A set-up question on the 3-person BCNM's

[DR2D2]

I have only attempted a 3-person BCNM a couple of times(never have actually beaten 1), and am wondering what would be a good set-up. I am manly after a good set-up for the 2 lizard BCNM, but will take suggestions on any of the 3-person BCNM's.


My other question is a good set-up for the 4 hound BCNM.

[IfritnoItazura]

RDM/NIN, NIN/RDM, NIN/BLM for BCNM40 "Under Observation".

RDM kites the big critter (and use Bind to answer Breakga), NIN's nuke the little critters while facing away. NIN's then go kill the big critter, with RDM healing (and nuke, for fun).

Easy victory, for moderate Gil return over time. ^_^; Recommend static and/or LS party for the peace of mind.

[Lunaryn]

Most of the 3-member BCNMs require a lot more focused strategies narrowing the viable choices. There's not really a lot of commonality from one to another allowing for them to be commented on generally. I strongly suggest looking up the Category:BCNM section of ffxiclopedia.org, there are good working suggestions for a lot of these.

The only BCNM I have personal experience with is Crustacean Conundrum (Neither THF nor DRK is highly sought for BCNMs). I do this with a small static mostly. Basic strategy calls for a NIN/WAR tank (some suggest THF/WAR, but this seems a lot more risky), an RDM (who does most of the work; check the info to see what enfeebs can be stuck on whom, also must melee with Enthunder up), and an appropriate DD (for this particular BCNM, number of times you can get any damage in is all that matters; DDs known to work for this third slot are RDM, SMN (using avatar melee), PUP, MNK/SMN (This does actually work, and when the MNK can 2-hour, the fight is even easier, but you need to 2-hour the weak crabs and save Carby for the strong one)).

NIN should be dual-wielding Platoon Daggers or the lowest-delay Katana available. Recommended food is Jack-o'-lantern. Throw on as much +Eva as you can. The crabs will eat your shadows fast. LEAVE AUTOTARGET OFF, and be careful not to provoke if your crab is almost dead.

RDM's job is complex and I'd rather leave it to our static's RDM to explain that role. Suffice to say, there are debuffs that you need to try to stick, and you'll be main-healing in all likelyhood. And meleeing. Enthunder is a must. Recommended weapons are Platoon Dagger or Beestinger. Some people call for RDM/NIN here and dual-wielded daggers, but it's probably not worth the bother, especially if you don't have two Platoon Daggers (or Platoon Dagger + Beestinger). I believe our RDM uses pies for food, haven't taken note of which one, check somepage and make your own judgement.

If the third job is also RDM, split duty with the other one; your roles are basically the same. If the third job is SMN, have Carby out as long as possible to wear down the Metal Crabs quickly, and melee with the lowest-delay weapon you can manage. If the third job is PUP, I don't have a lot of advice, your role should be relatively obvious. For MNK/SMN, you have a much more limited MP pool than SMN. When 2-houring, 2-hour immediately to kill off the Metal Crabs fast, then summon Carby to use against the Heavy Metal Crab. Otherwise, use Carby similar to SMN above.

[Jugil]

I am manly after a good set-up for the 2 lizard BCNM

I assume this is what you're after; enjoy:
Petrifying Pair

ffxiclopedia generally has strategies for common BC's

[Achaicus]

I read, some time ago, that the 3 crabs in that Conundrom BC each have low HP, but take 1 point of damage regardless of what any job may do. The strategy put forth was for each character to have a pet & for everyone to meelee. Anyone confirm this?

thx

- Greg W.

[Lunaryn]

...as detailed above, yes, everyone melees, and no, not everyone needs a pet. However, 2 out of 3 people should have a means of doing 'additional' damage, either by way of a pet or RDM's Enthunder. (The obvious choices for tank don't really have the option)

Note that Evasion-tanking is a good idea; although I can't speak to the effectiveness of WAR or PLD here more generally, Heavy Metal Crab has a Drain effect on his attacks, so every successful hit is a chance of his HP returning to full. While you will definitely get hit, minimizing the number of successful hits is critical.

Alternatively, I suspect a party of MNKs who all blow their 2-hour could eat these crabs for breakfast.

[Taskmage]

The last couple times I tanked the crab battle as nin, I used a Vulcan's Sword in the offhand to give myself an enfire effect. It's by no means necessary but if you're having trouble or going for the record and you can find one for a decent price, it might be the nudge you need.