MND/MP <or> INT/MP????

[Sepa]

Hello everyone,
I'm a level 50 Elvaan RedMage/ 25 BlackMage;
and I was wondering, should I focus more on +MND/MP items, or +INT/MP items?

I Sub my level 25 BlackMage, mainly for the extra INT boost, Warp, and Aspir.
My MND is a natural 54, with a +16 {70} and my INT is 45 with a +12 {57};

For food I use Goblin Mushpot +10 MND add with my natural 54, and 16, total 80;
but I was wondering if I should bring up my INT?

What is more important to a RedMage, more MND than INT vice versa, or an even amount of both?

Should I use a different food, or because I get a +10 MND use more INT items?





*Sorry if this has been asked before... I did try to look...*

[Murphie]

Re: MND/MP &lt;or&gt; INT/MP????

As an Elvaan, you'll rarely have to worry about MND. I'd focus more on INT and MP. Because that INT will often help you to land some of your enfeebles better. There are some MND based ones, but you should do ok with what you've got.

I'm not sure what to suggest food-wise. There's so much out there. I know that Sweet Rice Cakes are pretty neat RDM food, but may not be ideal.

I notice a lot of RDM sub BLM and BLM only, but I like to keep WHM available just in case. Sometimes the WHM specific spells that you get with it as a sub can come in handy, although maybe not so much in the earlier levels when there is a fair amount of overlap spell-wise between RDM and WHM. BLM is definitely an excellent choice, especially as an Elvaan.

[Taskmage]

Re: MND/MP &lt;or&gt; INT/MP????

If you can afford it, buy both. Macro your int gear in for your black magic and your mnd gear for your white magic.

Food is whatever meets your preference. If you can even our your hp:mp ratio with food, I'd say prioritize that. As a taru having just finished my AF, my hp:mp is already about 1:1 so I focus on stats now. Brain Stew is the best if you can afford it.

[Murphie]

Re: MND/MP &lt;or&gt; INT/MP????

I was about to edit and mention gear swaps. If there is one thing a RDM needs to get used to, it's swapping in and out various items to maximize their spells.

That Brain Stew looks pretty nifty. I'll have to check it out when I level RDM.

[kuu]

Re: MND/MP &lt;or&gt; INT/MP????

MND is somewhat more important to a RDM then INT, even elvvan.

Since most of your enfeeble spells are white based.

While INT is more for nuking, which being a rdm damage isn't that great already.

[Murphie]

Re: MND/MP &lt;or&gt; INT/MP????

Good point. I haven't taken RDM up high enough to know what all of their Enfeebles are based in, so I took a chance on INT since that's what I see a lot of folks really worrying about.

edit> Actually, it looks to be an almost even split.

On the one hand you have Dia Slow Paralyze and Silence, which are MND (and all very important/usefull), and then you have Blind, Bind, Bio, Gravity, and Sleep (very important), which are INT based.

Is Dispel ever resisted? In that case, it's an INT base too.

[Icemage]

Re: MND/MP &lt;or&gt; INT/MP????

RDM nuking power is so mundane that boosting INT isn't really that high a priority. If you're having inventory space or funding issues, I'd choose MND/MP over INT/MP, even for Elvaan. Realistically, the only black magic enfeebles you ordinarily use are Blind, Gravity, Sleep I/II, and the elemental enfeebles like Shock or Frost, and the latter are only used when you're /BLM. Of these, only Sleep is really of critical importance.

Improved MND will improve not only the stick rate but the potency of Slow and Paralyze, but improve the stick rate of Silence (which is equally as important as Sleep in some situations), as well as improve the potency of your Stoneskin (pretty important for protecting yourself when you Convert).


Icemage

[Murphie]

Re: MND/MP &lt;or&gt; INT/MP????

Good to know, Icemage. Thanks.

[Raydeus]

Re: MND/MP &lt;or&gt; INT/MP????

hmm... nvm

[Patchinko]

Re: MND/MP &lt;or&gt; INT/MP????

Dispel can be resisted, but you will mostly notice it when fighting Dark-based mobs (if you farm Dark Elementals, you'll notice resistances).

In my opinion, Gravity is one of our important enfeebles, especially in a melee-heavy PT. From what I understand, Gravity's duration is determined by our INT (anywhere from 30 to 120s). I think it's important not to ignore INT for this reason, not to mention that the weakness of our nukes means that we need all the help we can get when magic bursting.

The best plan is to buy equipment that will accentuate both stats individually and creating equipment switching macros for each spell you cast. The suit of armor you wear when healing and casting white magic enfeebles will be very different from that which you wear when nuking and casting black magic enfeebles.

