ToAU ring choices

[Pavlyn]

So, i just finished the ToAU missions and now i have to choose between two lovely rings and i am torn between which one would be best for me. To start i will post the stats of the two so nobody has to go an look them up. They are:

Balrahn's Ring RareEx
[Finger] All Races
Magic Accuracy+4
Assault: INT+4 MND+4 CHR+4 Adds "Refresh" effect
LV 50 All Jobs

and

Ulthalam's Ring RareEx
[Finger] All Races
Accuracy+4 Attack+4
Assault: STR+4 DEX+4 Adds "Regen" effect
LV 50 All Jobs

Originally, i had my mind set on Balrahn's because it provides much less common bonuses than Ulthalam's, but now i am not so certain it is worth it in the long run.

At the moment i only have BLU and BRD as LV75 jobs. I have DNC at 70, but kinda gave up on the job and may not even take it to 75. However, i am currently leveling WAR, which is at 63, and do plan to finish the job to 75. Obviously Balrahn's would have no use on either of these jobs, but i consider BLU my main and will continue to consider it my main after WAR is 75.

I am currently in an Assault static that meets twice a week. we are all CS or higher and will begin working on the CS missions at our next meeting. So, at the very least i have three ranks worth of assaults, CS SL and FL, to do. So, the Assault latent on the ring will come in to effect. Before taking the ToAU ring into consideration i have three forms of Auto Refresh on my BLU: the setable trait, Relic body, and Sanction refresh.

So, i do a fair amount of assault, but i don't think that will be the case forever and now i am wondering if it is worth it to take Balrahn's almost exclusively for the refresh trait that i will only use a small percent of the time that i am playing the game. I do not know how powerful the +MAcc is and if it would be worthwhile for swapping in when casting magical debuffs and sleep spells. Whereas, Ulthalam's provides a very nice stat set outside of assault and a very good one while in assault (i mean what BLU wouldn't like more STR and DEX?). Additionally, i ask myself if i really need another form of refresh while i am in assault. In general i am quite happy with my mp after getting the relic body and am not certain it is all that necessary. Now, for the few times i bring BRD to assault it would certainly be nice, but mp generally isnt and issue since i can replenish my small mp pool with just 2ish ballad rounds and even less if the RDM is nice and knows that BRDs like refresh too.

So, i guess that is enough rambling and in short i am wondering does anyone have an opinion as to which ring is better suited to BLU in the long run. Damn them for both being awesome.

[Andrinor]

Re: ToAU ring choices

I chose Ulthalum's personally, but I don't think it's a huge deal. The MACC is interesting but I honestly cannot see myself macroing that in when I cast spells: I'd much rather use a MND ring if using Mind Blast, etc. The assault bonuses are nice but those are not in play 90% of the time.

At least Ulthalum's Ring is a decent TP piece. The other would only be macroed in for casting specific spells.

[Mog]

Re: ToAU ring choices

I regret getting the Ulthalam's ring. Especially since now I have ranger leveled, I would get a ton more use out of the Jahlzad's. But then again, Ulthalam's good for TP gain and a free piece, so your call.

[Sabaron]

Re: ToAU ring choices

I find that the Balrahn's Ring is unique and very powerful in a number of situations. For a Bard, the MAcc+4 is an excellent complement to boost my song accuracy since it provides greater effect than the +3 skill from a Nereid ring and my CHR is already so high that I assume that I've soft capped (though I have no definitive answer on that). What sealed the deal for me, however, were the Assault related effects. On assault, it's almost as good as an elemental ring and if gives a tick of refresh.

This is in effect in virtually all ToAU battlefields including: Assault, Nyzul Isle, Ashu Talif, Salvage, and ToAU Missions (when helping others). I haven't done any Einherjar, so I don't know if it works there, but even it if doesn't it's cool.

Jalzahn's Ring is definitely a great Ranger ring. If you are planning Ranger to be your primary DD job, then it is right for you. It's probably pretty good for Corsair as well, but it has a very limited scope compared to the Balrahn's or Ulthalam's.

Be aware that Ulthalam's Ring is easily replaceable with a Woodsman, Sniper or Toreador's ring in general and a Flame ring that you already have to have when not in Assault. The Regen effect is too weak to be that effective (over any given assault which is 30 minutes or 600 ticks, it's worth an extra 600hp in total which is 2 Cure III's or probably 6-8 hits from any given mob compared to the 600mp that Balrahn's will give you if you're a mage which is 12 cure IIIs or 3600HP). It's definitely my least favorite ToAU ring. Don't get it.

Now, I know that there are people that love their Ulthalam's ring, but if you play both mage and DD, I can't see taking Ulthalam's over Balrahn's.

Get Bal or Jal.

[Pavlyn]

Re: ToAU ring choices

Thanks for the replies.

I was lean towards Balrahn's before and I am leaning a bit more towards it now. I think what it really comes down to is getting something i would use more, but has very comprable alternatives, or get something that i would use less, but can't be replaced.

[Malacite]

Re: ToAU ring choices

I agree, Ulthalam's is quite weak for what it offers.

If the assault bonus was say, Double Attack +5 or more then it'd be an entirely different story but a 1/tick regen? Pass. The melee stats (non-assault) could have been a bit better as well.

I chose Balrahn's and haven't looked back (though I do occasionally wonder about Jalzahn's)

[Pavlyn]

Re: ToAU ring choices

Just an update.

I took Balrahn's Ring. Thanks for all of the opinions.

[L boogie]

Re: ToAU ring choices

I figure it would be worthless to create a new thread regarding "Which ToAU ring....? but i have a question regarding the following ring choices. My career jobs as a Taru are PLD, WHM, and BLU. I am just concerned how does the MACC works on BLU. Does it directly effect Physical and Magical spells? i heard it only effects magical spells. Thanks in advance.

[Armando]

Re: ToAU ring choices

Magic Accuracy has nothing to do with physical spells. Physical spells use melee Accuracy.