Board 8 > Final Fantasy Record Keeper Topic 35: So long Torment farming!

(+) Yeah! (+)

Kaxon posted...

I don't get why Bartz's is considered top tier, is it just because people S/L a lot until it hits? On average it's just a 20% boost compared with 25% for a doublecast LMR.

I'm pretty sure I'm going for Tidus's. Not sure if I'll do a second pull but if I do it's probably going to be Lightning, but Fujin and Papalymo are tempting too.

it's because of the character it's attached to. everyone with a 25% dualcast LMR has a worse LM2, and that 20% boost applies to many elements.
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It stacks with his RM and legend dive LM, so he has the highest chances of doing a double cast and potentially use up to 5 spell blades. And that's on top of having an amazing USB with chases and covers 4 elements.
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Celes LMR is a doublecast, element bonus is nice, and she's a popular character too, so I'm not surprised it's popular.

I don't have Edge's good SSB - I don't know if it's in this list or not, but it is in the current JP Lucky Selection list (which is a half price mythril pull) so if we're lucky we'll get that in 6 months.

https://www.reddit.com/r/FFRecordKeeper/comments/7qz0k7/jan_18_lucky_selection_relic_draw_jp_relic_draw/

I love Vivi so if his LMR is that amazing it kinda makes me want to grab it. I have nothing for him beyond his old Unique SB though.
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well, Vivi's isn't amazing, it's more like Bartz where it's in upgrade for a very strong strong character that can cover a lot of elements that also has a top tier USB and helps all those elements. i believe with the slower casting, it's only about a 10% DPS increase, or 15% with quick cast, and that's assuming you can't damage cap. i'd say it has more use with his USB for doing non-fire damage, to get that extra damage out of limited hones.
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SSJSephirothGokuX123 posted...

It stacks with his RM and legend dive LM, so he has the highest chances of doing a double cast and potentially use up to 5 spell blades. And that's on top of having an amazing USB with chases and covers 4 elements.

The irony is that all those other casts actually make it worse, not better. His LM1 gives you a flat 15% bonus to all the extra casts (including his USB chase I think?) - and it's 15% which is better than the 10% lots of characters get for their LM1! The LMR only gives a 20% damage boost (on average) to the original spellblade cast.
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Mathcrafting it out: (assuming no hits are capped)

LM1
3.2 * 1.15 * (.65 + 2 * .35) = 4.968

If it's not clear that's 3.2 multiplier (for a 5* spellblade), 15% bonus from LM1, 65% chance of 1 hit, 35% chance of two hits.

LMR
3.2 * (.035 * 4 + .065 * 3 + .315 * 2 + .585) = 4.96

3.2 multiplier, 3.5% chance of four hits, 6.5% chance of three hits, 31.5% chance of two hits, 58.5% chance of one hit.

So assuming hits aren't capping, LM1 has a slightly higher EV than LMR. If I'm right about it apply to USB chase hits that moves it even more in favor of the LM1. But if you're capping a lot then LMR is better.
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i think LM1 is additive with other bonuses, so it would effectively be a 9.5% increase.

1.4+.09+.09 = 1.58
1.73/1.58 = 1.095
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So let's see

https://www.reddit.com/r/FFRecordKeeper/comments/6sr5ee/dream_selection_jp_relic_draw_thread/

Assuming that's the list, the Legend Materia I have any interest in are...

Dark Knight Cecil - Guts + "Crimson Curse" when HP is low (Does this even exist in the US?)
Faris - Bonus damage per lowered stats (If I ever wanted to DPS with Faris this seems strong but is it?)
X-Death - Attach Dark (I don't have anything for X-Death so I'm not sure this is very useful but gotta start somewhere)
Locke - Attach Fire (only real drawback here is I plan on putting some draws into an Edgar banner in a few months that has it and Locke seems strong without it-- this also applies to Celes and Sabin though)
Celes - Dualcast with spellblade (I don't use Celes that much but if I were to fluke draw her USB or something I would really want this)
Sabin - Attack up per hit with monk abilities (not sure how good this actually is vs +15% Fire Damage?)
Tidus - Attach Water + Water Boost Armor (Seems really good-- but it's also featured on a lot of banners I expect to draw from along with Rikku's)
Rikku - Quickcast after Machinist (I enjoy Rydia's version of this quite a bit but I feel like half the time I'm not putting any machinist on Rikku-- would have to flip this with burst commands)
Lightning- Dualcast Lightning abilities (I don't really use Lightning much despite having her USB but this seems like an important thing to have if I were to)

Thing is uhh, they all have drawbacks to drawing them. Which I put in parens. I'm really not sure any of them are worth 3000 gems.
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Lopen posted...

