[Wodahsoguh]

At Path's suggestion, I'm giving this its own topic as oppose to adding it to his stickies.

Edit: Since I'm too lazy to add in all of the Usukane gear, use it at your discretion.

(Please keep in mind this is gear suggested for Ballista, not EXP.)

Even if you've never played Ballista before, you probably know the general idea of the game. Scoring petra. To do this, you need to kill. And killing is something Monks do very well. I'm not going to write a full guide on the optimal team set up and how to play ballista and blah blah blah, just a general idea of what to do as a Monk, and some good gear/sub jobs choices for each cap. Everything is listed from left to right best to worst.

30 cap

Suggested sub job(s): Ninja. Warrior sub in 30 cap is only going to give you Berserk. All Berserk is going to do is get you killed faster in 30 cap. Ninja offers you shadows that, when combined with Dodge, make you pretty damn annoying to try to kill.
30 cap is going to more chaotic than other caps, since no one has any powerfull weaponskills yet. Combo is good, but you're not going to see combo hit someone for 500 damage.

Gear Choices

Weapon: Boreas Cesti, Claws(+1), Tropical Punches(+1)
Boreas Cesti are beautiful in 30 cap, the 5-6 extra damage from enaero is going to add up fast on a PC vs an exp mob. Tropical Punches are good for taking down shadows fast and have a delay fast enough to interup Utsusemi, but their damage is lacking.
Ranged: Happy Egg
Not many other options.
Head: Emperor Hairpin, Mercenary Captain's Headgear
Emperor Hairpin is a much better choice vs Mercenary Captain's Headgear, for obvious reasons.
Neck: Spike Necklace
Again, not really many other options.
Earings: Dodge Earings, Cassie Earing
Beetle Earings +1 are ok I guess, but I prefer 6 Evasion to 6 Attack and -4 Evasion. Cassie Earing if you have MP merits.
Body: Windurstian/Federation Gi, Mercenary Captains Doublet
Windurstian/Federation Gi are optimal for their Evasion & Vit bonus, but go with the doublet if the Dex makes you feel better.
Hands: Battle Gloves
Nothing else for hands with Evasion, and they've got Accuracy to boot.
Rings: Rajas Ring, Courage Ring, Shikaree/Archer's Ring
I use a Courage/Shikaree personaly.
Back: Nomad's Mantle(+1)
Evasion & Agi.
Waist: Purple Belt
Haste for Utsusemi recast.
Legs: Windurstian/Federation Sitabaki
Evasion again.
Feet: Galka RSE feet, Power Sandals
I don't know if any other RSE feet add Agi, but that's the reason I use Galka RSE feet, for lack of anything better.

40 cap

Suggested sub job(s): Ninja still. Same reason for /ninja in 30 cap.
40 cap is where you're going to tear shit up if you have h2h merits, since you'll be the only job with a badass weaponskill (Raging Fists). If you don't have merits, you can stick with Combo or use Backhand Blow, you'll get about the same damage from either.

Gear Choices

Weapon: Vampiric Claws, Tourney Patas, Boreas Cesti
Vampyric Claws have a decent proc rate in Ballista, and only 3 less damage than Tourney Patas (and a lower delay). If you don't have a pair use Tourney Patas if you have Raging Fists for the higher base damage, Boreas Cesti if you don't.
Ranged: Happy Egg
Not really alot of options again.
Head: Emepror Hairpin
Evasion.
Neck: Peacock Charm/Amulet, Spike Necklace
If you've got the Peacock Charm/Amulet more power to ya, for the rest of us, Spike Necklace it is.
Earings: Evasion Earing, Dodge Earing, Pidgeon Earing(+1) Drone Earing, Cassie Earing, Beetle Earing +1
If you can't afford Dodge Earings, Drone Earings are an Ok alternative. Pidgeon Earings for hp. Cassie Earing if you have some MP merits or random MP+.
Body: Jujitsu Gi
Windurstian/Federation Gi lacks deffense, so go for the Jujitsu Gi.
Hands: Ochiudo's Kote, Ogygos's Bracelets, Battle Gloves
The -5 Evasion from Ochiudo's Kote won't kill you, and the 20 Attack is nice. But if you wan't to preserve your Evasion as much as possible, Battle Gloves are your friend.
Rings: Rajas Ring, Puissance Ring(+1), Sniper's Ring(+1), Jaeger Ring, Venerer Ring
If you desperately want Accuracy, go ahead and use the Sniper's, but the -Deffense is a killer. Str rings are fine for Ballista.
Back: Nomad's Mantle(+1)
Still not really alot of options, so Evasion & Agi.
Waist: Brown Belt
Purple Belt if you don't have one yet.
Legs: Jujitsu Sitabaki, Windurstian/Federation Sitabaki
Not alot of other choices.
Feet: Fuma Kyahan, RSE feet with Agi+
They may not be worth it for Exp, but getting down shadows faster is nice in Ballista.

