Looking to beef up the power of my BLU

[Negorissimo]

Save that SH like Burne says, because I was doing Imps yesterday at a PT with Dejan and although he told me I was doing ok (because hes a cool guy), I didn't feel so hot...

I say that because I left my SH+1 in the mog-house and was switching between my Assault Jerkin and AF Body. My plan was to spam <Headbutt>s and stun the Imp's Tantaras but I missed like crazy and that hardly happens to me. I think the ACC+ is better than BLU Magic Skill when landing those.

 

[chrono fantasy]

Heck, I'm only 58 blu and I'm macroing Acc and Str gear between Tping and Wsing. I'll use SH, Blu AF hands, Swift belt and verener's ring while Tping, then switch to Blu AF body, Enkelados's hands, vanguard belt, and Victory ring and get something like +26 str for WSing.

It's not that hard to keep switching gear each time through spells. Just macro that spell, copy and paste all the armor pieces you want to swap in which will swap in during that spell in that spell macro, then make another macro with your regular Acc setup.

 

[Vilurum]

If you have the MP regeneration to spam spells to your heart's content (such as in a BLUburn) it's worth considering just leaving spell gear on full-time. Usually, however, you won't be regenerating MP to be quite *that* spammy, and will be getting in a fair number of melee licks between your spells. In such a case, use a variant of the normal melee macro setup:

- Wear TP gear (acc, att, haste, store tp, str/dex *if* you can get it along with previous stuff) while TP'ing.

- Hit spell-equip macro when ready to use a spell, then fire off the spell with its own macro, then hit TP-equip macro again afterward. (You'll probably need different spell-equip macros for physical vs. magical spells - you know better than I, how they emphasize different stats, plus magical ones won't have the innate need for acc and str.)

- Hit WS-equip macro (str, ws mods, att, acc) when ready to use a WS, then fire off the WS with its own macro, then hit TP-equip (or spell-equip if following up for self-SC) macro again afterward.

This *will* make you blink if you macro any visible equipment for any of this, and is more obnoxious to healers *and* to you, the more frequently you cast spells.

Windower macros facilitate this by allowing more than 6 equip swaps per macro press (not to mention being much better at reacting to your button presses than normal macros), and you can even use all that macro space to throw both equip changes and the spell/WS into one single macro. But you can of course do the same with multiple normal macros and more button presses on your part.

 

[Rappa]

This topic confuses me. Do BLUs seriously not macro on +acc/+atk gear on when they melee between casts? Because if so, that's just hurting your overall dmg. Anytime your sword(s) land(s) a hit, you should have strictly melee gear on or you're gimping it up. I've seen at least 5 people say "I don't have accuracy issues" but I promise you, you do. Maybe you just don't notice it between your spell spam or maybe you're just fighting really wussy mobs like greater colibri, but you are still missing more than you should be, trust me. Parse it sometime and you'll see what I'm talking about. With straight str/atk gear, you'll probably be doing like 75% acc at best, maybe a little better with merits. I know on my drk with full scythe merits and an abyssal I still have like 40+ acc on my tping gear. People need to realize that STR really doesn't do much on your normal tp swings.

Edit: Lol at bot---------v

 

[only4game]

I'm A Jiggy

wach me jigg

 

[Ruffyreborn]

On colibri, its much easier to spam spells due to MP drainkiss, which can get up to 160ish MP just by having on some INT gear, and occasionally using Dark Staff.

As long as you get 100% TP before Chain Affinity is up, there shouldnt be any issues. I would much rather use as much haste+ I can, which I am. Dont quite have a hast belt yet, though.

BLU's main damage comes from their spells, and just by tossing in at least 2 spells, thats ~600-900 damage itself, and Im not even geared as well as a couple BLU's, neither do I have sea spells.

