|NOTE: }} Depending on your gearswap file, your BP delay set may be listed as a precast or midcast set. 
The delay set should equip as soon as a BP command is sent, and similarly, your BP damage sets should equip once your avatar begins its BP animation.

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -22 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
More than fully capped BP delay with 1200JP, plus 676 Summoning Magic Skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -18 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 0 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Eminent Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Shomonjijoe
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 100 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 500 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +3
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== Buff Duration / Summoning Skill Scaling Sets ==

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Buff Duration
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*This set gives 676 Summoning skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Summoning Skill +
|CaptionBottom = Alternative items
|Main =
|Sub = Vox Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Baayami Hat
|Neck = Incanter's Torque
|Ear1 = Andoaa Earring
|Ear2 = C. Palug Earring
|Body = Beck. Doublet +2
|Hands = Inyan. Dastanas +2
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Stikini Ring
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Beck. Spats +2
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path D: MP+70, "Summoning Magic Skill" +15, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*The [[Stikini Ring]] and [[Baayami Hat]] are very expensive for little benefit, so i'd recommend against them unless you already have them. They're mostly on this list so all options are shown.
*The [[Beckoner's Attire Set]] has a decent amount of skill, but its probably not worth building just for the skill bonus.

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Elemental Siphon
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Esper Stone +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Beck. Pigaches +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== SMN at a Glance ==
Here is where I attempt to answer questions and grossly generalize SMN at the same time: 

=== Skillchains and Magic Bursts ===
Physical and Hybrid BPs are analogous to player [[Weapon Skill|WSs]] and each have their own [[Summoner#Spells_and_Blood_Pacts|skillchain properties]]. 
Magic BPs are analogous to player spells and can be used in a [[Magic Burst|magic burst]]. 
In general, there is a short delay between using a BP command when the BP is executed, so time your BPs accordingly.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchains (2-Step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst1
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Mountain Buster]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Gravitation]]
| [[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crag Throw]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Liquefaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Full Swing]]
| [[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Burning Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fusion]]
| [[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Conflag Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=5 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchain (3-step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #2
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #3
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #2
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]]1 [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
|-
| colspan=5|
1 Requires [[Apogee]] to BP twice in a row
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#0F0018"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Multi-SMN Skillchains
|- BGCOLOR="#2A0141"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Eclipse Bite]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]

|}

=== Blood Pacts and when to use them ===
A summary of useful BPs I have encountered for solo and group play. This list is not exhaustive.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#000822"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | I really need to...
|- BGCOLOR="#051549"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Rage
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Ward
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Potential Uses

|-
| Cleave targets
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderspark]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Level ? Holy]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
|
[[Vagary]] 
[[Salvage II| Salvage Farming]] 
[[Colonization_Reive|Colonization Reives]] 
[[Incursion]]

|-
| Curb enemy offense
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Tidal Roar]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Mewing Lullaby]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Eerie Eye]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' attack 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' TP 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Inflicts [[Silence]] and [[Amnesia]]
|-
| Buff party's offense
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crimson Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Inferno Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rolling Thunder]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Hastega_II|Hastega II]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crystal Blessing]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Attack Bonus 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enfire 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enthunder 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Haste II 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]TP Bonus 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Attack Bonus

|-
| Buff party's defense
|
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Armor]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Ward]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Perfect Defense]] [[File:Alexander_GUI.png|link=]] 2 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Frost Armor]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shining Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage mitigation 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Stoneskin 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage reduction 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice Spikes 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Defense+10%, MDT 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Defense Bonus
|-
| Dispel enemy buffs
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Lunar Roar]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Pavor Nocturnus]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[:Yggdreant|Yggdreants]] or [[Belladonna|Belladonna's]] 
[[Glassy Gorger]]

|-
| Sleep nearby enemies
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Nightmare]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Sleepga_(Blood_Pact)|Sleepga]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[Warder of Love]] 
[[Omen]] 
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]

|-
| Stun the enemy
|
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Transfixion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Chaotic Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shock Squall]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Helps [[:Trusts#Gessho|Gessho]] tank CP mobs.
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]
|-
| Heal my party
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Whispering Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Healing Ruby II]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Remove status ailments
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Soothing Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Run really fast
|
|
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Fleet Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Give party member Reraise
|
|
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Reraise II]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Deal hybrid damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Best damage while unresisted - check your monster beforehand. Fire/Magic/High Melee resist will chunk your damage. - example: [[Dynamis - Bastok (D)]](Green pull only)/[[Dynamis - Jeuno (D)]]

|-
| Deal melee damage
|
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]General Melee dmg - example: Reisenjima Helms, but this will be your most used melee blood pact due to the stun. 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Slashing damage - example: [[Yakshi]]/[[Kalunga]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Blunt damage - example: [[Gigelorum]]/[[Gogmagog]] 

|-
| Deal magic damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Geocrush]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Fire damage (Light/Fusion/Liquefaction) 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice damage (Darkness/Distortion/Induration) 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Wind damage (Light/Fragmentation/Detonation) 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Earth damage (Darkness/Gravitation/Scission) 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Thunder damage (Light/Fragmentation/Impaction) 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Water damage (Darkness/Distortion/Reverberation)

|-
| colspan=4|
2 Requires [[Astral Flow]] to activate BP
|}

=== AFAC Strategy ===
Given the large amount of pet stats gained from SMN gifts and JP categories, I highly recommend maxing the [[Astral Flow]]/[[Astral Conduit]] effects and acquiring all the physical BP related stats (1710+ JP) prior to attempting an AFAC. 
Secondly, if you are using Gearswap, ensure that you are not accidentally swapping into a precast or aftercast set during [[Astral Conduit]]. 
At the time of this writing, Pergatory's LUA will equip an idle set following conduit BPs and assumes the user will stagger BPs approximately 1.25 seconds apart. 
If this proves inconvenient, you may opt to equip your BP set and //gs disable all during [[Astral Conduit]] '''[or]''' add code to disable his idle() function calls while conduit is up. 

'''Generic AFAC Algorithm'''
# Receive pre-fight buffs
# Activate [[Avatar's Favor]]
# If using [[Nirvana_(Level_119)|119 Nirvana]], build 3000 TP and gain [[Aftermath|AM3]] on fodder
# Pop NM
# Wait for GEO bubbles and offensive spells/JAs
# Hit [[Astral Flow]]
# Hit [[Astral Conduit]]
# Spam BPs
# Receive [[Mana Powder]] / [[Mana Mist]] during [[Astral Conduit]] from back line jobs if in [[Escha]] zone
# Watch your mana bar closely during your AFAC, and hit [[Convert]] if you ever drop below 300 - the goal is to get through two full mana bars during your AFAC if possible
# Once [[Astral Conduit]] wears:
# [[Apogee]], then BP (x2)
# Reset [[Apogee]] and [[Astral Flow]] + [[Astral Conduit]] via COR JAs and/or [[Super Revitalizer]] if in [[Escha]] zone
# Repeat until you or the boss dies

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#150101"
! colspan=10 style="text-align: center;" | Job Summary
|- BGCOLOR="#410202"
! width="15%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact
! width="15%" class=unsortable|SMN Food
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Indi-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Geo-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Entrust
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Offensive spells
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #1
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #2
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|RUN JAs
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|BRD Songs

|-
|
[[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]]
| [[Geo-Frailty]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Drachen Roll]]
| [[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]]

|-
| [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Frailty]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]] or [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
|
[[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Impact]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
| [[Companion's Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
| colspan=10|
[[Impact]], [[Odyllic Subterfuge]], and [[Refresh_(Status)|Refresh effects]] may be omitted based on NM and groups' comfort zone.
|-
| colspan=10|
Just use grape daifuku - there are other food options, but grapes are good for everything.
|}

== Acknowledgements ==
I took some of this straight from [https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Prismfang/Sandbox Prismfang's Sandbox], (especially the bottom half with info on what pacts do - I think its much nicer than having two pages open), with edits based on what I think is most realistic for someone newish to the job in 2025-2026.

Thanks to '''Pergatory''' of Asura for providing constructive feedback and all the SMNs on the FFXIAH.com forums for sharing their knowledge.

User:Cii/Sandbox

2025-12-13T08:00:54Z

Cii: /* More Advanced Blood Pact Sets */

{{Guide}}
This is just intended to help with getting your summoner to the level where you can start seeing some nice numbers.

{{color|red|style=bold|Recommended GS LUA (and helpful tools) by Pergatory: }} [https://pastebin.com/u/pergatory Link].

== Getting Started ==
As a new level 99 SMN, I recommend focusing your efforts on the following:
# Obtain an [[Epitaph]] or grab an [[Eminent Sachet]] while you work towards your 100 JP gift to equip a [[Sancus Sachet +1]]
# Create [[Blood Pact]] (BP) sets to improve your avatar's maximum damage per offensive ability
# Create a [[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|BP delay]] set to improve the frequency that you can perform Blood Pacts
# Create an idle set with enough [[Avatar perpetuation cost]] - to offset your avatar's constant [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | MP drain/upkeep]], and enough DT- to survive being hit with AOEs in content like Dyna D
# Obtain the 1200 JP Gift and eventually reach Master SMN

An additional note: [[Flaming Crush]] is going to be your highest damage [[Blood Pact]] against almost anything that doesn't resist it. Embrace [[Ifrit]].

== Merits ==

'''Group 1:'''
* Avatar Physical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Physical Attack: 5
* Avatar Magical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Magical Attack: 5
* Summoning Magic Cast Time: Do not merit this. Build a [[Fast Cast]] set instead.

You can switch Magical Attack to Physical Accuracy and vise versa if you feel like you are having a problem with accuracy for a certain [[Blood Pact]] that you're using often. A good example of this is for AFAC strategies on [[Reisenjima]] HELMS - Physical Accuracy is very important there because you almost exclusively use [[Volt Strike]].

'''Group 2:'''
* [[Meteor Strike]]: 5
* [[Heavenly Strike]]: 1
* [[Wind Blade]]: 1
* [[Geocrush]]: 1
* [[Thunderstorm]]: 1
* [[Grand Fall]]: 1

You can merit whichever one of these you're using most often with the full 5 merits, [[Meteor Strike]] is recommended here because of the offensive power of [[Flaming Crush]], and the ability to use [[Apogee]] to burst off of the skillchains it creates.

Good examples of times to merit other blood pacts: [[Geocrush]] for sortie bosses A and E magic burst strat, [[Thunderstorm]] if you're mostly attacking with [[Volt Strike]] from [[Ramuh]], or [[Heavenly Strike]] if you're bursting on [[Darkness]].

== Idle Set ==
Most gearswap files will have a separate set for idling with and without your avatar. 
This set is for the former, and the goal here is to reach the [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | perpetuation cost]] cap of -14 MP/tic first and foremost.
Once you have reached the cap, avatars will cost at most 1 MP/tic, even with [[Avatar's Favor]] up, so your [[Auto Refresh]] will easily cover that.

# Reach the cap of -14 [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | avatar perpetuation cost]] in pet idle set
# Obtain a [[Caller's_Pendant | Caller's Pendant]] to grant your avatar free TP while standing around
# Fill the remaining slots on [[Refresh]] or defense stats afterward.
#* Note that [[Avatar's Favor]] effects are tiered off based on total skill and Favor+ gear.

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Recommended Start
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Eabani Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Physical Damage Taken -10%
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Enmerkar Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Eva.+20/Mag. Eva. +20, Pet: Damage taken -5%, Pet: Mag. Acc. +20/Mag. Dmg. +20, Pet: Regen +10, Pet: Magic Damage +10
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Lengo Pants
|LegsAug = Refresh +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
Both of these sets should be somewhere around -40% DT- (and 10+ refresh!), so a simple swap of one piece ([[Bunzi's Pants]] for example) should be enough for your DT- set to be at or near -50%.
 
 
[[Evoker's Ring]] is good, but very skippable. [[Shadow Ring]] is a fairly easy to obtain tanky alternative for your second slot.
 
 
Most of the pieces listed above and hereafter are interchangeable with their NQ and HQ variants. Customize your set based on available gear.

== Cheapest / Entry Damage Set ==

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Lowest Cost / Bar to Entry
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Gelos Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10 - Pet: Acc, Atk, Macc, Mab help, but keep any +10 BPdmg roll when starting
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Hurch'lan Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+15 Pet: "Double Attack"+3% "Blood Pact" damage +13
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Total Cost: '''
At time of writing (12/12/2025), the above set should be roughly 12mil to complete. (16mil if you get an Elan Strap +1.) If you don't have the money for that, feel free to downgrade items from +1 to +0 - with the apogee at +0, it'll only be about 7mil!
However, the prices on these are pretty low right now, so if you're liking the job i'd focus on getting the +1s here ASAP.

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Required Magic BP Items
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity -6 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+30 Pet: Damage Taken -4%
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist=
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|LegsAug = Huge damage boost to merit (magic) blood pacts
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Other Useful Items'''
* Optional: [[Sancus Sachet +1]] - If you can't get the [[Epitaph]], or already have one, this is actually a better option until the [[Epitaph]] is augmented. However, it costs >2mil, so if money is a concern, try to get that Sgili clear for the [[Epitaph]].
* -
* Optional: [[Shulmanu Collar]] - BIS for melee pacts until a near max JSE neck +1 or +2, if you already have it, great!
* -
* Optional: [[Smn. Collar +1]] - 2nd BIS only to the +2 when fully augmented, and only ~3mil at time of writing. Worth it if you have the funds and are willing to get the RP in Dynamis.
* -
* Optional: [[Apogee Dalmatica]] (Path A) (Magical BP) - the +1 is good, but expensive, and magical only BPs are hardly ever used. Don't spend your money on a +1 unless you get very deep into gearing the job.
* -
* Optional: [[Sroda Earring]] (Melee Pacts, BIS and cheap)
* -
* Questionable: [[Kyrene's Earring]] - If you have one laying around and are missing something else
* -
* Questionable: [[Apogee Mitts]] - If unsure that you want to play the job, make a pair of +0s with path C while you try it out. Do not waste money on a +1 pair of these.

|}

== More Advanced Blood Pact Sets ==
{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
Blood Pacts are generally categorized as either physical or magical damage, with the exception that Ifrit's [[Burning Strike]] and [[Flaming Crush]] are considered hybrid damage. 
In the event you have a Nirvana and HQ Apogee pieces at hand, see Pergatory's LUA file above on gear choices while Garland's [[Aftermath]] is up.
#For physical BPs, you will want stats such as BP Damage, Accuracy, Attack, and Pet: Double Attack. 
#For magical BPs, you will want BP Damage, Magic Attack, and perhaps Pet: TP Bonus. Avatars seem to have naturally high magic accuracy for their associated element 
#For hybrid BPs, there is usually a mixture of physical and magical BP stats, with a heavy emphasis on the magical end.
 
None of these sets will include REMA weapons, or very expensive minor upgrades like +2 JSE necks.
 
 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Shulmanu Collar
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Sroda Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Glyphic Doublet +3
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = "Fast Cast" +10%, Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
You can use [[Apogee Attire Set]] +1 boots and hat for your physical set, but with the [[Helios Attire Set]] being easily attainable, I'd really recommend against buying a second pair of Apogee +1 for physical unless you're made of money. The Helios is typically better anyways - just requires some time to augment.

The [[Shulmanu Collar]] is probably not worth chasing just for SMN, as the [[Smn. Collar +1]] is better when fully augmented. Its mostly in this set in case you already have one for a different job.

The [[Sroda Earring]] is BIS as long as you've got enough accuracy in your set. The only reason the [[Beck. Earring +1]] is in mine is because the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] has 0 Pet: Accuracy.

Lastly, with Apollyon points being so accessible due to ???'s being shouted out every 3 days or so, i'd really recommend getting the [[Con. Doublet +4]]. You don't ever need to make the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] like I have, because of previously mentioned accuracy issues.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+60 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+30 "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: Magic Acc, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The [[Apogee Slacks +1]] are only better than the [[Enticer's Pants]] if you have the blood pact fully merited, or have TP over 1500. You don't really need a second pair of these, just stick with the [[Enticer's Pants]].

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] after about lvl 10.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Gelos Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20 Pet: "Double Attack"+4% "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The most important stat for [[Flaming Crush]] is Blood Pact Damage, as its counted twice: once on the physical hits, and once on the magical. That's the the [[Gelos Earring]] is recommended over the [[Beck. Earring]] here. Of course, if you already have a Beck. Earring, there's no reason to do the quest for the [[Gelos Earring]]. The damage difference is pretty minimal.

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] for hybrid pacts earlier than magical - switch as soon as you have some RP on it.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

[[Apogee Slacks +1]] (Path A) should be more damage than (Path D) for [[Flaming Crush]]. However, (Path D) is fine, so this upgrade is fairly unnecessary. With this same logic, the [[Apogee Dalmatica +1]] may be similar damage to the [[Con. Doublet +4]] - but the extra +60 accuracy on that top plays a huge role for [[Flaming Crush]]. If you miss either of the initial melee hits, your overall damage will completely plummet, because the magic hit's damage is based on the first two hits' damage.

Do not fret if you are missing the Omen/Vagary accessories; the bulk of your avatar's damage comes from your armor and weapon choices.

== BP Delay Reduction Gear ==
[[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|Blood Pact delays]] have a combined cap of -30 seconds from player gear and gifts, and no more than -15 seconds can be applied per delay tier. 
Once you have obtained the 500 JP (Superior 3) gift, the HQ [[Sancus Sachet]] and [[Baayami_Attire_Set|Baayami Attire Set]] can help you reach the BP delay cap while providing copious amounts of [[Summoning Magic Skill]]. 
An [[Espiritus]] can provide additional BP delay II if you do not mind potentially losing TP on swapping weapons. 

# Reach the cap of -30 seconds through gear and JP gifts
# Fill remaining slots with Summoning Skill and Favor+ gear to improve [[Avatar's Favor]] tier - the final 'tier' is at 670+ total skill.

{{color|red|style=bold|NOTE: }} Depending on your gearswap file, your BP delay set may be listed as a precast or midcast set. 
The delay set should equip as soon as a BP command is sent, and similarly, your BP damage sets should equip once your avatar begins its BP animation.

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -22 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
More than fully capped BP delay with 1200JP, plus 676 Summoning Magic Skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -18 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 0 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Eminent Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Shomonjijoe
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 100 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 500 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +3
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== Buff Duration / Summoning Skill Scaling Sets ==

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Buff Duration
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*This set gives 676 Summoning skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Summoning Skill +
|CaptionBottom = Alternative items
|Main =
|Sub = Vox Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Baayami Hat
|Neck = Incanter's Torque
|Ear1 = Andoaa Earring
|Ear2 = C. Palug Earring
|Body = Beck. Doublet +2
|Hands = Inyan. Dastanas +2
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Stikini Ring
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Beck. Spats +2
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path D: MP+70, "Summoning Magic Skill" +15, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*The [[Stikini Ring]] and [[Baayami Hat]] are very expensive for little benefit, so i'd recommend against them unless you already have them. They're mostly on this list so all options are shown.
*The [[Beckoner's Attire Set]] has a decent amount of skill, but its probably not worth building just for the skill bonus.

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Elemental Siphon
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Esper Stone +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Beck. Pigaches +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== SMN at a Glance ==
Here is where I attempt to answer questions and grossly generalize SMN at the same time: 

=== Skillchains and Magic Bursts ===
Physical and Hybrid BPs are analogous to player [[Weapon Skill|WSs]] and each have their own [[Summoner#Spells_and_Blood_Pacts|skillchain properties]]. 
Magic BPs are analogous to player spells and can be used in a [[Magic Burst|magic burst]]. 
In general, there is a short delay between using a BP command when the BP is executed, so time your BPs accordingly.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchains (2-Step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst1
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Mountain Buster]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Gravitation]]
| [[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crag Throw]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Liquefaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Full Swing]]
| [[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Burning Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fusion]]
| [[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Conflag Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=5 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchain (3-step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #2
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #3
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #2
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]]1 [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
|-
| colspan=5|
1 Requires [[Apogee]] to BP twice in a row
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#0F0018"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Multi-SMN Skillchains
|- BGCOLOR="#2A0141"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Eclipse Bite]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]

|}

=== Blood Pacts and when to use them ===
A summary of useful BPs I have encountered for solo and group play. This list is not exhaustive.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#000822"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | I really need to...
|- BGCOLOR="#051549"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Rage
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Ward
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Potential Uses

|-
| Cleave targets
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderspark]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Level ? Holy]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
|
[[Vagary]] 
[[Salvage II| Salvage Farming]] 
[[Colonization_Reive|Colonization Reives]] 
[[Incursion]]

|-
| Curb enemy offense
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Tidal Roar]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Mewing Lullaby]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Eerie Eye]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' attack 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' TP 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Inflicts [[Silence]] and [[Amnesia]]
|-
| Buff party's offense
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crimson Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Inferno Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rolling Thunder]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Hastega_II|Hastega II]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crystal Blessing]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Attack Bonus 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enfire 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enthunder 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Haste II 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]TP Bonus 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Attack Bonus

|-
| Buff party's defense
|
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Armor]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Ward]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Perfect Defense]] [[File:Alexander_GUI.png|link=]] 2 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Frost Armor]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shining Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage mitigation 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Stoneskin 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage reduction 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice Spikes 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Defense+10%, MDT 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Defense Bonus
|-
| Dispel enemy buffs
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Lunar Roar]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Pavor Nocturnus]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[:Yggdreant|Yggdreants]] or [[Belladonna|Belladonna's]] 
[[Glassy Gorger]]

|-
| Sleep nearby enemies
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Nightmare]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Sleepga_(Blood_Pact)|Sleepga]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[Warder of Love]] 
[[Omen]] 
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]

|-
| Stun the enemy
|
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Transfixion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Chaotic Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shock Squall]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Helps [[:Trusts#Gessho|Gessho]] tank CP mobs.
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]
|-
| Heal my party
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Whispering Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Healing Ruby II]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Remove status ailments
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Soothing Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Run really fast
|
|
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Fleet Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Give party member Reraise
|
|
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Reraise II]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Deal hybrid damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Best damage while unresisted - check your monster beforehand. Fire/Magic/High Melee resist will chunk your damage. - example: [[Dynamis - Bastok (D)]](Green pull only)/[[Dynamis - Jeuno (D)]]

|-
| Deal melee damage
|
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]General Melee dmg - example: Reisenjima Helms, but this will be your most used melee blood pact due to the stun. 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Slashing damage - example: [[Yakshi]]/[[Kalunga]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Blunt damage - example: [[Gigelorum]]/[[Gogmagog]] 

|-
| Deal magic damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Geocrush]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Fire damage (Light/Fusion/Liquefaction) 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice damage (Darkness/Distortion/Induration) 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Wind damage (Light/Fragmentation/Detonation) 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Earth damage (Darkness/Gravitation/Scission) 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Thunder damage (Light/Fragmentation/Impaction) 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Water damage (Darkness/Distortion/Reverberation)

|-
| colspan=4|
2 Requires [[Astral Flow]] to activate BP
|}

=== AFAC Strategy ===
Given the large amount of pet stats gained from SMN gifts and JP categories, I highly recommend maxing the [[Astral Flow]]/[[Astral Conduit]] effects and acquiring all the physical BP related stats (1710+ JP) prior to attempting an AFAC. 
Secondly, if you are using Gearswap, ensure that you are not accidentally swapping into a precast or aftercast set during [[Astral Conduit]]. 
At the time of this writing, Pergatory's LUA will equip an idle set following conduit BPs and assumes the user will stagger BPs approximately 1.25 seconds apart. 
If this proves inconvenient, you may opt to equip your BP set and //gs disable all during [[Astral Conduit]] '''[or]''' add code to disable his idle() function calls while conduit is up. 

'''Generic AFAC Algorithm'''
# Receive pre-fight buffs
# Activate [[Avatar's Favor]]
# If using [[Nirvana_(Level_119)|119 Nirvana]], build 3000 TP and gain [[Aftermath|AM3]] on fodder
# Pop NM
# Wait for GEO bubbles and offensive spells/JAs
# Hit [[Astral Flow]]
# Hit [[Astral Conduit]]
# Spam BPs
# Receive [[Mana Powder]] / [[Mana Mist]] during [[Astral Conduit]] from back line jobs if in [[Escha]] zone
# Watch your mana bar closely during your AFAC, and hit [[Convert]] if you ever drop below 300 - the goal is to get through two full mana bars during your AFAC if possible
# Once [[Astral Conduit]] wears:
# [[Apogee]], then BP (x2)
# Reset [[Apogee]] and [[Astral Flow]] + [[Astral Conduit]] via COR JAs and/or [[Super Revitalizer]] if in [[Escha]] zone
# Repeat until you or the boss dies

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#150101"
! colspan=10 style="text-align: center;" | Job Summary
|- BGCOLOR="#410202"
! width="15%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact
! width="15%" class=unsortable|SMN Food
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Indi-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Geo-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Entrust
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Offensive spells
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #1
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #2
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|RUN JAs
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|BRD Songs

|-
|
[[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]]
| [[Geo-Frailty]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Drachen Roll]]
| [[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]]

|-
| [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Frailty]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]] or [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
|
[[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Impact]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
| [[Companion's Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
| colspan=10|
[[Impact]], [[Odyllic Subterfuge]], and [[Refresh_(Status)|Refresh effects]] may be omitted based on NM and groups' comfort zone.
|-
| colspan=10|
Just use grape daifuku - there are other food options, but grapes are good for everything.
|}

== Acknowledgements ==
I took some of this straight from [https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Prismfang/Sandbox Prismfang's Sandbox], (especially the bottom half with info on what pacts do - I think its much nicer than having two pages open), with edits based on what I think is most realistic for someone newish to the job in 2025-2026.

Thanks to '''Pergatory''' of Asura for providing constructive feedback and all the SMNs on the FFXIAH.com forums for sharing their knowledge.

User:Cii/Sandbox

2025-12-13T08:00:09Z

Cii: /* More Advanced Blood Pact Sets */

{{Guide}}
This is just intended to help with getting your summoner to the level where you can start seeing some nice numbers.

{{color|red|style=bold|Recommended GS LUA (and helpful tools) by Pergatory: }} [https://pastebin.com/u/pergatory Link].

== Getting Started ==
As a new level 99 SMN, I recommend focusing your efforts on the following:
# Obtain an [[Epitaph]] or grab an [[Eminent Sachet]] while you work towards your 100 JP gift to equip a [[Sancus Sachet +1]]
# Create [[Blood Pact]] (BP) sets to improve your avatar's maximum damage per offensive ability
# Create a [[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|BP delay]] set to improve the frequency that you can perform Blood Pacts
# Create an idle set with enough [[Avatar perpetuation cost]] - to offset your avatar's constant [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | MP drain/upkeep]], and enough DT- to survive being hit with AOEs in content like Dyna D
# Obtain the 1200 JP Gift and eventually reach Master SMN

An additional note: [[Flaming Crush]] is going to be your highest damage [[Blood Pact]] against almost anything that doesn't resist it. Embrace [[Ifrit]].

== Merits ==

'''Group 1:'''
* Avatar Physical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Physical Attack: 5
* Avatar Magical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Magical Attack: 5
* Summoning Magic Cast Time: Do not merit this. Build a [[Fast Cast]] set instead.

You can switch Magical Attack to Physical Accuracy and vise versa if you feel like you are having a problem with accuracy for a certain [[Blood Pact]] that you're using often. A good example of this is for AFAC strategies on [[Reisenjima]] HELMS - Physical Accuracy is very important there because you almost exclusively use [[Volt Strike]].

'''Group 2:'''
* [[Meteor Strike]]: 5
* [[Heavenly Strike]]: 1
* [[Wind Blade]]: 1
* [[Geocrush]]: 1
* [[Thunderstorm]]: 1
* [[Grand Fall]]: 1

You can merit whichever one of these you're using most often with the full 5 merits, [[Meteor Strike]] is recommended here because of the offensive power of [[Flaming Crush]], and the ability to use [[Apogee]] to burst off of the skillchains it creates.

Good examples of times to merit other blood pacts: [[Geocrush]] for sortie bosses A and E magic burst strat, [[Thunderstorm]] if you're mostly attacking with [[Volt Strike]] from [[Ramuh]], or [[Heavenly Strike]] if you're bursting on [[Darkness]].

== Idle Set ==
Most gearswap files will have a separate set for idling with and without your avatar. 
This set is for the former, and the goal here is to reach the [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | perpetuation cost]] cap of -14 MP/tic first and foremost.
Once you have reached the cap, avatars will cost at most 1 MP/tic, even with [[Avatar's Favor]] up, so your [[Auto Refresh]] will easily cover that.

# Reach the cap of -14 [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | avatar perpetuation cost]] in pet idle set
# Obtain a [[Caller's_Pendant | Caller's Pendant]] to grant your avatar free TP while standing around
# Fill the remaining slots on [[Refresh]] or defense stats afterward.
#* Note that [[Avatar's Favor]] effects are tiered off based on total skill and Favor+ gear.

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Recommended Start
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Eabani Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Physical Damage Taken -10%
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Enmerkar Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Eva.+20/Mag. Eva. +20, Pet: Damage taken -5%, Pet: Mag. Acc. +20/Mag. Dmg. +20, Pet: Regen +10, Pet: Magic Damage +10
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Lengo Pants
|LegsAug = Refresh +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
Both of these sets should be somewhere around -40% DT- (and 10+ refresh!), so a simple swap of one piece ([[Bunzi's Pants]] for example) should be enough for your DT- set to be at or near -50%.
 
 
[[Evoker's Ring]] is good, but very skippable. [[Shadow Ring]] is a fairly easy to obtain tanky alternative for your second slot.
 
 
Most of the pieces listed above and hereafter are interchangeable with their NQ and HQ variants. Customize your set based on available gear.

== Cheapest / Entry Damage Set ==

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Lowest Cost / Bar to Entry
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Gelos Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10 - Pet: Acc, Atk, Macc, Mab help, but keep any +10 BPdmg roll when starting
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Hurch'lan Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+15 Pet: "Double Attack"+3% "Blood Pact" damage +13
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Total Cost: '''
At time of writing (12/12/2025), the above set should be roughly 12mil to complete. (16mil if you get an Elan Strap +1.) If you don't have the money for that, feel free to downgrade items from +1 to +0 - with the apogee at +0, it'll only be about 7mil!
However, the prices on these are pretty low right now, so if you're liking the job i'd focus on getting the +1s here ASAP.

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Required Magic BP Items
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity -6 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+30 Pet: Damage Taken -4%
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist=
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|LegsAug = Huge damage boost to merit (magic) blood pacts
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Other Useful Items'''
* Optional: [[Sancus Sachet +1]] - If you can't get the [[Epitaph]], or already have one, this is actually a better option until the [[Epitaph]] is augmented. However, it costs >2mil, so if money is a concern, try to get that Sgili clear for the [[Epitaph]].
* -
* Optional: [[Shulmanu Collar]] - BIS for melee pacts until a near max JSE neck +1 or +2, if you already have it, great!
* -
* Optional: [[Smn. Collar +1]] - 2nd BIS only to the +2 when fully augmented, and only ~3mil at time of writing. Worth it if you have the funds and are willing to get the RP in Dynamis.
* -
* Optional: [[Apogee Dalmatica]] (Path A) (Magical BP) - the +1 is good, but expensive, and magical only BPs are hardly ever used. Don't spend your money on a +1 unless you get very deep into gearing the job.
* -
* Optional: [[Sroda Earring]] (Melee Pacts, BIS and cheap)
* -
* Questionable: [[Kyrene's Earring]] - If you have one laying around and are missing something else
* -
* Questionable: [[Apogee Mitts]] - If unsure that you want to play the job, make a pair of +0s with path C while you try it out. Do not waste money on a +1 pair of these.

|}

== More Advanced Blood Pact Sets ==
{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
Blood Pacts are generally categorized as either physical or magical damage, with the exception that Ifrit's [[Burning Strike]] and [[Flaming Crush]] are considered hybrid damage. 
In the event you have a Nirvana and HQ Apogee pieces at hand, see Pergatory's LUA file above on gear choices while Garland's [[Aftermath]] is up.
#For physical BPs, you will want stats such as BP Damage, Accuracy, Attack, and Pet: Double Attack. 
#For magical BPs, you will want BP Damage, Magic Attack, and perhaps Pet: TP Bonus. Avatars seem to have naturally high magic accuracy for their associated element 
#For hybrid BPs, there is usually a mixture of physical and magical BP stats, with a heavy emphasis on the magical end.
 
None of these sets will include REMA weapons, or very expensive minor upgrades like +2 JSE necks.
 
 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Shulmanu Collar
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Sroda Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Glyphic Doublet +3
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = "Fast Cast" +10%, Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
You can use [[Apogee Attire Set]] +1 boots and hat for your physical set, but with the [[Helios Attire Set]] being easily attainable, I'd really recommend against buying a second pair of Apogee +1 for physical unless you're made of money. The Helios is typically better anyways - just requires some time to augment.

The [[Shulmanu Collar]] is probably not worth chasing just for SMN, as the [[Smn. Collar +1]] is better when fully augmented. Its mostly in this set in case you already have one for a different job.

The [[Sroda Earring]] is BIS as long as you've got enough accuracy in your set. The only reason the [[Beck. Earring +1]] is in mine is because the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] has 0 Pet: Accuracy.

Lastly, with Apollyon points being so accessible due to ???'s being shouted out every 3 days or so, i'd really recommend getting the [[Con. Doublet +4]]. You don't ever need to make the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] like I have, because of previously mentioned accuracy issues.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+60 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+30 "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: Magic Acc, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The [[Apogee Slacks +1]] are only better than the [[Enticer's Pants]] if you have the blood pact fully merited, or have TP over 1500. You don't really need a second pair of these, just stick with the [[Enticer's Pants]].

[[Smn. Collar +1]] is better than the [[Adad Amulet]] after about lvl 10.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Gelos Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20 Pet: "Double Attack"+4% "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The most important stat for [[Flaming Crush]] is Blood Pact Damage, as its counted twice: once on the physical hits, and once on the magical. That's the the [[Gelos Earring]] is recommended over the [[Beck. Earring]] here. Of course, if you already have a Beck. Earring, there's no reason to do the quest for the [[Gelos Earring]]. The damage difference is pretty minimal.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

[[Apogee Slacks +1]] (Path A) should be more damage than (Path D) for [[Flaming Crush]]. However, (Path D) is fine, so this upgrade is fairly unnecessary. With this same logic, the [[Apogee Dalmatica +1]] may be similar damage to the [[Con. Doublet +4]] - but the extra +60 accuracy on that top plays a huge role for [[Flaming Crush]]. If you miss either of the initial melee hits, your overall damage will completely plummet, because the magic hit's damage is based on the first two hits' damage.

Do not fret if you are missing the Omen/Vagary accessories; the bulk of your avatar's damage comes from your armor and weapon choices.

== BP Delay Reduction Gear ==
[[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|Blood Pact delays]] have a combined cap of -30 seconds from player gear and gifts, and no more than -15 seconds can be applied per delay tier. 
Once you have obtained the 500 JP (Superior 3) gift, the HQ [[Sancus Sachet]] and [[Baayami_Attire_Set|Baayami Attire Set]] can help you reach the BP delay cap while providing copious amounts of [[Summoning Magic Skill]]. 
An [[Espiritus]] can provide additional BP delay II if you do not mind potentially losing TP on swapping weapons. 

