STR Build > ACC Build

[ZQM]

EXPed my RNG for the first time in a long time, in a 4 RNG static. I went with basically a full STR build with X-bow. My idea is basically for strong, fast attacks. You can see my equipment here: http://ffxi.allakhazam.com/profile.xml?87162

My weapon was Rikondo, which wasn't listed on Allakhazam:
DMG:24 DLY:288 RNG ACC+3 RNG ATK+3

At lv40 I switch to C.C. Cloak (STR+2, Looks stupid-_-) and used Mythril Bolts for WS/Barrage. I macro in Spike Necklace for WS and Barrage, I don't use it on normal hits because -6 MND.

For a total of +15 STR after food pre-40, +17 STR post 40, +20 STR for WS/Barrage.

From 38-42 we EXPed in Gustav, then from 42-44 we EXPed in Crawler's Nest.

Sydok, Ikarus, Xalar=RNG, Nayaru=BRD, Maogin=RDM

Summary: http://www.pplsdbz.net/~zquestionmar...2-12-2005.html
Averages: http://www.pplsdbz.net/~zquestionmar...5-Averages.rtf

As can be seen, I outdamaged the second place RNG (Ikarus) by ~60 per fight. I also did over 10k damage more throughout the entire night. My R.ACC wasn't that bad at all compared to the others.

Some notes, Sydok and Xalar are Taru while me and Ikarus are Hume. We got Double Minuet from the BRD. Xalar was a level behind us. Xalar and Ikarus basically went full out RACC, while Sydok used some Taru RSE (+STR). Ikarus used Squid Sushi, Xalar used Rice Dumpling, Sydok and I used Sole Sushi. Ikarus and Xalar also used Xbow while Sydok used Bow. Ikarus was on Acid Bolt duty in Gustav, Xalar at the start of crawlers, and I at the end. My average damage per fight pre-40 was ~580, but after 40 when I equiped C.C. cloak it jumped over 600. Sydok/Ikarus's averages went up more then my average did when we moved to Crawler's Nest (Flies there have about a 700 HP advantage over Gustav's). My WS damage is REALLY low for some reason. I macro'd in Noct Head for the +AGI but I actually noticed it doing less then the +2 STR from the cloak. I have a dex advantage (Hume RSE Gloves and Garrison Hose) yet I had the worse Crit out of all the RNG. Gustav was under window control so I got the +3 RACC there from boots, but Crawler's was under Bastok.

So far though, I'm happy with STR build. All I ever heard and /checked from RNG was that RACC was so important, but I haven't seen it playing a big role yet. This might change at 55 with Slugshot, so we'll see. There will also be a lot more STR gear around that level though...Coathardie, hume RSE boots, Sun Rings.

[poweryoga]

sidewinder can be stupidly inaccurate. ironically, at that level mobs gain a lot of evasion as well so you're going to want to go with a good deal more acc gear than lvl 40.

of course back then we didn't have sushi. -_-

[imac2much]

I agree with yoga. Your build is very interesitng ZQM and I expect more RNG's may go that route from now on. The reason we focused on RNG ACC so much was that meat mithkabob used to be the staple food of almost any offensive job, including RNG... which obviously doesn't increase RNG ACC. Now that +RNG ACC food is available, STR builds may be viable once again.

However, it also depends on what kind of con your targets are. I still believe slow chaining IT++ gets more xp/hour than fast chaining VT or IT. I've done both, and the small 4-5 xp chains of 250-400 xp seems to always outrun the fast 6+ chains of 150+ xp. Another problem is that server population and camp crowds won't usually allow you to get 6+ chains very often, if only because there aren't enough monsters.

Once you get sidewinder/slugshot, you may notice you miss more than your party members. However, with the right food, plus US+PPA at level 60, the difference may be negligible.

[ZQM]

ironically, at that level mobs gain a lot of evasion as well so you're going to want to go with a good deal more acc gear than lvl 40.

