which weapon?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kagato

The Lt weapons aren't equal to one another at all. Why are they grouped as one group?

---

LOL at the +HP/DEF on weapons. Like wtf square? Lol

The barrier for entry is identical - and the availability of what weapon you have is limited by what Grand Company you chose.

And regardless of their differing strength their positioning in the pecking order is arguably the same, though you could make a case that Storm Lt. Spear is superior to Garuda's Beak.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Hyrist

Storm Lt. Spear is superior to Garuda's Beak.

---

Really?

I'm an aspiring Maelstrom Dragoon. Mostly focusing on WAR now, but I'm looking into the future for DRG and this topic... honestly is so all over the place regarding weapons that I was never able to tell what to go for.

Some say ifrit. Some say Moogle. Some say Lt Axe. Some say Garuda.

Well, if it's argued that the storm polearm is superior to Garuda's, that's good news since I am in maelstrom. What about it makes it arguably better?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kagato

Really?

I'm an aspiring Maelstrom Dragoon. Mostly focusing on WAR now, but I'm looking into the future for DRG and this topic... honestly is so all over the place regarding weapons that I was never able to tell what to go for.

Some say ifrit. Some say Moogle. Some say Lt Axe. Some say Garuda.

Well, if it's argued that the storm polearm is superior to Garuda's, that's good news since I am in maelstrom. What about it makes it arguably better?

---

Lt has both ATK and ACC. If you're at stat cap, ATK > stat, and Lt is not much lower than Garuda in term of DPS so both DPS WS bonus and stat cap is only marginally lower. Garuda may have Wind damage but Wind dmg proc is usually very low, and Lt almost always have higher ATK so AA works out a bit higher. That's generally the main argument.

I got my DRG to 50 last night and immediately wanted to try it out. So I got a good moogle group together and we had by chance invited a DRG with Garuda's Beak and some PIE an STR Melds. Looking at our gear alone, you would assume that he out DPS'ed me by far.

My Setup was something like:

Hart NQ w/ 16 STR
Grid Over Coat
Grid Cap
Drachen Gaunts
Drachen Breeches
Explorer's Boots
STR 15 Ring ACC15 Ring
Grid Necklace
STR +3 Wrists

W/ Sanction ect.

This player was also JP so he had a less delay then I did I'm sure.


Well anyway we get into the fight and from 2 different parsers, taking from three fights. I did about 2-4% more damage then him everytime. I actually did more damage then the BLMs in the fight.

Maybe the point I'm trying to make is that gear isn't 100% everything, makes me wonder if wasting all that time for a GC weapon would be ideal when I can just get a Hart+1 w/ 20 STR meld until I can pull off a Moogle/ Garuda's weapon

Well, looks like I'll just save up seals for the Storm Trident since it's apparently that good.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lavieh

I got my DRG to 50 last night and immediately wanted to try it out. So I got a good moogle group together and we had by chance invited a DRG with Garuda's Beak and some PIE an STR Melds. Looking at our gear alone, you would assume that he out DPS'ed me by far.

My Setup was something like:

Hart NQ w/ 16 STR
Grid Over Coat
Grid Cap
Drachen Gaunts
Drachen Breeches
Explorer's Boots
STR 15 Ring ACC15 Ring
Grid Necklace
STR +3 Wrists

W/ Sanction ect.

This player was also JP so he had a less delay then I did I'm sure.


Well anyway we get into the fight and from 2 different parsers, taking from three fights. I did about 2-4% more damage then him everytime. I actually did more damage then the BLMs in the fight.

Maybe the point I'm trying to make is that gear isn't 100% everything, makes me wonder if wasting all that time for a GC weapon would be ideal when I can just get a Hart+1 w/ 20 STR meld until I can pull off a Moogle/ Garuda's weapon

---

General rule of thumb here, never compare yourself to someone else when looking for the better weapon. Always compare yourself vs yourself.

Who knows if the other player is using PS3, correct food, pulling off his combos, or what... There are way too many factors at play here.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Meatdawg

General rule of thumb here, never compare yourself to someone else when looking for the better weapon. Always compare yourself vs yourself.

Who knows if the other player is using PS3, correct food, pulling off his combos, or what... There are way too many factors at play here.