Sabin - Attack up per hit with monk abilities (not sure how good this actually is vs +15% Fire Damage?)

it's pretty bad. could only possibly better than the 15% if you need it to hit the last threshold on the number of hits coming from his USB chaser, and even then i have my doubts. or if you're not using him for fire, of course.
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Yeah I thought so. Although his USB chaser IS often failing to hit every hit with me despite him being full dived and I'm not sure that'll change any time soon failing me max augmenting a bunch of fist weapons-- but at the same time hitting 5x and doing 15% more per hit is usually better since he's usually not 9999ing with each chase hit against difficult enemies anyway.

I dunno it seems like something I might use but given it's a consolation prize on a banner I expect to draw lots from it's basically out. But yeah most of these either have the problem of not being that useful, not being on a character I use much, or being featured on a ton of banners I expect to draw from. Are any of those must haves for their respective characters? Do any of them have really good stats as gear where I wouldn't mind multiples? Am I underestimating Faris's? Faris and Lightning seem like the only two I have very little chance of "lucking into" that are still attached to characters I have some stuff for.
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Xuxon posted...

i think LM1 is additive with other bonuses, so it would effectively be a 9.5% increase.

1.4+.09+.09 = 1.58
1.73/1.58 = 1.095

Oh interesting. Are you assuming elemental gear for the 1.4? Are the .09s both from his dive?
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.09 RD, .09 LD, .4 RM (the lv99 Celes one)

elemental should be multiplicative with this, not additive

though now that i check it's actually only .06 from the RD. so that bumps it up slightly to 1.7/1.55 = 1.097
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Oh, that makes more sense, thanks.

I rarely use the damage boost RMs at this point - mostly in jump starts. In Magicites I'm usually using MM/DMT/Ace Striker/Battleforged/Thunder God's Might. So in that case the bonus would be 1.3/1.15 = 1.13. Although it sounds like a lot of super fast Magicite clears don't use SBs so in that case the 1.4 damage RM is obviously better.
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Bartz' main strength with the LMR + USB combo is chains through. I use both Tidus and Zack's chains to sub 30 LF and Golem and Bartz does cap pretty early with Snowspell strike on Golem so I'd much rather have the relic than the damage boost for that boss.

I'm also thinking about using Rinoa's chain for Fenrir with Bartz but that's a mixed party and Fenrir would absorb the chases. Bartz' USB is getting buffed in the future where his chases become non elemental so I can use him there if I can't sub30 Fenrir by that point.
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Bartz won't chase after Snowspell Strike if it did ice damage, so there's no problem there.

I don't think I'm drawing on this one. If Tyro, OK, or Ramza were in this, I'd consider it, but with this limited pool. Meh.
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Oh yeah, I forgot about chains. I'm starting to see why people like the LMR. And I have it! Too bad I don't have anything else for Bartz newer than his old mom elemental SSB. I would love to have Chicken Knife, wish there was another chance for it sooner.

I'm also questioning whether to do this draw, I got excited about getting a selection but the fact is $30 is still a rip off. On the other hand I do get a lot of enjoyment from the game and I want to encourage more selection draws.
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3/11

Papalymo Super
Yoichi Bow
Aranea Burst

Lightning boost armor! Hell yeah!

1/11

Umaro Burst.

Huh, pretty nice I guess. Dunno if I'll ever use Umaro through since I prefer mage for FF6 Cid Missions but more Ice options is always nice.

Easy first pick for Bartz' LM, second still pondering. I'm actually eyeing Ricard's Super or Faris's LM for the wind boost armor...
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Thinking Faris's LM seems good seeing it boosts Wind and I do have Pirate Princess so she could be a viable Wind attacker if I felt like it.

Between that and the Tidus LM which I do definitely want as well but as said it's on a LOT of banners I'll be drawing from.

Then Celes and Lightning are still intriguing as double cast materia. Wish this draw was further down the line honestly so I could know if I got a Celes soul break.

