Random Question Thread

[Ryko]

High breath mantle is often underrated, while Cerberus mantle is horribly overrated. The only problem with HB is obviously that you can't take it off, but even then I would much rather have the extra HP and Enmity over an obviously e-peen item. I have never thought that gear swap for every single situation was that great of an idea, so HB has always been best for me, but out of the ones that you mention, I would say that Gigant Mantle is on par with Cerberus Mantle, neither is that great.

Holy fucking jesus did that make my brain hurt.

If you want to defend a Cerberus Mantle go ahead, I have no problem telling people they are wrong. It's largely an e-peen item. There are many better available back pieces.

I am not surprised that people would of course mock me for not following conventional wisdom, but the stats speak for themselves.

Ok then can you tell me what the wisdom is in ranting against a cape that essentially gives you the most operative stat of tanking as a PLD/NIN outside of haste while affording you the freedom of...

a) Switching to +shield while casting shadows and
b) Switching to +80 HP while casting cure 3

All the while not blinking you out so your mages don't lose target on you? There is none. Zilch, it'd be like calling the parade gorget overrated if another piece gave enchantment autorefresh as long as you kept it on, essentially taking the shield torque and harmonia's out of your hands too. The HB mantle, while functional, essentially asses you out of 2 other pieces due to the necessity to keep it on. By calling the cerb mantle overrated while lording the HB you essentially call the gigant and boxer's overrated too, which is ironic since you act as if a PLD has to choose between a cerb and a gigant when they can make perfectly good use out of both during the course of an HNM fight. The HB is for someone who lacks options and wants to continue lacking options by keeping it on.

[ringthree]

High breath mantle is often underrated, while Cerberus mantle is horribly overrated. The only problem with HB is obviously that you can't take it off, but even then I would much rather have the extra HP and Enmity over an obviously e-peen item. I have never thought that gear swap for every single situation was that great of an idea, so HB has always been best for me, but out of the ones that you mention, I would say that Gigant Mantle is on par with Cerberus Mantle, neither is that great.

Holy fucking jesus did that make my brain hurt.

If you want to defend a Cerberus Mantle go ahead, I have no problem telling people they are wrong. It's largely an e-peen item. There are many better available back pieces.

I am not surprised that people would of course mock me for not following conventional wisdom, but the stats speak for themselves.

Ok then can you tell me what the wisdom is in ranting against a cape that essentially gives you the most operative stat of tanking as a PLD/NIN outside of haste while affording you the freedom of...

a) Switching to +shield while casting shadows and
b) Switching to +80 HP while casting cure 3

All the while not blinking you out so your mages don't lose target on you? There is none. Zilch, it'd be like calling the parade gorget overrated if another piece gave enchantment autorefresh as long as you kept it on, essentially taking the shield torque and harmonia's out of your hands too. The HB mantle, while functional, essentially asses you out of 2 other pieces due to the necessity to keep it on. By calling the cerb mantle overrated while lording the HB you essentially call the gigant and boxer's overrated too, which is ironic since you act as if a PLD has to choose between a cerb and a gigant when they can make perfectly good use out of both during the course of an HNM fight.

Ok, I will make this concession. I was thinking in terms of my NIN and not in terms of PLD/NIN. And the original question was concerning PLD, and you make a good defense of Cerberus for PLD/NIN, which is one scenario the OP could consider, but I definitely don't think it was the main thrust of what they were aiming at:

Couple of PLD gear questions...

Recently i've been using my PLD a lot more often, mostly in Dynamis (kiting statues, tanking MNKs) and for stuff like KB, and every so often a Jailer or two (again kiting).

They appear to be looking for a PLD/WAR gear, for which a HB mantle would be great, in fact, better than the rest of the options. More enmity, more HP. Cerberus mantle is definitely not that great for PLD/WAR, especially when kiting, where Boxer's isn't going to matter, and enmity is going to be more important than the extra HP.

