Help me solve a merit dilemma.

[Therin]

I've pondered over this for more hours than I care to imagine, so I've decided to ask for some help.

How should I redistribute my combat skill merits (if at all)?

Here's my scenario:

I have four jobs at 75 (well, DRG is 65 but it will be 75 soon). They are: PLD, DRK, WAR, DRG. I leveled them in that order. Right now I'm using Sword (8), Great Sword (8), and Shield (4).

My reasoning for meriting Great Sword was because my original use for DRK was to bring a DD capable of doing nice damage and fulfilling the Light skillchains which are useful for some HNMs. This was all before the two-handed update, and back then Great Sword could be equal to or stronger than Scythe in a lot of cases due to Guillotine consistency issues. After the two-handed update, however, Scythe overstepped Great Sword by a very large margin. I can still put up one hell of a fight with Great Sword versus Scythe in parses (even after the update I've always seemed to either beat Scythe DRKs, and if not, at least surprise them by how close I got), however, but I still feel like Scythe is more potent. Sadly, I picked to lot a Prudence Torque over a Justice Torque back in the LS where I had an opportunity to get one. Looking back, I wish that I had picked the Justice Torque and merited Scythe, but it's too late now.

Overall, my main job is PLD, and it's the job that I use more at events and in my time off. Therefore I'm not really willing to drop my Sword or Shield merits. Let's consider these locked in place. That gives me only 8 merits left.

So basically the question is this:

Great Sword (Algol) vs. Scythe (Moliones's) vs. Great Axe (Perdu Voulge) vs. Polearm (Mezraq)

To give a better perspective, here's my gear listing for each job:

Dark Knight (Great Sword)

Main: Algol
Sub: Pole Strap
Ranged: ---
Ammo: Fire Bomblet
Head: Ace's Helm
Neck: Prudence Torque
Ear1: Ethereal Earring
Ear2: Brutal Earring
Body: Ares's Cuirass
Hands: Homam Manopolas
Ring1: Ulthalam's Ring
Ring2: Ecphoria Ring (I have Sattva for PLD, so no Rajas.)
Back: Abyss Cape
Waist: Warwolf Belt (0/7 on Swift, fuck that.)
Legs: Homam Cosciales
Feet: Homam Gambieras

Dark Knight (Scythe)

Exactly the same as above, except Moliones's Ring in place of Ecphoria, Chivalrous Chain in place of Prudence Torque (no Justice Torque), and Moliones's Sickle in place of Algol.

Warrior (Great Axe)

Main: Perdu Voulge
Sub: Pole Strap
Ranged: ---
Ammo: Fire Bomblet
Head: Askar Zucchetto
Neck: Fortitude Torque
Ear1: Ethereal Earring
Ear2: Brutal Earring
Body: Ares's Cuirass
Hands: Warrior's Mufflers (Hoping to replace with Askar Manopolas soon.)
Ring1: Ulthalam's Ring
Ring2: Ecphoria Ring
Back: Amemet Mante +1 (Upgrading to Forager's Mantle once I get the spare money.)
Waist: Warwolf Belt
Legs: Byakko's Haidate
Feet: Amir Boots (Hoping to replace with Unicorn Leggings or Ares's Sollerets soon.)

Dragoon (Polearm)

Main: Mezraq
Sub: Pole Strap
Ranged: ---
Ammo: Smart Grenade
Head: Ace's Helm
Neck: Chivalrous Chain
Ear1: Ethereal Earring
Ear2: Brutal Earring
Body: Ares's Cuirass
Hands: Homam Manopolas
Ring1: Ulthalam's Ring
Ring2: Ecphoria Ring
Back: Amemet Mantle +1
Waist: Warwolf Belt
Legs: Homam Cosciales
Feet: Homam Gambieras

Weaponskill sets: WS macro for sets include STR rings, Hecatomb Cap, Hecatomb Mittens, Hecatomb Leggings, Black Cuisses (for DRK), and respective Gorgets all macroed in where appropriate. For DRK and WAR my WS macros are literally 100% complete, with the exception of Ares's Flanchard for WAR. DRG is also very near complete - the only item I need for DRG is also a decent pair of pants, and Ares's Flanchard would solve this as well.

Current non-Combat skill merits: All of my job-specific and other merits for all of my jobs are complete, with the singular exception of DRG, which obviously I can't merit until I hit 75 (10 levels away).

My thoughts on my jobs: DRK was my first melee, and I love it, but it feels fairly niche now. I know for sure that my WAR, if properly geared/merited would walk circles around it. Also, I feel like DRG would as well. DRK must use Souleater to compete with WAR and DRG, and if a DRK can't rely on Souleater than I feel my WAR and DRG would beat my DRK. Most of the time, if I need raw damage I can get the job done on either DRK or WAR.

DRK is useful in cases in which my dark magic (which I have a very strong build for) would be useful. It's also good for Stunning, obviously, and Krakenzerg. Obviously Combat skills merits don't do anything for either of these situations.

