Becoming a better Red Mage

[hongman]

Ok, So I have a few questions I thought I'd consolidate into one thread, save hijacking others.

1) Logs. Iv tried fiddling with Log colours so I can easily see when buffs/debuffs wear, but it doesnt seem very helpful. What do you do?

2) Is there a standard RDM solo Strategy? So far, experiementing on Mandys and Gobs in Kazza, which check EP to me, I have buffed - Stoneskin/Phalanx/Protect II/Ice Spikes/Enspell/Refresh/Regen - then pulled with Slow. Even then, after this EP fight, I am sometimes left with a close call. WHat am I doing wrong? If SS wears and I cant get it back off, Ill Bind/Sleep, walk back and cast. But all that for 30-40xp....I want to solo DC-T, for skillups as well. Camp/Mob recommendations needed.

3)Is there something about the RDM AF1 I am missing, as I dont think its all that great. MP+10 and INT+1 (MND+1 as well?). If I am actually swinging a sword, my 3k Buzzard Tuck is better. If I am actually trying to boost INT/MND, my Solid Wand is tons better. So am I missing something?

4)Good place to solo at lvl44, while Im lfg? Can I solo Wasps in Crawlers Nest yet?


5)Now Im 44, is my there anything better I should be wearing than my RSE?

Weapons: Divine Sword/Solid Wand/Fencing Degen/Buzzard Tuck/Cent Sword
Shield: Targe
Ammo: Morion Tathlum
Head: Silver Hairpin
Body: RSE
Hands: RSE
Legs: RSE
Boots: RSE
Rings: Electrum x2, Saintly x2, Eremites x 2
Earrings: Black Earring, Energy Earring
Neck: Black Neckerchirf, Justice Badge
Back: Black/White Cape


I macro in the MND/INT equips...any more improvements?


Over all, the soloability and log thing is my main concern as it is very hard to see when buffs wear etc when the log goes all crazy....and the soloability - well, just becuase I like to do it.

TIA

[Kirsteena]

Re: Becoming a better Red Mage

I'll try answer some of them...

Colours is a good start, but use your chat filters. I filter: all damage done to and by other, special effect to and from others. I filter party damage (but keep my own) - I would have to check tonight when I get home the precise filter setting I have. That should cut down on some of the spam, and give you less of a headache.

No, the AF weapon is pretty crap. Not as bad as the blm weapon, but not brilliant either. I tossed mine as soon as I started the rest of my AF quests, I have to admit.

Am I right in thinking you are Elvaan? Then I used my RSE gloves and boots right up to 62 - when I upgraded to RSE2. If you have mnd equip to swap in, the RSE will do you well. At 48 I would upgrade legs to Magic Cuisses, as I recall they saw me right through till Errants - even if I did look like a hobo. I think I used one of the mp robes around 40, went to my Glamour Jupon at 50, but TM Coat is also a viable alternative.

It can be hard to solo at low levels, I use /nin because that gives me the survivability. I didn't solo much, so I can't help there.

Hope it helps some, at work so can't answer as fully as I would like, but I am sure others will help you out!

[hongman]

Re: Becoming a better Red Mage

Thanks! Yes I am Elvaan.

So it looks like I may need to look at other alternatives to gear, but as long as Im not "gimped" Im ok. Would you consider ny gear under-par for lvl44?

With the filters etc - Iv tried filtering and using different colours, but I just can seem to get the right combo! And its hard to test in a party as I dont want to be fiddling with these things mid fight, if I suddenly realise Im missing something.

I just want to highlight when debuffs stick, wear and when buffs wear to be green or something. Resists I can see easily already. But the others are so far in white, and get mixed up quite easily.

Im in the process of NIN now...iv just given up on Beads, starting on Ores now :p

[ItazuraNhomango]

Re: Becoming a better Red Mage

(Warning: advertisement below.)

Check out The Red Mage Index; find the link for "Chat Filtering/Coloring" link (in the "Basic Information" section) for more discussion on those topics.

[hongman]

Re: Becoming a better Red Mage

w.o.w

[Kirsteena]

Re: Becoming a better Red Mage

No, I wouldn't consider your gear gimped - you know more than some 75 rdm I know... at least you are building an int and mnd set! Elvaan RSE is brilliant for Elvaan rdm, so there is nothing wrong with using it - I certainly used the gloves and feet till 62, and from 27 that is a long time!

Couple of suggestions - do the Sandy Quest for cunning earring - int +1. Maybe pick up a morion one, or a second cunning. Look to upgrade your rings - there are HQ rings at 36 which are +3, or at 54 you can NQ +3 rings. I didn't bother with mnd earrings, but you may want to look at Geist Earrings. Waist - hmmm I think I used Merc. Cpt. Belt at that level, but things may have changed now.

[Haggai]

Re: Becoming a better Red Mage

I've got to say something to you hongman... You've got to be the best newb I've ever met. Thats newb, not noob.

I remember when you first started posting on these boards, a young, scared newbie. Asking questions left and right, valuing all suggestions. You've now grown into a fine mid-level, still asking for advice and accepting the responses.

So many noobs come into the world of FFXI with an attitude. They have that l33t-before-l33t problem. They ask questions looking for a specific response that validates their actions. When they don't get it, they tell people off, say "STFU noob" and are just generally rude.

It is a great pleasure to find a newbie such as yourself. Thank you for being a decent human being. I'm happy to be a part of the same community as you.

Thank you.
Haggai

P.S. Too bad we're not on the same server.

[Kirsteena]

Re: Becoming a better Red Mage

I'll back up Haggai - I will spend as much time as needed answering questions, helping someone who wants to learn out.

