Summoner: Level 20 Avatar Battles by Andres

Category:Guides
This guide is a log of how I experienced each of my level 20 Avatar battles. Included in this will be strategy and a lot of useful things I'm finding out through trial and error.
For a really helpful set of videos, please see.
http://www.ffximovies.com/summoner_mini.htm
==The Strategy==
I took my basic strategy from the videos above, and the link below.
Thiefcat's Guide to Lvl 20 Avatar Fights.
http://ffxi.allakhazam.com/db/jobs.html?fjob=15;mid=1092674588861471843;page=1
EDIT: I just want to tell why Searing light does not do full damage sometimes. I tested it while I was doing my fights and You need to be the closest as possible to Carbuncle when reading Searing light. I don't remember the Damage exactly, been a while (3-4 years ago), but Full damage does around 254 dmg, if you are a little too far from him, it does 110 and if you are really far like 64 damage. When I realize that, Searing Light NEVER fails again. By the way, really good strategy, I use the same ^^b --- Edit by Littleyuuki 20 oct 2008.
==My Equipment/items==
Weapon(s): Hermit's Wand (25% protection from spell interruption, get this if nothing else), Mercenary's Pole (as far as I can tell, it's the best Melee staff at this point)
Body + Head: Black Tunic; however a Trader/Baron body and Trump Crown could be a better choice.
Neck: Bloodbead Amulet for the 15 HP.
Ranged: Happy Egg (for +1 VIT and the 2 HP)
Earrings: 2x Shield Earring (+20 HP, -20 MP), but a Physical Earring and Cassie Earring for +75 HP, -75 MP is better.
Hands: Carbuncle Mitts is the best option, but if you don't have them then Scentless Armlets (4 DEF +5 EVA, seems like the best choice to me)
Rings: Multiple Ring for those lucky to have it, otherwise a Bomb Ring and Silver Ring +1 or Saintly Ring x2 (+VIT rings may be better choice, I used +MND for a prayer of resisting magic attacks)
Back: Cape +1 (Mist Silk Cape would be best choice, but it's a bit pricey)
Waist: Heko Obi +1 (8% protection from spell interruption, total of 33% or 1/3)
Legs: I used the Baron piece, Sturdy Slacks could be better
Feet: Light Soleas (+3 EVA and good Defense)
As of January 3rd, after the Ramuh Battle, my Equipment was changed as follows.
Body: Baron's Saio
Head: Compound Eye Circlet
I decided to change this mostly because I was in a good mood, this adds 1 DEF and +5 EVA.
Note: The hits are generally very weak in damage with this setup, at about 15 physical damage even when I didn't use food, about 10 damage on average with food. The Additional Effect is what causes most of the damage when I'm hit by the Prime. Even with +Evasion, you do not evade too many attacks however; I would say I evade 1/8 attacks with +8 EVA, and 1/7 with +13.
The items:
3x Ether (note: Some use Hi-Ethers because it heals more MP, however the Yagudo drink + Ether has so far always given me all the MP I needed at the time) 
* 1-3 Yagudo Drink
* 2-3 Hi-Potion
* 1 Pamama au Lait
==The Battles==
Note: this part will be closer to a play by play than a real guide. The end will include the important things.
===First Battle: Shiva===
January 1st: Firesday
*entered the lvl 20 cap battlefield.
*walked to near the 'crack'
*used Yagudo drink
*summoned Carbuncle right past the crack
*Got aggro from Shiva
*Shiva takes a few 'steps' toward me, then casts Frost Armor
*Carbuncle attacks Shiva
*Use 2 hour, 1st Searing Light.
*Partial resist for about 110 damage, However, Carbuncle is in very bad shape. The spikes hurt him, plus; the 'additional effect' is doing about 30 damage per hit.
*Carby dies when I'm about halfway toward the crystal.
*Use Ether, try to summon Carbuncle, get hit and fails, try again, get hit, fail, try a third time and succeed. Use 2nd Searing light for full damage.
*Run, Carbuncle is still getting hit and killed too fast for my liking. Hes also getting Paralyze a few times. Use Hi-Potions to near full HP
*When Carby dies, re-summon, used 3rd searing light and deal full damage. Shiva is at about 2% HP. pull out Mercenary Pole and engage (never get close enough to hit).