Yeah, something else I forgot was that 60+ you have to fight mobs that are higher levels to gain the amount of EXP pre-60. However, Sushi will continue adding more ACC until I reach cap (+39 I believe, which I would gain in the mid-50's) and also another jobtrait at 50.

of course back then we didn't have sushi. -_-

The reason we focused on RNG ACC so much was that meat mithkabob used to be the staple food of almost any offensive job, including RNG... which obviously doesn't increase RNG ACC. Now that +RNG ACC food is available, STR builds may be viable once again.

While I understand that Sushi does change things, I was continually told to go with RACC at every level, even with using Sushi. Also at 44, I have 135 Markmanship Skill, 50+8 AGI, and +25 RNG ACC from equip...

((135) + (58/2) + (25)) * 14% = 26 ACC gained from Sushi

Now I realize that isn't the exact way to get it, but it's a rough estimate...just to get an idea of it. I realize AGI isn't on a 2:1 ratio, but it's the easiest way.

26 ACC isn't that much...you can get that much simply from ACC equipment I wasn't using. That means that with full out RACC Gear + Mith v.s. STR Build + Sushi, we both roughly the same RACC, I have more STR, you had more RATK.

Also have to remember that Ikarus and Sydok were also both using Sushi and full or close to full all out ACC equipment, meaning they got more ACC from Sushi then I did. My main point is to just show that ACC is not the end-all to be-all stats, expecially at lower levels.

However, it also depends on what kind of con your targets are. I still believe slow chaining IT++ gets more xp/hour than fast chaining VT or IT. I've done both, and the small 4-5 xp chains of 250-400 xp seems to always outrun the fast 6+ chains of 150+ xp. Another problem is that server population and camp crowds won't usually allow you to get 6+ chains very often, if only because there aren't enough monsters.

Actually we were getting rougly 10k an hour the whole time. Once they hit VT, it became hard to chain because of lack of mobs; that's when we left Gustav, and called it a night at Crawler's. This might change once we aren't held back by a 300 EXP cap, but so far the monster level range is still awesome EXP. I do completely understand that fighting IT++, I need to emphasize on accuracy, but I have never liked fighting those and chaining low IT's can be just as good EXP.

And curious, were you gaining Prelude in those IT++ parties Imac? Does anybody know how much ACC the first Prelude adds?

[kowboy]

Off-topic...

[Thegod]

has anyone ever tried subbing the ranger necklace or jaged gorget out for a spiked necklace for the str???

just curious, because i often think about a str set up, using garrison hose and rse boots (+3 str) but that would only be 4 str for a total of +8 str counting mantle and belt boost.

i mean another 3 would be uber, i think i'm gonna try it tonight, i mean i eat sushi anyway, so maybe that extra str will do me good when i overload myself with it....

[Stanislav]

STR build seems to the best way to go with this new Sushi food, I took all my ACC gear off my ranger (well not all of it) and now have +30 STR on it and hardly ever miss.

Thx to this new Sushi there is way more ways to equip your ranger, I have taking off about 40-50 ACC in replacement with 30 STR and some attack gear.

[neighbortaru]

Originally posted by Thegod
has anyone ever tried subbing the ranger necklace or jaged gorget out for a spiked necklace for the str???

That's what ZQM said he did on his first post...

[Thegod]

Originally posted by neighbortaru
That's what ZQM said he did on his first post...

ahh just looked at his allha profile and iy showed rng necklace so i was just wondering.


...and i hear levels 60-70 is where 90% of ur accuracy problems will happen, so i was wondering as well if this is even an option for me.

i figure i use a gun, thats +10 rng accuracy alot dont get...
so if i ate sushi with duel hawkers+1 how much rng accuracy could i lose?

what i want to loose is the following:

hunter's jerkin for cort. or JSE i think 3 str gives more then 7 rng atatck, dunno though

jaged gorget to AH block for spiked necklace (rng necklace still in mog)

Af boots/winged boots for savage gaitors

nocts+1 pants/republic pants/af pants for garrison hose


drone earring for minuet earring

thats leaving me with the bare minimal there...lol rng accuracy from hawkers, rings, gun, and sushi, im just wondering would it be enough to land hits.


the two major pieces that i want to take off are my jerkin and neck piece since i can get at least 3 str in both those slots.

[kowboy]

ZQM only macro's in Spiked Necklace for Barrage/WS due to the fact that he uses Xbow+Holybolts for TP gain. MND affects holy bolt effect and spiked necklace is -6 MND.

