Mnk/sam?

[Icemage]

It occurs to me that while the new update to Samurai obviously benefits WAR, DRG, DRK, the claws used by a Monk are also 2-handed weapons... and should theoretically be able to trigger both Hasso and Seigan right?

So why is no one talking about this?

From the POL Update News: http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics...87/detail.html

The next version update will feature adjustments to several jobs. We would like to take this opportunity to detail upcoming changes to the samurai job in particular. In addition, the FINAL FANTASY XI development team plans to continue making adjustments in accordance with the announcements made at the Tokyo Game Show's Vanafesta 2006.

Adjustments to the Samurai Job

The samurai's job abilities and traits are often needed for specific situations, but tend not to stand out in experience-gaining parties. The next version update will address this issue as well as make the samurai a more viable support job for main jobs that utilize two-handed weapons.

[New Job Abilities]
Both an offensive and defensive job ability will be added. The casting intervals were made shorter than the durations so that players can use the abilities whenever they are needed. In addition, the abilities are learned at a level low enough to allow their use even when samurai is set as a support job.

· Hasso (Level 25; Recast: 1 minute; Duration: 5 minutes)
Grants a bonus to attack speed, accuracy, and Strength when using two-handed weapons.

· Seigan (Level 35; Recast: 1 minute; Duration: 5 minutes)
Grants a bonus to Third Eye when using two-handed weapons.

Seigan and Third Eye
While Seigan is in effect, the recast time for the Third Eye job ability will be decreased by half. In accordance, the duration for "Third Eye" will be adjusted.

Also, with the next version update, the player may counterattack or keep the effect of Third Eye when the player evades an attack using the Third Eye job ability. The chance that the player will keep the Third Eye effect even after evading will gradually decrease from the time the ability is used.

Points to Note:
- The effects of Hasso and Seigan do not overlap. If both abilities are used, only the most recently activated ability will take effect.
- Hasso and Seigan will only take effect when the player is equipped with a two-handed weapon.
- A penalty will be imposed on magic, song, and ninjutsu recast time while Hasso or Seigan is in effect.

[Changes to Existing Abilities]
The job trait Overwhelm will be adjusted to be more effective against high-level enemies, and the job trait Zanshin will be adjusted to increase the effectiveness of the job trait Ikishoten.

- The duration of the job ability Third Eye will be changed to 30 seconds.
- The job trait Zanshin will be acquired at level 20.

Icemage

[ikkleste]

whats more is that although i don't think it's this update monk is getting more stances itself. This could be very interesting depending on how the monk stances combine with Hasso and Seigan. combining Sam's defensive abilities with potential mnk defensive abilities, could *dreams* open up mnk tanking for a pick up exp party. I'd be all over monk in an instant if that happened.

[Armando]

I hate to rain on people's parades, but I doubt H2H is a two-handed weapon; it doesn't have any of its properties I don't believe it's one-handed, either. One-handed weapons attack once, only take up the main slot, and allow you to equip something in the sub slot. Two-handed weapons attack once, and take up both slots. H2H attacks with both hands, but takes up both slots. Moreover, both one-handed and two-handed weapons allow you to parry, H2H weapons don't - they only guard. Also, I read on Allakhazam that people were trying to Weapon Bash with H2H, and got the "This ability requires having a two-handed weapon equipped" message. Everything points to H2H being its own category of weapons.

[Icemage]

Depends on how it's viewed, I guess. You can't equip a shield or a sub-weapon with claws, and that to me suggests it's a "2-handed weapon" but the Weapon Bash thing is definitely a point against.

Guess we'll have to try it and see when the update hits.


Icemage

[Raitox]

MNK/DRK. Weapon Bash. "You need to have a 2 handed weapon equipped to use this ability". Nope.

[Auron517]

Yeah, HtH is not considered a 2-Handed weapon. Monks hits twice, sorta like dual wielding single handed weapons, and has martial arts traits similar to Nin's dw trait, to make them strike faster.

Interestingly enough, HtH isn't single or 2 handed, it's a different category of weapons. Go to your equipment screen and hover your cursor over the "Main" slot. It will say (Single-Handed, Two-Handed, and Hand-to-Hand weapons). Looks like Monks won't be getting any /sam love this time around.

[Icemage]

Hmm.. disappointing, I suppose. I just checked in game and saw what you're talking about. Ah, well... not that monks need a ton of boosting anyway.


Icemage

[Lmnop]

actually, after this update, one-handers have /nin and 2-handers have /sam, but Mnks will be left being the only DD guarenteed to get hit. Neither defensive-offensive sub will benefit Mnk outside of the protection they give.

The one exception is that technically, mnk/sam will be a bit better because at least you get Meditate, and the Third Eye changes will hopefully compete enough with blinks to be considered an able defense. Still say every Mnk should have an AGI + Crow gear swap.

[Icemage]

I agree that none of the subjobs really is "awesome" for Monks
- WAR has Berserk, Defender and Double Attack
- THF has Sneak Attack + Trick Attack
- NIN has Utsusemi (but nothing else)
- SAM has Store TP, Meditate, and Third Eye (but loses the benefit of the new abilities, which is still sort of bad).

It's fortunate that Monk is a pretty complete job all on its own, and doesn't really need too much help from a subjob to be effective.


Icemage

[Jei]

h2h is a 2 handed weapon? :O
What you said make sense about not being able to equip shields etc.
I guess we'll find out for sure once these abilities are released.

[Dryhus]

The dawn of the staff-MNK rises.