I use Mako Might, Dr. Mog's Teachings, and Gathering Storm in basically 100% of parties. Gathering Storm to spew out Curadas solves a lot of problems.
Maybe 50% of parties I will also use one of Ace Striker/Battleforged. Typically on an Entrust bot, but sometimes a character who is bringing a specific utility will get one (Edge SSB2).
All my other RM slots tend to be whatever flavor of +30% damage is appropriate to the character: weapon-specific, element-specific, or Tyro's weakness damage RM. These are all level 99 RMs. If you're still at the stage where every EXP Egg and MC3 is precious, you can settle for +20% damage that are much easier to come by at level 65, but if you're thinking to yourself "what do I do with all these eggs and MC3s" then I would definitely recommend hunting these down. Cloud and one of the Cores both get +30% sword damage, which I use in pretty much all parties, but there are other ones for most types of physical weapon and most elements.
We just got some more MC3s as a login bonus this morning, so I think I'm at around 5 or 7 of those.
I think you get some more from Multiplayer Raids and Event Dungeons? The 180D ones I think give MC3s. I've squeaked a couple of those, but some of the current ones are beyond me. The Dissidia one in particular was a hysterical curb stomp.
I seem to have a bunch of eggs too, so I can probably lvl99 several characters without too much trouble.
Those chains will definitely serve you well. That was a very good series of pulls!
So, I've never actually used a Chain Relic before.
I've had the Kain Chain for a while, but I don't think I've used it. I think I had a different Chain the first time I played, and I may have used it once.
You fire off the Chain SB, and then just attack with SBs and Abilities of that element? I recall there's a bar across the top or something?
And another ability question. Is Entrust the best way to get SB gauge to healers? I've got two Lifesiphons and a Wrath, that I use to build gauge for attacking. But I never seem to have gauge for healing SBs.
I also see (on Reddit "must have" materia guide) that there are two "start with gauge" materias. One from Tyro and one from Cloud. I've got Tyros, and I should probably work on getting the Cloud one.
There's also some materias that increase gauge build up. I've got one of those, Knight Captain I think. Should I work on getting the others?
Regarding chains, any elemental attack will add to and benefit from the chain. A weird quirk is that multi-element abilities will also benefit - Snowspell Strike will do more ice damage when attacking a wind-immune boss if the wind chain is up, for instance.
For healers, I highly recommend getting Orlandeau's 99 RM, Gathering Storm, and putting it on your healer. Not only is it comparable in SB gain to Ace Striker due to the increase in cast speed, it also lets you survive more easily because your heals drop super fast. A few healers (Y'shtola, Larsa, Rosa) have Wrath access, which is nice for throwing out medicas.
As for RMs, Mako Might and Dr. Mog's Teachings are extremely useful and are on practically every fight except Jump Starts. Ace Striker (Tidus) and Battleforged (Ramza) are good if you want to spam a specific character's SBs or if they need to juggle multiple SBs (like if a character has both a chain and something else).
A good rule of thumb is MM/DMT on your buffs, Gathering Storm/Ace Striker on your healer, Ace Striker on breaks/dancers with breakdown SBs, and Ace Striker/30% Damage+ (like Cloud's 99 RM Truthseeker, which gives a flat 30% damage boost if the character is using a sword) on DPS units.
Larsa can use Wrath? Doh. I've been using him without it for awhile. Shelke has been using Wrath, as I have her pentabreak BSB which I like to get up as soon as I can.
I'm currently doing FFX realm dungeons to unlock Ace Striker, it's a BoT thing too. I was going to get Battleforged next (it's a BoT option as well).
I'd had Tidus in the party for a bunch of realm dungeons, not realizing the criteria was "in FFX dungeons". I was wondering why I hadn't unlocked it yet .
That Orlandeau 99 RM sounds handy as well. I was going to level him up soon, so I'll level him sooner.
I was also reading about Cloud's USB and Tyro's Godwall, and have found some friend codes so I can have access to those.
Most characters don't have any specific requirements for RM drops, just in the party (iirc), so you could work on Ace Striker, Battleforged, and Gathering Storm(orlandeau) all at the same time. Usually people try and find the lowest stamina cost dungeon, and just do the first node in it over and over again, as you can repeat a node repeatedly, and that saves a little time.