# Reach the cap of -30 seconds through gear and JP gifts
# Fill remaining slots with Summoning Skill and Favor+ gear to improve [[Avatar's Favor]] tier - the final 'tier' is at 670+ total skill.

{{color|red|style=bold|NOTE: }} Depending on your gearswap file, your BP delay set may be listed as a precast or midcast set. 
The delay set should equip as soon as a BP command is sent, and similarly, your BP damage sets should equip once your avatar begins its BP animation.

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -22 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
More than fully capped BP delay with 1200JP, plus 676 Summoning Magic Skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -18 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 0 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Eminent Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Shomonjijoe
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 100 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 500 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +3
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== Buff Duration / Summoning Skill Scaling Sets ==

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Buff Duration
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*This set gives 676 Summoning skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Summoning Skill +
|CaptionBottom = Alternative items
|Main =
|Sub = Vox Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Baayami Hat
|Neck = Incanter's Torque
|Ear1 = Andoaa Earring
|Ear2 = C. Palug Earring
|Body = Beck. Doublet +2
|Hands = Inyan. Dastanas +2
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Stikini Ring
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Beck. Spats +2
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path D: MP+70, "Summoning Magic Skill" +15, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*The [[Stikini Ring]] and [[Baayami Hat]] are very expensive for little benefit, so i'd recommend against them unless you already have them. They're mostly on this list so all options are shown.
*The [[Beckoner's Attire Set]] has a decent amount of skill, but its probably not worth building just for the skill bonus.

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Elemental Siphon
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Esper Stone +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Beck. Pigaches +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== SMN at a Glance ==
Here is where I attempt to answer questions and grossly generalize SMN at the same time: 

=== Skillchains and Magic Bursts ===
Physical and Hybrid BPs are analogous to player [[Weapon Skill|WSs]] and each have their own [[Summoner#Spells_and_Blood_Pacts|skillchain properties]]. 
Magic BPs are analogous to player spells and can be used in a [[Magic Burst|magic burst]]. 
In general, there is a short delay between using a BP command when the BP is executed, so time your BPs accordingly.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchains (2-Step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst1
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Mountain Buster]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Gravitation]]
| [[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crag Throw]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Liquefaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Full Swing]]
| [[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Burning Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fusion]]
| [[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Conflag Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=5 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchain (3-step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #2
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #3
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #2
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]]1 [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
|-
| colspan=5|
1 Requires [[Apogee]] to BP twice in a row
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#0F0018"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Multi-SMN Skillchains
|- BGCOLOR="#2A0141"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Eclipse Bite]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]

|}

=== Blood Pacts and when to use them ===
A summary of useful BPs I have encountered for solo and group play. This list is not exhaustive.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#000822"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | I really need to...
|- BGCOLOR="#051549"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Rage
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Ward
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Potential Uses

|-
| Cleave targets
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderspark]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Level ? Holy]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
|
[[Vagary]] 
[[Salvage II| Salvage Farming]] 
[[Colonization_Reive|Colonization Reives]] 
[[Incursion]]

|-
| Curb enemy offense
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Tidal Roar]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Mewing Lullaby]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Eerie Eye]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' attack 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' TP 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Inflicts [[Silence]] and [[Amnesia]]
|-
| Buff party's offense
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crimson Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Inferno Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rolling Thunder]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Hastega_II|Hastega II]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crystal Blessing]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Attack Bonus 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enfire 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enthunder 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Haste II 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]TP Bonus 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Attack Bonus

|-
| Buff party's defense
|
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Armor]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Ward]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Perfect Defense]] [[File:Alexander_GUI.png|link=]] 2 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Frost Armor]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shining Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage mitigation 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Stoneskin 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage reduction 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice Spikes 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Defense+10%, MDT 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Defense Bonus
|-
| Dispel enemy buffs
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Lunar Roar]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Pavor Nocturnus]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[:Yggdreant|Yggdreants]] or [[Belladonna|Belladonna's]] 
[[Glassy Gorger]]

|-
| Sleep nearby enemies
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Nightmare]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Sleepga_(Blood_Pact)|Sleepga]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[Warder of Love]] 
[[Omen]] 
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]

|-
| Stun the enemy
|
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Transfixion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Chaotic Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shock Squall]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Helps [[:Trusts#Gessho|Gessho]] tank CP mobs.
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]
|-
| Heal my party
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Whispering Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Healing Ruby II]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Remove status ailments
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Soothing Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Run really fast
|
|
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Fleet Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Give party member Reraise
|
|
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Reraise II]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Deal hybrid damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Best damage while unresisted - check your monster beforehand. Fire/Magic/High Melee resist will chunk your damage. - example: [[Dynamis - Bastok (D)]](Green pull only)/[[Dynamis - Jeuno (D)]]

|-
| Deal melee damage
|
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]General Melee dmg - example: Reisenjima Helms, but this will be your most used melee blood pact due to the stun. 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Slashing damage - example: [[Yakshi]]/[[Kalunga]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Blunt damage - example: [[Gigelorum]]/[[Gogmagog]] 

|-
| Deal magic damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Geocrush]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Fire damage (Light/Fusion/Liquefaction) 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice damage (Darkness/Distortion/Induration) 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Wind damage (Light/Fragmentation/Detonation) 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Earth damage (Darkness/Gravitation/Scission) 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Thunder damage (Light/Fragmentation/Impaction) 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Water damage (Darkness/Distortion/Reverberation)

|-
| colspan=4|
2 Requires [[Astral Flow]] to activate BP
|}

=== AFAC Strategy ===
Given the large amount of pet stats gained from SMN gifts and JP categories, I highly recommend maxing the [[Astral Flow]]/[[Astral Conduit]] effects and acquiring all the physical BP related stats (1710+ JP) prior to attempting an AFAC. 
Secondly, if you are using Gearswap, ensure that you are not accidentally swapping into a precast or aftercast set during [[Astral Conduit]]. 
At the time of this writing, Pergatory's LUA will equip an idle set following conduit BPs and assumes the user will stagger BPs approximately 1.25 seconds apart. 
If this proves inconvenient, you may opt to equip your BP set and //gs disable all during [[Astral Conduit]] '''[or]''' add code to disable his idle() function calls while conduit is up. 

'''Generic AFAC Algorithm'''
# Receive pre-fight buffs
# Activate [[Avatar's Favor]]
# If using [[Nirvana_(Level_119)|119 Nirvana]], build 3000 TP and gain [[Aftermath|AM3]] on fodder
# Pop NM
# Wait for GEO bubbles and offensive spells/JAs
# Hit [[Astral Flow]]
# Hit [[Astral Conduit]]
# Spam BPs
# Receive [[Mana Powder]] / [[Mana Mist]] during [[Astral Conduit]] from back line jobs if in [[Escha]] zone
# Watch your mana bar closely during your AFAC, and hit [[Convert]] if you ever drop below 300 - the goal is to get through two full mana bars during your AFAC if possible
# Once [[Astral Conduit]] wears:
# [[Apogee]], then BP (x2)
# Reset [[Apogee]] and [[Astral Flow]] + [[Astral Conduit]] via COR JAs and/or [[Super Revitalizer]] if in [[Escha]] zone
# Repeat until you or the boss dies

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#150101"
! colspan=10 style="text-align: center;" | Job Summary
|- BGCOLOR="#410202"
! width="15%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact
! width="15%" class=unsortable|SMN Food
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Indi-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Geo-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Entrust
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Offensive spells
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #1
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #2
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|RUN JAs
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|BRD Songs

|-
|
[[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]]
| [[Geo-Frailty]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Drachen Roll]]
| [[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]]

|-
| [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Frailty]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]] or [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
|
[[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Impact]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
| [[Companion's Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
| colspan=10|
[[Impact]], [[Odyllic Subterfuge]], and [[Refresh_(Status)|Refresh effects]] may be omitted based on NM and groups' comfort zone.
|-
| colspan=10|
Just use grape daifuku - there are other food options, but grapes are good for everything.
|}

== Acknowledgements ==
I took some of this straight from [https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Prismfang/Sandbox Prismfang's Sandbox], (especially the bottom half with info on what pacts do - I think its much nicer than having two pages open), with edits based on what I think is most realistic for someone newish to the job in 2025-2026.

Thanks to '''Pergatory''' of Asura for providing constructive feedback and all the SMNs on the FFXIAH.com forums for sharing their knowledge.

User:Cii/Sandbox

2025-12-13T06:21:17Z

Cii: /* Buff Duration / Summoning Skill Scaling Sets */

{{Guide}}
This is just intended to help with getting your summoner to the level where you can start seeing some nice numbers.

{{color|red|style=bold|Recommended GS LUA (and helpful tools) by Pergatory: }} [https://pastebin.com/u/pergatory Link].

== Getting Started ==
As a new level 99 SMN, I recommend focusing your efforts on the following:
# Obtain an [[Epitaph]] or grab an [[Eminent Sachet]] while you work towards your 100 JP gift to equip a [[Sancus Sachet +1]]
# Create [[Blood Pact]] (BP) sets to improve your avatar's maximum damage per offensive ability
# Create a [[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|BP delay]] set to improve the frequency that you can perform Blood Pacts
# Create an idle set with enough [[Avatar perpetuation cost]] - to offset your avatar's constant [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | MP drain/upkeep]], and enough DT- to survive being hit with AOEs in content like Dyna D
# Obtain the 1200 JP Gift and eventually reach Master SMN

An additional note: [[Flaming Crush]] is going to be your highest damage [[Blood Pact]] against almost anything that doesn't resist it. Embrace [[Ifrit]].

== Merits ==

'''Group 1:'''
* Avatar Physical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Physical Attack: 5
* Avatar Magical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Magical Attack: 5
* Summoning Magic Cast Time: Do not merit this. Build a [[Fast Cast]] set instead.

You can switch Magical Attack to Physical Accuracy and vise versa if you feel like you are having a problem with accuracy for a certain [[Blood Pact]] that you're using often. A good example of this is for AFAC strategies on [[Reisenjima]] HELMS - Physical Accuracy is very important there because you almost exclusively use [[Volt Strike]].

'''Group 2:'''
* [[Meteor Strike]]: 5
* [[Heavenly Strike]]: 1
* [[Wind Blade]]: 1
* [[Geocrush]]: 1
* [[Thunderstorm]]: 1
* [[Grand Fall]]: 1

You can merit whichever one of these you're using most often with the full 5 merits, [[Meteor Strike]] is recommended here because of the offensive power of [[Flaming Crush]], and the ability to use [[Apogee]] to burst off of the skillchains it creates.

Good examples of times to merit other blood pacts: [[Geocrush]] for sortie bosses A and E magic burst strat, [[Thunderstorm]] if you're mostly attacking with [[Volt Strike]] from [[Ramuh]], or [[Heavenly Strike]] if you're bursting on [[Darkness]].

== Idle Set ==
Most gearswap files will have a separate set for idling with and without your avatar. 
This set is for the former, and the goal here is to reach the [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | perpetuation cost]] cap of -14 MP/tic first and foremost.
Once you have reached the cap, avatars will cost at most 1 MP/tic, even with [[Avatar's Favor]] up, so your [[Auto Refresh]] will easily cover that.

# Reach the cap of -14 [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | avatar perpetuation cost]] in pet idle set
# Obtain a [[Caller's_Pendant | Caller's Pendant]] to grant your avatar free TP while standing around
# Fill the remaining slots on [[Refresh]] or defense stats afterward.
#* Note that [[Avatar's Favor]] effects are tiered off based on total skill and Favor+ gear.

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Recommended Start
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Eabani Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Physical Damage Taken -10%
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Enmerkar Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Eva.+20/Mag. Eva. +20, Pet: Damage taken -5%, Pet: Mag. Acc. +20/Mag. Dmg. +20, Pet: Regen +10, Pet: Magic Damage +10
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Lengo Pants
|LegsAug = Refresh +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
Both of these sets should be somewhere around -40% DT- (and 10+ refresh!), so a simple swap of one piece ([[Bunzi's Pants]] for example) should be enough for your DT- set to be at or near -50%.
 
 
[[Evoker's Ring]] is good, but very skippable. [[Shadow Ring]] is a fairly easy to obtain tanky alternative for your second slot.
 
 
Most of the pieces listed above and hereafter are interchangeable with their NQ and HQ variants. Customize your set based on available gear.

== Cheapest / Entry Damage Set ==

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Lowest Cost / Bar to Entry
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Gelos Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10 - Pet: Acc, Atk, Macc, Mab help, but keep any +10 BPdmg roll when starting
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Hurch'lan Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+15 Pet: "Double Attack"+3% "Blood Pact" damage +13
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Total Cost: '''
At time of writing (12/12/2025), the above set should be roughly 12mil to complete. (16mil if you get an Elan Strap +1.) If you don't have the money for that, feel free to downgrade items from +1 to +0 - with the apogee at +0, it'll only be about 7mil!
However, the prices on these are pretty low right now, so if you're liking the job i'd focus on getting the +1s here ASAP.

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Required Magic BP Items
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity -6 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+30 Pet: Damage Taken -4%
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist=
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|LegsAug = Huge damage boost to merit (magic) blood pacts
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Other Useful Items'''
* Optional: [[Sancus Sachet +1]] - If you can't get the [[Epitaph]], or already have one, this is actually a better option until the [[Epitaph]] is augmented. However, it costs >2mil, so if money is a concern, try to get that Sgili clear for the [[Epitaph]].
* -
* Optional: [[Shulmanu Collar]] - BIS for melee pacts until a near max JSE neck +1 or +2, if you already have it, great!
* -
* Optional: [[Smn. Collar +1]] - 2nd BIS only to the +2 when fully augmented, and only ~3mil at time of writing. Worth it if you have the funds and are willing to get the RP in Dynamis.
* -
* Optional: [[Apogee Dalmatica]] (Path A) (Magical BP) - the +1 is good, but expensive, and magical only BPs are hardly ever used. Don't spend your money on a +1 unless you get very deep into gearing the job.
* -
* Optional: [[Sroda Earring]] (Melee Pacts, BIS and cheap)
* -
* Questionable: [[Kyrene's Earring]] - If you have one laying around and are missing something else
* -
* Questionable: [[Apogee Mitts]] - If unsure that you want to play the job, make a pair of +0s with path C while you try it out. Do not waste money on a +1 pair of these.

|}

== More Advanced Blood Pact Sets ==
{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
Blood Pacts are generally categorized as either physical or magical damage, with the exception that Ifrit's [[Burning Strike]] and [[Flaming Crush]] are considered hybrid damage. 
In the event you have a Nirvana and HQ Apogee pieces at hand, see Pergatory's LUA file above on gear choices while Garland's [[Aftermath]] is up.
#For physical BPs, you will want stats such as BP Damage, Accuracy, Attack, and Pet: Double Attack. 
#For magical BPs, you will want BP Damage, Magic Attack, and perhaps Pet: TP Bonus. Avatars seem to have naturally high magic accuracy for their associated element 
#For hybrid BPs, there is usually a mixture of physical and magical BP stats, with a heavy emphasis on the magical end.
 
None of these sets will include REMA weapons, or very expensive minor upgrades like +2 JSE necks.
 
 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Shulmanu Collar
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Sroda Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Glyphic Doublet +3
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = "Fast Cast" +10%, Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
You can use [[Apogee Attire Set]] +1 boots and hat for your physical set, but with the [[Helios Attire Set]] being easily attainable, I'd really recommend against buying a second pair of Apogee +1 for physical unless you're made of money. The Helios is typically better anyways - just requires some time to augment.

The [[Shulmanu Collar]] is probably not worth chasing just for SMN, as the [[Smn. Collar +1]] is better when fully augmented. Its mostly in this set in case you already have one for a different job.

The [[Sroda Earring]] is BIS as long as you've got enough accuracy in your set. The only reason the [[Beck. Earring +1]] is in mine is because the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] has 0 Pet: Accuracy.

Lastly, with Apollyon points being so accessible due to ???'s being shouted out every 3 days or so, i'd really recommend getting the [[Con. Doublet +4]]. You don't ever need to make the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] like I have, because of previously mentioned accuracy issues.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+60 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+30 "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: Magic Acc, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The [[Apogee Slacks +1]] are only better than the [[Enticer's Pants]] if you have the blood pact fully merited, or have TP over 1500. You don't really need a second pair of these, just stick with the [[Enticer's Pants]].

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Gelos Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20 Pet: "Double Attack"+4% "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The most important stat for [[Flaming Crush]] is Blood Pact Damage, as its counted twice: once on the physical hits, and once on the magical. That's the the [[Gelos Earring]] is recommended over the [[Beck. Earring]] here. Of course, if you already have a Beck. Earring, there's no reason to do the quest for the [[Gelos Earring]]. The damage difference is pretty minimal.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

[[Apogee Slacks +1]] (Path A) should be more damage than (Path D) for [[Flaming Crush]]. However, (Path D) is fine, so this upgrade is fairly unnecessary. With this same logic, the [[Apogee Dalmatica +1]] may be similar damage to the [[Con. Doublet +4]] - but the extra +60 accuracy on that top plays a huge role for [[Flaming Crush]]. If you miss either of the initial melee hits, your overall damage will completely plummet, because the magic hit's damage is based on the first two hits' damage.

Do not fret if you are missing the Omen/Vagary accessories; the bulk of your avatar's damage comes from your armor and weapon choices.

== BP Delay Reduction Gear ==
[[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|Blood Pact delays]] have a combined cap of -30 seconds from player gear and gifts, and no more than -15 seconds can be applied per delay tier. 
Once you have obtained the 500 JP (Superior 3) gift, the HQ [[Sancus Sachet]] and [[Baayami_Attire_Set|Baayami Attire Set]] can help you reach the BP delay cap while providing copious amounts of [[Summoning Magic Skill]]. 
An [[Espiritus]] can provide additional BP delay II if you do not mind potentially losing TP on swapping weapons. 

# Reach the cap of -30 seconds through gear and JP gifts
# Fill remaining slots with Summoning Skill and Favor+ gear to improve [[Avatar's Favor]] tier - the final 'tier' is at 670+ total skill.

{{color|red|style=bold|NOTE: }} Depending on your gearswap file, your BP delay set may be listed as a precast or midcast set. 
The delay set should equip as soon as a BP command is sent, and similarly, your BP damage sets should equip once your avatar begins its BP animation.

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -22 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
More than fully capped BP delay with 1200JP, plus 676 Summoning Magic Skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -18 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 0 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Eminent Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Shomonjijoe
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 100 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 500 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +3
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== Buff Duration / Summoning Skill Scaling Sets ==

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Buff Duration
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*This set gives 676 Summoning skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Summoning Skill +
|CaptionBottom = Alternative items
|Main =
|Sub = Vox Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Baayami Hat
|Neck = Incanter's Torque
|Ear1 = Andoaa Earring
|Ear2 = C. Palug Earring
|Body = Beck. Doublet +2
|Hands = Inyan. Dastanas +2
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Stikini Ring
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Beck. Spats +2
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path D: MP+70, "Summoning Magic Skill" +15, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*The [[Stikini Ring]] and [[Baayami Hat]] are very expensive for little benefit, so i'd recommend against them unless you already have them. They're mostly on this list so all options are shown.
*The [[Beckoner's Attire Set]] has a decent amount of skill, but its probably not worth building just for the skill bonus.

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Elemental Siphon
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Esper Stone +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Beck. Pigaches +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== SMN at a Glance ==
Here is where I attempt to answer questions and grossly generalize SMN at the same time: 

=== Skillchains and Magic Bursts ===
Physical and Hybrid BPs are analogous to player [[Weapon Skill|WSs]] and each have their own [[Summoner#Spells_and_Blood_Pacts|skillchain properties]]. 
Magic BPs are analogous to player spells and can be used in a [[Magic Burst|magic burst]]. 
In general, there is a short delay between using a BP command when the BP is executed, so time your BPs accordingly.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchains (2-Step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst1
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Mountain Buster]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Gravitation]]
| [[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crag Throw]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Liquefaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Full Swing]]
| [[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Burning Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fusion]]
| [[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Conflag Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=5 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchain (3-step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #2
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #3
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #2
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]]1 [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
|-
| colspan=5|
1 Requires [[Apogee]] to BP twice in a row
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#0F0018"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Multi-SMN Skillchains
|- BGCOLOR="#2A0141"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Eclipse Bite]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]

|}

=== Blood Pacts and when to use them ===
A summary of useful BPs I have encountered for solo and group play. This list is not exhaustive.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#000822"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | I really need to...
|- BGCOLOR="#051549"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Rage
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Ward
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Potential Uses

|-
| Cleave targets
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderspark]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Level ? Holy]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
|
[[Vagary]] 
[[Salvage II| Salvage Farming]] 
[[Colonization_Reive|Colonization Reives]] 
[[Incursion]]

|-
| Curb enemy offense
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Tidal Roar]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Mewing Lullaby]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Eerie Eye]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' attack 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' TP 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Inflicts [[Silence]] and [[Amnesia]]
|-
| Buff party's offense
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crimson Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Inferno Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rolling Thunder]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Hastega_II|Hastega II]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crystal Blessing]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Attack Bonus 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enfire 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enthunder 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Haste II 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]TP Bonus 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Attack Bonus

|-
| Buff party's defense
|
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Armor]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Ward]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Perfect Defense]] [[File:Alexander_GUI.png|link=]] 2 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Frost Armor]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shining Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage mitigation 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Stoneskin 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage reduction 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice Spikes 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Defense+10%, MDT 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Defense Bonus
|-
| Dispel enemy buffs
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Lunar Roar]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Pavor Nocturnus]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[:Yggdreant|Yggdreants]] or [[Belladonna|Belladonna's]] 
[[Glassy Gorger]]

|-
| Sleep nearby enemies
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Nightmare]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Sleepga_(Blood_Pact)|Sleepga]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[Warder of Love]] 
[[Omen]] 
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]

|-
| Stun the enemy
|
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Transfixion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Chaotic Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shock Squall]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Helps [[:Trusts#Gessho|Gessho]] tank CP mobs.
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]
|-
| Heal my party
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Whispering Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Healing Ruby II]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Remove status ailments
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Soothing Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Run really fast
|
|
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Fleet Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Give party member Reraise
|
|
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Reraise II]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Deal hybrid damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Best damage while unresisted - check your monster beforehand. Fire/Magic/High Melee resist will chunk your damage. - example: [[Dynamis - Bastok (D)]](Green pull only)/[[Dynamis - Jeuno (D)]]

|-
| Deal melee damage
|
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]General Melee dmg - example: Reisenjima Helms, but this will be your most used melee blood pact due to the stun. 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Slashing damage - example: [[Yakshi]]/[[Kalunga]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Blunt damage - example: [[Gigelorum]]/[[Gogmagog]] 

|-
| Deal magic damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Geocrush]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Fire damage (Light/Fusion/Liquefaction) 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice damage (Darkness/Distortion/Induration) 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Wind damage (Light/Fragmentation/Detonation) 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Earth damage (Darkness/Gravitation/Scission) 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Thunder damage (Light/Fragmentation/Impaction) 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Water damage (Darkness/Distortion/Reverberation)

|-
| colspan=4|
2 Requires [[Astral Flow]] to activate BP
|}

=== AFAC Strategy ===
Given the large amount of pet stats gained from SMN gifts and JP categories, I highly recommend maxing the [[Astral Flow]]/[[Astral Conduit]] effects and acquiring all the physical BP related stats (1710+ JP) prior to attempting an AFAC. 
Secondly, if you are using Gearswap, ensure that you are not accidentally swapping into a precast or aftercast set during [[Astral Conduit]]. 
At the time of this writing, Pergatory's LUA will equip an idle set following conduit BPs and assumes the user will stagger BPs approximately 1.25 seconds apart. 
If this proves inconvenient, you may opt to equip your BP set and //gs disable all during [[Astral Conduit]] '''[or]''' add code to disable his idle() function calls while conduit is up. 

'''Generic AFAC Algorithm'''
# Receive pre-fight buffs
# Activate [[Avatar's Favor]]
# If using [[Nirvana_(Level_119)|119 Nirvana]], build 3000 TP and gain [[Aftermath|AM3]] on fodder
# Pop NM
# Wait for GEO bubbles and offensive spells/JAs
# Hit [[Astral Flow]]
# Hit [[Astral Conduit]]
# Spam BPs
# Receive [[Mana Powder]] / [[Mana Mist]] during [[Astral Conduit]] from back line jobs if in [[Escha]] zone
# Watch your mana bar closely during your AFAC, and hit [[Convert]] if you ever drop below 300 - the goal is to get through two full mana bars during your AFAC if possible
# Once [[Astral Conduit]] wears:
# [[Apogee]], then BP (x2)
# Reset [[Apogee]] and [[Astral Flow]] + [[Astral Conduit]] via COR JAs and/or [[Super Revitalizer]] if in [[Escha]] zone
# Repeat until you or the boss dies

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#150101"
! colspan=10 style="text-align: center;" | Job Summary
|- BGCOLOR="#410202"
! width="15%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact
! width="15%" class=unsortable|SMN Food
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Indi-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Geo-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Entrust
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Offensive spells
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #1
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #2
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|RUN JAs
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|BRD Songs

|-
|
[[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]]
| [[Geo-Frailty]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Drachen Roll]]
| [[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]]

|-
| [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Frailty]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]] or [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
|
[[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Impact]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
| [[Companion's Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
| colspan=10|
[[Impact]], [[Odyllic Subterfuge]], and [[Refresh_(Status)|Refresh effects]] may be omitted based on NM and groups' comfort zone.
|-
| colspan=10|
Just use grape daifuku - there are other food options, but grapes are good for everything.
|}

== Acknowledgements ==
I took some of this straight from [https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Prismfang/Sandbox Prismfang's Sandbox], (especially the bottom half with info on what pacts do - I think its much nicer than having two pages open), with edits based on what I think is most realistic for someone newish to the job in 2025-2026.

Thanks to '''Pergatory''' of Asura for providing constructive feedback and all the SMNs on the FFXIAH.com forums for sharing their knowledge.

User:Cii/Sandbox

2025-12-13T06:20:49Z

Cii: /* Buff Duration / Summoning Skill Scaling Sets */

{{Guide}}
This is just intended to help with getting your summoner to the level where you can start seeing some nice numbers.

{{color|red|style=bold|Recommended GS LUA (and helpful tools) by Pergatory: }} [https://pastebin.com/u/pergatory Link].

== Getting Started ==
As a new level 99 SMN, I recommend focusing your efforts on the following:
# Obtain an [[Epitaph]] or grab an [[Eminent Sachet]] while you work towards your 100 JP gift to equip a [[Sancus Sachet +1]]
# Create [[Blood Pact]] (BP) sets to improve your avatar's maximum damage per offensive ability
# Create a [[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|BP delay]] set to improve the frequency that you can perform Blood Pacts
# Create an idle set with enough [[Avatar perpetuation cost]] - to offset your avatar's constant [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | MP drain/upkeep]], and enough DT- to survive being hit with AOEs in content like Dyna D
# Obtain the 1200 JP Gift and eventually reach Master SMN

An additional note: [[Flaming Crush]] is going to be your highest damage [[Blood Pact]] against almost anything that doesn't resist it. Embrace [[Ifrit]].

== Merits ==

'''Group 1:'''
* Avatar Physical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Physical Attack: 5
* Avatar Magical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Magical Attack: 5
* Summoning Magic Cast Time: Do not merit this. Build a [[Fast Cast]] set instead.

You can switch Magical Attack to Physical Accuracy and vise versa if you feel like you are having a problem with accuracy for a certain [[Blood Pact]] that you're using often. A good example of this is for AFAC strategies on [[Reisenjima]] HELMS - Physical Accuracy is very important there because you almost exclusively use [[Volt Strike]].

'''Group 2:'''
* [[Meteor Strike]]: 5
* [[Heavenly Strike]]: 1
* [[Wind Blade]]: 1
* [[Geocrush]]: 1
* [[Thunderstorm]]: 1
* [[Grand Fall]]: 1

You can merit whichever one of these you're using most often with the full 5 merits, [[Meteor Strike]] is recommended here because of the offensive power of [[Flaming Crush]], and the ability to use [[Apogee]] to burst off of the skillchains it creates.

Good examples of times to merit other blood pacts: [[Geocrush]] for sortie bosses A and E magic burst strat, [[Thunderstorm]] if you're mostly attacking with [[Volt Strike]] from [[Ramuh]], or [[Heavenly Strike]] if you're bursting on [[Darkness]].

== Idle Set ==
Most gearswap files will have a separate set for idling with and without your avatar. 
This set is for the former, and the goal here is to reach the [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | perpetuation cost]] cap of -14 MP/tic first and foremost.
Once you have reached the cap, avatars will cost at most 1 MP/tic, even with [[Avatar's Favor]] up, so your [[Auto Refresh]] will easily cover that.

# Reach the cap of -14 [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | avatar perpetuation cost]] in pet idle set
# Obtain a [[Caller's_Pendant | Caller's Pendant]] to grant your avatar free TP while standing around
# Fill the remaining slots on [[Refresh]] or defense stats afterward.
#* Note that [[Avatar's Favor]] effects are tiered off based on total skill and Favor+ gear.

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Recommended Start
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Eabani Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Physical Damage Taken -10%
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Enmerkar Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Eva.+20/Mag. Eva. +20, Pet: Damage taken -5%, Pet: Mag. Acc. +20/Mag. Dmg. +20, Pet: Regen +10, Pet: Magic Damage +10
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Lengo Pants
|LegsAug = Refresh +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
Both of these sets should be somewhere around -40% DT- (and 10+ refresh!), so a simple swap of one piece ([[Bunzi's Pants]] for example) should be enough for your DT- set to be at or near -50%.
 
 
[[Evoker's Ring]] is good, but very skippable. [[Shadow Ring]] is a fairly easy to obtain tanky alternative for your second slot.
 
 
Most of the pieces listed above and hereafter are interchangeable with their NQ and HQ variants. Customize your set based on available gear.

== Cheapest / Entry Damage Set ==

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Lowest Cost / Bar to Entry
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Gelos Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10 - Pet: Acc, Atk, Macc, Mab help, but keep any +10 BPdmg roll when starting
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Hurch'lan Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+15 Pet: "Double Attack"+3% "Blood Pact" damage +13
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Total Cost: '''
At time of writing (12/12/2025), the above set should be roughly 12mil to complete. (16mil if you get an Elan Strap +1.) If you don't have the money for that, feel free to downgrade items from +1 to +0 - with the apogee at +0, it'll only be about 7mil!
However, the prices on these are pretty low right now, so if you're liking the job i'd focus on getting the +1s here ASAP.

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Required Magic BP Items
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity -6 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+30 Pet: Damage Taken -4%
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist=
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|LegsAug = Huge damage boost to merit (magic) blood pacts
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Other Useful Items'''
* Optional: [[Sancus Sachet +1]] - If you can't get the [[Epitaph]], or already have one, this is actually a better option until the [[Epitaph]] is augmented. However, it costs >2mil, so if money is a concern, try to get that Sgili clear for the [[Epitaph]].
* -
* Optional: [[Shulmanu Collar]] - BIS for melee pacts until a near max JSE neck +1 or +2, if you already have it, great!
* -
* Optional: [[Smn. Collar +1]] - 2nd BIS only to the +2 when fully augmented, and only ~3mil at time of writing. Worth it if you have the funds and are willing to get the RP in Dynamis.
* -
* Optional: [[Apogee Dalmatica]] (Path A) (Magical BP) - the +1 is good, but expensive, and magical only BPs are hardly ever used. Don't spend your money on a +1 unless you get very deep into gearing the job.
* -
* Optional: [[Sroda Earring]] (Melee Pacts, BIS and cheap)
* -
* Questionable: [[Kyrene's Earring]] - If you have one laying around and are missing something else
* -
* Questionable: [[Apogee Mitts]] - If unsure that you want to play the job, make a pair of +0s with path C while you try it out. Do not waste money on a +1 pair of these.

|}

== More Advanced Blood Pact Sets ==
{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
Blood Pacts are generally categorized as either physical or magical damage, with the exception that Ifrit's [[Burning Strike]] and [[Flaming Crush]] are considered hybrid damage. 
In the event you have a Nirvana and HQ Apogee pieces at hand, see Pergatory's LUA file above on gear choices while Garland's [[Aftermath]] is up.
#For physical BPs, you will want stats such as BP Damage, Accuracy, Attack, and Pet: Double Attack. 
#For magical BPs, you will want BP Damage, Magic Attack, and perhaps Pet: TP Bonus. Avatars seem to have naturally high magic accuracy for their associated element 
#For hybrid BPs, there is usually a mixture of physical and magical BP stats, with a heavy emphasis on the magical end.
 
None of these sets will include REMA weapons, or very expensive minor upgrades like +2 JSE necks.
 
 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Shulmanu Collar
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Sroda Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Glyphic Doublet +3
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = "Fast Cast" +10%, Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
You can use [[Apogee Attire Set]] +1 boots and hat for your physical set, but with the [[Helios Attire Set]] being easily attainable, I'd really recommend against buying a second pair of Apogee +1 for physical unless you're made of money. The Helios is typically better anyways - just requires some time to augment.

The [[Shulmanu Collar]] is probably not worth chasing just for SMN, as the [[Smn. Collar +1]] is better when fully augmented. Its mostly in this set in case you already have one for a different job.

The [[Sroda Earring]] is BIS as long as you've got enough accuracy in your set. The only reason the [[Beck. Earring +1]] is in mine is because the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] has 0 Pet: Accuracy.

Lastly, with Apollyon points being so accessible due to ???'s being shouted out every 3 days or so, i'd really recommend getting the [[Con. Doublet +4]]. You don't ever need to make the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] like I have, because of previously mentioned accuracy issues.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+60 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+30 "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: Magic Acc, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The [[Apogee Slacks +1]] are only better than the [[Enticer's Pants]] if you have the blood pact fully merited, or have TP over 1500. You don't really need a second pair of these, just stick with the [[Enticer's Pants]].

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Gelos Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20 Pet: "Double Attack"+4% "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The most important stat for [[Flaming Crush]] is Blood Pact Damage, as its counted twice: once on the physical hits, and once on the magical. That's the the [[Gelos Earring]] is recommended over the [[Beck. Earring]] here. Of course, if you already have a Beck. Earring, there's no reason to do the quest for the [[Gelos Earring]]. The damage difference is pretty minimal.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

[[Apogee Slacks +1]] (Path A) should be more damage than (Path D) for [[Flaming Crush]]. However, (Path D) is fine, so this upgrade is fairly unnecessary. With this same logic, the [[Apogee Dalmatica +1]] may be similar damage to the [[Con. Doublet +4]] - but the extra +60 accuracy on that top plays a huge role for [[Flaming Crush]]. If you miss either of the initial melee hits, your overall damage will completely plummet, because the magic hit's damage is based on the first two hits' damage.

Do not fret if you are missing the Omen/Vagary accessories; the bulk of your avatar's damage comes from your armor and weapon choices.

