My first (six) BCNM(s)

[Nodachi]

Originally posted by sun2mid
That looked like it worked really well, though i can imagine it is a bit nerve racking. Would you recommend not doing this your first few times through a bcnm or would it be a fine strategy?

Also i noticed someone posted earlier and they had a lot of +evasion gear on. Is this worth it? do you notice a big difference?

Though bard's evasion isn't half bad to start with, i would rather poor on def over evasion just in the fact that i know i'm going to get hit, may as well minimize the damage gained.

One last comment on that opening way to seperate the whites from the black mandragora (partide seperation XD) is the BRD does have to be careful of one thing. In order to use foe lullaby you must be close enough to use it. So barely inch forward till you find a decent spot, otherwise if you're too far forward you may have them all coming at you in no time.

[Quaerito]

Originally posted by Nodachi
One last comment on that opening way to seperate the whites from the black mandragora (partide seperation XD) is the BRD does have to be careful of one thing. In order to use foe lullaby you must be close enough to use it. So barely inch forward till you find a decent spot, otherwise if you're too far forward you may have them all coming at you in no time.

Ah yes. Perhaps it should be mentioned that the range of Foe Lullaby seems to have been changed in the recent patch. It's now shorter, but not so short that this strategy doesn't work. Still works like a charm, but it's that more terrifying to edge up towards the Mandy party just waiting to eat you up. Or if you steam them (heh. Steamed Sprouts anyone? ), you can eat them. ^^

[sun2mid]

I know people on here have been saying a lot that Mary's Horn is not necessary for BCNM40, though it is usefull. However, is the stigma attached to it so strong that people won't invite me if i dont' have it? Or, when they find out i don't have it will they be pissed? Should i just get it anyway, so people aren't mad, or will it not be a big deal? Thanks

[tnt118]

Originally posted by sun2mid
I know people on here have been saying a lot that Mary's Horn is not necessary for BCNM40, though it is usefull. However, is the stigma attached to it so strong that people won't invite me if i dont' have it? Or, when they find out i don't have it will they be pissed? Should i just get it anyway, so people aren't mad, or will it not be a big deal? Thanks

If you insist on not having it (not my recommendation, but I respect the decision) make sure you have good, logical reasons for why you *choose* not to use it. If you sound like a good, knowledgable bard you'll have a lot more success that if you come off sounding cheap and defensive for not having it.

That being said.. I expect there will still be some occasions where the PT will not want to use you as their bard.

[Vilurum]

Your reason should not be that you don't think it's worthwhile (because it most certainly is). Your reason should be that you are still trying to fund it and doing BCNMs to do so. I also think you should buy one once you can afford it, the sooner the better, if you plan to do a lot of BCNM runs.

Now Monster Signa, on the other hand ... bleh. Almost never used it for BCNM40 even when I did have it (I've since resold it), because +26 CHR didn't make much of a difference compared to +20 CHR, and the -5 VIT was unhappy.

[sun2mid]

yeah, i do plan on buying it, but it seems that since i could do bcnm40 successfully without it, it would be the best way to make money for it. but i see whatyou are saying. If i do bcnm before i get it, i'll just make it clear that i'm trying to fund the horn. That way i don't come off sounding cheap and defensive (obviously not my goal!)

Thanks for the input!