:(

[Edgie]

Im disappointed in masamune damage. I even put it on a magic user so i could reach damage cap better... 3k is most damage ive got in a single strike

[Karinastar]

Masamune damage can be pumped up to decent levels, just stack both strength and magick power on the character you want to use it. The Magepower Shishak, Genji gear, and Lordly Robes are all good for this. Even then, it's not going to do as much per hit as things like Tournesol and Zodiac Spear. The power in Masamune is the fact that it's akin to a Soboro Sukehiro in FFXI. Doesn't hit for tremendous damage, but the combo rate on it is insane, especially paired with Genji Gloves.

[Khamsin]

For earth tyrant you need to do a miniquest, it starts with the green bangaa in rabanastre westgate.

I did that miniquest, and while I was out finishing the Barheim key quest (I had just got back from KRT, so figured I'd do that since I could get to the North Bank now) I decided to stop by Wyrm Nest to see what the Windvane did... figuring I'd just flee through the zone to the other side since I figured I could pass it now.

Nope.

I didn't expect an actual boss fight, so since I hadn't saved since I left to work on the Barheim key quest, I figured I'd do my best... at level 25. lol

I actually got it down to about 25% health before I full wiped, and I didn't use any quickenings either (still haven't unlocked any, I've been working the augment section hard). Most of the time I was just trying to stay alive, with Cura and Charge spamming, with liberal use of Phoenix Downs. When I had a chance, Berserking one guy while letting the other two cure seemed to shave a good chunk off its life each time, but the berserked character usually ended up dying before long.

For some reason, I noticed my guys were shield blocking a lot at the start of the fight. Vaan alone blocked a ton of Sonic Fangs and I spread the group out so people didn't all get hit by Screwtail. Once people started dying and I was raising them up, cure spamming, etc. and even bringing in replacements, nobody was blocking anything anymore. Does his accuracy increase during the fight, or is there some reason why I wouldn't be blocking later in the fight?

What's a good level to try this guy again? I also had a hard time with White Mousse and Ring Wyrm, both marks that just became available to me.

[Kaylia]

For earth tyrant you need to do a miniquest, it starts with the green bangaa in rabanastre westgate.

I did that miniquest, and while I was out finishing the Barheim key quest (I had just got back from KRT, so figured I'd do that since I could get to the North Bank now) I decided to stop by Wyrm Nest to see what the Windvane did... figuring I'd just flee through the zone to the other side since I figured I could pass it now.

Nope.

I didn't expect an actual boss fight, so since I hadn't saved since I left to work on the Barheim key quest, I figured I'd do my best... at level 25. lol

I actually got it down to about 25% health before I full wiped, and I didn't use any quickenings either (still haven't unlocked any, I've been working the augment section hard). Most of the time I was just trying to stay alive, with Cura and Charge spamming, with liberal use of Phoenix Downs. When I had a chance, Berserking one guy while letting the other two cure seemed to shave a good chunk off its life each time, but the berserked character usually ended up dying before long.

For some reason, I noticed my guys were shield blocking a lot at the start of the fight. Vaan alone blocked a ton of Sonic Fangs and I spread the group out so people didn't all get hit by Screwtail. Once people started dying and I was raising them up, cure spamming, etc. and even bringing in replacements, nobody was blocking anything anymore. Does his accuracy increase during the fight, or is there some reason why I wouldn't be blocking later in the fight?

What's a good level to try this guy again? I also had a hard time with White Mousse and Ring Wyrm, both marks that just became available to me.

I can't tell you a level, but if you can get it down to 25% on your first try, you can usually beat it in 1-2 level. Personally, I tried to do every fight when they were almost impossible, cause they were a lot more fun.

[Charla]

Im disappointed in masamune damage. I even put it on a magic user so i could reach damage cap better... 3k is most damage ive got in a single strike

This is the damage formula I saw

(weapon atk * randomness factor - target def) * (primary stat * (level + secondary stat)/256) * buff/debuff modifiers

The randomness factor is between 1.0 and 1.125 or something for each attack, primary stat is str for all but maces, which use mag. And of course, poles replace def with m.def and guns/measures ignore def and all base stats. Bravery is 1.2X damage, berserk is 1.5X, there are some others too but those are the most useful.

So what that means is that str is always more important point for point than mag or spd or whatever the secondary stat is. It also means that higher levels increase damage along with stats, so you can't just put overpowered gear on an underlevelled character and expect decent damage numbers.

Formulas copied by memory from the "power walkthrough" on gamefaqs.