*Shiva out of nowhere seems to use Diamond Dust, Carby dies and I'm hit for 180-ish HP.
Shiva hit me again, I fall, and lose.
So ended my first battle. Turning out far worse than I had hoped.
What I learned:
*NEVER, NEVER, underestimate these battles. The Frost Armor was completely unexpected, and many people I talked to later didn't even believe it could happen. I also did not expect the Additional Damage to be so powerful.
*I needed some sort of method to get farther away from Shiva before Carbuncle died, however at this point did not really know a good way how.
*Standing too close to the Avatar is probably a bad idea and should be avoided.
===Second Battle: Titan===
2 hours later: Windsday
*entered the lvl 20 cap battlefield.
*cast Barstonra and Protect
*walked to near the 'crack'
*used Yagudo drink
*used a Fish Mithkabob; this was at the advice of a LS member. However, to be completely honest, I still get hit for nearly identical damage as I was with Shiva with and without this food. The additional effect damage also will do the majority of the damage.
*summoned Carbuncle right past the crack
*summoned Carby, got aggro from Titan, Carby attacks.
*a few seconds later, Astral Flow; followed with Searing light, partially resisted for 115 damage.
*Carbuncle once again dies far too quickly for my liking, not enough distance between me and Titan.
*try to re-summon Carbuncle, but am only interrupted once this time.
*However, there is still 30 seconds before I can use Searing Light, I decide to pop an Ether and run to the proto-crystal.
*Carbuncle dies, re-summon a new one, use Searing Light for full 212 damage.
*run to top of tower, use Ether, Carbuncle finally lasts as long as I had hoped.
*Carbuncle dies, Re-summon and use final Searing Light for full damage.
*Titan uses Earthen Fury, I try to run, but without full HP I fall.
What I learned:
*The use of the Astral Flow is probably after the 3rd Searing Light due to the fact that the first is a partial resist both times. Therefore, I should probably back away after that 3rd Searing Light.
*I need to keep my HP at full if I want to take the Astral Flow and stand a chance at getting back in the battle.
*I need to get my first Searing Light off faster, this seems to be why Carbuncle is unable to last afterward.
===Third Battle: Garuda===
3 Hours later: Lightsday
*entered the lvl 20 cap battlefield.
*cast Aquaveil and Protect
*walked to near the 'crack'
*used Yagudo drink
*use Fish Mithkabob
*use Pamama au Lait (in order to heal my HP after being hit if I forgot my Hi-Potion)
*summoned Carby, got aggro from Garuda, Carby attacks.
*Garuda uses Aerial Armor
*Panic Mode goes off in my head, because I know that the Blink effect could very likely absorb Searing Light. I decide to let my first Carbuncle melee to destroy the shadows. While Carby battles, I run to the Proto-crystal.
*Carbuncle dies, re-summon Carbuncle, use Astral Flow and Searing Light, Partial Resist for 105 damage.
*Run to the top of the tower and leisurely watch Carby and Garuda Battle.
*Carby dies, Re-summon Carbuncle and notice I need about 8 more seconds for Searing Light.
*Use Searing Light, but suddenly the cast animation stops without any Searing Light.
*I panic again, decide to run off and let Carby die and suffer the fact that I can only use 2 Searing Lights.
*Realize while running what had gone wrong. I had forgotten to use an Ether while watching the battle. This left too little MP for Carby to use Searing Light with.
*Carby dies, and I realize my only shot is to keep using Carbuncle and my staff to try and finish off Garuda.
*re-summon Carby and use Searing Light, greatly relieved to see its full damage.
*run to top of tower, re-summon when carbuncle dies, switch my club for my staff and pull out my staff to attack. Astral Flow wears off while Garuda is en route along with Yagudo Drink. Use Another Yagudo Drink and Ether for MP.
*Garuda is fairly well focused on me, but occasionally switches to Carby. Note: I was relieved when Garuda used Claw, the cast time was long and it had no additional effect damage while dealing the same damage as a normal hit.
*I decide to run off and let Carby face this on his own; however Garuda eventually chases me. I cast Dia and keep running while Carby rarely get hate.
*Carby dies, am able to re-summon on 2nd try while Garuda keeps attacking me.
*pull out staff and use a Hi-Potion, 2nd Yagudo drink wears off and use 3rd I had on me along with last Ether.