== BP Delay Reduction Gear ==
[[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|Blood Pact delays]] have a combined cap of -30 seconds from player gear and gifts, and no more than -15 seconds can be applied per delay tier. 
Once you have obtained the 500 JP (Superior 3) gift, the HQ [[Sancus Sachet]] and [[Baayami_Attire_Set|Baayami Attire Set]] can help you reach the BP delay cap while providing copious amounts of [[Summoning Magic Skill]]. 
An [[Espiritus]] can provide additional BP delay II if you do not mind potentially losing TP on swapping weapons. 

# Reach the cap of -30 seconds through gear and JP gifts
# Fill remaining slots with Summoning Skill and Favor+ gear to improve [[Avatar's Favor]] tier - the final 'tier' is at 670+ total skill.

{{color|red|style=bold|NOTE: }} Depending on your gearswap file, your BP delay set may be listed as a precast or midcast set. 
The delay set should equip as soon as a BP command is sent, and similarly, your BP damage sets should equip once your avatar begins its BP animation.

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -22 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
More than fully capped BP delay with 1200JP, plus 676 Summoning Magic Skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -18 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 0 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Eminent Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Shomonjijoe
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 100 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 500 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +3
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== Buff Duration / Summoning Skill Scaling Sets ==

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Buff Duration
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*This set gives 676 Summoning skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Summoning Skill +
|CaptionBottom = Alternative items
|Main =
|Sub = Vox Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Baayami Hat
|Neck = Incanter's Torque
|Ear1 = Andoaa Earring
|Ear2 = C. Palug Earring
|Body = Beck. Doublet +2
|Hands = Inyan. Dastanas +2
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Stikini Ring
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Beck. Spats +2
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path D: MP+70, "Summoning Magic Skill" +15, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*The [[Stikini Ring]] and [[Baayami Hat]] are very expensive for little benefit, so i'd recommend against them unless you already have them. They're mostly on this list so all options are shown.
*The [[Beckoner's Attire Set]] has a decent amount of skill, but its probably not worth building just for the skill bonus.

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Elemental Siphon
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Esper Stone +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Beck. Pigaches +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== SMN at a Glance ==
Here is where I attempt to answer questions and grossly generalize SMN at the same time: 

=== Skillchains and Magic Bursts ===
Physical and Hybrid BPs are analogous to player [[Weapon Skill|WSs]] and each have their own [[Summoner#Spells_and_Blood_Pacts|skillchain properties]]. 
Magic BPs are analogous to player spells and can be used in a [[Magic Burst|magic burst]]. 
In general, there is a short delay between using a BP command when the BP is executed, so time your BPs accordingly.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchains (2-Step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst1
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Mountain Buster]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Gravitation]]
| [[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crag Throw]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Liquefaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Full Swing]]
| [[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Burning Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fusion]]
| [[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Conflag Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=5 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchain (3-step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #2
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #3
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #2
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]]1 [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
|-
| colspan=5|
1 Requires [[Apogee]] to BP twice in a row
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#0F0018"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Multi-SMN Skillchains
|- BGCOLOR="#2A0141"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Eclipse Bite]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]

|}

=== Blood Pacts and when to use them ===
A summary of useful BPs I have encountered for solo and group play. This list is not exhaustive.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#000822"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | I really need to...
|- BGCOLOR="#051549"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Rage
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Ward
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Potential Uses

|-
| Cleave targets
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderspark]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Level ? Holy]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
|
[[Vagary]] 
[[Salvage II| Salvage Farming]] 
[[Colonization_Reive|Colonization Reives]] 
[[Incursion]]

|-
| Curb enemy offense
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Tidal Roar]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Mewing Lullaby]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Eerie Eye]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' attack 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' TP 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Inflicts [[Silence]] and [[Amnesia]]
|-
| Buff party's offense
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crimson Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Inferno Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rolling Thunder]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Hastega_II|Hastega II]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crystal Blessing]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Attack Bonus 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enfire 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enthunder 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Haste II 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]TP Bonus 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Attack Bonus

|-
| Buff party's defense
|
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Armor]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Ward]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Perfect Defense]] [[File:Alexander_GUI.png|link=]] 2 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Frost Armor]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shining Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage mitigation 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Stoneskin 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage reduction 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice Spikes 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Defense+10%, MDT 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Defense Bonus
|-
| Dispel enemy buffs
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Lunar Roar]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Pavor Nocturnus]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[:Yggdreant|Yggdreants]] or [[Belladonna|Belladonna's]] 
[[Glassy Gorger]]

|-
| Sleep nearby enemies
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Nightmare]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Sleepga_(Blood_Pact)|Sleepga]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[Warder of Love]] 
[[Omen]] 
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]

|-
| Stun the enemy
|
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Transfixion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Chaotic Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shock Squall]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Helps [[:Trusts#Gessho|Gessho]] tank CP mobs.
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]
|-
| Heal my party
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Whispering Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Healing Ruby II]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Remove status ailments
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Soothing Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Run really fast
|
|
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Fleet Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Give party member Reraise
|
|
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Reraise II]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Deal hybrid damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Best damage while unresisted - check your monster beforehand. Fire/Magic/High Melee resist will chunk your damage. - example: [[Dynamis - Bastok (D)]](Green pull only)/[[Dynamis - Jeuno (D)]]

|-
| Deal melee damage
|
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]General Melee dmg - example: Reisenjima Helms, but this will be your most used melee blood pact due to the stun. 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Slashing damage - example: [[Yakshi]]/[[Kalunga]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Blunt damage - example: [[Gigelorum]]/[[Gogmagog]] 

|-
| Deal magic damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Geocrush]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Fire damage (Light/Fusion/Liquefaction) 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice damage (Darkness/Distortion/Induration) 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Wind damage (Light/Fragmentation/Detonation) 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Earth damage (Darkness/Gravitation/Scission) 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Thunder damage (Light/Fragmentation/Impaction) 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Water damage (Darkness/Distortion/Reverberation)

|-
| colspan=4|
2 Requires [[Astral Flow]] to activate BP
|}

=== AFAC Strategy ===
Given the large amount of pet stats gained from SMN gifts and JP categories, I highly recommend maxing the [[Astral Flow]]/[[Astral Conduit]] effects and acquiring all the physical BP related stats (1710+ JP) prior to attempting an AFAC. 
Secondly, if you are using Gearswap, ensure that you are not accidentally swapping into a precast or aftercast set during [[Astral Conduit]]. 
At the time of this writing, Pergatory's LUA will equip an idle set following conduit BPs and assumes the user will stagger BPs approximately 1.25 seconds apart. 
If this proves inconvenient, you may opt to equip your BP set and //gs disable all during [[Astral Conduit]] '''[or]''' add code to disable his idle() function calls while conduit is up. 

'''Generic AFAC Algorithm'''
# Receive pre-fight buffs
# Activate [[Avatar's Favor]]
# If using [[Nirvana_(Level_119)|119 Nirvana]], build 3000 TP and gain [[Aftermath|AM3]] on fodder
# Pop NM
# Wait for GEO bubbles and offensive spells/JAs
# Hit [[Astral Flow]]
# Hit [[Astral Conduit]]
# Spam BPs
# Receive [[Mana Powder]] / [[Mana Mist]] during [[Astral Conduit]] from back line jobs if in [[Escha]] zone
# Watch your mana bar closely during your AFAC, and hit [[Convert]] if you ever drop below 300 - the goal is to get through two full mana bars during your AFAC if possible
# Once [[Astral Conduit]] wears:
# [[Apogee]], then BP (x2)
# Reset [[Apogee]] and [[Astral Flow]] + [[Astral Conduit]] via COR JAs and/or [[Super Revitalizer]] if in [[Escha]] zone
# Repeat until you or the boss dies

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#150101"
! colspan=10 style="text-align: center;" | Job Summary
|- BGCOLOR="#410202"
! width="15%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact
! width="15%" class=unsortable|SMN Food
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Indi-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Geo-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Entrust
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Offensive spells
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #1
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #2
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|RUN JAs
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|BRD Songs

|-
|
[[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]]
| [[Geo-Frailty]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Drachen Roll]]
| [[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]]

|-
| [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Frailty]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]] or [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
|
[[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Impact]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
| [[Companion's Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
| colspan=10|
[[Impact]], [[Odyllic Subterfuge]], and [[Refresh_(Status)|Refresh effects]] may be omitted based on NM and groups' comfort zone.
|-
| colspan=10|
Just use grape daifuku - there are other food options, but grapes are good for everything.
|}

== Acknowledgements ==
I took some of this straight from [https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Prismfang/Sandbox Prismfang's Sandbox], (especially the bottom half with info on what pacts do - I think its much nicer than having two pages open), with edits based on what I think is most realistic for someone newish to the job in 2025-2026.

Thanks to '''Pergatory''' of Asura for providing constructive feedback and all the SMNs on the FFXIAH.com forums for sharing their knowledge.

User:Cii/Sandbox

2025-12-13T06:11:34Z

Cii: /* BP Delay Reduction Gear */

{{Guide}}
This is just intended to help with getting your summoner to the level where you can start seeing some nice numbers.

{{color|red|style=bold|Recommended GS LUA (and helpful tools) by Pergatory: }} [https://pastebin.com/u/pergatory Link].

== Getting Started ==
As a new level 99 SMN, I recommend focusing your efforts on the following:
# Obtain an [[Epitaph]] or grab an [[Eminent Sachet]] while you work towards your 100 JP gift to equip a [[Sancus Sachet +1]]
# Create [[Blood Pact]] (BP) sets to improve your avatar's maximum damage per offensive ability
# Create a [[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|BP delay]] set to improve the frequency that you can perform Blood Pacts
# Create an idle set with enough [[Avatar perpetuation cost]] - to offset your avatar's constant [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | MP drain/upkeep]], and enough DT- to survive being hit with AOEs in content like Dyna D
# Obtain the 1200 JP Gift and eventually reach Master SMN

An additional note: [[Flaming Crush]] is going to be your highest damage [[Blood Pact]] against almost anything that doesn't resist it. Embrace [[Ifrit]].

== Merits ==

'''Group 1:'''
* Avatar Physical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Physical Attack: 5
* Avatar Magical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Magical Attack: 5
* Summoning Magic Cast Time: Do not merit this. Build a [[Fast Cast]] set instead.

You can switch Magical Attack to Physical Accuracy and vise versa if you feel like you are having a problem with accuracy for a certain [[Blood Pact]] that you're using often. A good example of this is for AFAC strategies on [[Reisenjima]] HELMS - Physical Accuracy is very important there because you almost exclusively use [[Volt Strike]].

'''Group 2:'''
* [[Meteor Strike]]: 5
* [[Heavenly Strike]]: 1
* [[Wind Blade]]: 1
* [[Geocrush]]: 1
* [[Thunderstorm]]: 1
* [[Grand Fall]]: 1

You can merit whichever one of these you're using most often with the full 5 merits, [[Meteor Strike]] is recommended here because of the offensive power of [[Flaming Crush]], and the ability to use [[Apogee]] to burst off of the skillchains it creates.

Good examples of times to merit other blood pacts: [[Geocrush]] for sortie bosses A and E magic burst strat, [[Thunderstorm]] if you're mostly attacking with [[Volt Strike]] from [[Ramuh]], or [[Heavenly Strike]] if you're bursting on [[Darkness]].

== Idle Set ==
Most gearswap files will have a separate set for idling with and without your avatar. 
This set is for the former, and the goal here is to reach the [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | perpetuation cost]] cap of -14 MP/tic first and foremost.
Once you have reached the cap, avatars will cost at most 1 MP/tic, even with [[Avatar's Favor]] up, so your [[Auto Refresh]] will easily cover that.

# Reach the cap of -14 [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | avatar perpetuation cost]] in pet idle set
# Obtain a [[Caller's_Pendant | Caller's Pendant]] to grant your avatar free TP while standing around
# Fill the remaining slots on [[Refresh]] or defense stats afterward.
#* Note that [[Avatar's Favor]] effects are tiered off based on total skill and Favor+ gear.

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Recommended Start
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Eabani Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Physical Damage Taken -10%
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Enmerkar Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Eva.+20/Mag. Eva. +20, Pet: Damage taken -5%, Pet: Mag. Acc. +20/Mag. Dmg. +20, Pet: Regen +10, Pet: Magic Damage +10
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Lengo Pants
|LegsAug = Refresh +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
Both of these sets should be somewhere around -40% DT- (and 10+ refresh!), so a simple swap of one piece ([[Bunzi's Pants]] for example) should be enough for your DT- set to be at or near -50%.
 
 
[[Evoker's Ring]] is good, but very skippable. [[Shadow Ring]] is a fairly easy to obtain tanky alternative for your second slot.
 
 
Most of the pieces listed above and hereafter are interchangeable with their NQ and HQ variants. Customize your set based on available gear.

== Cheapest / Entry Damage Set ==

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Lowest Cost / Bar to Entry
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Gelos Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10 - Pet: Acc, Atk, Macc, Mab help, but keep any +10 BPdmg roll when starting
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Hurch'lan Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+15 Pet: "Double Attack"+3% "Blood Pact" damage +13
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Total Cost: '''
At time of writing (12/12/2025), the above set should be roughly 12mil to complete. (16mil if you get an Elan Strap +1.) If you don't have the money for that, feel free to downgrade items from +1 to +0 - with the apogee at +0, it'll only be about 7mil!
However, the prices on these are pretty low right now, so if you're liking the job i'd focus on getting the +1s here ASAP.

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Required Magic BP Items
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity -6 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+30 Pet: Damage Taken -4%
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist=
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|LegsAug = Huge damage boost to merit (magic) blood pacts
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Other Useful Items'''
* Optional: [[Sancus Sachet +1]] - If you can't get the [[Epitaph]], or already have one, this is actually a better option until the [[Epitaph]] is augmented. However, it costs >2mil, so if money is a concern, try to get that Sgili clear for the [[Epitaph]].
* -
* Optional: [[Shulmanu Collar]] - BIS for melee pacts until a near max JSE neck +1 or +2, if you already have it, great!
* -
* Optional: [[Smn. Collar +1]] - 2nd BIS only to the +2 when fully augmented, and only ~3mil at time of writing. Worth it if you have the funds and are willing to get the RP in Dynamis.
* -
* Optional: [[Apogee Dalmatica]] (Path A) (Magical BP) - the +1 is good, but expensive, and magical only BPs are hardly ever used. Don't spend your money on a +1 unless you get very deep into gearing the job.
* -
* Optional: [[Sroda Earring]] (Melee Pacts, BIS and cheap)
* -
* Questionable: [[Kyrene's Earring]] - If you have one laying around and are missing something else
* -
* Questionable: [[Apogee Mitts]] - If unsure that you want to play the job, make a pair of +0s with path C while you try it out. Do not waste money on a +1 pair of these.

|}

== More Advanced Blood Pact Sets ==
{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
Blood Pacts are generally categorized as either physical or magical damage, with the exception that Ifrit's [[Burning Strike]] and [[Flaming Crush]] are considered hybrid damage. 
In the event you have a Nirvana and HQ Apogee pieces at hand, see Pergatory's LUA file above on gear choices while Garland's [[Aftermath]] is up.
#For physical BPs, you will want stats such as BP Damage, Accuracy, Attack, and Pet: Double Attack. 
#For magical BPs, you will want BP Damage, Magic Attack, and perhaps Pet: TP Bonus. Avatars seem to have naturally high magic accuracy for their associated element 
#For hybrid BPs, there is usually a mixture of physical and magical BP stats, with a heavy emphasis on the magical end.
 
None of these sets will include REMA weapons, or very expensive minor upgrades like +2 JSE necks.
 
 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Shulmanu Collar
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Sroda Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Glyphic Doublet +3
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = "Fast Cast" +10%, Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
You can use [[Apogee Attire Set]] +1 boots and hat for your physical set, but with the [[Helios Attire Set]] being easily attainable, I'd really recommend against buying a second pair of Apogee +1 for physical unless you're made of money. The Helios is typically better anyways - just requires some time to augment.

The [[Shulmanu Collar]] is probably not worth chasing just for SMN, as the [[Smn. Collar +1]] is better when fully augmented. Its mostly in this set in case you already have one for a different job.

The [[Sroda Earring]] is BIS as long as you've got enough accuracy in your set. The only reason the [[Beck. Earring +1]] is in mine is because the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] has 0 Pet: Accuracy.

Lastly, with Apollyon points being so accessible due to ???'s being shouted out every 3 days or so, i'd really recommend getting the [[Con. Doublet +4]]. You don't ever need to make the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] like I have, because of previously mentioned accuracy issues.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+60 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+30 "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: Magic Acc, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The [[Apogee Slacks +1]] are only better than the [[Enticer's Pants]] if you have the blood pact fully merited, or have TP over 1500. You don't really need a second pair of these, just stick with the [[Enticer's Pants]].

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Gelos Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20 Pet: "Double Attack"+4% "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The most important stat for [[Flaming Crush]] is Blood Pact Damage, as its counted twice: once on the physical hits, and once on the magical. That's the the [[Gelos Earring]] is recommended over the [[Beck. Earring]] here. Of course, if you already have a Beck. Earring, there's no reason to do the quest for the [[Gelos Earring]]. The damage difference is pretty minimal.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

[[Apogee Slacks +1]] (Path A) should be more damage than (Path D) for [[Flaming Crush]]. However, (Path D) is fine, so this upgrade is fairly unnecessary. With this same logic, the [[Apogee Dalmatica +1]] may be similar damage to the [[Con. Doublet +4]] - but the extra +60 accuracy on that top plays a huge role for [[Flaming Crush]]. If you miss either of the initial melee hits, your overall damage will completely plummet, because the magic hit's damage is based on the first two hits' damage.

Do not fret if you are missing the Omen/Vagary accessories; the bulk of your avatar's damage comes from your armor and weapon choices.

== BP Delay Reduction Gear ==
[[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|Blood Pact delays]] have a combined cap of -30 seconds from player gear and gifts, and no more than -15 seconds can be applied per delay tier. 
Once you have obtained the 500 JP (Superior 3) gift, the HQ [[Sancus Sachet]] and [[Baayami_Attire_Set|Baayami Attire Set]] can help you reach the BP delay cap while providing copious amounts of [[Summoning Magic Skill]]. 
An [[Espiritus]] can provide additional BP delay II if you do not mind potentially losing TP on swapping weapons. 

# Reach the cap of -30 seconds through gear and JP gifts
# Fill remaining slots with Summoning Skill and Favor+ gear to improve [[Avatar's Favor]] tier - the final 'tier' is at 670+ total skill.

{{color|red|style=bold|NOTE: }} Depending on your gearswap file, your BP delay set may be listed as a precast or midcast set. 
The delay set should equip as soon as a BP command is sent, and similarly, your BP damage sets should equip once your avatar begins its BP animation.

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -22 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
More than fully capped BP delay with 1200JP, plus 676 Summoning Magic Skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -18 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 0 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Eminent Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Shomonjijoe
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 100 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 500 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +3
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== Buff Duration / Summoning Skill Scaling Sets ==

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Buff Duration
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Alabaster Earring
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*This set gives 676 Summoning skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Summoning Skill +
|CaptionBottom = Alternative items
|Main =
|Sub = Vox Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Baayami Hat
|Neck = Incanter's Torque
|Ear1 = Andoaa Earring
|Ear2 = C. Palug Earring
|Body = Beck. Doublet +2
|Hands = Inyan. Dastanas +2
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Stikini Ring
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Beck. Spats +2
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path D: MP+70, "Summoning Magic Skill" +15, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*The [[Stikini Ring]] and [[Baayami Hat]] are very expensive for little benefit, so i'd recommend against them unless you already have them. They're mostly on this list so all options are shown.
*The [[Beckoner's Attire Set]] has a decent amount of skill, but its probably not worth building just for the skill bonus.

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Elemental Siphon
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Esper Stone +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Alabaster Earring
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Beck. Pigaches +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== SMN at a Glance ==
Here is where I attempt to answer questions and grossly generalize SMN at the same time: 

=== Skillchains and Magic Bursts ===
Physical and Hybrid BPs are analogous to player [[Weapon Skill|WSs]] and each have their own [[Summoner#Spells_and_Blood_Pacts|skillchain properties]]. 
Magic BPs are analogous to player spells and can be used in a [[Magic Burst|magic burst]]. 
In general, there is a short delay between using a BP command when the BP is executed, so time your BPs accordingly.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchains (2-Step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst1
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Mountain Buster]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Gravitation]]
| [[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crag Throw]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Liquefaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Full Swing]]
| [[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Burning Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fusion]]
| [[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Conflag Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=5 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchain (3-step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #2
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #3
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #2
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]]1 [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
|-
| colspan=5|
1 Requires [[Apogee]] to BP twice in a row
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#0F0018"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Multi-SMN Skillchains
|- BGCOLOR="#2A0141"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Eclipse Bite]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]

|}

=== Blood Pacts and when to use them ===
A summary of useful BPs I have encountered for solo and group play. This list is not exhaustive.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#000822"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | I really need to...
|- BGCOLOR="#051549"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Rage
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Ward
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Potential Uses

|-
| Cleave targets
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderspark]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Level ? Holy]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
|
[[Vagary]] 
[[Salvage II| Salvage Farming]] 
[[Colonization_Reive|Colonization Reives]] 
[[Incursion]]

|-
| Curb enemy offense
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Tidal Roar]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Mewing Lullaby]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Eerie Eye]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' attack 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' TP 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Inflicts [[Silence]] and [[Amnesia]]
|-
| Buff party's offense
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crimson Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Inferno Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rolling Thunder]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Hastega_II|Hastega II]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crystal Blessing]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Attack Bonus 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enfire 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enthunder 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Haste II 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]TP Bonus 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Attack Bonus

|-
| Buff party's defense
|
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Armor]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Ward]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Perfect Defense]] [[File:Alexander_GUI.png|link=]] 2 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Frost Armor]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shining Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage mitigation 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Stoneskin 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage reduction 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice Spikes 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Defense+10%, MDT 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Defense Bonus
|-
| Dispel enemy buffs
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Lunar Roar]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Pavor Nocturnus]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[:Yggdreant|Yggdreants]] or [[Belladonna|Belladonna's]] 
[[Glassy Gorger]]

|-
| Sleep nearby enemies
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Nightmare]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Sleepga_(Blood_Pact)|Sleepga]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[Warder of Love]] 
[[Omen]] 
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]

|-
| Stun the enemy
|
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Transfixion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Chaotic Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shock Squall]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Helps [[:Trusts#Gessho|Gessho]] tank CP mobs.
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]
|-
| Heal my party
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Whispering Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Healing Ruby II]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Remove status ailments
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Soothing Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Run really fast
|
|
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Fleet Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Give party member Reraise
|
|
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Reraise II]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Deal hybrid damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Best damage while unresisted - check your monster beforehand. Fire/Magic/High Melee resist will chunk your damage. - example: [[Dynamis - Bastok (D)]](Green pull only)/[[Dynamis - Jeuno (D)]]

|-
| Deal melee damage
|
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]General Melee dmg - example: Reisenjima Helms, but this will be your most used melee blood pact due to the stun. 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Slashing damage - example: [[Yakshi]]/[[Kalunga]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Blunt damage - example: [[Gigelorum]]/[[Gogmagog]] 

|-
| Deal magic damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Geocrush]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Fire damage (Light/Fusion/Liquefaction) 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice damage (Darkness/Distortion/Induration) 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Wind damage (Light/Fragmentation/Detonation) 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Earth damage (Darkness/Gravitation/Scission) 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Thunder damage (Light/Fragmentation/Impaction) 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Water damage (Darkness/Distortion/Reverberation)

|-
| colspan=4|
2 Requires [[Astral Flow]] to activate BP
|}

=== AFAC Strategy ===
Given the large amount of pet stats gained from SMN gifts and JP categories, I highly recommend maxing the [[Astral Flow]]/[[Astral Conduit]] effects and acquiring all the physical BP related stats (1710+ JP) prior to attempting an AFAC. 
Secondly, if you are using Gearswap, ensure that you are not accidentally swapping into a precast or aftercast set during [[Astral Conduit]]. 
At the time of this writing, Pergatory's LUA will equip an idle set following conduit BPs and assumes the user will stagger BPs approximately 1.25 seconds apart. 
If this proves inconvenient, you may opt to equip your BP set and //gs disable all during [[Astral Conduit]] '''[or]''' add code to disable his idle() function calls while conduit is up. 

'''Generic AFAC Algorithm'''
# Receive pre-fight buffs
# Activate [[Avatar's Favor]]
# If using [[Nirvana_(Level_119)|119 Nirvana]], build 3000 TP and gain [[Aftermath|AM3]] on fodder
# Pop NM
# Wait for GEO bubbles and offensive spells/JAs
# Hit [[Astral Flow]]
# Hit [[Astral Conduit]]
# Spam BPs
# Receive [[Mana Powder]] / [[Mana Mist]] during [[Astral Conduit]] from back line jobs if in [[Escha]] zone
# Watch your mana bar closely during your AFAC, and hit [[Convert]] if you ever drop below 300 - the goal is to get through two full mana bars during your AFAC if possible
# Once [[Astral Conduit]] wears:
# [[Apogee]], then BP (x2)
# Reset [[Apogee]] and [[Astral Flow]] + [[Astral Conduit]] via COR JAs and/or [[Super Revitalizer]] if in [[Escha]] zone
# Repeat until you or the boss dies

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#150101"
! colspan=10 style="text-align: center;" | Job Summary
|- BGCOLOR="#410202"
! width="15%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact
! width="15%" class=unsortable|SMN Food
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Indi-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Geo-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Entrust
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Offensive spells
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #1
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #2
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|RUN JAs
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|BRD Songs

|-
|
[[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]]
| [[Geo-Frailty]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Drachen Roll]]
| [[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]]

|-
| [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Frailty]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]] or [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
|
[[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Impact]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
| [[Companion's Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
| colspan=10|
[[Impact]], [[Odyllic Subterfuge]], and [[Refresh_(Status)|Refresh effects]] may be omitted based on NM and groups' comfort zone.
|-
| colspan=10|
Just use grape daifuku - there are other food options, but grapes are good for everything.
|}

== Acknowledgements ==
I took some of this straight from [https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Prismfang/Sandbox Prismfang's Sandbox], (especially the bottom half with info on what pacts do - I think its much nicer than having two pages open), with edits based on what I think is most realistic for someone newish to the job in 2025-2026.

Thanks to '''Pergatory''' of Asura for providing constructive feedback and all the SMNs on the FFXIAH.com forums for sharing their knowledge.

User:Cii/Sandbox

2025-12-13T06:05:49Z

Cii:

{{Guide}}
This is just intended to help with getting your summoner to the level where you can start seeing some nice numbers.

{{color|red|style=bold|Recommended GS LUA (and helpful tools) by Pergatory: }} [https://pastebin.com/u/pergatory Link].

== Getting Started ==
As a new level 99 SMN, I recommend focusing your efforts on the following:
# Obtain an [[Epitaph]] or grab an [[Eminent Sachet]] while you work towards your 100 JP gift to equip a [[Sancus Sachet +1]]
# Create [[Blood Pact]] (BP) sets to improve your avatar's maximum damage per offensive ability
# Create a [[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|BP delay]] set to improve the frequency that you can perform Blood Pacts
# Create an idle set with enough [[Avatar perpetuation cost]] - to offset your avatar's constant [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | MP drain/upkeep]], and enough DT- to survive being hit with AOEs in content like Dyna D
# Obtain the 1200 JP Gift and eventually reach Master SMN

An additional note: [[Flaming Crush]] is going to be your highest damage [[Blood Pact]] against almost anything that doesn't resist it. Embrace [[Ifrit]].

== Merits ==

'''Group 1:'''
* Avatar Physical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Physical Attack: 5
* Avatar Magical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Magical Attack: 5
* Summoning Magic Cast Time: Do not merit this. Build a [[Fast Cast]] set instead.

You can switch Magical Attack to Physical Accuracy and vise versa if you feel like you are having a problem with accuracy for a certain [[Blood Pact]] that you're using often. A good example of this is for AFAC strategies on [[Reisenjima]] HELMS - Physical Accuracy is very important there because you almost exclusively use [[Volt Strike]].

'''Group 2:'''
* [[Meteor Strike]]: 5
* [[Heavenly Strike]]: 1
* [[Wind Blade]]: 1
* [[Geocrush]]: 1
* [[Thunderstorm]]: 1
* [[Grand Fall]]: 1

You can merit whichever one of these you're using most often with the full 5 merits, [[Meteor Strike]] is recommended here because of the offensive power of [[Flaming Crush]], and the ability to use [[Apogee]] to burst off of the skillchains it creates.

Good examples of times to merit other blood pacts: [[Geocrush]] for sortie bosses A and E magic burst strat, [[Thunderstorm]] if you're mostly attacking with [[Volt Strike]] from [[Ramuh]], or [[Heavenly Strike]] if you're bursting on [[Darkness]].

== Idle Set ==
Most gearswap files will have a separate set for idling with and without your avatar. 
This set is for the former, and the goal here is to reach the [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | perpetuation cost]] cap of -14 MP/tic first and foremost.
Once you have reached the cap, avatars will cost at most 1 MP/tic, even with [[Avatar's Favor]] up, so your [[Auto Refresh]] will easily cover that.

# Reach the cap of -14 [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | avatar perpetuation cost]] in pet idle set
# Obtain a [[Caller's_Pendant | Caller's Pendant]] to grant your avatar free TP while standing around
# Fill the remaining slots on [[Refresh]] or defense stats afterward.
#* Note that [[Avatar's Favor]] effects are tiered off based on total skill and Favor+ gear.

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Recommended Start
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Eabani Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Physical Damage Taken -10%
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Enmerkar Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Eva.+20/Mag. Eva. +20, Pet: Damage taken -5%, Pet: Mag. Acc. +20/Mag. Dmg. +20, Pet: Regen +10, Pet: Magic Damage +10
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Lengo Pants
|LegsAug = Refresh +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
Both of these sets should be somewhere around -40% DT- (and 10+ refresh!), so a simple swap of one piece ([[Bunzi's Pants]] for example) should be enough for your DT- set to be at or near -50%.
 
 
[[Evoker's Ring]] is good, but very skippable. [[Shadow Ring]] is a fairly easy to obtain tanky alternative for your second slot.
 
 
Most of the pieces listed above and hereafter are interchangeable with their NQ and HQ variants. Customize your set based on available gear.

== Cheapest / Entry Damage Set ==

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Lowest Cost / Bar to Entry
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Gelos Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10 - Pet: Acc, Atk, Macc, Mab help, but keep any +10 BPdmg roll when starting
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Hurch'lan Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+15 Pet: "Double Attack"+3% "Blood Pact" damage +13
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Total Cost: '''
At time of writing (12/12/2025), the above set should be roughly 12mil to complete. (16mil if you get an Elan Strap +1.) If you don't have the money for that, feel free to downgrade items from +1 to +0 - with the apogee at +0, it'll only be about 7mil!
However, the prices on these are pretty low right now, so if you're liking the job i'd focus on getting the +1s here ASAP.

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Required Magic BP Items
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity -6 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+30 Pet: Damage Taken -4%
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist=
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|LegsAug = Huge damage boost to merit (magic) blood pacts
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Other Useful Items'''
* Optional: [[Sancus Sachet +1]] - If you can't get the [[Epitaph]], or already have one, this is actually a better option until the [[Epitaph]] is augmented. However, it costs >2mil, so if money is a concern, try to get that Sgili clear for the [[Epitaph]].
* -
* Optional: [[Shulmanu Collar]] - BIS for melee pacts until a near max JSE neck +1 or +2, if you already have it, great!
* -
* Optional: [[Smn. Collar +1]] - 2nd BIS only to the +2 when fully augmented, and only ~3mil at time of writing. Worth it if you have the funds and are willing to get the RP in Dynamis.
* -
* Optional: [[Apogee Dalmatica]] (Path A) (Magical BP) - the +1 is good, but expensive, and magical only BPs are hardly ever used. Don't spend your money on a +1 unless you get very deep into gearing the job.
* -
* Optional: [[Sroda Earring]] (Melee Pacts, BIS and cheap)
* -
* Questionable: [[Kyrene's Earring]] - If you have one laying around and are missing something else
* -
* Questionable: [[Apogee Mitts]] - If unsure that you want to play the job, make a pair of +0s with path C while you try it out. Do not waste money on a +1 pair of these.

|}

== More Advanced Blood Pact Sets ==
{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
Blood Pacts are generally categorized as either physical or magical damage, with the exception that Ifrit's [[Burning Strike]] and [[Flaming Crush]] are considered hybrid damage. 
In the event you have a Nirvana and HQ Apogee pieces at hand, see Pergatory's LUA file above on gear choices while Garland's [[Aftermath]] is up.
#For physical BPs, you will want stats such as BP Damage, Accuracy, Attack, and Pet: Double Attack. 
#For magical BPs, you will want BP Damage, Magic Attack, and perhaps Pet: TP Bonus. Avatars seem to have naturally high magic accuracy for their associated element 
#For hybrid BPs, there is usually a mixture of physical and magical BP stats, with a heavy emphasis on the magical end.
 
None of these sets will include REMA weapons, or very expensive minor upgrades like +2 JSE necks.
 
 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Shulmanu Collar
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Sroda Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Glyphic Doublet +3
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = "Fast Cast" +10%, Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
You can use [[Apogee Attire Set]] +1 boots and hat for your physical set, but with the [[Helios Attire Set]] being easily attainable, I'd really recommend against buying a second pair of Apogee +1 for physical unless you're made of money. The Helios is typically better anyways - just requires some time to augment.

The [[Shulmanu Collar]] is probably not worth chasing just for SMN, as the [[Smn. Collar +1]] is better when fully augmented. Its mostly in this set in case you already have one for a different job.

The [[Sroda Earring]] is BIS as long as you've got enough accuracy in your set. The only reason the [[Beck. Earring +1]] is in mine is because the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] has 0 Pet: Accuracy.

Lastly, with Apollyon points being so accessible due to ???'s being shouted out every 3 days or so, i'd really recommend getting the [[Con. Doublet +4]]. You don't ever need to make the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] like I have, because of previously mentioned accuracy issues.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+60 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+30 "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: Magic Acc, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The [[Apogee Slacks +1]] are only better than the [[Enticer's Pants]] if you have the blood pact fully merited, or have TP over 1500. You don't really need a second pair of these, just stick with the [[Enticer's Pants]].

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Gelos Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20 Pet: "Double Attack"+4% "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The most important stat for [[Flaming Crush]] is Blood Pact Damage, as its counted twice: once on the physical hits, and once on the magical. That's the the [[Gelos Earring]] is recommended over the [[Beck. Earring]] here. Of course, if you already have a Beck. Earring, there's no reason to do the quest for the [[Gelos Earring]]. The damage difference is pretty minimal.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

[[Apogee Slacks +1]] (Path A) should be more damage than (Path D) for [[Flaming Crush]]. However, (Path D) is fine, so this upgrade is fairly unnecessary. With this same logic, the [[Apogee Dalmatica +1]] may be similar damage to the [[Con. Doublet +4]] - but the extra +60 accuracy on that top plays a huge role for [[Flaming Crush]]. If you miss either of the initial melee hits, your overall damage will completely plummet, because the magic hit's damage is based on the first two hits' damage.

Do not fret if you are missing the Omen/Vagary accessories; the bulk of your avatar's damage comes from your armor and weapon choices.

