Bri to the ault

Hey everyone, I'm back from another hiatus, because well, I feel like I still have a duty to fulfill. with Tibs and a lot of other quality WHM gone, (Ghishlain quit, I'm pretty sure Napup is gone too.) I feel like just up and quitting wasn't going to help anyone, after all, I want to do right by Tib's memory and do the job right, unlike so many of those people who level WHM as an afterthought just to gear their DD job through casting haste in delve or whatever. after all, someone has to heal those tough AA fights and shit, and try to be knowledgeable about the most thankless job in vana'diel, so it might as well be me, even thoguh I fully admit that I am not Tibs, or any of those "famous" WHMs, and I could never hope to be. I can just hope to be more knowledgable about this job than most people who just happen to have this job at level 99 and probably full-time a light staff and abyssea gear.

my first few days back weren't going well at all, fish were not biting (particularly fish of the PLD or COR variety) for AA or other high tier battlefields for papers, and I was getting a little discouraged...... BUT THEN

No Vanir body, to be sure, but it's still a fantastic piece of equipment for nearly everything. better idle/rest/refresh piece than gendewitha due to higher evasion/m.evasion/MDB, more INT/MND than gendewitha (important for buffing and other spells that aren't curing magic.) +emfeebling magic skill (yeah +macc would be better, but that's on said coveted Vanir body. but the emfeeble skill is still useful in it's own right!) and the Haste is marginally useful (makes it a pretty nice choice for a clubbing set witht he haste and the evasion/magic evasion/MDB.) the extra HP/MP is just gravy. Gendewitha body still has a niche because of the -Cure cast Time augment making it better for pre-casting cure spells but in all other respects it's just better than Gendewitha. Orison +2 still has to be wore for curing, but for everything else this is fantastic.

Getting this was actually a funny story! I got a little bit depressed that my AA parties were falling apart, so I just hopped on THF and just soloed a bunch of RoE for sparks and made money and just stright up bought the ingot and the papers. ideally as someone wanting to improve my craft as a WHM I would've prefereed getting the rest of the stuff through high tier battlefields but couldn't get the people so I had to take matters into my own hands.

even that was difficult since my THF is horribly gimp to say the least. (and by gimp I mean that the gear is sub-par. no 119 dagger, currently still using Atoyac/Eminent, and TP and WS sets need serious gear improvements. unfortunately all of the awesome THF gear requires me to get into Delve, which I have a hard time getting into it even on WHM! but that might have to do with Haste 2/Indi-Haste being the new hotness and the fact most people don't do Tojil/Shark/Bee anymore compared to Yorcia and such when it comes to Delve. which is gonna make gearing THF hard, unless I wanna I dunno, break down and build Mandau? but that'd be a lot of work and would only solve the weapon problem. but I'm at my wit's end on THF because I already like 0/40 for Leshilonu out of Cirdas Skirmish. which makes me sad because I have translurry waiting for it so if I got it, I'd just need to run Skirmish III to 119 it and hopefully get good wailing stone augs.)

SO my plan is to continue on my present course, keep working on RF +1 (prioritizing the WHM macro pieces I need.) and maybe check out alluvion Skirmish/Incursion soon if possible, and maybe get lucky and get into a delve group, maybe, if the planets align.


Oh yeah there's also those new high-tier Avatar fights, huh? I suppose I'll do a writeup on those drops for WHM in a few days.

A look at some new WHM equips.

Hey everyone, I'm back from a long hiatus, I've been busy in-game to get ym WHM and THF geared up in new content, and you can watch videos of me healing the high-tier battlefields and stuff with my commentary on my Youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpY7v6pCkTkByzfnboSCXqw

I wanted to kick off my return to blogwriting talking about the two jobs I play, THF and WHM, but I'll talk about WHM because I simply can't attend any events on THF as I don't have 119 pimped out DD sets, in particular 119 daggers like Iz or Mandau. but I may do another post for THF soon!

But since coming back, some newer pieces of equipment have came out, and instead of what I've done in the past with listing off what to get for each set, I'm just going to break down WHM relevent gear from current endgame and where I think they fit in my sets.

