Can I be a good THF as an Elvaan?

[Xccoortri]

Here's my predicament. I have a level 60 Elvaan brd, and I plan to take it to 75 by the end of the summer, or a bit after most likely. I was thinking I would like to make a thief becuase I like damage dealing classes as well, and I know I can make some cash farming if I become a thief.

Originally my plan was to start a mithra when I had the means to make good money, and then play the job how it's meant to be played. (never have an underleveled sub, always have the best possible gear that I can etc)

Now this sounded all fine and dandy until I started flipping things over in my head like having to redo the genkeis, having to get my subjob stuff again, having to level without a subjob, having to get airship keys and missions done again etc and the list goes on and on.

So my real question is, should I just stick with my Elf and play thief on it eventually, or is the only way I can really be a great thief is to remake a mithra. I'm also a bit of a completest, I love keeping track of my playtime hours without bazaaring, and I love having a character who has mastered many jobs, changing to mithra would ruin that a bit for me too.

[ichnob]

My thief is 36, and he was loads of fun. I had fun playing an elvaan thief, it can work, just that you got to work extra hard. I never got to get emp hairpin or leaping boots, but I do have balance rings, spike necklace, and full merc captain's gear. I've had the normal experiences as a thief: some people thought I was pretty good, some parties couldn't cooperate well enough for me to function well, fun stealing and mugging randomly.

The main thing is to know how to use Sneak Attack+Trick Attack effectively. Or for the beginning part of your thief career, using mainly Sneak Attack. As a lvl 60 bard, I'd expect you to know the mechanics of it. Play well, and you'll be okay. Play well and get a good party, you'll be great.

Don't expect to be a high damage dealer though. Main help from thief in damage is gaining TP for Sneak Attack+Trick Attack. Also, don't expect to be the best thief out there either. At mid-levels, an equally equipped mithra will outdamage you. Don't bother getting upset, just suck it up and keep going.

[ibroyles]

I am an Elvaan THF and I don't think its so bad. Granted I am still low level, but I had a couple of PTs in Qufim (including people with Rank 5 and higher) say how nice it was to just have a THF who knows what they are doing. I just hit level 24 the other day so I am taking some time now to do farming and get some l33t items for myself. I have 170k saved already toward a shiny new pair of Winged Boots, and am hoping to camp Valkurm Emp. with a couple of friends to get a Hairpin. Since you are already higher level, it shouldn't be hard for you to max out stats and still be a badass, in addition to a stronger regular attack than most Mithras.

[Disturbed]

thf isn't exactly a dmg dealer class =\

[ibroyles]

You're kidding right? There are probably a lot of high level THFs that would resent that comment.

[Jaggywaggy]

thf isn't exactly a dmg dealer class =\

That statement has truth to it, but we still put up a good overall amount, especially at mid levels, we own. And lets not forget our damage serves two purposes, damage and hate control. By the way I'm hume, anyway with only +13 dex and 10 or so agi, I hit my fuidama for 550(that includes skilchain) around my level a few times. Since then I got leaping lizzy boots and AF daggar(+2 dex and agi) to boost dex 5 and agi 4(merc boots had +1 agi). I was sometimes getting 550 with the old stats. I've yet to party with the new ones but I'm taking a small break. I'd sure 5 dex and 4 agi more in my fuidama will make a noticable difference though.

By the way my equipment was merc est, emperor, blance ring, bastokan,drones. Possiblely forgetting something, not sure.

Granted with the information I made above I'm sure as an elvaan you could hit in the 500s on occasion at 40ish but with those higher stats I mentioned.

Anyway I think as an elvaan you can do ok. Now obviously you'll be an average at best thief with maxed gear. But an elvaan thief are not galka mage bad, or taru monk bad, they're moderately junky. It's a workable challage, but yet not absolutely horrible. If your bard is 60 you possiblely obtained rank6 , if so that's great, it should help with invites. As a thief you need everything you can get...It's not that we are gimp, just misunderstood by the uninformed masses.

I'm glad I don't have to worry about this though, the awsomeness of the hume

[replica]

::waits for kastel:: @.@

btw elvaan THFs are the best looking imo so uh, just don't be gimp on skill or equipment and you'll be fine.

[Vertigo]

Originally posted by replica
::waits for kastel:: @.@

btw elvaan THFs are the best looking imo so uh, just don't be gimp on skill or equipment and you'll be fine.

mueh, it certainly beats Galka in AF :x

[Stanislav]

Any class can own in any job.. As long as you spend millions on gear...

I out damage mithra easy but I am wearing around 3mil worth of gear at 55 (Grace Rings etc) and at 57 gonna put on my harness.. Most people cant compete with that kind of equip especially at that level..

I was doing 500 damage vipers on crabs in Kuftal at 52 so Elvaan THF is good.. Especially with good equip.

[neighbortaru]

damn Stan, you are a leveling machine!

[Stanislav]

Originally posted by neighbortaru
damn Stan, you are a leveling machine!

<-- Hasn't leveled 3 days O_o .. I get bored unless I am leveling :p

[Xccoortri]

Originally posted by Stanislav
Any class can own in any job.. As long as you spend millions on gear...

I out damage mithra easy but I am wearing around 3mil worth of gear at 55 (Grace Rings etc) and at 57 gonna put on my harness.. Most people cant compete with that kind of equip especially at that level..

I was doing 500 damage vipers on crabs in Kuftal at 52 so Elvaan THF is good.. Especially with good equip.

Everyone says that you can make up for your race with gear...but the thing is, what if the ideal race is wearing the same gear you used to catch up to that race?

You have the best gear and say you outdamage mithra, but wouldn't a mithra with that gear still outdamage you? I guess what I'm asking is will the difference between me and the Mithra be that big? And I'm getting a pretty good answer that I should just stick to it with my elf, and I think that is what I will end up doing.

[Jaggywaggy]

I'd stick with it. Race like any other job has a prolonged effect on your preformance but it's definitely not the worst combo out there. And having a 60+ already you should have less trouble affording the needed gear to put you up to par. Obviously you'll never surpass other races with the equal gear and skill though.

[Ammarant]

yeah a mithra with same equip will get the better bonuses on thier sneak and trick to add to thier damage but elvaans have highest str wich gives us more damage potential base and a small boost in attack not sure on actual numbers but i bet it comes close

[Rouge]

I've hit 30 as an Elvaan THF (mainjob, I leveled it without a subjob. Yes, it was hell). I've had pretty good success overall, and although my gear isn't uber, it's pretty good for where I am. (2 Balance Rings, Windurstian Knife/Shord Sword, Royal Footman's Boots, soon-to-be Mercenary's Doublet, Spike Necklace, etc). I don't feel gimped at all. The high strength is a plus, since, as stated, you have a higher base damage for Sneak/Trick attack, and the difference in Dex is not particularly extreme.