---

^^ this, the other player may have just lacked the skill. A higher DPS weapon is naturally going to make you do more damage, not sure why people are even trying to push hart guisarme as a competitive weapon vs all the other higher DPS weapons. Its like they are trying to justify not spending time in upgrading to the better weapons. Really if folks are dead set on using melded weapons then at the very least go for the Giantsgall Trident.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Krausus

^^ this, the other player may have just lacked the skill. A higher DPS weapon is naturally going to make you do more damage, not sure why people are even trying to push hart guisarme as a competitive weapon vs all the other higher DPS weapons. Its like they are trying to justify not spending time in upgrading to the better weapons. Really if folks are dead set on using melded weapons then at the very least go for the Giantsgall Trident.

---

... which I unfortunately will likely be rocking into A Realm Reborn.

Getting sick really set me back.

I'm a lil disappointed in the Flamers Sergeant/Liutenant spears..

Imo the slight DPS increase(.26) and losing +35 pty with a +20 acc +30 atk spear that you have to wear 5 pieces of GC gear doesn't sound very nice. I guess it's ok if you can't get melds and focus on GC....

The Flame Lieutenant spear is actually the best spear you can get next to garuda's/gae bolg, because you don't need the 5piece set for the attack power, only for the accuracy. IMO, just use Ifrit's and pump attack power since the stat caps are lower. If you are at 350+/310+, Garuda will trump all except Gae Bolg.

I'm just finding it a LOT easier to cap with sergeants^^

You can cap Ifrit's with about the same/less STR/PIE...and Ifrit's is better at that tier. :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Silvano

You can cap Ifrit's with about the same/less STR/PIE...and Ifrit's is better at that tier. :)

---

DPS is still higher with sergeants. If I can cap with sergeants and put out more damage then that's what i'm gunna do ^^

I think what he is getting at is the sanction buff from sergeants adding PIE making it easier to cap PIE

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Silvano

The Flame Lieutenant spear is actually the best spear you can get next to garuda's/gae bolg, because you don't need the 5piece set for the attack power, only for the accuracy. IMO, just use Ifrit's and pump attack power since the stat caps are lower. If you are at 350+/310+, Garuda will trump all except Gae Bolg.

---

But the Twin Adder gears do really favour DRG, +120 Crit ATK is seriously awesome, I've seen people with Relic running around with that coat even though they have DL Corselet.

People running around in that coat can't have hit the Gae Bolg stat caps then O.o. Only Twin Adder Pieces that are decent are the choker, body, and hat. With the spear, that means dropping stats on a piece to equip dump gear; probably belt or earring. With the 5piece set, at Lieutenant caps, the difference in damage is well...not worth the time gathering the 25k for the weapon, and the ~24k for the other 4 pieces.

At this point in the game, stick with Ifrit > Garuda > Relic; and I wouldn't even spend the gil to gear up on Gae Bolg, since they may be reworking how the stats work. Save the seals, use 'em to rank up and then hoard 'em; assuming they keep the same GC system, the next rank up will be an assssssload of seals lol.

I don't know about hoarding Seals, I already bought 3 Lieutenant Weapons and virtually most of the GC Sergeant/Lieutenant Armour/Accessories, with the Commemorative Coin still in my pocket.

And I have a chocobo mask to boot :p working on the 5,000 caravan package title now.

so i know there are better spears but for now what is the best materia to put on a spear i have a +1 harts that i put a IV dex in just cause thats what i had but should i replace it with str? or something else?

Technically Hart+1 has low STR/PIE cap so ATK > STR/PIE if you want more damage.

So I figured I'd bump this up given the current Foundation Event with the GC seals raining down.

I'm Maelstrom and about to be able to buy the Storm Lieutenant's Trident. The rest of my gear is basic stuff (no materia):
Head: Cobalt Elmo (also have Drachen Armet)
Body: Explorer's Tabard (also have Cobalt Haub)
Hands: Felt Bracers (also have Drachen Gauntlets)
Waist: Scarlet Sash
Legs: Explorer's Breeches (also have Felt Trousers)
Feet: Cobalt Sollerets (also have Explorer's Moccassins and Drachen Greaves)
Earrings: Dated Electrum Earrings
Necklace: Electrum Gorget
Bracelets: Raptorskin Wristbands
Rings: Rubellite Ring x2, Electrum Ring, Explorer's Ring

Given the above options to me, what Maelstrom gear pieces should I get to activate the Spear's bonus? I'm also up for general gear suggestions (though I don't have crafts to add materia to gear yet), but I realize that's not the focus of this thread. So which GC gear pieces to get to activate the Spear bonus is what I'm most interested in learning.

Thanks! :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JusticeReborn

So I figured I'd bump this up given the current Foundation Event with the GC seals raining down.