== BP Delay Reduction Gear ==
[[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|Blood Pact delays]] have a combined cap of -30 seconds from player gear and gifts, and no more than -15 seconds can be applied per delay tier. 
Once you have obtained the 500 JP (Superior 3) gift, the HQ [[Sancus Sachet]] and [[Baayami_Attire_Set|Baayami Attire Set]] can help you reach the BP delay cap while providing copious amounts of [[Summoning Magic Skill]]. 
An [[Espiritus]] can provide additional BP delay II if you do not mind potentially losing TP on swapping weapons. 

# Reach the cap of -30 seconds through gear and JP gifts
# Fill remaining slots with Summoning Skill and Favor+ gear to improve [[Avatar's Favor]] tier - the final 'tier' is at 670+ total skill.

{{color|red|style=bold|NOTE: }} Depending on your gearswap file, your BP delay set may be listed as a precast or midcast set. 
The delay set should equip as soon as a BP command is sent, and similarly, your BP damage sets should equip once your avatar begins its BP animation.

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -24 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Evans Earring
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
More than fully capped BP delay with 1200JP, plus 676 Summoning Magic Skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -18 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 0 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Eminent Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Shomonjijoe
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 100 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 500 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +3
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== Buff Duration / Summoning Skill Scaling Sets ==

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Buff Duration
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Alabaster Earring
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Baayami Sabots
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*This set gives 676 Summoning skill at ML22

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Summoning Skill +
|CaptionBottom = Alternative items
|Main =
|Sub = Vox Grip
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head = Baayami Hat
|Neck = Incanter's Torque
|Ear1 = Andoaa Earring
|Ear2 = C. Palug Earring
|Body = Beck. Doublet +2
|Hands = Inyan. Dastanas +2
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Stikini Ring
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Beck. Spats +2
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path D: MP+70, "Summoning Magic Skill" +15, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Some Notes: '''
*The [[Stikini Ring]] and [[Baayami Hat]] are very expensive for little benefit, so i'd recommend against them unless you already have them. They're mostly on this list so all options are shown.
*The [[Beckoner's Attire Set]] has a decent amount of skill, but its probably not worth building just for the skill bonus.

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Elemental Siphon
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path B: Summoning Magic Skill +15, Pet: Mag. Acc +30, Pet: Damage taken -4%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Esper Stone +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Lodurr Earring
|Ear2 = Alabaster Earring
|Body = Baayami Robe
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Conveyance Cape
|BackAug = Summoning magic skill +1~5
|Waist= Lucidity Sash
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet = Beck. Pigaches +2
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== SMN at a Glance ==
Here is where I attempt to answer questions and grossly generalize SMN at the same time: 

=== Skillchains and Magic Bursts ===
Physical and Hybrid BPs are analogous to player [[Weapon Skill|WSs]] and each have their own [[Summoner#Spells_and_Blood_Pacts|skillchain properties]]. 
Magic BPs are analogous to player spells and can be used in a [[Magic Burst|magic burst]]. 
In general, there is a short delay between using a BP command when the BP is executed, so time your BPs accordingly.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchains (2-Step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst1
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Mountain Buster]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Gravitation]]
| [[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crag Throw]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Liquefaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Full Swing]]
| [[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Burning Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fusion]]
| [[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Conflag Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=5 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchain (3-step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #2
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #3
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #2
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]]1 [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
|-
| colspan=5|
1 Requires [[Apogee]] to BP twice in a row
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#0F0018"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Multi-SMN Skillchains
|- BGCOLOR="#2A0141"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Eclipse Bite]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]

|}

=== Blood Pacts and when to use them ===
A summary of useful BPs I have encountered for solo and group play. This list is not exhaustive.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#000822"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | I really need to...
|- BGCOLOR="#051549"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Rage
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Ward
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Potential Uses

|-
| Cleave targets
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderspark]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Level ? Holy]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
|
[[Vagary]] 
[[Salvage II| Salvage Farming]] 
[[Colonization_Reive|Colonization Reives]] 
[[Incursion]]

|-
| Curb enemy offense
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Tidal Roar]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Mewing Lullaby]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Eerie Eye]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' attack 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' TP 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Inflicts [[Silence]] and [[Amnesia]]
|-
| Buff party's offense
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crimson Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Inferno Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rolling Thunder]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Hastega_II|Hastega II]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crystal Blessing]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Attack Bonus 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enfire 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enthunder 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Haste II 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]TP Bonus 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Attack Bonus

|-
| Buff party's defense
|
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Armor]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Ward]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Perfect Defense]] [[File:Alexander_GUI.png|link=]] 2 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Frost Armor]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shining Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage mitigation 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Stoneskin 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage reduction 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice Spikes 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Defense+10%, MDT 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Defense Bonus
|-
| Dispel enemy buffs
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Lunar Roar]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Pavor Nocturnus]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[:Yggdreant|Yggdreants]] or [[Belladonna|Belladonna's]] 
[[Glassy Gorger]]

|-
| Sleep nearby enemies
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Nightmare]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Sleepga_(Blood_Pact)|Sleepga]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[Warder of Love]] 
[[Omen]] 
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]

|-
| Stun the enemy
|
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Transfixion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Chaotic Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shock Squall]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Helps [[:Trusts#Gessho|Gessho]] tank CP mobs.
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]
|-
| Heal my party
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Whispering Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Healing Ruby II]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Remove status ailments
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Soothing Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Run really fast
|
|
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Fleet Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Give party member Reraise
|
|
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Reraise II]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Deal hybrid damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Best damage while unresisted - check your monster beforehand. Fire/Magic/High Melee resist will chunk your damage. - example: [[Dynamis - Bastok (D)]](Green pull only)/[[Dynamis - Jeuno (D)]]

|-
| Deal melee damage
|
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]General Melee dmg - example: Reisenjima Helms, but this will be your most used melee blood pact due to the stun. 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Slashing damage - example: [[Yakshi]]/[[Kalunga]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Blunt damage - example: [[Gigelorum]]/[[Gogmagog]] 

|-
| Deal magic damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Geocrush]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Fire damage (Light/Fusion/Liquefaction) 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice damage (Darkness/Distortion/Induration) 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Wind damage (Light/Fragmentation/Detonation) 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Earth damage (Darkness/Gravitation/Scission) 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Thunder damage (Light/Fragmentation/Impaction) 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Water damage (Darkness/Distortion/Reverberation)

|-
| colspan=4|
2 Requires [[Astral Flow]] to activate BP
|}

=== AFAC Strategy ===
Given the large amount of pet stats gained from SMN gifts and JP categories, I highly recommend maxing the [[Astral Flow]]/[[Astral Conduit]] effects and acquiring all the physical BP related stats (1710+ JP) prior to attempting an AFAC. 
Secondly, if you are using Gearswap, ensure that you are not accidentally swapping into a precast or aftercast set during [[Astral Conduit]]. 
At the time of this writing, Pergatory's LUA will equip an idle set following conduit BPs and assumes the user will stagger BPs approximately 1.25 seconds apart. 
If this proves inconvenient, you may opt to equip your BP set and //gs disable all during [[Astral Conduit]] '''[or]''' add code to disable his idle() function calls while conduit is up. 

'''Generic AFAC Algorithm'''
# Receive pre-fight buffs
# Activate [[Avatar's Favor]]
# If using [[Nirvana_(Level_119)|119 Nirvana]], build 3000 TP and gain [[Aftermath|AM3]] on fodder
# Pop NM
# Wait for GEO bubbles and offensive spells/JAs
# Hit [[Astral Flow]]
# Hit [[Astral Conduit]]
# Spam BPs
# Receive [[Mana Powder]] / [[Mana Mist]] during [[Astral Conduit]] from back line jobs if in [[Escha]] zone
# Watch your mana bar closely during your AFAC, and hit [[Convert]] if you ever drop below 300 - the goal is to get through two full mana bars during your AFAC if possible
# Once [[Astral Conduit]] wears:
# [[Apogee]], then BP (x2)
# Reset [[Apogee]] and [[Astral Flow]] + [[Astral Conduit]] via COR JAs and/or [[Super Revitalizer]] if in [[Escha]] zone
# Repeat until you or the boss dies

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#150101"
! colspan=10 style="text-align: center;" | Job Summary
|- BGCOLOR="#410202"
! width="15%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact
! width="15%" class=unsortable|SMN Food
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Indi-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Geo-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Entrust
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Offensive spells
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #1
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #2
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|RUN JAs
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|BRD Songs

|-
|
[[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]]
| [[Geo-Frailty]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Drachen Roll]]
| [[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]]

|-
| [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Frailty]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]] or [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
|
[[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Impact]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
| [[Companion's Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
| colspan=10|
[[Impact]], [[Odyllic Subterfuge]], and [[Refresh_(Status)|Refresh effects]] may be omitted based on NM and groups' comfort zone.
|-
| colspan=10|
Just use grape daifuku - there are other food options, but grapes are good for everything.
|}

== Acknowledgements ==
I took some of this straight from [https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Prismfang/Sandbox Prismfang's Sandbox], (especially the bottom half with info on what pacts do - I think its much nicer than having two pages open), with edits based on what I think is most realistic for someone newish to the job in 2025-2026.

Thanks to '''Pergatory''' of Asura for providing constructive feedback and all the SMNs on the FFXIAH.com forums for sharing their knowledge.

User:Cii/Sandbox

2025-12-13T05:23:06Z

Cii: /* Idle Set */

{{Guide}}
This is just intended to help with getting your summoner to the level where you can start seeing some nice numbers.

{{color|red|style=bold|Recommended GS LUA (and helpful tools) by Pergatory: }} [https://pastebin.com/u/pergatory Link].

== Getting Started ==
As a new level 99 SMN, I recommend focusing your efforts on the following:
# Obtain an [[Epitaph]] or grab an [[Eminent Sachet]] while you work towards your 100 JP gift to equip a [[Sancus Sachet +1]]
# Create [[Blood Pact]] (BP) sets to improve your avatar's maximum damage per offensive ability
# Create a [[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|BP delay]] set to improve the frequency that you can perform Blood Pacts
# Create an idle set with enough [[Avatar perpetuation cost]] - to offset your avatar's constant [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | MP drain/upkeep]], and enough DT- to survive being hit with AOEs in content like Dyna D
# Obtain the 1200 JP Gift and eventually reach Master SMN

An additional note: [[Flaming Crush]] is going to be your highest damage [[Blood Pact]] against almost anything that doesn't resist it. Embrace [[Ifrit]].

== Merits ==

'''Group 1:'''
* Avatar Physical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Physical Attack: 5
* Avatar Magical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Magical Attack: 5
* Summoning Magic Cast Time: Do not merit this. Build a [[Fast Cast]] set instead.

You can switch Magical Attack to Physical Accuracy and vise versa if you feel like you are having a problem with accuracy for a certain [[Blood Pact]] that you're using often. A good example of this is for AFAC strategies on [[Reisenjima]] HELMS - Physical Accuracy is very important there because you almost exclusively use [[Volt Strike]].

'''Group 2:'''
* [[Meteor Strike]]: 5
* [[Heavenly Strike]]: 1
* [[Wind Blade]]: 1
* [[Geocrush]]: 1
* [[Thunderstorm]]: 1
* [[Grand Fall]]: 1

You can merit whichever one of these you're using most often with the full 5 merits, [[Meteor Strike]] is recommended here because of the offensive power of [[Flaming Crush]], and the ability to use [[Apogee]] to burst off of the skillchains it creates.

Good examples of times to merit other blood pacts: [[Geocrush]] for sortie bosses A and E magic burst strat, [[Thunderstorm]] if you're mostly attacking with [[Volt Strike]] from [[Ramuh]], or [[Heavenly Strike]] if you're bursting on [[Darkness]].

== Idle Set ==
Most gearswap files will have a separate set for idling with and without your avatar. 
This set is for the former, and the goal here is to reach the [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | perpetuation cost]] cap of -14 MP/tic first and foremost.
Once you have reached the cap, avatars will cost at most 1 MP/tic, even with [[Avatar's Favor]] up, so your [[Auto Refresh]] will easily cover that.

# Reach the cap of -14 [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | avatar perpetuation cost]] in pet idle set
# Obtain a [[Caller's_Pendant | Caller's Pendant]] to grant your avatar free TP while standing around
# Fill the remaining slots on [[Refresh]] or defense stats afterward.
#* Note that [[Avatar's Favor]] effects are tiered off based on total skill and Favor+ gear.

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Recommended Start
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Eabani Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Physical Damage Taken -10%
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Enmerkar Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Eva.+20/Mag. Eva. +20, Pet: Damage taken -5%, Pet: Mag. Acc. +20/Mag. Dmg. +20, Pet: Regen +10, Pet: Magic Damage +10
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Lengo Pants
|LegsAug = Refresh +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
Both of these sets should be somewhere around -40% DT- (and 10+ refresh!), so a simple swap of one piece ([[Bunzi's Pants]] for example) should be enough for your DT- set to be at or near -50%.
 
 
[[Evoker's Ring]] is good, but very skippable. [[Shadow Ring]] is a fairly easy to obtain tanky alternative for your second slot.
 
 
Most of the pieces listed above and hereafter are interchangeable with their NQ and HQ variants. Customize your set based on available gear.

== Cheapest / Entry Damage Set ==

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Lowest Cost / Bar to Entry
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Gelos Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10 - Pet: Acc, Atk, Macc, Mab help, but keep any +10 BPdmg roll when starting
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Hurch'lan Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+15 Pet: "Double Attack"+3% "Blood Pact" damage +13
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Total Cost: '''
At time of writing (12/12/2025), the above set should be roughly 12mil to complete. (16mil if you get an Elan Strap +1.) If you don't have the money for that, feel free to downgrade items from +1 to +0 - with the apogee at +0, it'll only be about 7mil!
However, the prices on these are pretty low right now, so if you're liking the job i'd focus on getting the +1s here ASAP.

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Required Magic BP Items
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity -6 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+30 Pet: Damage Taken -4%
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist=
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|LegsAug = Huge damage boost to merit (magic) blood pacts
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Other Useful Items'''
* Optional: [[Sancus Sachet +1]] - If you can't get the [[Epitaph]], or already have one, this is actually a better option until the [[Epitaph]] is augmented. However, it costs >2mil, so if money is a concern, try to get that Sgili clear for the [[Epitaph]].
* -
* Optional: [[Shulmanu Collar]] - BIS for melee pacts until a near max JSE neck +1 or +2, if you already have it, great!
* -
* Optional: [[Smn. Collar +1]] - 2nd BIS only to the +2 when fully augmented, and only ~3mil at time of writing. Worth it if you have the funds and are willing to get the RP in Dynamis.
* -
* Optional: [[Apogee Dalmatica]] (Path A) (Magical BP) - the +1 is good, but expensive, and magical only BPs are hardly ever used. Don't spend your money on a +1 unless you get very deep into gearing the job.
* -
* Optional: [[Sroda Earring]] (Melee Pacts, BIS and cheap)
* -
* Questionable: [[Kyrene's Earring]] - If you have one laying around and are missing something else
* -
* Questionable: [[Apogee Mitts]] - If unsure that you want to play the job, make a pair of +0s with path C while you try it out. Do not waste money on a +1 pair of these.

|}

== More Advanced Blood Pact Sets ==
{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
Blood Pacts are generally categorized as either physical or magical damage, with the exception that Ifrit's [[Burning Strike]] and [[Flaming Crush]] are considered hybrid damage. 
In the event you have a Nirvana and HQ Apogee pieces at hand, see Pergatory's LUA file above on gear choices while Garland's [[Aftermath]] is up.
#For physical BPs, you will want stats such as BP Damage, Accuracy, Attack, and Pet: Double Attack. 
#For magical BPs, you will want BP Damage, Magic Attack, and perhaps Pet: TP Bonus. Avatars seem to have naturally high magic accuracy for their associated element 
#For hybrid BPs, there is usually a mixture of physical and magical BP stats, with a heavy emphasis on the magical end.
 
None of these sets will include REMA weapons, or very expensive minor upgrades like +2 JSE necks.
 
 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Shulmanu Collar
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Sroda Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Glyphic Doublet +3
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = "Fast Cast" +10%, Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
You can use [[Apogee Attire Set]] +1 boots and hat for your physical set, but with the [[Helios Attire Set]] being easily attainable, I'd really recommend against buying a second pair of Apogee +1 for physical unless you're made of money. The Helios is typically better anyways - just requires some time to augment.

The [[Shulmanu Collar]] is probably not worth chasing just for SMN, as the [[Smn. Collar +1]] is better when fully augmented. Its mostly in this set in case you already have one for a different job.

The [[Sroda Earring]] is BIS as long as you've got enough accuracy in your set. The only reason the [[Beck. Earring +1]] is in mine is because the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] has 0 Pet: Accuracy.

Lastly, with Apollyon points being so accessible due to ???'s being shouted out every 3 days or so, i'd really recommend getting the [[Con. Doublet +4]]. You don't ever need to make the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] like I have, because of previously mentioned accuracy issues.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+60 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+30 "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: Magic Acc, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The [[Apogee Slacks +1]] are only better than the [[Enticer's Pants]] if you have the blood pact fully merited, or have TP over 1500. You don't really need a second pair of these, just stick with the [[Enticer's Pants]].

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Gelos Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20 Pet: "Double Attack"+4% "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The most important stat for [[Flaming Crush]] is Blood Pact Damage, as its counted twice: once on the physical hits, and once on the magical. That's the the [[Gelos Earring]] is recommended over the [[Beck. Earring]] here. Of course, if you already have a Beck. Earring, there's no reason to do the quest for the [[Gelos Earring]]. The damage difference is pretty minimal.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

[[Apogee Slacks +1]] (Path A) should be more damage than (Path D) for [[Flaming Crush]]. However, (Path D) is fine, so this upgrade is fairly unnecessary. With this same logic, the [[Apogee Dalmatica +1]] may be similar damage to the [[Con. Doublet +4]] - but the extra +60 accuracy on that top plays a huge role for [[Flaming Crush]]. If you miss either of the initial melee hits, your overall damage will completely plummet, because the magic hit's damage is based on the first two hits' damage.

Do not fret if you are missing the Omen/Vagary accessories; the bulk of your avatar's damage comes from your armor and weapon choices.

== BP Delay Reduction Gear ==
[[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|Blood Pact delays]] have a combined cap of -30 seconds from player gear and gifts, and no more than -15 seconds can be applied per delay tier. 
Once you have obtained the 500 JP (Superior 3) gift, the HQ [[Sancus Sachet]] and [[Baayami_Attire_Set|Baayami Attire Set]] can help you reach the BP delay cap while providing copious amounts of [[Summoning Magic Skill]]. 
An [[Espiritus]] can provide additional BP delay II if you do not mind potentially losing TP on swapping weapons. 

# Reach the cap of -30 seconds through gear and JP gifts
# Fill remaining slots with Summoning Skill and Favor+ gear to improve [[Avatar's Favor]] tier

{{color|red|style=bold|NOTE: }} Depending on your gearswap file, your BP delay set may be listed as a precast or midcast set. 
The delay set should equip as soon as a BP command is sent, and similarly, your BP damage sets should equip once your avatar begins its BP animation.

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -18 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 0 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Eminent Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Shomonjijoe
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 100 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 500 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +3
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== SMN at a Glance ==
Here is where I attempt to answer questions and grossly generalize SMN at the same time: 

=== Skillchains and Magic Bursts ===
Physical and Hybrid BPs are analogous to player [[Weapon Skill|WSs]] and each have their own [[Summoner#Spells_and_Blood_Pacts|skillchain properties]]. 
Magic BPs are analogous to player spells and can be used in a [[Magic Burst|magic burst]]. 
In general, there is a short delay between using a BP command when the BP is executed, so time your BPs accordingly.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchains (2-Step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst1
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Mountain Buster]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Gravitation]]
| [[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crag Throw]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Liquefaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Full Swing]]
| [[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Burning Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fusion]]
| [[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Conflag Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=5 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchain (3-step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #2
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #3
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #2
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]]1 [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
|-
| colspan=5|
1 Requires [[Apogee]] to BP twice in a row
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#0F0018"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Multi-SMN Skillchains
|- BGCOLOR="#2A0141"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Eclipse Bite]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]

|}

=== Blood Pacts and when to use them ===
A summary of useful BPs I have encountered for solo and group play. This list is not exhaustive.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#000822"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | I really need to...
|- BGCOLOR="#051549"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Rage
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Ward
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Potential Uses

|-
| Cleave targets
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderspark]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Level ? Holy]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
|
[[Vagary]] 
[[Salvage II| Salvage Farming]] 
[[Colonization_Reive|Colonization Reives]] 
[[Incursion]]

|-
| Curb enemy offense
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Tidal Roar]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Mewing Lullaby]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Eerie Eye]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' attack 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' TP 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Inflicts [[Silence]] and [[Amnesia]]
|-
| Buff party's offense
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crimson Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Inferno Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rolling Thunder]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Hastega_II|Hastega II]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crystal Blessing]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Attack Bonus 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enfire 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enthunder 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Haste II 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]TP Bonus 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Attack Bonus

|-
| Buff party's defense
|
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Armor]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Ward]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Perfect Defense]] [[File:Alexander_GUI.png|link=]] 2 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Frost Armor]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shining Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage mitigation 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Stoneskin 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage reduction 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice Spikes 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Defense+10%, MDT 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Defense Bonus
|-
| Dispel enemy buffs
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Lunar Roar]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Pavor Nocturnus]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[:Yggdreant|Yggdreants]] or [[Belladonna|Belladonna's]] 
[[Glassy Gorger]]

|-
| Sleep nearby enemies
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Nightmare]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Sleepga_(Blood_Pact)|Sleepga]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[Warder of Love]] 
[[Omen]] 
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]

|-
| Stun the enemy
|
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Transfixion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Chaotic Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shock Squall]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Helps [[:Trusts#Gessho|Gessho]] tank CP mobs.
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]
|-
| Heal my party
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Whispering Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Healing Ruby II]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Remove status ailments
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Soothing Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Run really fast
|
|
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Fleet Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Give party member Reraise
|
|
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Reraise II]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Deal hybrid damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Best damage while unresisted - check your monster beforehand. Fire/Magic/High Melee resist will chunk your damage. - example: [[Dynamis - Bastok (D)]](Green pull only)/[[Dynamis - Jeuno (D)]]

|-
| Deal melee damage
|
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]General Melee dmg - example: Reisenjima Helms, but this will be your most used melee blood pact due to the stun. 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Slashing damage - example: [[Yakshi]]/[[Kalunga]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Blunt damage - example: [[Gigelorum]]/[[Gogmagog]] 

|-
| Deal magic damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Geocrush]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Fire damage (Light/Fusion/Liquefaction) 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice damage (Darkness/Distortion/Induration) 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Wind damage (Light/Fragmentation/Detonation) 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Earth damage (Darkness/Gravitation/Scission) 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Thunder damage (Light/Fragmentation/Impaction) 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Water damage (Darkness/Distortion/Reverberation)

|-
| colspan=4|
2 Requires [[Astral Flow]] to activate BP
|}

=== AFAC Strategy ===
Given the large amount of pet stats gained from SMN gifts and JP categories, I highly recommend maxing the [[Astral Flow]]/[[Astral Conduit]] effects and acquiring all the physical BP related stats (1710+ JP) prior to attempting an AFAC. 
Secondly, if you are using Gearswap, ensure that you are not accidentally swapping into a precast or aftercast set during [[Astral Conduit]]. 
At the time of this writing, Pergatory's LUA will equip an idle set following conduit BPs and assumes the user will stagger BPs approximately 1.25 seconds apart. 
If this proves inconvenient, you may opt to equip your BP set and //gs disable all during [[Astral Conduit]] '''[or]''' add code to disable his idle() function calls while conduit is up. 

'''Generic AFAC Algorithm'''
# Receive pre-fight buffs
# Activate [[Avatar's Favor]]
# If using [[Nirvana_(Level_119)|119 Nirvana]], build 3000 TP and gain [[Aftermath|AM3]] on fodder
# Pop NM
# Wait for GEO bubbles and offensive spells/JAs
# Hit [[Astral Flow]]
# Hit [[Astral Conduit]]
# Spam BPs
# Receive [[Mana Powder]] / [[Mana Mist]] during [[Astral Conduit]] from back line jobs if in [[Escha]] zone
# Watch your mana bar closely during your AFAC, and hit [[Convert]] if you ever drop below 300 - the goal is to get through two full mana bars during your AFAC if possible
# Once [[Astral Conduit]] wears:
# [[Apogee]], then BP (x2)
# Reset [[Apogee]] and [[Astral Flow]] + [[Astral Conduit]] via COR JAs and/or [[Super Revitalizer]] if in [[Escha]] zone
# Repeat until you or the boss dies

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#150101"
! colspan=10 style="text-align: center;" | Job Summary
|- BGCOLOR="#410202"
! width="15%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact
! width="15%" class=unsortable|SMN Food
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Indi-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Geo-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Entrust
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Offensive spells
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #1
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #2
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|RUN JAs
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|BRD Songs

|-
|
[[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]]
| [[Geo-Frailty]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Drachen Roll]]
| [[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]]

|-
| [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Frailty]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]] or [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
|
[[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Impact]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
| [[Companion's Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
| colspan=10|
[[Impact]], [[Odyllic Subterfuge]], and [[Refresh_(Status)|Refresh effects]] may be omitted based on NM and groups' comfort zone.
|-
| colspan=10|
Just use grape daifuku - there are other food options, but grapes are good for everything.
|}

== Acknowledgements ==
I took some of this straight from [https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Prismfang/Sandbox Prismfang's Sandbox], (especially the bottom half with info on what pacts do - I think its much nicer than having two pages open), with edits based on what I think is most realistic for someone newish to the job in 2025-2026.

Thanks to '''Pergatory''' of Asura for providing constructive feedback and all the SMNs on the FFXIAH.com forums for sharing their knowledge.

User:Cii/Sandbox

2025-12-13T05:21:55Z

Cii: /* Idle Set */

{{Guide}}
This is just intended to help with getting your summoner to the level where you can start seeing some nice numbers.

{{color|red|style=bold|Recommended GS LUA (and helpful tools) by Pergatory: }} [https://pastebin.com/u/pergatory Link].

== Getting Started ==
As a new level 99 SMN, I recommend focusing your efforts on the following:
# Obtain an [[Epitaph]] or grab an [[Eminent Sachet]] while you work towards your 100 JP gift to equip a [[Sancus Sachet +1]]
# Create [[Blood Pact]] (BP) sets to improve your avatar's maximum damage per offensive ability
# Create a [[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|BP delay]] set to improve the frequency that you can perform Blood Pacts
# Create an idle set with enough [[Avatar perpetuation cost]] - to offset your avatar's constant [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | MP drain/upkeep]], and enough DT- to survive being hit with AOEs in content like Dyna D
# Obtain the 1200 JP Gift and eventually reach Master SMN

An additional note: [[Flaming Crush]] is going to be your highest damage [[Blood Pact]] against almost anything that doesn't resist it. Embrace [[Ifrit]].

== Merits ==

'''Group 1:'''
* Avatar Physical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Physical Attack: 5
* Avatar Magical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Magical Attack: 5
* Summoning Magic Cast Time: Do not merit this. Build a [[Fast Cast]] set instead.

You can switch Magical Attack to Physical Accuracy and vise versa if you feel like you are having a problem with accuracy for a certain [[Blood Pact]] that you're using often. A good example of this is for AFAC strategies on [[Reisenjima]] HELMS - Physical Accuracy is very important there because you almost exclusively use [[Volt Strike]].

'''Group 2:'''
* [[Meteor Strike]]: 5
* [[Heavenly Strike]]: 1
* [[Wind Blade]]: 1
* [[Geocrush]]: 1
* [[Thunderstorm]]: 1
* [[Grand Fall]]: 1

You can merit whichever one of these you're using most often with the full 5 merits, [[Meteor Strike]] is recommended here because of the offensive power of [[Flaming Crush]], and the ability to use [[Apogee]] to burst off of the skillchains it creates.

Good examples of times to merit other blood pacts: [[Geocrush]] for sortie bosses A and E magic burst strat, [[Thunderstorm]] if you're mostly attacking with [[Volt Strike]] from [[Ramuh]], or [[Heavenly Strike]] if you're bursting on [[Darkness]].

== Idle Set ==
Most gearswap files will have a separate set for idling with and without your avatar. 
This set is for the former, and the goal here is to reach the [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | perpetuation cost]] cap of -14 MP/tic first and foremost.
Once you have reached the cap, avatars will cost at most 1 MP/tic, even with [[Avatar's Favor]] up, so your [[Auto Refresh]] will easily cover that.

# Reach the cap of -14 [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | avatar perpetuation cost]] in pet idle set
# Obtain a [[Caller's_Pendant | Caller's Pendant]] to grant your avatar free TP while standing around
# Fill the remaining slots on [[Refresh]] or defense stats afterward.
#* Note that [[Avatar's Favor]] effects are tiered off based on total skill and Favor+ gear.

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Recommended Start
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Eabani Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Physical Damage Taken -10%
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Enmerkar Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Eva.+20/Mag. Eva. +20, Pet: Damage taken -5%, Pet: Mag. Acc. +20/Mag. Dmg. +20, Pet: Regen +10, Pet: Magic Damage +10
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Lengo Pants
|LegsAug = Refresh +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
Both of these sets should be somewhere around -40% DT- (and 10+ refresh!), so a simple swap of one piece ([[Bunzi's Pants]] for example) should be enough for your DT- set to be at or near -50%.
 
 
[[Evoker's Ring]] is good, but very skippable.
 
 
Most of the pieces listed above and hereafter are interchangeable with their NQ and HQ variants. Customize your set based on available gear.

== Cheapest / Entry Damage Set ==

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Lowest Cost / Bar to Entry
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Gelos Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10 - Pet: Acc, Atk, Macc, Mab help, but keep any +10 BPdmg roll when starting
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Hurch'lan Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+15 Pet: "Double Attack"+3% "Blood Pact" damage +13
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Total Cost: '''
At time of writing (12/12/2025), the above set should be roughly 12mil to complete. (16mil if you get an Elan Strap +1.) If you don't have the money for that, feel free to downgrade items from +1 to +0 - with the apogee at +0, it'll only be about 7mil!
However, the prices on these are pretty low right now, so if you're liking the job i'd focus on getting the +1s here ASAP.

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Required Magic BP Items
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity -6 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+30 Pet: Damage Taken -4%
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist=
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|LegsAug = Huge damage boost to merit (magic) blood pacts
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Other Useful Items'''
* Optional: [[Sancus Sachet +1]] - If you can't get the [[Epitaph]], or already have one, this is actually a better option until the [[Epitaph]] is augmented. However, it costs >2mil, so if money is a concern, try to get that Sgili clear for the [[Epitaph]].
* -
* Optional: [[Shulmanu Collar]] - BIS for melee pacts until a near max JSE neck +1 or +2, if you already have it, great!
* -
* Optional: [[Smn. Collar +1]] - 2nd BIS only to the +2 when fully augmented, and only ~3mil at time of writing. Worth it if you have the funds and are willing to get the RP in Dynamis.
* -
* Optional: [[Apogee Dalmatica]] (Path A) (Magical BP) - the +1 is good, but expensive, and magical only BPs are hardly ever used. Don't spend your money on a +1 unless you get very deep into gearing the job.
* -
* Optional: [[Sroda Earring]] (Melee Pacts, BIS and cheap)
* -
* Questionable: [[Kyrene's Earring]] - If you have one laying around and are missing something else
* -
* Questionable: [[Apogee Mitts]] - If unsure that you want to play the job, make a pair of +0s with path C while you try it out. Do not waste money on a +1 pair of these.

|}

== More Advanced Blood Pact Sets ==
{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
Blood Pacts are generally categorized as either physical or magical damage, with the exception that Ifrit's [[Burning Strike]] and [[Flaming Crush]] are considered hybrid damage. 
In the event you have a Nirvana and HQ Apogee pieces at hand, see Pergatory's LUA file above on gear choices while Garland's [[Aftermath]] is up.
#For physical BPs, you will want stats such as BP Damage, Accuracy, Attack, and Pet: Double Attack. 
#For magical BPs, you will want BP Damage, Magic Attack, and perhaps Pet: TP Bonus. Avatars seem to have naturally high magic accuracy for their associated element 
#For hybrid BPs, there is usually a mixture of physical and magical BP stats, with a heavy emphasis on the magical end.
 
None of these sets will include REMA weapons, or very expensive minor upgrades like +2 JSE necks.
 
 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Shulmanu Collar
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Sroda Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Glyphic Doublet +3
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = "Fast Cast" +10%, Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
You can use [[Apogee Attire Set]] +1 boots and hat for your physical set, but with the [[Helios Attire Set]] being easily attainable, I'd really recommend against buying a second pair of Apogee +1 for physical unless you're made of money. The Helios is typically better anyways - just requires some time to augment.

The [[Shulmanu Collar]] is probably not worth chasing just for SMN, as the [[Smn. Collar +1]] is better when fully augmented. Its mostly in this set in case you already have one for a different job.

The [[Sroda Earring]] is BIS as long as you've got enough accuracy in your set. The only reason the [[Beck. Earring +1]] is in mine is because the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] has 0 Pet: Accuracy.

Lastly, with Apollyon points being so accessible due to ???'s being shouted out every 3 days or so, i'd really recommend getting the [[Con. Doublet +4]]. You don't ever need to make the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] like I have, because of previously mentioned accuracy issues.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+60 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+30 "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: Magic Acc, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The [[Apogee Slacks +1]] are only better than the [[Enticer's Pants]] if you have the blood pact fully merited, or have TP over 1500. You don't really need a second pair of these, just stick with the [[Enticer's Pants]].

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Gelos Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20 Pet: "Double Attack"+4% "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The most important stat for [[Flaming Crush]] is Blood Pact Damage, as its counted twice: once on the physical hits, and once on the magical. That's the the [[Gelos Earring]] is recommended over the [[Beck. Earring]] here. Of course, if you already have a Beck. Earring, there's no reason to do the quest for the [[Gelos Earring]]. The damage difference is pretty minimal.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

[[Apogee Slacks +1]] (Path A) should be more damage than (Path D) for [[Flaming Crush]]. However, (Path D) is fine, so this upgrade is fairly unnecessary. With this same logic, the [[Apogee Dalmatica +1]] may be similar damage to the [[Con. Doublet +4]] - but the extra +60 accuracy on that top plays a huge role for [[Flaming Crush]]. If you miss either of the initial melee hits, your overall damage will completely plummet, because the magic hit's damage is based on the first two hits' damage.

Do not fret if you are missing the Omen/Vagary accessories; the bulk of your avatar's damage comes from your armor and weapon choices.

== BP Delay Reduction Gear ==
[[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|Blood Pact delays]] have a combined cap of -30 seconds from player gear and gifts, and no more than -15 seconds can be applied per delay tier. 
Once you have obtained the 500 JP (Superior 3) gift, the HQ [[Sancus Sachet]] and [[Baayami_Attire_Set|Baayami Attire Set]] can help you reach the BP delay cap while providing copious amounts of [[Summoning Magic Skill]]. 
An [[Espiritus]] can provide additional BP delay II if you do not mind potentially losing TP on swapping weapons. 

