best stats for a paladin

There's bowing down, and there's arguing an opposing discourse against people who are recognized for being good at what they do.

You don't have to listen to anything Grey has to say, that's entirely your prerogative; however, it's equally bad for the community for bad advice to be considered similarly relevant as good advice.

Yep, and that's all I care about; stopping the spread of misinformation. Everyone should get the same respect, simply for being a human being, but don't go spouting some nonsense if you have no business doing so. You don't see me giving people advice in the Bard section for that reason.

Furthermore, there is a difference between disrespect and disagreement. People on internet forums often mix those up. I can respect your opinion, but that doesn't mean I agree with it.

But information only coming from a single source with no discussion of why it's good information is just as bad. My point is that everyone has a right to interject where they think another option may be better. There is value to the discussion of why that option may or may not not be the best. There is a reason people play devil's advocate, that's because the discussion is actually more valuable than the point they are presenting. (I'm not saying that what am doing or not, that's really besides the point here.)

If somebody can't distill good information from bad based on the discussion, that's not my fault and it doesn't make me or anyone else any less entitled to join in the conversation. And I am entitled to join in the conversation just as much as anyone else here, as we're all paying customers. As long as I'm not lashing out, tossing insults, being disrespectful, or otherwise violating the TOS, I'm entitled to my voice in the conversation. Just the same, you have every right to correct me. Believe it or not, I learn something from it, just as others can who may not want to pipe up for fear of being wrong, or 'gasp' humiliated as some posters here try to do at every turn.

If nobody ever presents you with an opposing argument, what happens when you are wrong? And don't tell me you're never wrong, or have never had an idea that's been wrong, because that's complete and utter bullshit. The greatest successes stem from failures.

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If nobody ever presents you with an opposing argument, what happens when you are wrong? And don't tell me you're never wrong, or have never had an idea that's been wrong, because that's complete and utter bullshit. The greatest successes stem from failures.

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I'm pro-STR/MND but I can't argue against someone who's spent countless hours winning at all the highest engame content. STR/MND for me gets the job done right now. But I'm sure I'll get owned on Ifrit Extreme, or Raven Hard. Not that I wont try my setup first, of course.

The problem with that is when multiple people are wrong, presenting the same or similar bad advice. Anyone who comes to these boards looking for help on their PLD sees the side of the argument clamoring the most and assumes that the greater numbers tell the more accurate story.

I can't tell you how many people in game have told me things like DEX effects crit rate, or misquoted Block rate, Attack Power conversions, that INT caps at 350, that DEF actually matters, etc. All of that information stems from these boards, from people like yourself and others. It's very difficult to even get the right information to someone who is asking and genuinely interested with all of the opposition and misinformation. What works for you may work for you, but it exists in a bubble. What works for me, what works for Grey and what works for others doing similar content is entirely different but it's different because it's tailored to content and players that demand it. There is so little room for error that when I miss a Skull Sunder my heart sinks and I go into damage control mode because shit is literally going to go south if I don't. I can't ask someone to hold off, I need to just be better than that.

If anyone wants to watch someone dominate this job (Paladin) then go to Grey's Twitch.tv and watch his Ifrit Extreme video.

There certainly is demanding content, but there are also methods to win without it feeling like demanding. The tradeoff is the longer battles last, the tougher they become. This is why zerg is not just an important concept to build for in the end game, it is also practical due to the game's inherent design.

In the past I've had my arguments with people because they tell people how to gear and yet have no real experience. Yes, this does matter. Molly, you may think it does not, but if you were in the position of stufoo, brannigan, myself, and any other players that understand the higher end mechanics of the game from first-hand exposure, I can almost guarantee you would feel as we do. Some of us are more rough around the edges than others, granted, but there is good to be taken from the "bad" in those regards. The average players simply comes here for an answer to their problem. They do not want to sift through bad advice for the good, nor do most have the capacity to do so, which is why they are posting here in the first place most times. So we do that for them, and we explain why from our perspective, which is far more objective a view than you or Ace can offer. That's not really debatable, it's just not.

