Rampart/Sentinel Changes

[Armando]

It seems the damage reduction decreases over time (although it doesn't really go very low.) So, it looks like it's technically not a full invincible even with Valor Boots (not that it isn't reeeeally good either way.)

As BLU/PLD, you takes 180 damage from 1000 needles.

Pretty cool to see they didn't nerf it much when subbed. That's an odd number, though; did you use Sentinel when you saw the cactuar readying 1000 Needles, or beforehand?

I also tried some spells but couldn't really find a higher tier'd one than the one i got last night, and even with Tier 1 (Thundaga), it did 27 on me while with Rampart it did 0. I need more higher tiered Spells, maybe i'll go camp the higher tier'd mobs to get more tests on this. Can anyone give me more tests on this seeing I just got back after a 1 month and 1 week hiatus off the game (due to drama)

Mob abilities should also count. Try Bomb Toss? Or maybe go poke some Liches or Hecteyes, they'll probably start casting Ancient Magic.

[Lmnop]

since people say Fafhog's Wing ability is so consistent in damage, that's prolly the best bet for playing wiht Rampart numbers.

With regards to the (OMG!) changes to Sentinel: I would prolly use berserk after activating Sentinel. Nothing says "put on more DD" like getting an uber defensive buff.

I could see it useful in fast chaining parties. Between this and Chivalry, you have a couple methods to occasionally provide "Breathers."

There's a brilliance to this change that I don't think anyone's touched on yet -- when a PLD takes too little damage, he can't gain suficient hate via self-curing. The "enmity boost" was likely implemented to counter just that. So he could cure himself less but gain hate just the same. Every 5 minutes, start fight with Sentinel -> Berserk -> equip swap -> Vorpal Blade. Healer can rest for catch-up. Of course, curing yourself in that time would be nice.

[eva00r]

I'll eat some Citadel Busters today ... maybe I can give you some more info with Sentinel/Rampart, as PLD/NIN.

As BLU/PLD, I popped my Sentinel 2 seconds before the 1000 needles were going to hit me. I guess I took 1 or 2 hits from physical attack before 1000 needles. Maybe the damage reduction function is proportionate to # of times that you take damage.

Please try a big link of crab in kuftal and tell us.

[Armando]

since people say Fafhog's Wing ability is so consistent in damage, that's prolly the best bet for playing wiht Rampart numbers.

Yeah, that would be the most appropriate thing. Not sure if I mentioned this before, but supposedly someone blocked out a Hurricane Wing completely with Rampart.

With regards to the (OMG!) changes to Sentinel: I would prolly use berserk after activating Sentinel. Nothing says "put on more DD" like getting an uber defensive buff.

Right you are. There were a couple of times I forgot to cancel Berserk with Defender after Vorpal Blade, and I honestly didn't see the difference with Sentinel up XD And yeah, having 30 seconds of near-zero damage every 5 minutes was soooooo awesome.

As BLU/PLD, I popped my Sentinel 2 seconds before the 1000 needles were going to hit me. I guess I took 1 or 2 hits from physical attack before 1000 needles. Maybe the damage reduction function is proportionate to # of times that you take damage.

Please try a big link of crab in kuftal and tell us.

I doubt it depends on the number of times you get hit (certainly isn't based on damage, or it would practically turn off after 1000 Needles XD), but it could be easily tested. And no, I'm not training kuftal crabs, not at level 60 ;P

EDIT:

I used Rampart in the Mire on an Imp this morning and it completely nullified a Firaga II for the whole pt. Rampart is just as good as Sentinal now.

I've never partied in the mire, obviously, but a Firaga II from a VT mob is nothing to scoff at, I would guess. Sounds hot.

[JP_Ikari]

I haven't been able to find a mob lately to really mess around with before getting invited to a party (after 1 year and 9 months, I finally got an invite to a party >.>). While the damage reduction is high with Sentinel, any action you do afterward gains more enmity. So per hit you do, per JA you do, and per cure (even when it's small) gains a bigger enmity count now with Sentinel on. So the dynamic on how a PLD is played is sort of changed nowadays with these new changes. I used to cycle 4 of my JA's (Sentinel -> Shield Bash -> Rampart -> then Warcry with WAR sub) during an EXP party, but Sentinel just makes it fun not to unleash another JA just for tests purposes. And so far I'm really laughing at this change because it seems easier to keep hate now with it.