50 cap

Suggested sub job(s): Ninja & Warrior. Ninja once again for the shadows. 50 cap is the only cap I suggest /war for, for two reasons. 1: You now have raging fists even without merits, so Berserk to add damage to that, and 2: Double Attack.
50 cap is my personal favorite. The reason being only Monk, Dragoon, and Samurais with polearm merits have powerful multi-hit weaponskills (Raging Fists and Penta Thrust).

Gear Choices

Weapon: Cross-Counters(/war), T.M. Hooks(/nin),
Cross-Counters oviously for the Counter+ and highest base damage at that level. Not such a good choice for /nin. T.M. Hooks with the -Deffense and +Attack are a better choice for /nin.
Ranged: That damn egg again...
Head: Emperor Hairpin, Crow/Raven Berret, Voyager Sallet
Evasion pieces if you're /nin, Voyager Sallet if you're /war.
Neck: Peacock Charm/Amulet, Spike Necklace
You've already read the reasons.
Earings: Evasion Earing, Dodge Earing, Avenger's Earing, Pidgeon Earing(+1), Drone Earing, Cassie Earing, Tortoise Earing(+1)
Reasons are above once again. Avenger's Earing for Counter+. Attack+ from Tortoise Earing +1 if you really want that Attack+/Evasion-.
Body: Crow/Raven Jupon, Jujitsu Gi
Very nice Evasion+ on Crow/Raven Jupon.
Hands: Ochiudo's Kote, Enkelados's Bracelets, Crow/Raven Bracers
Attackk, Str and HP, Evasion. Take your pick.
Rings: Rajas Ring, Puissance Ring(+1), Sniper's Ring(+1) Garrulous Ring (/nin), Ebullient Ring
Same reasons for the first three. Garrolous Ring enhances Resist Silence (and also has Str+3 and Agi+3), Ebullient enhances Resist Paralyze (also has HP+15 and MP+15).
Back: Jaguar Mantle, Nomad's Mantle(+1)
Not much of a difference.
Waist: Brown Belt
No-brainer.
Legs: Akido Koshita, Crow/Raven Hose
Counter+ and Evasion.
Feet: Crow/Raven Gaiters, Fuma Kyahan(/nin)
Evasion or haste.

60 cap

Suggested sub job(s): Samurai & Ninja. Ninja for the shadows still. 60 cap is where samurai sub really kicks ass. Meditate. 60% TP every 3 minutes is something to be afraid of.
60 cap can be a little less fun in my opinion, because everyone has their powerful weaponskills, and everyone tries to play "JP style". JP style being run in, get tp, run out, repeat until you have 100% tp, and go weaponskill someone low on HP. Then go score. Boring. Where's the fun in that? There isn't any. That's why I suggest trying to play 60 cap during NA prime time if you're like me and enjoy killing more than socring petra.

