Hauteclaire and Aegis?

[Xavier]

ROFL at your new avatar aurik

[Kyreth]

Hmm.

If you're not packing an Aegis, and shield block = non-interrupt for a PLD/NIN- is it better to go sword and shield with something with optimal block rates, or dual-wield? If so, what's the -second- best choice behind Aegis for preventing shadow interrupts via shield blocks?

[Ryko]

In an HNM situation I don't think there's any situation where you should be tanking and dual wielding as a PLD.

[Draxy]

So i suppose survey says once you hit >= 50% damage reduction (magic or physical) there isn't much point in going any farther.

I'm curious how or if MDB would work at all after hitting the 50% mark. Does MDB lower the max damage a spell can do (akin to shell/resist rates) THEN the 50% would begin its calculations or is MDB included in the original 50% calculation.

If you think about it in the sense of physical defense vs -physical damage % it would be easy to fall into a line of thinking that says higher defense/vit will lower the max damage from a hit, resulting in higher mileage from your 50% physical damage reduction build. (Lower base damage to start with, 50% of which is then negated)

If the above physical damage charactoristics are accurate, and I'm just theorizing, is it possible that MDB on top of a -50% magic damage build would further lower the damage window?

EDIT: I'm thinking with the inherant differences between magic and physical attacks they are different but its fun to think about at 10 am while bored at work.

-Draxy

[Draxy]

Hmm.

If you're not packing an Aegis, and shield block = non-interrupt for a PLD/NIN- is it better to go sword and shield with something with optimal block rates, or dual-wield? If so, what's the -second- best choice behind Aegis for preventing shadow interrupts via shield blocks?

I bought a light buckler (size 1 shield, +5 shield skill) to try out, which most people used for capping shield back when it was a nightmare. The smaller shield blocks a ridiculously large percentage of the time and even if it only reduces your damage by a few percent you can still get your cast off. As for effectiveness, meh. For mobs that hit crazy fast or have triple attack with high accuracy it might be worthwhile but most of the time you shouldn't have a problem keeping blinks up, in which case there are better options available to you.

-Draxy

[Kyreth]

I bought a light buckler (size 1 shield, +5 shield skill), which most people used for capping shield back when it was a nightmare. The smaller shield blocks a ridiculously large percentage of the time and even if it only reduces your damage by a few percent you can still get your cast off. As for effectiveness, meh. For mobs that hit crazy fast or have triple attack with high accuracy it might be worthwhile but most of the time you shouldn't have a problem keeping blinks up, in which case there are better options available to you.

-Draxy

I'm trying to figure out the happy balance between interrupt protection and damage reduction. But I'll aim that down at the non-advanced board. Thanks!

[Draxy]

If so, what's the -second- best choice behind Aegis for preventing shadow interrupts via shield blocks?

Would be something that has extremely high block activation, like a light buckler. (Size 1)

I'm trying to figure out the happy balance between interrupt protection and damage reduction. But I'll aim that down at the non-advanced board. Thanks!

Changed what you were looking for in the second post but for best all around I would go with Koenig. Size 3, good block rate at 300 skill, great stats, mitigates a good chunk of damage.

[Keltiks]

Random question, but I felt it was someone in line with this topic. In terms of food for a PLD/NIN, what are most people using these days? Dorado Sushi for the enmity?

[Vail]

a paticular JP on our server uses Highlander's Targe when he tanks pld/nin

I know he doesn't have shield skill morits or even shield skill equip (his merits are all located purely for mnk in ballista)

then again thier tank PT for last Khimaira was:
PLD/NIN
PLD/NIN
RDM/NIN
BRD/NIN
WHM/BLM (never saw him /heal once, didn't do much outside of hasting the PLDs, and some rare cures)
THF/BRD (for TH4, they only had 2 PTs and the other PT was full lol, also frees up the brd from doing ballad I, I guess)

with as much cure power as they have with 2 plds, 1 rdm 1 whm I don't think they care much for damage prevention on shield what is most important to them is keeping shadows up as much as humanly possible.

The second PLD uses Koenig shield (and I think is upgrading aegis) I think he is more merited towards using PLD with shield merits and equip.

thier RDM has excalibur, the THF was naked except for Thief's knife, Strider Boots, Assassin's Armlet, I think the BRD did most of the tanking, but not much above the other 3, hate vollied between them constantly the whole time.

[Blackice]

I still prefer tacos on PLD/NIN.

[Judai]

I still prefer tacos on PLD/NIN.

same. hp, mp and def when you do get hit.

[Xavier]

I still prefer tacos on PLD/NIN.

same. hp, mp and def when you do get hit.

Same.

[Nikopiko]

It's from what i've seen, i mean, 4-5 damage here and there really make it difficult to tell, when you're modding that kinda damage midigation from IT's, of course, not perfect. But i agreed with him.

you don't happen to have any way you tell do you? i'd like to get some way to show how the damage gets reduced out, if not by

100 - 20% = 80
80 - 10% = 72
72 - 5% = 69

then it being one lump sum, have you done anything to see that? it be cool to compare, i'm super curious, thx for any help you have

Read the linked thread in its entirety, and for good measure read the KI thread it references as well.

thats answered a lot, thanks.

BG stuff was really the most in depth, all i had to see was the math for the 1000 needles and when it was correct, realized my damage reduction wasn't based on the right denominator lol, fail for me thanks a ton tho, good info as always

[RKenshin]

I still prefer tacos on PLD/NIN.

same. hp, mp and def when you do get hit.

Same.

Same here as well.

Even as a NIN that would technically have much less of a chance of getting hit in most situations (no argument here I hope, extra shadow with higher evasion/parry skill and all) I usually stick with Tacos. Only food I'll use at an HNM is that or Pescatora (175 HP and slightly less defense, but pricey).

[Talint]

I still prefer tacos on PLD/NIN.

same. hp, mp and def when you do get hit.

Same.

Same here as well.

Even as a NIN that would technically have much less of a chance of getting hit in most situations (no argument here I hope, extra shadow with higher evasion/parry skill and all) I usually stick with Tacos. Only food I'll use at an HNM is that or Pescatora (175 HP and slightly less defense, but pricey).

Hey, wacky, me too!

[Ryko]

I am way too broke to even look at pescatora, but if I could use it regularly I would. Tacos it is otherwise.

[draxyl]

Taco taco, burrito burrito, taco taco!
To fill all your wishes with my taco-flavoured kisses!

May you get this song stuck in your head when you eat a taco

[Akroma_Seraph]

I still prefer tacos on PLD/NIN.

same. hp, mp and def when you do get hit.

Same.

Same here as well.

Even as a NIN that would technically have much less of a chance of getting hit in most situations (no argument here I hope, extra shadow with higher evasion/parry skill and all) I usually stick with Tacos. Only food I'll use at an HNM is that or Pescatora (175 HP and slightly less defense, but pricey).

Its a 95DEF diffrent cap, which I assume very one would be hitting-- But that is a little more than "slightly less :D", But I agree, /nin I use either pesca or taco onry. Mainly dependant if the mob has any moves that do large damage through shadows (Ultima comes to mind) I would use the HP, or for example Khim that attacks stupidly fast stick with tacos.

[Judai]

Pescatora is nice, just so pricey. I do use it for Ultima tho, until CB time. Until I die first time, lol..

[Krandor]

Tacoes when I eat food... which I really don't most of the time, only for mobs where the Defense might save me (Tiamat)or I'm going to be getting hit alot (say, Prudence).

I used Carbonara and Pescotara for awhile when tanking Ultima, but just found that upgrading my MDB gear and sticking with Tacoes was better financially and for tanking the rest of the fight.