As for Rampart, I haven't fought an AM or tier III/IV caster yet to fully test it's capabilities, but my LS leader killed Genbu the other day, and supposedly his Waterga III did crap damage with Rampart on. Not sure though, since there was no SS's about it. I'll test it some more either tommorow in sky or whenever.

JP

[Karinya]

I used Rampart against a ninja in Dynamis last night and nobody in my party died; I took under 500 damage, with barfira but without diamondhide/earthen ward. Several people in other parties did die, mostly BLMs (they keep trying to stun and nuke and not leave them to people with the HP to survive their attacks; arrogance is pratically a job trait for BLMs). Unfortunately I neglected to ask anyone else to give me their exact damage taken (need so many filters for dynamis >.>), but it seems pretty strong.

Does anyone know if there has been any testing yet on the effect of Valor Coronet with the new Rampart? Does it increase the damage absorbed or only the duration like it used to? I was wearing Koenig Schaller at the time, it didn't occur to me until later that it might be worth swapping in Valor Coronet now.

P.S. Unfortunately, I can confirm the thing about Sentinel weakening over time (or possibly over number of times hit, I can't be certain yet). But I still got crit for 0 by a Vanguard Grappler when I used Sentinel (swapping in valor leggings) to counter his Hundred Fists. XD

[Armando]

Those are some very good things to hear about Rampart. And nope, I don't know if anyone's done any tests, sorry Anyways, does it wear off after taking a certain ammount of damage? Also,

But I still got crit for 0 by a Vanguard Grappler when I used Sentinel (swapping in valor leggings) to counter his Hundred Fists. XD

<3

[JP_Ikari]

I exp'd with my Valor Coronet last night, but again, besides the 10 second increase on Rampart duration, I didn't fight any mobs that casted any high tier'd spells. I'll see Thursday if there's any changes on it. I think Sentinel works like Phalanx, where it's a certain amount of HP is blocked before it goes away seeing I did notice it weaking over time while I was fighting Battle Buggards and Greater Colibri's last night. Again not sure seeing my LS has been unlucky on Windhurst the last time I was there with Valor and since this new changes happened I doubt I'll be getting any Valor leggings anytime soon T_T.

JP

[Icemage]

I used Rampart against a ninja in Dynamis last night and nobody in my party died; I took under 500 damage, with barfira but without diamondhide/earthen ward. Several people in other parties did die, mostly BLMs (they keep trying to stun and nuke and not leave them to people with the HP to survive their attacks; arrogance is pratically a job trait for BLMs). Unfortunately I neglected to ask anyone else to give me their exact damage taken (need so many filters for dynamis >.>), but it seems pretty strong.

The reasons BLMs nuke Ninjas in Dynamis isn't hubris, it's common sense. Mijin Gakure bases its damage on current HP - the lower you get it down before it blows up, the less damage you take. Why they're casting Stun, though, I have no idea, except sheer habit.

Of course, if you're a Tarutaru BLM with 600HP, you might consider staying the heck out of range until it's safe to come in with Stoneskin.

I routinely survive Mijin Gakure as a Tarutaru WHM/BLM, but I run with just under 1100 HP with my setup for Dynamis.

The changes to Rampart and Sentinel are really tasty all around no matter how you slice it, though. This has been a VERY good update for Paladins, no doubt about it (even if Sentinel's effect fades a bit over time).


Icemage

[dirtyclown]

So does this mean I get to pop Sentinel while fighting Maat and lol at his Asuran Fists damage?

[Armando]

If you see it coming, yeah. Would so be annoying if he pops Sentinel right before you WS, though XD

[Celeal]

If Maat pops Sentinel, I am wondering would WS like Sprirt Within would ignore Sentinel?

[Armando]

It should. Spirits Within is in the same category of damage as Chi Blast ("spiritual damage," I believe is what they call it.) It's a lot closer to magic damage than physical. I'm not sure if "Magic damage taken -X%" gear stops Spirits Within, though.

Edit: I would rather kite him, though.

[Icemage]

It should. Spirits Within is in the same category of damage as Chi Blast ("spiritual damage," I believe is what they call it.) It's a lot closer to magic damage than physical. I'm not sure if "Magic damage taken -X%" gear stops Spirits Within, though.

Spirits Within is Physical damage, though it is does trigger some magic-like things such as Magic Resistance. It ignores Defense, but enemies with physical damage resistance resist it like any other physical attack (i.e. enemies that have Invincible up will still take 0 damage). It closely resembles Physical Blue Magic in this respect.


Icemage

[Armando]

Really? That's very interesting. Well, I'm a little smarter now. Thanks for the info.