*Carby dies from an Aero II, re-summon near proto-crystal.
*Garuda is at about 8-10% HP at this time. I decide to wait till my MP falls to 17 and do a last ditch effort to win by using Banish.
*Garuda casts Aero II at about the same time as I begin Banish.
*I am hit by the Aero II for 130 damage, fall, and die.
what I learned:
*Panic is the enemy; although I overall made good decisions while in panic mode. It was because of my panic that I forgot the Ether that ruined my Searing Light.
*REMEMBER THE ETHER!!!! I couldn't believe I had forgotten it in hindsight, but it was probably what in the end caused me to lose.
*Even if you mess up, all is not lost; this is why you should over-prepare. I nearly won despite what had happened, and I know now that every little bit probably helped.
===Fourth Battle: Shiva (again)===
The day after: I spent about 3 and a half hours leveling my Summoning skill to cap from 13 under cap. Battled Shiva on Lightsday.
*cast Aquaveil and Protect
*entered the lvl 20 cap battlefield.
*use Fish Mithkabob
*walked to near the 'crack'
*used Yagudo drink
*Summoned Carbuncle, got Aggro from Shiva, she proceeds to cast Frost Armor.
*I decided this time to change my strategy to get off the first Searing Light as quick as I could. This proved very successful. After summoning Carbuncle, I decided to follow him and use Astral Flow (getting myself attacked instead of Carby), then Searing Light as soon as Carby was in range.
*Searing Light does full damage.
*I run and let Carby battle Shiva, this time he lasts much longer and I am able to get to the proto-crystal.
*Use Ether (I learned my lesson ^^)
*Re-summon Carbuncle when he dies, follow him as he runs toward Shiva.
*When he attacks, I use Searing Light. However, at the same time Shiva decided to use Blizzard II. Shiva's attack lands first and kills Carbuncle to my horror.
*I get the little distance I can between me and Shiva and re-summon Carbuncle. Hit twice, but it does succeed.
*I decide I have to wait out Searing Light's recast. I cast Dia on Shiva and run as soon as Carbuncle gets hate.
*Run to top of tower, use a Hi-Potion and have about 180 HP.
*Carbuncle dies, Re-summon and use Searing Light.
*However, once again Shiva uses Blizzard II as I use Searing Light. Carbuncle dies and I'm devastated.
*Re-summon Carbuncle, despite being hit. Shiva uses Diamond Dust as I try to run off, I am hit and fall.
what I learned:
*Making sure you get Carbuncle's First Searing Light off as soon as you can without him being hurt much is a godsend! I felt so well off afterward.
*Once again, never underestimate these battles. Shiva's use of Blizzard II killing off Carbuncle ruined this battle, but it was bad luck and nothing else.
*After losing as much HP as I did, I believe the use of the Hp recovery drink before battle definitely would have been of help. I had limited time to get off the Hi-Potions, and many times would have drawn hate if I had used them.
*I cannot be exactly sure if its because I capped summoning skill, or the use of Aquaveil. However, with my usual luck I should have been interrupted even with +32% protection against interruption. Every little thing that helps from being interrupted is a good thing.
===Fifth battle: Ramuh===
The day after: Lightsday
*Traded the mini-fork to the NPC
*cast Protect on myself
*In an interesting twist, I remembered that my Light Spirit knew Shell. By casting Protect, I eliminated it using Protect.
*Summoned Light spirit and had it cast Shell on me.
*cast Aquaveil
*entered the lvl 20 cap battlefield.
*use Fish Mithkabob
*walked to near the 'crack'
*used Yagudo drink
*summoned Carbuncle, Ramuh uses Thunderspark and nearly kills Carbuncle, I am also Paralyzed.
*I decide to run, however Carby dies with me getting very little headway.
*I cast Paralyna, fails due to paralyze, hit, recast, fail, get hit, recast and succeeds.
*Try to summon Carbuncle, get hit, but it succeeds.
*Even though my HP is getting somewhat low and I'm still being hit, I use Astral Flow and Searing Light immediately. Carby does full damage and has full health to battle Ramuh with.
*I run to top of tower, use my au Lait for Hp recovery. However, Carby dies faster than expected due to Ramuh using Thunder II so I use an Ether and re-summon.
