Question about Lv.45 Active Ability - "Counterstance"

[DJplaeskool]

JP equivalent is ‚©‚Ü‚¦‚é "Kamaeru", which can mean "to maintain posture, to be concerned, to build, to prepare, wait at the ready, be on the look out"...
‚©‚Ü‚¦‚é is also the name of a Kendo defensive sword position...

The Def drop from the ‚©‚Ü‚¦‚é is, according to mine and others' observations, directly related to your MNK level and character classes base vitality. at lv 70 (race: Mit), ‚©‚Ü‚¦‚é (which I rarely ever use) drops my def to 47. I've stumbled into conversations with some jp monks about the exact formula for it, but they about as unconcerned about it as I was...so the above is what we agreed on. using ‚©‚Ü‚¦‚é will nullify (though not terminate) any and all current positive defensive spells and effects, which return once it's canceled or the duration ends, granted the positive spell is still in effect. It's a VERY dangerous ability to use, since when you get hit, you get smacked Compton style. Strangely enough, it's duration is the same as its refresh time, so you could be constantly "concerned".

My only hypothesis is that Last Resort follows suit in not being a static amount, but a formula based on current/base statistics...

[Mithrael]

Question about Lv.45 Active Ability - "Counterstance"

I'm not sure what the JP name for it is, but my level 45 active ability is "Counterstance." I'm trying to figure out if it is operating as it is supposed to. Currently when I used the abililty, my Defense drops to 29. Protect, Protect II, or Protect III do not affect that number. Using "Last Resort" drops my Defense to 24 (instead of the expected 9). Is this correct, or is this a bug in NA beta?

I only ask because of the recent discovery in the Samurai AF Weapon. (It appears as a LV.1 Great Katana with 0 damage and usable by all jobs!!!)

So anyway, should my defense really drop that low? Should Protect X affect my defense while using it? Should Last resort have the expected Defense-20 effect?

Thanks

[Mithrael]

wow... something's weird with the board, your reply came before my question! Now that's service.

anyway, thanks for the info. Last Resort is supposed to be Atk+20, Def-20. Perhaps this ability tempers that, i didn't think to check and see if it gives me the whole atk boost or not, i'll do that tonight.

In your opinion, is there ever a good time to use this ability? i used it against a sea monk (way below my level) and he hit me with a normal hit for 191 (a little less than 20% of my hp). I can't imagine what an IT mob would do to me. Also, i take aggro so seldom, i don't see that this would help often at all.

Any advice about appropriate times to use this? or is it just a menu-space-filler?

[DJplaeskool]

I find it to be most a menu-filler, although, if you go on money-making excursions and fight much weaker enemies, it can be kinda fun to use. Otehr than situations where you will fight weak enemies, I wouldn't really suggest using it. The Def hit is too great for the small benefit...