[rambus]

Here is a FAQ I have seen on these boards:


1) Elemental staves
We already know its expensive. We already know its hard to put up that kind of money. Deal with it. Find out how good an alternative is by testing. Other people have done it, why can't you? Same goes for HQ staves. Get them! Nothing will boost your damage by so much. At least pick up Aquilo's and Jupiter's. Get staffs above all else. They also have some high "magic accuracy" on them. Here is an attempt to show the staves have this "magic acc" on them, but as far as im concerned it is hard to actually prove it. Resists can be random but my leveling through 51-75 with the HQ staffs and my experience on RDM maat (which I commented in that staves thread) shows me they have some sort of magic acc on them. I mean how often do you really see someone suggesting to use ice staff for the elemental skill with wind spells?

The stavs thread also have this and this thanks to nerull with some more data on magic acc proof and how it exists.

2) What does elemental magic do?
There was a week where we had like 2 or 3 threads that asked this like here and here.

3) What subjob to use threads:
There is a Black Mage FAQ at the top of this forum started by *Deacon*, you can't miss it. It has a power by level listing that you can apply to your situation. Sometimes you may need /nin in some BCNMs. I did it a few times in a few CoP missions. General rule of thumb, RDM for solo and post-68 and WHM for parties where cures and -na spells are needed. There is also SCH you could sub but I personally don't see why you would.

4) A more detailed guide of gear by level that is a bit more up to date by Darkwood.

5) Shaman's Cloak vs AF?
This is covered on a weekly basis. Almost any questions you need can be answered by using the search function. If you're having trouble with resists, get the cloak. If you're taking hate, wear AF. If you want straight damage, AF hat and a cotehardie (I did AF hat and coterhardie). Click the question for the debate.

6) Yigit Turban vs AF+1 vs etc?, (5 INT vs 2 MAB in general)
AF1+1 is a better hat overall. If you want to hit your highest damage for e-peen purposes, go test for yourself the damage difference between Demon Helm +1 and Yigit Turban. You could do your own Math or use this calc. Just input the info and voilà. A new thread I made to prove the correct spell bases on wiki. Stone II and up can be done (naked) on level 1 mobs since they are not hit with INT decay. Stone II to thunder IV was found to match the bases given on the wiki. I also updated my BLM excel sheet. I would like someone to run a new program calc based on the updated data I found.

7) Mahatma or Jet?
It doesn't matter. 1 INT is negiglible, as is 15 MP. Most BLMs on this forum, myself included, wear Mahatma (personally I like my INT. Don't ask why). If you want this forum's opinion then wear Mahatma and don't question it. If you want reasons, go click on the question for the enormous thread dedicated to this debate.

8 ) Which is better for /heal?
Main points on hmp gear: get dark staff as soon as Lv51 (you'll use for the rest of your mage life!), errant houppelande, various earrings, yigit set 70s, seer's tunic & pilgrim's wand at low levels. Includes various options & info for available hmp equipment. Also contains a link to an older discussion on said matter.

9) Magnetic or Static?
Make up your own mind based on what other jobs you have levelled/what jobs you intend to level.

10) Here is a neat new debate on how much elemental skill you should use on HNMs coupled with a "standard amount" of INT. This is found here and here.

11) Upgrading AF
Obvious 3 choices include hat, coat, and hands. Which you upgrade first depends on what type of endgame situations you deal with. Contains previous responses on reasons why they chose to upgrade x piece first over y.

12) What other gear to use in general:
This includes stuff like sorcerer's ring and other situational gear, like enfeebling magic and such. Use the search function to look up thoughts and opinions on any gear. According to some research nerull did and a few other BLMs select slots does not effect max hp:

For some reason Ammo, Back, and R.Ring does not affect latent

13) How should I spend my merit points?
General categories aside typical job-specific categories include: 5 thunder potency, 5 ice potency, at least 1 Burst II and 1 Freeze II. Distribute the other Group 2 points in a way that best complements what you do most often in FFXI. Please use common sense when posting. If it's something you think is new search first then post if you don't find it.

