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I'm amazed there haven't been any WAR/BLU discussion threads yet. Well, I figured I might as well make one. WAR tanking in the mid levels is practically dead in this era of FFXI's community's history. When you think about it, it's not really surprising why.
There are currently two main tanking sub jobs for WAR: /MNK, and /NIN. Both have their pros, yet they also have heavy cons attached to them. A WAR/MNK will either be offensive (i.e. use Attack food/Berserk, and/or use Great Axe over Axe + Shield) in which case it'll take more damage than a PLD, or defensive (Defense food/Defender), in which case it'll do somewhat more damage than a PLD. However, PLDs have an edge due to early access to Size 3 shields (whereas WAR is limited to Size 2 at best until 48) and can Cure themselves, and avoid 6-9 hits per fight post-Flash, both of which take a load off of the healers. WAR/NINs can avoid 6-9 hits per fight, but will inevitably get hit, which makes solo tanking with Attack food and Berserk a dangerous proposition sometimes. However, a defensive WAR/NIN won't be able to hold hate well. In addition to that, WAR/NINs can't enfeeble IT mobs like a NIN can, Utsusemi also cuts into their offense, and of course, can't heal themselves. Basically, the only thing WAR has going for them is Break WS debuffing, which hardly anyone appreciates, and is a role that can also be fulfilled as a DD.
I believe /BLU is, in theory (I say this because my WAR is already 45 and thus I can't go back and test this in the 20-40 range), the best tanking sub for WAR in the mid levels. It all basically boils down to one spell: Cocoon. Most of you already know what it does - it's a Blue Magic spell that costs 10 MP and gives a Defense Up status which lasts for 90 seconds, and increases your Defense by 50%. Cocoon is calculated after Protect and Food (i.e. +25% Defense food + Cocoon results in an 87.5% increase: 1.25 * 1.50 = 1.875) but in the same "step" as Defender and Berserk. That is, Berserk + Cocoon leaves you with a 25% Defense bonus (0.50 - 0.25), not 12.5% (1.5 * 0.75). Not only that, Cocoon will actually overwrite Defense Down buffs such as Dhalmel's Sonic Wave (-50% Defense Down), decreasing your reliance on Erase.
Anyways, a WAR/BLU eating meat with Cocoon would get "permanent" +25% Attack and +50% Defense bonuses; more Defense than a PLD, yet as much Attack as a DD. On top of that, he/she could use Berserk as often as its up to get a total of ~+56.25% Attack 3 out of every 5 minutes, while still being left with +25% Defense, as much as he would be getting if he were eating Defense food. This would allow the WAR to DD while still retaining tanking Defense levels. With a Great Axe, the WAR/BLU would have about the same DMG/Delay ratio as a WAR/NIN dual weilding axes (remember, I'm talking pre-50), and access to high-damage Sturmwinds or Shield/Armor Break. With Shield Break thrown into the mix, the WAR could not only have high Attack and Defense, but also give the entire party high Accuracy. He also wouldn't have to slow his damage and TP down with frequent Utsusemi recasts. Sure, /MNK gives Counter, HP Bonus, and Dodge, but raw Attack and Defense are more reliable (and in the ammounts that a WAR/BLU can get them, will probably perform better either way.) Also, Counter and Dodge won't help against mob TP moves, nor will Counter kick in during a WS, whereas the increased Attack will boost WS damage. In short, a WAR/BLU could tank while DD'ing almost to WAR's full extenct (I mean, you'd be missing Sneak Attack, that's about it.) As icing on the cake, you could get Beast Killer pretty early on, and equip at least +4 VIT and +4 DEX in spells, which is always nice.
What about MP? Well, assuming you don't waste your time casting other Blue magic spells, you'd only be using 10 MP every 90 seconds. Pineapple Juices are very cost-effective - they only cost 400G at the tavern in Lower Jeuno, and restore a total of 80 MP at a rate of 1 MP/3 secs (total duration: 4 minutes.) Once you have less than 10 MP, you can just use a Pineapple Juice. Since each juice gives 80 MP, and you'd only need to recast Cocoon every 90 seconds at best (unless you're fighting Dhalmels/Fomors/stuff with Def Down), and each cast only costs 10 MP, it'd take 12 minutes for you to use up 80 MP. In other words, you only need one Pineapple Juice per 12 minutes - 5 juices per hour. 10 Juices would keep you going for 2 hours without having to rest. The only other Blue spell you'd want to use would be Head Butt to stun things, but that would only come in handy against Goblins.
Now, like I said, I haven't had the pleasure of trying this, since my WAR is already at 45 and as high as it needs to be for my PLD sub; however, I see no reason why this shouldn't work as predicted. Just about the only thing that'd be better would be two WAR/NINs duo tanking, but that's not always an option.
Discuss!