*I have about 10 seconds till Searing Light is ready. So I let Carby melee, luckily the Additional Effect doesn't seem to be activating, Ramuh is targeting me primarily, and carby's HP is overall fine.
*Use second Searing Light for full damage, run and let Carbuncle fight.
*Use Hi-Potion since HP was low at that point.
*Carbuncle dies, re-summon and follow Carby up to Ramuh.
*3 seconds or so on Recast, wait and use Searing Light
*Ramuh uses Judgment Bolt only a few seconds after I activate.
*Carby uses Searing Light for full damage, Ramuh died and I WIN!!!!
Needless to say, I was very happy to finally win. Afterward in my good mood is when I bought the Baron piece.
What I learned:
*For Ramuh, Thunderspark has a huge range. If at all possible, you may want to try and just run out of the range to avoid the need for Paralyna. If Carby or you is hit with Paralyze, DO NOT USE ASTRAL FLOW OR SEARING LIGHT! if it fails, you will be in a horrible spot. run, and get Paralyze off you before you attempt anything else
*Because I was never hit by Thunder II or Judgment Bolt, I can't say for sure how much it mattered. However, the use of Shell if you have a Light Spirit is probably a great idea. If nothing else, The Additional Damage effect was lowered so that it never surpassed 30 damage the entire fight.
*I cannot be completely sure of this, however I currently believe that the 'Additional Effect' damage only occurs if your hate hits a certain point. This would explain why additional effect usually occurs only after I appear to use something that generates a little extra hate. Also, it doesn't seem to occur too often on Carbuncle until after the Searing Light.
===Sixth Battle: Shiva (3rd Round)===
2 hours later, end of Firesday
*Traded the mini-fork to the NPC
*cast Protect on myself
*Summoned Light Spirit and had it cast Shell on me.
*cast Aquaveil
*entered the lvl 20 cap battlefield.
*use Fish Mithkabob
*walked to near the 'crack'
*used Yagudo drink
*used au Lait
*Summoned Carbuncle and got aggro from Shiva
*Shiva, as I had predicted, cast Frost Armor
*I had accidental moved while casting Carbuncle and interrupted the first cast. Re-summoned since Frost Armor took a little while to cast.
*Summoned Carbuncle, and Shiva was right in front of me. Used Astral Flow and Searing Light almost immediately. Hits for full 212 damage.
*Shiva Casts Blizzard II almost as soon as Searing Light is over and kills Carbuncle, I use an Ether and re-summon at the bottom of the tower.
*Since there is about 30 seconds on recast, I decide to let Carby melee. Shiva kills Carbuncle, I re-summon at about halfway up tower after he dies.
*Use Searing Light for full damage. Shiva uses Diamond Dust, I try to run but am hit for about 140 along with Carbuncle who is killed. However, my HP was near full at the time.
*Summon a Carbuncle, and despite being hit succeed in casting. Run away and use a Hi-Potion.
*Carbuncle dies, Re-summon and wait for Shiva to attack. 5 Seconds on Searing Light, wait and use for partial resist of 110 damage.
*Yagudo Drink wears immediately after Searing Light, after 3 seconds Carbuncle dies.
*Use an Ether and decide to use Banish to try and finish off Shiva.
*Use Banish for 34 Damage, Shiva dies, I win 
Its been a good day for me ^^ ill be facing Titan on Windsday, so stay tuned!
What I learned:
*Keeping full/near full HP is a very good idea, along with investing in the +HP gear. With my HP at around 250, I know I can take anything an Avatar can throw at me as long as my HP is near full. For a race like a Taru, this may not hold true, but I'm certain it would hold true for every other race.
*When you see the recast time on Searing Light, try to decide as soon as you can to either let Carbuncle fight, or stick near him and wait out the Searing Light recast.
*I'm not too sure of the exact effect Shell had, but the damage from Diamond Dust was reduced about 20-40. This is pretty nice for a Summoner with our limited HP.
===Seventh Battle: Titan round 2===
X hours later: Windsday
*traded the mini fork to the NPC
*cast Protect on myself
*Summoned Light Spirit and had it cast Shell on me.
*entered the lvl 20 cap battlefield.
*cast Aquaveil and Barstonera
*use Fish Mithkabob
*walked to near the 'crack'
*used Yagudo drink
*used what I thought was an au Lait, I realized afterward that it was an Ether I used.
*Summoned Carbuncle, noticed my mistake only afterward.