WAR seems to be more capable of doing consistent raw damage with better survivability than DRK. I don't have Combat merits and I don't have optimal WAR gear and already I feel like my WAR greatly outdamages my DRK.

Final thoughts: Whatever I end up doing will certainly wait until the update to make sure that they don't raise the Combat skill merit caps, and also to check the stats on Nyzul relics. My first priority for Nyzul relic is Burtgang (assuming it doesn't suck), but if they're easy enough to get I'll definitely get a DD relic too.

I apologize for the wall of text, but I don't think there's a better way to describe my full scenario to allow for fair analysis.

[onigami]

i'd keep that gswd. i love pulling out gswd on drk all the time in dynamis and sky. definitly wait on to see if they add any more combat points to spend in that category. i myself am waiting on lvling any new jobs cuz my magic and combat merits are full and im a completionist.
i chose 8 polearm cuz im partial to drg. im a "put all ur points into one job" kinda guy. (8 pole/scythe love/justice torques abyssal). ur drk and drg look well geared for the polearm/gswd combo. but since war has a bit more utility, i'd heavily consider lvl 8 gaxe too.

ps u cant use bomblet/core on drg. i use fenrir/angon but u can go with rse sachet, smartbomb, tipia, and optical needle i think.

[chapstick]

I have one concern. Do you not use Moliones ring with your Sickle? I'm not fond of the set all together, but not seeing them both on your list was kind of weird I guess.

Anyways, I have 8/8 scythe and I really like it for my DRK. I've been thinking about leveling WAR to try out a G-axe setup, but I think I'd still have more fun on DRK generally.

I don't really see a point in meriting a job you aren't using very often. I also think it's kind of pointless to just put 2 merits into several combat skills, sure you're even all around, but you're also lacking the extra all around.

Personally, I'd say finish DRG to 75, see what job you tend to use most often and have the most fun on, then make your decision. I'd try to stick with an 8/8 or 2 4/4's, though. Voting 8/8 Scythe for now with hopes that Nyzul-Scythe will be pretty cool and the fact that I'm biased due to being a DRK.

PS: Get a V/Swift belt

[Therin]

ps u cant use bomblet/core on drg. i use fenrir/angon but u can go with rse sachet, smartbomb, tipia, and optical needle i think.

Yeah I know, forgot to change it. Should be Smart Grenade. I copy/pasted my shit from DRK and changed what I could remember. Thanks for catching it. Fixed.

I don't really see a point in meriting a job you aren't using very often. I also think it's kind of pointless to just put 2 merits into several combat skills, sure you're even all around, but you're also lacking the extra all around.

I agree on both points. I normally wouldn't merit 2/2/2/2 but I wanted to list it for those who might vote on it.

PS: Get a V/Swift belt

Gonna work on that soon.

As for Moliones's Sickle - don't really want to debate it here, but it's arguably better than Perdu Sickle from my experience. 2 base damage, STR +7, and the ability to keep on your Ace's Helm/Ares's Cuirass/Homam Cosciales (depending on what you normally swap out for Souleater) all versus only 15 attack.

[chapstick]

Oh, I think I missed the note where you said you switch to Moli ring for Scythe, and thought you only put on the Moli scythe lol. I wouldn't debate any scythe choices either as they mostly come to preference and the rest of your gear setup.

[tyven]

are you generally on pld @ HNM? if so i would say put them in polearm for merits on birds and soloing. but if you frequently go as Drk i would say put them in scythe.

[Therin]

are you generally on pld @ HNM? if so i would say put them in polearm for merits on birds and soloing. but if you frequently go as Drk i would say put them in scythe.

Yeah, on my PLD for basically everything except Salvage, Nyzul, and merits.

[potatoninja]

As I started to read through this what the person said in the last post came to mind to if your on pld all the time for hnms I see drg probably being the best option it solos way better than the other jobs and puts up very good numbers on birds. Honestly comes down to what your going to be playing the most maybe im weird but 8/8 sword merits for pld doesnt really seem all too important to the job i can understand the shield. Its obvious you do enjoy playing drk a lot so its your preferance but i would probably do 4/4 shield 8/8 polearm and 8/8 drk or war whichever you like more.

Quick Edit: I'm glad someone else feels the same way but every time i play my drk it feels like its dmg falls short of war maybe because of the lack of combat merits it just feels kinda slow and clunky. Only thing im missing for drk is like ace's helm/blacklegs for ws/justice torque but i just feel like its lacking.

[Khrno]

Scythe (Moliones's)

With that Scythe you use, better put the 8 on Eva or Parrying

[Eraphiel]

I'd recommend first off a Thalassocrat instead of a Mezraq, 1 base dmg higher for considerably less price (thank you imp. wootz and bloodwood -___-; ). Also consider the Accuracy Bonus JTs DRG has, so combat merits outside of additional attack may not be as beneficial compared to Gaxe or Scythe.