"I will write your name in the ruin of them. I will paint you across history in the color of their blood."
generally, on the first turn you want to cast a haste, a boost, and wall. there are a lot of different permutations to get there depending on what you have and your setup.
Went looking into Palom's burst more. This is actually pretty damn solid. No point in using it if not vs something that's weak, which means entry is stronger than Cid Raines with doom, and it basically works the same as his CMD1 if hitting weak, except it hits a little harder. No trade-off, and no party buff, so buffs need to come from elsewhere, but this thing could see some serious use situationally.
26.51 seconds Siren, mastered. Sheesh, finally Siren goes down. Might not be a stable kill, Y'shtola got lots of doublecasts; and if OK is silenced, the run is over. That's 7/8 down, 6/8 sub-30. Midgardsormr is at 31.something. I think the ice resist on the ice/holy resist accessory saved Orlandeau late in the fight. 40% dark bonus on Riku and Cid, 20% on Seifer.
OK's Dispel gets spammed early and late in the fight. Ultra Cure was clutch several times. Mark of Darkness is stupid (never seems to proc weakness), I'd replace it with Dread Weapon or Reaping Scythe if I could ever afford it.
Went looking into Palom's burst more. This is actually pretty damn solid. No point in using it if not vs something that's weak, which means entry is stronger than Cid Raines with doom, and it basically works the same as his CMD1 if hitting weak, except it hits a little harder. No trade-off, and no party buff, so buffs need to come from elsewhere, but this thing could see some serious use situationally.
Really? Hmm!
Ooh, it's available on Acolyte Archives 8. And I could use some extra firepower for magical fire, ice, and lightning. Maybe instead of trying to decide between Papalymo and Ysayle, I could go with Palom?
Side note: how is Ysayle's burst not on AA selection 9? It's healers and summoners. Ysayle is twice the summoner Alphinaud is.
Weeee... first two Emerald Weapons down. I sneezed on the first one and it died.
For the 2nd I combo'd the Defense RW from Dr. Mog with Eiko's USB. That gave me enough breathing room to slowly smash the thing down.
If I'd done things "properly" I could have set up all my lightning characters and used Kain's Chain. But I didn't want to take the time to do that .
If I want to tackle the 3rd stage, I'll probably need to start building a lightning or fire team. The DPS from my holy (Curilla), ice (Ayame) and lightning (Shelke) team would probably be lacking for the 3rd.
Is it possible to save specific arrangements of teams? That would be super useful.
Weeee... first two Emerald Weapons down. I sneezed on the first one and it died.
For the 2nd I combo'd the Defense RW from Dr. Mog with Eiko's USB. That gave me enough breathing room to slowly smash the thing down.
If I'd done things "properly" I could have set up all my lightning characters and used Kain's Chain. But I didn't want to take the time to do that .
If I want to tackle the 3rd stage, I'll probably need to start building a lightning or fire team. The DPS from my holy (Curilla), ice (Ayame) and lightning (Shelke) team would probably be lacking for the 3rd.
Is it possible to save specific arrangements of teams? That would be super useful.
theres a button at the bottom of the party screen that lets you save parties. can save a ton of different teams.
Went looking into Palom's burst more. This is actually pretty damn solid. No point in using it if not vs something that's weak, which means entry is stronger than Cid Raines with doom, and it basically works the same as his CMD1 if hitting weak, except it hits a little harder. No trade-off, and no party buff, so buffs need to come from elsewhere, but this thing could see some serious use situationally.
Really? Hmm!
Ooh, it's available on Acolyte Archives 8. And I could use some extra firepower for magical fire, ice, and lightning. Maybe instead of trying to decide between Papalymo and Ysayle, I could go with Palom?
I'll double check raines' numbers when I'm back at a desktop, so don't pull in like... The next hour.
But yeah, this is half the reason I do my spreadsheet - noticing these sorts of things.
Don't remember what all the 8 draw got me, there were 3 dupes in there. Highlight was Lightning LMR, which is super awesome to go with her USB/BSB already have. Nothing else was particularly noteworthy, but no complaints with free relics.