*Titan uses his Rock Toss, and I end up Bound.
*Since last time I unbound really quickly, I used Astral Flow and Searing Light as soon as I could.
*However.... I was still stuck. So when Carby died I re-summoned and waited for Bind to wear. Titan Basically attacked me the entire time, and got my Hp down fairly low.
*I decide to run to the Proto-crystal, use Ether and my au Lait.
*Re-summoned Carbuncle after he dies, Titan is still stuck on me and my HP is lowering.
*Use Searing Light for full damage.
*I run to use my Hi-Potion, However Titan uses Earthen Fury and I fall, despite a bit of distance.
At least I won today... this was just a series of bad flukes ^^;
What I learned:
*With Barstonera and Shell on, Titan was quite possibly the weakest hitting 'Additional Effect' I've ever seen, rarely exceeding 10 HP.
*2 Searing Lights that land for full damage definitely do seem to cause the Avatar to use his own.
*The Astral Flow of the Avatars I've never been able to partial/full resist, so keep that HP high!
*I can't mess up on the Ether from the HP recovery drink again, if it had been on longer I could have likely survived that Astral Flow.
===Eighth Battle: Garuda round 2!===
the day after: End of light day (about 22:00) to beginning of Darksday (about 00:45).
(only reason I did it so late was because I just got home and wanted to get a battle done, badly)
*traded the mini fork to the NPC
*cast Protect on myself
*Summoned Light Spirit and had it cast Shell on me.
*entered the lvl 20 cap battlefield.
*walked up to near the 'crack'
*Cast Aquaveil and unexpectedly got aggro.
*Quickly used Yagudo Drink, and summoned Carbuncle while Garuda used Aerial Armor.
*Realized I had forgot my HP recovery food in my insane rush to get to Rabao on time.
*Since I was in such a rush to finish the battle, I was indecisive on to let Carby melee and use another for Searing Light, or wait for shadows to disappear and use another.
*I decide to wait for Shadows to wear, in a possibly suicidal move; I cast Dia to make me the more likely target and take off a shadow.
*Garuda's Shadows Wear, I use Astral Flow and Searing light for full damage. Cast Dia while running off.
*Get to about bottom of tower before Carby dies, use Hi-Potion and Ether. Re-summon
*About 20 seconds on recast, but Lightsday is wearing off fast and I decide to wait it out. I'm hit a few times, including a 30 damage hit by Claw.
*Use Searing Light as soon as possible, and expecting a possible use of Astral Flow, run as soon as I can.
*5 seconds later, my prediction comes true and she uses her Astral Flow move, killing Carbuncle; I am out of range to be hit.
*I re-summon Carbuncle and decide that I have to stick out the rest of the battle, relying that even a Partially resisting Searing Light could probably win the battle.
*I realize that Lightsday is over, and of all the bad luck, it is now Darksday.
*I use a Hi-Potion and Ether, and use Searing Light for full damage; defeating Garuda as she begins casting Aero II a second before.
3 more to go, Shiva, Garuda, Ramuh down ^_^b
What I learned:
*I got really lucky >.> and I mean really really lucky. I could have easily had a partial resist on Lightsday. I could have had a full resist easily on Darksday.
*Even though I won, don't do what I did ^^; be prepared.
*On Lightsday, Carbuncle will do about 20 more damage than usual on a Searing Light. On Darksday, Carbuncle did 20 less than usual. Battling an avatar on their elemental weakness causes a full hit to occur more often Just like Lightsday since it enhances Carby in both stats and Searing Light. It is quite possible that Lightsday is the best day to battle an avatar on.
===Ninth Battle: Ifrit===
the next day: Light day
*traded the mini fork to the NPC
*cast Protect on myself
*Summoned Light Spirit and had it cast Shell on me.
*Cast Aquaveil
*entered the lvl 20 cap battlefield.
*walked up to near the 'crack'
*Used Yagudo Drink
*Used what I once again thought was my au Lait, but turned out to be an Ether. Used au Lait after I realized mistake.
*Summoned Carbuncle and got aggro from Ifrit.
*Ifrit runs up, activated Double Punch, I run out of range and cast Dia.
*my Fish Mithkabob from before wears off (I had just logged on, first time of the day).
*Activate Astral Flow and use Searing Light for full damage.
