Random Question Thread XXI: You're Not My Random Question Thread Dad

[RyaWHM]

They're not on as many good axes or GAs, and in terms of Cleaving, won't have retaliation to help speed up the process. Axe loses out on LR/DB while also forcing you to /NIN, too.

Thank you for the reply^^ Yes these are important considerations, but are they dealbreakers?

I should have been more specific:

-- Can DRK cleave successfully? Has anyone been successful? (maybe harder...but, possible?)

-- Do you think Rampaging could give better damage output than scythe/gsword? (assuming some actual effort for both)

[arus2001]

With an attentive WHM and casting Dread Spikes before WSing, I don't see why a DRK couldn't cleave (Other things like Stoneskin and Phalanx will help some). You'd probably wanna /SAM for Sekka and take advantage of ISL chests, though.

I think until 87, the best Axe a DRK can use is Maneater, then you can get one of the synergy ones. It's a pretty big jump in damage. Things like RR and cruor buffs should help offset possible ACC issues on harder prey and you'll possibly be better off than a BST using Rampage, especially with LR for more ATK, so I wouldn't say it's a bad idea. I've had my Guillos do anywhere from 300 to 3300 depending on misses and DAs/TAs, but I'd call a respectable average around 1500 (then again, I haven't EXPed DRK since LR change, so it'll probably jump up a nice bit) if you're not gimp. I've also been working on an Infernal Scythe build which can pump Endark to 80+ damage on top of IS itself doing over 1500. With a good x-hit build, you'd probably do better than Guillo spam in the long term.

Speaking of x-hits, you'd obviously be giving those up if going /NIN and Axe. You should be able to pump out Rampages over 2k the closer you get/are to 90, but it'll take you a bit longer to get that TP compared to a two-hander. Either way, I don't think anyone will really care which weapon you use as long as you're actually doing damage.

[Palides]

Thank you for the reply^^ Yes these are important considerations, but are they dealbreakers?

I should have been more specific:

-- Can DRK cleave successfully? Has anyone been successful? (maybe harder...but, possible?)

-- Do you think Rampaging could give better damage output than scythe/gsword? (assuming some actual effort for both)

1) Yes. We've frequently cleaved mandies/couerl/whatever in Tahrongi, efts/chigoes in Attohwa, among other zones. DRK/SAM doing 2k-4k and WAR/SAM doing 4k-6k. Phalanx 2 helps a lot for the DRK, as kill speed will be slower from no Mighty Strikes. Its not as amazing as WAR, but yes it can cleave quite capably.

2) On trash exp mobs, or t1s, yes it could prove useful. Rampage can do 1.5k-2k, spikes as high as 3-4k [but not regularly.] I've often found I needed pizza to cap acc using axe/axe. Assuming on any NM that matters, or with relatively high def, no it will not compare. Assuming access to Torcleaver or Quietus, and the accompanying ODD then definitely no comparison. As previously mentioned, you will be relegated to /NIN, which loses the numerous benefits of /SAM, and the new and improved LE/DB.

[RyaWHM]

Wonderful answers, thanks so much! :)

[Rez]

Unless something changed, anything that is EP at 75 (or 78 in this case) is still EP at 90.

In theory yes you're correct. However on this particular trial for the light elemental based swords, there's a different practical outcome.

Some of the manta at 75 check as too weak, and some ep. I assume the level range is such that only the lowest possible spawns check as too weak.

However at 85 and certainly at 90, that level range is such that only the highest spawns check as easy prey.

Cmbine this with the fact you need them during weather, it can get tedious fucking fast when they repop too weak all the time. There are numerous workarounds of course, but solo it's just much easier to do this trial at 75~80 when you can get the majority of spawns to count for your kills, as opposed to killing endlessly trying to get your first ep while weather comes and goes.

Time saver, not difficulty, since the poster is already in that level boat.

[TheDirtyHobo]

Sounds like you just had shit luck. I had not problem making enough repop EP to finish my trial, neither did anyone else I know.

[Rez]

Yeah I can't discount that at all, I tend to get the short straw on weather trials.

I'm not saying it isn't possible, I would just rather he didn't face that crap himself later on.