Are we always right? No. But do we know more about the ins-and-outs than most? Absolutely. Our angle is passion for the game. At least that's why I post--to help, not to hinder. We give the highest level of advice not to show off, but to prepare players for the upper echelon of FFXIV. Our biggest flaw is that we don't know how to play any other way. That doesn't make us no-lifers though. I work full-time, I play when I can, and when I do I strive to be the best and play with the best. Do we always win? Hell no! We lose a ton before we win, but then we keep winning, and that gives us the firm ground that we stand upon when giving the advice we do.

Well here's the thing, you can't just tell me (or anyone else for that matter) not to voice my (our) opinion(s). When I'm wrong, tell me so, and tell me why. I have just as much right as a new player to know why my position is wrong, not simply that it is wrong. See the difference? I'm just as interested as anyone else here in being the best player I can be. To do that requires explanation and discussion. Again, it's not my problem if somebody isn't willing to read and understand an entire thread to get good information. Understanding comes at a price, and that price is due diligence.

I'm going to call him out here, because it needs to be said. Having a conversation with Stufoo is like having a converstion with a brick wall. "Because I said so" or any variation of that answer isn't an acceptable response. Niether is insulting another player nor telling them to "just stop posting". That doesn't help anyone at all. For that matter, the post may as well simply read "you are wrong". What can anyone gain out of that?

And don't think for a second that I'm attempting to hinder anyone's gameplay. When I'm giving advice, it's usually because I think I'm right, otherwise why would i be giving it? Again, if I'm not right, correct me and tell me why.

The problem I have with the class forums is that aside from a few people, a lot of the regulars post their opinion as fact. This is wrong because noobs grow up with that in mind and spread it to others and soon half the server is spreading disinformation. People like Grey and Churchill show up and try to set the record straight and then people attack them for telling the truth.

There's good information in many of these threads (such as Carraway's (ninja edit, got it mixed up with Brannigan for some unknown reason) Bard Guide) but you need to dig through them like a damn archaeologist to find the stuff that is true and the stuff that is totally false.

You see in end-game activities it's about respect. When I started doing Garuda or AV 16 minute runs I respected other people's time. What that means was that I was prepared for the content before I even went in. There is nothing more frustrating than doing something that is supposed to take 16-17 minutes then have people bumble along with 0 preparedness and it ends up taking 1 hour. In order to respect other people's time people need to be armed with the right gear choices for the right times beforehand and a knowledge of the content and your role in it. When misinformation is spread you end up having people come to content unprepared through no fault of their own which wastes everyone's time, even if they came in thinking they were prepared.

That's why information from high-end players is valuable. They've done the content and know what works and what doesn't. When I started doing high end activities I scoured the BG forums and other related forums for everything I needed to know and it helped me immensely. There is nothing worse than being the weak link and causing a wipe. So yes they do have a right to tell people flat out if their opinion is wrong.

So bottom line to everyone who wants to toot their own horn. Be 100% sure what you are saying is true before you pass it off as fact. If it isn't state that to be the case and ask for advice from the high end players. If it's an opinion frame it as such.

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Originally Posted by Molly_Millions

"Because I said so" or any variation of that answer isn't an acceptable response.

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It's also not an acceptable explanation for what you say.

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Originally Posted by Molly_Millions

Don't put VIT on a chest piece for PLD, DEF is vastly more beneficial.

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Nice. Not only were you objectively wrong about it, you had zero testing or stat knowledge to back it up but posted it anyway. That was your entire post, "Stufoo is wrong because I say so", you had nothing else to contribute. Don't act like you are a good poster or a victim. I told you why VIT was better to meld there and you continued to disagree for ten pages because you don't know how block rate, block power, VIT:DEF, VIT:mDEF, or defense itself works and you disagree that HP was a nice bonus, and at that point, honestly, why should I bother with you? Your misunderstandings of this game are such a clusterfuck I almost don't know where to begin, and I'm not your babysitter, I don't care if you ever beat anything in this game. You flat out call us all no-lifers because we are competent and actually progress in this game, and you honestly expect respect back?