As for food, I think as Elvaan that you're better off choosing food that will reward you high MP. Brain Stew is great for boosting your MND/INT/hMP, but doesn't give you any MP. For you, Witch Stew (MND) or Rolanberry Pie (INT) might be better. I personally use Sweet Rice Cake because it's a nice mix of buffs, but for maximizing one or another specific stat, there are better options.＾＾ I also like foods with +hMP on them because often I'll only have time to sit for one tick of healing when I have time, so it's best to maximize the amount I can get back from just one tick.

[Aeni]

Re: MND/MP &lt;or&gt; INT/MP????

Well, racial preferences aside, if you have money issues, I'd just stick with +MND equipment anyway. It helps with healing and enfeebling (Silence is so important in any party without a single stunner) Nuking is a last priority, so is MB as a RDM. A party did not invite you for that reason. If you find yourself in a party w/o BLM, more than likely you are also the main healer and thus do not have the luxury of "spending" MP on frivolous activities such as nuking.

At 51, you will have access to elemental staves, which in conjunction with stat boosting foods, will help you with healing and enfeebling and to some lesser extent, nuking.

[Murphie]

Re: MND/MP &lt;or&gt; INT/MP????

Let the record show that I wasn't suggesting INT for nuking purposes. Just for INT based enfeebles. ><; I really should have elaborated.

[Patchinko]

Re: MND/MP &lt;or&gt; INT/MP????

Actually, I disagree with that statement. Given that it's not interfering with your other roles in the PT, you should always magic burst. Nuking otherwise is mostly a waste of MP, but with the proper staff and enough INT, your magic bursts can be a significant portion of the mob's HP (over 300 damage for at most 77MP once per fight is significant).

In my opinion, it's the RDM's responsibility to take part in all of these things, and if magic bursting isn't getting in the way of healing, buffing and enfeebling, then it should be done. Nuking when not in a magic burst is usually a waste of MP because of RDM's high rate of resistance, but magic bursting is a different situation.

Also, I don't see any correlation between a PT lacking a BLM and a RDM being the main healer. It would probably be the opposite situation... the PT lacks a BLM but has a WHM or another RDM.

Bottom line is that multiple suits of gear for one stat or the other is the way of life for a RDM, and you should try to buy equipment for all of them.

[Lilani]

Re: MND/MP &lt;or&gt; INT/MP????

Realistically, the only black magic enfeebles you ordinarily use are Blind, Gravity, Sleep I/II, and the elemental enfeebles like Shock or Frost, and the latter are only used when you're /BLM. Of these, only Sleep is really of critical importance.

There's also poison, of course, which can be very important at times. I actually find MND and INT equally important, but I'm more for INT in most party situations:

INT:
-Blind
-Sleep
-Gravity
-Poison
-Elemental Enfeebles (BLM sub only)
-Drain/Aspir (again, BLM sub only)
-The periodic nuke (in case you get bored or have to MB)

MND:
-Paralyze
-Slow
-Cures (vital after convert)
-Stoneskin (again, vital after convert)
-Dia

Concidering Elvaan have high MND and low MP in the first place, I would really suggest a BLM sub. BLM gives you higher INT and a bigger MP boost than a /WHM. Plus you get aspir which is useful in tight MP situations, warp which is useful in almost all party situations, drain which is fun and helpful after convert (to help make up for the HP you didn't recover from that first cure III or cure IV). Plus there's elemental enfeebles so that you can help the party out if there is no BLM in the party (and if you have the time/MP to spare).

As for items that boost INT, I use Rolanberry pies in parties. They give you a great MP boost and a good INT boost as well. At 51 you'll be able to use the elemental staves, so I suggest getting light, dark, and ice. Light boosts your cures 10%, which helps after convert. Dark adds +10 to the MP you recover while you rest. And, ice gives you +4 INT and +10 elemental magic skill, which is great if you are having trouble boosting your INT.

I respect your opinion, Icemage...I just don't agree with it.

[Murphie]

Re: MND/MP &lt;or&gt; INT/MP????

Well, I wasn't saying that they shouldn't nuke, just that the reason I suggested INT was because of INT based enfeebles.

Unless you're referring to the post above mine, in which case just feel free to ignore me. :/

And I'm totally all for filling the role the party needs as best you can. It's why I don't understand RDMs who refuse to have multiple subs available, or who refuse to main heal, etc. I mean I understand why they might be too busy to main heal, but to refuse outright before even joining a party seems a bit much.

But I'm sure I'll get in trouble for saying that.