In case you DO need information, there is a compilation by level by *Deacon* and Akioremora's solo guide. These guides are stickied at the top of this page.

thanks to omi for letting me copy/ pase his changes.

[splynk]

rambus :
Back by popular demand, I thought I would try this again.

This is a list of things covered MANY times over. Things that if you would use the search function at the top of the screen, you would find answers to.

1) Elemental staffs: We already know its expensive, we already know its hard to put up that kind of money. Deal with it, find out what a good alternative is by testing stuff. Other people have done it why can't you? Same goes for HQ staves. Get them, nothing will boost your damage so much. At least pick up Aquilo's and Jupiter's.

2) Shaman's Cloak vs AF?: This is covered on a weekly basis almost and any questions you need answered can be answered by using the search function. If you're having trouble with resists, get a Shaman's. If you're taking hate, wear AF. If you want straight damage, AF hat and a cotehardie.

3) Rate my equipment threads: You know whether or not you have good gears. Don't bother posting a pointless topic here because nobody cares.

4) What subjob to use threads: There is a Black Mage FAQ at the top of this forum started by *Deacon*, you can't miss it. General rule of thumb, RDM for solo and post-68, WHM for parties, where cures and -na spells are needed.

5) What gear to use in general: Search function

6) some other stuff on not what to talk about:
zomg nerf BLM!1!
I traded my Demon's Cloak for a Warlock's Mantle, and I don't care what you elitist endgame BLMs think about it
Yigit Turban vs AF+1 vs etc?, (5 INT vs 2 MAB in general)
How do I craft a Genie Weskit? (if you do not know how along with zenith +1 you do not deserve them)
How should I spend my merit points?
Magnetic or Static?
Mahatma or Jet?

Please use common sense when posting, if it's something you think is new, search first, and post if you don't find it.

In case you DO need information, there is a compilation by level by *Deacon* and Akioremora's solo guide. These guides are stickied at the top of this page.

Fixed up a bit, if you'd like to use that.

[rambus]

Ill just copy and paste it I can't tell what you fixed up. I'm just going to assume its better.

oh you left out this part:

should i put it back? i was just trying to be funny and reflect what the sam posted in that part:

The only things i really care about reading are new finds on things people may not have already known, new equipment, amazing damages to HNM/Gods (i dont care what you did to a VT mob that has a built in MAB with brd 2 hr INT song, Burn, Ecliptic Growl, and Dream Shroud. kthx).

Notice how threads mentioned above dont get many replies? because people are tired of seeing them. Don't waste bandwidth and use the search function PLEASE.

and i liked the hide + AF hat part I hated that tunic lol

[splynk]

your thread, do whatever you want ;o

[rambus]

Ya but I would like it to make it more appealing this time around.

[Rhayve]

You know, as incredibly useful this is, all the fools who always start new threads without having used the Search function or didn't read the FAQ previously, won't bother reading this anyway and continue pestering us with their useless and annoying threads.

Oh well, I demand sticky.

[Gyth]

rambus :
Back by popular demand, I thought I would try this again.

Demand, wtf???
Most of the "noob" topics haven't been asked in a month.
Probably the main reason the drama thread is doing so well is because people are bored on this forum.

If noob topics offend you so much go kill yourself, or ignor them or post an equally noobish "search function" reply.

Don't post a Frequently Answered Questions and NOT include the answers.
Answers like your shaman/subjob comments would be fine.
If the answers not short link to previous discussion.
And if the difference is minimal to the point of just being personal prefference then just say so.

rambus :
1) Elemental staffs:
Yigit Turban vs AF+1 vs etc?, (5 INT vs 2 MAB in general)
How should I spend my merit points?
Magnetic or Static?
Mahatma or Jet?

P.S. Are Warlock's Mantle or Demon's Cloak worth their price tag? No, mantle is a trivial 1% fast cast and Demon only adds 1 defense (casting stats are an improvement, but you should only be nuking in black/demon 68-72, NOT at 75)

[Amentis]

Don't post a Frequently Answered Questions and NOT include the answers.
If noob topics offend you so much go kill yourself, or ignor them or post an equally noobish "search function" reply.

