Soloing M5-1

[Ruic]

Very interesting approach with RDM/DRG. But I must question... If 5% haste is that big of a deal, why not just sub NIN for 15% more haste?

Assuming 36000 frames of fight (10 minutes at 60 FPS)
Duel TKA swords (240 frames per swing)
Ninja Haste of 15% (DW 2)
480 * (1/1.15) = 417.3 delay
36000/417.3 = 86.2 attacks.
Times 2 from two swords... 172.4
Add haste spell
480 * (1/1.275) = 376.5
36000/376.5 = 95.6
Times 2 from two swords... 191.2
(Numbers are a bit rounded)

So what it boils down to, is are the 15 swings, counting the 15 additional enspell hits and TP/WS's, enough to make up for the low attack? Or are my calculations incorrect?

I'm actually very strongly considering soloing this fight, and had been researching it before this post. Let me know what you think Apple. Thanks.

[Apple Pie]

Your calculations are without doubt correct. When you fully concentrate on a single target, I think /NIN must have the greatest firepower among all subs.

However, I'm just wondering if dual wielding is a overkill against Ancient Worriors (the smallest ones). A single hit with Enfire is enough to beat each of them down to the ground. What I'm wondering is whether or not the second attack is lost when the first attack blows them.

In addition, the delay of each "dual attack" is long. As you see in the movie, you're going to switch the target a lot. I'm not sure if you can efficiently use dual wielding in such a situation.

I'm not trying to say RDM/NIN doesn't work because I have never tried it yet there. I rather want to see how you're doing and see the potential of RDM/NIN. Actually, Fast Blade will benefit from dual wielding a lot. Average dmg. was 173 in my case but I guess it's going to be 200+ with dual wield.

[Patchinko]

Ruic, you should try it out when you get to 50 and let us know how it goes.

I am very impressed. Another thing to add to my list of things to try! I think I may try it with DRG sub, though, especially since I've not heard of many other uses for that combo. Nice job, Grendal!

[Ruic]

I think I will go for it after I finish skilling up.

A few notes on my plan.

I was thinking of utilizing steel scale-mail, and a phalanx ring. I plan on using my Hume HP, and VIT with a high DEF to tank the side skeletons while ignoring them, and letting them burn themselves out on blaze spikes. Their damage will interrupt spells, but they won't do appreciable damage over time to outdo the use of proper au-laits and medicine use if what I could see from Apple Pie's video is accurate.

Also a lesser known tip/trick, even possibly a bug in FFXI.

With large delay weapons, if you KILL a monster, then either manually switch, or autoswitch before returning your weapon to sheath, your timer will be set to 0, and you will attack immediately. If you don't believe me, get your DRK quest sword with it's 666 delay (11.1 seconds) and run out and train some level 1 mobs. Now get it so that you automatically switch to one after killing another. Notice how you swing without waiting a full 11.1 seconds? This is how many DRKs train-farm.

This same delay applies to the increased delay of dual wielding. In fact, if I timed it right, I could use the side skeletons to get 3 sword swings out of them for the cost time of about 2.1. IE 1 sword hit on a side skeleton, then quick switch for 2 on the main guy. So not only would my dual wield delay be not a problem, but I could even use it to land more sword hits than technically allowed.

The other option, which I am not sure if it works or not, I will test it later. My archery is pretty nice. If I never disengage with the boss lich, but utilize a /shoot <st> macro I may be able to pick the little skeletons off in approach, while never losing a beat on my meleeing. Yes, I know piercing (arrow damage type) does crap damage to bones, but the ridiculous damage gradient ranged offers should allow me to do 60 or so to them that is required.

Apple Pie, can I ask what buffs you had on you going in? Obviously Protect, Shell, and some others. But it is also obvious by the timers of things as you enter that someone else buffed you for you to have max MP and so much timer left. Or you used ethers, mulsums, or juices. But did you use Protect IV, Shell III, or anything else that a RDM below 50 couldn't use? Oh, and what items did you put to use in terms of medicine/food?

Personally I think I would have to go with a steady supply of au-lait, juices, and a few potions/ethers/elixirs, but I am curious what you chose to do.

