Gear or Zodiac?

[LineageRazor]

The daily map quest provides a steady influx of Alexandrite, even if you take into account the occasional lost fight.

There is no method to obtain a steady influx of Carbontwine, however, unless you're part of a Coil group that divides up Carbontwine drops evenly.

If you exclude Allied Seals, the rate of incoming Alexandrite is nonzero. The rate of incoming Carbontwine is zero. The amount of time to acquire Novus is finite. The amount of time to acquire Augmented Ironworks is infinite.

Spend your seals on Carbontwine, is my recommendation. Also remember that Soldiery Tomestones can be exchanged for Alexandrite maps, and they can drop from FATEs as well. Several ways to get Alex, just one (outside of Coil) to get Carbontwine.

If you're not doing coil and don't really intend to, get the relic done.

As always, this argument is irrelevant. The purpose behind getting the best gear is not in order be able to accomplish something you otherwise couldn't but rather to accomplish things you can do anyway better and faster. Or, often, not even that - for many, the sole purpose for having the best gear is simply to have the best gear, end of line.

[Sounders]

How are you guys getting Alexandrite from FATEs? Do we have to do a separate quest or something?

I've done at least 50 FATEs these past few days and I haven't seen a single Alexandrite drop, and yes I'm using the correct weapon.

This is a joke right? I'm currently 20+/0. The 25 or 26 (whichever I'm on) Alexandrites I've gotten, have all been through my purchase/maps.

I've gotten 3 from around 15 FATES and I wasn't even trying. Just chilling around North Thanalan with my Last Resort.

[Azper]

I'd say spend them on Alexandrite. Your weapon is probably your single most important upgrade to keep up to date. As for the gear, I'd honestly hold off for now unless you're dying to grind hunts. I foresee them adding the Carbontwine to the weekly CT/ST/WoD quest or at least making it drop in WoD, thus making it much easier to upgrade gear at that point.

[FranSeara]

The Alex drop rate fom Fates isnt all that bad. Its way better then it ever was in the past. Its still RNG. I've gotten two within two fates so far. I average about 3-4 from fates every day. This is while waiting for the Q to pop and the fates help me light farm. I have 40 alexs right now, with 18 going from fates since the nerfs. I only buy map to waste Sol. No joke.

[rappa]

Use your seals to buy carbontwine and soldiers for maps.
When your gear is upgraded, use your extra seals for maps

[Caoihmin]

Seems a bit divided here folks lol . Maybe if u knew my gear was at i115; it's getting me through EX runs and the harder content (a lot of success there comes down to just knowing the mechanics).

I think I'll keepbfarming sol tomes, Fates, the dailies, and hunts focusing on alexandrite but saving up for carbon twine.

[Sounders]

Seems a bit divided here folks lol . Maybe if u knew my gear was at i115; it's getting me through EX runs and the harder content (a lot of success there comes down to just knowing the mechanics).

I think I'll keepbfarming sol tomes, Fates, the dailies, and hunts focusing on alexandrite but saving up for carbon twine.

I'm not questioning your capability to do EX dungeons. It's just that you're limited to only one Duty Roulette per day. If you're willing to wait that long for your Novus, then go for it, but if not, then you could look for other ways to get Alexandrite.

[Nutz]

I'm a bit unsure how you'd fail an alexandrite map at i115. You can use any job (doesn't have to be your relic job) and should always use your chocobo. Well I only have experience with MNK and BLM on these things so perhaps some jobs just don't work as well for the maps. In any case, I'd recommend holding on to your allied seals until you're close enough to buy all the remaining alexandrite you'll need AND have all the materia you need. There's really no sense in buying alexandrite with allied seals if you're going to have to wait on buying/ making more materia (and can thus get a few more 'free' alexandrites before you actually finish up).

Also, people are frequently eager to help with alex maps. They're quick and simple. Since 2.5 I believe they give 4 light (was 2 -- I think things got doubled). I've collected about 50 since I made my Novus and helped friends with some as well. It's always nice when you can chain several of them for light.

[alimdia]

This is a joke right? I'm currently 20+/0. The 25 or 26 (whichever I'm on) Alexandrites I've gotten, have all been through my purchase/maps.

50x easier than before.

[Nicobo]

IMO trading seals for alex is big losing ^^;
Just like i won't trade seals for retainer ventures or teleport tickets.