Listen, we post "Search function" because you know...the answer is definitely there, and maybe we wanna train people to not be useless and actually look for themselves.

It's basic conditioning.
If you yell at someone for posting a new topic for something, but you give them the answer anyway...
They'll just post a new topic the NEXT time they have a retarded question.

If you yell at them and don't give them the answer, they'll either never get their answer, or maybe, JUST MAYBE, they'll use the search function, find it, and go "Hey! This is pretty easy! Maybe I should do this for now on!"

Here's an addendum to this hopefully gonna be stickied thread.:

DON'T BE THIS GUY:
http://killingifrit.com/forums.php?m=posts&q=150920
He's the demon cloak/warlock mantle guy. But you know since Gyth is a party pooper he can't take a joke, and know that we're just razzing a typical troll.

Sheesh.

[Gyth]

I use the search function some, and I usually find something new, but its almost never what I'm looking for.


Using the search function seems like reading faqs on alla sometimes.
Makes some sense, might be right, but unless you test it yourself you may never know.

P.S. How fun would it be to use the search function and find a bunch of topics saying nothing but... use the search function?
P.P.S. Flame topics are fine. I was just saying the punch line so people won't need to waste time there searching for wisdom.

[Nerull]

Gyth :

rambus :
Back by popular demand, I thought I would try this again.

Demand, wtf???
Most of the "noob" topics haven't been asked in a month.
Probably the main reason the drama thread is doing so well is because people are bored on this forum.

If noob topics offend you so much go kill yourself, or ignor them or post an equally noobish "search function" reply.

Don't post a Frequently Answered Questions and NOT include the answers.
Answers like your shaman/subjob comments would be fine.
If the answers not short link to previous discussion.
And if the difference is minimal to the point of just being personal prefference then just say so.

rambus :
1) Elemental staffs:
Yigit Turban vs AF+1 vs etc?, (5 INT vs 2 MAB in general)
How should I spend my merit points?
Magnetic or Static?
Mahatma or Jet?

P.S. Are Warlock's Mantle or Demon's Cloak worth their price tag? No, mantle is a trivial 1% fast cast and Demon only adds 1 defense (casting stats are an improvement, but you should only be nuking in black/demon 68-72, NOT at 75)

Who pissed in your cornflakes?

Way to be an impudent dick, when you clearly haven't read either of the 2 recent threads being referenced here.

[Gyth]

Nerull :
Who pissed in your cornflakes?

Way to be an impudent dick, when you clearly haven't read either of the 2 recent threads being referenced here.

What are the two threads being referenced?

Sorry if my critisism didn't seem very constructive.

Yigit Turban vs AF+1 vs etc?, (5 INT vs 2 MAB in general)
How should I spend my merit points?
Magnetic or Static?
Mahatma or Jet?

These are all questions which have "short" answers.
Toss the answers up there and lets get this thing stickied.

[Elswood]

They don't have short answers, because someone is always going to ask: "Why?" And with that question, they demand proof, grounds on that it's right, further testing, how valid those tests are, and general concensus of the community.

And, this should be stickied. It's a thread on what not to post, not a thread to list the answer to all of your retarded questions that have been answered times and times before.

[Silmarwen]

Elswood :
They don't have short answers, because someone is always going to ask: "Why?" And with that question, they demand proof, grounds on that it's right, further testing, how valid those tests are, and general concensus of the community.

And, this should be stickied. It's a thread on what not to post, not a thread to list the answer to all of your retarded questions that have been answered times and times before.

I totally agree. However, if we'd like this to get stickied, maybe linking to some of the better threads answering the questions could be helpful. I know I've searched before, then you gotta search the search, cause you get all kinds of unrelated stuff lol. Although, threads do tend to become outdated and imo it's always best to refer to more than one source before assuming something is fact.

People need to use a bit of common sense. Learn to search. Learn to read. Learn to share what information you may posses. Not that difficult really.

