Spoilers*Test Server

[Tennotsukai]

While you're adjusting Dark Orb, could you give it or Everyone's Grudge a different effect or added effect or something? Those two spells are virtually identical as they stand now.

Perhaps, SE can take it out completely and give us a less redundant spell like Bloody Claws or a different elemental nuke.

[Urteil]

While you're adjusting Dark Orb, could you give it or Everyone's Grudge a different effect or added effect or something? Those two spells are virtually identical as they stand now.

I'll take a Darkness damage nuke.

Dark Knight, yes please.

[Helel]

Sudden lunge alone is reason enough to bring BLU to any event imo.

[Mayoyama]

Can we put all info found in the test server here? this will prevent those who want to discuss blu mage stuff from reading spoilers and allow the devs to see specific blu problems/testing etc. also its a lot easier to find out new stuff when i cant get on the game ^^

Um you do know there is already a big thread on this.... Was even listed on the hot topics for a while too lol
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/th...-on-BLU-spells

[Demonofhunger]

I can live with less Acc on Heavy Strike, since it still should be able to do good damage to HNMs and high Def and high-level mobs. It just means that I have to start buying sushi again.

I'm not happy, but if that's the only nerf it gets then I'll take it.

[Helel]

Fixed my post, but either way, missing 5 hits out of 50 with capped accuracy is hardly something to complain about with the spell's mp cost and low recast time. I saw someone do a similar test and they missed 6 out of 50. The way I see it, BLU is already a solid DD, so heavy strike just provides an opportunity to perform even better.

[Nightfyre]

I don't understand the Heavy Strike nerf at all. It's probably largely irrelevant outside of high-level NMs, but that's a situation we have had difficulty finding a niche in for years. Macc issues with debuffs (especially additional effects on physical spells that are further hampered by the chance to miss), low physical spell attack, and magical spells heavily dependent on the target mob's base stats are all ill suited to such monsters. Now we get a spell with 100% critrate, a wonderful property when fighting high-level content, and it's penalized in other areas. Doesn't make any sense at all.

[Mightyg]

I don't understand the Heavy Strike nerf at all. It's probably largely irrelevant outside of high-level NMs, but that's a situation we have had difficulty finding a niche in for years. Macc issues with debuffs (especially additional effects on physical spells that are further hampered by the chance to miss), low physical spell attack, and magical spells heavily dependent on the target mob's base stats are all ill suited to such monsters. Now we get a spell with 100% critrate, a wonderful property when fighting high-level content, and it's penalized in other areas. Doesn't make any sense at all.

Completely agree. I think all those issues should be addressed. Not expecting to be godlike in all areas, but at least if you're going to give us a variety of tools, make them practical and applicable to those situations.

[saevel]

I don't understand the Heavy Strike nerf at all. It's probably largely irrelevant outside of high-level NMs, but that's a situation we have had difficulty finding a niche in for years. Macc issues with debuffs (especially additional effects on physical spells that are further hampered by the chance to miss), low physical spell attack, and magical spells heavily dependent on the target mob's base stats are all ill suited to such monsters. Now we get a spell with 100% critrate, a wonderful property when fighting high-level content, and it's penalized in other areas. Doesn't make any sense at all.

Because Heavy Strike has stats of

Heavy Strike: 92BLU STR+2 2 set points 32MP "Damage varies with TP" 2 points

2 set points and 32MP, and your wanting it to be your best damage spell? It already does more damage then spells that are twice as expensive and have higher set point costs. There has to be a down side somewhere (high MP cost, longer cast time, high set point cost, or low accuracy).

[SpankWustler]

2 set points and 32MP, and your wanting it to be your best damage spell? It already does more damage then spells that are twice as expensive and have higher set point costs. There has to be a down side somewhere (high MP cost, longer cast time, high set point cost, or low accuracy).

Personally, I would be a lot happier if all aspects of Heavy Strike, including MP cost, were increased to normal levels, with the automatic critical aspect left intact. This would make Heavy Strike a great spell for anything that has more defense than a 95 year old cancer sufferer waiting out his last two days under Hospice care. Reduced accuracy was a lame draw-back to pick for a spell which is best on really hard monsters.

Well, unless this spell just sets a precedent for the unique qualities that single-hit spells will possess for here onward. In that case, awesome work development bros. Keep them coming. Me gusta. Feels good man. Etc.