Feels like I am missing something

[Santherelle]

I am a 56th level botanist with:

528 Gathering
535 Perception
575 GP

I cant seem to get over 402 collectability.
Which is OK for lower stuff but not much good for anything 56 and higher.

Currently I use Discerning Eye and Methodical Appraisal X3 to get there.

What do I need to do to get a higher collectability?

Thanks

[Portley]

without RNG your rotation is the most powerful you can use. You could get more if you use IA and proc discerning eye but the odds of that happening are extremely slim and, im not sure you have the other skills unlocked to really use that rotation (utmost caution and single mind).

Long story short you need to level up and upgrade your gear. The only thing that increases collectability is your perception stat. I wouldnt worry too much about collectibles until you are level 60. There is a thread around here somewhere called rotation analysis and there is a fabulous spreadsheet that breaks down all possible rotations and perception needed if you want more details I would recommend you take some time to find it.

[Yonanja]

Yup, only perception matters for collectability. So if you want to increase it right now, you'd need to meld your gear for it (unless you've already done that). It seems to work in steps, as in it doesn't scale for every point of percetion you get, but rather it increases at certain "levels" of the stat.

[Santherelle]

I have done some basic melding.

I have "equippable at level 55" HQ gear in just about every slot with some material 3s on it. I guess I have to put 4s in the remaining slots?

[Caimie_Tsukino]

I guess I have to put 4s in the remaining slots?

No! Please don't! Overmelding Tier iV after melding Tier III is a big no no. Furthermore, using Tier IV on any gear before lvl 60 is a total waste! In fact, even if you melded 18 more perception, it probably still won't add much more power to your appraisals... Maybe ~10 more collectability per appraisal? What yoi really need is a better rotation that can easily give you ~15 to 20% more power without the need to waste money on materia.

I have a number of rotations in my gathering guide that can suit people with various stats:
http://ffxivrealm.com/guides/ff14-he...e-tsukino.157/

However you do need 600 GP for all those rotations. So what you need is some light melds of low tier GP materia and use cheap GP food.

[Santherelle]

Thanks Caimie.

I'll look at that and see what I can do.

What I scanned so far looks very helpful.

[Seyb]

Hey there. Your gear is great for your level. No need to do anything with it. It's just your rotation.

You use:

1. Discerning Eye + Methodical Apraisal
2. Methodical Apraisal
3. Methodical Apraisal

This can never give you more than 402 collectability (172 + 115 + 115).

Don't worry. You can easily get over 450 by adding one more Discerning Eye:

1. Discerning Eye + Methodical Apraisal
2. Discerning Eye + Methodical Apraisal
3. Methodical Apraisal

It uses 400 SP and should give you 459 collectability. Once you have 600 SP and a higher level, you can add Single Mind before your last appraisal.

Sure, there are a lot more rotations, but let's keep it simple until you're level 60 and fully geared.

[Santherelle]

I see it using more GP.

But I am out once I use Toil of the Pioneer. That is 300 out of my now 599. which just leaves me with 299 for other skills.

Is there a way to get the out of reach items without using Toil?

[Seyb]

Ah so that's it. Don't use Toil of the Pioneer anymore. Instead just hit the spot where the item you want to collect hides. This takes away one hit (out of 6 in total), but you save 300 GP which is essential.

And unfortunately those 599 GP have to go up to 600 to be useful.

[Rawrz]

Hey there. Your gear is great for your level. No need to do anything with it. It's just your rotation.

You use:

1. Discerning Eye + Methodical Apraisal
2. Methodical Apraisal
3. Methodical Apraisal

This can never give you more than 402 collectability (172 + 115 + 115).

Don't worry. You can easily get over 450 by adding one more Discerning Eye:

1. Discerning Eye + Methodical Apraisal
2. Discerning Eye + Methodical Apraisal
3. Methodical Apraisal

It uses 400 SP and should give you 459 collectability. Once you have 600 SP and a higher level, you can add Single Mind before your last appraisal.

Sure, there are a lot more rotations, but let's keep it simple until you're level 60 and fully geared.

Wow xD I hit exactly 115 non buffed methodical too. xD Just started trying out collectible on my Miner today. @.@

Its RNG, but at least its math without some convoluted modifier. xD