Gear Choices

Weapon: Cross-Counters(/sam), T.M. Hooks +1/+2(/nin), Hydro Patas +1 (with a pump), Spartan Cesti
Hydro Patas +1 with a pump equipped is like Boreas Cesti +10. Adding an extra 50-60 damage randomly is alaways nice, and they're my weapon of choice for 60 caps. Spartan Cesti are ok, just don't target people with shadows, as the slow delay makes it a bitch to knock them down.
Ranged: Happy Egg, Bibiki Seashell, Tiphia Sting
Tiphia Sting is bad, but if you want that 2 Accuracy/Attack and -25hp/4 Evasion, go for it.
Head: Emperor Hairpin, Crow/Raven Beret, Temple Crown, Voyager Sallet
Evasion or an extra 10 accuracy for 2 minutes or Str. Take your pick.
Neck: Peacock Charm/Amulet, Spectacles, Chivalrous Chain, Spike Necklace
Acuracy, less Accuracy, Accuracy and Str, Str and Dex.
Earings: Evasion Earing, Elusive Earing, Dodge Earing, Avenger's Earing, Pidgeon Earing(+1), Drone Earing, Cassie Earing, Spike Earing
Reasons above. Substitute "Tortoise" for "Spike".
Body: Scorpion Harness(+1), Temple Cyclas
If you don't have a Scorpion Harness, go for the Cyclas.
Hands: Ochiudo's Kote, Pallas's Bracelets, Enkelados's Bracelets, Crow/Raven Bracers, Temple Gloves
Attack+ and a little Evasion-, HP, or Evasion, take your pick. Temple Gloves if you're like me and enjoy sitting around boosting during breaks in the fighting.
Rings: Rajas Ring, Toreador's Ring, Bomb Queen Ring, Sun/Victory Ring, Sniper's Ring(+1), Garrolous Ring, Ebullient Ring
Reasons above. Bomb Queen Ring for the HP.
Back: Bushido Cape, Behemoth Mantle(+1), Hi-potion Tank, Jaguar Mantle, Royal Army Mantle, Nomads Mantle(+1)
HP, Attack, Str, Evasion, pick one. Bushido Cape is an interesting item I found on the AH last week. Evasion +1, Store TP +1, Subtle Blow +1, and Enhances "Zanshin" effect, pretty nifty Ballista piece (I haven't been able to actualy buy one yet, as only two have been listed, neither bought. Both were up for more gil than I had). Hi-potion tank can dispense one hi-potion every one minute and thirty seconds, and can hold ten. Very useful for Ballista (not for Pashhow Marshlands though, as you can't use outside items there).
Waist: Brown Belt
Duh.
Legs: Temple Hose, Akido Koshita, Crow/Raven Hose
HP/Counter/Guard, Counter, or Evasion,
Feet: Temple Gaiters, Crow/Raven Gaiters, Fuma Kyahan(/nin)
Evasion, enhanced Evasion, or haste.

Uncap

Suggested sub job(s): Samurai, Ninja, & Dragoon.. Ninja for the shadows still, and you now have Utsusemi: Ni. Samurai for meditate again. Personaly I've never used /drg, but it's been added at Eckogecko's suggestion. Also, since multi-hit weapons can proc on jump, Faith Baghnakhs + /drg is capable of some pretty nice damage.
All right, here's where the fun of one-shotting poor little Taru Black Mages with Asuran Fists begins. Uncap is probably my least favorite, as almost everyone during any time period plays in the above mentioned "JP Style". Don't use Asuran Fists on Thiefs or Ninjas, if you're going to weapon skill them at all, use Dragon Kick (it's my experience that landing 8 hits on a Thief or Ninja isn't easy in uncap). Yes, I'm finaly getting away from piling on evasion and focusing more on TP/Damage, rejoice!

Gear Choices (there's alot)