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Originally Posted by GreyJorildyn

Some of us are more rough around the edges than others.

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I never knew you cared.

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Originally Posted by Darkillumina

(such as Brannigan's Bard Guide)

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Will Brannigan is a paladin. You're thinking of Carraway Author.

Kaeko says Molly is right.

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Originally Posted by Stufoo

Nice. Not only were you objectively wrong about it, you had zero testing or stat knowledge to back it up but posted it anyway. That was your entire post, "Stufoo is wrong because I say so", you had nothing else to contribute. Don't act like you are a good poster or a victim. I told you why VIT was better to meld there and you continued to disagree for ten pages because you don't know how block rate, block power, VIT:DEF, VIT:mDEF, or defense itself works and you disagree that HP was a nice bonus, and at that point, honestly, why should I bother with you?

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You're right in that before that thread, I didn't know VIT contributed to block rate. (That's mostly because my main is WAR, not PLD. In which case, my application of DEF over VIT after a certain amount of VIT is 100% accurate.) However, go back and read that thread. After I got a solid explanation did I argue any more for DEF over VIT? No, I didn't. I even changed my stragey for melds based on that thread. I'll argue with you when you present yourself as arrogant and completely full of yourself.

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Originally Posted by Stufoo

Your misunderstandings of this game are such a clusterfuck I almost don't know where to begin, and I'm not your babysitter, I don't care if you ever beat anything in this game. You flat out call us all no-lifers because we are competent and actually progress in this game, and you honestly expect respect back?

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This shit is why I attack you. The only purpose it serves is to get get me to respond emotionally by way of harassment, that's called trolling. You are simply trying to make yourself look better than me by lashing out and attacking me. Guess what though, it's against the TOS, and I report you for it every time. Sometimes it gets me a ban because of my response to it, but whatever. Keep it up and see whare it gets you. I've got to give you credit where credit is due, you're a fantastic troll. You get the response you're looking for.

I'm okay with being an asshole. Troll. Douchebag. Asshat. Whatever you say. In the end, between you and me. We know what's up, and beneath your skin is pretty comfy.

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Originally Posted by Molly_Millions

After I got a solid explanation did I argue any more for DEF over VIT? No, I didn't. I even changed my stragey for melds based on that thread.

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You shouldn't have said anything in the first place because by your rules...

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Originally Posted by Molly_Millions

When I'm giving advice, it's usually because I think I'm right, otherwise why would i be giving it?

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You had absolutely zero reason to believe you were right because you blatantly said in the very first page that you didn't know what defense and VIT did and asked for testing. You should have no say in the topic because you don't understand it. How is this concept hard to imagine for you? This is exactly why I told you to stop posting. You do this all the time. You have no experience or understanding and are unfit to give advice.

If you were wondering, the proper thing for you to have posted in that thread is "Why did you choose to meld VIT over DEF?" If you would have liked a longer post, you could have elaborated with how you think the stats work, and why you think that defense is "vastly more beneficial". Anything else is, in my mind, and through your own admission, out of line.

There is a reason I don't ask for testing on things because I do it myself or go to Kaeko's blog. When I make a post, I double and often triple check numbers and reference parses and test summaries. Until you at least put forth some effort into research and optimization, you honestly should stop acting like an authority of paladin. Posting a screenshot of some pants with lifethirst that you wanted to blow up in the first place, M.eva boots, and constantly making excuses for other things seems like very low effort to me, like you don't care about your paladin at all.

And trust me, I get it, you're low on gil and don't have much chance to blow up HQs and IVs 24/7 like others. Fine. I get it, you're not in the best linkshell and it's fairly social and you help each other with AFs and have fun in skirmish. That's absolutely fine. Enjoy the game however you want. I am not and will not mock you for those things.

I mock you for your hubris.

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Originally Posted by Stufoo

I'm okay with being an asshole. Troll. Douchebag. Asshat.

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Sweet, then we'll continue down this road, hopefully resulting in a permanent ban. Attack away!

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Originally Posted by Molly_Millions

You're right in that before that thread, I didn't know VIT contributed to block rate.

