I suck

[Pheonixhawk]

Finnaly I return to FFXI. First thing was first though. I felt I needed to get back into the flow of being a rdm. So I get my sword, shield, and I charge outside of Aht Urghan and fight colbri.


Well the first fight went horribly. I meleed, didnt make a stoneskin macro, my enfeebles wore off in a flash, bind sticked for about 3 seconds. Needless to say I got my arsh handed to me. Luckily I was able to bind and run away with 24 hp and 7 mp left. And this demon bird was a DC!

So I suck it up, charge out there again. This time with proper macro's. Well after a long battle... I got it down to 11% before I was burned out. I had chainspelled and everything and still it didnt die. I escaped that one with 6 health and 47 mp.

I guess im not as good of a rdm as I thought I was. Maybe Im just better off staying in parties and getting gimped to just refreshing... then again. Practice makes pefect.

[Keavy]

Well Pheonixhawk, remember my motto: If at first you don't succeed, whine until someone helps you

Seriously, are you using Phlanax, Protect IV, Regen, Refresh, Etc.? What's your gear like?

Also, if you see me on, say "Hello." I'm leveling my mule because I have a pair of new stalkers: A guy who wants to "Hit my weak point for massive damage" and a newbie who thinks I am a PLing ATM machine.

[Okuza]

Are you sure you grabbed the right sword? Not using an onion or something by mistake? Got your sub/nin on?

The lesser colibri die pretty fast, but then the only jobs I've solo'd them with are nin and thf/nin and colibri miss rate is 70%+ on those. Hardly even need to reblink.

Just be sure you aren't using food with a colibri. They steal your food buff. ><

[ScarlettPheonix]

For the colibiris I actually prefer to go /blm since you can Aspir them

Don't be discouraged, you said it yourself~ you haven't taken RDM out for a long time and its entirely possible that you were just >off< that night.

Give it another shot and you should be fine. The new areas are great places to solo, so keep at it^^

[Alya Mizar (Tsybil)]

For the colibiris I actually prefer to go /blm since you can Aspir them

WOW All those Cobris I soloed and I neverrr knew that.

Yes, /BLM works just fine on DC Cobris. Even with the gear I run.

AF gloves, boots, and pants, Wise Cap, Blue Coathardie, Royal Guard's Floret, Balance Buckler, Life Belt, Merman's Gorget. Everything else is pure mage gear. I may not hit hard, but on DCs I don't often miss.

[Kintrra]

This is a tip for all soloing them, and especially for sword wielders like RDM and PLD. Use a Rapier type sword against them. I personally use a Verdun myself while soloing them, since I've yet to get Joyeuse. Company Fleuret makes a good replacement to Verdun if you can't afford one. Mensur Epee is a damn good rapier type to use as well. Seeing as it has the highest base DMG of any rapier type in the game so far to my knowledge.

Reasoning behind this is easy. It's what I call the "THF effect". Although RNG and DRG get the same effect from it. Birds are weak to piercing type weapons. Unlike shortsword or longswords (like the Wise Wizard's Anelace, a fave among RDMs last I checked), the rapier types, while weaker and faster, get that piercing damage bonus, just like a THF's daggers. Spears and bows/Xbow's get it too. So make sure ya got the right sword on too. ^^

And yeah, Lesser Colibri's are magic resistant little cusses.

[Pheonixhawk]

Yes I had all my buff's up. Im using a wise Wizard's Anelace. That colbri was a demon bird I swear. Dont worry, im gonna keep trying till I win. I did get him down to 11% ^^

[Eviticus]

Funny, cause as a Drg/Blm I used to mow through DC-T Lesser Colibri like they were nothing. ^.^; Now I'm chaining Puks. (Sorry about the shameless Drg plug.)

But yeah, I do not recommend soloing the actual Colibri themselves.

Rdm casts Aspir on the Colibri.
The Colibri casts Aspir on the Rdm.

