Dynamis-Xarcabard: Alliances 9/7/08

[Izzy]

1:1 Zapper PLD Alarial RDM Ocyris WHM Cinnabun PLD Kanaye WHM Neosutra PLD
1:2 Izzy BLM Nikkib BLM Zephera BLM Eleidon SCH Hawker BLM Seshu BRD
1:3 Chaela BLM Papillion BLM Krish BLM Laudeaubond BLM Riloth THF Brynn BRD

2:1 Teorem RDM Kariessa RDM Dimmu PLD Arcadina PLD Nerces WHM
2:2 Ryanito BRD Andhalas DD Ruball DD Gerrott DD Abrasax RDM Chrio THF
2:3 Ryudei DD Katalyst DD Carmisse DD Dredog DD Leylana BRD Phryn RDM

3:1 Killercat BRD Jayiiq DD Usmrsiberian DD Vandyr DD Miraun PUP Albatross RDM
3:2 Halon BRD Najaran THF Artorus DD Sueno DD Kiljaeden RDM Dekken DD
3:3 Shogunassassin DD Serra WHM Robhighman DD

Dynamis Lord Alliances

1:1 Zapper PLD Alarial RDM/DRK Kariessa WHM Dimmu PLD Serra WHM Teorem RDM/DRK
1:2 Izzy BLM Nikkib BLM Zephera BLM Hawker BLM Abrasax BLM Laudeaubond BLM
1:3 Shogunassassin DD Robhighman DD

2:1 Halon BRD Najaran THF Artorus DD Sueno DD Kiljaeden DD Dekken DD
2:2 Killercat BRD Jayiiq DD Usmrsiberian DD Vandyr DD Miraun PUP Albatross DD
2:3 Leylana BRD Eleidon DD Ryudei DD Katalyst DD Carmisse DD Dredog DD

3:1 Ryanito BRD Andhalas DD Ruball DD Gerrott DD Chrio THF Neosutra DD
3:2 Nerces DD Arcadina DD Seshu BRD Phryn DD Riloth THF Kanaye WHM
3:3 Chaela DD Papillion DD Krish DD Cinnabun DD Ocyris DD Brynn BRD

[abrasax]

I realize I'm signing up rather late but I can make the run if there is still room. ^^

[Serra]

/
I can make it if there's still room as well.
Sorry for the late signup.

[Brynn]

/

[Teorem]

1. After entering Dynamis-Xarcabard, where is the first place you should go?If you are a BLM or an assigned support mage in the BLM party/alliance, you proceed directly to Time Extension 2. If you're not in the previous group, you proceed directly to Time Extension 3.

Because we're trying to beat the clock, it's important that everyone gets to their assigned camps as quickly as possible, so we can begin pulling as soon as possible.


2. Suppose a Vanguard Eye pull (a normal, non-BLM pull) results in spawning a Kindred White Mage, a Kindred Paladin, a Kindred Ninja, a Kindred Summoner, a Kindred Black Mage, and a Kindred Monk. In what order should the enemies be defeated, and why?1. Vanguard Eye - cannot be slept, uses AoE Petrify/Bind, generally annoying
2. Kindred Summoner - Astral Flow can kill us all
3. Kindred Black Mage - third highest damage potential with -ga and Sleepga
4. Kindred Paladin - hardest to sleep due to Resist Sleep trait
5. Kindred Monk - gives time for BLMs to trigger Hundred Fists
6. Kindred Ninja - second highest damage potential, but one of the easiest to hold as long as needed
7. Kindred White Mage - Benediction will heal all Kindred in range if not stopped

It's possible that targeting orders can be interchanged depending on the current situation.


3. During the period in which we are fighting demon NMs, what should a PLD do after the NM he was responsible for kiting/tanking has been killed, assuming there are NMs still remaining?Once a PLD's assigned demon NM has been killed, it is his job to then assist the other PLDs that are still kiting or tanking by Curing them. By doing so, the PLD is helping the mages that are often dropping large amounts of MP to heal, and gaining hate for himself that could be turned into control if the target PLD is KO'd.

The only time a PLD should be using /heal while there are still active demon NMs is either during weakness (which is itself debatable if you are able to stand a safe distance away and still help Cure) or if MP has run out.


4. What are the best ways to prevent a Kindred from using Benediction, Mijin Gakure, Invincible, and Perfect Dodge? Why?Benediction - Benediction is used at low health, so stun the Kindred as it approaches low HP
Mijin Gakure - Mijin Gakure varies between low to mid-range HP, but consistent stunning helps lessen the chance it will go off. We also focus on saving TP up for roughly the first half of a target's HP, then using weaponskills to finish it off quickly.
Invincible - Invincible usually goes off around mid-range HP, but can be stalled or stopped entirely by Stun
Perfect Dodge - see Invincible

It's important to realize that in these cases, "stun" isn't just something we expect BLMs to cast. Melee with "Bash" job abilities or even stun weaponskills can also help out greatly. It is also important that if we do have a Kindred that gets Invincible or Perfect Dodge up, that all BLMs that are able to do so focus on nuking and finishing off the target so we don't have to wait 30 seconds until the melee can damage it again.