Raines entry without doom: magic 15.42/ 6 dark + holy
Raines entry with doom: magic 19.86 / 6 dark + holy
Raines CMD1: m8.8/4 dark+holy, powerchain magic
Notes:
• Raines normally has doom via Memento Mori, which has an additional MAG boost. This is, however, the same +MAG id as any other +MAG boost other than Mage's Hymn
• Raines has a +MAG/DEF party boost, too. I don't know if the pdf includes this in his m8.8/4.
• Raines ALSO has a CMD2 which has a trade-off MAG boost.
So yeah. If we make the assumption that Palom would only be used against enemies which are weak to fire, ice, or lightning, and we also make the assumption that at least one, probably two, MAG boosts are available from other sources, Palom's burst is effectively a fire+ice+lgt version of Raines's burst that hits slightly harder (and entry is split over more hits, so less likely to cap).
38thDoelets never be stupid againwait lets always be stupid foreverRegistered Userregular
Pretty darn meh really. Raijin is the only character I have anything for that I got a LMR for. And he isn't in the party for his monk skill. Dupe fritt mirage. More stuff for stiener. Probably have him complete now 2 uniques burst usb. looks like +10 MND to relm is the high draw.
Is the Edgar USB a dupe? Because that's fairly useful for fire or lightning teams, especially if combined with his Legend Dive, which lets him Dualcast Machinist. It's kinda Bartz-ish.
Raines entry without doom: magic 15.42/ 6 dark + holy
Raines entry with doom: magic 19.86 / 6 dark + holy
Raines CMD1: m8.8/4 dark+holy, powerchain magic
Notes:
• Raines normally has doom via Memento Mori, which has an additional MAG boost. This is, however, the same +MAG id as any other +MAG boost other than Mage's Hymn
• Raines has a +MAG/DEF party boost, too. I don't know if the pdf includes this in his m8.8/4.
• Raines ALSO has a CMD2 which has a trade-off MAG boost.
So yeah. If we make the assumption that Palom would only be used against enemies which are weak to fire, ice, or lightning, and we also make the assumption that at least one, probably two, MAG boosts are available from other sources, Palom's burst is effectively a fire+ice+lgt version of Raines's burst that hits slightly harder (and entry is split over more hits, so less likely to cap).
That's pretty impressive, I must say. The real issue is the lack of self-boosts. That can be worked around with the right party makeup, of course.
Palom burst doesn't have a party buff on entry, that is a pretty substantial drawback compared to Raines. But if you have all your buffs covered already and still have a slot for fire/ice/lit magic DPS, he seems like a reasonable pick.
Palom burst doesn't have a party buff on entry, that is a pretty substantial drawback compared to Raines. But if you have all your buffs covered already and still have a slot for fire/ice/lit magic DPS, he seems like a reasonable pick.
Yeah - Raines' strength is that he's self-sufficient (and gives everyone else a boost at the same time). Palom definitely doesn't have that. But the burst also definitely has a lot more utility than I initially gave him credit for.
Also, I went and looked - his LD gives 6% dmg vs weakness, 28% blk dmg, and w-cast, so there's that, too.
Given I've got Vivi's BSB2, which has a party buff which stacks with your typical 30/30 buffs (and is also those same three elements, heh), I can see the two of them working in tandem pretty regularly.
It's the same as raines, but only if targeting weakness. ie, if you use CMD1 against someone who is weak to fire or lightning, his next magic cast is instant. If you use CMD2 against someone who is weak to ice or lightning, his next magic cast is instant. If you use either against someone who ISN'T weak to one of those things, however, it doesn't give instant cast.
I pulled King USB, and Elarra USB +BSB, they seem good?
Elarra USB is arguably the best healing relic in the game right now. You'll want to level her up and glue her into your teams (and try to get her MND as high as possible to increase the number of ticks for regenga)
I'd say Palom's main use is against those annoying bosses that shift their weakness between those 3 elements.
In real hard content he'd never get used, just like Raines doesn't really anymore.
raines is still quite good, but the buff is a significant portion of that power. he's not really 4* magicite capable, but that's mostly the fault of hades being a colossal jerk and siren having a silence.
