Experiences on Endgame

[Saizen]

I've still got quite a ways at lvl 64 but i'm wondering what i can expect to see at lvl 75. I know i'll end up joining some crew and fight HNM or something like that. Is there some special information that could help me out on doing that out there? I would like to here some of you guys opinions, and experiences when u first started doing endgame pld stuff.

[zorca]

First thing u'll have to get used to is wielding a staff instead of sword/shield :spin:

[Mephisto]

or not, hate+ from sheild and shield blocking is better than earth staff now D;

[Tifa]

toe-to-toe tanking, sword/shield is probably more effective than staff with the recent change in the way shields work.

kiting, you're going to be using earth staff.

[Mephisto]

not always--hate+ and the intimidate on koenig shield makes it just as good a choice for kiting.

[Ziguld]

heh... I prefere Shield for kiting and Staff for straight tanking still.

Even if Koenig Shield is less damage overtime, its erratic nature... no thanks.

[Balutix]

I'm always updated with shield and sword. even tho i use earth staff mainly now.. if it is mobs that hit fast but weak i can use sword/shield. but mobs that hit me like hell(and oftenly they hit slower) i just need the 20% dmg reduction

[Elesirdur]

Re: Experiences on Endgame

Get used to dying, a lot. When you start doing gods - probably in your early 70s with a good linkshell - don't expect to live through every fight. Byakko and Suzaku can be really tough even on lvl 75 Paladins so this is why it pays to bring three or four Paladins to god runs.

I havn't done Kirin yet but I fully expect to die at least 10 to 15 times in a single Kirin run the first time my LS does it.

Because I'm only 72 I have to use an Earth Staff to tank all the Gods or HNMs but our top Paladin (75 Galka) just uses sword/shield for everything except Genbu.

[Icemage]

Re: Experiences on Endgame

10-15 deaths on Kirin is excessive, though I suppose if it's your first attempt, simply winning will be a feat in as of itself. Generally speaking, most good LS that fight Kirin regularly will only lose each tank maybe 1-3 times per fight.

Sometimes you get caught in a bad position/bound and simply can't avoid Stonega IV, and well, those are the times you just die if you're eating the damage solo, or if you get caught against a wall/bound when Stone V goes off, that can be pretty painful too. Elvaan and Galka PLDs can survive both spells (barely) on occasion, but hume, mithra, and tarutaru have zero chance unless they get lucky and resist some damage.


Icemage

[Sepukku]

Re: Experiences on Endgame

Yeah, the #1 thing about being a PLD that keeps people happy is don't whine when you die. Learn to laugh at yourself (This is a lesson everyone can learn IRL, too.)

[Caspian]

Re: Experiences on Endgame

Yeah, the #1 thing about being a PLD that keeps people happy is don't whine when you die. Learn to laugh at yourself (This is a lesson everyone can learn IRL, too.)

Dont whine when I die in RL? ok....
Sorry to be a smartass, I know what you mean. An ls mate always goes into god fights certain of the fact that he'll drop back down to 74 while hes in there. I guess if you go in expecting it to happen and it doesnt, well then so much the better.

[csBahamut]

Re: Experiences on Endgame

1) Embrace death. You will die, that is for sure. You won't always die, but don't be afraid to take that exp loss so your LS can win.

2) Gear: HP > VIT > DEF > +emnity. Get those +HP items, they help. Don't sacrifice 20 HP for +1 VIT, it's NOT worth it. Just make sure to balance your VIT, DEF, and +emnity gear so you can keep hate, not just survive.

3) Earth staff will be your best friend unless you can keep shield capped. Even then, I don't know how well this works. I'm trying to cap my shield and get some +shield gear for tanking(without sacrificing +HP).

4) Know how to control hate. You don't just hold hate on HNMs, you control it. It'll most likely be you and 1-2 other PLDs sharing taking. You'll need to know how to let hate bounce between the tanks, but not everyone else.

5) And the #1 thing to know: TEAMWORK. Without this, you will suck. If you cannot work with your LS, then you will be a crappy tank. you could have the best gear in the world, but it means jack-s*** if you and your teammates don't know how to work together. With teamwork, a lot of the 'must have' tanking gear becomes mearly a convenience.