Weapon: Faith Baghnakhs (with Virtue Stone), Spharai (if you have these, it's a good idea to still use Asuran Fists), Destroyers, Indra Katars, Cross-Counters
TP is the name of the game in Ballista. And Faith Baghnakhs will get you TP faster than anythign else.
Ranged: Virtue Stone(with Faith Baghnakhs), Happy Egg, Bibiki Seashell
Head: Optical Hat, Melee Crown, Walahra Turban, Maat's Cap, Genbu's Kabuto, Shura Zunari Kabuto(+1)
Shura Zunari Kabuto isn't a good idea due to HP-.
Neck: Faith Tourque, Peacock Charm/Amulet, Opo-opo Necklace. Spectacles, Chivalrous Chain, Spike Necklace
Explaination not really needed. Opo-opo necklace for those damn Sleepga spamming mages (Honorkt!!!).
Earings: Brutal Earing, Triumph Earing, Bushinomimi, Etheral Earing, Elusive Earing, Cassie Earing, Minuet Earing, Loquatious Earing(/nin)
Brutal Earing of course for TP gain. Loquatious's Earing's fast cast can save you with that slightly faster Utsusemi: Ni cast.
Body: Kirin's Osode, Pahluwan Khazagand, Scorpion Harness(+1), Shura Togi(+1)
Again, Shura Togi isn't a good idea due to HP-.
Hands: Melee Gloves, Bandomusha Kote, Alkyoneus's Bracelets, Temple Gloves(+1), Ochiudo's Kote, Rasetsu Tekko(+1)
Damage and Hp, Rasetsu Tekko for the Evasion.
Rings: Rajas Ring, Flame Ring, Toreador's Ring, Bomb Queen Ring, Triumph Ring (+1), Sniper's Ring(+1), Garrolous Ring, Ebulient Ring
Reasons above.
Back (oh boy): Cerberus Mantle +1, Forager Mantle, Amemet Mantle +1, Cerberus Mantle, Amemet Mantle, Gigant Mantle, Psilos Mantle, Lamia Mantle(+1), Boxer's Mantle, Corse Cape, Marid Mantle(+1)
Attack & Str for the first 5, HP, Attack & Accuracy, Magical Deffense Bonus (for those pesky mages), Evasion & Guard skill, Evasion, and HP.
Waist: Black Belt, Brown Belt
No explanation necissary.
Legs: Byakko's Haidate, Melee Hose, Rasetsu Hakama, Bahamut's Hose, Pahluwan Seraweels, Temple Hose(+1), Shura Haidate(+1)
Haste & Kick Attacks+ are you best choices, Accuracy & HP aren't a bad second, along with Rasetsu Hakama for Ice Spikes. Again Shura Haidate are bad due to HP-.
Feet: Heralds Gaiters, Dune Boots, Wulong Shoes, Fuma Kyahan/Sune-ate(/nin), Melee Gaiters, Suzaku's Sune-ate
Catching people/running away faster, increasing Kick Attacks damage, haste, HP, or Mnd, take your pick.


This concludes Woda's Ballista Gear Guide. I'm sure it will change alot as new gear is added/suggested/tested.
Point out any mistypes you see, I've only gone over this a few times. I'm lazy and will add a 1v1 section within a year or so...

[Alisha]

how do you feel about mnk/drg in brenner? i know ballista is a bit different than brenner but ive had good success with /drg in brenner. with sis kebabi ive hit jumps for 400 quite a few times.

[Wodahsoguh]

I've only done Brenner twice, both times I went /sam because I had really no idea what would work best. Brenner was too chaotic for my likings. The official Brenner matches literaly never start on Siren, a Brenner match only gets going if a LS decides to do one.

[Awoir]

Should add Vampiric Claws to 40 cap list.

[Friction v4.1d]

Weapon: Tourney Patas, Boreas Cesti
Tourney Patas if you have Faging Fists for the higher base damage, Boreas Cesti if you don't.

[Nem]

Thing with just listing gear, is that everyone "should" know by now. But how about equip loadouts? for example, ill pop a few of my own...

-=No Cap Ballista=-
HP loadout (My loadout usually):
Weapon: Destoryers
Head: Genbu's Kabuto
Neck: Spike Necklace (or Peacock charm for high evasion jobs)
Earrings: Atk/STR earing, usual EXP stuff
Body: Melee Cyclas
Hands: Melee Gloves
Rings: Ruby Rings and up
Back: Atk+ Mantles (Amemet+1, Forgers mantle, etc)
Waist: Brown belt and Black belt (I want black belt ;;)
Legs: Melee Hose
Feet: Melee Gaiters

EDIT: Anyway... This loadout is best if you have h2h Merits capped, since you wont need to depend on accuracy much, when you do, focus can usually fix that if you really really need it. Keeping your +atk and Str stuff allows you to deal decent dmg while being able to take it as well. Even better if you get your hands on a Giant's Drink. Not to mention having the Extra VIT from Genbu's Kabuto and Melee Gloves give you a decent chakra healing.

Speed Loadout:

Weapon: Vishu's Cesti
Head: Genbu's Kabuto or Walahra Turban
Neck: Spike Necklace or Peacock charm
Earrings: Normal Atk+ Earrings will do
Body: Whatever works... Scorpion Harness, Shura Togi, Kirin Osode, etc.
Hands: O. Kotes or Melee gloves (Id choose M. Gloves for Chakra/+HP)
Rings: Ruby Rings and up
Back: Amemet Mantle +1 and up
Waist: Black Belt, brown belt
Legs: Byakko's Haidate or Melee Hose
Feet: Dune boots... Screw Fumas!

