Getting my Magic Burst down

[Aeni]

Re: Getting my Magic Burst down

/ta <stnpc>
/wait 2
/ma "Blizzard" <lastst>

Problem with this is the 10% of the times you will not make the MB due to other issues. But at low levels this is fine. At high levels this is not good. Here's an example.

As a DRK/THF, I have a responsibility to close SCs. Here's the thing. Everyone says that most of the time, you wait about 2-3 seconds for the closer to follow after the opener. In my case, this doesn't happen all the time. I actually have about 4-5 seconds before the opportunity passes to close a SC.

When an opener goes, I immediately react to what I see happening. If I see Weapon go for Whirl of Rage, I shoot off a stun, then begin SATA + WS. This introduces a 2 second delay automatically (1.5 second cast time + 0.5 wait from casting before you can use a JA) The SATA has a 3 second total delay before WS fires off. That is almost 5 full seconds and I haven't missed a level 3 yet.

But, a BLM with a set /wait in macro is fubar'd. He/she only took into account 2-3 seconds, not 5-6 seconds (Depending on lag)

[Nakti]

Re: Getting my Magic Burst down

lol, some of you seem to be taking my macro as the way I normally do my MBs. (And it's possible I may do it that way in the future ^_~ ) I normally just look for "that" part in the animation and then start casting immediately. I just used the macro as a way of seeing what the actual timing for the MB was. People (in general) say "count to 3" as if everyone counts to 3 at exactly the same rate.

The OP was having trouble timing the MBs. So instead of giving some vague timing, I gave numbers in RL seconds (give or take lag, of course) that could help them locate "that" part in the animation they're looking for. I'm sure that once the OP can see when the spell is supposed to finish casting, they'll be able to MB for long- or short-casting spells. ^^

The MB window has some flexibility so I would expect that even if the 2nd SC partner goes a little late, but still manages the SC, the spell should still MB. Maybe I'm wrong on this, but when MB-ing ancient magic, the BLMs macro doesn't tell the 2nd SC partner when to go, or does it?

[tdh]

Re: Getting my Magic Burst down

That Wiki guide is pretty damn good. I didn't even know that thing existed, and I had to just remember them all as I went along. lol

After a while it will become second nature for you to know which Skillchain effect is what element. You'll even go so far as to know what jobs have what skillchain options.

As far as actually landing the Magic Burst, it comes down to timing, and that's something that can change per party set up, and per spell. But it's something you learn and just know. Spells have different casting times and /recast timers. So you may have to switch which spell you MB with because you may have just used your primary spell for that element.

You'll understand the differences between Lv.1, Lv.2 and Lv.3 Skillchains, just takes time to learn them all. Believe it or not, some parties at Lv.30 with a two BLMs and s SAM don't Magic Burst for some insane reason, but then you'll find a good set up that will MB ever fight, and rake in EXP from all sides. (I've actually left parties as BLM and SAM because the group refused to Skillchain. It's one if the biggest reasons you invite a SAM or a BLM.)

[Aeni]

Re: Getting my Magic Burst down

The MB window has some flexibility so I would expect that even if the 2nd SC partner goes a little late, but still manages the SC, the spell should still MB. Maybe I'm wrong on this, but when MB-ing ancient magic, the BLMs macro doesn't tell the 2nd SC partner when to go, or does it?

AM is wasteful and actually causes too much hate to be worth casting (It introduces too much down time for mp recovery and too many things go wrong for it to be effective) AM II, otoh, is not, but you won't have to worry about it for months (In your case) Stick to the single/-ga tiered spells instead.

With that said, the BLMs macro usually tells the opener when to start because it assumes when the closer will end (2-3 sec) However, if something like Whirl of Rage goes off (Massive AOE damage + STUNGA) and you don't stun it, you will more than likely miss having any SC whatsoever, never mind the fact that there won't be an MB as well.

Like I said, it's better to be flexible than lazy.

[tdh]

Re: Getting my Magic Burst down

The MB window has some flexibility so I would expect that even if the 2nd SC partner goes a little late, but still manages the SC, the spell should still MB. Maybe I'm wrong on this, but when MB-ing ancient magic, the BLMs macro doesn't tell the 2nd SC partner when to go, or does it?

Aeni's right on this, AM MBs are a novelty in the early 50's and basically ends in the early 50's as well. There are other options that are more MP efficient and pretty damaging.

As far as the question of the AM MB Macro, it only tells the Opener to go. Since there aren't that many lines you can put in a Macro, and since they have to go with in a certain time after the Opener anyway no sense in telling them to go.

[Aeni]

Re: Getting my Magic Burst down

As far as the question of the AM MB Macro, it only tells the Opener to go. Since there aren't that many lines you can put in a Macro, and since they have to go with in a certain time after the Opener anyway no sense in telling them to go.

I think Winxxxxxxx (I won't really name it here) has an ability to add a plug-in or it already comes native to that program that will allow "unlimited" line entries for macros. But even with 6 lines, I think it's possible.

/p (tells people you're starting up AM and to get ready)
/wait (specified time)
/p (tells opener to go now)
/wait (specified time)
/p (tells closer to go now)

That's 5 lines only. However, it's really unreliable and if someone in the party has flaky internet connection, they might not see their cue for 2 or more seconds. I've seen this happen to often, it's almost become the norm, not exception.

