No More Tanks for Garuda EX?

[Kimura410]

OP, i don't understand how you are being blocked off from content? Simply because people don't want to do the fight, namely tanks? Thats not SE blocking you out, they can't make people do a fight if people don't have an interest in it. At this point, a lot of players, even casuals, have beaten garuda ex and are probably stuck on titan id guess. if not, they've moved on to levi and mog ex. The echo buff is in effect, no reason you shouldn't be able to go into duty finder and beat the fight. party finders don't magically make players better at the game.

[givemeraptors]

I wouldn't say a ranged DPS is more exciting, maybe more relaxed, more safe

Really? I feel anything but safe as a ranged DPS (except maybe Bard). DPS are generally low on the healing priority list which makes dodging AoEs much more stressful in general in my experience. Occasionally when I heal I won't even bother dodging because I am fully in control of my own health. I will never just sit there and eat an AoE as a DPS. Tanks are...well, tanky.

OP, i don't understand how you are being blocked off from content? Simply because people don't want to do the fight, namely tanks? Thats not SE blocking you out, they can't make people do a fight if people don't have an interest in it. At this point, a lot of players, even casuals, have beaten garuda ex and are probably stuck on titan id guess. if not, they've moved on to levi and mog ex. The echo buff is in effect, no reason you shouldn't be able to go into duty finder and beat the fight. party finders don't magically make players better at the game.

I beat this last night, so my problem is solved. But I think it would be a good move by the developers to work the EX primals like the Binding Coil and allow players who haven't cleared previous primals to be taken into future EX primals by someone who has cleared it. That way we can at least get into practice parties for Levi EX or King Moogle EX and aren't left behind when all the experienced players move on to the next content.

[Lemon8or]

But I think it would be a good move by the developers to work the EX primals like the Binding Coil and allow players who haven't cleared previous primals to be taken into future EX primals by someone who has cleared it. That way we can at least get into practice parties for Levi EX or King Moogle EX and aren't left behind when all the experienced players move on to the next content.

Thing is.... the earlier EX fights are much simpler than the latter EX fights. Levi EX and Moogle EX requires more awareness in general than Garuda EX (where the only thing you watch is not to blow up Spiny and run out of Featherlance) or even Titan EX (memorize the pattern). It's just like you have to go through story dungeons to get to the next one or you'd be at level 50 clueless like the FATE first time levelers.
Grats on your win. I have been busy trying to get my FC members through Titan EX so couldn't be as available as I hoped.
You still need to beat turn 5 now to move on to Second Coil of Bahamut.

[givemeraptors]

Thing is.... the earlier EX fights are much simpler than the latter EX fights. Levi EX and Moogle EX requires more awareness in general than Garuda EX (where the only thing you watch is not to blow up Spiny and run out of Featherlance) or even Titan EX (memorize the pattern). It's just like you have to go through storydungeons to get to the next one or you'd be at level 50 clueless like the FATE first time levelers.
Grats on your win. I have been busy trying to get my FC members through Titan EX so couldn't be as available as I hoped.
You still need to beat turn 5 now to move on to Second Coil of Bahamut.

My problem wasn't with the difficulty of the fight, but the difficulty in forming a full party to enter the fight to begin with. Also, even if we agree that content should be skill locked, the abundance of PF parties that refuse to take inexperienced players and general community attitude towards first-timers means that good practice groups are hard to come by once everyone has left for greener (bluer in this case) pastures.

Clearing turn 5 seems legit to me, but you can still jump straight TO turn 5 if you wanted as long as someone was willing to bring you in. Perhaps being able to jump straight to Ifrit and leapfrogging over Titan? I don't know. I would just like to practice on all the primals before the good groups move on.

[JonBigwood]

Really? I feel anything but safe as a ranged DPS

You are right in this sense. But if you are far away from the mobs or boss most attacks don't reach you. Yes, when there are AoE everywhere a DPS can get hit and die or get super low health 1 shot, while the tank will keep more health, that's a big advantage. Only in some places this happens. In most, if you stay out of the way you are safe. Melee DPS have to be there near the boss or mob and are at more risk.