I'm going to break these down by events.


WHM Reforged Artifact Armor:

You get these by upgrading your normal AF with Rem's Tales and materials you get from SKCNMs or the high-tier battlefields (Ark Angels, the other high-tier mission battlefields that cost merits.) etc. I'll cover the actual drops from the high-tier battlefields in a bit.

Link to Theophany Attire Set

Link to Theophany Attire set +1

Let's start looking at it from head to toe:

Head:  before being +1ed this is honestly not all that impressive, I'd only really use the 109 cap in a lolDD set to replace Walahra Turban . at +1 though it's a higher ilvl version of a Gendewitha Caubeen, but you could probably just do Outer Ra'Kaznar skirmish and try to +1 you Gendewitha head and get augs for it and not feel too bad about it, they both seem similar, Gendewitha head +1 probably has it beat with good augments. don't really see a niche for RF head +1 if you get the +1 skirmish head.

Body: the base 109 piece is a decent macro piece for an enfeebling setup if you don't have a magic accuracy body. at +1 it becomes a strong idle piece that beats the otherwise amazing Vanir body off of Eald'narche II simply because RF body +1 has refresh and Vanir body does not. This does not mean to any fathomable degree that you don't want to shoot for Vanir body if you have RF body +1, simply that RF body +1 might work a bit better for idle. I'll explain why when I talk about Vanir body later. I have no idea why they put Potency +7 on this, that's not enough to replace Orison +2 for curing SE, you'll have to try harder. It could be used as a Curaga macro piece, though, if you need extra potency.

Hands:  The hands are kind of odd. at +1 you can use them for idle (or use Gendewitha hands +1 for idle if you get those off of Skirmish III, same defensive stats.) the interesting part of the +1 RF hands comes from the MND of 38 and the +healing magic skill, which makes it decent curing hands if you don't need potency in the hands slot, if you need potency in the hand slot, you'd be better off with Delve potency gloves or just stick to some bayld gloves. the 38 MND would imply them being decent for an enhancing set as well, but that ignores the Enhancing hands elephant in the room, Dynasty mitts off AA EV.

Legs: the legs is where things start getting really exciting for this set. SE could have put potency or something on this to try (and fail) to replace Orison legs +2, they actually gave this piece an interesting niche! not only is it as good as any 119 piece for idle, it's a suitable macro piece for not only Divine Magic, but ESPECIALLY Cursna! the Regen thing is kind of whatever, could be useful for that.

Feet: With 24 MND and + enhancing magic skil it's clear these are pretty good boots to buff in and that's what they get macroed in for. at +1 they're fine for idle, but the +enfeebling Magic Skill means they could be used in an enfeebling set, but it's a tossup between these or some feet with +macc

Overall, mostly a good set just for macro pieces really, at 119 they're fine for idle and the 119 body is really strong for idle with 119 defensive stats backed up by refresh. Head's the only iffy piece, it just comes down to where you get it or Gende +1 first whether you're gonna use it or not.


Reforged AF2 armor:
These pieces are upgraded much in the same way as the AF, with two.... catches. first, you need to get the base AF2 from Dynamis (Xarcabard I think?) and then, the upgrading process is a bit more...... costly since it requires dynamis currency. A third catch is you need items off Delve bosses to +1 them. But let's look past that little problem and give it an honest look to see if it's worth it.

Link to reforged AF2


Head: This piece is mostly a macro piece for -Cure Cast Time but the "Enhances Devotion Effect" gives it an interesting niche if you need to Devotion another MP user, getting more MP out of the Devotion I'm guessing. for other things better options exist, but the Devotion thing might be unique and cool enough to go for.

Body: I'm assuming it has the same refresh value as the RF AF1 body, so it seems this piece would be used for the Regen potency if you wanted to do a Regen set. The real reason you build this is for the "Enhances Benediction Effect". now you might be thinking "But a Benediction macro piece is an oxymoron because it generates too much hate for us to actually use it!" except the enhancement DECREASES THE ENMINTY BY -50! if any piece is worth the dyna funmoney, it's this.

