Diadem - how does it really work?

[KadajSynthesis]

Hey guys,

guess I'm just kinda stupid or dont read the right threads or just dont get what ppl say, but I'm still feeling lost when it comes up to the mechanics of Diadem.

So on the first day, we queued via df for Diadem easy with 2 ppl and we got a group. Needless to say, we were all not knowing what to do. People mostly just died or gathered and so on but we finished our quests and it was kinda okay.

So then my gf and I went for Diadem normal via our own FC airship today and we found the aether spots to be able to fly and she gathered a bit. Then we found some groups (guess there were 3) of ppl fighting some mobs and we joined in fighting. Out of 10 mobs we only got rewarded for 3. Okay, fair, on 2 of them we joined in when there were down at like 80%.
But even if we did full dps (blm and bard) from the beginning we mostly ended with nothing.

So how exactly does the system work?
Is it based on raw dps data per person? Or do we have to be in a full group to be able to get something out of most all mobs?
If so, why is it even possible to go there with 2 people?

Dont get me wrong, we dont want to farm any i210 pieces or something, we just want some fun and get some rewards for that, as small as they may be.

Thanks!

[Nerael]

Well I have learned a few things from my past Diadem runs:

• Duty finder is absolute garbage with Diadem. People do whatever the hell they want whenever the hell they want.
• Party Finder is not always successful either. You cannot kick people from groups, so if someone does not follow the PF rules you can't get rid of them.
• Based on the previous 2 points. My recommendation is going with your FC or friends.
• Participation is based on party DPS. This means you'll have a far easier time with 8 people contributing in comparison to 2 people. Thus more rewards.
• Decide beforehand together if your group is a "Fighting Party" or "Gathering Party"
• Most groups obtain flying and head to Dino Island if they are a "Fighting Party" (Shout out to people to gather them there! Work together with other groups!). Dino Island has the highest ranking mobs and a good chance at spawning higher ranked ones. Best loot can be obtained that way. Not to mention the fact that with more groups, more people you can clear more enemies faster and more effectively! This is more profitable for everyone as everyone will get more drops this way. General rule of thumb for my FC is that 150 & 180 gear is Greed, 210 is Need (We are quite lenient with it and if someone wants a specific piece; all they have to do is say so, we are friends afterall)
• Gathering you can often do solo while sneaking around carefully. Be prepared for some deaths however.