# Reach the cap of -30 seconds through gear and JP gifts
# Fill remaining slots with Summoning Skill and Favor+ gear to improve [[Avatar's Favor]] tier

{{color|red|style=bold|NOTE: }} Depending on your gearswap file, your BP delay set may be listed as a precast or midcast set. 
The delay set should equip as soon as a BP command is sent, and similarly, your BP damage sets should equip once your avatar begins its BP animation.

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -18 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 0 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Eminent Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Shomonjijoe
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 100 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 500 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +3
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== SMN at a Glance ==
Here is where I attempt to answer questions and grossly generalize SMN at the same time: 

=== Skillchains and Magic Bursts ===
Physical and Hybrid BPs are analogous to player [[Weapon Skill|WSs]] and each have their own [[Summoner#Spells_and_Blood_Pacts|skillchain properties]]. 
Magic BPs are analogous to player spells and can be used in a [[Magic Burst|magic burst]]. 
In general, there is a short delay between using a BP command when the BP is executed, so time your BPs accordingly.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchains (2-Step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst1
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Mountain Buster]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Gravitation]]
| [[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crag Throw]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Liquefaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Full Swing]]
| [[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Burning Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fusion]]
| [[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Conflag Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=5 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchain (3-step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #2
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #3
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #2
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]]1 [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
|-
| colspan=5|
1 Requires [[Apogee]] to BP twice in a row
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#0F0018"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Multi-SMN Skillchains
|- BGCOLOR="#2A0141"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Eclipse Bite]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]

|}

=== Blood Pacts and when to use them ===
A summary of useful BPs I have encountered for solo and group play. This list is not exhaustive.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#000822"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | I really need to...
|- BGCOLOR="#051549"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Rage
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Ward
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Potential Uses

|-
| Cleave targets
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderspark]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Level ? Holy]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
|
[[Vagary]] 
[[Salvage II| Salvage Farming]] 
[[Colonization_Reive|Colonization Reives]] 
[[Incursion]]

|-
| Curb enemy offense
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Tidal Roar]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Mewing Lullaby]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Eerie Eye]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' attack 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' TP 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Inflicts [[Silence]] and [[Amnesia]]
|-
| Buff party's offense
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crimson Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Inferno Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rolling Thunder]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Hastega_II|Hastega II]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crystal Blessing]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Attack Bonus 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enfire 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enthunder 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Haste II 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]TP Bonus 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Attack Bonus

|-
| Buff party's defense
|
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Armor]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Ward]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Perfect Defense]] [[File:Alexander_GUI.png|link=]] 2 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Frost Armor]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shining Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage mitigation 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Stoneskin 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage reduction 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice Spikes 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Defense+10%, MDT 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Defense Bonus
|-
| Dispel enemy buffs
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Lunar Roar]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Pavor Nocturnus]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[:Yggdreant|Yggdreants]] or [[Belladonna|Belladonna's]] 
[[Glassy Gorger]]

|-
| Sleep nearby enemies
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Nightmare]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Sleepga_(Blood_Pact)|Sleepga]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[Warder of Love]] 
[[Omen]] 
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]

|-
| Stun the enemy
|
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Transfixion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Chaotic Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shock Squall]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Helps [[:Trusts#Gessho|Gessho]] tank CP mobs.
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]
|-
| Heal my party
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Whispering Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Healing Ruby II]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Remove status ailments
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Soothing Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Run really fast
|
|
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Fleet Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Give party member Reraise
|
|
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Reraise II]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Deal hybrid damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Best damage while unresisted - check your monster beforehand. Fire/Magic/High Melee resist will chunk your damage. - example: [[Dynamis - Bastok (D)]](Green pull only)/[[Dynamis - Jeuno (D)]]

|-
| Deal melee damage
|
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]General Melee dmg - example: Reisenjima Helms, but this will be your most used melee blood pact due to the stun. 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Slashing damage - example: [[Yakshi]]/[[Kalunga]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Blunt damage - example: [[Gigelorum]]/[[Gogmagog]] 

|-
| Deal magic damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Geocrush]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Fire damage (Light/Fusion/Liquefaction) 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice damage (Darkness/Distortion/Induration) 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Wind damage (Light/Fragmentation/Detonation) 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Earth damage (Darkness/Gravitation/Scission) 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Thunder damage (Light/Fragmentation/Impaction) 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Water damage (Darkness/Distortion/Reverberation)

|-
| colspan=4|
2 Requires [[Astral Flow]] to activate BP
|}

=== AFAC Strategy ===
Given the large amount of pet stats gained from SMN gifts and JP categories, I highly recommend maxing the [[Astral Flow]]/[[Astral Conduit]] effects and acquiring all the physical BP related stats (1710+ JP) prior to attempting an AFAC. 
Secondly, if you are using Gearswap, ensure that you are not accidentally swapping into a precast or aftercast set during [[Astral Conduit]]. 
At the time of this writing, Pergatory's LUA will equip an idle set following conduit BPs and assumes the user will stagger BPs approximately 1.25 seconds apart. 
If this proves inconvenient, you may opt to equip your BP set and //gs disable all during [[Astral Conduit]] '''[or]''' add code to disable his idle() function calls while conduit is up. 

'''Generic AFAC Algorithm'''
# Receive pre-fight buffs
# Activate [[Avatar's Favor]]
# If using [[Nirvana_(Level_119)|119 Nirvana]], build 3000 TP and gain [[Aftermath|AM3]] on fodder
# Pop NM
# Wait for GEO bubbles and offensive spells/JAs
# Hit [[Astral Flow]]
# Hit [[Astral Conduit]]
# Spam BPs
# Receive [[Mana Powder]] / [[Mana Mist]] during [[Astral Conduit]] from back line jobs if in [[Escha]] zone
# Watch your mana bar closely during your AFAC, and hit [[Convert]] if you ever drop below 300 - the goal is to get through two full mana bars during your AFAC if possible
# Once [[Astral Conduit]] wears:
# [[Apogee]], then BP (x2)
# Reset [[Apogee]] and [[Astral Flow]] + [[Astral Conduit]] via COR JAs and/or [[Super Revitalizer]] if in [[Escha]] zone
# Repeat until you or the boss dies

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#150101"
! colspan=10 style="text-align: center;" | Job Summary
|- BGCOLOR="#410202"
! width="15%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact
! width="15%" class=unsortable|SMN Food
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Indi-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Geo-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Entrust
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Offensive spells
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #1
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #2
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|RUN JAs
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|BRD Songs

|-
|
[[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]]
| [[Geo-Frailty]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Drachen Roll]]
| [[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]]

|-
| [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Frailty]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]] or [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
|
[[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Impact]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
| [[Companion's Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
| colspan=10|
[[Impact]], [[Odyllic Subterfuge]], and [[Refresh_(Status)|Refresh effects]] may be omitted based on NM and groups' comfort zone.
|-
| colspan=10|
Just use grape daifuku - there are other food options, but grapes are good for everything.
|}

== Acknowledgements ==
I took some of this straight from [https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Prismfang/Sandbox Prismfang's Sandbox], (especially the bottom half with info on what pacts do - I think its much nicer than having two pages open), with edits based on what I think is most realistic for someone newish to the job in 2025-2026.

Thanks to '''Pergatory''' of Asura for providing constructive feedback and all the SMNs on the FFXIAH.com forums for sharing their knowledge.

User:Cii/Sandbox

2025-12-13T05:16:55Z

Cii:

{{Guide}}
This is just intended to help with getting your summoner to the level where you can start seeing some nice numbers.

{{color|red|style=bold|Recommended GS LUA (and helpful tools) by Pergatory: }} [https://pastebin.com/u/pergatory Link].

== Getting Started ==
As a new level 99 SMN, I recommend focusing your efforts on the following:
# Obtain an [[Epitaph]] or grab an [[Eminent Sachet]] while you work towards your 100 JP gift to equip a [[Sancus Sachet +1]]
# Create [[Blood Pact]] (BP) sets to improve your avatar's maximum damage per offensive ability
# Create a [[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|BP delay]] set to improve the frequency that you can perform Blood Pacts
# Create an idle set with enough [[Avatar perpetuation cost]] - to offset your avatar's constant [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | MP drain/upkeep]], and enough DT- to survive being hit with AOEs in content like Dyna D
# Obtain the 1200 JP Gift and eventually reach Master SMN

An additional note: [[Flaming Crush]] is going to be your highest damage [[Blood Pact]] against almost anything that doesn't resist it. Embrace [[Ifrit]].

== Merits ==

'''Group 1:'''
* Avatar Physical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Physical Attack: 5
* Avatar Magical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Magical Attack: 5
* Summoning Magic Cast Time: Do not merit this. Build a [[Fast Cast]] set instead.

You can switch Magical Attack to Physical Accuracy and vise versa if you feel like you are having a problem with accuracy for a certain [[Blood Pact]] that you're using often. A good example of this is for AFAC strategies on [[Reisenjima]] HELMS - Physical Accuracy is very important there because you almost exclusively use [[Volt Strike]].

'''Group 2:'''
* [[Meteor Strike]]: 5
* [[Heavenly Strike]]: 1
* [[Wind Blade]]: 1
* [[Geocrush]]: 1
* [[Thunderstorm]]: 1
* [[Grand Fall]]: 1

You can merit whichever one of these you're using most often with the full 5 merits, [[Meteor Strike]] is recommended here because of the offensive power of [[Flaming Crush]], and the ability to use [[Apogee]] to burst off of the skillchains it creates.

Good examples of times to merit other blood pacts: [[Geocrush]] for sortie bosses A and E magic burst strat, [[Thunderstorm]] if you're mostly attacking with [[Volt Strike]] from [[Ramuh]], or [[Heavenly Strike]] if you're bursting on [[Darkness]].

== Idle Set ==
Most gearswap files will have a separate set for idling with and without your avatar. 
This set is for the former, and the goal here is to reach the [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | perpetuation cost]] cap of -14 MP/tic first and foremost.
Once you have reached the cap, avatars will cost at most 1 MP/tic, even with [[Avatar's Favor]] up, so your [[Auto Refresh]] will easily cover that.

# Reach the cap of -14 [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | avatar perpetuation cost]] in pet idle set
# Obtain a [[Caller's_Pendant | Caller's Pendant]] to grant your avatar free TP while standing around
# Fill the remaining slots on [[Refresh]] or defense stats afterward.
#* Note that [[Avatar's Favor]] effects are tiered off based on total skill and Favor+ gear.

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Recommended Start
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Eabani Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Physical Damage Taken -10%
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Enmerkar Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Eva.+20/Mag. Eva. +20, Pet: Damage taken -5%, Pet: Mag. Acc. +20/Mag. Dmg. +20, Pet: Regen +10, Pet: Magic Damage +10
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Lengo Pants
|LegsAug = Refresh +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
Both of these sets should be somewhere around -40% DT- (and 10+ refresh!), so a simple swap of one piece ([[Bunzi's Pants]] for example) should be enough for your DT- set to be at or near -50%.
 
 
Most of the pieces listed above and hereafter are interchangeable with their NQ and HQ variants. Customize your set based on available gear.

== Cheapest / Entry Damage Set ==

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Lowest Cost / Bar to Entry
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Gelos Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10 - Pet: Acc, Atk, Macc, Mab help, but keep any +10 BPdmg roll when starting
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Hurch'lan Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+15 Pet: "Double Attack"+3% "Blood Pact" damage +13
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Total Cost: '''
At time of writing (12/12/2025), the above set should be roughly 12mil to complete. (16mil if you get an Elan Strap +1.) If you don't have the money for that, feel free to downgrade items from +1 to +0 - with the apogee at +0, it'll only be about 7mil!
However, the prices on these are pretty low right now, so if you're liking the job i'd focus on getting the +1s here ASAP.

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Required Magic BP Items
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity -6 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+30 Pet: Damage Taken -4%
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist=
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|LegsAug = Huge damage boost to merit (magic) blood pacts
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Other Useful Items'''
* Optional: [[Sancus Sachet +1]] - If you can't get the [[Epitaph]], or already have one, this is actually a better option until the [[Epitaph]] is augmented. However, it costs >2mil, so if money is a concern, try to get that Sgili clear for the [[Epitaph]].
* -
* Optional: [[Shulmanu Collar]] - BIS for melee pacts until a near max JSE neck +1 or +2, if you already have it, great!
* -
* Optional: [[Smn. Collar +1]] - 2nd BIS only to the +2 when fully augmented, and only ~3mil at time of writing. Worth it if you have the funds and are willing to get the RP in Dynamis.
* -
* Optional: [[Apogee Dalmatica]] (Path A) (Magical BP) - the +1 is good, but expensive, and magical only BPs are hardly ever used. Don't spend your money on a +1 unless you get very deep into gearing the job.
* -
* Optional: [[Sroda Earring]] (Melee Pacts, BIS and cheap)
* -
* Questionable: [[Kyrene's Earring]] - If you have one laying around and are missing something else
* -
* Questionable: [[Apogee Mitts]] - If unsure that you want to play the job, make a pair of +0s with path C while you try it out. Do not waste money on a +1 pair of these.

|}

== More Advanced Blood Pact Sets ==
{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
Blood Pacts are generally categorized as either physical or magical damage, with the exception that Ifrit's [[Burning Strike]] and [[Flaming Crush]] are considered hybrid damage. 
In the event you have a Nirvana and HQ Apogee pieces at hand, see Pergatory's LUA file above on gear choices while Garland's [[Aftermath]] is up.
#For physical BPs, you will want stats such as BP Damage, Accuracy, Attack, and Pet: Double Attack. 
#For magical BPs, you will want BP Damage, Magic Attack, and perhaps Pet: TP Bonus. Avatars seem to have naturally high magic accuracy for their associated element 
#For hybrid BPs, there is usually a mixture of physical and magical BP stats, with a heavy emphasis on the magical end.
 
None of these sets will include REMA weapons, or very expensive minor upgrades like +2 JSE necks.
 
 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Shulmanu Collar
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Sroda Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Glyphic Doublet +3
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = "Fast Cast" +10%, Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
You can use [[Apogee Attire Set]] +1 boots and hat for your physical set, but with the [[Helios Attire Set]] being easily attainable, I'd really recommend against buying a second pair of Apogee +1 for physical unless you're made of money. The Helios is typically better anyways - just requires some time to augment.

The [[Shulmanu Collar]] is probably not worth chasing just for SMN, as the [[Smn. Collar +1]] is better when fully augmented. Its mostly in this set in case you already have one for a different job.

The [[Sroda Earring]] is BIS as long as you've got enough accuracy in your set. The only reason the [[Beck. Earring +1]] is in mine is because the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] has 0 Pet: Accuracy.

Lastly, with Apollyon points being so accessible due to ???'s being shouted out every 3 days or so, i'd really recommend getting the [[Con. Doublet +4]]. You don't ever need to make the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] like I have, because of previously mentioned accuracy issues.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+60 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+30 "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: Magic Acc, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The [[Apogee Slacks +1]] are only better than the [[Enticer's Pants]] if you have the blood pact fully merited, or have TP over 1500. You don't really need a second pair of these, just stick with the [[Enticer's Pants]].

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Gelos Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20 Pet: "Double Attack"+4% "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The most important stat for [[Flaming Crush]] is Blood Pact Damage, as its counted twice: once on the physical hits, and once on the magical. That's the the [[Gelos Earring]] is recommended over the [[Beck. Earring]] here. Of course, if you already have a Beck. Earring, there's no reason to do the quest for the [[Gelos Earring]]. The damage difference is pretty minimal.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

[[Apogee Slacks +1]] (Path A) should be more damage than (Path D) for [[Flaming Crush]]. However, (Path D) is fine, so this upgrade is fairly unnecessary. With this same logic, the [[Apogee Dalmatica +1]] may be similar damage to the [[Con. Doublet +4]] - but the extra +60 accuracy on that top plays a huge role for [[Flaming Crush]]. If you miss either of the initial melee hits, your overall damage will completely plummet, because the magic hit's damage is based on the first two hits' damage.

Do not fret if you are missing the Omen/Vagary accessories; the bulk of your avatar's damage comes from your armor and weapon choices.

== BP Delay Reduction Gear ==
[[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|Blood Pact delays]] have a combined cap of -30 seconds from player gear and gifts, and no more than -15 seconds can be applied per delay tier. 
Once you have obtained the 500 JP (Superior 3) gift, the HQ [[Sancus Sachet]] and [[Baayami_Attire_Set|Baayami Attire Set]] can help you reach the BP delay cap while providing copious amounts of [[Summoning Magic Skill]]. 
An [[Espiritus]] can provide additional BP delay II if you do not mind potentially losing TP on swapping weapons. 

# Reach the cap of -30 seconds through gear and JP gifts
# Fill remaining slots with Summoning Skill and Favor+ gear to improve [[Avatar's Favor]] tier

{{color|red|style=bold|NOTE: }} Depending on your gearswap file, your BP delay set may be listed as a precast or midcast set. 
The delay set should equip as soon as a BP command is sent, and similarly, your BP damage sets should equip once your avatar begins its BP animation.

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -18 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 0 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Eminent Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Shomonjijoe
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 100 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 500 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +3
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== SMN at a Glance ==
Here is where I attempt to answer questions and grossly generalize SMN at the same time: 

=== Skillchains and Magic Bursts ===
Physical and Hybrid BPs are analogous to player [[Weapon Skill|WSs]] and each have their own [[Summoner#Spells_and_Blood_Pacts|skillchain properties]]. 
Magic BPs are analogous to player spells and can be used in a [[Magic Burst|magic burst]]. 
In general, there is a short delay between using a BP command when the BP is executed, so time your BPs accordingly.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchains (2-Step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst1
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Mountain Buster]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Gravitation]]
| [[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crag Throw]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Liquefaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Full Swing]]
| [[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Burning Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fusion]]
| [[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Conflag Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=5 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchain (3-step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #2
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #3
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #2
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]]1 [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
|-
| colspan=5|
1 Requires [[Apogee]] to BP twice in a row
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#0F0018"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Multi-SMN Skillchains
|- BGCOLOR="#2A0141"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Eclipse Bite]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]

|}

=== Blood Pacts and when to use them ===
A summary of useful BPs I have encountered for solo and group play. This list is not exhaustive.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#000822"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | I really need to...
|- BGCOLOR="#051549"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Rage
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Ward
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Potential Uses

|-
| Cleave targets
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderspark]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Level ? Holy]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
|
[[Vagary]] 
[[Salvage II| Salvage Farming]] 
[[Colonization_Reive|Colonization Reives]] 
[[Incursion]]

|-
| Curb enemy offense
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Tidal Roar]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Mewing Lullaby]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Eerie Eye]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' attack 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' TP 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Inflicts [[Silence]] and [[Amnesia]]
|-
| Buff party's offense
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crimson Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Inferno Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rolling Thunder]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Hastega_II|Hastega II]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crystal Blessing]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Attack Bonus 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enfire 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enthunder 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Haste II 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]TP Bonus 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Attack Bonus

|-
| Buff party's defense
|
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Armor]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Ward]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Perfect Defense]] [[File:Alexander_GUI.png|link=]] 2 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Frost Armor]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shining Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage mitigation 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Stoneskin 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage reduction 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice Spikes 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Defense+10%, MDT 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Defense Bonus
|-
| Dispel enemy buffs
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Lunar Roar]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Pavor Nocturnus]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[:Yggdreant|Yggdreants]] or [[Belladonna|Belladonna's]] 
[[Glassy Gorger]]

|-
| Sleep nearby enemies
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Nightmare]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Sleepga_(Blood_Pact)|Sleepga]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[Warder of Love]] 
[[Omen]] 
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]

|-
| Stun the enemy
|
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Transfixion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Chaotic Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shock Squall]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Helps [[:Trusts#Gessho|Gessho]] tank CP mobs.
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]
|-
| Heal my party
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Whispering Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Healing Ruby II]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Remove status ailments
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Soothing Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Run really fast
|
|
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Fleet Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Give party member Reraise
|
|
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Reraise II]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Deal hybrid damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Best damage while unresisted - check your monster beforehand. Fire/Magic/High Melee resist will chunk your damage. - example: [[Dynamis - Bastok (D)]](Green pull only)/[[Dynamis - Jeuno (D)]]

|-
| Deal melee damage
|
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]General Melee dmg - example: Reisenjima Helms, but this will be your most used melee blood pact due to the stun. 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Slashing damage - example: [[Yakshi]]/[[Kalunga]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Blunt damage - example: [[Gigelorum]]/[[Gogmagog]] 

|-
| Deal magic damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Geocrush]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Fire damage (Light/Fusion/Liquefaction) 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice damage (Darkness/Distortion/Induration) 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Wind damage (Light/Fragmentation/Detonation) 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Earth damage (Darkness/Gravitation/Scission) 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Thunder damage (Light/Fragmentation/Impaction) 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Water damage (Darkness/Distortion/Reverberation)

|-
| colspan=4|
2 Requires [[Astral Flow]] to activate BP
|}

=== AFAC Strategy ===
Given the large amount of pet stats gained from SMN gifts and JP categories, I highly recommend maxing the [[Astral Flow]]/[[Astral Conduit]] effects and acquiring all the physical BP related stats (1710+ JP) prior to attempting an AFAC. 
Secondly, if you are using Gearswap, ensure that you are not accidentally swapping into a precast or aftercast set during [[Astral Conduit]]. 
At the time of this writing, Pergatory's LUA will equip an idle set following conduit BPs and assumes the user will stagger BPs approximately 1.25 seconds apart. 
If this proves inconvenient, you may opt to equip your BP set and //gs disable all during [[Astral Conduit]] '''[or]''' add code to disable his idle() function calls while conduit is up. 

'''Generic AFAC Algorithm'''
# Receive pre-fight buffs
# Activate [[Avatar's Favor]]
# If using [[Nirvana_(Level_119)|119 Nirvana]], build 3000 TP and gain [[Aftermath|AM3]] on fodder
# Pop NM
# Wait for GEO bubbles and offensive spells/JAs
# Hit [[Astral Flow]]
# Hit [[Astral Conduit]]
# Spam BPs
# Receive [[Mana Powder]] / [[Mana Mist]] during [[Astral Conduit]] from back line jobs if in [[Escha]] zone
# Watch your mana bar closely during your AFAC, and hit [[Convert]] if you ever drop below 300 - the goal is to get through two full mana bars during your AFAC if possible
# Once [[Astral Conduit]] wears:
# [[Apogee]], then BP (x2)
# Reset [[Apogee]] and [[Astral Flow]] + [[Astral Conduit]] via COR JAs and/or [[Super Revitalizer]] if in [[Escha]] zone
# Repeat until you or the boss dies

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#150101"
! colspan=10 style="text-align: center;" | Job Summary
|- BGCOLOR="#410202"
! width="15%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact
! width="15%" class=unsortable|SMN Food
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Indi-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Geo-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Entrust
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Offensive spells
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #1
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #2
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|RUN JAs
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|BRD Songs

|-
|
[[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]]
| [[Geo-Frailty]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Drachen Roll]]
| [[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]]

|-
| [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Frailty]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]] or [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
|
[[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Impact]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
| [[Companion's Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
| colspan=10|
[[Impact]], [[Odyllic Subterfuge]], and [[Refresh_(Status)|Refresh effects]] may be omitted based on NM and groups' comfort zone.
|-
| colspan=10|
Just use grape daifuku - there are other food options, but grapes are good for everything.
|}

== Acknowledgements ==
I took some of this straight from [https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Prismfang/Sandbox Prismfang's Sandbox], (especially the bottom half with info on what pacts do - I think its much nicer than having two pages open), with edits based on what I think is most realistic for someone newish to the job in 2025-2026.

Thanks to '''Pergatory''' of Asura for providing constructive feedback and all the SMNs on the FFXIAH.com forums for sharing their knowledge.

User:Cii/Sandbox

2025-12-13T01:29:12Z

Cii: /* Blood Pacts and when to use them */

{{Guide}}
This is just intended to help with getting your summoner to the level where you can start seeing some nice numbers.

{{color|red|style=bold|Recommended GS LUA by Pergatory: }} [https://pastebin.com/Fa5PtueC Link].

== Getting Started ==
As a new level 99 SMN, I recommend focusing your efforts on the following:
# Obtain an [[Epitaph]] or grab an [[Eminent Sachet]] while you work towards your 100 JP gift to equip a [[Sancus Sachet +1]]
# Create [[Blood Pact]] (BP) sets to improve your avatar's maximum damage per offensive ability
# Create a [[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|BP delay]] set to improve the frequency that you can perform Blood Pacts
# Create an idle set with enough [[Avatar perpetuation cost]] - to offset your avatar's constant [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | MP drain/upkeep]], and enough DT- to survive being hit with AOEs in content like Dyna D
# Obtain the 1200 JP Gift and eventually reach Master SMN

An additional note: [[Flaming Crush]] is going to be your highest damage [[Blood Pact]] against almost anything that doesn't resist it. Embrace [[Ifrit]].

== Merits ==

'''Group 1:'''
* Avatar Physical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Physical Attack: 5
* Avatar Magical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Magical Attack: 5
* Summoning Magic Cast Time: Do not merit this. Build a [[Fast Cast]] set instead.

You can switch Magical Attack to Physical Accuracy and vise versa if you feel like you are having a problem with accuracy for a certain [[Blood Pact]] that you're using often. A good example of this is for AFAC strategies on [[Reisenjima]] HELMS - Physical Accuracy is very important there because you almost exclusively use [[Volt Strike]].

'''Group 2:'''
* [[Meteor Strike]]: 5
* [[Heavenly Strike]]: 1
* [[Wind Blade]]: 1
* [[Geocrush]]: 1
* [[Thunderstorm]]: 1
* [[Grand Fall]]: 1

You can merit whichever one of these you're using most often with the full 5 merits, [[Meteor Strike]] is recommended here because of the offensive power of [[Flaming Crush]], and the ability to use [[Apogee]] to burst off of the skillchains it creates.

Good examples of times to merit other blood pacts: [[Geocrush]] for sortie bosses A and E magic burst strat, [[Thunderstorm]] if you're mostly attacking with [[Volt Strike]] from [[Ramuh]], or [[Heavenly Strike]] if you're bursting on [[Darkness]].

== Idle Set ==
Most gearswap files will have a separate set for idling with and without your avatar. 
This set is for the former, and the goal here is to reach the [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | perpetuation cost]] cap of -14 MP/tic first and foremost.
Once you have reached the cap, avatars will cost at most 1 MP/tic, even with [[Avatar's Favor]] up, so your [[Auto Refresh]] will easily cover that.

# Reach the cap of -14 [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | avatar perpetuation cost]] in pet idle set
# Obtain a [[Caller's_Pendant | Caller's Pendant]] to grant your avatar free TP while standing around
# Fill the remaining slots on [[Refresh]] or defense stats afterward.
#* Note that [[Avatar's Favor]] effects are tiered off based on total skill and Favor+ gear.

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Recommended Start
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Eabani Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Physical Damage Taken -10%
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Enmerkar Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Eva.+20/Mag. Eva. +20, Pet: Damage taken -5%, Pet: Mag. Acc. +20/Mag. Dmg. +20, Pet: Regen +10, Pet: Magic Damage +10
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Lengo Pants
|LegsAug = Refresh +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
Both of these sets should be somewhere around -40% DT- (and 10+ refresh!), so a simple swap of one piece ([[Bunzi's Pants]] for example) should be enough for your DT- set to be at or near -50%.
 
 
Most of the pieces listed above and hereafter are interchangeable with their NQ and HQ variants. Customize your set based on available gear.

== Cheapest / Entry Damage Set ==

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Lowest Cost / Bar to Entry
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Gelos Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10 - Pet: Acc, Atk, Macc, Mab help, but keep any +10 BPdmg roll when starting
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Hurch'lan Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+15 Pet: "Double Attack"+3% "Blood Pact" damage +13
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Total Cost: '''
At time of writing (12/12/2025), the above set should be roughly 12mil to complete. (16mil if you get an Elan Strap +1.) If you don't have the money for that, feel free to downgrade items from +1 to +0 - with the apogee at +0, it'll only be about 7mil!
However, the prices on these are pretty low right now, so if you're liking the job i'd focus on getting the +1s here ASAP.

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Required Magic BP Items
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity -6 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+30 Pet: Damage Taken -4%
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist=
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|LegsAug = Huge damage boost to merit (magic) blood pacts
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Other Useful Items'''
* Optional: [[Sancus Sachet +1]] - If you can't get the [[Epitaph]], or already have one, this is actually a better option until the [[Epitaph]] is augmented. However, it costs >2mil, so if money is a concern, try to get that Sgili clear for the [[Epitaph]].
* -
* Optional: [[Shulmanu Collar]] - BIS for melee pacts until a near max JSE neck +1 or +2, if you already have it, great!
* -
* Optional: [[Smn. Collar +1]] - 2nd BIS only to the +2 when fully augmented, and only ~3mil at time of writing. Worth it if you have the funds and are willing to get the RP in Dynamis.
* -
* Optional: [[Apogee Dalmatica]] (Path A) (Magical BP) - the +1 is good, but expensive, and magical only BPs are hardly ever used. Don't spend your money on a +1 unless you get very deep into gearing the job.
* -
* Optional: [[Sroda Earring]] (Melee Pacts, BIS and cheap)
* -
* Questionable: [[Kyrene's Earring]] - If you have one laying around and are missing something else
* -
* Questionable: [[Apogee Mitts]] - If unsure that you want to play the job, make a pair of +0s with path C while you try it out. Do not waste money on a +1 pair of these.

|}

== More Advanced Blood Pact Sets ==
{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
Blood Pacts are generally categorized as either physical or magical damage, with the exception that Ifrit's [[Burning Strike]] and [[Flaming Crush]] are considered hybrid damage. 
In the event you have a Nirvana and HQ Apogee pieces at hand, see Pergatory's LUA file above on gear choices while Garland's [[Aftermath]] is up.
#For physical BPs, you will want stats such as BP Damage, Accuracy, Attack, and Pet: Double Attack. 
#For magical BPs, you will want BP Damage, Magic Attack, and perhaps Pet: TP Bonus. Avatars seem to have naturally high magic accuracy for their associated element 
#For hybrid BPs, there is usually a mixture of physical and magical BP stats, with a heavy emphasis on the magical end.
 
None of these sets will include REMA weapons, or very expensive minor upgrades like +2 JSE necks.
 
 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Shulmanu Collar
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Sroda Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Glyphic Doublet +3
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = "Fast Cast" +10%, Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
You can use [[Apogee Attire Set]] +1 boots and hat for your physical set, but with the [[Helios Attire Set]] being easily attainable, I'd really recommend against buying a second pair of Apogee +1 for physical unless you're made of money. The Helios is typically better anyways - just requires some time to augment.

The [[Shulmanu Collar]] is probably not worth chasing just for SMN, as the [[Smn. Collar +1]] is better when fully augmented. Its mostly in this set in case you already have one for a different job.

The [[Sroda Earring]] is BIS as long as you've got enough accuracy in your set. The only reason the [[Beck. Earring +1]] is in mine is because the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] has 0 Pet: Accuracy.

Lastly, with Apollyon points being so accessible due to ???'s being shouted out every 3 days or so, i'd really recommend getting the [[Con. Doublet +4]]. You don't ever need to make the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] like I have, because of previously mentioned accuracy issues.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+60 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+30 "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: Magic Acc, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The [[Apogee Slacks +1]] are only better than the [[Enticer's Pants]] if you have the blood pact fully merited, or have TP over 1500. You don't really need a second pair of these, just stick with the [[Enticer's Pants]].

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Gelos Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20 Pet: "Double Attack"+4% "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The most important stat for [[Flaming Crush]] is Blood Pact Damage, as its counted twice: once on the physical hits, and once on the magical. That's the the [[Gelos Earring]] is recommended over the [[Beck. Earring]] here. Of course, if you already have a Beck. Earring, there's no reason to do the quest for the [[Gelos Earring]]. The damage difference is pretty minimal.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

[[Apogee Slacks +1]] (Path A) should be more damage than (Path D) for [[Flaming Crush]]. However, (Path D) is fine, so this upgrade is fairly unnecessary. With this same logic, the [[Apogee Dalmatica +1]] may be similar damage to the [[Con. Doublet +4]] - but the extra +60 accuracy on that top plays a huge role for [[Flaming Crush]]. If you miss either of the initial melee hits, your overall damage will completely plummet, because the magic hit's damage is based on the first two hits' damage.

Do not fret if you are missing the Omen/Vagary accessories; the bulk of your avatar's damage comes from your armor and weapon choices.

== BP Delay Reduction Gear ==
[[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|Blood Pact delays]] have a combined cap of -30 seconds from player gear and gifts, and no more than -15 seconds can be applied per delay tier. 
Once you have obtained the 500 JP (Superior 3) gift, the HQ [[Sancus Sachet]] and [[Baayami_Attire_Set|Baayami Attire Set]] can help you reach the BP delay cap while providing copious amounts of [[Summoning Magic Skill]]. 
An [[Espiritus]] can provide additional BP delay II if you do not mind potentially losing TP on swapping weapons. 

# Reach the cap of -30 seconds through gear and JP gifts
# Fill remaining slots with Summoning Skill and Favor+ gear to improve [[Avatar's Favor]] tier

{{color|red|style=bold|NOTE: }} Depending on your gearswap file, your BP delay set may be listed as a precast or midcast set. 
The delay set should equip as soon as a BP command is sent, and similarly, your BP damage sets should equip once your avatar begins its BP animation.

