Frick'n T9

I've been stuck here. I have a psuedo static I've been inconsistently doing this with, but it's not a reliable 8, more like a reliable 3, an occassional 2-4 and then pugging whatever we are missing.

I've tried pugging, but no matter what level of progression I label it, it's very inconsistent as to how far we actually get.

I have no issues through Heavensfall, so I'm essentially as elementals, except due to the above, I see them so infrequently that I don't really get any practice with them.

Any suggestions? Cause at the moment the only answer I got is capping poetics, and playing Dragon Age with the rest of my time while doing the inconsistent above.

I've watched Light and Melon, Mr Happy, Xenosys, MTQ Capture, read text base guides.. but don't really do anything if I don't get to the phases beyond where i've been.

What's your statics setup? classes? Guides only work for certain setups and yours might require a different strategy. Also if you have the time, use the DF, I've had some groups get to phase 4, so you gain experience. What you might wanna train as well is placing markers for divebombs, seeing as this is the tank subforum I expect that you tank T9, as your DPS isn't essential it's not a big loss if you spend time marking them, even without getting to phase 4 it's possible to learn this by memorizing.

There isn't really much advice to give in this case =/. Watching guides only brings you that far, you really need to experience the last phase yourself a few times and for that you need a consistent group. So either look for statics that search for replacements in PF (though most a hesitant to replace tanks with randoms) or find a own.

If you don't have the schedule for a static, you could try forming a linkshell with like-minded people.

Our setup usually consists of 1 PLD, Myself, SCH, WHM, NIN, BRD, then from there it's pretty hit and miss. I think I've seen Divebombs once, and I'm not entirely clear on how to call them/mark them since most the guides I've seen state you place marks based on the arrangement of dragons.

I'm mostly just venting. I feel like our biggest problem is that we don't have a true static, specifically 8 people committed to getting the job done.. so every time we go, our progression is pretty minimal because the setup and people are always changing. Pugging it myself seems worse still, just because I'm adding 7 unknown elements.

Sometimes you have to step up and make yourself a true static. Find those in your group that can put the dedication to getting it down. You are on Gilgamesh, so if you put in some effort, you should be able to find people dedicated enough to join you.

If your members are an issue, sometimes you just have to tell them to get better and be more dedicated. Otherwise offer them to leave your static and recruit. In the end your gonna get called an elitist douche but if you want to progress you need members that are willing to progress.

It's best to have a reliable static in order to make reasonable progress. Every time you have to pug someone, it's someone new that you have to train to your particular strat. There's a lot of minor variations that, while mechanically easy to adjust to, can throw people off enough that they aren't performing at 100%. My static was having serious roster issues going into T6-8 (people that didn't show, etc) and our progress was completely stalled at some points until the problem people were replaced. Basically, a reliable 3 isn't really enough. :|

Based on your description I'd say you're about half way between a completely random DF group and a good static.

The full random DF has zero chance of success based on poor communication, no time to get used to one another, no expectation of learning over a significant amount of time, etc.

The static gets all of the benefits above and after a learning period starts downing the encounter with ease.

Yours sounds like you would have a slight chance of success, but you shouldn't expect anything different than what you're already seeing. Poetic gear and future Echo increases will make t9 easier, sure, but minor difference any time soon.

Simply put: join or organize a static group, or settle for the part of the game that is made easy enough for unorganized groups.

I am going to say like the last few have said, and this is really difficult, but you'll need to take a mental note or take a screenshot of attendance, and have an honest conversation with those who aren't showing up. Ask them if the times you are picking are not working for them, or what. Then give them one more chance, then start recruiting for a new static in PF and/or forums. All of my groups that have faltered have always faltered because people can't dedicate the time. Just be honest.'Look guys. we've been at this for a long time. It's too hard to teach new random people every week, and we aren't making progress if we can't get everyone to meet on a consistent basis. I want to get this done."

Ask everyone individually in tells, perhaps. Word it in a way so they do not know you've gone through and asked everyone. Make it personal so you are genuinely concerned with that person individually and are looking for a straight answer. Sometimes people don't really have their heart in it anymore but don't have the guts to tell you they want to leave, but they will continue to bring you down by showing up without passion/energy to stay sharp and get it done. Be strong enough to remove these people in a polite way.

As an example, when my group was struggling with t9, we probably took 3 or 4 months to clear it...yeah. Sure, we had a few hiccups here and there, but our whm had crappy excuses that were shady at best when Destiny came out. One evening he couldnt come because his router was fried, but then he was on the playstation an hour after our start time. Our tank was in college in a dorm and sometimes really distracted, and sometimes we would just go for a week or two and no one did refresher sessions on the strategy as far as what works and what doesnt, and what we needed to change or adjust to get more consistant. We eventually got t9 after we replaced the whm with someone who was able to login more than twice a week and showed the dedication to 'oh. i made a mistake here. how can i fix that? ok we'll do it this way.' - that's the mindset everyone needs to have.

My T5 group went through the same thing, we weren't all the most elite of elite players, sure some are better/faster learners than others, but the key is to have EVERYONE onboard with figuring out what they're doing wrong and fixing it. No one can coast and not learn/use their brain. My FC's group struggled with t9 for awhile because of lack of full attendance every time too, as well as complacency and/or not taking initiative to learn the mechanics themselves. You shouldn't have to have voice chat to get your group through mechanics.

Keep the 3 people who show up and kick the other 5. Then you'll be able to clear T9. If you want progression that is what you need to do.