Gear review time!!

[Sabaron]

Re: Gear review time!!

RDM isn't very durable especially as he becomes more of a mage post 40. A good shield is a good bet on keeping you alive when you take hate. RDM's don't often take hate while in a supporting role, but they will when something unexpected happens such as WHM overcure (in which case, RDM ends up overcuring the WHM in an attempt to pull the mob off the precious main healer) or when you, yourself, are the main healer.

[hongman]

Re: Gear review time!!

Question - how am I supposed to keep my combat skills up to cap if I am becoming so much more back line?

Even in Qufim I was able to say to the party "Hey does any one mind if I swing my sword a bit, in between casts" and it was ok.

But even in the Jungles onwards, I was specifically asked not to engage in combat.

I love Red Mage.

With the RSE, if I have bought a piece of RSE, can I still quest it? The deal between me and my buddy was he lent me the money to buy my RSE from AH, and when I was higher level I would quest mine and resell (and thus repay) him the money.

[hongman]

Re: Gear review time!!

I have updated my equip page - please check!

[hongman]

Re: Gear review time!!

In some cases, your RSE is actually better than AF. Watch the stats on it. Ignore the defense for RDM - you're not generally going to get hit - what you're most interested in, being Elvaan, is max MP.

Unlike other mage jobs, RDM focuses intensely on max MP because of the Convert ability at level 40, which allows you to exchange your HP and MP totals. The closer you can bring your HP and MP totals, the more MP you will have available to spend over time.

Example: Last night I was doing a merit party on Red Mage as RDM75/WHM37. My current gear + Food setup leaves me at 1080HP/989MP, which means Convert was giving me nearly 1000 extra MP to spend every 10 minutes.


Definitely. Elvaan RSE is heavily MP-based, so it gives a nice healthy kick to what otherwise is a somewhat deficient MP pool.

The only piece of gear I would be a bit iffy about is the hands (which are still awesome with +24MP +1DEX +1INT), but they're overshadowed by Devotee's Mitts(+1) which are +5MND and +8MP (but -4 INT). You don't technically "need" the extra MND as RDM since Elvaan have high MND anyway, but it certainly doesn't hurt to improve your chances of landing Slow/Paralyze/Silence.
Icemage

But doesnt the AF have +Enfeebling Skill bonuses I need? Or does that depend on MND?

In fact, whilst we are here, can someone explain to me what spells rely on what stat to be effective!! Im confused!!

I always thought all Enfeeb + Curing spells was dependant on MND to land, and skill for duration

And all BLM type stuff again to depend on INT, and elemental/dark skill for duration and -resist chances.

???

[Icemage]

Re: Gear review time!!

RDM don't really get any useful shields until Astral Shield at 65. Pick up a Hard Shield at 48 since it's the first Size 3 shield that RDMs can wear at that point (and is generally very inexpensive in any case).

Other than that, just any size 2 shield like a Targe works just fine. If you're really interested in staying alive past level 51, Earth Staff is a much better bet if you're a RDM. -20% damage almost all the time is better than -60% damage once in a blue moon.

---

EDIT:

But doesnt the AF have +Enfeebling Skill bonuses I need? Or does that depend on MND?

In fact, whilst we are here, can someone explain to me what spells rely on what stat to be effective!! Im confused!!

I always thought all Enfeeb + Curing spells was dependant on MND to land, and skill for duration

And all BLM type stuff again to depend on INT, and elemental/dark skill for duration and -resist chances.

???

Warlock's Tabard has +15 Enfeebling, and should be your first priority as far as AF goes. It helps a lot for landing enfeebles.

Enfeebling Magic helps all enfeebling magic as far as accuracy and resist rates.

White magic enfeebles draw some of their accuracy from MND, and in some cases increase in potency (Slow, Paralyze, Slow II, Paralyze II) from increased MND.

Black magic enfeebles draw some of their accuracy from INT, and in a few cases increase in potency (Drown, Frost, Rasp, Shock, Choke, Burn) from increased INT.

Dark Magic (Bio, Bio II, Aspir, Drain) draw their potency AND accuracy from Dark Magic skill, as well as INT.