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -18 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 0 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Eminent Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Shomonjijoe
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 100 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 500 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +3
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== SMN at a Glance ==
Here is where I attempt to answer questions and grossly generalize SMN at the same time: 

=== Skillchains and Magic Bursts ===
Physical and Hybrid BPs are analogous to player [[Weapon Skill|WSs]] and each have their own [[Summoner#Spells_and_Blood_Pacts|skillchain properties]]. 
Magic BPs are analogous to player spells and can be used in a [[Magic Burst|magic burst]]. 
In general, there is a short delay between using a BP command when the BP is executed, so time your BPs accordingly.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchains (2-Step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst1
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Mountain Buster]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Gravitation]]
| [[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crag Throw]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Liquefaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Full Swing]]
| [[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Burning Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fusion]]
| [[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Conflag Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=5 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchain (3-step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #2
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #3
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #2
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]]1 [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
|-
| colspan=5|
1 Requires [[Apogee]] to BP twice in a row
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#0F0018"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Multi-SMN Skillchains
|- BGCOLOR="#2A0141"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Eclipse Bite]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]

|}

=== Blood Pacts and when to use them ===
A summary of useful BPs I have encountered for solo and group play. This list is not exhaustive.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#000822"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | I really need to...
|- BGCOLOR="#051549"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Rage
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Ward
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Potential Uses

|-
| Cleave targets
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderspark]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Level ? Holy]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
|
[[Vagary]] 
[[Salvage II| Salvage Farming]] 
[[Colonization_Reive|Colonization Reives]] 
[[Incursion]]

|-
| Curb enemy offense
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Tidal Roar]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Mewing Lullaby]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Eerie Eye]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' attack 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' TP 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Inflicts [[Silence]] and [[Amnesia]]
|-
| Buff party's offense
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crimson Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Inferno Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rolling Thunder]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Hastega_II|Hastega II]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crystal Blessing]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Attack Bonus 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enfire 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enthunder 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Haste II 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]TP Bonus 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Attack Bonus

|-
| Buff party's defense
|
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Armor]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Ward]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Perfect Defense]] [[File:Alexander_GUI.png|link=]] 2 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Frost Armor]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shining Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage mitigation 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Stoneskin 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage reduction 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice Spikes 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Defense+10%, MDT 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Defense Bonus
|-
| Dispel enemy buffs
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Lunar Roar]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Pavor Nocturnus]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[:Yggdreant|Yggdreants]] or [[Belladonna|Belladonna's]] 
[[Glassy Gorger]]

|-
| Sleep nearby enemies
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Nightmare]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Sleepga_(Blood_Pact)|Sleepga]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[Warder of Love]] 
[[Omen]] 
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]

|-
| Stun the enemy
|
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Transfixion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Chaotic Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shock Squall]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Helps [[:Trusts#Gessho|Gessho]] tank CP mobs.
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]
|-
| Heal my party
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Whispering Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Healing Ruby II]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Remove status ailments
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Soothing Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Run really fast
|
|
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Fleet Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Give party member Reraise
|
|
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Reraise II]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Deal hybrid damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Best damage while unresisted - check your monster beforehand. Fire/Magic/High Melee resist will chunk your damage. - example: [[Dynamis - Bastok (D)]](Green pull only)/[[Dynamis - Jeuno (D)]]

|-
| Deal melee damage
|
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]General Melee dmg - example: Reisenjima Helms, but this will be your most used melee blood pact due to the stun. 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Slashing damage - example: [[Yakshi]]/[[Kalunga]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Blunt damage - example: [[Gigelorum]]/[[Gogmagog]] 

|-
| Deal magic damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Geocrush]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Fire damage (Light/Fusion/Liquefaction) 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice damage (Darkness/Distortion/Induration) 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Wind damage (Light/Fragmentation/Detonation) 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Earth damage (Darkness/Gravitation/Scission) 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Thunder damage (Light/Fragmentation/Impaction) 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Water damage (Darkness/Distortion/Reverberation)

|-
| colspan=4|
2 Requires [[Astral Flow]] to activate BP
|}

=== AFAC Strategy ===
Given the large amount of pet stats gained from SMN gifts and JP categories, I highly recommend maxing the [[Astral Flow]]/[[Astral Conduit]] effects and acquiring all the physical BP related stats (1710+ JP) prior to attempting an AFAC. 
Secondly, if you are using Gearswap, ensure that you are not accidentally swapping into a precast or aftercast set during [[Astral Conduit]]. 
At the time of this writing, Pergatory's LUA will equip an idle set following conduit BPs and assumes the user will stagger BPs approximately 1.25 seconds apart. 
If this proves inconvenient, you may opt to equip your BP set and //gs disable all during [[Astral Conduit]] '''[or]''' add code to disable his idle() function calls while conduit is up. 

'''Generic AFAC Algorithm'''
# Receive pre-fight buffs
# Activate [[Avatar's Favor]]
# If using [[Nirvana_(Level_119)|119 Nirvana]], build 3000 TP and gain [[Aftermath|AM3]] on fodder
# Pop NM
# Wait for GEO bubbles and offensive spells/JAs
# Hit [[Astral Flow]]
# Hit [[Astral Conduit]]
# Spam BPs
# Receive [[Mana Powder]] / [[Mana Mist]] during [[Astral Conduit]] from back line jobs if in [[Escha]] zone
# Watch your mana bar closely during your AFAC, and hit [[Convert]] if you ever drop below 300 - the goal is to get through two full mana bars during your AFAC if possible
# Once [[Astral Conduit]] wears:
# [[Apogee]], then BP (x2)
# Reset [[Apogee]] and [[Astral Flow]] + [[Astral Conduit]] via COR JAs and/or [[Super Revitalizer]] if in [[Escha]] zone
# Repeat until you or the boss dies

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#150101"
! colspan=10 style="text-align: center;" | Job Summary
|- BGCOLOR="#410202"
! width="15%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact
! width="15%" class=unsortable|SMN Food
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Indi-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Geo-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Entrust
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Offensive spells
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #1
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #2
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|RUN JAs
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|BRD Songs

|-
|
[[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]]
| [[Geo-Frailty]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Drachen Roll]]
| [[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]]

|-
| [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Frailty]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]] or [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
|
[[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Impact]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
| [[Companion's Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
| colspan=10|
[[Impact]], [[Odyllic Subterfuge]], and [[Refresh_(Status)|Refresh effects]] may be omitted based on NM and groups' comfort zone.
|-
| colspan=10|
Just use grape daifuku - there are other food options, but grapes are good for everything.
|}

== Acknowledgements ==
I took some of this straight from [https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Prismfang/Sandbox Prismfang's Sandbox], (especially the bottom half with info on what pacts do - I think its much nicer than having two pages open), with edits based on what I think is most realistic for someone newish to the job in 2025-2026.

Thanks to '''Pergatory''' of Asura for providing constructive feedback and all the SMNs on the FFXIAH.com forums for sharing their knowledge.

User:Cii/Sandbox

2025-12-13T01:11:18Z

Cii:

{{Guide}}
This is just intended to help with getting your summoner to the level where you can start seeing some nice numbers.

{{color|red|style=bold|Recommended GS LUA by Pergatory: }} [https://pastebin.com/Fa5PtueC Link].

== Getting Started ==
As a new level 99 SMN, I recommend focusing your efforts on the following:
# Obtain an [[Epitaph]] or grab an [[Eminent Sachet]] while you work towards your 100 JP gift to equip a [[Sancus Sachet +1]]
# Create [[Blood Pact]] (BP) sets to improve your avatar's maximum damage per offensive ability
# Create a [[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|BP delay]] set to improve the frequency that you can perform Blood Pacts
# Create an idle set with enough [[Avatar perpetuation cost]] - to offset your avatar's constant [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | MP drain/upkeep]], and enough DT- to survive being hit with AOEs in content like Dyna D
# Obtain the 1200 JP Gift and eventually reach Master SMN

An additional note: [[Flaming Crush]] is going to be your highest damage [[Blood Pact]] against almost anything that doesn't resist it. Embrace [[Ifrit]].

== Merits ==

'''Group 1:'''
* Avatar Physical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Physical Attack: 5
* Avatar Magical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Magical Attack: 5
* Summoning Magic Cast Time: Do not merit this. Build a [[Fast Cast]] set instead.

You can switch Magical Attack to Physical Accuracy and vise versa if you feel like you are having a problem with accuracy for a certain [[Blood Pact]] that you're using often. A good example of this is for AFAC strategies on [[Reisenjima]] HELMS - Physical Accuracy is very important there because you almost exclusively use [[Volt Strike]].

'''Group 2:'''
* [[Meteor Strike]]: 5
* [[Heavenly Strike]]: 1
* [[Wind Blade]]: 1
* [[Geocrush]]: 1
* [[Thunderstorm]]: 1
* [[Grand Fall]]: 1

You can merit whichever one of these you're using most often with the full 5 merits, [[Meteor Strike]] is recommended here because of the offensive power of [[Flaming Crush]], and the ability to use [[Apogee]] to burst off of the skillchains it creates.

Good examples of times to merit other blood pacts: [[Geocrush]] for sortie bosses A and E magic burst strat, [[Thunderstorm]] if you're mostly attacking with [[Volt Strike]] from [[Ramuh]], or [[Heavenly Strike]] if you're bursting on [[Darkness]].

== Idle Set ==
Most gearswap files will have a separate set for idling with and without your avatar. 
This set is for the former, and the goal here is to reach the [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | perpetuation cost]] cap of -14 MP/tic first and foremost.
Once you have reached the cap, avatars will cost at most 1 MP/tic, even with [[Avatar's Favor]] up, so your [[Auto Refresh]] will easily cover that.

# Reach the cap of -14 [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | avatar perpetuation cost]] in pet idle set
# Obtain a [[Caller's_Pendant | Caller's Pendant]] to grant your avatar free TP while standing around
# Fill the remaining slots on [[Refresh]] or defense stats afterward.
#* Note that [[Avatar's Favor]] effects are tiered off based on total skill and Favor+ gear.

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Recommended Start
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Eabani Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Physical Damage Taken -10%
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Enmerkar Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Eva.+20/Mag. Eva. +20, Pet: Damage taken -5%, Pet: Mag. Acc. +20/Mag. Dmg. +20, Pet: Regen +10, Pet: Magic Damage +10
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Lengo Pants
|LegsAug = Refresh +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
Both of these sets should be somewhere around -40% DT- (and 10+ refresh!), so a simple swap of one piece ([[Bunzi's Pants]] for example) should be enough for your DT- set to be at or near -50%.
 
 
Most of the pieces listed above and hereafter are interchangeable with their NQ and HQ variants. Customize your set based on available gear.

== Cheapest / Entry Damage Set ==

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Lowest Cost / Bar to Entry
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Gelos Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10 - Pet: Acc, Atk, Macc, Mab help, but keep any +10 BPdmg roll when starting
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Hurch'lan Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+15 Pet: "Double Attack"+3% "Blood Pact" damage +13
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Total Cost: '''
At time of writing (12/12/2025), the above set should be roughly 12mil to complete. (16mil if you get an Elan Strap +1.) If you don't have the money for that, feel free to downgrade items from +1 to +0 - with the apogee at +0, it'll only be about 7mil!
However, the prices on these are pretty low right now, so if you're liking the job i'd focus on getting the +1s here ASAP.

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Required Magic BP Items
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity -6 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+30 Pet: Damage Taken -4%
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist=
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|LegsAug = Huge damage boost to merit (magic) blood pacts
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Other Useful Items'''
* Optional: [[Sancus Sachet +1]] - If you can't get the [[Epitaph]], or already have one, this is actually a better option until the [[Epitaph]] is augmented. However, it costs >2mil, so if money is a concern, try to get that Sgili clear for the [[Epitaph]].
* -
* Optional: [[Shulmanu Collar]] - BIS for melee pacts until a near max JSE neck +1 or +2, if you already have it, great!
* -
* Optional: [[Smn. Collar +1]] - 2nd BIS only to the +2 when fully augmented, and only ~3mil at time of writing. Worth it if you have the funds and are willing to get the RP in Dynamis.
* -
* Optional: [[Apogee Dalmatica]] (Path A) (Magical BP) - the +1 is good, but expensive, and magical only BPs are hardly ever used. Don't spend your money on a +1 unless you get very deep into gearing the job.
* -
* Optional: [[Sroda Earring]] (Melee Pacts, BIS and cheap)
* -
* Questionable: [[Kyrene's Earring]] - If you have one laying around and are missing something else
* -
* Questionable: [[Apogee Mitts]] - If unsure that you want to play the job, make a pair of +0s with path C while you try it out. Do not waste money on a +1 pair of these.

|}

== More Advanced Blood Pact Sets ==
{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
Blood Pacts are generally categorized as either physical or magical damage, with the exception that Ifrit's [[Burning Strike]] and [[Flaming Crush]] are considered hybrid damage. 
In the event you have a Nirvana and HQ Apogee pieces at hand, see Pergatory's LUA file above on gear choices while Garland's [[Aftermath]] is up.
#For physical BPs, you will want stats such as BP Damage, Accuracy, Attack, and Pet: Double Attack. 
#For magical BPs, you will want BP Damage, Magic Attack, and perhaps Pet: TP Bonus. Avatars seem to have naturally high magic accuracy for their associated element 
#For hybrid BPs, there is usually a mixture of physical and magical BP stats, with a heavy emphasis on the magical end.
 
None of these sets will include REMA weapons, or very expensive minor upgrades like +2 JSE necks.
 
 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Shulmanu Collar
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Sroda Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Glyphic Doublet +3
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = "Fast Cast" +10%, Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
You can use [[Apogee Attire Set]] +1 boots and hat for your physical set, but with the [[Helios Attire Set]] being easily attainable, I'd really recommend against buying a second pair of Apogee +1 for physical unless you're made of money. The Helios is typically better anyways - just requires some time to augment.

The [[Shulmanu Collar]] is probably not worth chasing just for SMN, as the [[Smn. Collar +1]] is better when fully augmented. Its mostly in this set in case you already have one for a different job.

The [[Sroda Earring]] is BIS as long as you've got enough accuracy in your set. The only reason the [[Beck. Earring +1]] is in mine is because the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] has 0 Pet: Accuracy.

Lastly, with Apollyon points being so accessible due to ???'s being shouted out every 3 days or so, i'd really recommend getting the [[Con. Doublet +4]]. You don't ever need to make the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] like I have, because of previously mentioned accuracy issues.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+60 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+30 "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: Magic Acc, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The [[Apogee Slacks +1]] are only better than the [[Enticer's Pants]] if you have the blood pact fully merited, or have TP over 1500. You don't really need a second pair of these, just stick with the [[Enticer's Pants]].

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Gelos Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20 Pet: "Double Attack"+4% "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The most important stat for [[Flaming Crush]] is Blood Pact Damage, as its counted twice: once on the physical hits, and once on the magical. That's the the [[Gelos Earring]] is recommended over the [[Beck. Earring]] here. Of course, if you already have a Beck. Earring, there's no reason to do the quest for the [[Gelos Earring]]. The damage difference is pretty minimal.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

[[Apogee Slacks +1]] (Path A) should be more damage than (Path D) for [[Flaming Crush]]. However, (Path D) is fine, so this upgrade is fairly unnecessary. With this same logic, the [[Apogee Dalmatica +1]] may be similar damage to the [[Con. Doublet +4]] - but the extra +60 accuracy on that top plays a huge role for [[Flaming Crush]]. If you miss either of the initial melee hits, your overall damage will completely plummet, because the magic hit's damage is based on the first two hits' damage.

Do not fret if you are missing the Omen/Vagary accessories; the bulk of your avatar's damage comes from your armor and weapon choices.

== BP Delay Reduction Gear ==
[[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|Blood Pact delays]] have a combined cap of -30 seconds from player gear and gifts, and no more than -15 seconds can be applied per delay tier. 
Once you have obtained the 500 JP (Superior 3) gift, the HQ [[Sancus Sachet]] and [[Baayami_Attire_Set|Baayami Attire Set]] can help you reach the BP delay cap while providing copious amounts of [[Summoning Magic Skill]]. 
An [[Espiritus]] can provide additional BP delay II if you do not mind potentially losing TP on swapping weapons. 

# Reach the cap of -30 seconds through gear and JP gifts
# Fill remaining slots with Summoning Skill and Favor+ gear to improve [[Avatar's Favor]] tier

{{color|red|style=bold|NOTE: }} Depending on your gearswap file, your BP delay set may be listed as a precast or midcast set. 
The delay set should equip as soon as a BP command is sent, and similarly, your BP damage sets should equip once your avatar begins its BP animation.

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -18 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 0 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Eminent Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Shomonjijoe
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 100 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 500 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +3
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== SMN at a Glance ==
Here is where I attempt to answer questions and grossly generalize SMN at the same time: 

=== Skillchains and Magic Bursts ===
Physical and Hybrid BPs are analogous to player [[Weapon Skill|WSs]] and each have their own [[Summoner#Spells_and_Blood_Pacts|skillchain properties]]. 
Magic BPs are analogous to player spells and can be used in a [[Magic Burst|magic burst]]. 
In general, there is a short delay between using a BP command when the BP is executed, so time your BPs accordingly.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchains (2-Step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst1
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Mountain Buster]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Gravitation]]
| [[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crag Throw]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Liquefaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Full Swing]]
| [[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Burning Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fusion]]
| [[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Conflag Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=5 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchain (3-step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #2
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #3
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #2
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]]1 [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
|-
| colspan=5|
1 Requires [[Apogee]] to BP twice in a row
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#0F0018"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Multi-SMN Skillchains
|- BGCOLOR="#2A0141"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Eclipse Bite]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]

|}

=== Blood Pacts and when to use them ===
A summary of useful BPs I have encountered for solo and group play. This list is not exhaustive.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#000822"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | I really need to...
|- BGCOLOR="#051549"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Rage
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Ward
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Potential Uses

|-
| Cleave targets
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderspark]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Level ? Holy]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
|
[[Vagary]] 
[[Salvage II| Salvage Farming]] 
[[Colonization_Reive|Colonization Reives]] 
[[Incursion]]

|-
| Curb enemy offense
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Tidal Roar]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Mewing Lullaby]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Eerie Eye]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' attack 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' TP 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Inflicts [[Silence]] and [[Amnesia]]
|-
| Buff party's offense
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crimson Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Inferno Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rolling Thunder]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Hastega_II|Hastega II]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crystal Blessing]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Attack Bonus 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enfire 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enthunder 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Haste II 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]TP Bonus 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Attack Bonus

|-
| Buff party's defense
|
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Armor]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Ward]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Perfect Defense]] [[File:Alexander_GUI.png|link=]] 2 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Frost Armor]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shining Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage mitigation 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Stoneskin 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage reduction 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice Spikes 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Defense+10%, MDT 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Defense Bonus
|-
| Dispel enemy buffs
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Lunar Roar]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Pavor Nocturnus]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[:Yggdreant|Yggdreants]] or [[Belladonna|Belladonna's]] 
[[Glassy Gorger]]

|-
| Sleep nearby enemies
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Nightmare]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Sleepga_(Blood_Pact)|Sleepga]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[Warder of Love]] 
[[Omen]] 
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]

|-
| Stun the enemy
|
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Transfixion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Chaotic Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shock Squall]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Helps [[:Trusts#Gessho|Gessho]] tank CP mobs.
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]
|-
| Heal my party
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Whispering Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Healing Ruby II]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Remove status ailments
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Soothing Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Run really fast
|
|
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Fleet Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Give party member Reraise
|
|
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Reraise II]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Deal hybrid damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Best damage while unresisted - check your monster beforehand. Fire/Magic/High Melee resist will chunk your damage.

|-
| Deal melee damage
|
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]General Melee dmg - example: Reisenjima Helms, but this will be your most used melee blood pact due to the stun. 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Slashing damage - example: [[Yakshi]]/[[Kalunga]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Blunt damage - example: [[Gigelorum]]/[[Gogmagog]] 

|-
| Deal magic damage
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Geocrush]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Fire damage (Light/Fusion/Liquefaction) 

[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice damage (Darkness/Distortion/Induration) 

[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Wind damage (Light/Fragmentation/Detonation) 

[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Earth damage (Darkness/Gravitation/Scission) 

[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Thunder damage (Light/Fragmentation/Impaction) 

[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Water damage (Darkness/Distortion/Reverberation)

|-
| colspan=4|
2 Requires [[Astral Flow]] to activate BP
|}

=== AFAC Strategy ===
Given the large amount of pet stats gained from SMN gifts and JP categories, I highly recommend maxing the [[Astral Flow]]/[[Astral Conduit]] effects and acquiring all the physical BP related stats (1710+ JP) prior to attempting an AFAC. 
Secondly, if you are using Gearswap, ensure that you are not accidentally swapping into a precast or aftercast set during [[Astral Conduit]]. 
At the time of this writing, Pergatory's LUA will equip an idle set following conduit BPs and assumes the user will stagger BPs approximately 1.25 seconds apart. 
If this proves inconvenient, you may opt to equip your BP set and //gs disable all during [[Astral Conduit]] '''[or]''' add code to disable his idle() function calls while conduit is up. 

'''Generic AFAC Algorithm'''
# Receive pre-fight buffs
# Activate [[Avatar's Favor]]
# If using [[Nirvana_(Level_119)|119 Nirvana]], build 3000 TP and gain [[Aftermath|AM3]] on fodder
# Pop NM
# Wait for GEO bubbles and offensive spells/JAs
# Hit [[Astral Flow]]
# Hit [[Astral Conduit]]
# Spam BPs
# Receive [[Mana Powder]] / [[Mana Mist]] during [[Astral Conduit]] from back line jobs if in [[Escha]] zone
# Watch your mana bar closely during your AFAC, and hit [[Convert]] if you ever drop below 300 - the goal is to get through two full mana bars during your AFAC if possible
# Once [[Astral Conduit]] wears:
# [[Apogee]], then BP (x2)
# Reset [[Apogee]] and [[Astral Flow]] + [[Astral Conduit]] via COR JAs and/or [[Super Revitalizer]] if in [[Escha]] zone
# Repeat until you or the boss dies

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#150101"
! colspan=10 style="text-align: center;" | Job Summary
|- BGCOLOR="#410202"
! width="15%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact
! width="15%" class=unsortable|SMN Food
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Indi-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Geo-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Entrust
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Offensive spells
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #1
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #2
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|RUN JAs
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|BRD Songs

|-
|
[[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]]
| [[Geo-Frailty]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Drachen Roll]]
| [[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]]

|-
| [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Frailty]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]] or [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
|
[[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Impact]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
| [[Companion's Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
| colspan=10|
[[Impact]], [[Odyllic Subterfuge]], and [[Refresh_(Status)|Refresh effects]] may be omitted based on NM and groups' comfort zone.
|-
| colspan=10|
Just use grape daifuku - there are other food options, but grapes are good for everything.
|}

== Acknowledgements ==
I took some of this straight from [https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Prismfang/Sandbox Prismfang's Sandbox], (especially the bottom half with info on what pacts do - I think its much nicer than having two pages open), with edits based on what I think is most realistic for someone newish to the job in 2025-2026.

Thanks to '''Pergatory''' of Asura for providing constructive feedback and all the SMNs on the FFXIAH.com forums for sharing their knowledge.

User:Cii/Sandbox

2025-12-12T14:44:51Z

Cii: /* Getting Started */

{{Guide}}
This is just intended to help with getting your summoner to the level where you can start seeing some nice numbers.

{{color|red|style=bold|Recommended GS LUA by Pergatory: }} [https://pastebin.com/Fa5PtueC Link].

== Getting Started ==
As a new level 99 SMN, I recommend focusing your efforts on the following:
# Obtain an [[Epitaph]] or grab an [[Eminent Sachet]] while you work towards your 100 JP gift to equip a [[Sancus Sachet +1]]
# Create [[Blood Pact]] (BP) sets to improve your avatar's maximum damage per offensive ability
# Create a [[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|BP delay]] set to improve the frequency that you can perform Blood Pacts
# Create an idle set with enough [[Avatar perpetuation cost]] - to offset your avatar's constant [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | MP drain/upkeep]], and enough DT- to survive being hit with AOEs in content like Dyna D
# Obtain the 1200 JP Gift and eventually reach Master SMN

An additional note: [[Flaming Crush]] is going to be your highest damage [[Blood Pact]] against almost anything that doesn't resist it. Embrace [[Ifrit]].

== Merits ==

'''Group 1:'''
* Avatar Physical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Physical Attack: 5
* Avatar Magical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Magical Attack: 5
* Summoning Magic Cast Time: Do not merit this. Build a [[Fast Cast]] set instead.

You can switch Magical Attack to Physical Accuracy and vise versa if you feel like you are having a problem with accuracy for a certain [[Blood Pact]] that you're using often. A good example of this is for AFAC strategies on [[Reisenjima]] HELMS - Physical Accuracy is very important there because you almost exclusively use [[Volt Strike]].

'''Group 2:'''
* [[Meteor Strike]]: 5
* [[Heavenly Strike]]: 1
* [[Wind Blade]]: 1
* [[Geocrush]]: 1
* [[Thunderstorm]]: 1
* [[Grand Fall]]: 1

You can merit whichever one of these you're using most often with the full 5 merits, [[Meteor Strike]] is recommended here because of the offensive power of [[Flaming Crush]], and the ability to use [[Apogee]] to burst off of the skillchains it creates.

Good examples of times to merit other blood pacts: [[Geocrush]] for sortie bosses A and E magic burst strat, [[Thunderstorm]] if you're mostly attacking with [[Volt Strike]] from [[Ramuh]], or [[Heavenly Strike]] if you're bursting on [[Darkness]].

== Idle Set ==
Most gearswap files will have a separate set for idling with and without your avatar. 
This set is for the former, and the goal here is to reach the [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | perpetuation cost]] cap of -14 MP/tic first and foremost.
Once you have reached the cap, avatars will cost at most 1 MP/tic, even with [[Avatar's Favor]] up, so your [[Auto Refresh]] will easily cover that.

# Reach the cap of -14 [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | avatar perpetuation cost]] in pet idle set
# Obtain a [[Caller's_Pendant | Caller's Pendant]] to grant your avatar free TP while standing around
# Fill the remaining slots on [[Refresh]] or defense stats afterward.
#* Note that [[Avatar's Favor]] effects are tiered off based on total skill and Favor+ gear.

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Recommended Start
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Eabani Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Physical Damage Taken -10%
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Enmerkar Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Eva.+20/Mag. Eva. +20, Pet: Damage taken -5%, Pet: Mag. Acc. +20/Mag. Dmg. +20, Pet: Regen +10, Pet: Magic Damage +10
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Lengo Pants
|LegsAug = Refresh +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
Both of these sets should be somewhere around -40% DT- (and 10+ refresh!), so a simple swap of one piece ([[Bunzi's Pants]] for example) should be enough for your DT- set to be at or near -50%.
 
 
Most of the pieces listed above and hereafter are interchangeable with their NQ and HQ variants. Customize your set based on available gear.

== Cheapest / Entry Damage Set ==

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Lowest Cost / Bar to Entry
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Gelos Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10 - Pet: Acc, Atk, Macc, Mab help, but keep any +10 BPdmg roll when starting
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Hurch'lan Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+15 Pet: "Double Attack"+3% "Blood Pact" damage +13
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Total Cost: '''
At time of writing (12/12/2025), the above set should be roughly 12mil to complete. (16mil if you get an Elan Strap +1.) If you don't have the money for that, feel free to downgrade items from +1 to +0 - with the apogee at +0, it'll only be about 7mil!
However, the prices on these are pretty low right now, so if you're liking the job i'd focus on getting the +1s here ASAP.

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Required Magic BP Items
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity -6 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+30 Pet: Damage Taken -4%
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist=
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|LegsAug = Huge damage boost to merit (magic) blood pacts
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Other Useful Items'''
* Optional: [[Sancus Sachet +1]] - If you can't get the [[Epitaph]], or already have one, this is actually a better option until the [[Epitaph]] is augmented. However, it costs >2mil, so if money is a concern, try to get that Sgili clear for the [[Epitaph]].
* -
* Optional: [[Shulmanu Collar]] - BIS for melee pacts until a near max JSE neck +1 or +2, if you already have it, great!
* -
* Optional: [[Smn. Collar +1]] - 2nd BIS only to the +2 when fully augmented, and only ~3mil at time of writing. Worth it if you have the funds and are willing to get the RP in Dynamis.
* -
* Optional: [[Apogee Dalmatica]] (Path A) (Magical BP) - the +1 is good, but expensive, and magical only BPs are hardly ever used. Don't spend your money on a +1 unless you get very deep into gearing the job.
* -
* Optional: [[Sroda Earring]] (Melee Pacts, BIS and cheap)
* -
* Questionable: [[Kyrene's Earring]] - If you have one laying around and are missing something else
* -
* Questionable: [[Apogee Mitts]] - If unsure that you want to play the job, make a pair of +0s with path C while you try it out. Do not waste money on a +1 pair of these.

|}

== More Advanced Blood Pact Sets ==
{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
Blood Pacts are generally categorized as either physical or magical damage, with the exception that Ifrit's [[Burning Strike]] and [[Flaming Crush]] are considered hybrid damage. 
In the event you have a Nirvana and HQ Apogee pieces at hand, see Pergatory's LUA file above on gear choices while Garland's [[Aftermath]] is up.
#For physical BPs, you will want stats such as BP Damage, Accuracy, Attack, and Pet: Double Attack. 
#For magical BPs, you will want BP Damage, Magic Attack, and perhaps Pet: TP Bonus. Avatars seem to have naturally high magic accuracy for their associated element 
#For hybrid BPs, there is usually a mixture of physical and magical BP stats, with a heavy emphasis on the magical end.
 
None of these sets will include REMA weapons, or very expensive minor upgrades like +2 JSE necks.
 
 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Shulmanu Collar
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Sroda Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Glyphic Doublet +3
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = "Fast Cast" +10%, Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
You can use [[Apogee Attire Set]] +1 boots and hat for your physical set, but with the [[Helios Attire Set]] being easily attainable, I'd really recommend against buying a second pair of Apogee +1 for physical unless you're made of money. The Helios is typically better anyways - just requires some time to augment.

The [[Shulmanu Collar]] is probably not worth chasing just for SMN, as the [[Smn. Collar +1]] is better when fully augmented. Its mostly in this set in case you already have one for a different job.

The [[Sroda Earring]] is BIS as long as you've got enough accuracy in your set. The only reason the [[Beck. Earring +1]] is in mine is because the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] has 0 Pet: Accuracy.

Lastly, with Apollyon points being so accessible due to ???'s being shouted out every 3 days or so, i'd really recommend getting the [[Con. Doublet +4]]. You don't ever need to make the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] like I have, because of previously mentioned accuracy issues.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+60 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+30 "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: Magic Acc, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The [[Apogee Slacks +1]] are only better than the [[Enticer's Pants]] if you have the blood pact fully merited, or have TP over 1500. You don't really need a second pair of these, just stick with the [[Enticer's Pants]].

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Gelos Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20 Pet: "Double Attack"+4% "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The most important stat for [[Flaming Crush]] is Blood Pact Damage, as its counted twice: once on the physical hits, and once on the magical. That's the the [[Gelos Earring]] is recommended over the [[Beck. Earring]] here. Of course, if you already have a Beck. Earring, there's no reason to do the quest for the [[Gelos Earring]]. The damage difference is pretty minimal.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

[[Apogee Slacks +1]] (Path A) should be more damage than (Path D) for [[Flaming Crush]]. However, (Path D) is fine, so this upgrade is fairly unnecessary. With this same logic, the [[Apogee Dalmatica +1]] may be similar damage to the [[Con. Doublet +4]] - but the extra +60 accuracy on that top plays a huge role for [[Flaming Crush]]. If you miss either of the initial melee hits, your overall damage will completely plummet, because the magic hit's damage is based on the first two hits' damage.

Do not fret if you are missing the Omen/Vagary accessories; the bulk of your avatar's damage comes from your armor and weapon choices.

== BP Delay Reduction Gear ==
[[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|Blood Pact delays]] have a combined cap of -30 seconds from player gear and gifts, and no more than -15 seconds can be applied per delay tier. 
Once you have obtained the 500 JP (Superior 3) gift, the HQ [[Sancus Sachet]] and [[Baayami_Attire_Set|Baayami Attire Set]] can help you reach the BP delay cap while providing copious amounts of [[Summoning Magic Skill]]. 
An [[Espiritus]] can provide additional BP delay II if you do not mind potentially losing TP on swapping weapons. 

# Reach the cap of -30 seconds through gear and JP gifts
# Fill remaining slots with Summoning Skill and Favor+ gear to improve [[Avatar's Favor]] tier

{{color|red|style=bold|NOTE: }} Depending on your gearswap file, your BP delay set may be listed as a precast or midcast set. 
The delay set should equip as soon as a BP command is sent, and similarly, your BP damage sets should equip once your avatar begins its BP animation.

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -18 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 0 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Eminent Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Shomonjijoe
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 100 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 500 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +3
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== SMN at a Glance ==
Here is where I attempt to answer questions and grossly generalize SMN at the same time: 

=== Skillchains and Magic Bursts ===
Physical and Hybrid BPs are analogous to player [[Weapon Skill|WSs]] and each have their own [[Summoner#Spells_and_Blood_Pacts|skillchain properties]]. 
Magic BPs are analogous to player spells and can be used in a [[Magic Burst|magic burst]]. 
In general, there is a short delay between using a BP command when the BP is executed, so time your BPs accordingly.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchains (2-Step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst1
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Mountain Buster]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Gravitation]]
| [[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crag Throw]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Liquefaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Full Swing]]
| [[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Burning Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fusion]]
| [[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Conflag Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=5 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchain (3-step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #2
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #3
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #2
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]]1 [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
|-
| colspan=5|
1 Requires [[Apogee]] to BP twice in a row
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#0F0018"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Multi-SMN Skillchains
|- BGCOLOR="#2A0141"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Eclipse Bite]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]

|}

=== BP Reference ===
A summary of useful BPs I have encountered for solo and group play. This list is not exhaustive.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#000822"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | I really need to...
|- BGCOLOR="#051549"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Rage
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Ward
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Potential Uses

|-
| Cleave targets
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderspark]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Level ? Holy]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
|
[[Vagary]] 
[[Salvage II| Salvage Farming]] 
[[Colonization_Reive|Colonization Reives]] 
[[Incursion]]

|-
| Curb enemy offense
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Tidal Roar]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Mewing Lullaby]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Eerie Eye]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' attack 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' TP 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Inflicts [[Silence]] and [[Amnesia]]
|-
| Buff party's offense
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crimson Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Inferno Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rolling Thunder]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Hastega_II|Hastega II]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crystal Blessing]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Attack Bonus 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enfire 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enthunder 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Haste II 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]TP Bonus 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Attack Bonus

|-
| Buff party's defense
|
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Armor]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Ward]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Perfect Defense]] [[File:Alexander_GUI.png|link=]] 2 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Frost Armor]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shining Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage mitigation 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Stoneskin 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage reduction 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice Spikes 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Defense+10%, MDT 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Defense Bonus
|-
| Dispel enemy buffs
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Lunar Roar]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Pavor Nocturnus]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[:Yggdreant|Yggdreants]] or [[Belladonna|Belladonna's]] 
[[Glassy Gorger]]

|-
| Sleep nearby enemies
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Nightmare]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Sleepga_(Blood_Pact)|Sleepga]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[Warder of Love]] 
[[Omen]] 
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]

|-
| Stun the enemy
|
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Transfixion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Chaotic Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shock Squall]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Helps [[:Trusts#Gessho|Gessho]] tank CP mobs.
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]
|-
| Heal my party
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Whispering Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Healing Ruby II]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Remove status ailments
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Soothing Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Run really fast
|
|
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Fleet Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Give party member Reraise
|
|
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Reraise II]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| colspan=4|
2 Requires [[Astral Flow]] to activate BP
|}

=== AFAC Strategy ===
Given the large amount of pet stats gained from SMN gifts and JP categories, I highly recommend maxing the [[Astral Flow]]/[[Astral Conduit]] effects and acquiring all the physical BP related stats (1710+ JP) prior to attempting an AFAC. 
Secondly, if you are using Gearswap, ensure that you are not accidentally swapping into a precast or aftercast set during [[Astral Conduit]]. 
At the time of this writing, Pergatory's LUA will equip an idle set following conduit BPs and assumes the user will stagger BPs approximately 1.25 seconds apart. 
If this proves inconvenient, you may opt to equip your BP set and //gs disable all during [[Astral Conduit]] '''[or]''' add code to disable his idle() function calls while conduit is up. 