There are currently two main tanking sub jobs for WAR: /MNK, and /NIN. Both have their pros, yet they also have heavy cons attached to them. A WAR/MNK will either be offensive (i.e. use Attack food/Berserk, and/or use Great Axe over Axe + Shield) in which case it'll take more damage than a PLD, or defensive (Defense food/Defender), in which case it'll do somewhat more damage than a PLD. However, PLDs have an edge due to early access to Size 3 shields (whereas WAR is limited to Size 2 at best until 48) and can Cure themselves, and avoid 6-9 hits per fight post-Flash, both of which take a load off of the healers. WAR/NINs can avoid 6-9 hits per fight, but will inevitably get hit, which makes solo tanking with Attack food and Berserk a dangerous proposition sometimes. However, a defensive WAR/NIN won't be able to hold hate well. In addition to that, WAR/NINs can't enfeeble IT mobs like a NIN can, Utsusemi also cuts into their offense, and of course, can't heal themselves. Basically, the only thing WAR has going for them is Break WS debuffing, which hardly anyone appreciates, and is a role that can also be fulfilled as a DD.
I believe /BLU is, in theory (I say this because my WAR is already 45 and thus I can't go back and test this in the 20-40 range), the best tanking sub for WAR in the mid levels. It all basically boils down to one spell: Cocoon. Most of you already know what it does - it's a Blue Magic spell that costs 10 MP and gives a Defense Up status which lasts for 90 seconds, and increases your Defense by 50%. Cocoon is calculated after Protect and Food (i.e. +25% Defense food + Cocoon results in an 87.5% increase: 1.25 * 1.50 = 1.875) but in the same "step" as Defender and Berserk. That is, Berserk + Cocoon leaves you with a 25% Defense bonus (0.50 - 0.25), not 12.5% (1.5 * 0.75). Not only that, Cocoon will actually overwrite Defense Down buffs such as Dhalmel's Sonic Wave (-50% Defense Down), decreasing your reliance on Erase.
Anyways, a WAR/BLU eating meat with Cocoon would get "permanent" +25% Attack and +50% Defense bonuses; more Defense than a PLD, yet as much Attack as a DD. On top of that, he/she could use Berserk as often as its up to get a total of ~+56.25% Attack 3 out of every 5 minutes, while still being left with +25% Defense, as much as he would be getting if he were eating Defense food. This would allow the WAR to DD while still retaining tanking Defense levels. With a Great Axe, the WAR/BLU would have about the same DMG/Delay ratio as a WAR/NIN dual weilding axes (remember, I'm talking pre-50), and access to high-damage Sturmwinds or Shield/Armor Break. With Shield Break thrown into the mix, the WAR could not only have high Attack and Defense, but also give the entire party high Accuracy. He also wouldn't have to slow his damage and TP down with frequent Utsusemi recasts. Sure, /MNK gives Counter, HP Bonus, and Dodge, but raw Attack and Defense are more reliable (and in the ammounts that a WAR/BLU can get them, will probably perform better either way.) Also, Counter and Dodge won't help against mob TP moves, nor will Counter kick in during a WS, whereas the increased Attack will boost WS damage. In short, a WAR/BLU could tank while DD'ing almost to WAR's full extenct (I mean, you'd be missing Sneak Attack, that's about it.) As icing on the cake, you could get Beast Killer pretty early on, and equip at least +4 VIT and +4 DEX in spells, which is always nice.
What about MP? Well, assuming you don't waste your time casting other Blue magic spells, you'd only be using 10 MP every 90 seconds. Pineapple Juices are very cost-effective - they only cost 400G at the tavern in Lower Jeuno, and restore a total of 80 MP at a rate of 1 MP/3 secs (total duration: 4 minutes.) Once you have less than 10 MP, you can just use a Pineapple Juice. Since each juice gives 80 MP, and you'd only need to recast Cocoon every 90 seconds at best (unless you're fighting Dhalmels/Fomors/stuff with Def Down), and each cast only costs 10 MP, it'd take 12 minutes for you to use up 80 MP. In other words, you only need one Pineapple Juice per 12 minutes - 5 juices per hour. 10 Juices would keep you going for 2 hours without having to rest. The only other Blue spell you'd want to use would be Head Butt to stun things, but that would only come in handy against Goblins.
Now, like I said, I haven't had the pleasure of trying this, since my WAR is already at 45 and as high as it needs to be for my PLD sub; however, I see no reason why this shouldn't work as predicted. Just about the only thing that'd be better would be two WAR/NINs duo tanking, but that's not always an option.
Discuss!
) with only a RDM and BLM in support as healers, so I can certainly see WAR/BLU being viable -- if you could find someone to give you a shot. Given the lack of tanks at most levels (and the general lack of WAR/NIN willing to gear as tanks), you might just find someone.
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