[Karou Ariyen]

Don't feel bad, Gulkeeva told me to solo colbri's for my level back... and well.... AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Nice Move Gulk xD I went Ka-Blooie

[Okuza]

the rapier types, while weaker and faster, get that piercing damage bonus

That's VERY interesting to hear.

I've often wondered if the "kunai" type for katana's was secretly a piecer; it would explain why Unji/Unsho do so well at many of the XP camps despite their lower dps. Every time I asked, I just got the same old "all katana slash, all swords slash" etc.. (And I wasn't motivated enough to buy and test parse things myself -- too much like work :/)

Anyway, happen to know of any variants in the "katana" class? Or perhaps know of any sites that have collected actual damage type data for weapons?

[Eviticus]

I'd not be suprised if SE pulled something like that. I've heard there is one H2H weapon that either does slashing or piercing, not sure which. Also, there is a lance called Bourdonesse or something at 72 that does bashing damage. Its damage isn't spectacular, it may actually be better to level Staff, hehe.

[Sugami]

Don't forget Ice Spikes! The Paralyze from those triggers a fair amount, it's nothing to sneeze at and you'll need it for recasting Stoneskin. Colibri are wind based so think that means Bind and Gravity will get resisted a fair deal. Also the standard ones (DC to 75s) will cast magic/songs/ninjutsu back at you.

There is one H2H weapon that does piercing I believe, "Bat Fangs" or something like that. Just like that Boudasomething Lance that does Blunt damage but with these weapons the standard damage is different but the WS is still same damage as the weapon type.
For that reason I think I'd rather use a Staff, SA works very well with Full Swing and Spirit Taker and Retribution are very nice.

[Pheonixhawk]

yep yesterday was a bad day. I PWNED THEM today. Killed two of em like it was cool.

[Alya Mizar (Tsybil)]

This is a tip for all soloing them, and especially for sword wielders like RDM and PLD. Use a Rapier type sword against them.... Company Fleuret makes a good replacement to Verdun if you can't afford one. Mensur Epee is a damn good rapier type to use as well. Seeing as it has the highest base DMG of any rapier type in the game so far to my knowledge.

The Mensur Epee is unique among Epees in that is a slashing weapon. It also has a hidded effect of growing stronger the fewer people there are in the party. Solo it rates Damage 47. RDMs are starting to rate this weapon as second only to the Joy Toy.

....Birds are weak to piercing type weapons. Unlike shortsword or longswords (like the Wise Wizard's Anelace, a fave among RDMs last I checked), the rapier types, while weaker and faster, get that piercing damage bonus, just like a THF's daggers. Spears and bows/Xbow's get it too. So make sure ya got the right sword on too. ^^

I absolutly despise the look of the Anelaces. I bought one because we were short on damage for Excavation Duty, and sold it the next day.

PH, this is one of the finest RDM weapons around:

Royal Guard's Fleuret L 55, Dmg: 33, Dly: 215, Parrying Skill: 5, Accuracy: 6

I got one the moment I could equip it. I will replace it at 73. I will admit that using it past 70 is pushing a little, but not much. The Acc +6 makes it a great skillup weapon.

[ScarlettPheonix]

Lesser Colibiris don't have that damned mimic trait/ability/whatever-its- called where they cast the same magic back at you, so it makes it pretty safe to just Aspir away

[Kintrra]

The Vampiric Claws are the H2H weapon that are rumored to have piercing damage. I have these, but I've yet to thoroughly test it as my H2H is somewhat lacking for facing Lessers atm.

Okuza, I'm not sure about that, but I'll do some testing, since my NIN is 67, I do have access to a good number of Kunai vs Tanto type Katanas.

If Mensur Epee truly does have slashing damage instead of piercing like most rapiers, it'll be a /very/ odd happening indeed. Once I have one I'll do some solo testing on the LC's to find out.