Healing Magic has a marginal effect on Cure-type spells. Since those spells tend to "cap" in effectiveness, it's not much of a concern, and you can largely ignore this skill for your entire RDM career.

Note that elemental staves (Ice Staff, Earth Staff, etc.) all help offensive spells of their respective element, so Earth Staff helps the accuracy (though not potency) of Slow/Slow II. Also note that Ice Staff has +10 Elemental Skill and +4 INT, which makes it especially good for casting ice-based nuke spells like Blizzard II (though for elemental enfeebles you'll still want to use the matching elemental staff, since the matching staff does more for accuracy than +10 skill - use Wind Staff to cast Choke, not Ice Staff for instance).


Icemage

[hongman]

Re: Gear review time!!

If you're really interested in staying alive past level 51, Earth Staff is a much better bet if you're a RDM.Icemage

Interested in staying alive? Now whay would I want to do that?

[SharMarali]

Re: Gear review time!!

Something nobody's mentioned yet, but I thought I'd stick in here. When you get close to 40, you'll want to pick up some +MP equipment to swap to right before you use convert. Don't go too far out of your way, but do pick up a few inexpensive items like electrum rings (+20MP each). Set up a macro to swap to your +MP equipment and another to swap back to your +INT/+MND gear. This way, you'll be able to cure yourself after convert for "free."

As for AF, the body and head are really the only two pieces that are useful.

[hongman]

Re: Gear review time!!

I was gonna say, the RDM AF looks pimp I really wanted that lol

Good trick with the electrum rings, Ill take that into account. I noticed that at 35, my HP/MP is 598/321 repectively.

My Elvaan WHM41 friend is 599/306 so my stats better already with the RSE! She is wearing not gimped gear, but nothing with stat boosters on last time I checked.

I will level RDM to 41, then go back to leveling WHM to 15-20, for BLM sub and level BLM main to 30 to cover me till RDM60.

Ah, all this levling different jobs. I cant wait to whm is 20 as I have far better gear then...kinda neglect the first 10-15 levels so far.

[ItazuraNhomango]

Re: Gear review time!!

I will level RDM to 41, then go back to leveling WHM to 15-20, for BLM sub and level BLM main to 30 to cover me till RDM60.

Ah, all this levling different jobs.

Ha. You've barely started. Why, a proper RDM has /WHM, /BRD, /BLM, /DRK, /BLU, /SMN, /WAR, and /NIN all ready to go. Anything less is gimped!

>_>;

Ok, realistically, you can get to RDM75 with /WHM37 alone; I bet not one of your party would complain.

I've never been asked to use anything but /WHM by parties; had to face down a skeptical party once when I refused to budge on /BRD--they had SMN/WHM, WHM/BLM, BLM/WHM, and a NIN tank--what the heck was my RDM supposed to do with a /WHM in that party? Curaga for the pretty lights?

* * *

Working on DRK currently (Lv.35 now), and finding party is often painful. (Solo'ed nearly the last half of Lv.32 while seeking.) Not going to stop until I hit Lv.40, though; Stun is helpful in a lot of Lv.40 capped places.

So not looking forward to BLU or SMN. >_<

* * *

My RDM62 has INT ring x2, MP ring x2, and MND ring x2. Two body pieces, two (soon to be three) neck pieces, and a full set (8) elemental staves, and more--all for exp parties. Most of them, used in one macro or another.

Try to get MP gears for Convert macro, and have macros which switch in INT or MND as needed. The routine is usually to Convert, use up some MP to Cure, Haste, Refresh, Regen--whatever which doesn't benefit from gear switch beyond a Light Staff, and do that first. (You definitely want to switch gears if you're enfeebling.) Later, you'll be doing that for enfeebling/elemental/magic attack/etc./etc. gears.

It's also a good idea to start window shopping for elemental staves (Lv.51, 8 of them); you never know when the prices will drop unless you're checking AH frequently. Lowball bid them every so often, I say, just in case there's a bargain to be had. <_<;

[Kirsteena]

Re: Gear review time!!

I'm scrolling my smn sub to 37 lawl - started at 33, now at 36 with hopefully only 2 more scrolls to go!