Some theorycrafting on how I'd build a magic team for each of the 3 elements if I had Palom BSB. Assuming Crystal Tower or Nemesis RW options. All with a core of Tyro or Rikku, plus Relm or Porom.
USB/RW + Mana's Paean + Chain should do it for MAG buffs. Porom may be my pick for WHM in this one. Last Stand would get Terra into Trance even if I can't figure out a timing or character to trigger it for her.
Rapha provides a second MAG boost in this one, plus healing. Possibly I might want the WHM to carry Faith, just in case it's not enough with RW and Rapha.
More likely, the WHM will need to carry Faith. Better for Rinoa to add hits to the Chain than to spend turns buffing.
The biggest obstacle to doing this is the fact that each team would need another copy of the relevant Chainga, at at least rank 2. That's a sizeable investment, all because Palom can use nothing else to build meter.
I'd say Palom's main use is against those annoying bosses that shift their weakness between those 3 elements.
In real hard content he'd never get used, just like Raines doesn't really anymore.
raines is still quite good, but the buff is a significant portion of that power. he's not really 4* magicite capable, but that's mostly the fault of hades being a colossal jerk and siren having a silence.
I still use him for 4* Magicite. That's probably me being stubborn, though. I probably would have smoother Siren runs using Vayne or Gabranth instead.
I'm already so frustrated with ysh being silenced in my runs and she's the only target and even wearing an additional minor silence resist, can't imagine having multiple people vulnerable to silence.
I bring Tyro with Ultra Cure and Affliction Break, wearing some silence resist armour.
Unless both he and Relm or he and Raines get silenced on the initial cast, I can usually make a run work, either by having Tyro just spam Affliction Break, or by having him use Ultra Cure on afflicted characters. Raines specifically spends his first few turns on Wrath, so he can ignore Silence long enough to be healed.
Free draw wasn't great, but definitely better than expected. I'd describe it as two dupes, two stat boosts, a nice stat stick, a couple of nice upgrades, and a pretty nice headliner.
Edward USB. I've got a nearly complete Edward, just missing LMR! For a spoony bard, the buff is pretty awesome, even if it is strictly weaker than OK mUSB (don't have either OK USB).
Edea SSB (the one I didn't have). I've got her Unique, both SSBs and BSB now.
Rinoa SSB (the one I didn't have). I've got a Unique, both SSBs, BSB and Chain now. Still not worth diving her, right?
Penelo SSB (dupe).
Maria LMR. Nice, I already planned to get her BSB from banner 5 or, failing that, from the Library. I have her OSB (7*). And it's earth boost!
Rem SSB. First thing for Rem. Last Stand + Reraise is not terrible for an SSB, and it's got far more MND than my 6* Garnet BSB2 dagger.
Yuffie Glint. Awesome, I've got her Unique, LMR and BSB2. She's heading towards being the best character I don't use.
Vincent SSB (dupe).
Posts
We just got some more MC3s as a login bonus this morning, so I think I'm at around 5 or 7 of those.
I think you get some more from Multiplayer Raids and Event Dungeons? The 180D ones I think give MC3s. I've squeaked a couple of those, but some of the current ones are beyond me. The Dissidia one in particular was a hysterical curb stomp.
I seem to have a bunch of eggs too, so I can probably lvl99 several characters without too much trouble.
Most characters don't have any specific requirements for RM drops, just in the party (iirc), so you could work on Ace Striker, Battleforged, and Gathering Storm(orlandeau) all at the same time. Usually people try and find the lowest stamina cost dungeon, and just do the first node in it over and over again, as you can repeat a node repeatedly, and that saves a little time.
The Monster Baru Cormorant - Seth Dickinson
Steam: Korvalain
I'm assuming the formula's are in the PDF?
The Monster Baru Cormorant - Seth Dickinson
Steam: Korvalain
Godwall.
It contains Wall, Protect, Shell, and Haste for the whole party.
Essentially you want defenses and Haste early, and you can ramp up your attack buffs while you build your meter for sb, bsb, usb, osb, as, etc.