'''Generic AFAC Algorithm'''
# Receive pre-fight buffs
# Activate [[Avatar's Favor]]
# If using [[Nirvana_(Level_119)|119 Nirvana]], build 3000 TP and gain [[Aftermath|AM3]] on fodder
# Pop NM
# Wait for GEO bubbles and offensive spells/JAs
# Hit [[Astral Flow]]
# Hit [[Astral Conduit]]
# Spam BPs
# Receive [[Mana Powder]] / [[Mana Mist]] during [[Astral Conduit]] from back line jobs if in [[Escha]] zone
# Watch your mana bar closely during your AFAC, and hit [[Convert]] if you ever drop below 300 - the goal is to get through two full mana bars during your AFAC if possible
# Once [[Astral Conduit]] wears:
# [[Apogee]], then BP (x2)
# Reset [[Apogee]] and [[Astral Flow]] + [[Astral Conduit]] via COR JAs and/or [[Super Revitalizer]] if in [[Escha]] zone
# Repeat until you or the boss dies

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#150101"
! colspan=10 style="text-align: center;" | Job Summary
|- BGCOLOR="#410202"
! width="15%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact
! width="15%" class=unsortable|SMN Food
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Indi-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Geo-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Entrust
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Offensive spells
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #1
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #2
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|RUN JAs
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|BRD Songs

|-
|
[[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]]
| [[Geo-Frailty]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Drachen Roll]]
| [[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]]

|-
| [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Frailty]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]] or [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
|
[[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Impact]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
| [[Companion's Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
| colspan=10|
[[Impact]], [[Odyllic Subterfuge]], and [[Refresh_(Status)|Refresh effects]] may be omitted based on NM and groups' comfort zone.
|-
| colspan=10|
Just use grape daifuku - there are other food options, but grapes are good for everything.
|}

== Acknowledgements ==
I took some of this straight from [https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Prismfang/Sandbox Prismfang's Sandbox], (especially the bottom half with info on what pacts do - I think its much nicer than having two pages open), with edits based on what I think is most realistic for someone newish to the job in 2025-2026.

Thanks to '''Pergatory''' of Asura for providing constructive feedback and all the SMNs on the FFXIAH.com forums for sharing their knowledge.

User:Cii/Sandbox

2025-12-12T14:17:22Z

Cii: /* AFAC Strategy */

{{Guide}}
This is just intended to help with getting your summoner to the level where you can start seeing some nice numbers.

{{color|red|style=bold|Recommended GS LUA by Pergatory: }} [https://pastebin.com/Fa5PtueC Link].

== Getting Started ==
As a new level 99 SMN, I recommend focusing your efforts on the following:
# Obtain an [[Epitaph]] or work towards your 100 JP gift to equip a [[Sancus Sachet +1]]
# Create [[Blood Pact]] (BP) sets to improve your avatar's maximum damage per offensive ability
# Create a [[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|BP delay]] set to improve the frequency that you can perform Blood Pacts
# Create an idle set with enough [[Avatar perpetuation cost]] - to offset your avatar's constant [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | MP drain/upkeep]], and enough DT- to survive being hit with AOEs in content like Dyna D
# Obtain the 1200 JP Gift and eventually reach Master SMN

An additional note: [[Flaming Crush]] is going to be your highest damage [[Blood Pact]] against almost anything that doesn't resist it. Embrace [[Ifrit]].

== Merits ==

'''Group 1:'''
* Avatar Physical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Physical Attack: 5
* Avatar Magical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Magical Attack: 5
* Summoning Magic Cast Time: Do not merit this. Build a [[Fast Cast]] set instead.

You can switch Magical Attack to Physical Accuracy and vise versa if you feel like you are having a problem with accuracy for a certain [[Blood Pact]] that you're using often. A good example of this is for AFAC strategies on [[Reisenjima]] HELMS - Physical Accuracy is very important there because you almost exclusively use [[Volt Strike]].

'''Group 2:'''
* [[Meteor Strike]]: 5
* [[Heavenly Strike]]: 1
* [[Wind Blade]]: 1
* [[Geocrush]]: 1
* [[Thunderstorm]]: 1
* [[Grand Fall]]: 1

You can merit whichever one of these you're using most often with the full 5 merits, [[Meteor Strike]] is recommended here because of the offensive power of [[Flaming Crush]], and the ability to use [[Apogee]] to burst off of the skillchains it creates.

Good examples of times to merit other blood pacts: [[Geocrush]] for sortie bosses A and E magic burst strat, [[Thunderstorm]] if you're mostly attacking with [[Volt Strike]] from [[Ramuh]], or [[Heavenly Strike]] if you're bursting on [[Darkness]].

== Idle Set ==
Most gearswap files will have a separate set for idling with and without your avatar. 
This set is for the former, and the goal here is to reach the [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | perpetuation cost]] cap of -14 MP/tic first and foremost.
Once you have reached the cap, avatars will cost at most 1 MP/tic, even with [[Avatar's Favor]] up, so your [[Auto Refresh]] will easily cover that.

# Reach the cap of -14 [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | avatar perpetuation cost]] in pet idle set
# Obtain a [[Caller's_Pendant | Caller's Pendant]] to grant your avatar free TP while standing around
# Fill the remaining slots on [[Refresh]] or defense stats afterward.
#* Note that [[Avatar's Favor]] effects are tiered off based on total skill and Favor+ gear.

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Recommended Start
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Eabani Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Physical Damage Taken -10%
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Enmerkar Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Eva.+20/Mag. Eva. +20, Pet: Damage taken -5%, Pet: Mag. Acc. +20/Mag. Dmg. +20, Pet: Regen +10, Pet: Magic Damage +10
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Lengo Pants
|LegsAug = Refresh +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
Both of these sets should be somewhere around -40% DT- (and 10+ refresh!), so a simple swap of one piece ([[Bunzi's Pants]] for example) should be enough for your DT- set to be at or near -50%.
 
 
Most of the pieces listed above and hereafter are interchangeable with their NQ and HQ variants. Customize your set based on available gear.

== Cheapest / Entry Damage Set ==

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Lowest Cost / Bar to Entry
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Gelos Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10 - Pet: Acc, Atk, Macc, Mab help, but keep any +10 BPdmg roll when starting
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Hurch'lan Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+15 Pet: "Double Attack"+3% "Blood Pact" damage +13
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Total Cost: '''
At time of writing (12/12/2025), the above set should be roughly 12mil to complete. (16mil if you get an Elan Strap +1.) If you don't have the money for that, feel free to downgrade items from +1 to +0 - with the apogee at +0, it'll only be about 7mil!
However, the prices on these are pretty low right now, so if you're liking the job i'd focus on getting the +1s here ASAP.

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Required Magic BP Items
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity -6 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+30 Pet: Damage Taken -4%
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist=
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|LegsAug = Huge damage boost to merit (magic) blood pacts
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Other Useful Items'''
* Optional: [[Sancus Sachet +1]] - If you can't get the [[Epitaph]], or already have one, this is actually a better option until the [[Epitaph]] is augmented. However, it costs >2mil, so if money is a concern, try to get that Sgili clear for the [[Epitaph]].
* -
* Optional: [[Shulmanu Collar]] - BIS for melee pacts until a near max JSE neck +1 or +2, if you already have it, great!
* -
* Optional: [[Smn. Collar +1]] - 2nd BIS only to the +2 when fully augmented, and only ~3mil at time of writing. Worth it if you have the funds and are willing to get the RP in Dynamis.
* -
* Optional: [[Apogee Dalmatica]] (Path A) (Magical BP) - the +1 is good, but expensive, and magical only BPs are hardly ever used. Don't spend your money on a +1 unless you get very deep into gearing the job.
* -
* Optional: [[Sroda Earring]] (Melee Pacts, BIS and cheap)
* -
* Questionable: [[Kyrene's Earring]] - If you have one laying around and are missing something else
* -
* Questionable: [[Apogee Mitts]] - If unsure that you want to play the job, make a pair of +0s with path C while you try it out. Do not waste money on a +1 pair of these.

|}

== More Advanced Blood Pact Sets ==
{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
Blood Pacts are generally categorized as either physical or magical damage, with the exception that Ifrit's [[Burning Strike]] and [[Flaming Crush]] are considered hybrid damage. 
In the event you have a Nirvana and HQ Apogee pieces at hand, see Pergatory's LUA file above on gear choices while Garland's [[Aftermath]] is up.
#For physical BPs, you will want stats such as BP Damage, Accuracy, Attack, and Pet: Double Attack. 
#For magical BPs, you will want BP Damage, Magic Attack, and perhaps Pet: TP Bonus. Avatars seem to have naturally high magic accuracy for their associated element 
#For hybrid BPs, there is usually a mixture of physical and magical BP stats, with a heavy emphasis on the magical end.
 
None of these sets will include REMA weapons, or very expensive minor upgrades like +2 JSE necks.
 
 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Shulmanu Collar
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Sroda Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Glyphic Doublet +3
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = "Fast Cast" +10%, Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
You can use [[Apogee Attire Set]] +1 boots and hat for your physical set, but with the [[Helios Attire Set]] being easily attainable, I'd really recommend against buying a second pair of Apogee +1 for physical unless you're made of money. The Helios is typically better anyways - just requires some time to augment.

The [[Shulmanu Collar]] is probably not worth chasing just for SMN, as the [[Smn. Collar +1]] is better when fully augmented. Its mostly in this set in case you already have one for a different job.

The [[Sroda Earring]] is BIS as long as you've got enough accuracy in your set. The only reason the [[Beck. Earring +1]] is in mine is because the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] has 0 Pet: Accuracy.

Lastly, with Apollyon points being so accessible due to ???'s being shouted out every 3 days or so, i'd really recommend getting the [[Con. Doublet +4]]. You don't ever need to make the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] like I have, because of previously mentioned accuracy issues.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+60 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+30 "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: Magic Acc, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The [[Apogee Slacks +1]] are only better than the [[Enticer's Pants]] if you have the blood pact fully merited, or have TP over 1500. You don't really need a second pair of these, just stick with the [[Enticer's Pants]].

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Gelos Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20 Pet: "Double Attack"+4% "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The most important stat for [[Flaming Crush]] is Blood Pact Damage, as its counted twice: once on the physical hits, and once on the magical. That's the the [[Gelos Earring]] is recommended over the [[Beck. Earring]] here. Of course, if you already have a Beck. Earring, there's no reason to do the quest for the [[Gelos Earring]]. The damage difference is pretty minimal.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

[[Apogee Slacks +1]] (Path A) should be more damage than (Path D) for [[Flaming Crush]]. However, (Path D) is fine, so this upgrade is fairly unnecessary. With this same logic, the [[Apogee Dalmatica +1]] may be similar damage to the [[Con. Doublet +4]] - but the extra +60 accuracy on that top plays a huge role for [[Flaming Crush]]. If you miss either of the initial melee hits, your overall damage will completely plummet, because the magic hit's damage is based on the first two hits' damage.

Do not fret if you are missing the Omen/Vagary accessories; the bulk of your avatar's damage comes from your armor and weapon choices.

== BP Delay Reduction Gear ==
[[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|Blood Pact delays]] have a combined cap of -30 seconds from player gear and gifts, and no more than -15 seconds can be applied per delay tier. 
Once you have obtained the 500 JP (Superior 3) gift, the HQ [[Sancus Sachet]] and [[Baayami_Attire_Set|Baayami Attire Set]] can help you reach the BP delay cap while providing copious amounts of [[Summoning Magic Skill]]. 
An [[Espiritus]] can provide additional BP delay II if you do not mind potentially losing TP on swapping weapons. 

# Reach the cap of -30 seconds through gear and JP gifts
# Fill remaining slots with Summoning Skill and Favor+ gear to improve [[Avatar's Favor]] tier

{{color|red|style=bold|NOTE: }} Depending on your gearswap file, your BP delay set may be listed as a precast or midcast set. 
The delay set should equip as soon as a BP command is sent, and similarly, your BP damage sets should equip once your avatar begins its BP animation.

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -18 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 0 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Eminent Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Shomonjijoe
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 100 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 500 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +3
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== SMN at a Glance ==
Here is where I attempt to answer questions and grossly generalize SMN at the same time: 

=== Skillchains and Magic Bursts ===
Physical and Hybrid BPs are analogous to player [[Weapon Skill|WSs]] and each have their own [[Summoner#Spells_and_Blood_Pacts|skillchain properties]]. 
Magic BPs are analogous to player spells and can be used in a [[Magic Burst|magic burst]]. 
In general, there is a short delay between using a BP command when the BP is executed, so time your BPs accordingly.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchains (2-Step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst1
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Mountain Buster]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Gravitation]]
| [[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crag Throw]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Liquefaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Full Swing]]
| [[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Burning Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fusion]]
| [[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Conflag Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=5 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchain (3-step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #2
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #3
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #2
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]]1 [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
|-
| colspan=5|
1 Requires [[Apogee]] to BP twice in a row
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#0F0018"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Multi-SMN Skillchains
|- BGCOLOR="#2A0141"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Eclipse Bite]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]

|}

=== BP Reference ===
A summary of useful BPs I have encountered for solo and group play. This list is not exhaustive.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#000822"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | I really need to...
|- BGCOLOR="#051549"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Rage
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Ward
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Potential Uses

|-
| Cleave targets
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderspark]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Level ? Holy]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
|
[[Vagary]] 
[[Salvage II| Salvage Farming]] 
[[Colonization_Reive|Colonization Reives]] 
[[Incursion]]

|-
| Curb enemy offense
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Tidal Roar]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Mewing Lullaby]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Eerie Eye]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' attack 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' TP 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Inflicts [[Silence]] and [[Amnesia]]
|-
| Buff party's offense
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crimson Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Inferno Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rolling Thunder]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Hastega_II|Hastega II]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crystal Blessing]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Attack Bonus 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enfire 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enthunder 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Haste II 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]TP Bonus 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Attack Bonus

|-
| Buff party's defense
|
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Armor]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Ward]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Perfect Defense]] [[File:Alexander_GUI.png|link=]] 2 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Frost Armor]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shining Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage mitigation 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Stoneskin 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage reduction 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice Spikes 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Defense+10%, MDT 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Defense Bonus
|-
| Dispel enemy buffs
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Lunar Roar]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Pavor Nocturnus]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[:Yggdreant|Yggdreants]] or [[Belladonna|Belladonna's]] 
[[Glassy Gorger]]

|-
| Sleep nearby enemies
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Nightmare]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Sleepga_(Blood_Pact)|Sleepga]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[Warder of Love]] 
[[Omen]] 
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]

|-
| Stun the enemy
|
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Transfixion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Chaotic Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shock Squall]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Helps [[:Trusts#Gessho|Gessho]] tank CP mobs.
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]
|-
| Heal my party
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Whispering Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Healing Ruby II]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Remove status ailments
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Soothing Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Run really fast
|
|
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Fleet Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Give party member Reraise
|
|
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Reraise II]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| colspan=4|
2 Requires [[Astral Flow]] to activate BP
|}

=== AFAC Strategy ===
Given the large amount of pet stats gained from SMN gifts and JP categories, I highly recommend maxing the [[Astral Flow]]/[[Astral Conduit]] effects and acquiring all the physical BP related stats (1710+ JP) prior to attempting an AFAC. 
Secondly, if you are using Gearswap, ensure that you are not accidentally swapping into a precast or aftercast set during [[Astral Conduit]]. 
At the time of this writing, Pergatory's LUA will equip an idle set following conduit BPs and assumes the user will stagger BPs approximately 1.25 seconds apart. 
If this proves inconvenient, you may opt to equip your BP set and //gs disable all during [[Astral Conduit]] '''[or]''' add code to disable his idle() function calls while conduit is up. 

'''Generic AFAC Algorithm'''
# Receive pre-fight buffs
# Activate [[Avatar's Favor]]
# If using [[Nirvana_(Level_119)|119 Nirvana]], build 3000 TP and gain [[Aftermath|AM3]] on fodder
# Pop NM
# Wait for GEO bubbles and offensive spells/JAs
# Hit [[Astral Flow]]
# Hit [[Astral Conduit]]
# Spam BPs
# Receive [[Mana Powder]] / [[Mana Mist]] during [[Astral Conduit]] from back line jobs if in [[Escha]] zone
# Watch your mana bar closely during your AFAC, and hit [[Convert]] if you ever drop below 300 - the goal is to get through two full mana bars during your AFAC if possible
# Once [[Astral Conduit]] wears:
# [[Apogee]], then BP (x2)
# Reset [[Apogee]] and [[Astral Flow]] + [[Astral Conduit]] via COR JAs and/or [[Super Revitalizer]] if in [[Escha]] zone
# Repeat until you or the boss dies

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#150101"
! colspan=10 style="text-align: center;" | Job Summary
|- BGCOLOR="#410202"
! width="15%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact
! width="15%" class=unsortable|SMN Food
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Indi-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Geo-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Entrust
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Offensive spells
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #1
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #2
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|RUN JAs
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|BRD Songs

|-
|
[[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]]
| [[Geo-Frailty]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Drachen Roll]]
| [[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]]

|-
| [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Frailty]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]] or [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
|
[[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Impact]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
| [[Companion's Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
| colspan=10|
[[Impact]], [[Odyllic Subterfuge]], and [[Refresh_(Status)|Refresh effects]] may be omitted based on NM and groups' comfort zone.
|-
| colspan=10|
Just use grape daifuku - there are other food options, but grapes are good for everything.
|}

== Acknowledgements ==
I took some of this straight from [https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Prismfang/Sandbox Prismfang's Sandbox], (especially the bottom half with info on what pacts do - I think its much nicer than having two pages open), with edits based on what I think is most realistic for someone newish to the job in 2025-2026.

Thanks to '''Pergatory''' of Asura for providing constructive feedback and all the SMNs on the FFXIAH.com forums for sharing their knowledge.

User:Cii/Sandbox

2025-12-12T14:16:50Z

Cii: /* AFAC Strategy */

{{Guide}}
This is just intended to help with getting your summoner to the level where you can start seeing some nice numbers.

{{color|red|style=bold|Recommended GS LUA by Pergatory: }} [https://pastebin.com/Fa5PtueC Link].

== Getting Started ==
As a new level 99 SMN, I recommend focusing your efforts on the following:
# Obtain an [[Epitaph]] or work towards your 100 JP gift to equip a [[Sancus Sachet +1]]
# Create [[Blood Pact]] (BP) sets to improve your avatar's maximum damage per offensive ability
# Create a [[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|BP delay]] set to improve the frequency that you can perform Blood Pacts
# Create an idle set with enough [[Avatar perpetuation cost]] - to offset your avatar's constant [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | MP drain/upkeep]], and enough DT- to survive being hit with AOEs in content like Dyna D
# Obtain the 1200 JP Gift and eventually reach Master SMN

An additional note: [[Flaming Crush]] is going to be your highest damage [[Blood Pact]] against almost anything that doesn't resist it. Embrace [[Ifrit]].

== Merits ==

'''Group 1:'''
* Avatar Physical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Physical Attack: 5
* Avatar Magical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Magical Attack: 5
* Summoning Magic Cast Time: Do not merit this. Build a [[Fast Cast]] set instead.

You can switch Magical Attack to Physical Accuracy and vise versa if you feel like you are having a problem with accuracy for a certain [[Blood Pact]] that you're using often. A good example of this is for AFAC strategies on [[Reisenjima]] HELMS - Physical Accuracy is very important there because you almost exclusively use [[Volt Strike]].

'''Group 2:'''
* [[Meteor Strike]]: 5
* [[Heavenly Strike]]: 1
* [[Wind Blade]]: 1
* [[Geocrush]]: 1
* [[Thunderstorm]]: 1
* [[Grand Fall]]: 1

You can merit whichever one of these you're using most often with the full 5 merits, [[Meteor Strike]] is recommended here because of the offensive power of [[Flaming Crush]], and the ability to use [[Apogee]] to burst off of the skillchains it creates.

Good examples of times to merit other blood pacts: [[Geocrush]] for sortie bosses A and E magic burst strat, [[Thunderstorm]] if you're mostly attacking with [[Volt Strike]] from [[Ramuh]], or [[Heavenly Strike]] if you're bursting on [[Darkness]].

== Idle Set ==
Most gearswap files will have a separate set for idling with and without your avatar. 
This set is for the former, and the goal here is to reach the [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | perpetuation cost]] cap of -14 MP/tic first and foremost.
Once you have reached the cap, avatars will cost at most 1 MP/tic, even with [[Avatar's Favor]] up, so your [[Auto Refresh]] will easily cover that.

# Reach the cap of -14 [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | avatar perpetuation cost]] in pet idle set
# Obtain a [[Caller's_Pendant | Caller's Pendant]] to grant your avatar free TP while standing around
# Fill the remaining slots on [[Refresh]] or defense stats afterward.
#* Note that [[Avatar's Favor]] effects are tiered off based on total skill and Favor+ gear.

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Recommended Start
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Eabani Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Physical Damage Taken -10%
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Enmerkar Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Eva.+20/Mag. Eva. +20, Pet: Damage taken -5%, Pet: Mag. Acc. +20/Mag. Dmg. +20, Pet: Regen +10, Pet: Magic Damage +10
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Lengo Pants
|LegsAug = Refresh +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
Both of these sets should be somewhere around -40% DT- (and 10+ refresh!), so a simple swap of one piece ([[Bunzi's Pants]] for example) should be enough for your DT- set to be at or near -50%.
 
 
Most of the pieces listed above and hereafter are interchangeable with their NQ and HQ variants. Customize your set based on available gear.

== Cheapest / Entry Damage Set ==

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Lowest Cost / Bar to Entry
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Gelos Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10 - Pet: Acc, Atk, Macc, Mab help, but keep any +10 BPdmg roll when starting
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Hurch'lan Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+15 Pet: "Double Attack"+3% "Blood Pact" damage +13
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Total Cost: '''
At time of writing (12/12/2025), the above set should be roughly 12mil to complete. (16mil if you get an Elan Strap +1.) If you don't have the money for that, feel free to downgrade items from +1 to +0 - with the apogee at +0, it'll only be about 7mil!
However, the prices on these are pretty low right now, so if you're liking the job i'd focus on getting the +1s here ASAP.

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Required Magic BP Items
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity -6 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+30 Pet: Damage Taken -4%
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist=
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|LegsAug = Huge damage boost to merit (magic) blood pacts
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Other Useful Items'''
* Optional: [[Sancus Sachet +1]] - If you can't get the [[Epitaph]], or already have one, this is actually a better option until the [[Epitaph]] is augmented. However, it costs >2mil, so if money is a concern, try to get that Sgili clear for the [[Epitaph]].
* -
* Optional: [[Shulmanu Collar]] - BIS for melee pacts until a near max JSE neck +1 or +2, if you already have it, great!
* -
* Optional: [[Smn. Collar +1]] - 2nd BIS only to the +2 when fully augmented, and only ~3mil at time of writing. Worth it if you have the funds and are willing to get the RP in Dynamis.
* -
* Optional: [[Apogee Dalmatica]] (Path A) (Magical BP) - the +1 is good, but expensive, and magical only BPs are hardly ever used. Don't spend your money on a +1 unless you get very deep into gearing the job.
* -
* Optional: [[Sroda Earring]] (Melee Pacts, BIS and cheap)
* -
* Questionable: [[Kyrene's Earring]] - If you have one laying around and are missing something else
* -
* Questionable: [[Apogee Mitts]] - If unsure that you want to play the job, make a pair of +0s with path C while you try it out. Do not waste money on a +1 pair of these.

|}

== More Advanced Blood Pact Sets ==
{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
Blood Pacts are generally categorized as either physical or magical damage, with the exception that Ifrit's [[Burning Strike]] and [[Flaming Crush]] are considered hybrid damage. 
In the event you have a Nirvana and HQ Apogee pieces at hand, see Pergatory's LUA file above on gear choices while Garland's [[Aftermath]] is up.
#For physical BPs, you will want stats such as BP Damage, Accuracy, Attack, and Pet: Double Attack. 
#For magical BPs, you will want BP Damage, Magic Attack, and perhaps Pet: TP Bonus. Avatars seem to have naturally high magic accuracy for their associated element 
#For hybrid BPs, there is usually a mixture of physical and magical BP stats, with a heavy emphasis on the magical end.
 
None of these sets will include REMA weapons, or very expensive minor upgrades like +2 JSE necks.
 
 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Shulmanu Collar
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Sroda Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Glyphic Doublet +3
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = "Fast Cast" +10%, Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
You can use [[Apogee Attire Set]] +1 boots and hat for your physical set, but with the [[Helios Attire Set]] being easily attainable, I'd really recommend against buying a second pair of Apogee +1 for physical unless you're made of money. The Helios is typically better anyways - just requires some time to augment.

The [[Shulmanu Collar]] is probably not worth chasing just for SMN, as the [[Smn. Collar +1]] is better when fully augmented. Its mostly in this set in case you already have one for a different job.

The [[Sroda Earring]] is BIS as long as you've got enough accuracy in your set. The only reason the [[Beck. Earring +1]] is in mine is because the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] has 0 Pet: Accuracy.

Lastly, with Apollyon points being so accessible due to ???'s being shouted out every 3 days or so, i'd really recommend getting the [[Con. Doublet +4]]. You don't ever need to make the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] like I have, because of previously mentioned accuracy issues.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+60 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+30 "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: Magic Acc, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The [[Apogee Slacks +1]] are only better than the [[Enticer's Pants]] if you have the blood pact fully merited, or have TP over 1500. You don't really need a second pair of these, just stick with the [[Enticer's Pants]].

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Gelos Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20 Pet: "Double Attack"+4% "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The most important stat for [[Flaming Crush]] is Blood Pact Damage, as its counted twice: once on the physical hits, and once on the magical. That's the the [[Gelos Earring]] is recommended over the [[Beck. Earring]] here. Of course, if you already have a Beck. Earring, there's no reason to do the quest for the [[Gelos Earring]]. The damage difference is pretty minimal.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

[[Apogee Slacks +1]] (Path A) should be more damage than (Path D) for [[Flaming Crush]]. However, (Path D) is fine, so this upgrade is fairly unnecessary. With this same logic, the [[Apogee Dalmatica +1]] may be similar damage to the [[Con. Doublet +4]] - but the extra +60 accuracy on that top plays a huge role for [[Flaming Crush]]. If you miss either of the initial melee hits, your overall damage will completely plummet, because the magic hit's damage is based on the first two hits' damage.

Do not fret if you are missing the Omen/Vagary accessories; the bulk of your avatar's damage comes from your armor and weapon choices.

== BP Delay Reduction Gear ==
[[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|Blood Pact delays]] have a combined cap of -30 seconds from player gear and gifts, and no more than -15 seconds can be applied per delay tier. 
Once you have obtained the 500 JP (Superior 3) gift, the HQ [[Sancus Sachet]] and [[Baayami_Attire_Set|Baayami Attire Set]] can help you reach the BP delay cap while providing copious amounts of [[Summoning Magic Skill]]. 
An [[Espiritus]] can provide additional BP delay II if you do not mind potentially losing TP on swapping weapons. 

# Reach the cap of -30 seconds through gear and JP gifts
# Fill remaining slots with Summoning Skill and Favor+ gear to improve [[Avatar's Favor]] tier

{{color|red|style=bold|NOTE: }} Depending on your gearswap file, your BP delay set may be listed as a precast or midcast set. 
The delay set should equip as soon as a BP command is sent, and similarly, your BP damage sets should equip once your avatar begins its BP animation.

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -18 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 0 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Eminent Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Shomonjijoe
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 100 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 500 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +3
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== SMN at a Glance ==
Here is where I attempt to answer questions and grossly generalize SMN at the same time: 

=== Skillchains and Magic Bursts ===
Physical and Hybrid BPs are analogous to player [[Weapon Skill|WSs]] and each have their own [[Summoner#Spells_and_Blood_Pacts|skillchain properties]]. 
Magic BPs are analogous to player spells and can be used in a [[Magic Burst|magic burst]]. 
In general, there is a short delay between using a BP command when the BP is executed, so time your BPs accordingly.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchains (2-Step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst1
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Mountain Buster]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Gravitation]]
| [[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crag Throw]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Liquefaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Full Swing]]
| [[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Burning Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fusion]]
| [[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Conflag Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=5 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchain (3-step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #2
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #3
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #2
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]]1 [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
|-
| colspan=5|
1 Requires [[Apogee]] to BP twice in a row
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#0F0018"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Multi-SMN Skillchains
|- BGCOLOR="#2A0141"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Eclipse Bite]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]

|}

=== BP Reference ===
A summary of useful BPs I have encountered for solo and group play. This list is not exhaustive.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#000822"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | I really need to...
|- BGCOLOR="#051549"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Rage
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Ward
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Potential Uses

|-
| Cleave targets
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderspark]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Level ? Holy]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
|
[[Vagary]] 
[[Salvage II| Salvage Farming]] 
[[Colonization_Reive|Colonization Reives]] 
[[Incursion]]

|-
| Curb enemy offense
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Tidal Roar]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Mewing Lullaby]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Eerie Eye]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' attack 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' TP 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Inflicts [[Silence]] and [[Amnesia]]
|-
| Buff party's offense
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crimson Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Inferno Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rolling Thunder]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Hastega_II|Hastega II]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crystal Blessing]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Attack Bonus 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enfire 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enthunder 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Haste II 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]TP Bonus 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Attack Bonus

|-
| Buff party's defense
|
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Armor]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Ward]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Perfect Defense]] [[File:Alexander_GUI.png|link=]] 2 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Frost Armor]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shining Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage mitigation 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Stoneskin 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage reduction 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice Spikes 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Defense+10%, MDT 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Defense Bonus
|-
| Dispel enemy buffs
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Lunar Roar]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Pavor Nocturnus]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[:Yggdreant|Yggdreants]] or [[Belladonna|Belladonna's]] 
[[Glassy Gorger]]

|-
| Sleep nearby enemies
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Nightmare]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Sleepga_(Blood_Pact)|Sleepga]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[Warder of Love]] 
[[Omen]] 
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]

|-
| Stun the enemy
|
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Transfixion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Chaotic Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shock Squall]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Helps [[:Trusts#Gessho|Gessho]] tank CP mobs.
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]
|-
| Heal my party
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Whispering Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Healing Ruby II]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Remove status ailments
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Soothing Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Run really fast
|
|
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Fleet Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Give party member Reraise
|
|
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Reraise II]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| colspan=4|
2 Requires [[Astral Flow]] to activate BP
|}

=== AFAC Strategy ===
Given the large amount of pet stats gained from SMN gifts and JP categories, I highly recommend maxing the [[Astral Flow]]/[[Astral Conduit]] effects and acquiring all the physical BP related stats (1710+ JP) prior to attempting a conduit zerg. 
Secondly, if you are using Gearswap, ensure that you are not accidentally swapping into a precast or aftercast set during [[Astral Conduit]]. 
At the time of this writing, Pergatory's LUA will equip an idle set following conduit BPs and assumes the user will stagger BPs approximately 1.25 seconds apart. 
If this proves inconvenient, you may opt to equip your BP set and //gs disable all during [[Astral Conduit]] '''[or]''' add code to disable his idle() function calls while conduit is up. 

'''Generic AFAC Algorithm'''
# Receive pre-fight buffs
# Activate [[Avatar's Favor]]
# If using [[Nirvana_(Level_119)|119 Nirvana]], build 3000 TP and gain [[Aftermath|AM3]] on fodder
# Pop NM
# Wait for GEO bubbles and offensive spells/JAs
# Hit [[Astral Flow]]
# Hit [[Astral Conduit]]
# Spam BPs
# Receive [[Mana Powder]] / [[Mana Mist]] during [[Astral Conduit]] from back line jobs if in [[Escha]] zone
# Watch your mana bar closely during your AFAC, and hit [[Convert]] if you ever drop below 300 - the goal is to get through two full mana bars during your AFAC if possible
# Once [[Astral Conduit]] wears:
# [[Apogee]], then BP (x2)
# Reset [[Apogee]] and [[Astral Flow]] + [[Astral Conduit]] via COR JAs and/or [[Super Revitalizer]] if in [[Escha]] zone
# Repeat until you or the boss dies

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#150101"
! colspan=10 style="text-align: center;" | Job Summary
|- BGCOLOR="#410202"
! width="15%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact
! width="15%" class=unsortable|SMN Food
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Indi-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Geo-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Entrust
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Offensive spells
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #1
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #2
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|RUN JAs
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|BRD Songs

|-
|
[[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]]
| [[Geo-Frailty]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Drachen Roll]]
| [[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]]

|-
| [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Frailty]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]] or [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
|
[[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Impact]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
| [[Companion's Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
| colspan=10|
[[Impact]], [[Odyllic Subterfuge]], and [[Refresh_(Status)|Refresh effects]] may be omitted based on NM and groups' comfort zone.
|-
| colspan=10|
Just use grape daifuku - there are other food options, but grapes are good for everything.
|}

== Acknowledgements ==
I took some of this straight from [https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Prismfang/Sandbox Prismfang's Sandbox], (especially the bottom half with info on what pacts do - I think its much nicer than having two pages open), with edits based on what I think is most realistic for someone newish to the job in 2025-2026.

Thanks to '''Pergatory''' of Asura for providing constructive feedback and all the SMNs on the FFXIAH.com forums for sharing their knowledge.

User:Cii/Sandbox

2025-12-12T14:16:38Z

Cii: /* Conduit Zerg */

{{Guide}}
This is just intended to help with getting your summoner to the level where you can start seeing some nice numbers.

{{color|red|style=bold|Recommended GS LUA by Pergatory: }} [https://pastebin.com/Fa5PtueC Link].

== Getting Started ==
As a new level 99 SMN, I recommend focusing your efforts on the following:
# Obtain an [[Epitaph]] or work towards your 100 JP gift to equip a [[Sancus Sachet +1]]
# Create [[Blood Pact]] (BP) sets to improve your avatar's maximum damage per offensive ability
# Create a [[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|BP delay]] set to improve the frequency that you can perform Blood Pacts
# Create an idle set with enough [[Avatar perpetuation cost]] - to offset your avatar's constant [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | MP drain/upkeep]], and enough DT- to survive being hit with AOEs in content like Dyna D
# Obtain the 1200 JP Gift and eventually reach Master SMN

An additional note: [[Flaming Crush]] is going to be your highest damage [[Blood Pact]] against almost anything that doesn't resist it. Embrace [[Ifrit]].

== Merits ==

'''Group 1:'''
* Avatar Physical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Physical Attack: 5
* Avatar Magical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Magical Attack: 5
* Summoning Magic Cast Time: Do not merit this. Build a [[Fast Cast]] set instead.

You can switch Magical Attack to Physical Accuracy and vise versa if you feel like you are having a problem with accuracy for a certain [[Blood Pact]] that you're using often. A good example of this is for AFAC strategies on [[Reisenjima]] HELMS - Physical Accuracy is very important there because you almost exclusively use [[Volt Strike]].

'''Group 2:'''
* [[Meteor Strike]]: 5
* [[Heavenly Strike]]: 1
* [[Wind Blade]]: 1
* [[Geocrush]]: 1
* [[Thunderstorm]]: 1
* [[Grand Fall]]: 1

You can merit whichever one of these you're using most often with the full 5 merits, [[Meteor Strike]] is recommended here because of the offensive power of [[Flaming Crush]], and the ability to use [[Apogee]] to burst off of the skillchains it creates.

Good examples of times to merit other blood pacts: [[Geocrush]] for sortie bosses A and E magic burst strat, [[Thunderstorm]] if you're mostly attacking with [[Volt Strike]] from [[Ramuh]], or [[Heavenly Strike]] if you're bursting on [[Darkness]].