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You edited your post so let me respond to this in a post that hopefully you won't report as harassment just because it's correcting you.

VIT does not contribute to block rate. It contributes to block power, at a 2VIT:1Block ratio. This means, since 1 block is .2% more mitigated damage on an attack that you block, that +10 VIT = an extra 1% damage off of blocked attacks, not counting the 6.66 defense you get as well. Power is slightly better than Rate from gear focus as well since there are a few ways to force or enhance block rate that meld well with the tempo of an endgame fight. For instance, you can get up to 45-50% parsed block rate through divine veil timing alone on Ifrit Extreme if you learn his AI pattern and get in rhythm with him. While Divine Veil is on cooldown, Ifrit is likely to be doing special moves, especially at the end of the fight. Block rate does nothing for you during this time, and block power can shine. Personally, I stop 41~44% of Ifrit's damage with every block, depending on what pants I'm wearing and if I bothered to eat a trapper's quiche instead of an omelette.

DEX contributes to block rate in the same fashion. Generally, native block rate on bosses is abysmally low by most standards and you manage forced blocks through proper use of your abilities, somewhat negating the bonuses of gearing for block rate.

Saying you brought WAR advice over to the PLD forum is one more thing I hope lets you self-examine why you post here.

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Originally Posted by Stufoo

You edited your post so let me respond to this in a post that hopefully you won't report as harassment just because it's correcting you.

VIT does not contribute to block rate. It contributes to block power, at a 2VIT:1Block ratio. This means, since 1 block is .2% more mitigated damage on an attack that you block, that +10 VIT = an extra 1% damage off of blocked attacks, not counting the 6.66 defense you get as well. Power is slightly better than Rate from gear focus as well since there are a few ways to force or enhance block rate that meld well with the tempo of an endgame fight. For instance, you can get up to 45-50% parsed block rate through divine veil timing alone on Ifrit Extreme if you learn his AI pattern and get in rhythm with him. While Divine Veil is on cooldown, Ifrit is likely to be doing special moves, especially at the end of the fight. Block rate does nothing for you during this time, and block power can shine. Personally, I stop 41~44% of Ifrit's damage with every block, depending on what pants I'm wearing and if I bothered to eat a trapper's quiche instead of an omelette.

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Too little too late. Thanks to another poster, I already knew all of this. (Never mind my misquote above regarding block rate vs block power.) At this point it's wasted effort on your part. This response belonged in the other thread, immediately following my post about DEF being better than VIT. Instead you took the opportunity to attack me without making a proper correction.

I won't report you when you don't make inappropriate posts to attack me. I'm fine with having an open and honest discussion with you, or anyone else here, but your attacks have no place. Contrary to what you obviously think, I'm a pretty reasonable guy. If your post is filled with rage, I'm not going to reason with you, and at that point why should I? Don't come at me thinking you're god's gift to MMOs, I don't care about your opinion of yourself. Come at me with facts not emotion. But at this point, you have a really long way to go to win any respect back that you might have had if you had not attacked me so ferociously.

I updated my STR/MND caps page with testing on MND -> AA damage

It doesn't show my testing because there was no need to parse it.

The just of it is, MND increases AA more than STR.

Since MND effects WS, AA, Healing Magic Potency it is by far the single most important stat for PLD.
(and of course the Enmity Multipliers, but it's capped so low...~240)

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Originally Posted by Ashiee

Kaeko says Molly is right.

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this wasn't a troll post btw

another knowledge bomb from the kaeko

Awe! You made a signature dedicated to me!

http://i.imgur.com/0y1Gd.png
I didn't know you cared so much Brann. Abaddon thanks you for the free advertisement. I think "no press is bad press" applies. :P

I think Molly Millions is the new Amy Neudaiz

I really dislike that you wrote them a blank check.

So who the hell is Amy and why should I care?

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Originally Posted by Churchill

I really dislike that you wrote them a blank check.

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Also, no blank checks here. I want to be corrected where I am wrong, otherwise what's the point of even having forums? I've said it before and I'll say it again, nobody is making proclamations from rooftops here. The forums are for discussions.