The RDM Thread

[Tsuko_Asura]

I never tried using Cookies, I just stuck with Tacos to try and get the absolute most out of my 410 Stoneskin in addition to my -39-45% physical damage reduction gear (missing some Darksteel +1). I'll definitely try them next time, I just kind of assumed the proc rate was fairly infrequent.

Definitely nothing wrong with Tacos, as I used them for a long time before I made the switch to cookies. Don't get discouraged if you get unlucky streaks without many intimidations. Even though they can hate you at times, I feel it balances out in the long run.

[[Cookies]]

I'm torn between 5/5 Bio 3 and 5/5 Paralyze II, really can't decide which!

[drwaffles]

As I said before, I think Paralyze II is generally a waste of MP. I have 5/5 Bio III merits and swear by them for soloing, they're great.

[Tsuko_Asura]

As I said before, I think Paralyze II is generally a waste of MP. I have 5/5 Bio III merits and swear by them for soloing, they're great.

Agreed.

[Seraa]

I went 4/5 Para II and deleted them. It's useless. My Para I appears to process just as often at 1/6 of the cost.

Para:

Macro 1:

Mistilteinn
Duelist's Chapeau
Morgana's Choker
Communion Ring
Blood Scale Mail
Slow II

Macro 2:

Mythic Wand +1
Dvt. Mitts +1
Communion Ring
Altruistic Cape
Morrigan's Slops
Morrigan's Pgch.

Yeah, I still use legitimate macros when I solo.

Stoneskin:

Wlk. Chapeau +1
Dls. Tabard +1
Velocious Belt
Morrigan's Slops
Morrigan's Pgch.
Stoneskin

As far as food goes, the above Para macros are more than enough to make cookies a waste. I use tacos and Ichi-to-Ichi is semi-frequent and I managed to go Ni-to-Ni a few times too.

[drwaffles]

I can't see how extra "free rounds" could ever be considered worthless on Rapido, especially considering he can take two sets of shadows in four attack rounds if you're unlucky. I'm also curious as to how you're euipping Tabard and Scale Mail at the same time!

[Tsuko_Asura]

Tabard during the cast, Mail when it goes off?

[Aro]

Since this is the RDM thread, anyone know of any way to solo up to 75?

I've been playing at times where there are little-no parties around, so I was looking for ways to solo (FoV is decent, but I'm almost too high for it)

[nekura]

Since this is the RDM thread, anyone know of any way to solo up to 75?

I've been playing at times where there are little-no parties around, so I was looking for ways to solo (FoV is decent, but I'm almost too high for it)

Grind campaign or RDM/BST.

[Seraa]

I can't see how extra "free rounds" could ever be considered worthless on Rapido, especially considering he can take two sets of shadows in four attack rounds if you're unlucky. I'm also curious as to how you're euipping Tabard and Scale Mail at the same time!

For Rapido, I "tank" with something near 33% physical damage down. My SS can take 3 or 4 hits before it breaks. 2 DAs don't worry me in the least - especially when you consider my Para proc rate. I'm good with Blink so if I see the first DA, I'm automatically casting Blink in preparation for having downed shadows. My recorded fight was my sloppiest (first solo) and I only had it downed 4 or 5 times. Now, with general security with my SS, I have no real need for occasional intimidation. I'll take a DEF boost in case of THREE DAs.

As for the 2x bodies in my SS macro, my bad. Depending on the solo I'm doing, I sometimes use Dls. +1 and other times I use Blood.

[Theraven]

I did RDM/BST 60-75, a lot easier than BST main except for having to wait for my pets to die. With the changes though you don't have to let your pet die anymore so it would be even easier.

[GuntarHolyFlame]

remember pearl harbor

This strikes me as humorous since this was the name of my cover band when I played with another exchange student and three of my Japanese friends while I was studying abroad at Nanzan University.

The lead singer, Yasuhiro, was the one who suggested it! lawl

[[Cookies]]

I went 4/5 Para II and deleted them. It's useless. My Para I appears to process just as often at 1/6 of the cost.

