War45, and a dilemma...

[Kipsy]

Alright, I just hit War45 with my static (Go me) and I think I might be overdue for an equipment change.

This is everything I'm wearing currently...and the stats...
(By the way, I'm the tank in our static, so I've tried to go with a good mix of defense and offense)

Weapon: Skillchain depending I either use a great axe, or an axe with a shield.
Great Axe: Raifu, DMG 63, Delay 504, add. effect: Lightning Damage.
Axe: Razor Axe(War AF1): DMG31, Delay 276 STR+2 DEX+2

Shield: Balance Buckler: Def 9, Acc +3

Ranged: Battle Bow +1: DMG55, Delay524, Rng ACC+2, RNG ATK+15

Ammo: Scorpian Arrows: DMG24, Delay90, Rng ACC+5

Head: Iron Musketeer's Armet: Def 17, Vit +2

Neck: Spike Necklace: STR+3 DEX+3 MND-6

Earring1: Beetle Earring + 1: Attack + 3 Evasion -2

Earring2: Beetle Earring + 1: Attack + 3 Evasion -1

Body: Brigandine Armor: Def32, HP+10 Dex+2 Vit+2

Hands: Iron Musketeer's Gauntlets: Def12, RNG ACC+5

Left Hand Ring: Balance Ring: Dex+2

Right Hand Ring: Balance Ring: Dex+2

Back: I was using a Cavalier's Mantleef8 Vit+2 Eva-10 but thought the -10 Evasion was too hard of a hit, I switched back to a Nomad's Mantleef2, Agi+1 Eva+3

Waist: Warrior's Belt +1: Def2 HP+4 VIT+2

Legs: Royal Squire's Breeches: Def22 Dex+1 Agi+1

Feet: Iron Musketeer's Sabatons: Def10 Rng ACC+5


Now, I really have no idea what I'm supposed to be wearing, or what I should move up to. I feel that I might need a Mermaid ring, to help me with the daunting task of keeping hate with a Black Mage and a Dark Knight in the party, and I would truely like an Avangers earring, which gives Counter+1, and since I'm subbing Monk, I've noticed that Counter is very effective in damage and hate control. (Mobs seem not to like if you counter them, that could just be me though)

Well, any advice, or suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

 

[alanon]

I cant say anything intelligent about your gear as honestly I know very little about melee at this level. The one thing that sticks out for me is the arrows. Do you use these to pull? If so, do you find that you actually able to hit anything at your level? I ask because I pull for a static Im in, and I rarely hit anything. Would it be better to go with wooden or bone arrows if you/I am only using them to pull?

 

[Kipsy]

I cant say anything intelligent about your gear as honestly I know very little about melee at this level. The one thing that sticks out for me is the arrows. Do you use these to pull? If so, do you find that you actually able to hit anything at your level? I ask because I pull for a static Im in, and I rarely hit anything. Would it be better to go with wooden or bone arrows if you/I am only using them to pull?

I'm using them to pull yes, and I'd say I hit about half of the time. A nice chunk of damage when I do. 1 stack will last me about 3 xp sessions maybe, and it's pretty nice to have the +5 Ranged Accuracy.

 

[Chouzan]

Hi ^^ Most of that looks good, only a few rather striking improvements to make (considering that you mentioned that you are the tank). As far as stats go, try to focus on vit, agi, and acc.

1. Get rid of those beetle earings (or just don't wear them to tank)! Personally, I've been wearing wing earrings for a while, but i've really been meaning to upgrade to drone earrings.

2. On my fingers, I'm rockin those sphene rings (vit +2). They are good, no need to splurge on the verve rings unless you have 160k that you don't need.

3. For the necklace, I would go with a medieval collar.

4. On your back, I would rock an Earth Mantle.

5. Be ready at lvl 48 to upgrade your belt to a Life Belt.

6. Be ready at lvl 48 to get a Viking Axe and a Gigant Axe.

Everything else is exactly what I was wearing at that lvl (with the exception of the ranged acc boosting stuff since I don't care too much about that)

 

[alanon]

Ok, do you get any skillup's still? Are you able to keep your skill maxed? I'm a Drk in my scenerio and get no skill-ups. Everything I have comes from a lowly lvl13 rng. Im sorry to hi-jack your thread. Im a mage main trying to learn all I can about being melee.

 

[Kipsy]

Hi ^^ Most of that looks good, only a few rather striking improvements to make (considering that you mentioned that you are the tank). As far as stats go, try to focus on vit, agi, and acc.

1. Get rid of those beetle earings! Personally, I've been wearing wing earrings for a while, but i've really been meaning to upgrade to drone earrings.

2. On my fingers, I'm rockin those sphene rings (vit +2). They are good, no need to splurge on the verve rings unless you have 160k that you don't need.