I'm Maelstrom and about to be able to buy the Storm Lieutenant's Trident. The rest of my gear is basic stuff (no materia):
Head: Cobalt Elmo (also have Drachen Armet)
Body: Explorer's Tabard (also have Cobalt Haub)
Hands: Felt Bracers (also have Drachen Gauntlets)
Waist: Scarlet Sash
Legs: Explorer's Breeches (also have Felt Trousers)
Feet: Cobalt Sollerets (also have Explorer's Moccassins and Drachen Greaves)
Earrings: Dated Electrum Earrings
Necklace: Electrum Gorget
Bracelets: Raptorskin Wristbands
Rings: Rubellite Ring x2, Electrum Ring, Explorer's Ring

Given the above options to me, what Maelstrom gear pieces should I get to activate the Spear's bonus? I'm also up for general gear suggestions (though I don't have crafts to add materia to gear yet), but I realize that's not the focus of this thread. So which GC gear pieces to get to activate the Spear bonus is what I'm most interested in learning.

Thanks! :)

---

The obvious choices are Bracelets, Earrings, Hose, and Tabard. The spear will count as the 5th piece to complete the set. I've also seen people use the Jackboots to complete the set, but that's less than optimal.

As for the rest of your gear, you'll want to upgrade to HQ rings and neck for sure. If your felt bracers are unmelded, you'll want to get 30-50 str on those too. Veteran's Field Belt may be a better option for your waist, but what you have will work if gil is tight. For your head, AF and Paragon's Crown are the best options. You likely won't miss the accuracy on the elmo if you grab the GC gear anyway.

You'll want to aim for 350/310 str/pie (give or take) with the lieutenant's spear. Depending on how it all adds up, you might want to grab a piety ring or two. I know Storm dragoons have a lot easier time capping strength than serpents.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Perin

The obvious choices are Bracelets, Earrings, Hose, and Tabard. The spear will count as the 5th piece to complete the set. I've also seen people use the Jackboots to complete the set, but that's less than optimal.

As for the rest of your gear, you'll want to upgrade to HQ rings and neck for sure. If your felt bracers are unmelded, you'll want to get 30-50 str on those too. Veteran's Field Belt may be a better option for your waist, but what you have will work if gil is tight. For your head, AF and Paragon's Crown are the best options. You likely won't miss the accuracy on the elmo if you grab the GC gear anyway.

You'll want to aim for 350/310 str/pie (give or take) with the lieutenant's spear. Depending on how it all adds up, you might want to grab a piety ring or two. I know Storm dragoons have a lot easier time capping strength than serpents.

---

Thanks a ton for that. That's really helpful, and I've already bought the 4 GC pieces you mentioned... just waiting on a United We Stand run to kickoff so I can rank up and grab the spear.

Looking at the other gear you mentioned, that's helpful as well. I found Felt Bracers +1 for sale in Wards but only +15 STR. HQ Rubellite Rings and Electrum Gorget available no problem. Veteran's Field Belt doesn't even come up in Wards though (even when I search "veteran" only).

As for the stats, before the HQ Ring/Neck and the melded Bracers, I'm sitting on 317/227 STR/PIE. Something tells me I went horribly wrong in stat allocation as I leveled up (I think I did STR and DEX)... I still have a Keeper's Hymn on me; care to share the "proper" stat allocation if I use it?

Thanks again for all the help :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JusticeReborn

Thanks a ton for that. That's really helpful, and I've already bought the 4 GC pieces you mentioned... just waiting on a United We Stand run to kickoff so I can rank up and grab the spear.

Looking at the other gear you mentioned, that's helpful as well. I found Felt Bracers +1 for sale in Wards but only +15 STR. HQ Rubellite Rings and Electrum Gorget available no problem. Veteran's Field Belt doesn't even come up in Wards though (even when I search "veteran" only).

As for the stats, before the HQ Ring/Neck and the melded Bracers, I'm sitting on 317/227 STR/PIE. Something tells me I went horribly wrong in stat allocation as I leveled up (I think I did STR and DEX)... I still have a Keeper's Hymn on me; care to share the "proper" stat allocation if I use it?

Thanks again for all the help :)

---

You don't really need HQ felt bracers for just single or double melds. The stat difference isn't huge and not really worth the extra cost if you're buying straight off market. Having a HQ base item does increase the meld chance slightly for double+, but it's not really necessary if you're just starting out with melded gear.