== Idle Set ==
Most gearswap files will have a separate set for idling with and without your avatar. 
This set is for the former, and the goal here is to reach the [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | perpetuation cost]] cap of -14 MP/tic first and foremost.
Once you have reached the cap, avatars will cost at most 1 MP/tic, even with [[Avatar's Favor]] up, so your [[Auto Refresh]] will easily cover that.

# Reach the cap of -14 [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | avatar perpetuation cost]] in pet idle set
# Obtain a [[Caller's_Pendant | Caller's Pendant]] to grant your avatar free TP while standing around
# Fill the remaining slots on [[Refresh]] or defense stats afterward.
#* Note that [[Avatar's Favor]] effects are tiered off based on total skill and Favor+ gear.

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Recommended Start
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Eabani Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Physical Damage Taken -10%
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Enmerkar Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Eva.+20/Mag. Eva. +20, Pet: Damage taken -5%, Pet: Mag. Acc. +20/Mag. Dmg. +20, Pet: Regen +10, Pet: Magic Damage +10
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Lengo Pants
|LegsAug = Refresh +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
Both of these sets should be somewhere around -40% DT- (and 10+ refresh!), so a simple swap of one piece ([[Bunzi's Pants]] for example) should be enough for your DT- set to be at or near -50%.
 
 
Most of the pieces listed above and hereafter are interchangeable with their NQ and HQ variants. Customize your set based on available gear.

== Cheapest / Entry Damage Set ==

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Lowest Cost / Bar to Entry
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Gelos Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10 - Pet: Acc, Atk, Macc, Mab help, but keep any +10 BPdmg roll when starting
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Hurch'lan Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+15 Pet: "Double Attack"+3% "Blood Pact" damage +13
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Total Cost: '''
At time of writing (12/12/2025), the above set should be roughly 12mil to complete. (16mil if you get an Elan Strap +1.) If you don't have the money for that, feel free to downgrade items from +1 to +0 - with the apogee at +0, it'll only be about 7mil!
However, the prices on these are pretty low right now, so if you're liking the job i'd focus on getting the +1s here ASAP.

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Required Magic BP Items
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity -6 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+30 Pet: Damage Taken -4%
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist=
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|LegsAug = Huge damage boost to merit (magic) blood pacts
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Other Useful Items'''
* Optional: [[Sancus Sachet +1]] - If you can't get the [[Epitaph]], or already have one, this is actually a better option until the [[Epitaph]] is augmented. However, it costs >2mil, so if money is a concern, try to get that Sgili clear for the [[Epitaph]].
* -
* Optional: [[Shulmanu Collar]] - BIS for melee pacts until a near max JSE neck +1 or +2, if you already have it, great!
* -
* Optional: [[Smn. Collar +1]] - 2nd BIS only to the +2 when fully augmented, and only ~3mil at time of writing. Worth it if you have the funds and are willing to get the RP in Dynamis.
* -
* Optional: [[Apogee Dalmatica]] (Path A) (Magical BP) - the +1 is good, but expensive, and magical only BPs are hardly ever used. Don't spend your money on a +1 unless you get very deep into gearing the job.
* -
* Optional: [[Sroda Earring]] (Melee Pacts, BIS and cheap)
* -
* Questionable: [[Kyrene's Earring]] - If you have one laying around and are missing something else
* -
* Questionable: [[Apogee Mitts]] - If unsure that you want to play the job, make a pair of +0s with path C while you try it out. Do not waste money on a +1 pair of these.

|}

== More Advanced Blood Pact Sets ==
{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
Blood Pacts are generally categorized as either physical or magical damage, with the exception that Ifrit's [[Burning Strike]] and [[Flaming Crush]] are considered hybrid damage. 
In the event you have a Nirvana and HQ Apogee pieces at hand, see Pergatory's LUA file above on gear choices while Garland's [[Aftermath]] is up.
#For physical BPs, you will want stats such as BP Damage, Accuracy, Attack, and Pet: Double Attack. 
#For magical BPs, you will want BP Damage, Magic Attack, and perhaps Pet: TP Bonus. Avatars seem to have naturally high magic accuracy for their associated element 
#For hybrid BPs, there is usually a mixture of physical and magical BP stats, with a heavy emphasis on the magical end.
 
None of these sets will include REMA weapons, or very expensive minor upgrades like +2 JSE necks.
 
 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Shulmanu Collar
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Sroda Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Glyphic Doublet +3
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = "Fast Cast" +10%, Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
You can use [[Apogee Attire Set]] +1 boots and hat for your physical set, but with the [[Helios Attire Set]] being easily attainable, I'd really recommend against buying a second pair of Apogee +1 for physical unless you're made of money. The Helios is typically better anyways - just requires some time to augment.

The [[Shulmanu Collar]] is probably not worth chasing just for SMN, as the [[Smn. Collar +1]] is better when fully augmented. Its mostly in this set in case you already have one for a different job.

The [[Sroda Earring]] is BIS as long as you've got enough accuracy in your set. The only reason the [[Beck. Earring +1]] is in mine is because the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] has 0 Pet: Accuracy.

Lastly, with Apollyon points being so accessible due to ???'s being shouted out every 3 days or so, i'd really recommend getting the [[Con. Doublet +4]]. You don't ever need to make the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] like I have, because of previously mentioned accuracy issues.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+60 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+30 "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: Magic Acc, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The [[Apogee Slacks +1]] are only better than the [[Enticer's Pants]] if you have the blood pact fully merited, or have TP over 1500. You don't really need a second pair of these, just stick with the [[Enticer's Pants]].

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Gelos Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20 Pet: "Double Attack"+4% "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The most important stat for [[Flaming Crush]] is Blood Pact Damage, as its counted twice: once on the physical hits, and once on the magical. That's the the [[Gelos Earring]] is recommended over the [[Beck. Earring]] here. Of course, if you already have a Beck. Earring, there's no reason to do the quest for the [[Gelos Earring]]. The damage difference is pretty minimal.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

[[Apogee Slacks +1]] (Path A) should be more damage than (Path D) for [[Flaming Crush]]. However, (Path D) is fine, so this upgrade is fairly unnecessary. With this same logic, the [[Apogee Dalmatica +1]] may be similar damage to the [[Con. Doublet +4]] - but the extra +60 accuracy on that top plays a huge role for [[Flaming Crush]]. If you miss either of the initial melee hits, your overall damage will completely plummet, because the magic hit's damage is based on the first two hits' damage.

Do not fret if you are missing the Omen/Vagary accessories; the bulk of your avatar's damage comes from your armor and weapon choices.

== BP Delay Reduction Gear ==
[[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|Blood Pact delays]] have a combined cap of -30 seconds from player gear and gifts, and no more than -15 seconds can be applied per delay tier. 
Once you have obtained the 500 JP (Superior 3) gift, the HQ [[Sancus Sachet]] and [[Baayami_Attire_Set|Baayami Attire Set]] can help you reach the BP delay cap while providing copious amounts of [[Summoning Magic Skill]]. 
An [[Espiritus]] can provide additional BP delay II if you do not mind potentially losing TP on swapping weapons. 

# Reach the cap of -30 seconds through gear and JP gifts
# Fill remaining slots with Summoning Skill and Favor+ gear to improve [[Avatar's Favor]] tier

{{color|red|style=bold|NOTE: }} Depending on your gearswap file, your BP delay set may be listed as a precast or midcast set. 
The delay set should equip as soon as a BP command is sent, and similarly, your BP damage sets should equip once your avatar begins its BP animation.

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -18 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 0 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Eminent Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Shomonjijoe
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 100 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 500 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +3
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== SMN at a Glance ==
Here is where I attempt to answer questions and grossly generalize SMN at the same time: 

=== Skillchains and Magic Bursts ===
Physical and Hybrid BPs are analogous to player [[Weapon Skill|WSs]] and each have their own [[Summoner#Spells_and_Blood_Pacts|skillchain properties]]. 
Magic BPs are analogous to player spells and can be used in a [[Magic Burst|magic burst]]. 
In general, there is a short delay between using a BP command when the BP is executed, so time your BPs accordingly.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchains (2-Step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst1
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Mountain Buster]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Gravitation]]
| [[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crag Throw]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Liquefaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Full Swing]]
| [[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Burning Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fusion]]
| [[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Conflag Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=5 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchain (3-step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #2
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #3
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #2
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]]1 [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
|-
| colspan=5|
1 Requires [[Apogee]] to BP twice in a row
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#0F0018"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Multi-SMN Skillchains
|- BGCOLOR="#2A0141"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Eclipse Bite]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]

|}

=== BP Reference ===
A summary of useful BPs I have encountered for solo and group play. This list is not exhaustive.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#000822"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | I really need to...
|- BGCOLOR="#051549"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Rage
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Ward
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Potential Uses

|-
| Cleave targets
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderspark]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Level ? Holy]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
|
[[Vagary]] 
[[Salvage II| Salvage Farming]] 
[[Colonization_Reive|Colonization Reives]] 
[[Incursion]]

|-
| Curb enemy offense
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Tidal Roar]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Mewing Lullaby]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Eerie Eye]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' attack 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' TP 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Inflicts [[Silence]] and [[Amnesia]]
|-
| Buff party's offense
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crimson Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Inferno Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rolling Thunder]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Hastega_II|Hastega II]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crystal Blessing]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Attack Bonus 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enfire 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enthunder 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Haste II 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]TP Bonus 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Attack Bonus

|-
| Buff party's defense
|
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Armor]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Ward]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Perfect Defense]] [[File:Alexander_GUI.png|link=]] 2 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Frost Armor]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shining Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage mitigation 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Stoneskin 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage reduction 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice Spikes 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Defense+10%, MDT 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Defense Bonus
|-
| Dispel enemy buffs
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Lunar Roar]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Pavor Nocturnus]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[:Yggdreant|Yggdreants]] or [[Belladonna|Belladonna's]] 
[[Glassy Gorger]]

|-
| Sleep nearby enemies
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Nightmare]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Sleepga_(Blood_Pact)|Sleepga]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[Warder of Love]] 
[[Omen]] 
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]

|-
| Stun the enemy
|
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Transfixion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Chaotic Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shock Squall]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Helps [[:Trusts#Gessho|Gessho]] tank CP mobs.
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]
|-
| Heal my party
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Whispering Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Healing Ruby II]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Remove status ailments
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Soothing Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Run really fast
|
|
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Fleet Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Give party member Reraise
|
|
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Reraise II]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| colspan=4|
2 Requires [[Astral Flow]] to activate BP
|}

=== AFAC Strategy ===
Given the large amount of pet stats gained from SMN gifts and JP categories, I highly recommend maxing the [[Astral Flow]]/[[Astral Conduit]] effects and acquiring all the physical BP related stats (1710+ JP) prior to attempting a conduit zerg. 
Secondly, if you are using Gearswap, ensure that you are not accidentally swapping into a precast or aftercast set during [[Astral Conduit]]. 
At the time of this writing, Pergatory's LUA will equip an idle set following conduit BPs and assumes the user will stagger BPs approximately 1.25 seconds apart. 
If this proves inconvenient, you may opt to equip your BP set and //gs disable all during [[Astral Conduit]] '''[or]''' add code to disable his idle() function calls while conduit is up. 

'''Generic Conduit Zerg Algorithm'''
# Receive pre-fight buffs
# Activate [[Avatar's Favor]]
# If using [[Nirvana_(Level_119)|119 Nirvana]], build 3000 TP and gain [[Aftermath|AM3]] on fodder
# Pop NM
# Wait for GEO bubbles and offensive spells/JAs
# Hit [[Astral Flow]]
# Hit [[Astral Conduit]]
# Spam BPs
# Receive [[Mana Powder]] / [[Mana Mist]] during [[Astral Conduit]] from back line jobs if in [[Escha]] zone
# Watch your mana bar closely during your AFAC, and hit [[Convert]] if you ever drop below 300 - the goal is to get through two full mana bars during your AFAC if possible
# Once [[Astral Conduit]] wears:
# [[Apogee]], then BP (x2)
# Reset [[Apogee]] and [[Astral Flow]] + [[Astral Conduit]] via COR JAs and/or [[Super Revitalizer]] if in [[Escha]] zone
# Repeat until you or the boss dies

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#150101"
! colspan=10 style="text-align: center;" | Job Summary
|- BGCOLOR="#410202"
! width="15%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact
! width="15%" class=unsortable|SMN Food
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Indi-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Geo-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Entrust
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Offensive spells
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #1
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #2
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|RUN JAs
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|BRD Songs

|-
|
[[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]]
| [[Geo-Frailty]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Drachen Roll]]
| [[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]]

|-
| [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Frailty]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]] or [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
|
[[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Impact]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
| [[Companion's Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
| colspan=10|
[[Impact]], [[Odyllic Subterfuge]], and [[Refresh_(Status)|Refresh effects]] may be omitted based on NM and groups' comfort zone.
|-
| colspan=10|
Just use grape daifuku - there are other food options, but grapes are good for everything.
|}

== Acknowledgements ==
I took some of this straight from [https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Prismfang/Sandbox Prismfang's Sandbox], (especially the bottom half with info on what pacts do - I think its much nicer than having two pages open), with edits based on what I think is most realistic for someone newish to the job in 2025-2026.

Thanks to '''Pergatory''' of Asura for providing constructive feedback and all the SMNs on the FFXIAH.com forums for sharing their knowledge.

User:Cii/Sandbox

2025-12-12T14:16:14Z

Cii: /* Acknowledgements */

{{Guide}}
This is just intended to help with getting your summoner to the level where you can start seeing some nice numbers.

{{color|red|style=bold|Recommended GS LUA by Pergatory: }} [https://pastebin.com/Fa5PtueC Link].

== Getting Started ==
As a new level 99 SMN, I recommend focusing your efforts on the following:
# Obtain an [[Epitaph]] or work towards your 100 JP gift to equip a [[Sancus Sachet +1]]
# Create [[Blood Pact]] (BP) sets to improve your avatar's maximum damage per offensive ability
# Create a [[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|BP delay]] set to improve the frequency that you can perform Blood Pacts
# Create an idle set with enough [[Avatar perpetuation cost]] - to offset your avatar's constant [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | MP drain/upkeep]], and enough DT- to survive being hit with AOEs in content like Dyna D
# Obtain the 1200 JP Gift and eventually reach Master SMN

An additional note: [[Flaming Crush]] is going to be your highest damage [[Blood Pact]] against almost anything that doesn't resist it. Embrace [[Ifrit]].

== Merits ==

'''Group 1:'''
* Avatar Physical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Physical Attack: 5
* Avatar Magical Accuracy: 0
* Avatar Magical Attack: 5
* Summoning Magic Cast Time: Do not merit this. Build a [[Fast Cast]] set instead.

You can switch Magical Attack to Physical Accuracy and vise versa if you feel like you are having a problem with accuracy for a certain [[Blood Pact]] that you're using often. A good example of this is for AFAC strategies on [[Reisenjima]] HELMS - Physical Accuracy is very important there because you almost exclusively use [[Volt Strike]].

'''Group 2:'''
* [[Meteor Strike]]: 5
* [[Heavenly Strike]]: 1
* [[Wind Blade]]: 1
* [[Geocrush]]: 1
* [[Thunderstorm]]: 1
* [[Grand Fall]]: 1

You can merit whichever one of these you're using most often with the full 5 merits, [[Meteor Strike]] is recommended here because of the offensive power of [[Flaming Crush]], and the ability to use [[Apogee]] to burst off of the skillchains it creates.

Good examples of times to merit other blood pacts: [[Geocrush]] for sortie bosses A and E magic burst strat, [[Thunderstorm]] if you're mostly attacking with [[Volt Strike]] from [[Ramuh]], or [[Heavenly Strike]] if you're bursting on [[Darkness]].

== Idle Set ==
Most gearswap files will have a separate set for idling with and without your avatar. 
This set is for the former, and the goal here is to reach the [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | perpetuation cost]] cap of -14 MP/tic first and foremost.
Once you have reached the cap, avatars will cost at most 1 MP/tic, even with [[Avatar's Favor]] up, so your [[Auto Refresh]] will easily cover that.

# Reach the cap of -14 [[Avatar_perpetuation_cost | avatar perpetuation cost]] in pet idle set
# Obtain a [[Caller's_Pendant | Caller's Pendant]] to grant your avatar free TP while standing around
# Fill the remaining slots on [[Refresh]] or defense stats afterward.
#* Note that [[Avatar's Favor]] effects are tiered off based on total skill and Favor+ gear.

{|width=95%|
|-

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Recommended Start
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Alabaster Earring
|Ear2 = Eabani Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Evoker's Ring
|Ring2 = Murky Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Physical Damage Taken -10%
|Waist= Isa Belt
|Legs = Assid. Pants +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=50% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Idle Set
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Kaja Grip
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +2
|Neck = Caller's Pendant
|Ear1 = Enmerkar Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|Hands = Asteria Mitts +1
|Ring1 = Murky Ring
|Ring2 = Defending Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Eva.+20/Mag. Eva. +20, Pet: Damage taken -5%, Pet: Mag. Acc. +20/Mag. Dmg. +20, Pet: Regen +10, Pet: Magic Damage +10
|Waist= Plat. Mog. Belt
|Legs = Lengo Pants
|LegsAug = Refresh +1
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
Both of these sets should be somewhere around -40% DT- (and 10+ refresh!), so a simple swap of one piece ([[Bunzi's Pants]] for example) should be enough for your DT- set to be at or near -50%.
 
 
Most of the pieces listed above and hereafter are interchangeable with their NQ and HQ variants. Customize your set based on available gear.

== Cheapest / Entry Damage Set ==

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Lowest Cost / Bar to Entry
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Gelos Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10 - Pet: Acc, Atk, Macc, Mab help, but keep any +10 BPdmg roll when starting
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Hurch'lan Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+15 Pet: "Double Attack"+3% "Blood Pact" damage +13
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+25 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Total Cost: '''
At time of writing (12/12/2025), the above set should be roughly 12mil to complete. (16mil if you get an Elan Strap +1.) If you don't have the money for that, feel free to downgrade items from +1 to +0 - with the apogee at +0, it'll only be about 7mil!
However, the prices on these are pretty low right now, so if you're liking the job i'd focus on getting the +1s here ASAP.

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = All BPs
|CaptionBottom = Required Magic BP Items
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity -6 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus"+30 Pet: Damage Taken -4%
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo =
|Head =
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist=
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|LegsAug = Huge damage boost to merit (magic) blood pacts
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

'''Other Useful Items'''
* Optional: [[Sancus Sachet +1]] - If you can't get the [[Epitaph]], or already have one, this is actually a better option until the [[Epitaph]] is augmented. However, it costs >2mil, so if money is a concern, try to get that Sgili clear for the [[Epitaph]].
* -
* Optional: [[Shulmanu Collar]] - BIS for melee pacts until a near max JSE neck +1 or +2, if you already have it, great!
* -
* Optional: [[Smn. Collar +1]] - 2nd BIS only to the +2 when fully augmented, and only ~3mil at time of writing. Worth it if you have the funds and are willing to get the RP in Dynamis.
* -
* Optional: [[Apogee Dalmatica]] (Path A) (Magical BP) - the +1 is good, but expensive, and magical only BPs are hardly ever used. Don't spend your money on a +1 unless you get very deep into gearing the job.
* -
* Optional: [[Sroda Earring]] (Melee Pacts, BIS and cheap)
* -
* Questionable: [[Kyrene's Earring]] - If you have one laying around and are missing something else
* -
* Questionable: [[Apogee Mitts]] - If unsure that you want to play the job, make a pair of +0s with path C while you try it out. Do not waste money on a +1 pair of these.

|}

== More Advanced Blood Pact Sets ==
{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-
Blood Pacts are generally categorized as either physical or magical damage, with the exception that Ifrit's [[Burning Strike]] and [[Flaming Crush]] are considered hybrid damage. 
In the event you have a Nirvana and HQ Apogee pieces at hand, see Pergatory's LUA file above on gear choices while Garland's [[Aftermath]] is up.
#For physical BPs, you will want stats such as BP Damage, Accuracy, Attack, and Pet: Double Attack. 
#For magical BPs, you will want BP Damage, Magic Attack, and perhaps Pet: TP Bonus. Avatars seem to have naturally high magic accuracy for their associated element 
#For hybrid BPs, there is usually a mixture of physical and magical BP stats, with a heavy emphasis on the magical end.
 
None of these sets will include REMA weapons, or very expensive minor upgrades like +2 JSE necks.
 
 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Shulmanu Collar
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Sroda Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Physical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Gridarvor
|MainAug = Pet: Accuracy +70, Pet: Attack +70, Pet: Double Attack +15%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Helios Band
|HeadAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Glyphic Doublet +3
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: Attack or Accuracy, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = "Fast Cast" +10%, Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20, Pet: "Double Attack"+4%, "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Helios Boots
|FeetAug = Path C: Pet: Attack+25~30, Pet: "Double Attack"+7~8, "Blood Pact" damage +7
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
You can use [[Apogee Attire Set]] +1 boots and hat for your physical set, but with the [[Helios Attire Set]] being easily attainable, I'd really recommend against buying a second pair of Apogee +1 for physical unless you're made of money. The Helios is typically better anyways - just requires some time to augment.

The [[Shulmanu Collar]] is probably not worth chasing just for SMN, as the [[Smn. Collar +1]] is better when fully augmented. Its mostly in this set in case you already have one for a different job.

The [[Sroda Earring]] is BIS as long as you've got enough accuracy in your set. The only reason the [[Beck. Earring +1]] is in mine is because the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] has 0 Pet: Accuracy.

Lastly, with Apollyon points being so accessible due to ???'s being shouted out every 3 days or so, i'd really recommend getting the [[Con. Doublet +4]]. You don't ever need to make the [[Glyphic Doublet +3]] like I have, because of previously mentioned accuracy issues.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring
|Body = Apogee Dalmatica
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+60 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+30 "Blood Pact" damage +7
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Enticer's Pants
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Magical BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Apo._Dalmatica_%2B1| Apogee Dalmatica +1
|BodyAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: Magic Acc, Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Mag. Acc./Dmg. +20, Pet: Magic Dmg.+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}
|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The [[Apogee Slacks +1]] are only better than the [[Enticer's Pants]] if you have the blood pact fully merited, or have TP over 1500. You don't really need a second pair of these, just stick with the [[Enticer's Pants]].

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

 

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Recommended
|Main = Espiritus
|MainAug = Path A: Enmity-6, Pet: "Magic Attack Bonus"+30, Pet: Damage Taken-4%
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Adad Amulet
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Gelos Earring
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +8~10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Varar Ring +1
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Incarnation Sash
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path D: Pet: STR+20 Pet: "Double Attack"+4% "Blood Pact" damage +14
|Feet = Apogee Pumps
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=25% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = Hybrid BP
|CaptionBottom = Cii's Current Gear
|Main = Grioavolr
|MainAug = See note below
|Sub = Elan Strap +1
|Range =
|Ammo = Epitaph
|Head = Apogee Crown +1
|HeadAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Neck = Smn. Collar +1
|NeckAug = MP +40, Pet: STR, DEX, VIT, AGI, INT, MND, CHR +20, Blood Pact Damage +8%
|Ear1 = Lugalbanda Earring
|Ear2 = Beck. Earring +1
|Body = Con. Doublet +4
|Hands = Merlinic Dastanas
|HandsAug = Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus", Pet: "Blood Pact" damage +10
|Ring1 = Varar Ring +1
|Ring2 = Fickblix's Ring
|Back = Campestres's Cape
|BackAug = Pet: Acc./Atk +20, Pet: Acc.+10, Pet: Regen+10
|Waist= Regal Belt
|Legs = Apogee Slacks +1
|LegsAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|Feet = Apogee Pumps +1
|FeetAug = Path A: MP+80 Pet: "Magic Atk. Bonus "+35 "Blood Pact" damage +8
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

'''Some Notes: '''
The most important stat for [[Flaming Crush]] is Blood Pact Damage, as its counted twice: once on the physical hits, and once on the magical. That's the the [[Gelos Earring]] is recommended over the [[Beck. Earring]] here. Of course, if you already have a Beck. Earring, there's no reason to do the quest for the [[Gelos Earring]]. The damage difference is pretty minimal.

[[C. Palug Crown]] is BIS for magic/hybrid BPs, but its hard to obtain, so its not in my recommended set.

[[Grioavolr]] is only better than [[Espiritus]] with a [https://www.ffxiah.com/forum/topic/46440/the-6th-ministrys-secret-a-summoners-guide-v2/100/#3315635 near perfect roll], so its not worth going for unless you really enjoy the job.

[[Apogee Slacks +1]] (Path A) should be more damage than (Path D) for [[Flaming Crush]]. However, (Path D) is fine, so this upgrade is fairly unnecessary. With this same logic, the [[Apogee Dalmatica +1]] may be similar damage to the [[Con. Doublet +4]] - but the extra +60 accuracy on that top plays a huge role for [[Flaming Crush]]. If you miss either of the initial melee hits, your overall damage will completely plummet, because the magic hit's damage is based on the first two hits' damage.

Do not fret if you are missing the Omen/Vagary accessories; the bulk of your avatar's damage comes from your armor and weapon choices.

== BP Delay Reduction Gear ==
[[Blood_Pact_Ability_Delay|Blood Pact delays]] have a combined cap of -30 seconds from player gear and gifts, and no more than -15 seconds can be applied per delay tier. 
Once you have obtained the 500 JP (Superior 3) gift, the HQ [[Sancus Sachet]] and [[Baayami_Attire_Set|Baayami Attire Set]] can help you reach the BP delay cap while providing copious amounts of [[Summoning Magic Skill]]. 
An [[Espiritus]] can provide additional BP delay II if you do not mind potentially losing TP on swapping weapons. 

# Reach the cap of -30 seconds through gear and JP gifts
# Fill remaining slots with Summoning Skill and Favor+ gear to improve [[Avatar's Favor]] tier

{{color|red|style=bold|NOTE: }} Depending on your gearswap file, your BP delay set may be listed as a precast or midcast set. 
The delay set should equip as soon as a BP command is sent, and similarly, your BP damage sets should equip once your avatar begins its BP animation.

{|width=95% valign="top"|
|-

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -18 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 0 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Eminent Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body = Shomonjijoe
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 100 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +2
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Glyphic Spats +1
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -26 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 500 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 = Evans Earring
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body = Con. Doublet +3
|Hands =
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs =
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|width=20% valign="top"|
{{Equipment Set
|CaptionTop = -30 BP delay
|CaptionBottom = 1200 Job Points
|Main =
|Sub =
|Range =
|Ammo = Sancus Sachet +1
|Head = Beckoner's Horn +1
|Neck =
|Ear1 =
|Ear2 =
|Body =
|Hands = Baayami Cuffs
|Ring1 =
|Ring2 =
|Back =
|Waist=
|Legs = Baayami Slops
|Feet =
|List = Y
|Background =
}}

|}

== SMN at a Glance ==
Here is where I attempt to answer questions and grossly generalize SMN at the same time: 

=== Skillchains and Magic Bursts ===
Physical and Hybrid BPs are analogous to player [[Weapon Skill|WSs]] and each have their own [[Summoner#Spells_and_Blood_Pacts|skillchain properties]]. 
Magic BPs are analogous to player spells and can be used in a [[Magic Burst|magic burst]]. 
In general, there is a short delay between using a BP command when the BP is executed, so time your BPs accordingly.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchains (2-Step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst1
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Mountain Buster]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Gravitation]]
| [[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crag Throw]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Liquefaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Full Swing]]
| [[File:Impaction_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Burning Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fusion]]
| [[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Conflag Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Wind Blade]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Garland of Bliss]] [[Mythic Weapon|Mythic]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Rush]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Heavenly Strike]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#011415"
! colspan=5 style="text-align: center;" | Solo Skillchain (3-step)
|- BGCOLOR="#033C40"
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #2
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #1
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Weapon Skill #3
! width="20%" class=unsortable|Skillchain #2
|-
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Induration_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Shattersoul]] [[Merit#Weapon Skill Merit Points|Merit]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Fragmentation]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]]1 [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
|-
| colspan=5|
1 Requires [[Apogee]] to BP twice in a row
|}

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#0F0018"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | Multi-SMN Skillchains
|- BGCOLOR="#2A0141"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Opening WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Closing WS
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Skillchain
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Magic Burst
|-
|- BGCOLOR="#e8e8e8" style="border: 1px solid #000;"
| [[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Fusion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Reverberation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Light_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Light|Light]]
| [[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderstorm (Blood Pact)|Thunderstorm]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|-
| [[File:Distortion_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Detonation_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Spinning Dive]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Gravitation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Eclipse Bite]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]]
| [[File:Dark_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[:Category:Darkness|Darkness]]
| [[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Grand Fall]] [[Merit#Summoner|Merit]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]]

|}

=== BP Reference ===
A summary of useful BPs I have encountered for solo and group play. This list is not exhaustive.

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#000822"
! colspan=4 style="text-align: center;" | I really need to...
|- BGCOLOR="#051549"
! width="25%" class=unsortable|
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Rage
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact: Ward
! width="25%" class=unsortable|Potential Uses

|-
| Cleave targets
|
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Thunderspark]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Level ? Holy]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
|
[[Vagary]] 
[[Salvage II| Salvage Farming]] 
[[Colonization_Reive|Colonization Reives]] 
[[Incursion]]

|-
| Curb enemy offense
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Tidal Roar]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Mewing Lullaby]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Eerie Eye]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' attack 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Lower enemies' TP 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Inflicts [[Silence]] and [[Amnesia]]
|-
| Buff party's offense
|
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crimson Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Inferno Howl]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Rolling Thunder]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Hastega_II|Hastega II]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Crystal Blessing]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Attack Bonus 
[[File:Fire-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enfire 
[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Enthunder 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Haste II 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]TP Bonus 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Attack Bonus

|-
| Buff party's defense
|
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Armor]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Earthen Ward]] [[File:Titan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Perfect Defense]] [[File:Alexander_GUI.png|link=]] 2 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Frost Armor]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shining Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Dream Shroud]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage mitigation 
[[File:Earth-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Stoneskin 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Damage reduction 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Ice Spikes 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]]Defense+10%, MDT 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]] Magic Defense Bonus
|-
| Dispel enemy buffs
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Lunar Roar]] [[File:Fenrir_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Pavor Nocturnus]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
[[:Yggdreant|Yggdreants]] or [[Belladonna|Belladonna's]] 
[[Glassy Gorger]]

|-
| Sleep nearby enemies
|
|
[[File:Dark-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Nightmare]] [[File:Diabolos_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Ice-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Sleepga_(Blood_Pact)|Sleepga]] [[File:Shiva_GUI.png|link=]]
|
[[Warder of Love]] 
[[Omen]] 
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]

|-
| Stun the enemy
|
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Scission_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Fragmentation_SC_Icon.png|link=]]/[[File:Transfixion_SC_Icon.png|link=]] [[Chaotic Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|[[File:Thunder-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Shock Squall]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Helps [[:Trusts#Gessho|Gessho]] tank CP mobs.
[[:Dynamis - Divergence]]
|-
| Heal my party
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Whispering Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Healing Ruby II]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Remove status ailments
|
|
[[File:Water-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Spring Water]] [[File:Leviathan_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Soothing Ruby]] [[File:Carbuncle_GUI.png|link=]]
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Run really fast
|
|
[[File:Wind-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Fleet Wind]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| Give party member Reraise
|
|
[[File:Light-SMN-Icon.gif|link=]][[Reraise II]] [[File:Cait_Sith_GUI.png|link=]] 
|
Self-explanatory.

|-
| colspan=4|
2 Requires [[Astral Flow]] to activate BP
|}

=== Conduit Zerg ===
Given the large amount of pet stats gained from SMN gifts and JP categories, I highly recommend maxing the [[Astral Flow]]/[[Astral Conduit]] effects and acquiring all the physical BP related stats (1710+ JP) prior to attempting a conduit zerg. 
Secondly, if you are using Gearswap, ensure that you are not accidentally swapping into a precast or aftercast set during [[Astral Conduit]]. 
At the time of this writing, Pergatory's LUA will equip an idle set following conduit BPs and assumes the user will stagger BPs approximately 1.25 seconds apart. 
If this proves inconvenient, you may opt to equip your BP set and //gs disable all during [[Astral Conduit]] '''[or]''' add code to disable his idle() function calls while conduit is up. 

'''Generic Conduit Zerg Algorithm'''
# Receive pre-fight buffs
# Activate [[Avatar's Favor]]
# If using [[Nirvana_(Level_119)|119 Nirvana]], build 3000 TP and gain [[Aftermath|AM3]] on fodder
# Pop NM
# Wait for GEO bubbles and offensive spells/JAs
# Hit [[Astral Flow]]
# Hit [[Astral Conduit]]
# Spam BPs
# Receive [[Mana Powder]] / [[Mana Mist]] during [[Astral Conduit]] from back line jobs if in [[Escha]] zone
# Watch your mana bar closely during your AFAC, and hit [[Convert]] if you ever drop below 300 - the goal is to get through two full mana bars during your AFAC if possible
# Once [[Astral Conduit]] wears:
# [[Apogee]], then BP (x2)
# Reset [[Apogee]] and [[Astral Flow]] + [[Astral Conduit]] via COR JAs and/or [[Super Revitalizer]] if in [[Escha]] zone
# Repeat until you or the boss dies

{| class="Standard R1-White R-Highlight sortable collapsible" style="text-align:center; " BGCOLOR="efeeee"
|- BGCOLOR="#150101"
! colspan=10 style="text-align: center;" | Job Summary
|- BGCOLOR="#410202"
! width="15%" class=unsortable|Blood Pact
! width="15%" class=unsortable|SMN Food
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Indi-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Geo-Spell
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Entrust
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|Offensive spells
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #1
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|COR Roll #2
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|RUN JAs
! width="8.75%" class=unsortable|BRD Songs

|-
|
[[Volt Strike]] [[File:Ramuh_GUI.png|link=]] 
[[Predator Claws]] [[File:Garuda_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]]
| [[Geo-Frailty]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Drachen Roll]]
| [[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]]

|-
| [[Flaming Crush]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Frailty]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| [[Indi-Torpor]] or [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Dia II]] + [[Impact]]
| [[Beast Roll]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
|
[[Meteor Strike]] [[File:Ifrit_GUI.png|link=]] 
| [[File:Grape_Daifuku_icon.png|link=Grape Daifuku]]
| [[Indi-Languor]]
| [[Geo-Malaise]]
| Defensive spell or [[Indi-Refresh]]
| [[Impact]]
| [[Puppet Roll]]
| [[Companion's Roll]]
|
[[Rayke]] + 
[[Gambit]] + 
[[Odyllic Subterfuge]]
| [[:Ballad|Ballads]] + [[:Threnody|Fire Threnody]]

|-
| colspan=10|
[[Impact]], [[Odyllic Subterfuge]], and [[Refresh_(Status)|Refresh effects]] may be omitted based on NM and groups' comfort zone.
|-
| colspan=10|
Just use grape daifuku - there are other food options, but grapes are good for everything.
|}

== Acknowledgements ==
I took some of this straight from [https://www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/User:Prismfang/Sandbox Prismfang's Sandbox], (especially the bottom half with info on what pacts do - I think its much nicer than having two pages open), with edits based on what I think is most realistic for someone newish to the job in 2025-2026.

Thanks to '''Pergatory''' of Asura for providing constructive feedback and all the SMNs on the FFXIAH.com forums for sharing their knowledge.