Not a bad option if you are using Bow/Gun.

[Thegod]

Originally posted by kowboy
ZQM only macro's in Spiked Necklace for Barrage/WS due to the fact that he uses Xbow+Holybolts for TP gain. MND affects holy bolt effect and spiked necklace is -6 MND.

Not a bad option if you are using Bow/Gun.

yeah using a gun........hrrrmm wish that was +3 str +3 agi

i guess i'll try it, dammit i wish i had 50 inventory slots, it sounds stupid, but yeah the one slot xtra for carrying duel sets of gears isnt good for me when i have warp club signet staff and federation aketon i carry everywhere as well


/sigh if i xp w/ my static i'll test out the full str gears.

[Tokitoki]

First i wanna say, Sup Ik^^

Ok anyway. You said that switching out the cloak for WS decreased damage even with the AGI boost from the Noct Beret. I find that kind of interesting, though i guess that since you have a larger amount of +STR the +AGI doesnt do as much. If you have a larger amount of one stat, such as STR, you wouldnt notice the increase of another stat. So adding just a few AGI with the larger amount of STR that you already had, you didnt notice the difference... I wonder if im making any sense at all -.- Usually you just do +AGI for Marksmanship since Bow is STR AND AGI, but Marks is just AGI... if i remember correctly. Only took RNG to 40, well 41... damn Promys.

If you had a set of +STR for regular attacks, and then a set of +AGI for WS since you're using Marksmanship you MIGHT get better results. But obviously this would cost much more money and I dont know what you are doing with the job exactly. I was actually very interested in this build, even before the release of sushi. I actually created a topic asking about it but i guess its kinda outdated now since that was before sushi and RACC was more of a problem then.

[ZQM]

Originally posted by Tokitoki
[B]You said that switching out the cloak for WS decreased damage even with the AGI boost from the Noct Beret.

Well, there's too many factors that go into it (Mostly mobs VIT and ATK which will differ from mob to mob) and the fact that it's such a minisqual boost (+2). If I had something like +10 AGI macros in, I'm sure there would be a large difference.

If anybody was interested in how this was going:

At 51 we went to Kuftal to fight crabs, and the STR build absolutely -sucks- on high DEF monsters. The best way to raise damage against them is ATK, in which case the only option outside of Minuet*2 and Acid Bolts is ATK Food (Which Ikarus used and did the most damage pre-52). At 52 Sydok and I switched to Muskateer Gun+2 (Both using Sole Sushi) so we ended up doing more, though Ikarus' damage was still hardly behind ours while still using X-Bow+ATK food. Might have ended up doing more if he wasn't doing Acid Bolts. Though that's also including while I was X-bow and Sydok was Bow, I forgot to restart the parser.

So conclusion:
Low DEF mobs-ACC Food + STR Gear + Dual Minuet
High DEF mobs-ATK Food + ACC Gear + Dual Minuet

I'm unsure just how much Dual Minuet means to STR build though. Without it, ATK Food with ACC+STR gear might actually end up being better.

Also, when switching to Gun, my gear went to full out RNG ACC (Rings to Caprice+1, Noct Legs/Body/Head. Kept the Hume RSE hands, doubt I'll ever take those off) and was hitting 100% every fight. I tried out Vulcan Staff (STR+5 RNG ATK+10) which worked extremely well on high DEF monsters where as STR was hardly doing anything. I was still hiting at over 88% accuracy even without dual archers (Again, including X-bow sadly). When we go back to low-DEF monsters I'll try STR+Gun and see how that works out.

[Thegod]

tok imac says marks ws damage isnt just AGI, figured i'd mention it as i got blasted for saying that very same thing.

[poweryoga]

i use x-bow a lot for xp parties and i still notice the effects of str. Maybe its due to the fact that str increases your weapon damage overall but not the WS damage itself. That'd be a bit more believable.

I'm very interested in trying out str gears for exping but unfortunately not much oppoturnities has popped up lately.

Also, when you're parsing dmg between x-bow and bow user in the same group, its not accurate because acid bolt damage benefit bow users too. Might want to keep that in mind.