The Brakki Dragoon Guide

[Spinnthrift]

Re: The Brakki Dragoon Guide

Slapping down close minded ideals? No.

It's about learning to build a reputation for solid and reliable performance. Reputation in this game is quite important to build upon.

It's about building a reputation for being able to work with a party, maximise your performance and have people know that you'll do what they need you to do.

Once you get beyond that phase - it gets murkier. But this isn't a guide to specialist experienced Dragoons who're saying: "Right - I know that when I join a party, I'll put in 25% of my parties damage regardless of what I do. Let's experiment to boost my performance outwards and onwards". Let's see what random cool things we can do.

As I've said - I know Drg can main heal a party - something you *think* shouldn't happen.

I'll agree the guide needs to update it's gear listings some. As for what to do, what to sub in a party and other basic details - it's on the money. And while you might disagree with that notion - you've proven already your fundamental lack of understanding in party dynamics, skillchain priority and more...

- Saeriel.

P.S No.. I don't believe Stockyboy was aiming anything personal at your history (but more to the relevance of this thread), amusing as it sounds - I have no knowledge either of that - as drama isn't my cup of tea. Playing well is my cup of tea though. However - if you'd care to enlighten us with the whole MithraPride saga (which I'm sure it is), I'm sure others would give you sympathy. I do not believe however - it's a topic for this thread. Maybe there's an old news forum section you can post in.

[Kailea]

Re: The Brakki Dragoon Guide

ulg...dont want to get into the Mithra ride thing again... lol but all I would say is that I was treated like crap (being kicked out of LS and havein my "goodbye" threads deleted over ando over by Prrsha) when all I did was disagree with the LS leader's idea of a "poimts system"
He was trying to turn a social LS into an HNMLS..and some did not agree with him, but I was the one that said something first ...and well I will just leave it at that. its funny the LS broke up later that day, Prrsha got pissed and smashed it.
(its been recreated like 3 times already)

anyway back on topic....
I know all this, I have played DRG and FFXI for a long time. I know that my PT examples where well.....crap :p but that is because I just put basic voke/tank/heal/damge ideas into them, and did not go past that.
I know that a DRG/WHM can main heal.....just would not like the idea of it being done, although I have had it done in a PT I was in and it went alright :p

Basicly what it boils down to is what I am asked to sub, I list in my search comments that I can sub WAR THF DRK WHM RDM BLU (SAM is still level 25) and I sub what I am asked to sub. Sometimes they ask for WHM or RDM, and sometimes THF or WAR
(DRK and BLU are mainly testing subs right now but DRK gives more base attack then WAR and souleater is a nice saver sometimes)

[Stockyboy]

Re: The Brakki Dragoon Guide

EDIT: Sae got thar ding w

[Lmnop]

Re: The Brakki Dragoon Guide

I reinstalled Starcraft. I've been playing almost non-stop for a week. So excuse my 3-day late response. Also, this'll prolly be long. I'll make a 2nd post some time soon.

There is no +HP gear that can outweigh the value of even a single extra STR or ATT to a Dragoon. There is no comparison.

A Dragoon needs to maximize ACC, STR, ATT, and DEX before all other stats. If you do not, you are not being the best you could be.

Does it suck? Yeah.

Some of this gear is very expensive and very hard to get.

Is that an excuse? No.

You can kid yourself all you want, but you can't kid the game. Your damage output is based on hard math and you need to maximize stats that are appropriate for your job.

+HP is good, but only as long as you are not sacrificing other important stats.

Losing 1 ATT for +15 HP is not worth it.

you seem like a smart and nice guy, Taodyn. This post kinda got me riled up though. This is where the word "elitism" started to play heavily in my mind.

You see, there's a balance. On the one hand, you do everything you can to be at the top of your game. But on the other hand, you can't rationalize someone farming themselves to dust for the best gear the game has to offer. Where do you draw the line? SH is 8mil, Peacock Charm is like 20mil. Hey, if you have the SH, you're 1/3rd there may as well get it too, right? Most players -- even the DRGs with SH and snipers and victories hidden away, will never say they must have a peacock charm.

I know it's a severe example but if you don't want to farm up a peacock charm, how could you ever warrant getting a valk mask instead of walk? I don't know what prices are now, but I know there was a time when it was like 1.5 mil for walk and 3 mil for valk. that's not worth 1 attack.

Ok Lmnop. We were trying to be civilised and explain...

I guess I kinda dropped my cool and stuff. At any rate, I never wanted to attack you. The thread was taking a turn where it started with "yea, valkyrie's is technically better than walkure's but it's not huge" to "why the hell do you have a walk?!?! you gimp!" Maybe I just percieved that and was way off base. Maybe it would've degenerated into that if I didn't change your focus a bit.

I will re-iterate for you something. I like Drg/healer.

I never said anything against /healer, but I see your point in that the +10 mp helps you do missions and stuff. However, you could just as easily put on a hairpin and when the extra mp runs out, equip swap to a walkure's. Lowering your attack for the first 30 seconds isn't going to hurt you. The next part of your anti-me post addresses how the +mp is superior but you've already forgotten about drg/brd. /point Baladoth's post.

