On Red Mage melee...

[Demon6324236]

They gave it some more gear that is relatively subpar when compared to other jobs gear. In other words, no.

[saevel]

It got a new body that is somewhat ok and a new CDC head piece that's sorta ok.

Otherwise ... nope not even close.

Ohh and update, I finally got my Aketon and good god this thing is fugly. Looks eye wrenching on an Elvann. LS and I figured it's gotta have some hidden additional effect where it terrorizes the enemy with it's appearance.

[Demon6324236]

Honestly I prefer the look of the Aketon over a Antares or Shedir look... RDM gets no visual appealing gear though in my opinion.

[Karbuncle]

I got bored and remade my RDM melee set since i just got my 99 Mandau (!!). So uh, Here's what I'm using... Sorta. Some pieces I don't own just yet, But are on my Goal list.

TP:
http://www.ffxiah.com/item-sets/275056

WS(Exent):
http://www.ffxiah.com/item-sets/275059

WS(Mercy):
http://www.ffxiah.com/item-sets/275060

For Mercy, my Current WS feet are Savage Gaiters (LoL) with STR+3. For Exent, i'm stuck with NQ Sthira because no one sells HQ Anymore . Outside of that, Everything is just about the same. Use Dusk+1 for TP on weak fodder crap, Brego for hard crap.

I have to admit, Mercy is pretty amazing, even unstacked, at 99 now... Just need a bit stronger STR build and I'm golden.

Some upgrades im looking for for Mercy are... Ire Torque +1, Vulcan's Pearl, Pyrosoul Ring, and Cerberus Mantle +1

[Babekeke]

Some upgrades im looking for for Mercy are... Ire Torque +1, Vulcan's Pearl, Pyrosoul Ring, and Cerberus Mantle +1

I'm going out on a limb here, but (unless this is what you're implying) if you're getting rid of atheling, you might as well get 2 vulcan's pearls. Brutals is only cancelling out the waist so total DA when you swap backs would be 3% from body.

[Karbuncle]

I'm going out on a limb here, but (unless this is what you're implying) if you're getting rid of atheling, you might as well get 2 vulcan's pearls. Brutals is only cancelling out the waist so total DA when you swap backs would be 3% from body.

But of course. Honestly, that Brutal is only there because I haven't got my Vulcan's/Flame Pearl, Or it'd be replaced now lol.

[saevel]

I wouldn't be swaping out DA gear like Atheling / Brutal. MS is only 60% STR WSC, that's not high enough to go with "throw as much of X stat at it as possible". The first hit is 3.0, each additional hit is 1.0. As DW your looking at 4.0 with two chances at DAing, one DA increase's damage by 25% (5/4). Also RDM will ~NEVER~ be zeroing out their DA, we have Temper which provides up to +20% DA on it's own. Between Atheling / Brutal and Temper your looking at 28% during WS, the -5 from the belt isn't ideal but your still left with 23% DA during WS.

[Karbuncle]

Having a 60% STR mod is only half the picture. The other half is fSTR. Which is most entirely the reason STR mod WS's are quite fantastic. Its well worth stacking. Especially on higher level Enemies.

Having Temper makes the DA even more replaceable as the diminishing returns on it, Depending on the Value, Would most likely favor the STR further based on Value. In that light, I'd take 4STR over Cut Even Double Attack (5% brutal countering -5% belt).

but, Honestly, I'd have to do the math for it, But there's nothing IM putting on my Belt except Prosilio, its too good to pass up for too many reasons. Cerb Mantle+1 is a fantastic piece, But maybe more so for THF due to THF's high Triple attack being a priority.

IDK, I might rework my WS set to incorporate Brutal's benefit.

[saevel]

Having a 60% STR mod is only half the picture. The other half is fSTR. Which is most entirely the reason STR mod WS's are quite fantastic. Its well worth stacking. Especially on higher level Enemies.

Having Temper makes the DA even more replaceable as the diminishing returns on it, Depending on the Value, Would most likely favor the STR further based on Value. In that light, I'd take 4STR over Cut Even Double Attack (5% brutal countering -5% belt).

but, Honestly, I'd have to do the math for it, But there's nothing IM putting on my Belt except Prosilio, its too good to pass up for too many reasons. Cerb Mantle+1 is a fantastic piece, But maybe more so for THF due to THF's high Triple attack being a priority.

IDK, I might rework my WS set to incorporate Brutal's benefit.

Having already done the math. 5% DA beats 4 STR easily. 4 STR = +2.05 WSC and +1 fSTR. Going from 23 to 28% DA will beat out 3 base damage. If 5% DA is beating on a 100% STR WSC weapon skill then it's beating a 60% STR weapon skill. Assuming Prosillo your talking 18% to 23% DA difference.

Atheling / Brutal are absolute musts unless it's a crit WS, then it's the rancor mantle instead. Prosilio Belt is absolutely amazing on a job with such low attack, of course you should be using it on your waist. Just remember RDM will never be "zeroing out DA" so you get the full +5% from brutal instead of only +3% as the above poster thought. Also remember that one-hit WS's only have 1 chance at DAing while WS's with two or more hits have two chances at DAing. This makes DA worth more to WS's with 2 or more hits.

[Karbuncle]

Thought it was shown some time ago DA/TA can only proc on the first hit of Any WS?

Either way, When i made the WS Set, I quite frankly forgot Temper existed. So Maybe just 1 STR Earring, Saves me the trouble. But for THF, I'm getting 2. No reason to bother with Double Attack on THF when Triple attack is higher priority and more useful.

But RDM, I'll have to rework my train of thought.