On my server, we have a notoriously awful rdm, so notorious that the BG forums have his name as a title for posters - and it isn't meant in a nice way. For the longest time, he was 70RDM/12NIN, and will not level his subs. He also can't beat Maat. I think you will do well.

[Mhurron]

Re: Becoming a better Red Mage

Iv tried fiddling with Log colours so I can easily see when buffs/debuffs wear, but it doesnt seem very helpful. What do you do?

Chat Filters. Oh and a long time ago I relegated myself to the fact that I'm never going to see much of the game outside of the 6-8 lines of the chatlog.

Back: Black/White Cape

A Red Cape (or +1) will give you both MND and INT equal to the Black and White capes at the same time letting you free up one inventory slot and a line in some macros.
Other then that would be what food your using, which is more asked out of curiosity since I've never seen anyone else use what I use. Also, while the RDM AF weapon is not the greatest, it can be used as your main weapon for a while, I used mine until getting the WWA at 55 but I've never really done much soloing. If you don't want to use it, keep it at least until lvl60 when you have all your AF and you can take a screenshot of all of it together.

I kept mine for sentimental value. I tossed my BLM AF weapon almost as soon as I got it, but my RDM AF was the first set I got so it was special.

[Kirsteena]

Re: Becoming a better Red Mage

On the subject of food, I tended to use sweet rice cakes, as they were nice and cheap, but when I wanted to splurge, you can't beat Brain Stew lol!

[Celeal]

Re: Becoming a better Red Mage

As for debuff, I usually look for the color of resisted spells. I am using the default color, so I am looking for brown color. As a NIN, I cast debuff on mob too. If the spell lands, the text is white color (same color for cure, evade, miss, parry, shadow absorb attack, etc). However, my chat filter setup can see all action done by me, the mobs and my party members, because I found those info are useful for tanking. A RDM may filter more info in the log.

For applying debuff when it wears off, usually I use timing first, then the chat log. In other words, a debuff usually last X amount of time after it landed. Usually Blind and Slow duration last for a long time. Paralyze may wear off a bit sooner from my experience.

[hongman]

Re: Becoming a better Red Mage

Wow thanks for the praise...that wasnt expected

I remember those early days as well - I was stressing at the uber long install time, and getting pissed coz I couldnt play the first night I had the game

The Red Cape idea sounds very welcoming, as even with now 60/60 gobbiebag Im running out of space. Plus I can sell my White/Black cape as well which should cover the cost of the Red Cape.

I have looked at the +1 Saint/Eremite rings, just couldnt bring myself to pay for them. But maybe I should now, seeming as I am getting resists on certain mobs...

As for the log thing, I have messed around with mine so much I think its time for a complete re-work. All in all I want to have highlighted: Buffs Wearing, Debuffs Wearing, Resists. Other damage is not useful to me.

An idea for SE, for people that level 2+ classes (DD as opposed to healer say) have the ability to set different sets of filters up, as they want to see different things. It must be a pain to remember to switch everytime.

Does Refresh stack? IE if I cast it before it 10 sec before wears, will it reset the duration or still wear in 10 secs?

Food wise, I must admit I neglect, if I do eat it is Rolanberry Pie for the slight +INT and MP pool...open to suggestions though.

Kirsteena - we are on the same server - send me a /tell sometime. Im on around 7pm-12pm most nights, GMT time.

My AF isnt bad ny anymeans (I wouldnt know how it compares, my 1st one) but just saying, even WITHOUT the enspell bonuses from the Buzzard, the Buzz still outdamages the AF. +Enspell it kicks AF ass, and it only costs 3k!! The only time Im swinging is solo time, and then, Id rather have melee dmg first rather than +10MP and +INT/MND.

Also, does casting haste on a recently revived person actually help? Iv seen some people do this, although none of them know "why". They've just been asked to do it or seen others do it so they copy lol.

[Mhurron]

Re: Becoming a better Red Mage

I had no shortage of INT between natural stats and gear. I use Goblin Muchpots for MND boost over and above what I have from gear. They are also cheap and last for 3h, which is good because they don't stack.

[Mhurron]

Re: Becoming a better Red Mage

As for the log thing, I have messed around with mine so much I think its time for a complete re-work. All in all I want to have highlighted: Buffs Wearing, Debuffs Wearing, Resists. Other damage is not useful to me.

You can't highlight those specifically, they take the same colour as one of the other message types. Your best bet is to use very aggressive chat filters that filters out everything you don't care about.

Does Refresh stack? IE if I cast it before it 10 sec before wears, will it reset the duration or still wear in 10 secs?

It will reset the duration.

Also, does casting haste on a recently revived person actually help?

No, it does not. Neither does receiving a higher tier Raise spell.

[Kirsteena]

Re: Becoming a better Red Mage

I have looked at the +1 Saint/Eremite rings, just couldnt bring myself to pay for them. But maybe I should now, seeming as I am getting resists on certain mobs...

Look at the Wisdom rings, they I think are cheaper than HQ eremites. I can't remember how much the mnd rings are.

Kirsteena - we are on the same server - send me a /tell sometime. Im on around 7pm-12pm most nights, GMT time.

You are an EU player as well? *makes mental note to ensure he applies in my direction when he gets to endgame level* If you need a hand, look me out, I am on most nights.

My AF isnt bad ny anymeans (I wouldnt know how it compares, my 1st one) but just saying, even WITHOUT the enspell bonuses from the Buzzard, the Buzz still outdamages the AF. +Enspell it kicks AF ass, and it only costs 3k!! The only time Im swinging is solo time, and then, Id rather have melee dmg first rather than +10MP and +INT/MND.

Buzzard tuck used to be a frightening amount of money, but then everyone started spamming the BC that it dropped it trying for Peacock Charm, and it dropped in price. I think I used AF weapon at the time because there wasn't anything better that was cheap.