Rune Fencer Merit Ability List

[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!"