Having DRG and DRK at 75, my current combat merits are 8 scythe (+Jtorque and Abyssal), 6 sword (Ridill), and 6 Polearm (+Love Torque). I mostly end up using my DRG for solo, or campaign (which works out pretty much the same anyway), as DRK was my first melee love, and is damn near where I want it. I've also got WAR nearly done to 75, but don't plan on changing my combat merits anyway. I'll stick w/ the base A+ Gaxe skill and a Fort. Torque should it ever drop for me, and the 6 sword for swordchucks on G. Colibri.

If, like me, DRK was your first main love, and find yourself using scythe more and more, I'd opt for the merits there. Gaxe would be a close second depending on your playstyle, as you mentioned your WAR already can hold its own pretty damn well, and that extra boost in skill could close the gap or push it further over the top. DRG weapon merits are good as well, but acc is rarely a problem comparatively, so considering the current combat merit caps, I wouldn't rate it as high on the list.

[Therin]

I'd recommend first off a Thalassocrat instead of a Mezraq, 1 base dmg higher for considerably less price (thank you imp. wootz and bloodwood -___-; ). Also consider the Accuracy Bonus JTs DRG has, so combat merits outside of additional attack may not be as beneficial compared to Gaxe or Scythe.

Mezraq is actually quite a bit cheaper where I'm from. XD

[Tomiko]

Shit's situational.

You didn't mention what weapon you usually use when you're on Drk. All have their uses, but if you use one type of weapon more often, merit that one.

I'm also in agreement about fully meriting skills. Either put all 8 into it or don't bother.

Simple solution: Merit Parrying and Evasion since it'll affect all your jobs. Then you don't have to worry about what weapon to merit.

P.S. Wouldn't Adaberk/Haub be better than Ares for TP?

[onigami]

P.S. Wouldn't Adaberk/Haub be better than Ares for TP?

on drk, i'd do adaberk > ares's > hauberk. not missing out on the 6dex/12acc, rather have 6more str and 12 more attack.

on drg.. lol u got no choice ares's > whut? > who?

[Charismatic]

I'd say polearm, sounds like you rarely get use of your jobs other than PLD... might as well pimp out DRG for when you merit on birds.

[Therin]

Shit's situational.

You didn't mention what weapon you usually use when you're on Drk. All have their uses, but if you use one type of weapon more often, merit that one.

For events I use Great Sword because it's merited and I have the torque. For smaller things I normally use my scythe because accuracy is still very close to cap even without the merits.

P.S. Wouldn't Adaberk/Haub be better than Ares for TP?

Adaberk yes, Haub no. I cap accuracy with a Great Sword and it's not even an A+ skill anyway.

@Charismatic:

You feel that for Nyzul/Salvage/Merits my merited DRG/SAM with Mezraq would be stronger than my merited WAR/SAM with Perdu Voulge? Not disagreeing necessarily, just trying to fully understand. I don't ONLY use DDs for merits, I use them in Nyzul and Salvage too.

Also wouldn't meriting something for merits be kind of silly when I'd be capped on the merits and soon as I'm finished meriting them anyway?

That was an awesome sentence.

[Ryko]

DRK is the best of the 3 DD's IMO to use for events, for survivability. I personally went with 4 shield (duh), 8 sword because fuck the haters, ridillberk for life, and 8 scythe. Greatsword is an HNM weapon IMO and will always be that way, I'd rather gain the damage in every other event than hitting tiamat slightly harderr when I'm just there to stun its ass anyway. I wouldn't even put them into polearm or greataxe personally but the former is because screw using my dragoon and the latter is because the last time I hit my steel cyclone macro it tried to put in a panther mask +1 when switching back into TP gear >_>

Bottom line is merit the weapon for the job you want/expect to use the most. Dark knight replaced warrior for me long ago, so scythe was a no brainer.

[Therin]

the last time I hit my steel cyclone macro it tried to put in a panther mask +1 when switching back into TP gear >_>

This is awesome. XD

I definitely feel like it's scythe vs. great axe for me. I've almost completely ruled out the idea of Polearm merits. I don't think I'll be using it enough to warrant merits, especially since DRG gets an accuracy bonus and for birds that's probably enough to hit accuracy cap anyway. As for WAR, no Ridill obviously, and I prefer /SAM anyway as I've been using it on DRK forever, so Great Axe is really really tempting. Thanks for the input. D:

[tyven]

the ONLY reason you should do polearm is if you plan to solo a lot which it doesnt seem like you would. the fact that it makes it better for meriting is just a perk. i would go scythe. maybe flip a coin for scythe/gaxe? its a win either way.

[Maxxthepenguin]

I just have one question: Why did you say WAR is more survivable? Are you saying defender compares to Drain, Drain II, Stun, Dread Spikes, and Sleeps+Bind? That really confused me.

[rezn0r]

finish DRG and then figure out which of the 3 DDs you have the most fun using, then merit that weapon. i voted scythe because you seem to love your DRK (even if it's a niche job)