New Artisan's Apron - What Melds?

[Kiara]

Hi All,

Just wondering what people thought were the best Materia Melds for the new Artisan's Apron HQ Body from 2.5?

Looking at Ariyala's site we clearly can't max out the melds (only 5 Slots) so did people go with:

* Craftsmanship IV
* Craftsmanship IV
* Craftsmanship IV
* Control IV
* CP III

?

That gives it a great upgrade of Craftsmanship over our Crafter-Specific Body, but only +1 Control increase.

Crafter Body HQ: Crafts 108 / Control 36 / CP 3
Artisan's Apron HQ: Crafts 119 / Control 37 / CP 3


Thanks!

[Archadius]

Honestly, if you are planning to get (or already have) your Lucis tool, don't cap Craftsmanship, it's pointless past 453. Cap Control and CP instead, and put the rest into Craftsmanship.

[Mishini_Dracoto]

Honestly, if you are planning to get (or already have) your Lucis tool, don't cap Craftsmanship, it's pointless past 453. Cap Control and CP instead, and put the rest into Craftsmanship.

unless you get to 540 or so? Which is possible with a Lucis . . .

Also full +Crafts helps out people who are still using Aritsan main hand. I don' remember for certain, but I think as of this patch my Armorer can do 4* without CP food. (I Typically eat Chilled popoto Soup instead of Bouillabase)

[Nashred]

I have seen several different melds.. Those who seem to want to meld less craft on off hand and those who want more control or those who think more craftsmanship is not needed.

Craftsman build:

* Craftsmanship IV
* Craftsmanship IV
* Craftsmanship IV
* Control IV
* CP III

Control build:
* Craftsmanship IV
* Craftsmanship IV
* control IV
* Control II
* CP III


Control build:
* Craftsmanship IV
* Craftsmanship IV
* Control III
* Control III
* CP III

I did the top one but personally I would cap control if I did it again.. Mainly because it is far cheaper.

I have seen some other melds too..
like :

* Craftsmanship IV
* Craftsmanship IV
* Craftsmanship IV
* Control III
* Control III
I dont like the above meld because I like CP.

* Craftsmanship IV
* Craftsmanship IV
* Control IV
* Craftsmanship III
* CP III
This above basically for those who want more craftmanship but a cheaper meld. It is one less craftsmanship than the first one but way cheaper meld.

[Archadius]

unless you get to 540 or so? Which is possible with a Lucis . . .

Personally I wouldn't sacrifice 26 of my max CP to move from a 5 step progress synth to a 4 step one (which only saves you 10 durability, CP usage doesn't change). That's when comparing 472+ Craftsmanship and 398 CP (Control based melds and HQ Bouillabaise) to 542 Craftsmanship and 372 CP (Craftsmanship based melds and HQ Shark Fin Soup).

So yes, you could do it, sure... But why would you want to? D:

[Kiara]

Thanks all.

Yah, I can HQ 4 Star just fine without the Apron. I was thinking the full Craftsman build only to future proof (or at least make easier) 3.0's initial recipes. Then again, they probably(?) wouldn't make the requirements so high that you had to have near Max Craftsmanship to attempt them (I hope).

Otherwise, yes, I'd probably max Control and CP first, and then Craftsmanship. Hm.

[RiceisNice]

Honestly, if you are planning to get (or already have) your Lucis tool, don't cap Craftsmanship, it's pointless past 453. Cap Control and CP instead, and put the rest into Craftsmanship.

If you have the lucis, don't forget that your other crafts are also using the apron.

[giantslayer]

I did:
Control IV
Crafts IV
Crafts IV
Crafts III
CP III

My reasoning is doing more craftsmanship makes 4-star more easily obtainable (supra + artisan offhand with 2 Crafts III materia to hit 453). Yes, Lucis tools render the extra craftsmanship meaningless. Having just finished my first Lucis, however, I have come to the realization that all 8 Lucis tools isn't happening any time soon for me. I chose a meld that would make it easier to get my other crafts I don't care for as much up to 4-star without Lucis. I figure I am going to need that 5 crafts on my non-Lucis classes more than I will need the 2 more control in general.

[BunnyChain]

* Craftsmanship IV
* Craftsmanship IV
* Craftsmanship IV
* Control IV
* CP III

Thats what I did, saves gil melding artisan's off-hand tools later.

[Archadius]

If you have the lucis, don't forget that your other crafts are also using the apron.

An excellent point. However you can still manage the road to Lucis with other crafts by focusing Control/CP for melds (where possible) over Craftsmanship. That extra +6 Craftsmanship on the Apron is not going to make a difference if you follow this gear path:

AF Mainhand Tool + HQ Artisan Offhand Tool > Supra Mainhand Tool > Lucis Mainhand Tool

Assuming you have all your other "shared" gear BiS and max-melded, you can even go so far as to NOT meld anything to your Artisan offhand tool until you're ready to attempt Lucis and still have more than enough stats for the required synths.