3. For the necklace, I would go with a medieval collar.

4. On your back, I would rock an Earth Mantle.

5. Be ready at lvl 48 to upgrade your belt to a Life Belt.

6. Be ready at lvl 48 to get a Viking Axe and a Gigant Axe.

Everything else is exactly what I was wearing at that lvl (with the exception of the ranged acc boosting stuff since I don't care too much about that)

Hmm, I should wear my vit stuff and see what kind of difference it makes. I already have 2 Stamina Rings, a Medievel collar, and Drone Earrings (I'm not RICH, I inherted them).

I'll give that a shot for my next Static, and see if it makes any sort of differnce ^^

 

[Chouzan]

Ok, do you get any skillup's still? Are you able to keep your skill maxed? I'm a Drk in my scenerio and get no skill-ups. Everything I have comes from a lowly lvl13 rng. Im sorry to hi-jack your thread. Im a mage main trying to learn all I can about being melee.

Well, I don't know exactly what drk's skill rating with a bow is, but I'd imagine that it is pretty low. So, if you want to hit anything at all, you MUST have that skill capped.

These are some useful charts that I found for determining what mobs will give me skill up to what lvl.

http://www.geocities.co.jp/Playtown-Part/6371/skill1.gif

http://www.geocities.co.jp/Playtown-Part/6371/skill2.gif

Looking at those charts, if you find the point at which your character level and your skill rating (a,b,c,d) meet, you will find your skill cap for that weapon. Then look to the right for mobs that will skill you to that point. It's a bit confusing at first, but it is actually really helpful.

So, using those charts, you should be able to figure out where to go to work your archery skill up to somewhere close to cap. After that, it will take a cooperative party to help you cap it.

 

[Kipsy]

Ok, do you get any skillup's still? Are you able to keep your skill maxed? I'm a Drk in my scenerio and get no skill-ups. Everything I have comes from a lowly lvl13 rng. Im sorry to hi-jack your thread. Im a mage main trying to learn all I can about being melee.

Nah, it's only about 76, and I get between .1 to .5 when I hit. ^^

 

[Rappa]

Well, about your rings... it would be nice for you to have rings that enhance your VIT, but at the same time a War tank has to hit a lot to help keep damage, and since you're an Elvaan, that's not always so easy. I would keep at least one +DEX ring if not both. While you're at it, upgrade to Deft Rings. They were selling outlandish cheap back when I bought them (I think 75k apiece 1.5-2 months ago). Dunno about now.

Earrings you should ditch as well. Avenger's would rock, but alternatively I would go for either Gold Earrings or Drone Earrings.

Neck should be Medieval Collar. I wouldn't worry too much about belt cause you'll probably just get Life Belt at 48. Um, I think that's about it. Just whatever keeps me alive during fights!

 

[Kipsy]

Well, about your rings... it would be nice for you to have rings that enhance your VIT, but at the same time a War tank has to hit a lot to help keep damage, and since you're an Elvaan, that's not always so easy. I would keep at least one +DEX ring if not both. While you're at it, upgrade to Deft Rings. They were selling outlandish cheap back when I bought them (I think 75k apiece 1.5-2 months ago). Dunno about now.

Earrings you should ditch as well. Avenger's would rock, but alternatively I would go for either Gold Earrings or Drone Earrings.

Neck should be Medieval Collar. I wouldn't worry too much about belt cause you'll probably just get Life Belt at 48. Um, I think that's about it. Just whatever keeps me alive during fights!

Rappa <3

I really do think I'm going to spend the next BCNM winnings on a Avengers earring, because I can use it as Monk too obviously. It's 150k, about the range of a second astral ring. And as of right now, I don't bloody need a second astral ring.

You're silly though Rappa, you should have told me all this IN-GAME

 

[Songi_]

I don't know much about equipment at that level, but you should definitely replace your balance rings with ametrine rings, it's the same bonus for a lower price.

 

[Kipsy]

I don't know much about equipment at that level, but you should definitely replace your balance rings with ametrine rings, it's the same bonus for a lower price.

I'm keeping the balance rings for other classes though. As an Elvaan I can't hit a damn thing, so, I'm using the Balance rings for Monk, and THF as of right now ^^;

 

[Rappa]

You're silly though Rappa, you should have told me all this IN-GAME

But I'm at work! And even though we of course have machines where I could play FFXI here, I'm pretty sure that the bosses might consider that a "lack of productivity" :wink:

 

[Kipsy]

You're silly though Rappa, you should have told me all this IN-GAME

But I'm at work! And even though we of course have machines where I could play FFXI here, I'm pretty sure that the bosses might consider that a "lack of productivity" :wink:

True enough!

 

[Faedryth]

Yes most assuredly get rid of the Beetle Earrings +1. I dont know if there are any Vit+ earrings or not but you might consider dodge earrings. They are kinda pricey I believe but if you can afford them, +6 evasion can only help when tanking I believe ^^.