Hands: the hands are kinda...... Ehhhhhhhh. the Divine and Enfeebling parts are likely better done by other pieces in this slot, the "Banish damage v.s. Undead" is incredibly situational in today's endgame to warrant for macroing in, but I guess you can macro this in for Divine/Enfeeble I guess if you want to spend Dynamis currency for that. Also the Martyr thing is lol to me as a taru who can only say "who the f*ck merits Martyr" but I suppose that would be good if you're a lolGalkaWHM who loves using their extra HP for something.

Legs: These are pretty cool Enhancing pants witht he +enhancing and the Shellra V and barspell enhancement. however, that's their main use. Nice try again with the +Healing magic skill, but new WHM are still going to have to try to get groups to kill Sobek to finish their Orison +2 pants still.

Feet: Feet are kinda useful for curing/enhancing kinds of sets. 10 potency in a feet slot item, better enhancing boots than RF AF1 +1, due to the Protectra bonus. can be used to Enfeeble if you'd prefer skill/don't have +macc feet.

Overall mostly useful, but are kind of very......specific macro pieces, and with the cost of Dyna currency to make, it's not for the feint of heart, but some of them are extremely good macro pieces!


High Tier Battlefield Drops:

-The Lurid Mitts drop off of Ark Angel GK. these gloves have pretty good +macc AND enfeebling skill, so are good for a divine/Enfeebling set. It has outright more +Macc than Gendewitha Hands +1 and the enfeeble skill is just gravy. Keep in mind though all of these drops are pretty rare, unless you can beat the fights on the harder difficulties, so it may be hard to get a pair. that being said, I am not sure if there are better +macc/enfeeble gloves WHM can wear.

-AA EV has two big drops of note for WHM. first is a club, Cagliostro Rod. the idea with this club is since a WHM shoud be using Tamaxchi and appropriate shields (Genbu's for idle, Sors for curing) you'd switch in this club for the +macc for Divine/Enfeebles. might be hard to get, so you could always use a paragon and augment Tamaxchi with a bit of +macc, but this definitely has more and would be fantastic for Enfeebles/Divine landing.

-AA EV's second drop we're looking at is the previously mentioned Dynasty Mitts. With high MND, +enhancing skill, and an INCREASE TO ENHANCING MAGIC DURATION, it's safe to say these are perfect for Enhancing magic. there might be better gloves for enhancing SOMEWHERE, but they'd have to try really, really hard to be better than these.

--Divine Might II drops the Sanare Earring which is a nice little magical defense earring with some potential in a clubbin' DD set. Though it is a little dissappoint this is the best WHM drop in a fight as "elite onry" as DM II. Though I guess you do DM II for a better shot at weapons.

-Our good old friend the Archduke has two drops for us, he drops a club very similar to AA EV's club, except with +divine on it, and less magic accuracy I think, He also drops Mes'yohi Slacks which are pretty dang good +macc pants for your Divine/Enfeeble sets, and honestly the defensive idle stats are just absurdly high.

-And now we come to the very exciting one, Eald'Narche II. who drops what is most likely the best mage body in the game for certain setups, the Vanir body. +18 Magic Accuracy, + 5 percent Fast Cast, and good defensive stats, this piece is fantastic for no doubt a great many mage sets. It falls short on idle due to lack of Refresh, but for everything else it's amazing. a WHM will only macro other pieces in for curing, MAYBE for buffs, and to wear a refresh body possibly, other mages who aren't healing could probably full time this thing if they found a way to make something up with the refresh issue, considering this also packs MAB + 18.

-the Perdition Slops off Shadow Lord II would serve kind of the same kinda role as the pants off Archduke for WHM.

-the Ischemia Chasuble is an okay body that drops off Ouryu II. it's not really different than a RF AF +1 body for a WHM, except it's a drop rather than is built.

-- Tenzen drops Battlecast Gaiters which would be right at home in a WHM clubbin' set with the +acc and the store TP! In all seriousness though if you play WHM the traditional way, the -PDT might be nice for idle.