[Michelob]

Goading/+2 feet are 51, +2 hat is 61.

Thanks! No one has figured Zelus Tiara's or any WAR+2's haste yet then I take it?

[Kohan]

I am normally terrible at math, so I'd like to double-check the following before I gear for it:

The Enhancing Skill of a SCH without Light Arts active caps at 280, and therefore, 88 points of MND total would be required to cap Stoneskin. Correct?

[Deader2818]

Close. 87 mnd will.

[Dooom]

Some of the manta at 75 check as too weak, and some ep. I assume the level range is such that only the lowest possible spawns check as too weak.

However at 85 and certainly at 90, that level range is such that only the highest spawns check as easy prey.

Unless I am misunderstanding wiki, a level 56 mob checks as EP to a level 90, a level 55 as Too Weak. This is also true at level 75, and all levels in between that and 90. As such, what level you do the trial as doesn't matter.

http://wiki.ffxiclopedia.org/wiki/Experience_Points

[Kohan]

Close. 87 mnd will.

Cool, thanks.

[Mojo]

So I'm seeing people post about their Ukon WS builds lately. I do not understand how TP/WS gear should be anything but the following.

Main	Ukonvasara
Sub	Rose Strap
Ammo	White Tathlum
Head	Zelus Tiara
Body	Ravager's Lorica +2
Hands	Ravager's Mufflers +2
Legs	Ravager's Cuisses +2
Feet	Ravager's Calligae +2
Neck	Ravager's Gorget
Waist	Goading Belt
Back	Tactical Mantle
Ear1	Ravager's Earring
Ring1	Hoard Ring
Ear2	Brutal Earring
Ring2	Rajas Ring

Main	Ukonvasara
Sub	Rose Strap
Ammo	White Tathlum
Head	Ravager's Mask +2
Body	Ravager's Lorica +2
Hands	Ravager's Mufflers +2
Legs	Ravager's Cuisses +2
Feet	Ravager's Calligae +2
Neck	Breeze Gorget
Waist	Breeze Belt
Back	Atheling Mantle
Ear1	Ravager's Earring
Ring1	Pyrosoul Ring
Ear2	Brutal Earring
Ring2	Rajas Ring

With Arrabbiata as food and you cannot have any less Store TP than this for either WS or TP or you will lose 5 hit. Is it really better to use 6 hit or something?

[Mercilessturtle]

No, but someone pointed out that it was better to 6 hit on sam if you have marches, and people randomly decided to pretend that applies to war, and leave out the "if you have marches" part.

[TheDirtyHobo]

Honestly, that is a pretty godawful WS set. I would imagine going with Almah Torque and Atilla's Earring during TP so you can WS in Grim+1 and Ravager's Orb would be way better.

[Bilopdop]

Do people party at all anymore?

So far I have soloed to level 26 without any invite.

Well I did get a party once in Valkurm but between people dying to aggro, people losing connection, finding new members, and people dying the first pull, we pretty much just stood around for about 2 hours.

[Mojo]

I suppose that is a better set up (Almah Torque + Attila's Earring.) I'll end up switching if I ever get the torque.

[Desideratum]

I think Duo/Trio or less than full six-man parties are more common. But yes, people still party. My LS has a fair number of newer and returning players and they seem to spend the bulk of their time partying.

That said, depending on your job, soloing using GoV or FoV is pretty effective. Also, a lot of people are taking the Aby approach now with GoV and using alliances or parties to kill fairly weak mobs for the book exp and prowess benefits. The EXP really flies that way.

[Bilopdop]

None of my friends play this anymore, so I don't really have anyone to group with.

I have mainly been doing FoV pages on Easy Prey/Decent Challenge mobs.

I guess I will unlock Dancer first to make it a bit easier.

[Yugl]

None of my friends play this anymore, so I don't really have anyone to group with.

I have mainly been doing FoV pages on Easy Prey/Decent Challenge mobs.

I guess I will unlock Dancer first to make it a bit easier.

I soloed most of MNK to 30. The changes to signet make it a joke when you add novennial ring (I actually XPed to 30 in Novennial set!).