Maybe I'll just do 2 I dunno I'll have to think about it.
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Here's a question (ironically more relevant to whether I wanna rush the Tidus LM than the dualcasts) if you dualcast does the second cast give soul break gauge as well. I used to think so but after Rydia has been triple casting so much and not getting 8000 gauge I'm thinking not
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I don't think dualcasts build extra meter, I see Raines dualcast a bunch but I never noticed any increase in meter gain.

Also I chose Zidane's gloves for my second choice, was about to choose Faris's LM but I saw that it doesn't have a magic stat boost and Zidane's does, so Alph and Fujin can benefit from it as well.
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Did one 2/11

Zidane Ultra
Mog Ultra (!)

Hate Zidane but the Mog Ultra makes it worth alone

Probably will do the second and get Tidus Bracer + Faris Helmet
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Double casts do not build extra meter unfortunately.
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Well that's one way to get a wall.

Tyro or stone skin ii hmm
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Keep in mind Chris in Japan in 4-5 months they eventually replace Cid's Missions with these book things where you get rewards for doing a variety of things that let you like, pre-select a bunch of relics of varying types (there's a SSB set, a Wall set, etc), and you can get Sentinel and Stoneskin II from that-- without missing out on much either cause yeah the sets you have to use that pick on don't have a ton of intriguing choices.

Not a guarantee we'll get that but worth considering.

https://www.reddit.com/r/FFRecordKeeper/comments/7l7c51/library_of_guidance_jp_megathread/

More details
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Yeah but that's a long time and 30 dollars for a wall I grossly need isn't the worst.
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Dunno if I'll do Dream draw but I did finally decide to pull on FF3, 3/11

Aria BSB
Ingus BSB
OK USB (the mage one)

aw yeah
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Lopen posted...

Hate Zidane but the Mog Ultra makes it worth alone

Well damn, what a waste of a Zidane USB. I wish I had it.
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Wish you had it too bro. It's just an FF9 stat stick for me. I'd totally give it away if I could.

Decent stat stick mind you in a realm I'm scarce on but still.
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Keep in mind Chris in Japan in 4-5 months they eventually replace Cid's Missions with these book things where you get rewards for doing a variety of things that let you like, pre-select a bunch of relics of varying types (there's a SSB set, a Wall set, etc), and you can get Sentinel and Stoneskin II from that-- without missing out on much either cause yeah the sets you have to use that pick on don't have a ton of intriguing choices.

If I'm understanding it correctly, the opportunity cost for SG is zero, because the relic pool for Volume 2's "random" draw consists of Sentinel Grimoire and nothing else.
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I think I've decided this ultimately just isn't worth 30 bucks. If the selection pool included USBs, or if the draw pool was good, then maybe it would be. But getting one nice but not amazing piece of equipment, plus a total grab bag, isn't worth that price.
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3/11

Barrett SSB
Aria SSB
Celes BSB2

Love the Celes burst, even though I normally use her for her IB SSB. Likely going to grab Bartz LMR.
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Decided to scrounge around the GFAQs boards, and it's cool to find another group of FFRK players roaming around.

Did both draws...

Lightning LMR (amazing in my few tries so far)
Butz LMR (great when it hits)
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Maintenance is tonight, make sure to use up your stamina before 12AM PST.

Mateus also came back in the torment dungeons, gotta farm Lightning Orbs from him since assault saber is coming soon.
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Apparently I never did the d200 CM on Matteus. I figure I must be able to take him on now with Ashe's USB so I guess I'll try that tomorrow.
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4* magicites are here.

I'll give them a try later, but I'm scared.
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Trying to focus on CT first... Atlas is too gimmicky...
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Now I really need to finish 3* Magicites. Still got Hydra and Fenrir before I get the holy/dark ones. I like the fact that now your best times will be displayed, that's cool, as sometimes I forget. Still need to sub 30 Bismark and Golem.
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I'm excited about 4* Magicites, I thought they weren't dropping for another week. We'll see how badly Kraken destroys my lightning team a little later. This might be enough to get me to pay for the selection draw too.
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Since my fire team is probably my strongest, I started with Isgebind.

I beat him in 41 seconds on my third attempt, and after some changes, and getting ridiculously lucky, I even managed the sub-30. It's not reliable at all, but I was not expecting this kind of success on day 1.
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So I've got it down to 3 Prizes for the selection draw

1. Tidus's LMR - This honestly doesn't seem like a must for me. I get the idea behind it-- you open with Tidus's chain first, then USB later, but I don't have Tidus's chain so I'm usually going to want to USB first anyway in which case I almost feel like +15% Water Damage provides somewhat comparable damage over time. Also very likely I get it "by accident" since it's featured so often. +Water bracer is always good though and I might not even mind having dupes of this.

