Why does Garnet suck at summoning??

[=SA= GRIMREAPER]

I like Garnet because I find her very useful in battle. But lately her summons do little damage.

Zidane physical attacks = 1000
Steiner physical attacks = 1200
Vivi magical attacks = 1100
Garnet summons = 200-300

I only have 1 or 2 stones for each summon (except Ramuh, which is 22) and I understand that summons do less damage than regular attacks because summons are directed to the entire enemy party, but the damage still shouldn't be this low. Can anyone give me any advice as to how I can increase Garnet's summon power, aside from gathering more stones?

[Mirage]

Get more gemstones.

[Chris]

True, just make her stronger. You hold all the cards.

[SoftReset]

...and I understand that summons do less damage than regular attacks because summons are directed to the entire enemy party

Summon damage isn't halved against multiple targets like Vivi's spells are, but your summons will do 1/3 less damage for half-animation. The Boost ability will make all summons full-animation and full-damage.

Also, as mention previously, get more Gems. They make the biggest difference. If you really want Dagger's summons to do more damage you should grab as many gems as possible.

[Christmas]

Boost ability will make all summons full-animation and full-damage.

Full animation of ARK???? NO WAY!!!! I rather she do less or even no damage than to wait for the animation to complete. I admit it is pretty the first few time rounds, but again and again? NO!!!

[SoftReset]

Then go out and collect 99 Lapis Lazuli, which will bring Ark's attack power from 106 to 205.

[Medi]

205 ?!? where do i get lapis lazuli? i already have loads from a chocograph, can't remember which one, but what monsters can i get lapis lazuli from? and what brings up madeens attack power?

[ThroneofDravaris]

Boost ability will make all summons full-animation and full-damage.

Full animation of ARK???? NO WAY!!!! I rather she do less or even no damage than to wait for the animation to complete. I admit it is pretty the first few time rounds, but again and again? NO!!!

But then, if you have Auto-regen on, it will heal you back up to full health while you sit back and watch the cinematic!

[SoftReset]

From rebirth flame 2002's Equipment Location list at GameFAQs:

"Name: Lapis Lazuli
Info: "Restores HP. It cannot be used in the field. Equip as an Add-on"
Price: 400 Gil
Sell: 1 Gil
Effect: Restores HP equal to # of Lapis Lazuli x100
: Raises Arks power by 1 for each Lapis Lazuli you have
Abilities: Ability Up and Accuracy+
Used by: Zidane, Steiner, Vivi, Garnet, Amarant, Freya, Quina and Eiko
Location
: Found in Alexandria Castle (Disc 3)
: Found in Lindblum (Disc 3/4)
: Dropped by the Friendly Feather Circle (Disc 3/4)
: Found in the Mountain Crack on the Lost Continent (Disc 3/4)
: Synth at the Black Mage Village (Disc 4)
: Synth at Hades Synthesis Shop (Disc 4)"

Madeen's attack power is 71 + Eiko's level

[Christmas]

I use this little trick to buy time to heal myself when fighting Ozma. I must admit it is pretty useful but the animation just annoy you if you see it too many time.

[G SpOtZ]

i stopped using garnet cuz i never liked her summons anyway. i never used garnet OR eiko. boring summons... ffviii summons were the best...

[eestlinc]

Garnet's summons are way better than Eiko's.

[Thorn]

Eiko's summons are rubbish, I love the summon concept in IX, it is by far the best.

[Mr.Cal]

Garnet and Eiko can both be formidable if used,equipped and leveled correctly. Any character can be shoddy if they're undertrained. That's why I had to restart after Ipsen's castle :S

[Karl]

i dunno what i did, but in my first playthru (still saved) i have garnet doin max damage with bahamut at lvl 63 with whale whisker

also while fighting necron once i think the game glitched cuz i had her set to use bahamut then necron did somethin and she got berzerk and used bahamut every turn automatically for 0 mp