On average, Ill hit 350-490 damage on Greater Colibri, Imps and Puks with Hysteric Barrage and Frenetic Rip, which on Imps and Puks, is a large chunk of their HP. When I use CA to chain Hysteric Barrage (not a good chain... You can suck it, lol) the CA adds a bit more damage to the HB, setting it around 500-700 damage. Things like Puks, Imps and Colibri, which are very common merit mobs, just dont really need that accuracy boost. Yeah, it could help, but its icing on the cake.

This is just from my view though. Id rather be relaxed, and still do decent damage, than switching through macro's every 5 seconds just to cast a spell. Switching macro's for Frightful Roar/Enervation, MP drainkiss and etc. is enough finger dancing for me. The mobs just dont last long enough.

 

[yanzi]

On colibri, its much easier to spam spells due to MP drainkiss, which can get up to 160ish MP just by having on some INT gear, and occasionally using Dark Staff.

on a side note, i've been macroing mnd gear for magic hammer and only get around 80mp back from imps... dunno how those guys on BG get 300mp back.

 

[Ruffyreborn]

on a side note, i've been macroing mnd gear for magic hammer and only get around 80mp back from imps... dunno how those guys on BG get 300mp back.

noooooo idea.. Probably stack MND spells, maybe sub WHM... Might have Light Staff macro'd, and it might be MB also, or brd lowers light resistance... or on weak-to-light mobs. Several different factors, but I pretty much just ignore Magic Hammer, since it takes a bit to boost it enough

MAB also affects it I believe, and hitting a mob with Enervation will lower its magic defense

 

[yanzi]

noooooo idea.. Probably stack MND spells, maybe sub WHM... Might have Light Staff macro'd, and it might be MB also, or brd lowers light resistance... or on weak-to-light mobs. Several different factors, but I pretty much just ignore Magic Hammer, since it takes a bit to boost it enough

MAB also affects it I believe, and hitting a mob with Enervation will lower its magic defense

i have been using dark staff for it though, since i thought it's a dark spell lol.

 

[Burne]

This topic confuses me. Do BLUs seriously not macro on +acc/+atk gear on when they melee between casts? Because if so, that's just hurting your overall dmg. Anytime your sword(s) land(s) a hit, you should have strictly melee gear on or you're gimping it up. I've seen at least 5 people say "I don't have accuracy issues" but I promise you, you do. Maybe you just don't notice it between your spell spam or maybe you're just fighting really wussy mobs like greater colibri, but you are still missing more than you should be, trust me. Parse it sometime and you'll see what I'm talking about. With straight str/atk gear, you'll probably be doing like 75% acc at best, maybe a little better with merits. I know on my drk with full scythe merits and an abyssal I still have like 40+ acc on my tping gear. People need to realize that STR really doesn't do much on your normal tp swings.

Edit: Lol at bot---------v

Thats completely right. I try to maximize as much as both and in my last pt was pulling hate from simply melee and headbutt and Self SC only on death of mob. I don't have any merits to boost accuracy so I always were 2 sniper's, SH, life belt, and eat sushi until I know for sure that my acc is enough. I am only 58, but I enjoy getting my tp before CA.

The only way I could consider just using mainly STR gear is if you just spamming spells non stop.

 

[Ruffyreborn]

i have been using dark staff for it though, since i thought it's a dark spell lol.

Magic Hammer is light based

 

[yanzi]

Magic Hammer is light based

oh god... no wonder.

 

[Nyosan~]

Do BLUs seriously not macro on +acc/+atk gear on when they melee between casts?

No, Ruffyreborn and Icewolf don't macro in +acc/+atk. I'd like to think that the rest of us do, though. Just like every job, there are players who are satisfied with less than the best, and those who strive for more than mediocrity...

On colibri, its much easier to spam spells due to MP drainkiss, which can get up to 160ish MP just by having on some INT gear, and occasionally using Dark Staff.

As long as you get 100% TP before Chain Affinity is up, there shouldnt be any issues. I would much rather use as much haste+ I can, which I am. Dont quite have a hast belt yet, though.

BLU's main damage comes from their spells, and just by tossing in at least 2 spells, thats ~600-900 damage itself, and Im not even geared as well as a couple BLU's, neither do I have sea spells.

