Help FFXIII: Using Eidolons

[chaostheory]

I am a bit confused as to when is the best time to summon an Eidolon. I once used the Odin Eidolon against a Behemoth in Ch.5. I must have pressed the square button accidently, as I couldn't figure out why the Eidolon was summoned.
I clicked on 'Gestalt' when the Eidolon's HP was also empty. I then pressed the Triangle button for the maximum damage cycle.
Once the animation finished, it had absolutely no effect on the Behemoth's HP. Didn't even 'stagger' the creature.

I looked in the game guide and Datalog, but I am still confused. Has anyone summoned Eidolons? If so, when did you do it, and do they actually deal damage?

 

[Monster]

I use them if there is something that may be difficult for me to defeat and may face death. I find Odin most helpful in Chapter 9, but Brynhildr can be useful in struggles.

 

[DeadFantasy]

Oh I most definitely do!

I do find them to be useful in times of need. I summon them if I really need to. It doesn't really matter when the best time to do it (low health and or just cause) I do it for the hell of it I mean you can earn those points back anyways and just summon them again.
I usually do it in time's where i'm close to dying or if I have yet to summon them for the first time to 'try/test' their abilities.

I have never had the problem of my summon to not do any damage in fact, it does killer damage x] so sorry about that can't help ya there.

 

[chaostheory]

OK, I rechecked the guide. It states several steps / things to watch and do. It also, goes that once the Eidolon disappears, staggered and low HP enemies are reset to normal - so you're back to the start as if nothing has happened, so timing when to use the Eidolon is important.

This is the part I'm confused about. Around how much in the fight would summoned Eidolons be effective?

 

[almostfamous89]

I usually don't summon the Eidolon right off. I learn the battle style of the creature so I'll know what to expect from it. Strongest attacks, defenses, speed, etc. Then I'll try to figure out the most efficient time to bring 'em out. I try to get it as close to the end of the battle as possible though.

 

[Whoareyou]

Summoning eidolons is best EITHER, when your team are extremely close to dying or have a load of negative status effects you want rid of.

If you are looking to cause damage with the Eidolon, summon it after you have staggered an enemy and uses all but 1 of the points to increase the chain gauge even further. Once you have one point left hit Triangle/ Y and your finishing move will hit a LOT. The amount of damage it does is NOT affected by the number of points you have left as far as i am aware, and the higher chain gauge that you will have achieved by using the points in the first place will make you're final attack much stronger.

 

[Caitshift]

I use them if there is something that may be difficult for me to defeat and may face death. I find Odin most helpful in Chapter 9, but Brynhildr can be useful in struggles.

Yeah it's pretty good to use Eidolon if 2 of your characters are dead and you're the only one alive, and when you use it they are back alive.

 

[chaostheory]

Summoning eidolons is best EITHER, when your team are extremely close to dying or have a load of negative status effects you want rid of.

If you are looking to cause damage with the Eidolon, summon it after you have staggered an enemy and uses all but 1 of the points to increase the chain gauge even further. Once you have one point left hit Triangle/ Y and your finishing move will hit a LOT.

Thanks. Next time when I need to summon one, I'll use this tactic.