What's Better?

[Yugl]

How did you do the brutal earring calculation?

Edit: Nvm.

[Byrthnoth]

(50%+20%)*5% = 3.5%
50*95% + (30%+3.5%) + 20%*95% = 100%
47.5% + 33.5% + 19% = 100%

47.5%*1 + 33.5%*2 + 19%*3 = 1.715 Attacks per round

[Zerk]

Which GK would be better for SAM, i tried digging through a few pages and couldn't see anything talking specifically about the two.
I'm just before choosing between sTP+10 or the WSdmg+10%, and i'm not sure which would be better, i don't have any usukane.

EDIT: Also curious which would be better for DRG. I'd imagine the ws one but curious what others think.

[Salodin]

i think short answer is, if you can use it for 5hit, stp10, otherwise wsdmg+10%.

But apparently the str/atk one is still a solid choice.

[Zerk]

How much stp do you need for 5-hit? i always forget the numbers..

[Ocara]

How much stp do you need for 5-hit? i always forget the numbers..

For a 464 delay, you need 64 total stp for 20 tp/hit. With 35 from traits/merits that's 29 from gear. With rajas/brutal/stp+10 gkatana/rose grip you've already got 20, all of those items are pretty easy to get. Only reason you wouldn't be able to 5 hit is if you have no usukane and no af3+1, and even so there's a lot of stp gear now.

[Salodin]

With af3+1 head and legs that's enough for 5-hit, and both pieces aren't a downgrade either (unless you need acc). I'm still torn between a str katana or stp+10 one though...

[Yugl]

Will you need more STR/ATT in the future? Will you need more sTP in the future? That's how you determine which is better.

[Darkmagi]

I see the STP one getting worse once sam gets more STP traits, but it's hardly any effort so you might as well upgrade it for a 5hit unless you can 5hit with OaT.

[fredjanx]

Will you need more STR/ATT in the future? Will you need more sTP in the future? That's how you determine which is better.

Lowers def GKT, assuming no OAT and you don't need all the sTP.
granted, krabkatoa is getting insanely easy now that it doesn't even resist slows.

[Yugl]

Lowers def GKT, assuming no OAT and you don't need all the sTP.
granted, krabkatoa is getting insanely easy now that it doesn't even resist slows.

I was using the options he gave. Even then, I anticipate that a 4-hit build may become possible in the future given what we've seen thus far. Speculation is speculation, but that seems to be the best approach during such a radical point in FFXI. Furthermore, with the comeback of BLUs, the continued strength of DRGs, and current styles (Alliance rather than PT XP), it's not unlikely that the DEF down option's appeal will diminish over time.

[Darkmagi]

I don't think a 4hit build is possible with standard 450-464 delay GKs due to STP cap.

[Yugl]

I don't think a 4hit build is possible with standard 450-464 delay GKs due to STP cap.

Oh, never heard of such cap. That's lame.

[Carraway]

I was using the options he gave. Even then, I anticipate that a 4-hit build may become possible in the future given what we've seen thus far. Speculation is speculation, but that seems to be the best approach during such a radical point in FFXI. Furthermore, with the comeback of BLUs, the continued strength of DRGs, and current styles (Alliance rather than PT XP), it's not unlikely that the DEF down option's appeal will diminish over time.

I was able to 4-hit with a non-usu 5-hit build (including carbonara) and SAM roll. 31 store TP from gear and carbonara, +42 or higher from a 6 or 11 on SAM roll. I don't know if there's supposed to be a total store TP cap, a gear store TP cap, or something else, but it is entirely possible to 4-hit with SAM roll. I would imagine that, given current gear progression, a 4-hit would eventually be feasible with carbonara and store TP atma(s).

[Fredjan]

Recently dinged blu75 and thinking ahead for magian swords as I'm focused on damage staves for my nukers.

Element trial related only (I'm not after a multihit sword at this time and there's no way I'll aim for Empyrean), which is the ideal 2x Shamshir +1 combination? I assume STR path being one, but I'm torn on the 2nd.

[Yugl]

Sham (STR)/Sham(STR) or Sham(STR)/Sham(DA). It's difficult to project which will be better for future purposes. On one hand, it seems we'll end up capping out STR in Abyssea. This would lead us to suggest that the latter combination is best. However, we're also straying from melee as a priority of BLU with the introduction of consistent and significant refresh. I honestly believe the latter combination wins in this comparison. However, I personally think the third option of Mauch(WS or sTP)/DA/OAT/OAT3 will win it in the end since Sanguine blade has come to produce reliably high DMG (Thus, shifting the TP:WS DMG ratio), STR will probably cap out (And if it does, higher base damage triumphs if it grants a new weapon rank), and spell progression may reduce dependence on TP DMG (Refer back to Sanguine comment, but emphasize the fact that we'll be able to melee very little if we can reliably spam our spells).

[Nightfyre]

Definitely double STR if you're only going for elemental trials.

[seiji]

I see the STP one getting worse once sam gets more STP traits, but it's hardly any effort so you might as well upgrade it for a 5hit unless you can 5hit with OaT.

sword strap says "Hi!" whith higher STP trait, or open better gears slot else where

[Dooom]

Etoile Casaque (dex+4 attack+12 acc+10) or Aurore Doublet (str+4 dex+4 acc+8 DA+2%) for dancer WS (DE, Evisc, Pyric)

[Maguile]

Magnus scythe or absolution/+1?