On average, Ill hit 350-490 damage on Greater Colibri, Imps and Puks with Hysteric Barrage and Frenetic Rip, which on Imps and Puks, is a large chunk of their HP. When I use CA to chain Hysteric Barrage (not a good chain... You can suck it, lol) the CA adds a bit more damage to the HB, setting it around 500-700 damage. Things like Puks, Imps and Colibri, which are very common merit mobs, just dont really need that accuracy boost. Yeah, it could help, but its icing on the cake.

This is just from my view though. Id rather be relaxed, and still do decent damage, than switching through macro's every 5 seconds just to cast a spell. Switching macro's for Frightful Roar/Enervation, MP drainkiss and etc. is enough finger dancing for me. The mobs just dont last long enough.

No melee job should ignore damage from standard attacks. Sure, your Freneitc Rip and Hysteric Barrage may do fair damage, but your total damage still consists of melee plus your spells. Don't neglect your melee, it's a larger portion of your damage than you seem to think.

As far as stat mods on physical spells go, they are in effect without Chain Affinity. Chain Affinity causes the effects to be doubled. Check out VZX's site, he's got a lot of good BLU information. http://www.freewebs.com/vzx-01/

As far as your equipment goes, I'd highly recommend using at least SH and Sniper's Rings for melee gear. Your Jubbah and Ruby Rings do nearly nothing for you. For the hand slot, use Jaridah bazubands until you can put together the cash for Dusk. Any version of the Gigas bracelets are doing more harm than good for normal melee.

Remember, by limiting your melee equipment and macro usage, you're not just gimping yourself. You're gimping those partying with you, and the overall reputation of the Blue Mage job.

My apologies if I've come across harshly.

 

[Ruffyreborn]

This is just a quick run down of how STR affects the spells.

Naked, no acc+ or str+ equipment on whatsoever

With my normal equipment on

Although very brief, and not very conclusive, you get a general idea of why STR is a good thing to sit in while casting spells. Head Butt is also affected by STR, which in itself can end up dealing a good amount of damage when you use it in between spike spells

Yeah, acc and att will boost your melee damage a bit, but whats more important is your spell damage. Stacking attack wont make a huge difference in melee damage at all, considering the job, and attack does nothing for spells. I can see where acc could be involved, and eating sushi fixes that problem. If not, I could end up using Warm-up, which is a spell I normally have equipped anyway so I can give the entire pt a boost

Things just arent as evasive as they are when youre leveling, compared to merit mobs. In level capped area's and missions, I stack acc without a second thought.

 

[Vilurum]

Yeah, acc and att will boost your melee damage a bit, but whats more important is your spell damage. Stacking attack wont make a huge difference in melee damage at all, considering the job, and attack does nothing for spells. I can see where acc could be involved, and eating sushi fixes that problem. If not, I could end up using Warm-up, which is a spell I normally have equipped anyway so I can give the entire pt a boost

Things just arent as evasive as they are when youre leveling, compared to merit mobs. In level capped area's and missions, I stack acc without a second thought.

I think the point that a number of people are making, is not that you should forego spell gear in favor of TP gear (because yes, your spells will suffer more from casting in TP gear than your melee damage will suffer from TP'ing in spell gear).

The point is that you should use both, and make use of macros to have your cake and eat it too - TP in TP gear, cast spells in spell gear. Wearing appropriate gear to TP in, will not negatively affect your spells in the slightest unless you fail to swap it out for your spell gear.

And just because you may not casually notice a difference in your melee damage with or without TP gear, doesn't mean the difference isn't there. The only limiting factor is your willingness to spend gil and inventory space, and use macros effectively.

 

[Ruffyreborn]

I think the point that a number of people are making, is not that you should forego spell gear in favor of TP gear (because yes, your spells will suffer more from casting in TP gear than your melee damage will suffer from TP'ing in spell gear).

