CounterStance Question

[Kyoto]

I am a 1337 TaruTaru MNK ^,^

any yesterday i finally got from 45 to 47 and before i left the pty to go to bed i noticed that i had the ability counterstance. i had never really noticed it before so i read it. It said it im proved the chances of countering but greatly lowers DEF. I thought cool it takes away like 25-50DEF right? so the next fight i used it and noticed that when the Goblin hit me i felt it *ouch* i had not seen how much it actually took off then when i checkd my DEF i noticed my 179DEF went all the way down to 28DEF. (; i quickly took off the ability manually in fear of some stupid bomb drop would kill me easy.

anyway my questions:

1. How usefull is this ability?

2. When should this ability be used?

3. How often do you personaly use it?

[Lynsy]

1) Situationally, counterstance is the most useful ability a MNK has...at other times, its utterly useless or even potentially devistating.
2) Before acquiring and equipping Melee Gaiters (MNK AF2 Feet, Dynamis-Bastok, L71) Counterstance is virtually useless in XP PTs or anything that cons higher level than yourself. However, for things such as farming it is immensely useful. You will end up countering mobs that are lower level than yourself well over half the time meaning you take no more dps really but it significantly increases your dps to the mob.
3) I personally never use it since I'm not a MNK, however it allows me to duo VT-IT mobs with a MNK friend of mine without any real problem (Chain 5VTs, non-Chain/Chain 1 ITs). I am a huge believer in Counterstance, but only when used properly.

Oh, and Goblinb Bomb Toss is elemental, meaning dmg taken by it is completely unrelated to your DEF.

[Redlimit]

Basically, Counterstance will be your least used ability. It is extrememly effective when fighting things that are Easy Prey or Too Weak, so it is a good boon when farming. It won't do anything to save your life in a situation where an IT++ enemy is beating you down though, even with other gear that gives you over +15 Counter.

You will just have to get a feel for it. Try it out versus different enemies, and see if you take more damage than normal, or if you kill things much quicker. Once you get the hang of situations it is useful for, it can greatly speed up your damage and reduce hits you take in those situations.

Never, EVER try to use it on anything over Even Match though - you are just asking for trouble with your low DEF.

[Kyoto]

Originally posted by Lynsy
Oh, and Goblinb Bomb Toss is elemental, meaning dmg taken by it is completely unrelated to your DEF. [/B]

thx Lynsy i wasnt aware of that ^^

and thx for the info i went out and found that EPs are easy to use it on however the dmg that you take when a sucessful atk is applied is very painful ; ; i dont think i will be using this much

[Kent]

I have yet to see an actual difference in Counterstance when using Melee Gaiters.

If anything, it seems like I counter less with them... Either that, or I'm just unlucky.

[Artemuller]

Counterstance Oh boy...

Hello Kyoto,

Tat here. Just wanted to post some
experience on Counterstance. It's
a really fun ability however very
dangerous like all have mentioned.
However if in a very competant party,
good whm and prepared evasion,dodge,
and guard set it could become a
flexible skill to use.

After I close a skillchain, I activate
a macro to equip 2 avengers
/ja "Dodge"
and /ja "Counterstance". My
input- occurence is rather low
I'd say about out of 6 hits from
a monster at most counter 1-2x.
I think it'll improve later since Tat
is 45 and with aikido Koshita lvl 49.

-Tat