-Puppet in Peril II drops Sifahir Slacks  ....................Could it be? Could Orison +2 pants finally be replaced? FIND OUT NEXT TIME ON DRAGON BALL Z. In all seriousness though, the answer is a resounding "Maybe, not sure." It's kind of a kick in the teeth this is WHM specific, it'd probably be good for a RDM or SCH curing set if they could wear!

-Gessho II drops the Kandza Crackows which are pretty good +macc feet for Divine and Enfeeble stuff, and pretty good defensive stats for idle feet.

Some, very, VERY good piece to be sure, but they're pretty rare drops, and you'd have to fight them on those harder difficulties if you really want the droprates to climb, Still, things to be on the lookout for!


Skirmish 3:

the Gendewitha +1 set is similar to the existing set, mostly just bumping up the stats a bit and makes them better in the defenses department and you can use them for the respective sets you'd use them for like the non +1 pieces, they just are easy to get 119 pieces for defense setups but usually lose to some of the above options listed. Wailing stone augments could change this, though.



Delve:
I saved Delve for last since there's a lot of drops to cover, and not everyone can just get into Delve and get the clears/ plasm, myself included, but for completeness sake, let's take a look, zone by zone.

Morimar:

-Lifestorm Earring , when paired with the Psystorm Earring from Foret Delve, gives some decent +Macc for enfeebling/divine. Probably not worth using by itself

-- Refraction Cape I guess could be used for +macc for your back slot I suppose, for your enfeeble/divine set. Better might exist for that, though.

- Yaoyotl Gloves are decent little +macc gloves, but it requires Tojil kill and AA GK hands beat it at that job, at least for enfeeble, so.......to be fair, if you have Tojil clear, it's probably more likely to plasm farm buy these than actually see and win lots on AA GK's gloves though.


Foret:

-Psystorm Earring , see Lifestorm Earring in the Morimar section.

-Bokwus Slops -MDT! kind of hard to come by for WHM!

-Eddy Necklace Nice little +macc neck! Requires shark clear though.

-Sangoma Ring  +Macc ring! Also requires shark to be dead.


Ceizak:

-Bokwus Gloves good to wear for curing if you need it's potency, otherwise +healing skill or high MND gloves may very well beat it, even auged, since these have been around in T1 Ceizak for a while. Heh, I remember my first gearlisting post back when these were really top of the line healing gloves.

-Nahtirah Hat is itneresting for +macc and for fast cast, but needs bee clear.

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Now these next 3 zones are the Delve 2 zones, so getting into here for clears is going to be even harder, but just for completeness sake....

Yorcia:

-Bolelabunga Awesome name, pretty good club for clubbin' DDing and for idle due to refresh without Owleyes nasty little drawback. Need to kill Wopket so.....most of us will never get it. *shrug*

-Sihirik pretty cool ammo slot for Idle if you somehow get Wopket kill.

-Umuthi Hat is pretty awesome for Enhancing with the skill and reducing Stoneskin's casting time. Much cooler for RDM though before of the sword elemental damage part. Again, need that Wopket kill so....


Marjami:

-Gwati Earring is nice for a bit of +macc and Conserve MP, I guess.

-Andoaa Earring is a pretty nice +enhancing earring, needs bird clear, however...


Kamihr:

-Artisieq Hose is pretty good for fast cast and stuff, and is compareable to some pants otside of Delve, but Kamihr Delve isn't really all that accessable.

-Imbodla Necklace is a good enfeeble neck, I'd say.

-Kuchekula Ring is kinda lol-worthy and underwhelming for a ring requiring a ice kitty clear. I guess if you really need the -Enminty I guess?


Overall, Delve, even the harder Delve, only offers a few things here and there for WHM, doign Delve would help my THF a lot more, honestly.


But finally, as I am about to fall asleep at the keyboard, is my thoughts on WHM gear at the current stage on endgame. things will change obviously as new events come out. But it's good to be blogging again, and I'll definitely write more soon!



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