The point is that you should use both, and make use of macros to have your cake and eat it too - TP in TP gear, cast spells in spell gear. Wearing appropriate gear to TP in, will not negatively affect your spells in the slightest unless you fail to swap it out for your spell gear.

And just because you may not casually notice a difference in your melee damage with or without TP gear, doesn't mean the difference isn't there. The only limiting factor is your willingness to spend gil and inventory space, and use macros effectively.

AHH, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN!? Why would I have cake, but not eat it!? (lol sorry thats bugged me for a long time)

Yeah, but there would only be a minor increase, for much more effort and inventory space. I believe I would go completely insane if I had to macro gear for spells that only take .5 seconds to cast. Hitting a gear macro will increase the time of that spell cast by at least 2 seconds, which in turn can also affect your DoT negatively.

Finger dancing that much would just annoy the shit out of me, lol. But thats me. I could do it, but with the current setup, although not maximized, does get the job done at an above average rate. Its enough to have to switch gear for enfeebles/magical spells/physical spells. It would be like a RDM that did melee, and had all the enfeeble/nuking gear also.

 

[Vilurum]

Gear swaps go into effect instantly (you may not see yourself graphically blip for a bit of a time lag, but as far as stats go the change is immediate, barring lag). It shouldn't take longer to quickly tap, say, ctrl-19 (where 1 is the generic spell equip macro and 9 is the casting macro) than to just tap ctrl-9. And then hit ctrl-2 (might as well hold down ctrl for the whole time) as your spell starts going off, because at that time it's checked your stats already so you can swap back to TP gear.

It *is* more trouble (hence a benefit of Windower macros - throw all the change equip, cast spell, wait, change equip back, all into one button press), but it's not actually any more time consuming. More annoying for a BLU than a normal melee certainly (normal melees only have to do that for WS), particularly if you spam your spells, but not all that hard once you get used to it.

 

[Rappa]

I macro on gear whenever I cast a spell (except for stun usually) on drk. I have a generic regear macro that I hit after casting and after wsing that will put me back into my melee gear. It's not hard, it's simply a matter of learning to hold down ctrl and hit an extra number.

 

[Nyosan~]

I think the point that a number of people are making, is not that you should forego spell gear in favor of TP gear (because yes, your spells will suffer more from casting in TP gear than your melee damage will suffer from TP'ing in spell gear).

I don't agree with this statement. With multi-hit spells like Frenetic Rip(3), Hysteric Barrage(5), and Disseverment(5), accuracy is very important. Missing one of this hits in the in the spell will cause your damage to drop significantly, this making accuracy very important. Your gear should reflect this while you're casting.

Ruffy:You may think your accuracy is very good, but I'm sure a parser would disagree. You might be able to get away with using sushi and fighting VT mobs, but Mamool and the like are much more evasive.

Stacking attack wont make a huge difference in melee damage at all, considering the job

I don't understand how you've come to this conclusion at all. If stacking attack doesn't increase melee damage considerably, why do you think Ochiudo's Kote, Juggernaut, etc are priced as they are? Stacking attack always has a significant effect. You can easily notice this effect by switching out sushi for meat.

I could end up using Warm-up, which is a spell I normally have equipped anyway so I can give the entire pt a boost.

...So you've set this spell only to use once every 15-20 minutes, to give the party a boost? ...If it's important enough to keep set to use it once every 15-20 minutes, don't you think it is important enough to keep up consistently?

 

[Vilurum]

I don't agree with this statement. With multi-hit spells like Frenetic Rip(3), Hysteric Barrage(5), and Disseverment(5), accuracy is very important. Missing one of this hits in the in the spell will cause your damage to drop significantly, this making accuracy very important. Your gear should reflect this while you're casting.

I said "spell gear", not "STR gear". By that I meant "appropriate stats for the spell" - accuracy where important (i.e. very important on multihitters as you've said, and completely unimportant for one-hitters used in conjunction with /THF and SA since they'll hit anyway), STR whether it's a mod or not but especially if it is, any other mods as needed. It'll vary from spell to spell.