Oh! and maybe add one about macros >.>; I recall that coming up alot as well.

[Amentis]

Silm:
People need to use a bit of common sense. Learn to search. Learn to read. Learn to share what information you may posses. Not that difficult really.

For example, today I was looking for a viable Temenos (elemental) solo strat. I used the search, and a lot of topics came up, many of which were inconclusive. But after skimming like...3 threads? I found what I wanted.
Just cause you get a lot of crap when you search, doesn't mean the answers aren't in there

I use the search function some, and I usually find something new, but its almost never what I'm looking for.

Being lazy and giving up after one inconclusive thread brought up by search is just blargh.

[Nerull]

Gyth :
Yigit Turban vs AF+1 vs etc?, (5 INT vs 2 MAB in general)
How should I spend my merit points?
Magnetic or Static?
Mahatma or Jet?

These are all questions which have "short" answers.
Toss the answers up there and lets get this thing stickied.

Umm no, quite the opposite in fact. The reason I have no interest in seeing any of these topics brought up again is that all they have ever done is sparked huge back and forth debates between people insisting one is better than the other, and that everyone who does something different than them is wrong. These are matters of opinion, without a clear-cut answer, and have been debated numerous times to exhaustion. If someone is looking to make a decision and can't manage to run a search and skim through any of the threads already existing on the subject to glean data and opinions that will help them, then chances are they are beyond helping regardless.

[rambus]

Ill put links to threads you recommend. I been reading the forums for a while and I really do not know what it is best. how about me linking that blm formula off wiki and link my talks about the weather research to prove it right?

i dont know.

[Superbleh]

Gyth :
P.S. Are Warlock's Mantle or Demon's Cloak worth their price tag? No, mantle is a trivial 1% fast cast and Demon only adds 1 defense (casting stats are an improvement, but you should only be nuking in black/demon 68-72, NOT at 75)

But Demon's Cloak adds more Refresh you guys are all noobs you've never owned one!!!!

That's what the other thread was like, and I think Rambus just added it as a joke. It's not a frequent question of course, it's just a stupid thread. I'm not sure what hasn't been discussed to death really, maybe some new solo/duo kills of NMs or actual hard statistics and tests of BLM stats vs resistance to make an accuracy formula which would be annoying to do. Apart from that there's not a whole lot that hasn't been discussed, except when new updates come out.

And congratulations on your typing Rambus, it's much better now not sure when it changed but I just noticed

[Gyth]

rambus :
Ill put links to threads you recommend.

Thanks

rambus :
I been reading the forums for a while and I really do not know what it is best.

ding ding ding, we have a winner.
There isn't always a best.
Just say so and don't make noobs sift through pointless threads until they don't care anymore.

rambus :
There is a Black Mage FAQ at the top of this forum started by *Deacon*, you can't miss it.

I'll disagree.
a) it doesn't have FAQ in the title, so it _is_ easy to miss
its not set up like a FAQ
c) it doesn't answer frequently asked questions
d) it purposely doesn't include discussion of the information presented
e) it lists what smn would get as a subjob
f) its out of date

[rambus]

so what if it lists what smn gets as a SJ peple use brd and nin time to time.

how is it out of date? I could make a new one based off it.

once I get more time ill add info but right now i do not have a lot of time so im asking others for input.

[Amentis]

Gyth:
Just say so and don't make noobs sift through pointless threads until they don't care anymore.

Orr they could read through the threads themselves, and take away their own opinion.
There were good arguments on both sides of many issues that were brought up, intelligent ones amid a sea of retardation.
Perhaps if they read through it, they could take away their own opinion, after getting both sides of the story.

It's important to get all the info, look at the stats posted, glean the information for yourself, and form your own opinion on gear.
A perfect example would be the Jet Vs Mahatma thread.

Those pieces might be more appealing for different people. Personally, I prefer Mahatma. But that's because I'm taru and have infinite mp.

Others might differ.
Regardless, it's important to read these huge discussion threads (as long as you can ignore the dumb shit), and get a good handle on your job, and the gear.