[Armando]

If only RDM could use Heart Snatcher.

Heart Snatcher is garbage.

[Raydeus]

All the more reason to let RDM use it.

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

Originally Posted by Armando

While I agree with BBQ, I don't feel Swift Belt should be on the list of expected/required items, as it can take quite a few attempts to get one, and there isn't a large gap in performance between Life Belt and Swift Belt.

Perhaps, but I was just giving examples. Foobar doesn't have SB at all, its just something I'm working on soon (helps when you can solo Stegos on BST without them looking at you). Life Belt is sufficient, but most of my ideal RDM melee gear is on Kitten's COR, not Foobar, so my RDM can't use half of it.

For all purpose melee, though, the rest still stands. With few exceptions, CORs get everything a RDM gets to melee in. And with Haste buffs to go with it, its wonderful.

I'm stll iffy about picking it back up, but if the Enspell II effects are strong enough, I might consider it. I seriously want to cry every time I see a RDM melee in Morrigan's or a SH and that's it, though. Kinda says, "I worked my ass off to look like a complete moron. But Joyeuse makes it all OK, right?"

[Taskmage]

As far as that gear list, I'd like to add that Vendor's/Prince's Slops are a versatile and relatively inexpensive replacement for Pln Seraweels. I'm lucky enough to have Nashira pants and use those to melee to stack on more haste. Assault Jerkin is also a nice piece which I tend to use more than the Khazagand because my acc is fine on the level of target I usually engage. Amemet Mantle +1, Fencer's Ring and an acc ring should go on the list, plus some sort of acc on the neck. Hollow and Suppa are obviously great if you choose to get them. Otherwise pretty spot on.

[WishMaster3K]

This just in, TM, Odude is on the cusp of convincing me to go to Lakshmi :-/

[Taskmage]

:O We'd love to have you.

[WishMaster3K]

Onwards, to PM!

[Sabaron]

As I have said, before, my new favorite RDM dagger (apart from Mandau), is this guy:

Zareehkl Jambiya

As a RDM, it is easy to adjust your HP:MP ratio (all RDMs have Convert Gear). BRD does this, too. Once you get enough Convert power to shift 25% of your HP, you can yellow your own HP by doing a gear swap.

Zareehkyl's has a better damage code than Blau Dolch, but it can't beat Blau's DoT. However, since you're using Joyeuse for basic DPS and TP building, there's no reason not to set up the main with a higher damage code on Evisceration. This is especially useful since RDM DD builds inevitably rely on lots of Haste and can build TP relatively quickly with Joyeuse.

As for getting through Golden Salvage, it was and still is very easy. The new method involves using SMN or /SMN.

When I did Golden Salvage, I used to have a semi-static little group that always went. Myself as RDM/SMN, a RNG/SMN, and then a leeching WHM/BLM for Tractor Raise III (or when unavailable, any job with Tractor/Raise). Essentially this:

You may use Carbuncle which is elementary on main SMN, but if you're only /SMN then you should use Garuda and have her cast Aerial Armor.

You summon the avatar; run up to the chest, and if garuda attacks, you run away as fast as you can. As long as it has enmity on Garuda, it won't use Draw In on you. If you get beyond aggro range, it will deagg. Rinse Repeat. Fun and Easy.

The only problem occurs if either your avatar dies before you get far enough away or if you aggro the fish in the fish area. The WHM/BLM solves this problem. This is also why if you're /SMN or if you're like me, your SMN is only level 33 or is otherwise gimp. Garuda's Aerial Armor shadows give you much more time. Of course, if you're main SMN carby can tank for quite a long while and is thus more efficient than Garuda.

[Aksannyi]

If you use Distance plugin it's also very easy to just have one person /nin and check the chest, the other must have ranged attack and stand between a certain distance (think 24.7-25.0? not 100% sure) and ranged attack. The chest will deaggro and you move on to the next one.

[Raydeus]

Oh, I feel old now, guess I need to check what new daggers/swords (and armor) are out there. o_O


Edit > Never mind, that's a lot of hoops to jump for this particular RDM. <_<;

[Electricity Gone Human]

Finally, a serious thread. Here's a situation I'd do over and over again:

I did a 6-man Merit Party pre-Composure a while ago for around 15K/hour on Greater Colibri, with the following setup:
RDM/NIN, BRD/NIN, 3 Piercing-type DD/NIN (RNG or SAM with Polearm) and a DRG/Mage.

Pros:
- Allows RDM to melee while sharing support duties
- RDM and DRG can split between healing with Cure III and Healing Breath
- BRD can pull and buff as usual
- Pianissimo buffs for RDM
- High Piercing-Based damage for faster kills
- Crowd Control for links/adds
- More Pullers in case main puller is in a rut

Cons:
- Requires a lot of attention, MP-Wise and up front. This is not for everyone.
- High Damage may kill mobs too fast to keep chain (Ex.: Multiple WS being used can take down mob in seconds)
- Sleeping adds risks Colibri's mimic to sleep RDM when shadows are down
- DRG/mage adds to the refresh, amount of MP DRG has affects importance
- Freak Multiple Pecking Flurries may affect MP usage from Curing
- Limits Haste to RDM, DRG, and DDs taking most hate

That's the gist of it. Realistically speaking from experience alone, about half of the merit parties in the game are below the 20K/HR standard, so don't be surprised if you come out slightly lower than that. Some elements can be made better with the options available, however, and can improve overall performance. Have fun!

[MrMageo]

New update says Goliard and Nash pants if ACC +10 or greater

New set up will be

Joyeuse/Sentinel/-/Tsting
Wturban/PCC/Suppa/Hollow
Goliard/Dusk+1/Snipers+1/Fencers
Foragers/Vbelt/Nash/Dusk+1

/DNC is ACC +10, /WAR if ACC +20

Joyeuse Delay with full haste of 87 (or 1.41 seconds per swing) you worry about the rest.

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

I'd also say maybe even consider using Goliard for the haste if your accuracy isn't a big issue.

Important to keep in mind that depending on the situation itself, your accuracy might vary. People will try to apply Goliard or Morrigan and because it worked in Campaign, city Dynamis or Limbus they think it will work anywhere.

Not so, cannon fodder mobs in those situations have blatantly lowered evasion. IT++ EXP mobs would actually have higher evasion in most cases. So the situation must always be considered.

I don't see why RDMs themselves would be fixated on Goliard for melee when they wouldn't gain as much from the Haste there as they would the accuracy from Paluwahn or attack from AJ. Haste elsewhere I can see because it comes with Accuracy or Attack stats as well, Turban notwithstanding.

[Callisto]

The largest issue was space before, luckily satchel will fix that. I TP'd in Goliard Saio because I always had to have it on me no matter what, meanwhile making room for Pahluwan Khazagand was a whole other story.

You're correct though, and it should be handled the same way you handle gear sets for debuffing or nuking, one for high accuracy and one for potency(or in this case Haste) when your Acc is already high.

I have to rebuy some crap like Ogre Ledelsens when satchel comes as well, but I'm pretty excited at the idea of always having my melee gear on me.

[Aksannyi]

True that. I did mean situationally even though I didn't say it. If I could get my hands on Goliard, I'd melee in that on WHM over Reverend for certain mobs.