What level should I be before tanking GODS?

[Serantos]

So I just got sky access last night, All the HL in my LS did actually, so were going to plan some NM/God runs out there... What level should I be before I can even think about Tanking those NM/Gods?

Thanks!

[TheGrandMom]

Re: What level should I be before tanking GODS?

70+ at the very least as a Paladin, in my opinion.

[Sepukku]

Re: What level should I be before tanking GODS?

70+ You can start tanking stuff....but be smart, certain gods and God-pop-item-NMs are harder to tank than others. (Whatever you do, dont whine when you die...)

[Serantos]

Re: What level should I be before tanking GODS?

Oh.. I look forward to getting killed OVER AND OVER again! I'm just glad to finally be getting to endgame, ive had the game since NA release... but i took a 9 month break from the game...

[csBahamut]

Re: What level should I be before tanking GODS?

You can do most of the pop item NMs at 70, though Zipcana and Faust might be really tough at that level. You don't want to attempt the gods until 73+. I've tried taking pre-73, and I only got beat really fast. Level makes a big difference in how much damage you take. For example: Against byakko, I'd take 200-260 damage per hit at level 72. At level 75, I take 170-220 per hit. It may not seem like much, but it's a lot when Byakko triple and double attacks. Level also makes a different on how easily you can pull hate on the gods. I had a really hard time pulling hate at 72. At 75, it is really easy to turn the mob when needed.

I hope that helps for you. It is possible to tank at lower levels, but you'll be putting a big strain on your healers.

[Serantos]

Re: What level should I be before tanking GODS?

Thanks Bahumut, that helped alot!

[JP_Ikari]

Re: What level should I be before tanking GODS?

I heard also the biggest reason why 73 is a must, is because of the Adaman armor. More enmity and has HP added on you. And everything Cs said is what was told to me. I can't wait, only 6 levels to go T T

JP

[csBahamut]

Re: What level should I be before tanking GODS?

AF works perfectly fine. The only adaman piece worth using on HNMs is the helm. Everything else lacks the +HP. +HP > +VIT and +emnity on the adaman gear. Level 73 just happens to be the majic level where the damage a PLD takes from gods is managable, and they can actually grab hate easier.

[xXx]

Re: What level should I be before tanking GODS?

i say 70+ is a must

[JP_Ikari]

Re: What level should I be before tanking GODS?

AF works perfectly fine. The only adaman piece worth using on HNMs is the helm. Everything else lacks the +HP. +HP > +VIT and +emnity on the adaman gear. Level 73 just happens to be the majic level where the damage a PLD takes from gods is managable, and they can actually grab hate easier.

Really I asked a lot of the HNM ls's that told me I need adaman before I can join. I dunno, so I'm just following that standard.

JP

[csBahamut]

Re: What level should I be before tanking GODS?

Heh, I see a lot of newer PLDs wearing Adaman for tanking HNMs, giving up a lot of +HP for a few VIT and emnity. When Byakko can triple attack for 180-220 a hit, then follow up with a WS move, the only thing that will save you is +HP. If you ask any of the older, more experienced PLDs, they will tell you +HP > all. I didn't think so at first either, but as I got a bunch of +HP gear, I see the reasoning for it. It helps a LOT more than it seems. If Whren still posted here, she'd probably be able to explain better.

[JP_Ikari]

Re: What level should I be before tanking GODS?

Gallant Coronet: Def:24, HP+12, MND+3, Enmity +2
Adaman Armet: Def:28, HP+12, MP+12, VIT+3, Enmity +2

Gallant Gauntlets: Def:16, HP+11, DEX+3, LIGHT+10, Enmity +2
Adaman Gauntlets: Def:20, MP+10, VIT +3, AGI-1, INT-1, Enmity +2

Gallant Leggings: Def:14, HP+15, CHR+5, "Shield Skill +10"
Adaman Sabatons: DEF:17, HP+15, VIT+1, AGI-1, Enmity +1

Gallant Breeches: DEF:34, HP+15, AGI +3, Enmity +2, "Enhancing Magic Skill +5"
Adaman Cuisses: DEF:41, VIT+3, INT-3, Evasion -1, Enmity +3

Gallant Surcoat: DEF:40, HP+20, VIT +4, Enmity +2, "Diving Magic Skill +5"
Adaman Cuirass: DEF:52, MP+8, VIT +4, MND +4, Enmity +3

Total HP: Gallant = 73HP, Adaman = 27HP, pwned like a beast with the HP
Total Enmity: Adaman = 11 Enmity, Gallant = 8, only beaten by 3.

I know, read, and also been told that HP > VIT at high level cs. But this is what is told to me. I'm not denying the fact that our AF gives us a ton of HP. But with 2 Pigeon Earrings (+40)/1 Bloodbead earring (+25) with 1 Cassie Earring (+50), Bomb queen ring (+75)/Bloodbead ring (+50), Behemoth Mantle (+30)/Gigant Mantle (+80), Rosenbogen +1 (+12)/Happy egg (+1%HP), there are other places where we can get our HP. That's why they want an adaman. That's all what they're telling me. If people can tank fine with our AF (which I think everyone can) againts gods then that's more than enough. But that's what everyone is telling me.

JP

P.S. Read what Solid-snake said about his high-end/HNM tanking gear (besides him wearing Koenig armor).

[csBahamut]

Re: What level should I be before tanking GODS?

Yeah, he lists Adaman as one of the viable HNM tanking armor, which it is. Even some of the other PLDs in my LS use Adaman over AF, but they do it to save space, not because they think it's better. They store their AF to save safe room.

I've seen his list, but I can't completely agree 100% with his order of how good every piece is, but again, it's all viable to use. As long as your healers can keep you alive without running out of MP from healing you, then you can tank.

He also stated a shield skill of 250+ to use shield on HNMs. I'm currently at 254 based shield skill. I won't try sword and shield on HNMs, but I'll give it a try on the pop item NMs.

[Icemage]

Re: What level should I be before tanking GODS?

The real answer is a bit more complex. Different fights require different gear. Against enemies that hit very hard, very fast (Byakko), +HP will save you more often than +VIT will, since it buys your healers more time to save you from those big damage WS/triple attacks or whatever. All the enmity in the world won't do you any good if you die.

Enemies that don't hit as hard, but require extended fights (Aspidochelone) tend to favor +VIT/+DEF/+Enmity over +HP.

As for sword/shield, I've seen Solidsnake007(Kurokikaze) use this combination successfully on quite a few HNMs. You have to be a bit selective about where you use it, but it seems quite viable if you have enough skill.


Icemage

[csBahamut]

Re: What level should I be before tanking GODS?

The real answer is a bit more complex. Different fights require different gear. Against enemies that hit very hard, very fast (Byakko), +HP will save you more often than +VIT will, since it buys your healers more time to save you from those big damage WS/triple attacks or whatever. All the enmity in the world won't do you any good if you die.

Enemies that don't hit as hard, but require extended fights (Aspidochelone) tend to favor +VIT/+DEF/+Enmity over +HP.

As for sword/shield, I've seen Solidsnake007(Kurokikaze) use this combination successfully on quite a few HNMs. You have to be a bit selective about where you use it, but it seems quite viable if you have enough skill.


Icemage

Yes, a good PLD knows when to switch around gear based on the enemy. I failed to address that. I do switch around a lot of gear based on what I'm tanking.

My shield skill has slowly been catching up. I'll get to using it on HNMs eventually. I can also see how Earth Staff could be better than Sword and Shield in some situations, i.e. Hard hitting, slow attacking NMs. Though, I won't really know until I try.