2. Faris's LMR - Reddit people are down on this since it's on a "support character" but it seems like a fairly easy +12-20% damage on everything and I think I'd rather use Faris as a Wind DPS than a support since I have Pirate Princess and the thief wind skill seems decent (especially since I have Bartz's +wind dagger). Also +Wind armor which I have none of.

3. Edge's SSB - Seems like an awesome soul break and I would kinda like having some more Hastega sources since I'm using Minwu's burst for hastega more often than I'd like. Also Edge is cool (even though this is my only SSB or better for him). +Fire armor is nice though not strictly necessary as I already have a few.

Kinda leaning Faris > Edge > Tidus right now. (still not sure if I want one or two-- already got one)
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Faris's doesn't seem very good to me. How often do you actually use her as DPS, and what skills do you use? Her LM2 is crap so she'd be a good candidate for a partial dive + LMR, but her LM1 boosts support damage which doesn't help with wind damage. I'd rather focus my resources on one of the many other options for wind damage (Zidane, Cloud, Zack, Bartz, Fujin, Alphinaud).

Tidus's I think it should quite strong but if you're planning to pull on the next X banner that would be a reason not to get it now.

Edge's is also good but Japan just got an SSB lucky selection draw so there may be more chances to pick it up in the future without spending $.

For me I think Tidus is the clear winner but I kind of like Lightning more and I guess I might draw on that X banner in April. Fujin is kind of a dark horse candidate.
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Got a chance to try Kraken... man that guy is tough! I brought my team that consistently kills Bismarck in 22s super safely (two white mages) and we just flat out lost. I think with a bit of tuning we can win but I don't see how I'm going to get to 30s... I was at 37s when everyone but Selphie was dead and his HP was still around 1/3. Adding a 3rd DPS (Shantotto with chain) would give us plenty of damage but make it even harder to stay alive.
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Cloud and Zack have no way of doing wind damage except with SBs and BSB commands. also, Yuffie does more damage than Fujin and Alphinaud.
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40% longer break duration seems good to me actually? Especially if I wanna use the dances. 14s is almost a reasonable break duration vs 10s.

I mean I don't really have any tools nor the desire to make most of them good wind fighters (Zidane sucks, Cloud, Zack, Bartz & Fujin I don't have anything relevant for. Alphinaud is not exciting) I do have the tools to make Faris a decent one having her USB and Dash & Slash even though it's out of role. Her combined with like Squall + Paine & Rydia armed with Tiamat I might be able to take a swing at a crappy wind team. Maybe bring Yuffie with the Thancred +wind katana and some ninja stuff. It's going to have to be something I cobble together in any case so I'm thinking it might be an okay start point.
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Basically I'm thinking if I make a wind team my options are:

Celes
Squall
Paine
Bartz

Generic 5* Spellblades with good record dives who I don't mind investing in. Have Squall's first burst which gives him a wind burst command I guess? Also Bartz's OSB which beats a blank. Have a bunch of crap for Paine that I got by accident while drawing for Rikku/Tidus. Like pretty much everything. It is mostly water though since it's Paine.

Rydia

My Rydia is very powerful and I have Tiamat so why not

Faris

Have her Ultra and Dash & Slash seems good

Yuffie

The wind ninja scroll actually seems decent for magicite bosses at least with her dualcast and it's on a character I like. Could also use Dash & Slash I suppose.

I mean I guess I could get Bartz's LMR instead but it's not on wind boost armor and I like Faris more.
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Dude, Zidane is awesome and you have his USB! He's a way better Dash and Slasher than Faris.
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I'd rather use Tyro than Zidane terrible character.

I'll use him for an occasional Cid's Mission if I really need to but never for any general purpose.
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BTW the reason I said +40% debuff duration is bad is because you don't use debuffs on Magicite. For other content it may be useful.
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Aww yesss

29.73 Marilis on my very first attempt. I even had one major screw up - I reset my chain by recasting the CSB when I meant to use Tidus's USB. Guess I don't need to invest in Tidus's LMR at this point. But Edge's jacket is seeming more tempting with how hard these 4* Magicite hit.
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Oh, yeah. Obviously not the best for Magicite but whatever
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