MWO: Adamski
Good question.
Doesn't look like it. Page 90 is as close as you get.
If you're curious about a specific item, the game has a "synergy simulator" built in. It's under the "sort" method.
Went looking into Palom's burst more. This is actually pretty damn solid. No point in using it if not vs something that's weak, which means entry is stronger than Cid Raines with doom, and it basically works the same as his CMD1 if hitting weak, except it hits a little harder. No trade-off, and no party buff, so buffs need to come from elsewhere, but this thing could see some serious use situationally.
Riku Dread Weapon / Sanguine Cross / ASB (1), USB (0) / LMR, LM2 / 30% sword
OK Dispel / Ultra Cure / BSB / LD / MM
Y'shtola Curada / Shellga / BSB / LD / TGM
Orlandeau Dread Weapon / Sanguine Cross / USB / LM1, LM2 / 30% weakness
Seifer Death Throes / Mark of Darkness / CSB / -- / DMT
RW: Guardian
Magicite: Shadow Dragon + Phantom (99), Mist Dragon (99), Firemane (99) with +7% ice resist, Isgebind (99)
OK's Dispel gets spammed early and late in the fight. Ultra Cure was clutch several times. Mark of Darkness is stupid (never seems to proc weakness), I'd replace it with Dread Weapon or Reaping Scythe if I could ever afford it.
Really? Hmm!
Ooh, it's available on Acolyte Archives 8. And I could use some extra firepower for magical fire, ice, and lightning. Maybe instead of trying to decide between Papalymo and Ysayle, I could go with Palom?
Side note: how is Ysayle's burst not on AA selection 9? It's healers and summoners. Ysayle is twice the summoner Alphinaud is.
For the 2nd I combo'd the Defense RW from Dr. Mog with Eiko's USB. That gave me enough breathing room to slowly smash the thing down.
If I'd done things "properly" I could have set up all my lightning characters and used Kain's Chain. But I didn't want to take the time to do that
If I want to tackle the 3rd stage, I'll probably need to start building a lightning or fire team. The DPS from my holy (Curilla), ice (Ayame) and lightning (Shelke) team would probably be lacking for the 3rd.
Is it possible to save specific arrangements of teams? That would be super useful.
theres a button at the bottom of the party screen that lets you save parties. can save a ton of different teams.
Nope.
Unless the fight is such that you'll need to manually recast them earlier than you can get meter for Godwall again (enemy uses Dispel, for example)
I'll double check raines' numbers when I'm back at a desktop, so don't pull in like... The next hour.
But yeah, this is half the reason I do my spreadsheet - noticing these sorts of things.
MORE
HONES
Keep in mind, when we say Godwall we are talking about Divine Veil Grimoire Ultra Soul Break
Regular wall is the Sentinel Grimoire Unique Soul Break, which has less utilities built in.
MWO: Adamski
Palom entry not targeting weakness: magic 16.0 / 8 fire+ice+lgt
Palom entry targeting weakness: magic 20.0 / 10 fire + ice + lgt
Palom CMD1: m9.2/4 fire+ lgt, powerchain magic if targeting weak
Palom CMD2: m9.2/4 ice+lgt, powerchain magic if targeting weak
Raines entry without doom: magic 15.42/ 6 dark + holy
Raines entry with doom: magic 19.86 / 6 dark + holy
Raines CMD1: m8.8/4 dark+holy, powerchain magic
Notes:
• Raines normally has doom via Memento Mori, which has an additional MAG boost. This is, however, the same +MAG id as any other +MAG boost other than Mage's Hymn
• Raines has a +MAG/DEF party boost, too. I don't know if the pdf includes this in his m8.8/4.
• Raines ALSO has a CMD2 which has a trade-off MAG boost.
So yeah. If we make the assumption that Palom would only be used against enemies which are weak to fire, ice, or lightning, and we also make the assumption that at least one, probably two, MAG boosts are available from other sources, Palom's burst is effectively a fire+ice+lgt version of Raines's burst that hits slightly harder (and entry is split over more hits, so less likely to cap).