I still think that HB mantle is a great balance between HP and has huge enmity (it does have problems in cases of a fight were you can get dispelled also, which is another flaw it has that you did not mention). That being said, you are probably an amazing tank no doubt, but the swapping that many back pieces seems a bit over the top, do you handle this all with macros? Do you individually change the items when casting shadows? I just couldn't be bothered with all the swapping, and I think that people massively overstate the benefits swapping gear for each individual moment. For consistency, the HB mantle has the largest enmity and relatively good HP. Cerberus only offers enmity, which even if you didn't want to use HB can be found on the Resentment Cape which might have other benefits depending on where you are at the time.

So, I am willing to concede in the case of PLD/NIN where you are constantly swapping back pieces (which I think that some very good PLD's may do, but not the large majority, even if they claim to be) it is a decent option, it is still not this god-like piece that many make it out to be. The alternatives though not as e-peen come very close to its ability, if you choose to swap; and the consistency of the quality of having more enmity while still getting decent HP outweighs the momentary benefit of an item that gives you stats that you may or may not need for an event that may or may not happen.

[Khajit]

In the case of rune chopper i hear 2 different stories.
one is that i only need 1 mp/tic auto refresh to have the latent active constantly.
The other is that I need a rdm to refresh me to constantly have the 9% haste.
Which is it?

[Isiolia]

It's the latter, as far as full time goes.

You can easily see this with Rune Axes and the regen latent. With 1MP/tick from auto-refresh what you'll get is HP regen'ed every other tick. Common for BSTs to use 2x Rune Axe for 10HP every other tick on just a Gaudy Harness or Sanction Refresh.

In order for full-time activation you need to have MP ready every tick, which would require Refresh to maintain.

[Shiroken]

Whats the % of recycle on RNG af2 hat

[Yuri-G]

(pre-emptive note: for those who answered my last question, thanks for the advice. Turns out my friend decided to stay after he gave me the gil, so I had to give it back. I was more glad that he was staying than annoyed about gaining/losing 900k in one hour, but that was one hell of a ride nonetheless >_> oh well, I still have my Aquilo's /sigh)

Ok, here's my question: As you can see from my sig, my /BLM is pretty badly underleveled. I do plan on finishing it off eventually (even have a gear list to 37 and all my spells bought), but it doesn't seem very important at this point, and I don't want to put my RDM main on hold to do so. At the same time, I feel like a horrendous gimp. Which brings me to my point: Am I? I've gotten pretty far on /WHM, hell I've been asked to sub /NIN more often than /BLM (no, not for XP), and yet I just feel like half a RDM without my /BLM sub. Is it acceptable to wait until 70-75 to level it, or should I just bite the bullet, put down my staves, pick up some wands and go on a pet-slaughtering spree?

[Ashael]

Referring the PLD back piece debate, and some additional PLD thoughts:
HBM is the best exp piece, and is a remarkable piece of gear, really nice for such a low level.
HBM is pretty good for some HNM type fights, and is really cost efficient.
HBM is subpar for Wyrms or Ultima fights, where you need to be swapping your backpiece for either a resist back or the resentment.

Valor Cape provides a nice median piece, and still enables a 3 piece Cure 3 gimmick.
Gigant Mantle is worth 10k and only necessary if you can't hit the gimmick otherwise. HPeen is so 2005.
Look into using BQ ring and a convert HP to MP ring in one spot of the flip to get 100~ of the 193~ you need.

Resentment Cape is an underrated piece, pretty good drop rate and not too hard to track.
Cerb's not worth the price it's charged, but is a really good piece of gear.
Boxer's and shield skill equipment are the first pieces of gear I pull out of my kit if I'm strapped for space. If you're getting hit frequently, you're doing it wrong. I still have them macro'd into Utsu macros.

If you're not using gear flips and maximizing your action potential, while minimizing your blinking, your doing it wrong.



EDIT:

Ok, here's my question: As you can see from my sig, my /BLM is pretty badly underleveled. I do plan on finishing it off eventually (even have a gear list to 37 and all my spells bought), but it doesn't seem very important at this point, and I don't want to put my RDM main on hold to do so. At the same time, I feel like a horrendous gimp. Which brings me to my point: Am I? I've gotten pretty far on /WHM, hell I've been asked to sub /NIN more often than /BLM (no, not for XP), and yet I just feel like half a RDM without my /BLM sub. Is it acceptable to wait until 70-75 to level it, or should I just bite the bullet, put down my staves, pick up some wands and go on a pet-slaughtering spree?