So - before telling us to stop this conversation right now - as I'm sure you've got some great gear - and having great gear makes you eminently qualified to tell others to stop talking...

Let me spell it out for you.

I don't want you to stop the conversation on a whole. I wanted the nonsense about how terrible a walkure's mask is to stop. I should've been more clear. I should have quoted then and made my post longer. But I didn't. I didn't want to quote because that's pointing fingers. I'd rather leave things vague and the people who know i'm talking about them will understand instead of having to call them out. Too late for that now...

I try not to tell people about my gear. I don't like to talk about me. In all of my
shortcomings and mediocrities, and all the time I've spent playing this game to still not even have a job at 75. I was hoping by citing my own experience, that my side would be believed a little better. This wasn't the case since, once again, I was being too brief.

My gear is good. I know that it helps. I know that I'd be ok without it. I know that I'll exp with Drks and Sams and other Wars (did I mention I'm war? that's why I can wear my haub ) who wear Jaridah Peti or whatever they want. I don't care. I've played with Sams who have nothing but HQ gear and just want to see big numbers yet I recently partied with a sam in Jaridah and almost all NQ gear who was quick to SC with the Drk and I. When the Drk did the wrong WS on accident, he used a different WS to make another SC so at least -some- extra damage would come of it. Which of those SAMs will I party with again? I know that same old rhetoric of Skill > equip but Equip is important. It's true. And i'm a bit of an elitist myself, obviously. I think the bigger part of skill isn't playing your job since that's freakin' easy. I think it's knowing how to gear your job with the resources you have. This is why I stress equip swap macros so much. It's the best way for a smart player to do extremely well with limited resources.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At the end of the day though, I don't appreciate being treated like I have nothing to offer the DRG community, and being seen only as a troll. I did not want to attack anyone in particular. I deserve more than "allow me to reiterate"s and "let me spell it out for you"s. I've spent a long time with this community and I like it here. And I'd like to think I've helped a scant few people in my day.

[Ellipses]

Re: The Brakki Dragoon Guide

The next part of your anti-me post addresses how the +mp is superior but you've already forgotten about drg/brd. /point Baladoth's post.

Just as a brief aside here...

The only time +HP gear really does DRG/BRD any good is during soloing. In a party, +HP will be meaningless because 1) the Hybrid Wyvern doesn't use Healing Breath on other party members and 2) there had better be a more capable tank in the party than DRG/BRD.

And anyone who tries to get in someone's face about solo gear is a special brand of nincompoop.

[Taodyn]

Re: The Brakki Dragoon Guide

you seem like a smart and nice guy, Taodyn. This post kinda got me riled up though. This is where the word "elitism" started to play heavily in my mind.

You see, there's a balance. On the one hand, you do everything you can to be at the top of your game. But on the other hand, you can't rationalize someone farming themselves to dust for the best gear the game has to offer. Where do you draw the line? SH is 8mil, Peacock Charm is like 20mil. Hey, if you have the SH, you're 1/3rd there may as well get it too, right? Most players -- even the DRGs with SH and snipers and victories hidden away, will never say they must have a peacock charm.

I know it's a severe example but if you don't want to farm up a peacock charm, how could you ever warrant getting a valk mask instead of walk? I don't know what prices are now, but I know there was a time when it was like 1.5 mil for walk and 3 mil for valk. that's not worth 1 attack.

I'm not an elitist. I simply believe people should do their best to get the best gear they can.

Imagine it like studying for a test. Some people will study hard, even though it's difficult, because they want to be the best they can be. Others will start to study and then get frustrated and do what they can.

Some people will always work to have the best gear in the game. They will farm and do BCNMs, and whatever else they need to. They are willing to do the work to maximize their potential.

Others will say that their time is more valuable than the discomfort and choose not to maximize potential. They won't farm as much and will buy lesser gear that is more affordable.

Now, I don't have any problem with either type of person. As long as your gear is suitable for the level you are at, then you're cool with me. I don't expect people to have the big ticket items or have all +1 gear.

That's not realisitic.

But the discussion was not on the financial value of these items, but rather which one is better. Those of you arguing are quite often saying +1 ATT is just not worth the difference.

That wasn't the question.

We're discussing which piece of gear is better for Dragoons. Period. The financial side is something each player has to deal with. You either have the discipline and focus to farm for those items or you don't.

That doesn't change the item, itself.

The Valkyrie's Mask is better than the Walkure Mask. It has a higher ATT stat than the Walkure Mask which is the more important stat for our job. The +HP and +MP are side issues, as they have little bearing on the effectiveness of a Dragoon.

Is the +1 ATT worth the difference in price? I have no clue. Probably not.

But if you want to have the best equipment, you should go with the Valkyrie's Mask. It is the better equipment.

[Stockyboy]

Re: The Brakki Dragoon Guide

Being elitest isn't cause you spend more on your gear, it's when you don't accept a Smn because they don't have little white blocks around all their gear, including their Royal cloak.
That is elitism.