5. In what order can the following spells be stacked (ie., successively cast on the same target without a "no effect" message): Lullaby, Sleep, Sleep II, Repose. Assuming no resistance, what is the duration of each spell? Are certain sleep-inducing spells more effective than others on Kindred in Dynamis? Are certain enemies immune to any sleep effect?Lullaby (~30s) = Sleep (~60s) > Sleep II (~90s) = Repose (~90s)

The best way to get the most Sleep duration out of a target is to start with a lower level sleep-inducing spell, then wait and cast a higher version over it while the target is still asleep (but just before it wakes up). If you start off with the highest tier spells, the enemy has to wake up before you can cast again.

Repose is a very accurate spell on Kindred in Dynamis and should be used whenever possible to help crowd control. Vanguard Eyes, demon NMs, Animated Weapons, Vanguard Dragons, and all statues are immune to sleep effects.


6. What is the best way to negate Demonic Howl? Is it necessary to remove Slow from everyone?Demonic Howl's Slow effect has no effect on anyone who has Haste. Haste will also overwrite the effect on an afflicted melee, and it is thus not necessary to Erase them first, unlike more potent forms of Slow.

Not every damage-dealer needs Slow removed: RNGs that do not melee are not affected by Slow other than increased recast times on Utsusemi if using a NIN subjob. However, for everyone else, it's important to keep Haste on as much as possible throughout the run: someone that has Haste is almost twice as fast as someone that has been slowed by Demonic Howl (without taking other Haste equipment/abilities into consideration).


7. How is it possible to completely avoid Hecatomb Wave, particularly when used by demon NMs? What is Hecatomb Wave's additional effect? Is it limited to only a single target?Hecatomb Wave's additional effect is Blind. The effect is actually quite potent, lasts a long time, and should be removed quickly if possible. Hecatomb Wave's damage hits all incidental targets along a line from the source to the actual target.

To completely avoid Hecatomb Wave, you exploit the fact that most enemies that use ranged attacks (in this case, Kindred Rangers and Kindred Ninjas) will prefer to use a ranged attack (Hecatomb Wave) while at high-range HP instead of running up to the target (you) to hit it. Because the charge time on Hecatomb Wave is long enough that you can outrun it, all you need to do is keep yourself as far away from the target as possible, then simply move further out of range when Hecatomb Wave is readied. The Kindred will readjust its position to get closer to you, and you repeat the process.

However, when moving around to avoid Hecatomb Wave, you must be aware of how the demon is moving relative to you. If you are trying to kite normally, it will more often than not be the case that the demon will move very little and just turn as you run in circles, hitting you and everyone else along the line in between with Hecatomb Wave. This is the main reason why we tell people to either kite along a wall and/or away from the melee alliances, so that the melee do not get caught in the crossfire.


8. For Ying and Yang, where are the best places to fight both of them that results in the least exposure to AoE? Why?Most AoE can be avoided by being at a different height than the source. Thus, for Ying and Yang, the alliances are divided and placed such that one alliance is at the bottom fighting one dragon, while the other alliance camps a little higher up the ramp and out of range of the first dragon's AoE.

The danger here is that there are other people on the ramp (usually BLMs), so the second dragon cannot be taken too high up the ramp without causing serious risk to them.


9. For Dynamis Lord, where should the melee wait? Where should the BLMs wait? Where should the RDMs responsible for Stun wait? Where should the PLDs wait? Why are their respective positions important?We go over positioning in Xarcabard pretty much every run, so I won't rehash it here. The reasons why:

Melee: placed far enough from the tank who gets the Dynamis Lord to avoid Bindga or series III -ga damage
BLMs: placed on the ledge to avoid most AoE
RDMs: first stunner is usually relatively near the PLD because hate is built quickly, the second stunner is in a safe area initially so as not to be KO'd along with the first stunner
PLDs: the backup PLDs are in a safe area for the same reason as the second stunner


10. If a piece of AF matching your main job drops, are you currently allowed to lot it?Read the eligibility page: http://www.dynamisbums.com/forum/lottingEligibility2.php . If your name isn't on the list, you're not eligible to set an AF lotting comment. However, you MIGHT be eventually eligible to lot an AF piece depending on what part of free lotting the AF gets to and what your current status is.

[Krish]

7. Kindred White Mage - Benediction will heal all Kindred in range if not stopped


Correct me if I'm wrong: Benediction will also wake up all mobs in range. Yet another reason to fight them when there are fewer mobs left.

[Alarial]

Neo is home and he wants to go. Please add him in, thanks ^^

[Robhighman]

I'll be there too