Level your SJs, especially if BLM is seriously 18. Drain, Aspir and Escape are really useful, and the Conserve MP traits do make a difference, these are the reasons you sub /blm.
RDM will get invited no matter what, but you'll leave a far better impression if you have good skill and subs. If you have good skill but gimped sub, you won't be remembered as a really fantastic RDM who should be reinvited. You'll be remembered in the same vein as that guy with 62RDM/20DRG or that RDM who didn't have /whm available.
Levelled, correct subs are assumed. I see someone with even something like 75/35, I assume if he can't be bothered to finish off subjobs, he probably can't be bothered to research or learn anything.

[Tajin]

Ok, here's my question: As you can see from my sig, my /BLM is pretty badly underleveled. I do plan on finishing it off eventually (even have a gear list to 37 and all my spells bought), but it doesn't seem very important at this point, and I don't want to put my RDM main on hold to do so. At the same time, I feel like a horrendous gimp. Which brings me to my point: Am I? I've gotten pretty far on /WHM, hell I've been asked to sub /NIN more often than /BLM (no, not for XP), and yet I just feel like half a RDM without my /BLM sub. Is it acceptable to wait until 70-75 to level it, or should I just bite the bullet, put down my staves, pick up some wands and go on a pet-slaughtering spree?

I have never ever needed /BLM for xp parties, half because /WHM is way way better (I feel naked without -nas), also the fact that as long as you have Haste, Refresh rarely will somebody give a fuck about your subjob.

/BLM shines when you have a non-retarded Healer and you can cast more often (Or you have a heavy MP based setup, like PLD, DRK BLU, WHM therefore having to keep everyone hasted / refreshed). But is definitely not needed.

Edit: in italics

[ringthree]

(pre-emptive note: for those who answered my last question, thanks for the advice. Turns out my friend decided to stay after he gave me the gil, so I had to give it back. I was more glad that he was staying than annoyed about gaining/losing 900k in one hour, but that was one hell of a ride nonetheless >_> oh well, I still have my Aquilo's /sigh)

Ok, here's my question: As you can see from my sig, my /BLM is pretty badly underleveled. I do plan on finishing it off eventually (even have a gear list to 37 and all my spells bought), but it doesn't seem very important at this point, and I don't want to put my RDM main on hold to do so. At the same time, I feel like a horrendous gimp. Which brings me to my point: Am I? I've gotten pretty far on /WHM, hell I've been asked to sub /NIN more often than /BLM (no, not for XP), and yet I just feel like half a RDM without my /BLM sub. Is it acceptable to wait until 70-75 to level it, or should I just bite the bullet, put down my staves, pick up some wands and go on a pet-slaughtering spree?

/BLM used to be the standard subjob for RDM back in the day, but with the advent of RDM main healing from about 55 on, its no longer required, let alone necessary.

I would say that for RDM in this day and age /WHM and /DRK are the main priorities for RDM subs.

[ringthree]

Cerb's not worth the price it's charged, but is a really good piece of gear.

I would almost agree with this. I can admit there are times when the Cerberus Mantle is decent, but the price of it and the value that some people assign to it are far out of line with its capabilities. I think part of my problem is that I am thinking about it from a NIN perspective, where it really is farther behind everything else especially the HB. I can see how it is useful for PLD/NIN and how swapping would be more important for a PLD/NIN than a NIN. Seeing NINs wear a Cerberus mantle over a HB mantle is what really sends me into a tizzy.

[Yuri-G]

Alright, I will put it off for now and focus on eventually mashing Maat. Thanks for the advice.

