Rune Fencer Merit Ability List

[Ariyon]

Will just copypaste this from FFXIAH, but these are my thoughts on RUN merits...

Rune Enhancement Effect- This one confuses me. Will we simply deal an extra 2 damage per rune, or will the increase be larger than that?

Vallation Effect- If the extra MDB has a substantial enough effect, like One For All, this could be worthwhile.

Lunge Effect- Lunge rarely misses anyways, even on high-level mobs.

Pflug Effect- I have never gotten this damn JA to work. I can have 3 matching runes, the appropriate bar- spell, and still get slammed with status effects all day. I get more random resists with Tenacity alone than when I actively try to prevent one.

Gambit Effect- Reduced recast on an already short-lived ability? Why not increase the effect or the duration? Then it might be somewhat useful.

Battuta- Probably one of the few merits that I actually went "Wow, that might not be too bad."

Rayke- Gambit 2.0, but with the increased duration that Gambit should've gotten. If the effects stack it could make for some sick Lunges, but I wouldn't be surprised if they share a recast ala Collaborator/Accomplice.

Inspiration- I cast three, maybe four spells while I'm actively tanking: Flash, Foil, Phalanx, Regen IV. That's it. Anything else either takes too long or isn't worth the MP cost.

Sleight of Sword- Because Great Swords swing so fast that we actually needed this?

[Babekeke]

Will just copypaste this from FFXIAH, but these are my thoughts on RUN merits...

Rune Enhancement Effect- This one confuses me. Will we simply deal an extra 2 damage per rune, or will the increase be larger than that?

It would have to be per rune per merit, if it is a straight +2 damage, which means +30 enhantment spell damage per swing, which seems unlikely, but possible. This would definately lean towards the sword > GS argument.

Vallation Effect- If the extra MDB has a substantial enough effect, like One For All, this could be worthwhile.

Most likely it will be single element only, unlike OFA. 15 MDB total, not ground breaking by any means.

Lunge Effect- Lunge rarely misses anyways, even on high-level mobs.

Maybe it's just me, but I've often seen 50%/75% resists on Lunge.

Pflug Effect- I have never gotten this damn JA to work. I can have 3 matching runes, the appropriate bar- spell, and still get slammed with status effects all day. I get more random resists with Tenacity alone than when I actively try to prevent one.

This seems to work fine for me. Just be sure you're using the right rune element for the enfeeb you want to block. Eg fire runes to block para, not ice runes.

Gambit Effect- Reduced recast on an already short-lived ability? Why not increase the effect or the duration? Then it might be somewhat useful.

I can only agree. I've never found the damage on the enchantments, and the time lost from DoT to put up another 3 runes, to be worth using this JA.

Battuta- Probably one of the few merits that I actually went "Wow, that might not be too bad."

I agree, if only it had a higher duration. But there's always the chance of relic+2 gear augments. ^^

Rayke- Gambit 2.0, but with the increased duration that Gambit should've gotten. If the effects stack it could make for some sick Lunges, but I wouldn't be surprised if they share a recast ala Collaborator/Accomplice.

Gambit lowers magic def, this lowers magic eva. The durations would need to be fairly long to use 1, get 3 more runes up, use the other, get 3 more runes up, then use Lunge.

Inspiration- I cast three, maybe four spells while I'm actively tanking: Flash, Foil, Phalanx, Regen IV. That's it. Anything else either takes too long or isn't worth the MP cost.

SS can be useful if a mob is casting a long-cast-time spell (of element you're not prepared for) and it can't be stunned.

Sleight of Sword- Because Great Swords swing so fast that we actually needed this?

Again, yet another way that SE is saying "You don't get native dual-wield, shields, ToM or delve swords, but DW swords are much better for your job overall, so it's time to decide!"

[Ariyon]

Maybe it's just me, but I've often seen 50%/75% resists on Lunge.

I've had a few rare instances where Lunge will only use 2/3 runes and deal less damage, but other than mobs that are outright resistant to damage (i.e. Acrolith NM in Bhaflau II) I've never had a problem.

This seems to work fine for me. Just be sure you're using the right rune element for the enfeeb you want to block. Eg fire runes to block para, not ice runes.

Runes are fine. Maybe I've just had bad luck with it so far.

Gambit lowers magic def, this lowers magic eva. The durations would need to be fairly long to use 1, get 3 more runes up, use the other, get 3 more runes up, then use Lunge.

I must've misread that part then. If Rayke lowers magic evasion then it could be useful for putting enfeebs on more finicky enemies. (The Jagil NM in Fractures, for example. Sometimes Silence likes to not stick.)

SS can be useful if a mob is casting a long-cast-time spell (of element you're not prepared for) and it can't be stunned.

A valid point, but if a spell is taking that long to cast I'm far more likely to just use Liement if it's available.

Again, yet another way that SE is saying "You don't get native dual-wield, shields, ToM or delve swords, but DW swords are much better for your job overall, so it's time to decide!"

RUN actually does get access to the Delve plasm sword, as well as a few other ones. I'm not sure if they get access to the Fracture boss sword, but our selection is far better than axes or great axes.