 

[Eni]

here's my take on avenger's earring

i actually bought two of those thinking of what you said ( more counters )
150k and 160k >_<

well i used it for a while.... but i didnt notice much difference
so i sold them and bought 2 drone earrings instead... 2 for 30k

once you hit 50... there's other gears that you will need to to upgrade that will need some investment... iron musketeer/royal kinght stuff

btw in Lv 48... 500exp tnl to 49 ^^

 

[Runekane]

I disagree with the other posters about getting +Evasion stuff. A Warrior's Evasion skill is something around C-... you're not going to dodge very often, although your evasion, especially as a tanking warrior, will pretty much always be maxed. I don't see much of a reason to wear ANY Evasion gear.

When I was playing WAR (both /MNK and /THF all the way to 43), I tanked with Beetle Earring +1, the -10 Evasion Mantle you mentioned, and +VIT rings. You're not a PLD, you're not a NIN.

As a WAR, you hold your hate through damage and your ability to soak it up, and spamming job abilities as a WAR/MNK, as I'm sure you're well aware of. I can remember only a few instances in which I lost hate between 20 and 43 when tanking, and all times a trigger-happy RNG using early Barrages were involved.

You contribute something a PLD or NIN tank can't offer: a viable SC option (with all due respect to NIN's, Katana don't chain very well), and solid damage over time. Just as a PLD focuses solely on defense and a NIN leans toward offense and evasion, find the common ground. I personally would ditch your DEX rings for some STR or VIT rings... I think DEX is overrated for any non-THF job, personally. That's just my opinion. I almost guarantee you won't miss your 4 dexterity. And Elvaan DEX is just as good as a Taru or a Hume, maybe 1 measly point less. I don't think youre going to go on a whiff spree because you have 36 DEX and not 40 (whichever it is).

I think the results from a high STR against IT++ will show a lot more than the benefits of a +4 to DEX. I'd say get some Garnet Rings and keep your Stamina Rings on hand in case you're tanking IT++, and keep the Garnet when you're chaining low IT's, as you'll tear through them quicker and won't NEED as much defense/VIT. I like the -10 Evasion mantle because it offers great VIT and Defense for that level. I'm a TARU and I tanked this way very well... you're Elvaan, so you should have an even easier time employing the same gear tactics.

Summing up...

Keep the Beetle+1's because +6 Attack -4 Evasion > 6 AGI for the ocassional dodge/parry... +6 attack will show more over the course of a party than +6 AGI.

Invest in some STR rings, and I believe low Elvaan ACC is a myth.

Balance out your attack and defensive capabilities in your gear, and some gear-swap macros can help out pretty well for when you are pulling in a really tough mob, or a not-so-tough one. ^^ Stay on your toes, and you'll continue to tear through stuff, I'm sure. IF IT WORKED FOR A TARU, it can work for J00!

Edit: Medieval Collar for tanking WAR over Spike Necklace, but that's still a close toss-up... Avenger's if you can afford them (I'd counter 2-3 times a fight on average without them, upping that to 4-5 a fight would be very well worth the gil, especially if you could afford both of 'em)... Combat Caster's Boomerrang +1 will let you out-pull other pullers with the lower delay, and when in areas (in or out) of your control (I can't remember which it is), gives +4 ACC and +4 RACC, which is very nice indeed. ~30k or so.

 

[Runekane]

Sorry for the long post. ; ;

Oh, to help with your bow if you insist on using it, use this SPECIAL macro!

/equip Ring1 "Carapace Ring"
/equip Ring2 "Carapace Ring"
/ra <t>
/wait 7
/equip Ring1 "Whateveryou'reusing Ring"
/equip Ring2 "Whateveryou'reusing Ring"

Should give you another +10 RACC or so... not sure what the bonus on the carapaces are, but I know they're level 40 something rings. :-/ Hope this helps...

 

[Kipsy]

Thank you for all your help Rune, but, low Elvaan ACC is totally not a myth. I take off my Dex rings, I wiff like nothing else. ;_;. I am considering however, getting Deft Ring (+3 dex) and perhaps a Vit ring.

 

[Chouzan]

I totally forgot about the Combat Caster's Boomerang +1. I love mine. +4 acc and +4 r. acc in areas outside my nations control. Being from Bastok, that works out nicely.

Personnally, I disagree about the dex issue. I'm an elvaan as well. I ditched my balance rings at 37, went with the sphene rings and didn't notice any trouble. You've got an acc boost from your shield (and the boomerang if you get it). You should have just earned the Aggressor ability which enhances you acc (plus when you hit 50, you will have access to Focus from subbing mnk). You've got Life belt and Viking axe coming up soon... Plenty of acc boosts.

As far as the evasion issue goes, it is true that wars have cruddy eva (D). However, I just don't see a need to gimp it any further for anything less than a Viking Axe (but that's just my opinion). That's why I do not wear the beetle earrings +1. I tanked for my static as war/mnk all the way through the 40's and had no trouble. Recently I've switched to War/Nin. My static seems to like that better. Personally, I feel like War/Mnk was the better job to tank with though.