Blu and brd - meh, but can see the uses. Just haven't done it yet. Drk was painful, very painful, but it is very useful. I actually use it more than some of the other subs. Blu/nin + rdm/drk duoing Like the Wind ENM is fun.

[Sabaron]

Re: Gear review time!!

Ha. You've barely started. Why, a proper RDM has /WHM, /BRD, /BLM, /DRK, /BLU, /SMN, /WAR, and /NIN all ready to go. Anything less is gimped!

I'm working on degimping my subs now. I'm not really that concerned about /SMN, /WAR, and /NIN because I've never had occasion to use any of those in any party ever... though it may be that at some point I'll end up saying to myself... Damn, I wish I had Provoke.... but then I remember that if I really want voke, I can just go /anon and gimp it up.

Now /BRD I like as a sub post Ballad I. 4mp per tick refresh very nice. I'm not too keen on my singing voice though... It makes me feel goofy when my character busts into tremulous operatic singing, though I assume this is less so for female characters.

I like BLU's Cocoon over NIN's Utsusemi for RDM below 74 because my shadows don't really last very long as /NIN and I feel that I get a lot more mileage out of Cocoon's 50% DEF.

[hongman]

Re: Gear review time!!

Awwwww....

WHM and BLM subs first, then NIN. Im not sure about the rest yet.

In case you didnt know, I am also lvling RDM to 75 so i can solo my primes for SMN, as I want to take that to &% as well someday!!

[hongman]

Re: Gear review time!!

Ok, so Iv finally had some rewards from the mule garden and I decided to pimp up some more (must be the xmas spending fever)(Actually I really think it is, my AH sales have been going like wild fire!)

So I picked up a Solid Wand for +5 INT and +5 MND, also a White Cape. Cant afford that Tathlum yet!

I made 2 macros, one for +MND and 1 for +INT. I know that the majority of you know what is coming but at the same time this may help another fledging RDM!

Macro 1 +MND consists of:

/equip main "Solid Wand"
/equip ring1 "Saintly Ring"
/equip ring2 "Saintly Ring"
/equip neck "Justice Badge"
/equip back "White Cape"

That gives +14MND and with Elvaan high mind anyway (think my base MND is 39 @ lvl 36) that stands good for enfeebs. Idea is I hit this macro before I start my enfeebs or if last spell was a INT based spell.

Macro 2 +INT:

/equip main "Solid Wand"
/equip ring1 "Eremite's Ring"
/equip ring2 "Eremite's Ring"
/equip neck "Black Neckerchief"
/equip back "Black Cape"

for +12 INT, hitting this macro before I use INT based spells.

Looks like I need to do some gobbiebag quests now though!!! My mog still hasnt decided to go on holiday after me placing my Bronze Bed in

Comments/suggestinos welcome.

[Sabaron]

Re: Gear review time!!

That leaves just enough space to cast a spell!

The first line of each macro could be set as a spell you'd like to cast:

/ma "Cure III" <stpc>
/ma "Paralyze" <t>
/ma "Sleep" <stnpc>
...

I used to have stat swap macros, but I feel that the spell&swap are more efficient... I don't have to strike 2 macros and I have two more slots in my main macro box.

I currently use two full lines of macros which are my "common" macros, one line of which is for buffs/heals and the other is all debuffs, 1 nuke, and a recast timer.

My second macro set is two lines and consists of stuff that is not so common like protect/protectra/shell/shellra, convert, and some odds and ends that get used frequently, but not frequently enough to justify them a spot in my top 20.

The rest of my macro pages are filled with either (a) macro sets for other jobs, (b) special circumstances macros (e.g. mining, choc digging, harvesting, NM Claiming, etc.).

[Icemage]

Re: Gear review time!!

I got tired of macroing in INT/MND/MP gears and set just the important pieces (elemental staff, Devotee's Mitts, etc.) in my spell macros, and put the MP stuff in a special macro slot next to my Convert macro on my 2nd RDM macro panel. This gives me a lot more control over the process without constantly shifting gear and lets me focus on timing rather than mashing buttons in sequence.


Icemage