The Bottom Feeders: Moves You Never Use and Why.

[Februs]

Tempered Will is actually really useful on fights with knockback mechanics (and there are more than a few of those). Not sure if they hotfixed it or not, but it used to completely negate the damage caused by the knockback AoE in Fractal's second boss (as well as allowing you to position yourself more easily afterward). It's situational, but there are more situations that call for it than I think people realize.

I'm pretty sure they did hotfix that... I can't remember though. Been a while since I've gotten that one as my roulette, now that I think about it.
You're right though. It is FAR more useful than most people give it credit for, especially when you consider that it doubles in utility by removing binds and heavies (most of them, anyway). Still, the obstinately long cooldown does restrict it's usage far more than is necessary. Considering how situational the move is, the CD is a bit of overkill. For example, your own example in Fractal. You could only use that move once in that fight. So, for one instance in that fight out of the 3 (on common average) times he uses that knockback you get a tiny advantage. Considering you can only use it the one time before you can never use it again, it seems redundant to even bother. It also doesn't change that, out of all my Pld moves, Tempered is by far the one I use least.

DA-AD guarantees more HP than DA-SD when you're facing four or more enemies. If you have Blood Price on at the same time, I've usually found that it eats the MP cost pretty well (though in this circumstance, the more mobs you're facing, the better). It's also situational, but I've found more use for this than the line-AoE-to-DA-blind attack (which is little more than a MP sink so I don't max out).

Again, very true. However, the mp drain caused by the move is far more dmging than the Hp you stand to gain, especially since you have a healer who should be healing you in the first place. So, again, not used as frequently for me as the rest of the moves.

I'm pretty sure Dark passenger has actually been proved to be an inefficient use of Dark Arts. So that's another good example. The Hp gain on DA-Soul Eater is better for mitigation than the blind, especially since you are multiplying your Mp destruction by using DA and DP at the same time. It's better to pop DP on CD and use Soul Eater for mitigation. DP is still a dps gain, mind you, so I wouldn't say the move itself is a bottom feeder... but the additional effect caused by Dark Arts certainly fits the bill.

I didn't really have a single action I didn't use while leveling WAR, though, but I also feel like the WAR toolkit is a lot smaller.

Aw... C'mon. Stretch your imagination. It doesn't have to be "bad." Only something you just don't use as much.

[Jpec07]

I'm pretty sure they did hotfix that... I can't remember though. Been a while since I've gotten that one as my roulette, now that I think about it.

They actually moved Fractal and Neverreap out of the Expert Roulette, so you won't see the unless you queue for the lv. 60 roulette.

You're right though. It is FAR more useful than most people give it credit for, especially when you consider that it doubles in utility by removing binds and heavies (most of them, anyway). Still, the obstinately long cooldown does restrict it's usage far more than is necessary. Considering how situational the move is, the CD is a bit of overkill. For example, your own example in Fractal. You could only use that move once in that fight. So, for one instance in that fight out of the 3 (on common average) times he uses that knockback you get a tiny advantage. Considering you can only use it the one time before you can never use it again, it seems redundant to even bother. It also doesn't change that, out of all my Pld moves, Tempered is by far the one I use least.

I actually had a WHM once who released the chum mobs while he was charging the attack, negating the whole sequence (one of the smoothest runs I've had there).

I'll agree that the cooldown is an encumbrance on what would be a much more useful move, but I feel like the topic of useless Paladin moves has been beaten to death and back and back to death.

Again, very true. However, the mp drain caused by the move is far more dmging than the Hp you stand to gain, especially since you have a healer who should be healing you in the first place. So, again, not used as frequently for me as the rest of the moves.

With that much incoming damage, it's never a race. By using that combo, I've allowed my FC WHM to spam Holy while keeping me up with Cure (rather than the more expensive heals she'd have to use otherwise). Any little bit of extra healing and mitigation helps, and when combined with Blood Price on big pulls, it usually turns out to be pretty MP-neutral most of the time, in my experience.

I'm pretty sure Dark passenger has actually been proved to be an inefficient use of Dark Arts. So that's another good example. The Hp gain on DA-Soul Eater is better for mitigation than the blind, especially since you are multiplying your Mp destruction by using DA and DP at the same time. It's better to pop DP on CD and use Soul Eater for mitigation. DP is still a dps gain, mind you, so I wouldn't say the move itself is a bottom feeder... but the additional effect caused by Dark Arts certainly fits the bill.

It's too expensive for me to justify using, even if it is a DPS gain. I've found that the slower rhythm of MT DRK doesn't afford much in the way of extra MP, so DA-SE is where it's at.

Aw... C'mon. Stretch your imagination. It doesn't have to be "bad." Only something you just don't use as much.

I never used Fracture, but that's 'cause I legit forgot it was there. XD

[Februs]

They actually moved Fractal and Neverreap out of the Expert Roulette, so you won't see the unless you queue for the lv. 60 roulette.

I know, but for some strange reason I always get Nevverreap... Every. Single. Day. I swear, I'm gonna forget what the inside of Fractal looks like at this rate.

I actually had a WHM once who released the chum mobs while he was charging the attack, negating the whole sequence (one of the smoothest runs I've had there). I'll agree that the cooldown is an encumbrance on what would be a much more useful move, but I feel like the topic of useless Paladin moves has been beaten to death and back and back to death.

I've seen the same thing, but it's very rare. I think SE has hotfixed it a little as well (either that or it's glitching hard), because I recall a recent-ish run in which the healer did the same thing, but he resumed his normal rotation afterwards. Kinda caught us all off guard. In any case, I think the main issue is the CD for that move. It really is too long compared to the brief utility you get out of it (although I admit I do like how it lines up perfectly with the "Wash Away" mechanic of A3... though it's really close).

I never used Fracture, but that's 'cause I legit forgot it was there. XD

Seems legit XD. A move you don't use is a move you don't use, right? lol

[Giantbane]

I'm pretty sure Dark passenger has actually been proved to be an inefficient use of Dark Arts. So that's another good example. The Hp gain on DA-Soul Eater is better for mitigation than the blind, especially since you are multiplying your Mp destruction by using DA and DP at the same time. It's better to pop DP on CD and use Soul Eater for mitigation. DP is still a dps gain, mind you, so I wouldn't say the move itself is a bottom feeder... but the additional effect caused by Dark Arts certainly fits the bill.

Inside dungeons when pulling a group:

Blood Price + whatever mitigation cooldown is ready (usually shadowskin) > at ~5s left on blood price hit dark arts and don't use any dark arts related moves > ~4s ish later dark arts boosted dark dance for 20% dodge > dark arts + dark passenger to blind the whole group > focus on MP regen (C&S, siphon combos, sole survivor, whatever).

While the group is blinded and you have a buffed dark dance active, your healer can go nuts on damage because you won't be hit much.


I mean, I still think it's a real waste that both of these dark arts boosted abilities are pretty much useless outside of dungeon trash, but they're good for what they are.