Do most Dark Avengers keep their panthers up all the time... or is it a more of a (when you need it) type thing? Is it too expensive to keep it up constantly? This also goes for summoner type classes as well, I suppose.
I can't check this myself cause I'm trolling from work, so my internet surfing is limited, but i think Panthers use C grade crystals now in C4.
Cheapest C crystal is around 2800 adenas, if so, 2800 adena per Crystal + it might use afew more crystals once the summon is actually up, might get expencive in a hurry.
Most DA's I've met only use the panther to show off or in PVP. It's way too expensive to use in constant grinding, crystals and beast SS is way too expensive.
Hmm... sure crystals are not cheap, but get somewhere some cheap equipment and let a dwarf crystalize it... that should give enough to keep you going some time.
most cases the hybrid summoner types do not regularly exp with their summons. they tend to be too expensive for that, and they lack summon heals or buffs, so it can be hard to keep them alive. plus, the loss of xp to the summon isn't really worth it. they are used mostly for pvp and occasionally raid bosses.
true summoners (ES, PS, and warlocks) always exp with their summons out, as the damage they do without one is pathetic. but that really is a whole 'nother discussion.
It's very definately a 'when u need it type of thing'!!!!
C-crystals on Lionna are 3k each. The kitty burns them up pretty good.
Cat is used when your duo is weak and just about over their head..to show off (as another poster said), and if you're lonely hunting in pk area (for some reason pkers seem to pass more often when kitty is present).
That being said--that panther has a pretty legitimate patk. It's a slow attack but about as strong as the DA with good gear!! Adding it's patk to a DA does grind pve mobs more quickly (though financially it's still a bust).
If your dwarf alt is oe-ing c-weapons and gets a failure you'll have a lot of crystals for kitty.
Otherwise, carry a few in case you want panther up and play without him.
if soloing without ss the panther helps a lot. also would like to point out that if you have a scavy at a reasonable level you can spoil keymats for C grade items, have a freindly artisan craft them for you cheap, and crush the item for you, practically for free. ss, on the other hand, is not so cheap, even if you make it yourself.
If one is making Cg crystals cheap and wants SS sell some of the crystals to get soul ore and craft the rest of the crystals into soul shot.
I am not sure this would be more damage per adena than just summoning the panther (I have not tested it) but the panther attacks very slowly and uses a lot of crystal.