[Apple Pie]

As for buffs, here's the order of them I casted before entering BC.

Refresh
ProtectIV
ShellIV
Rest until I get full MP
Sneak
Blink
Stoneskin (with MND+ gears and Warlock's Tight)
Phalanx (with Enhancing Torque and Warlock's Tight)
Enfire (with Enhancing Torque)
Haste
Blazespike
Refresh

Then, entered into BC immediately.

As for drinks, foods, and medicines, here's what I brought.

- Meat Chiefkabob
- 2 x Persikos au Lait
- 4 x Yagudo Drink
- 14 x High Portion
- Pro Ether
- Vile Elixer
- Vile Elixer +1

In addition, here's my equipments for melee.

- Knight's Sword +1
- Strike Shield (Attack +6)
- Valkyrie's Mask (Attack +7)
- Tiger Stole (Attack +5)
- Tactical Magican Coat
- Taru RSE Gloves (STR +3 = Attack +1)
- Sword Belt +1 (Attack +12)
- Magic Cuisses
- Taru RSE Boots (STR+2 = Attack +1)
- Nomad's Mantle
- Killer Earring (Attack +5)
- Dodge Earring
- Fencer Ring
- Courage Ring (STR+2 = Attack +1)

Total Attack Bonus = 38 + 10 (DRK job trait) = +48

[Ruic]

Thanks for the information, though it confirms what I had conjectured anyway... Doesn't look like I'm going to be able to work it the same way, since I don't have access to nearly as powerful pre-fight buffs. We'll see though, I might be able to work it. Really the only big issue is access to P4 and S4, where I am limited to P3 and S2.

I'm definitely going to try at some point though. But I am not too sure if I will be able to record it well without killing my resolution. I could bring a friend along into the fight as a Camera-man, but then the little skeletons may choose to attack him instead of me, thus changing the solo nature. Does anyone know if they would come after me, since I was on the main skeleton, or if they would attack someone at random?

[Apple Pie]

Does anyone know if they would come after me, since I was on the main skeleton, or if they would attack someone at random?

I'm not sure about this but how about disbanding your PT immediately after you enter the BC?

Basically, they don't attack you when you have sneak up until you start attacking them. So, unless the camera-man attacks them, he/she won't be attacked.

[Rael B.]

I only get the audio and cut pictures of the visual, any specific codec I should download?

[Apple Pie]

It's encoded with WMV9. If you have Windows Media Player 9 or WMV9 codec installed, you shouldn't have any problem watching it.

You may want to download the whole movie into your local PC first if the bandwidth is the problem.

[Apple Pie]

Well, the next movie (M5-2) is ready and I think I'm going to upload it after I wake up (I'm going to bed for now).

Due to the capacity (100MB) of my user space, I have to remove this M5-1 clip. Although it's a little large, feel free to take it out if you want to watch it later again.

[magnius]

Wow Grendal you are one amazing rdm. First taking the orcs solo, then M2-3, then M5-1, and now M5-2. All I can say is you are my hero and inspired me to lvl rdm. ^^ Looking forward to the 5-2 video and I hope once I get my rdm higher that I'll be able to do at least some of this. BTW, would you mind posting what music you used in the mission videos please?

[Apple Pie]

For M2-3,

Next To You by Darude
No Challenge No Success (Instrumental) by KOGLIN/UTO

For M5-1,

Sweet Release <12" Full On mix> by Trouser Enthusiasts

[Kerensky]

I know the chances are probably remote, but i'm a 50 taru rdm, and i'd really love to see this video, any chance or a repost?

[AtraposBLM]

That's the first time I've recognized any of the artists you've used in your videos Apple (I know Sandstorm by darude). You have great taste in music...and much skill in this game

[Apple Pie]

OK, I reposted it.

http://www5.sppd.ne.jp/grendal/FF11/M5-1_4th.wmv

I'm not sure if I have great taste but I love rave and trance They really suit soloing movie.

By the way, it's not mine but there's a guy on the same server who's been creating interesting movies. Here's his website. They're really comical and full of jokes but sounds are awesome, too.

http://totsuma.hp.infoseek.co.jp/top1.shtml (press "Movie" button on the left panel)