Magic Hammer: Is it just me, or is this really underpowered for a level 74 spell?

[Raxiaz]

Not to mention all the other disappointing spells in the game. But this one sticks out to me. My BLU, with MND and skill and all that, averages about 120-130 damage. MB about 140-160. Take 40 out of that, and that's how much MP I get from it. Not bad, right?

Except it has to pull from the mob's MP to give me that. Why? Balance? Puh-leeze. Balance would be taking the damage it does and converting it straight to MP. Seriously, SE, make this spell actually worth using, like it was in some of the other games.

Unless I'm missing something about this spell. What other Aspir-type spells do we have? And are they any better?

[Kwate]

Just curious, do you have a MND build for it? I've broken 200 several times back in day on randomly toying around with it.

[Raxiaz]

I kinda do.

Head: Teal chapeau
Neck: Enlightened chain
Ear1: Moldavite Earring
Body: Teal saio
Hands: Teal cuffs
Ring1: Tamas ring
Ring2: Sapphire ring
Back: Hecate's cape
Waist: Penitent's rope
Legs: Mahatma slops (would teal be better?)
Feet: Teal pigaches

Only listed what I equip when I cast. I have MAB+ where I don't have MND+. I'm not open to the idea of dropping a couple hundred thousand gil into giving me another 20-30 points on this spell, either. I would be if it did HP damage -> restores your MP, but alas, the spell is deceiving.

[Karinya_of_Carbuncle]

Except it has to pull from the mob's MP to give me that. Why? Balance? Puh-leeze.

Yes. MP limitations are one of the few limitations BLU has. It can do as much damage as a nuke or more with a 1 second casting time physical spell *and* melee decently.


What other Aspir-type spells do we have? And are they any better?
MP Drainkiss, and no.

Theoretically, you could improve it with Memento Mori, Amplification, Enervation, Acrid Stream, or Benthic Typhoon, but the cost to cast any of those might exceed the amount of extra MP you would get out of Magic Hammer as a result. (On the other hand, if you're also going to do other magic damage, or (in the case of the -MDB spells) anyone in your party is, it might be worthwhile for those reasons.)

[Raxiaz]

I just don't understand why having something that does damage to a monster give you MP, but only if the monster has MP. I mean sheesh, it's not like it can't give me at least half of damage + an additional amount drained from MP occasionally when the mob has MP.

[Scuro]

Ya personally it is a lil dumb, it should kinda work like Drain Samba, where its not a EnDrain, but it takes a % out of your damage and converts it to HP. I would of hoped this spell would of done that, but it doesn't, and the multiplier, kinda disgusting, you need a ton of MND, and in my case as a Galka, I get the shaft, I've only ever used this spell 3 times in my game life and it was as a joke because it was a big hammer. So idk, I certainly expected better from this spell and personally was really excited, but when I found out what it was all about, I've never really used it since.

[Zagen]

Ya personally it is a lil dumb, it should kinda work like Drain Samba, where its not a EnDrain, but it takes a % out of your damage and converts it to HP.

I'd go with a comparison to Spirit Taker instead because it works on any monster, and gives MP regardless of the monster having MP (assuming you do damage). Drain/Aspir Sambas don't work on Undead and Aspir doesn't work if they have 0 MP.

[Scuro]

Good point, but I would think the fact that its one of the few lightbased aspirs in the game should be a good give away that it works on undead lol.

[Kwate]

Yeah Rax, I personally used MP Drainkiss, after comparative testing and factoring in mp cost per cast. Plus back in day used to burst it off of Darkness for great results (100-180ish). But again, its all personal preference.

[Raxiaz]

I might use MP Drainkiss when I'm bored, if I ever get Expiacion.

[Scuro]

Savage Blade + Benthic Typhoon makes a good Darkness, so you can Magic burst it with MP Drainkiss but with MM atma, not much of a point for it these days to play smart.

[Zagen]

Expiation + Benthic Typhoon not Savage Blade

[Scuro]

Ya thats right, my bad.

[Covenant]

Not having this spell yet I can't respond 100%. But isn't this spell light-based as opposed to Dark? Meaning equipping light staff and "light" build more important. Also maybe rather than dark magic skill, divine magic skill more important? Also, mobs which have MP but weak to light, namely undead would theoretically be absorbable?

[Prothscar]

You can't Drain or Aspir undead, period.

[Zagen]

Not having this spell yet I can't respond 100%. But isn't this spell light-based as opposed to Dark? Meaning equipping light staff and "light" build more important. Also maybe rather than dark magic skill, divine magic skill more important? Also, mobs which have MP but weak to light, namely undead would theoretically be absorbable?
Dark Magic Skill was never proven to help MP Drainkiss, the selective usage of BLU/SCH (namely for campaign) was for Drain/Aspir under Dark Arts since it gives you a D or B(I forget) rank as well as being able to switch to Light Arts to boost Magic Fruit.

[Covenant]

I only brung that up cause sheep song is also light based and is stronger with light staff, I think.

[Karbuncle]

You can't Drain or Aspir undead, period.

Oddly enough, the Hydra's, though looking Undead (They're shadow mobs), can be drained and Aspir'd.

Its probably been like this forever but i rarely fought them lol.

[Draylo]

Both aspir spells have been really beneficial to me from playing BLU. I think Magic Hammer, as well as a few other spells, should be adjusted a bit though too.

[Kwate]

I think with a good MND build you can see, some good results. I haven't played with it too much, but caught Draylo's soloing the A Moogle Kupo d'Etat final fight on FFXIAH.com, he topped 500 once or twice, but was consistently over 200.

Edit: gonna add, he was /rdm when achieving these numbers. So magic attack trait might of contribute to that.

[Prothscar]

MAB does affect Magic Hammer.

[Draylo]

I think with a good MND build you can see, some good results. I haven't played with it too much, but caught Draylo's soloing the A Moogle Kupo d'Etat final fight on FFXIAH.com, he topped 500 once or twice, but was consistently over 200.

Edit: gonna add, he was /rdm when achieving these numbers. So magic attack trait might of contribute to that.

Those mobs take double dmg so that is why the numbers were so high :)