what stats do i need? what cross job skills should i use?

[silverdragontyr]

This is very true, gut feelings often misinterpret what is there. I appreciate you clearing that up. Thank you. It's possible why Str appears to give greater and continuous returns, is people have theorized that Str gives atk+ as well, but doesn't appear on stat page. Is it true? I can't say.

Honestly I hate parsers. Trying to optimize your character is one thing, and I have used some of these tests to try and better myself. The problem I have with them, and I have experienced this with LS mates too, is when people start micro-managing stats. Claiming they are a better DD then you because they did 100-1000 more damage then you, when the fight lasted 15 minutes and every DD had 60k damage. Or some of these cases, increasing your damage by such small points that it'd take 200 hits/cure/WS w/e to even affect your damage, then advising people to spend millions of gil on materia to get these results.

This thread was started asking for advice and I just want to give people the best general idea without forcing it down their throat. If people want to spend the gil for this, by all means go ahead. If it helps you enjoy the game more, sure go right to it. But don't feel you don't do this you'll suck. Or if you don't think it will justify the increase/vs work. It will give you a headache. Trust me.