Veteran's Field Belt is 5acc 2str and can drop from one of the normal chests in AV. Availabilty and price in the wards varies server to server I'm sure. It'll probably show up eventually if you check periodically, but I'd say it's much lower priority than getting some str bracers or even HQ rings/neck.

Stat allocation for drg is usually 23str/22pie, so you'll definitely want to reallocate if you went str/dex or something else.

It seams like almost everyone is in agreement that the Storm Lieutenant weapon + pieces of the storm set are the best option. However, do keep in mind that these gear pieces may not be relevant for long in A Realm Reborn.

With new content comes new equipment and if the storm set pieces become outdated, then you will be gimping yourself by taking the Storm weapon over Garuda's Beak which is reliant on you equipping four pieces of gear which may hold you back, where as the Beak will give you a good weapon while allowing you to equip anything else that appears.

TLDR: Don't throw out Garuda's weapon just yet, it may be more variable in 2.0

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Nushidorei

It seams like almost everyone is in agreement that the Storm Lieutenant weapon + pieces of the storm set are the best option. However, do keep in mind that these gear pieces may not be relevant for long in A Realm Reborn.

With new content comes new equipment and if the storm set pieces become outdated, then you will be gimping yourself by taking the Storm weapon over Garuda's Beak which is reliant on you equipping four pieces of gear which may hold you back, where as the Beak will give you a good weapon while allowing you to equip anything else that appears.

TLDR: Don't throw out Garuda's weapon just yet, it may be more variable in 2.0

---

This pretty much. As soon as you break your set bonus, you're better off with Garuda's. For Serpents, I know this happens as soon as you get DL Helm. We just don't have as many options as Storm.

And if you're active in endgame content, you're not going to want to be using GC gear forever. A lot of people don't have access to Garuda weapons or have no interest or time to chase after things like DL gear though (not that there's anything wrong with that). For those people, Lt. weapon and GC set is the goal at the moment. It's also a very accessible starting point for people who do want to go for the rarer gear through raiding etc, especially with atomos dropping seals like candy now.

Is there any recommendation for high PIE gear with your suggested Maelstrom set? I'm at 245, and a pair of Tourmaline Rings +1 won't quite push me there.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EndcatOmega

Is there any recommendation for high PIE gear with your suggested Maelstrom set? I'm at 245, and a pair of Tourmaline Rings +1 won't quite push me there.

---

I use this for when I want to cap STR and PIE.

Paragon's Crown (If you have it) gives STR+10 and PIE+10
Darksteel Haubergeon(Or +1 if you have money and time) with double melded PIE
Crafted gloves (Preferably Felt Bracer or Raptorskin since you could use them on other jobs like MNK) with double melded STR
Drachen pants (Or double melded STR pants if you are willing to sacrifice some PIE.)
(If you are Ul'Dah) Flame Sergeant's feet that gives +10 PIE when you have two other flame pieces on. (Put Flame Sergeant Earring on me to make that stat work.)
Scarlet Sash belt has some PIE on it.
Tourmaline Bracelet+1 gives +4 PIE
Of course there are rings, but you should have near 310 PIE at this point, so good to use STR rings.

I recently got a Gae Bolg, so I got to get some more STR/PIE in there myself. Perhaps triple meld one of my items.

I do really like my Crit ATK based gear also, but I have both stat cap and a Crit set, because this gets debated all the time which is better. So I just keep both in case one side makes a relevant argument, lol.

Well, I was looking for a method of doing it with the storm stuff, but I guess I'll just forget about it and do your suggestions. Thanks!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EndcatOmega

Well, I was looking for a method of doing it with the storm stuff, but I guess I'll just forget about it and do your suggestions. Thanks!

---

Storm doesn't have any piety gear that I know of unfortunately. The best source of piety without breaking a 5 piece storm set (aside from rings) is probably DL Caligae, but I know that's not an option for everyone.

Your only other options would be giving up body or legs for a piety double/triple meld (or Militia Subligar if you're lucky). That would likely mean switching to the awful storm sgt. boots to maintain set bonus though. You can think of that 30atk locked behind your spear's set bonus as being on the boots and it's an acceptable compromise in the end.

Also, don't forget about piety food for another 7 points if you can hit 350ish strength without smoked raptor/tuna miq'abobs.

For DRG, the body is a great place to stat Some PIE. I Think its the Tortoise Shell Scale mail? That gives some good stats raw and can turn into even nicer stats with a good PIE meld, Darksteel Berk +1 is also pretty Godly if you can get a good meld on it. Then of course Milita Subligar, like perin said.