Hence my dislike for AMs (Unless it's Mana Burn at KT but even Icemage said you don't need Freeze for that)

[tdh]

Re: Getting my Magic Burst down

I think Winxxxxxxx (I won't really name it here) has an ability to add a plug-in or it already comes native to that program that will allow "unlimited" line entries for macros. But even with 6 lines, I think it's possible.

/p (tells people you're starting up AM and to get ready)
/wait (specified time)
/p (tells opener to go now)
/wait (specified time)
/p (tells closer to go now)

That's 5 lines only. However, it's really unreliable and if someone in the party has flaky internet connection, they might not see their cue for 2 or more seconds. I've seen this happen to often, it's almost become the norm, not exception.

Hence my dislike for AMs (Unless it's Mana Burn at KT but even Icemage said you don't need Freeze for that)

Right, there is the "Infinity Macro" app, but since it's 3rd party, and technically against the ToS I didn't mention it. But like you said Lag could cause problems, and it's just extra junk in the chatlog that's really not needed. Hopefully most closers, competent or otherwise should know when their window opens and closes. lol

[Mhurron]

Re: Getting my Magic Burst down

By the time you get to LVL 50 and doing distortion with Freeze, if they can't complete the skillchain without you telling both participants when to use their WS, its not going to happen anyway.

Existing macro abilities are fine for setting up a AM MB:
/equip Main "Ice Staff"
/p Casting Freeze
/ma Freeze <t>
/wait 4
/p Skillchain go
All you need. Show the party what to expect before and unless something out of your control happens the skillchain will finish and Freeze will MB just fine.

[Jenifa]

Re: Getting my Magic Burst down

/equip Main "Ice Staff"
/p Casting Freeze
/ma Freeze <t>
/wait 4
/p Skillchain go

correct answer^^

There is NO need to tell closer of SC to go!! They know their window. Especially with AM, there has to be communication from all 3 members (check that TP is 100%+ and BLM initiating casting burst). one /p line to let them know when to start SC is all that is required.

[Gyfford]

Re: Getting my Magic Burst down

Yeah MBs start to get tricky at later levels. Not only do you have like a 8 second casting timer, you got the closers doing all sorts of crap before they SC.

Example:
Bursting with ____ IV
-Opener starts SC
-I wait about 1 second, then hit my spell button
-Well the drk/thf, goest thru the whole list, SA, TA, absorb-str, last resort, soul eater, and w/e else they do...

Well by the time he's done with all the buffing it's like 5 seconds later (I've seen some actually miss the SC for the 'Added power")

Well if buff king actually slides under the timer and makes the SC, your spell is already 60%, and you'll prolly miss the MB.

Then here is another example (same party):
*none of the Drk's recast timers are up... but we don't know that.. only him*
-Opener goes.
-This time I wait 3 seconds to start casting, waiting on the drk's buff display to start
-Well drk only does SATA - WS

And now you're at 20% spell casting and the SC animation is going of, you're praying it'll hit for the MB... but might not.

I hate to say this (as a 75 blm) but you can't control the closer, you can't make him SC when you want him to. You do the best you can with hitting them, and you'll see there will be sometimes you'll be a second to early, or late.. when you're melee start getting all sorts of fun lil second wasting buffs XD

*not directed at drk! just used as an example. War/Sam/Thf etc all do the same. (war has berserk/ warcry) etc.

[Jenifa]

Re: Getting my Magic Burst down

Gyfford you put it so well^^

The whole problem you mention can be sorted out so easily if melee jobs simply report TP a little , or give some warning of when the SC is about to begin. Communication between opener and closer, obviously used by the BLM too helps everything to go off in perfect synchronisation.

[Lambeaus]

Re: Getting my Magic Burst down

I've got it down now

My PT last night was giving off TP notices and skill chain warnings, and I was bursting off Blizzard, and even got to the point of bursting WaterII every time off of Distortion. Dealing about 200 each time. The other two BLMs were on as well, we were bursting 3 at once off each skill chain.

[Aeni]

Re: Getting my Magic Burst down

Gyfford you put it so well^^

The whole problem you mention can be sorted out so easily if melee jobs simply report TP a little , or give some warning of when the SC is about to begin. Communication between opener and closer, obviously used by the BLM too helps everything to go off in perfect synchronisation.

Yes, that's one of the idiosyncronies in this game that I'm glad people are pointing out that is lacking with the slew of new players.

No one seems to TP call anymore because they think you're running Wxxxxxx with TP Party by default. ._. Sure, it's there, but think about it - there's an established PS2 base as well as a growing XBox base that DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THIS 3RD party functionality.

Man, we so need a Macro 101 for these players.

[Gyfford]

Re: Getting my Magic Burst down

Man, we so need a Macro 101 for these players.

OMG on that note.....
In my LS we do god fights, opt hat runs, etc.

Well there are about 10 sets of SC partners, either making light or dark. Well no one uses a:
/p Opening <Light> >>> <Ubber WS> <call14>
/p Closing <Light> >>> <Ubber WS> <call14>

Nooooooo!!! I get
/p <ubber WS> <start button> now!!!!!
then nuthing after that....

hmm 10 different WS combos, and I'm going to remember you by... WS? So I've done a Thunder IV on dark, and Bliz IV on light :/

^---Hey, I'm no WS atlas... unless they're all doing light or all dark.. They better spell it out XD