FF 5.X Alternative Raid Buff Alignment and Openers

[Oxdarock]

Regarding the Embolden, the recent balance changes have actually made it so RDM generally prefers to use Embolden after the 4th spell instead of after the 6th or 8th. The only exception is if we end up paired up with very back-loaded classes like SAM, in which case we still use it after the 6th spell.

Also, Corps-a-corps (along with all of RDM's oGCD abilities) are completely unaffected by Embolden, as RDM deals solely physical damage through their oGCD suite. Embolden only buffs RDM's Spells and Weaponskills.

Huh. That's...odd. Though it means that Corps-a-Corps, Displacement, and Fleche are all buffed by Brotherhood, so that's nice.

(I haven't switched the positions of Embolden and Manafication yet but continue reading this reply as if I have)

Anyway, even if it's used after the 4th spell instead of the 6th, the difference in the potency boost is still the same (actually 32 potency instead of 30) when using Embolden before the melee combo since all three weaponskills will fit within the first four seconds (Remember that weaponskills hit instantly, so the Enchanted Redoublement actually hits around 3 seconds rather than 5.2 seconds, which is about when VerFlare hits). Here's how it looks when you compare the potency of both situations within the first 4 seconds of Embolden:

VerStone + VerAero (300+350) x 1.1 = 715 - 650 = 65
Full Melee Combo (210+290+470) x 1.1 = 1067 - 970 = 97
97-65= 32

The difference pretty much widens from there since the latter is followed by VerFlare and Scortch, both with an 8% boost while VerFire and VerAero gets the 8% boost following a 4th GCD Embolden. And that's before I even add in the 5% damage boost from Manafication for the 8th GCD Embolden (which I honestly forgot to do), so the difference of the potency gained between both situations is actually higher.

[Leidiriv]

Huh. That's...odd. Though it means that Corps-a-Corps, Displacement, and Fleche are all buffed by Brotherhood, so that's nice.

(I haven't switched the positions of Embolden and Manafication yet but continue reading this reply as if I have)

Anyway, even if it's used after the 4th spell instead of the 6th, the difference in the potency boost is still the same (actually 32 potency instead of 30) when using Embolden before the melee combo since all three weaponskills will fit within the first four seconds (Remember that weaponskills hit instantly, so the Enchanted Redoublement actually hits around 3 seconds rather than 5.2 seconds, which is about when VerFlare hits). Here's how it looks when you compare the potency of both situations within the first 4 seconds of Embolden:

VerStone + VerAero (300+350) x 1.1 = 715 - 650 = 65
Full Melee Combo (210+290+470) x 1.1 = 1067 - 970 = 97
97-65= 32

The difference pretty much widens from there since the latter is followed by VerFlare and Scortch, both with an 8% boost while VerFire and VerAero gets the 8% boost following a 4th GCD Embolden. And that's before I even add in the 5% damage boost from Manafication for the 8th GCD Embolden (which I honestly forgot to do), so the difference of the potency gained between both situations is actually higher.

Okay, first off. What Embolden can do for the RDM is practically a pittance compared to what Embolden can do for the party. Delaying Embolden to the 8th spell as you suggest in this opener is flatly wrong, and no amount of tiny personal potency gains will convince me otherwise.