[Capo]

In the case of rune chopper i hear 2 different stories.
one is that i only need 1 mp/tic auto refresh to have the latent active constantly.
The other is that I need a rdm to refresh me to constantly have the 9% haste.
Which is it?

with the auto-refresh you will have the effect around half the time. somebody tested this and it averages to around 5% haste, which is still really nice. you will only get the full 9% if you have 3mp/tick from somewhere. the only way i know of doing this without a rdm or spamming yagudo drinks is to use sanction refresh and strange juice(2mp/tick for 15 mins i believe, could be 10) in nyzul/salvage

[Jefe]

N00b ass question, but here is some background info on how I based my assumption:

One would assume bomb toss is not magic simply by harassing a war goblin (lack of MP, which can be proven by aspiring the mob), and eventually will use bomb toss. Furthermore, mobs eventually run out of mp and try to cast spells, but won't fire off due to the lack thereof; whereas a war gob will execute the toss. Remember that we are not talking about the blue magic bomb toss, which uses mp... Thanks for the imput.

Does the spell shell reduce damage from a goblin's bomb toss?

I say no, because shell "Enhances target's magic defense." Am I wrong? Another question arises too, but bomb toss is not magic, is it physical, or neither? Thanks

[evilpaul]

It's a TP move that does fire damage.

[BerenTebogo]

Cerb's not worth the price it's charged, but is a really good piece of gear.

I would almost agree with this. I can admit there are times when the Cerberus Mantle is decent, but the price of it and the value that some people assign to it are far out of line with its capabilities. I think part of my problem is that I am thinking about it from a NIN perspective, where it really is farther behind everything else especially the HB. I can see how it is useful for PLD/NIN and how swapping would be more important for a PLD/NIN than a NIN. Seeing NINs wear a Cerberus mantle over a HB mantle is what really sends me into a tizzy.

The more I read your posts the more convinced I am that you are at least functionally retarded.

Cerberus mantle / +1 is the best all around tank back piece in the game, as ryko said you can switch to shield / hp when you need, but honestly, if you're maining anything other than cerberus mantle on PLD or NIN as main tank, you should probably level another job.

Jesus fuck, HB mantle for NIN? If you're NIN tanking anything besides a wyrm and you're not DD tanking it, fuck, I just don't know anymore with you people.

[Yuri-G]

I'm no expert, but I'm 99.9% sure that Shell reduces damage from TP moves that are magic-based, like Bomb Toss and Cursed Sphere. Shell's protection has nothing to do with whether the attack uses MP or not.

[Spekkio]

mnks don't have mp, but formless strikes is magic damage. magic damage!=spell. let's move on.

[Amele]

I'm no expert, but I'm 99.9% sure that Shell reduces damage from TP moves that are magic-based, like Bomb Toss and Cursed Sphere. Shell's protection has nothing to do with whether the attack uses MP or not.

Shell definitely reduces damage from magical attacks, regardless of MP. this includes non-elemental magic damage. (like Comet)

[Max™]

I got a random question for ya... why do people wear store TP gear, and a Sword Strap?

War/Nin, 504 Great Axe, no Store Tp, 102% Tp in 8 hits
War/Nin, 504 Great Axe, no Store Tp, Sword Strap, 108% (or thereabouts) in 8 hits

K, so no store TP you're actually getting to WS faster (since 8 489 hits takes less time)... cool, does nothing during WS (hence why I would rather use Pole, Claymore, Mythril +1) but hey.

War/Nin, 504 GAXE, +7 Store Tp, 100+ in 7 Hits (can't remember exact TP%, but its 7 hits)
War/Nin, 504 GAXE, +7 Store Tp, Sword Strap, 98% Tp in 7 Hits.

*crunches some numbers*

3902 Delay, versus 3528 Delay between WSes, Congratulations! You've just really hindered your TP gain for a marginal improvement in DoT!

It just gets worse for War/Sam, Sam/Anything, Drg, or anything but Drk/Sam, which maintains a yummy 6 hit build with a 528 Scythe and Sword Strap.

So I ask again, why? Is it REALLY worth a 3% DoT improvement to add another entire round between WSes for a 2 Handed weapon, for whom WS damage is usually a huge factor?

Why is this so hard to grasp?

[Tajin]

I'm confused, are you bitching (in a constructive way) or giving advice here? XD