Protect V/Shell V vs. Protectra V/Shellra V with merits

[Elizara]

Ok. I was dead curious about this. I haven't been able to test Shellra V yet since these two ate a big hole in my wallet (yuck..) and I've been trying to get up some gil so I can plow on leveling. (Don't laugh. I'm ANAL about having all my spells.) I'll see if I can find the time later.

(If you need to know my merits, check my FFXI AH profile. I'll be updating them some shortly; my summoner merits have totally changed around.)

I have been able to test Prot V vs. Protectra V; they're exactly the same, and I only have protectra V unlocked -- no more merits in it than that. Here's the numbers I posted on Alla: (I can redo this if people want to see screenshots. It's a simple test.)


Method with Prot V vs. Protectra V; I stood in windy, WHM/BLM in standing gear (BLM is my "I'm not doing anything important or are just running around" sub). Went to equip screen, noted down what my base defense was. Then I cast Prot V on me from the menu. Checked equip screen again for defense, then canceled the protect to make sure it was clean. Then I cast protectra V from the menu, and noted defense again.


Base defense on me(normal standing gear): Def 240
With Prot V: 300
With Protectra V:300

Planned method for testing shellra; I'm either gonna flash a worm in KT and get nuked a bit (20 times or so before I back off and cast the spell, then do it again) or get some friends to do Brenner with me so we can test this. I'll note up the numbers soon as I get the time.

 

[Lukas]

I think another way to test it would be to find someone who has 2+ merits in Protectra V. If the single target spell gives less defense than it's merit counterpart, then they are not affected by group II merits (if I remember correctly, each merit after the base Pro V adds +2 DEF).

We can then assume that SHell works in the same way, as there is really no reason it wouldn't.

If there is a difference, then there is no reason to get Protectra V at all if you use Accession (albeit it will cost you more MP). The same could be said of Shell if you don't plan on upgrading it for the extra MDB.

 

[Elizara]

That could be, but every good whm I know only UNLOCKED protectra V. No one I know dared put more than the unlock into it. It's generally considered more worth it to dump more merits into Shellra V than Protectra V.

Anyway, I got a spreadsheet for this ready and waiting on OpenOffice and as soon as I check my bird, I'll sees what I can do. I don't use parsers or anything, but I'll put the log on hold and eyeball it.

 

[Lukas]

That could be, but every good whm I know only UNLOCKED protectra V. No one I know dared put more than the unlock into it. It's generally considered more worth it to dump more merits into Shellra V than Protectra V.

Anyway, I got a spreadsheet for this ready and waiting on OpenOffice and as soon as I check my bird, I'll sees what I can do. I don't use parsers or anything, but I'll put the log on hold and eyeball it.

Yeah that's the only problem I did the same on my WHM back in the day.

 

[Uzor]

They're only gonna work as tier-1 merit spells until tier 6 ga and single target are added, at which point merits will probably be turned in to "Shell/Protect Potency" rather than the spells themselves.

 

[Shirai]

Sorry, but that theory is based on...?

 

[Nyosan~]

I don't think he's making any claims of prescience, ergo the 'probably'. Personal conjecture; no harm done.

 

[Elizara]

I don't think so either. Since with the worms, you don't get the same nuke, I asked a friend who has high blm to help. We'll get the data.