Right away your thinking... "lolVishus!" but I can tell yeah... they rock! they stilll do decent dmg and are wicked fast, if you have a rdm or whm willing to haste you, even faster. Though im unlucky enough to carry any of the haste gear above, I stick with the normal stuff, Genbu's Kabuto, etc... You'd think with the lower dmg, you'd do weak dmg to PLDs, but it not at all that much lower. (unless its a Buffed RDM or a PLD/RDM... but no one really does dmg to them anyway...) You hit them fast enough that you'll stop them from curing themselves most of the time, thats without haste. Faster speed makes this thing a mage/ninja/thief killer set up, since they have shit Def to begin with, you should be hitting them almost for the same dmg as with any other weapon. This setup is best used as Mnk/WAR... yeah thats right! /war subbed! Hit fast, punch a lot, kick hard up the ass. Add Hundred Fists and my god they're HP drops so damn fast, even to another monk, since if subbed war, Double attack and Kick Attack still have a chance to activate and using a +0 delay weapon, they get ripped to shreads before they have a chance to run most of the time.

[pathwriter]

Nice job, Wodah.

[Banigaru]

herald gaiters best foot armour for uncapped

[Friction v4.1d]

i steal banis for ballista as mnk75/sam30

[Kayoto]

Bomb Queen Ring should be in there for 60 cap and above.

[Friction v4.1d]

And jelly ring, -10% physical damage from Black Belt and Jelly ring is kinda nice.

[Luciendarr]

I like my Aikido Gi. http://ffxi.somepage.com/itemdb/6222

Pretty much because I'm the only Monk I have ever seen wearing one.

[Shuemue]

Banigaru :
herald gaiters best foot armour for uncapped

Yay for being a taru blm who gets gaiters from their HNMLS because jackshit useful drops for us

[Alisha]

i'm curious why why not list raesetsu pants? i've gotten owned by the ice spikes wich proc quite often.

[Kayoto]

Friction v4.1d :
And jelly ring, -10% physical damage from Black Belt and Jelly ring is kinda nice.

I've never been a fan of Jelly Ring in Ballista, mostly because of -ga spam from BLMs and the fact that even 10% -physical damage isn't going to do much for you unless you keep Counterstance and/or Berserk up (which is dumb). In a 1v1 vs. someone who can't cast (say, another MNK), it might be a good idea because you'll more than likely be keeping counterstance up and you'll get hit hard enough (when hits get through) that it might make a difference.

But yeah, BQ Ring & Rajas is my preferred combination of rings in 60 cap and higher.

Also, add Ethereal Earring in there. Brutal + Ethereal is probably the best available combo for uncapped Ballista unless you have a few MP merits and/or an Osode, in which case Brutal + Cassie might be a better idea.

[Eckogecko]

Suggested sub job(s): Samurai & Ninja. Ninja for the shadows sitll, and you now have Utsusemi: Ni. Samurai for meditate again.

I think you forgot DRG sub. Having played ballista for a long time and trying out all the different subs, DRG has to be the best. NIN sub is useless because you wont need to use the dual weild trait, and the diaga spam is just to much for shadows. DRG subs allows to get 20TP return, and a high amount of damage(200ish or so each jump, every time i used it). Combine 2x jumps with asuran fist and the punches in between, it will allow for a much easier Gate Breach. With that said, having DRG sub allows for the Wyvern Earring latent effect to kick in(5% haste) making this one of the best earrings for ballista next to Brutual Earring.

Don't use Asuran Fists on Thiefs or Ninjas, if you're going to weapon skill them at all, use Dragon Kick.

Also, i dont see why you wouldn't use Asuran Fists on a Ninja, accuracy shouldn't be a problem. Atleast taking 2 shadows down then using Asuran, should be good enough damage.

Oh, and Hearld's Gaiters are the best feet armor for ballista. Being able to outrun, and catch up to someone, with the added evasion(+eight) > all.

This is all for uncapped, obviously.

[Wodahsoguh]

Adding all your suggestions now, been away all day.

[Issac]

Nice guide Wodah. JP style ftw.

[Spartan]

Don't forget Jumping on people while they try to Sprint away for the killshot for added comedic effect, Ecko.

[Wodahsoguh]

I prefer the boost > chi blast when people are running away tbh. I'd hate to think of the damage double attack going off on a jump could do (brutal earing). Does anyone know if Fatih Baghnakhs double attack can proc on Jump? I know Krakken Club can.

Edit: I'll finish editing when I get back, gonna go take a shower I've been at the beach all day.