WHM/RDM

[Fredjan]

I think he's referring to the smart use of Strategems.

Correct.

/RDM does indeed provide 5% extra Fast Cast to all spells but in regards to cures specifically it's also possible for a WHM to reach the cure casting time cap subbing SCH. This results in me saving Celerity use for other spells, unless I find myself wanting the recast of the cure so low that it'll warrant using it.

LA - 10%
Merits - 20%
Heka's - 15%
Aceso's - 10%
Cure Clogs - 15%
AF3+2 pants -12%

Total: -82%. The cap is -80% (same as the recast time cap). If you wanted to reach the cap subbing BLM or subs like NIN or DNC, you'd need fast cast gear (Loq. Earring, Vivid Strap/Veela Cape (maybe), Prolix Ring, Witful Belt, etc).

Edit: Another option is the magic damage light elemental path (Arka I), for casting time-12/14% and then switching in Arka IV.

However, because stats are so inflated in Abyssea, it is an even better idea to get the boost to Barspells since they'll have the most effect - like straight out resisting Slow and Petrify for Barstonra, or Gravity and Silence under Baraera (and when lowmaning you need everything you can for recast timers if things go bad).

Exactly. This proves very useful against certain NMs, such as Dragua low-manning. You don't want to get petrified. I can get 184 resist to an element, with nearly perfect barspell gear (I'm missing a whole 2 extra skill, which should put me at 185 resist given the total amount of enhancing skill I have). I've easily noticed the difference barspells make in these situations, more-so than having higher base stats - therefore I aim to have the highest possible, again, which is something only /sch can help with.

gravity
blind (which /sch doesn't give)

As for spells like Gravity, I don't really consider those, whereas I do on BLM: I don't solo on WHM by kiting mobs - I sub NIN and beat the crap out of stuff, whereas I would kite/use gravity on BLM. Anything I do that's "serious" is immune to gravity anyway (Hi SE, I want Gravity II to be worth learning on my RDM so I can have a reason to level it past 95. I never play RDM at all, so I've had no reason to finish it up).

Sch is pretty much my exclusive vw sub for better boosts / barspells and accession

Plus as mentioned earlier in this thread, the helix levels have been lowered, so you also gain those to help stagger the mob (They are level 18-32 now, NOT 61-75). Scholar has 1 proc for VW - Modus Veritas - and it misses MOST of the time. It's sad, as a SCH99 myself, to know bringing SCH to VW at this point doesn't offer a whole lot (besides Embrava for zerging).

At least they lowered Modus Veritas's recast time considering it's inaccurate nature. I still can't stand using a JA that misses most of the time, despite the recast being lowered by 7 (!) minutes.

The helix spells were relatively cheap to learn to begin with if I recall correctly, and they lowered the prices more. There's simply no excuse for a /SCH not to have them for VW just to justify bringing a SCH along (I've had this happen lol). I say this wanting to actively PLAY my SCH - VW revolves around temps/staggering right now, and SCH just doesn't offer much to that table.