[Kailea]

Re: The Brakki Dragoon Guide

yeah but just because I do not want ot have teh best gear that the game can offer ( I refuse to spend that much gil on crap) does not mean I suck or am gimp as a DRG, I dont have to hit for 9999 to be a good PT member, I just need to make sure that I keep attacking untill it is dead, and if I have /mage then help with a cure her and there if needed

[Spinnthrift]

Re: The Brakki Dragoon Guide

Lnmop, I too agree that somewhere a line is drawn between must have and luxury, and I also know sometimes I come across fiercely when I have causes. >< So - my apologies if I did that then.

Secondly - we're not saying it's a terribly piece of gear. I have one myself. I don't buy bad gear, well - there was that one time when the armour dealer told me that this "special armour" he had would improve my triple attack *and* double attack proc rates *AND* would make me irresistable to the "ladies" - yet, it just turned out to be a lacy subligar. He's swimming with the fishes now... and the subligar? Well.. I wear it on Saturday nights - and you can call me Mandy then. Oh.. wait... what was I saying??? Fsck... back on topic...

I leave Drg/Brd out of the equation - mainly - as I've never really played it (having not levelled Bard myself). And that's mainly as I've not figured out a situation yet where Drg/Brd would be preferable to Drg/healer. That doesn't mean to say that Drg/Brd doesn't have some awesomecross2004 applications. Just that I don't have any to say: This combo rocks the house in x, y or z situation, and is used in this, this and this way. And it works.
- and if I did figure one out - damn skippy would I rave about the Walkure > Valkryie in that arguement. But this thread was/is still about a DD Dragoon.

I'm not saying you haven't been here a long time. I definately wasn't calling you a troll. And I'll agree to try and be fluffy if you do to. Sound fair?

Just playing devils advocate now though... which is better?

Scorpion Harness (NQ version) or the Akinji Peti?

[Dragonly]

Re: The Brakki Dragoon Guide

Only one thing wrong with this guide Brakki, you quoted two of the most DRG bashers around. and saluted one of them, shame on you.

[Kailea]

Re: The Brakki Dragoon Guide

he says he is a level 75 DRG...but to be honest I would not believe it unless I saw it.... I cant see how a lv75 DRG can sit there and salute known DRG bashers.....

[Stockyboy]

Re: The Brakki Dragoon Guide

You don't have to hit for 1337 damage all the time, you just have to have the best gear you feel you need, sure it won't be to the standards of some others, but chances are it won't be terrible.

EDIT: Until AJ, Akinji Peti by all means, Atk and Acc all in one package. You no longer need SH unless you are an elvaan who wants to use meat over sole, and have terrible Acc problems.

[Brakki]

Re: The Brakki Dragoon Guide



Just because someone bashes the job you play doesn't mean they're wrong.

Spoilers: They're not.

[Kailea]

Re: The Brakki Dragoon Guide

ok ok so you are 75.... but yes people that bash a job class, half the time do not know what the heck they are talking about.

[sevenpointflaw]

Re: The Brakki Dragoon Guide

My gear advice is directed towards partying.

1. You're not an end-game PLD. You don't need HP.
2. Why are you subbing WHM in an EXP party?

I've seen six DRG in action in an XP party. /WHM is very nice in that situation, as is extra HP. And just ot be clear... thats an XP party.

As for the backup healing thing as DRG/WHM, that was my normal setup as a DRG pre-Kazham. Its handy when dealing with people who havn't mastered MP conservation.

As for those that bash the idea that a DRG doesn't make a good backup healer, and for those that suggested that past 20 a whm should be able to solo-heal a party with no problems... I say get your thinker outta your bum.

While I will agree that its possible to main heal with no backup, it is by no means advisable. If anything, pre-crow hate management is an issue without a backup healer. PLD backup heal themselves, so its a non-issue. But try main curing without anyone else what-so-ever versus say... flies in the crawlers nest. Bats in garliage citadel. Pugils in qufim island. God forbid you have a Nin tank (healing anyone before Sata is practicly impossible - TGFRegen... if you have time to cast it)

Your choices keep people alive and maintain the chain at high risk of killing yourself... or curaga after battles and kill the chain after second or third kill. A DRG/WHM may not be as good as a Bard who can Curaga after every battle, but I'll be damned if I don't sigh with relief when I see someone go from red to yellow while I'm casting cure on the tank (or stoneskin on myself, or regen, or any long-casting time spell for that matter).

Really, honest to god, DRG/WHM not only have thier uses, but they have valuable uses in XP parties. It just depends on the job/subjobs you have.

For an example party setup that is not only realistic but one that I've been in, try this...

War/Nin (tank, only one utsu)
Mnk/War (dd / backup tank)
Sam/War (dd)
Sam/War (dd, puller)
Drg/Whm (DD / backup heal)
Whm/Blm (main heal, enfeeble)

The basic setup was that I would enfeeble for first part of battle until tank got low, then DRG would bust out healing breath on tank. At that point enfeeble cycle was in place, and I would get tank back up to full before switching back to enfeeble cycle. With the downtime in healing caused by the enfeeble cycle I never maintained enough enmity to steal hate, but the party didn't suffer from lack of cures during my enfeeble cycle.

Can I have a cookie now?