Merits (probably again).

[elanria]

Alright, I know this has probably been re-hashed a few hundred times on these boards, but unfortunately my "Search" option is not working. (Probably cuz I'm at work and behind a pretty severe proxy).

I've got level 2 Crit Hits right now. I've got level 1 Polearm modification. (So a total of 3 merits spent thus far).

My question is what exactly is the point of raising Polearm skill??? At 75, without the mods, I was capped at 276 polearm skill (I think), was almost never missing, and was doing more DMG per swing than everyone I met except for a scythe-wielding DRK. So again I ask: "What is the point in raising Polearm skill?

Does it give less delay to your weapon (highly doubtful)? Does it mean you'll do more dmg per swing??? What's the deal?

[pearlsea]

Each polearm skill you get now will give you +0.9 attack and accuracy, while its not much it does allow you to free up some accuracy or attack slots for other fancy things like haste.

[Mouser]

Like many things in FFXI, one small boost isn't noticable, but together they make a difference. Considering how much people spend on ACC or ATK gear, getting approximately +14 ACC and ATK for free is pretty good. With capped polearm merits, a few bits of accuracy gear and Hasso (/SAM), I can use meat instead of sushi.

My setup is (DRG/SAM):

Weapon: Mezraq (+2 STR, +2 VIT)
Ranged: Angons
Head: Wyvern Helm (+5 STR)
Neck: Chivalrous Chain (+5 ACC, +3 STR, +1 Store TP)
Body: Amir Korazin (+12 ATK, Enhance Zanshin)
Ear1: Coral Earring (+5 ATK) (8 coins away from Brutal :D)
Ear2: Coral Earring (+5 ATK)
Hands: Wyrm Finger Gauntlets (+5 ACC)
Ring1: Woodsman Ring (+5 ACC)
Ring2: Rajas Ring (+2~5 STR, +2~5 DEX, +5 Store TP)
Belt: Potent Belt (+3 STR, +8 ACC)
Legs: Barone legs (+2 STR, +5 ATK, +2 Jump TP)
Feet: Barone feet (+2 STR, +6 ATK)
Back: Amemet Mantle+1 (+2 STR, +15 ATK)

Gear Total: +23 ACC, +24 STR, +48 ATK, +6 Store TP

Food: Sis Kebabi (+6 STR, +70 ATK)

Hasso: +5 STR, +10 ACC, -10% Delay

Grand Total: +33 ACC, +35 STR, +118 ATK

Merits: Polearm-8 (+16 skill), Critical Hits-4, Jump-4, High Jump-3, Angon-1, Deep Breathing-1, Empathy-1, Strafe-1

[elanria]

Next merit question: Is there a limit to how many merits I can distribute? I know that each skill/ability set has a max to how many you can put in, but what I'm asking is: Can I merit everything there is to be merited on DRG? Or can I only merit like 9 or 10 things?

[Omni]

All you can ever want to know about merits

http://wiki.ffxiclopedia.org/Merits

[elanria]

I'll have to check it out when I get home. Sprint's proxy servers have the site blocked. ><

[Omni]

Here's a snipit that might help you.

Upgrades in the following merit point categories affect all of a player's jobs, as per the table above.
There is a limit on the total number of upgrades that can be done in each category ("Max combo").
* Example: A player can perform 8 upgrades on HP; 4 upgrades on HP and 4 upgrades on MP; 8 upgrades on MP; or any other combination adding up to 8. However, upgrading both HP and MP 8 times is not possible.
There is a limit on the total number of upgrades that can be done on each item ("Max per item").
The number of merit points that are required per upgrade increase cumulatively as you complete each upgrade for that item.
* Example 1: The first MP upgrade costs 1 merit. The second upgrade costs 2 merits. The third upgrade costs 3 merits. The fourth upgrade costs 4 merits. The fifth upgrade costs 5 merits. The sixth, seventh, and eighth upgrades cost 5 merits each.
* Example 2: If a player wanted to upgrade HP 4 times and MP 4 times, the HP upgrades would cost 1, then 2, then 3, then 4 merits, and the MP upgrades would cost 1, then 2, then 3, then 4 merits.

[elanria]

Perfect! Answers my questions. Exactly what I was looking for, thanks!

[tdh]

The link Omni dropped is pretty much the best place for Merit questions, and I was going to link it as well along with the following information.

Each category has a limit on how many Merits you can dump into the category, and each list of Merit options in that category have a limit as well. So Combat Skills has a limit of 12 total Merits, but each Skill has a cap of 8 Merits.

Check the link for all the other important information about the Merit system.

[Deeman]

Plus merits are fun for capped things such as Panty Raids (CoP areas where u hunt subligars) and BCs.