Enspell 2 and Fencer

[ManaKing]

I would like it if Enfire II lowered Fire resistance. I mean it would make sense to be me to be fully exploiting an enemies elemental weakness.

No idea why Enspell IIs don't work on multi hit. Every decent RDM that isn't pretending they are a caster has some kind of double attack. It makes no sense to give them an upgrade that is a downgrade. They could make it so that every round of hits does the same amount and they don't get the +1 damage until the next round of hits. That way RDM don't max their enspell damage within 5 seconds of casting it.

+1 to getting a level of fencer on RDM at some point. I usually am /DRK and I don't usually dual wield, so I would love it.

[Duelle]

+1 to getting a level of fencer on RDM at some point. I usually am /DRK and I don't usually dual wield, so I would love it.

This is where I'm at odds with myself. I agree that Fencer or a trait like it would help RDM a ton. At the same time, I know that most of us who melee tend to lean towards /DNC or /NIN because of Dual Wield.

I mean, people speculated that /WAR would be very nice once the cap was raised to lv90 because RDM could sub /WAR and get access to Fencer, Double Attack and Aggressor. Only for us to discover Dual Wield still curb stomps Sword&Board.

[Seriha]

If Fencer itself gave a huge Store TP bonus in the TP phase, you'd introduce the possibility of single-wielding at least keeping up with /NIN for TP gain. It's harder to say if the actual TP bonus to WS is more beneficial than an extra off-hand hit since not all WS work the same. Then again, now I'm thinking the JA could tweak one-handers to use the 2H formula for STR/DEX stat conversions. All in one would be ideal, but either idea would help the trait gain some steam.

[Strife]

I agree fencer just sounds like a RDM trait & would help RDM melee though in my observation, at least in abyssea, magic WS seems to be where it's at. RDM can bust out some nice Aeolin Edges, I just wish we got Sanguine Blade natively ; ;. And if SE wants to make enspell 2s not just another useless & wasted addition they should change them.

[Supersun]

If Fencer itself gave a huge Store TP bonus in the TP phase, you'd introduce the possibility of single-wielding at least keeping up with /NIN for TP gain. It's harder to say if the actual TP bonus to WS is more beneficial than an extra off-hand hit since not all WS work the same.

For elemental WSs that would be nice since they can't even receive additional hits anyway. Honestly they should of given Fencer Store TP instead of TP bonus in the first place anyway. I mean how many 1 handed weapons skills are actually going to receive a significant bonus from TP Bonus anyway? Pretty much just elemental ones. Store TP would at least equally benefit all WS (though having both would certainly be nice)

Only issue is that /nin and /dnc still lets you use a Martial Weapon and an OaT at the same time where with single wielding you still have to pick one or the other (which for Aeolian Edge at least is a tough choice)

[ManaKing]

I would really like it if they made some more offensive shields to balance out dual wield. I don't think there is anything wrong with dual wield, but I would rather have fencer and use Enspell 2s(Buff them).

[Seriha]

It'd take a hell of a lot for a shield off-hand to come close to the perks of dual wield. However, I'd put whatever offensive perks a shield could give into the Shield Mastery trait. As is, that's only a benefit if you're the one with the mob's attention, but in general situations against good DDs, the RDM won't be holding the mob's focus.

[ManaKing]

It'd take a hell of a lot for a shield off-hand to come close to the perks of dual wield. However, I'd put whatever offensive perks a shield could give into the Shield Mastery trait. As is, that's only a benefit if you're the one with the mob's attention, but in general situations against good DDs, the RDM won't be holding the mob's focus.

I'm not trying to be rude or anything like that, but why would offensive perks be wrapped into shield mastery? Fencer is a trait that gives perks to those that do no use 2handers and don't use dual wield. I see it as the offensive perks of using a shield.

I agree at present, Shield mastery doesn't do much for us in a party besides maybe give us some free spell interruption resistance.

I also agree that dual wield + enspell 1 > sword and shield + enspell 2. No question. It would be nice if you could go DPS with dual wield and enspell 1 or you could focus on WS, SC, and MB damage with Fencer and enspell 2.

[Seriha]

Because the moment you make one "must have" shield for offense, you pretty much invalidate every other shield in the game. From there, you run the risk of SE putting it on some out of the way or exceedingly difficult mob with a rare drop rate that nobody wants to fight because pandering to melee RDMs isn't in the best interest of their linkshell or whatever.

I strongly believe that the things we need to gain some job identity and appeal should be accessible to everyone and not exclusive to endgame. Endgame stuff can further build upon that, sure, but if you're one of those people who thinks, "Get CDC and you'll be okay!" then we're not on the same wavelength. Think of it as climbing steps as opposed to cliffs.

[ManaKing]

No, I'm with you. I think you should be able to push what you like about a class with equips, subs, and party dynamics. But it should be at least partially inherent to the class to begin with so everyone can enjoy it. I personally like hunting equips down so I can keep pushing.

I'm not too happy that dual wield with enspell 1 being the dominant build. I think Enspell 2 got shafted and I would like to see more options. It isn't very easy to find shields that are worth much to a RDM, but we get shield mastery and I would like it to be used. I run /DRK so i get every WS possible to me. I also get a larger selection of useful magic and more offensive abilities than most RDM get for a 1 handed weapon. I like the idea of enspell 2, but their execution was flawed at best. I would like to add Fencer to the list of things I can use to expand my build.