Since we have a disagreement over the effect of +str etude, let's look at the math courtesy imach and full thread
here.
Physical WS Damage Calculation:
WD: Base damage of your WS
D: Base damage of your weapon (e.g., Espadon = 43)
fSTR: difference between your STR and target's VIT. This can be capped (see below).
WSC: Secondary attribute like STR_30 (30% of your STR).
fTP: Multiplier (Please see chart below).
PDIF: (your ATK/target’s DEF) Caps at 2.4 for melee attacks and 3 for ranged attacks.
WSC = integer(any secondary attributes) x @
Level @
Lv75... 0.83
Lv74... 0.83
Lv73... 0.84
Lv72... 0.84
Lv67... 0.86 or 0.87 (perhaps 0.87)
Lv60... 0.90 or 0.91 (perhaps 0.90)
Lv40... 0.94
Lv37... 0.94 – 0.99
Lv31... 0.94 - 0.99
For example, suppose you have 100 STR and 100 MND and use use Swift Blade (STR_30, MND_30).
WSC = integer[(100 x 0.3) + (100 x 0.3)] x @ = integer(60) x @ = 60 x @
@ is 0.86 - 0.87 at LV67 but it's going to decrease as your level is going up. It's 0.83 at LV75
WD = (D + fSTR + WSC) * fTP
I’m not 100% positive, but I think for Sneak Attack with THF main, this is the calculation:
WD = (D + fSTR + WSC) * fTP + DEX + AGI
Actual Damage of WS is then calculated in this way.
Melee Damage = WD * PDIF = ((D + fSTR + WSC) * fTP) * PDIF
Ranged Damage = WD * PDIF = ((D + fSTR2 + WSC) * fTP) * PDIF
As for the difference between fSTR and fSTR2, they have different caps:
fSTR = from 0 to (D / 9) + 8
fSTR2 = from 0 to fSTR*2
Note: fSTR [(D / 9) + 8] doesn't count "Arrow D"
Multiply everything by 1.25 if counted as a critical attack (or if sneak attack was added with THF subjob).
Great Katana WS 100% 200% 300% #Hits Secondary Attribute TP Adjustment
Tachi: Enpi 1.00 1.50 2.00 2x STR_30%
Tachi: Hobaku 1.00 1x STR_30% More Stun
Tachi: Yukikaze 1.50 2.00 2.50 1x STR_75%
Tachi: Gekko 1.50 2.00 2.50 1x STR_75%
Tachi: Kasha 1.50 2.00 2.50 1x STR_75%
Our goal is to find the base Weapon skill Damage (WD).
D = Weapons damage I will assume was between 70 and 80 looking at GKT on alla, I'll use 75 for this example.
FSTR was likely capped already since you have +47 str.
WSC: Going from your numbers, your Str was 60+47 and +30 bonus from two etudes (although temporary as herculean wears down fast). This comes to (60+47+30)*.75wsMultipler*.84 for a lvl 72 = 108.78
fTP: Typicaly 1.5 if you ws around 100% each time.
PDF: Hard to tell, but never capped against XP mobs. If you look at the equation, you can see this is a major factor. I'll be generous and say 1.8 for this example.
Now just where does the etudes bonus fit into the quation? Well it comes up during the WSC which is multiplied by .75 for your ws modifier and .84 for a lvl 72, then * PDF (your attack/mob def) and finally * 1.25 for subbed SA. So that 30str extra * .75 * .84 *1.5 *1.8 pdf*1.25 = 51.03 extra damage from the etudes, however this would be lower than usual since you gave up minuet4 which boosts your pdf multiplier.
As you can see, the etudes are not going to boost your dmg by 300-500 like you claim.
As a side thought, you claim to have done this before as sam, yet even in this example you are only 72. Herculean etude is a lvl 74 brd spell. So unless you are partying with some really large lvl gaps this does not seem pausible and in this case the JP bard might not have even had the spell yet (you did not mention his lvl, only that you were 72).