*Use Fish Mithkabob, then run to bottom of tower.
*Use Ether, wait for Carbuncle to die and Re-summon.
*Cast Dia to get hate, wait 15 seconds so Carby can use Searing Light.
*Use Searing Light, run from expected Astral Flow.
*Ifrit uses Inferno almost immediately, so I'm unfortunately in range. Full damage versus me and kills Carbuncle. I have about 80 HP.
*I decide to keep running to top of tower so HP drink has chance to help me out. Use Hi-Potion when I get to top and summon Carbuncle. Despite bing hit, I can summon him.
*Wait out Carbuncle's recast timer, use Searing Light and get a full resist that only deals 58 damage. 
*Ifrit's HP is really low, however Yagudo Drink wears off and I have almost no MP and no Ether. I decide to equip my Staff and attack Ifrit with Carbuncle.
*I land one hit for 12 damage, Ifrit dies, I win.
I was very proud with myself this battle, things could have gone pretty badly, but my preparation and experience made me avoid a loss.
What I learned:
*Ifrit uses quite a few Physical Blood Pacts in this fight, and more often then his counterparts. They did about 30-60 damage, and can lead to Carbuncle dying a bit quicker than usual.
*Preparation and keeping my HP high is what saved me here. Ifrit's strength isn't devastating and his blood pacts are fairly easy to avoid, especially compared to the few large and fairly painful/annoying AoE attacks.
*At this point, I think I've fairly well learned exactly what I need to do to win. Bad luck can always occur, but the problems I once had I'm becoming able to overcome.
*keeping your HP above 180 at all times is truly all you need to handle any situation that can be thrown at you in these fights. Even non resisted Astral Flow abilities will not kill you if you do these battles on the Avatar's weak day. On Lightsday, have 20 more HP and your just as safe.
===Tenth Battle: Titan, round 3===
the day after: Windsday
*traded the mini fork to the NPC
*cast Protect on myself
*Summoned Light Spirit and had it cast Shell on me.
*Cast Aquaveil
*Cast Barstonera
*Use Fish Mithkabob
*entered the lvl 20 cap battlefield.
*realized I had only 30 MP, and would need more to use Searing Light.
*walked up to near the 'crack'
*Used Ether, Yagudo Drink, and au Lait.
*Summoned Carbuncle, got aggro from Titan.
*Titan uses a blood pact, I run out of range.
*Use Dia.
*Use Astral Flow and Searing Light, full damage
*run to bottom of tower, use Ether and wait.
*Re-summon Carbuncle, Attack Titan and wait 2 seconds for Searing Light at full damage. Use it and run.
*Expect titan to use his Astral Flow, but doesn't.
*re-summon Carbuncle at top of tower, and wait out timer.
*Titan suddenly uses Earthen Fury, full damage for me.
*I run and try to Re-summon, but Carby is alive. He got a total resist.
*Activate Hi-Potion and Searing Light. Full damage, Titan dies.
Only one more to go, gotta work on getting Norg fame for Leviathan.
===Eleventh/Final Battle: Leviathan===
After 2 days of getting Norg Fame: Lightningsday
*traded the mini fork to the NPC
*cast Protect on myself
*Summoned Light Spirit and had it cast Shell on me.
*Cast Aquaveil
*Cast Barwatera
*Use Fish Mithkabob
*entered the lvl 20 cap battlefield.
*used au Lait and Yagudo Drink
*Summon Carbuncle and get aggro from Leviathan
*Feeling overconfident and lazy, I decide to let Leviathan's Tail Whip hit me. I didn't know about its Gravity effect though ^^;.
*Use Astral Flow and Searing Light for full damage.
*Run off toward the proto-crystal, notice I can't walk at all, get annoyed and wait for it to wear.
*Use Ether, wears off, get to Proto-crystal.
*Summon Carbuncle when 1st dies, Use Dia, get hit by Water II while using Searing Light. Lands for partial damage.
*Run off, but Leviathan doesn't use his Astral Flow, use Hi-Potion.
*re-summon Carbuncle when he dies, wait out timer and use last Hi-Potion.
*Use Searing Light for full damage and win
All the lvl 20 Avatar's down ^^ its been a fun time. Learning through trial and error, I went from a battle set that I feared to a battle where I could easily guess my limits and found it ridiculously easy almost.