I can't just use Paralyze 1 unfortunately, as some of the other RDMs in my shell cast in around +30 MND and most if not all have Paralyze 2 merited.

[Tsuko_Asura]

Tell them to stop?

[Spekkio]

hmmmm... i'd been planning on doing 5/5 slow, 3/5 para2, 1/5 phalanx2, and 1/5 dia3 (for zerg fights), but based on what you're saying, that's not such a great idea. i know blind2 is pretty much crap except for enmity as a rdm tank, so i guess it's down to dia3, bio3, and phalanx2. my rdm is mostly used for salvage so i have 1 phalanx2 merit i want to keep around (we don't have a sch to regularly go till i finish it). i don't have w legs though i do have gaiters, so most soloing i do on blm and not rdm. given that, if you were in my shoes, would you go for more dia or more phalanx2 merits? am i missing something entirely? i know there's no cookie cutter way to lvl rdm like there is for many other jobs, so i'm really struggling to come to a decision i'm happy with on how to distribute merits.

[Liseth]

Do Phalanx 2 over Dia 3 imo.

[[Cookies]]

Tell them to stop?

Like that would work.

[Mugekuge]

hmmmm... i'd been planning on doing 5/5 slow, 3/5 para2, 1/5 phalanx2, and 1/5 dia3 (for zerg fights), but based on what you're saying, that's not such a great idea. i know blind2 is pretty much crap except for enmity as a rdm tank, so i guess it's down to dia3, bio3, and phalanx2. my rdm is mostly used for salvage so i have 1 phalanx2 merit i want to keep around (we don't have a sch to regularly go till i finish it). i don't have w legs though i do have gaiters, so most soloing i do on blm and not rdm. given that, if you were in my shoes, would you go for more dia or more phalanx2 merits? am i missing something entirely? i know there's no cookie cutter way to lvl rdm like there is for many other jobs, so i'm really struggling to come to a decision i'm happy with on how to distribute merits.

If you use rdm mostly on salvage i'd go 5/5 phalanx2 hands down, can as well do 4/5 slow2 and 1/5 dia3.

[Ultimagi]

1 merit in Dia III isn't all that helpful for Berserk scenarios. Ideally, the fight lasts only 30 seconds, and you would cast Dia III at the exact moment all of the melees engage, and all is well. In reality, Dia III is only on for maybe 50% of the damage being dealt, and you're better off just using Dia II. If you maxed it out to 2 minutes and 30 seconds, it becomes more appropriate. However, in these types of fights, because they're usually so overkill, the extra Defense Down effect really doesn't matter anyway.
Phalanx II is very useful since it doesn't cap, even with maximum Enhancing Magic equipment and full merits.
Slow II, in my opinion, is worth 1 merit. You can increase the potency of the effect with Mind Equipment enough that adding in extra merits is unnecessary. But if you have extra merits to spend, this isn't a bad place to put them.
Paralyze II is similar to Slow II, but with less measurable results.

For your case, it really depends on whether or not you'll still use your Red Mage once your Scholar is done. If you're still going to be using Phalanx II, it's worth maxing out. Since you don't solo on Red Mage, there's really no reason to have Bio III. Dia III isn't really worthwhile if its just for Berserk fights, where Dia II is more than sufficient. I would suggest 5/5 Phalanx II, 5/5 Slow II and 1/5 Paralyze II.

[Nevex]

Slow II, in my opinion, is worth 1 merit. You can increase the potency of the effect with Mind Equipment enough that adding in extra merits is unnecessary. But if you have extra merits to spend, this isn't a bad place to put them.

Essentially, this.
The difference between level 1 and level 5 Slow II is so small that sacrificing merits into this spell whereas Bio III and Phalanx II get huge boosts from additional merits seems a waste.

Of course if you don't solo you don't need Bio III and if you don't do Salvage or you play SCH for that you (mostly) don't need Phalanx II.

All t2 merits with the exception of Blind II (which is extremely gimmicky/situational) are fine choices, but then again depends on what you play RDM for.