And just to give you an idea of how I discovered the damage bonus applying to rapiers. I usually wield my Company Sword, base DMG:46 (gets a bonus in a pt, but stays at 46 solo, so still good ^^). I typically deal out...IIRC, about 65-90 damage, clearing 100 on Criticals. Using Verdun, base DMG:36, I typically hit for anywhere from 90-115, Criticals up to 160. ^^;

Once I get the chance and get my H2H worked up some, I'll test the Vampiric Claws versus some Bone Patas I have sitting on a mule (yay for random freebie gifts, someone gave'em to me when my NIN was like 49...they're lv.56...on the mule they went! ). And while I'm at it, I'll try and remember to check the Kunai vs Tanto types of katanas. If nothing else I can go single wield and test my AFs, as weak as they are there should be a noticeable difference if they get the piercing damage as well.


Oh, and Eviticus, as to that Bashing type Polearm, I wouldn't scoff at it if you're fighting Undead or Magic Pots. A base DMG:72 may seem weak to you, but consider that the highest base DMG I've seen on any staff so far is 68, that's not bad. Especially considering that DD'ing in {sky}, I was the one constantly pulling hate on our NINs instead of everyone else. The damage for Bashing against Skeletons or Pots is just like Piercing against birds. 1.5x normal damage. Complete ownage against Skeles and Pots. I'd <3 to be able to use {Penta Thrust} with a bashing weapon on Skeles.

EDIT: ALL YOUR PAGE 2 ARE BELONG TO ME!!!

[Eviticus]

Yes, but the WS's on that lance are still Piercing type I think. Soo....normal hits, yay. Penta Thrust, maybe not so much. But better then nothing.

[Alya Mizar (Tsybil)]

An Alla thread named "Mensur Epee Rdm dream come true". In it you can see the testing that was done on this sword.

http://ffxi.allakhazam.com/db/jobs.html ... =46;page=1

On bones it outparses the Joy Toy. Bones have a strong resistance against Piercing.

Just looking at Katars one would think the whole darrrnit class would Pierce, after all the RL blades they were modled on do, but ours don't.... /sigh

Evicitus, WSs are based on the weapon class, not the type of damage any particular one does. The animations for most sword WSs are slashing as in Red Lotus Blade and Shining Blade (I love the crossover step in this one BTW [have I ever mentioned that I have studied stage combat and fencing?]), a few are done with the point like Spirits Within. But all do the same damage no matter wether the sword itself Slashes or Pierces.

[Kintrra]

Yeah, Tsybil and Eviticus are right, I forgot about that on the WSs. Cuz against the LCs....omg, if I could get Piercing Type Vorpal Blades, I'd probably hit for 1200+ constant. ><;

Oh, and no testing on those katana types yet, gotta wait till i can find time to get my AFs back out of storage.

[Sugami]

Just looking at Katars one would think the whole darrrnit class would Pierce, after all the RL blades they were modled on do, but ours don't.... /sigh

Almost all the attack actions are in a slashing motion, think they all are when dual wielding and only Rin and Ein have a stabbing/piercing motion to them (and one of the Ku stances).

I dunno I'd think that particular type of blade is good for both, if you'd favour stabbing/piercing to slashing it's be a thinner (possibly rounded) blade.

Oh, and Eviticus, as to that Bashing type Polearm, I wouldn't scoff at it if you're fighting Undead or Magic Pots. A base DMG:72 may seem weak to you, but consider that the highest base DMG I've seen on any staff so far is 68, that's not bad.

So Kinkobob and Primate have 68 damage huh? Hmm it's not too far behind 72 and the last 3 Staff WS are quite tastey though. I prefer some diversity in a job, Retribution looks hawt too

[Eviticus]

I really need to level my Staff, it's only at 150 now I think. Spirit Taker + Sanction Refresh= Drg can solo forever.

[Kintrra]

Yeah, Kinkobo and Primate Staff have DMG:68. Which isn't bad considering they still hit faster than most 2 handed weapons (although most polearms excepting certain lances are just as fast). Plus against Skeles and Pots it's just a massacre. I solo in the basement of Garlaige Citadel using it, and I can mop up just about anything down there, excepting the weapons of course.