Hard Mode {Found It}

[origamikitsune]

So basically adding 30 levels to a mob now makes it hard-mode end-game NM content by OP's logic. But really, what I see is people getting 2 lancers together and gimmicking the hell out of lv70-80 grinding content (no doubt due to lax mechanical design, although I'm sure the purposeful non-increase in bonus SP given for the kill was completely worth creating a thread full of rage about).

If these r80+ mobs were actually meant as r50 "hard mode" content, it would have been not only specified somewhere but also rewarded in kind... but sadly this is not the case: they are just mobs :P

I agree fully that rewards are lax. I also agree that the fact that /so much/ of the "hard" stuff requires a TP lock by LNC is frustrating. I will say, however, it is a legit tactic. Stun locking in 11 was common, and TP locking in 14 is common. Different method, same (essential) result. Personally I think the issues isn't that it can be done, only that there aren't any other options.

One thing we learned while fighting the ogres was that without a TP lock, we all got one-shot by the wrestling moves. The first thing we tried was a partial TP lock by one LNC while everyone else did def down -> damage multiplier -> magic burst BRs. What that says to me is that it isn't flaw in the tactics - its a flaw in the game forcing limited tactics that are always the same regardless of the mob. Something (I hope) SE is aware of by now because its f*cking retarded.

That said, adding 30 R to the mobs DOES make the game harder if you let it. I never said it was perfect solution, but even still there are some things that can be done to improve what has been done. After reading the thread about the ogres, we decided our goal was to do the ogre fight... without anyone dying. We talked about tacticts and decided to try a two GLA approach, so that when the mob wiped hate on the main tank, it would immediately go the second GLA. It worked beautifully (until WE screwed up and got lazy/sloppy); we didn't loose our DD or healers to one-shot on hate reset.

I guess what I'm getting at is that I agree with you, but that doesn't mean, in my opinion, we can't work with what we have. I have no desire to play other MMOs because I don't like the settings or the feel or what have you. This game sucks in a lot of ways, but has the core of what I want, so I play. Until it gets better, I would personally rather enjoy what is there, and years down the line reminisce about how lame it was back in the day. Or... maybe how lame it still is. Who knows. In short, I'd rather fight R80+ mobs and do SOMETHING than fight R30mobs and do NOTHING.