Pretty darn meh really. Raijin is the only character I have anything for that I got a LMR for. And he isn't in the party for his monk skill. Dupe fritt mirage. More stuff for stiener. Probably have him complete now 2 uniques burst usb. looks like +10 MND to relm is the high draw.
38thDoE on steam
That's pretty impressive, I must say. The real issue is the lack of self-boosts. That can be worked around with the right party makeup, of course.
Yeah - Raines' strength is that he's self-sufficient (and gives everyone else a boost at the same time). Palom definitely doesn't have that. But the burst also definitely has a lot more utility than I initially gave him credit for.
Also, I went and looked - his LD gives 6% dmg vs weakness, 28% blk dmg, and w-cast, so there's that, too.
Given I've got Vivi's BSB2, which has a party buff which stacks with your typical 30/30 buffs (and is also those same three elements, heh), I can see the two of them working in tandem pretty regularly.
The Monster Baru Cormorant - Seth Dickinson
Steam: Korvalain
In real hard content he'd never get used, just like Raines doesn't really anymore.
It's the same as raines, but only if targeting weakness. ie, if you use CMD1 against someone who is weak to fire or lightning, his next magic cast is instant. If you use CMD2 against someone who is weak to ice or lightning, his next magic cast is instant. If you use either against someone who ISN'T weak to one of those things, however, it doesn't give instant cast.
Elarra USB is arguably the best healing relic in the game right now. You'll want to level her up and glue her into your teams (and try to get her MND as high as possible to increase the number of ticks for regenga)
raines is still quite good, but the buff is a significant portion of that power. he's not really 4* magicite capable, but that's mostly the fault of hades being a colossal jerk and siren having a silence.
Palom: Chain Firaga, BSB
Terra: Chain Firaga+Wrath, BSB2+OSB
Krile: Meltdown+Mana's Paean, Chain+BSB+OSB
USB/RW + Mana's Paean + Chain should do it for MAG buffs. Porom may be my pick for WHM in this one. Last Stand would get Terra into Trance even if I can't figure out a timing or character to trigger it for her.
Lightning:
Palom: Chain Thundaga, BSB
Ashe: Chain Thundaga+Sudden Thunder, BSB
Rapha: Stumble Step+Sudden Thunder, BSB
Rapha provides a second MAG boost in this one, plus healing. Possibly I might want the WHM to carry Faith, just in case it's not enough with RW and Rapha.
Ice:
Palom: Chain Blizzaga, BSB
Edea: Chain Blizzaga/Sudden Freeze + Memento Mori, BSB
Rinoa: Chain Blizzaga+Faith/Valigarmanda, Chain
More likely, the WHM will need to carry Faith. Better for Rinoa to add hits to the Chain than to spend turns buffing.
The biggest obstacle to doing this is the fact that each team would need another copy of the relevant Chainga, at at least rank 2. That's a sizeable investment, all because Palom can use nothing else to build meter.
I still use him for 4* Magicite. That's probably me being stubborn, though. I probably would have smoother Siren runs using Vayne or Gabranth instead.
Unless both he and Relm or he and Raines get silenced on the initial cast, I can usually make a run work, either by having Tyro just spam Affliction Break, or by having him use Ultra Cure on afflicted characters. Raines specifically spends his first few turns on Wrath, so he can ignore Silence long enough to be healed.
Edward USB. I've got a nearly complete Edward, just missing LMR! For a spoony bard, the buff is pretty awesome, even if it is strictly weaker than OK mUSB (don't have either OK USB).
Edea SSB (the one I didn't have). I've got her Unique, both SSBs and BSB now.
Rinoa SSB (the one I didn't have). I've got a Unique, both SSBs, BSB and Chain now. Still not worth diving her, right?
Penelo SSB (dupe).
Maria LMR. Nice, I already planned to get her BSB from banner 5 or, failing that, from the Library. I have her OSB (7*). And it's earth boost!
Rem SSB. First thing for Rem. Last Stand + Reraise is not terrible for an SSB, and it's got far more MND than my 6* Garnet BSB2 dagger.
Yuffie Glint. Awesome, I've got her Unique, LMR and BSB2. She's heading towards being the best character I don't use.
Vincent SSB (dupe).