What is the absolute minimum level for Life Siphon that is considered acceptable? I think I can get two to R2 but not more than that.
General rule for most endgame content is 10-12 ability uses for DPS without a BSB/SB. Lifesiphon is special because it encourages SB spam, so you could probably get away with 2 R2 Lifesiphons on a DPS with a good offensive SB if you want to be cheap with hones.
The only things I've seen mentioned really worth crafting are Meltdown and Curada, is this accurate?
Thanks for the response!
-I got Quistis' BSB last month (?) and totally forgot it has en-Bio so I'll go ahead and hone Chain Bioga because why not. I'll probably hone Chain Stonega as well just because. I'm assuming your Chain spells are all at r3 right? r4 seems like it would be nice but way overkill.
-Hmm, I'll look into what Tiamat needs for hones. I also haven't crafted Leviathan, I'll get that done. Is Bahamut REALLY that good? I'm assuming any Summons ideally need to be r3 minimum, is he really that good to justify the resources for it?
-I'll probably keep Titan just to be on the safe side since it's a 5* Summon and you never know (I don't currently have any en-Earth stuff). I'll scrap Arise and Flare Strike, I'm still like 99% sure I crafted that completely by mistake to be honest. I'll sit on it for a bit but I'll probably scrap Tornado Blade as well, Doppleblade I miiiight hold onto for now, a 5* AoE Ninja skills seems useful but it's multiplier is low like you mentioned and the resources needed to hone it are probably not worthwhile.
-The physical Darkness stuff I'm only even considering because I've got Sephiroth's SSB so his base ATK is pretty high (probably about the highest of any of my non-level 99 folks) and that might be a good setup for CM purposes if I need to use him. Also I use Dark orbs approximately never, but I'll hold onto these for now just in case that need arises; was more wondering if I should just shatter them but I'll wait just in case.
-I agree with the Dragoon stuff, but outside of maybe CM purposes I just never bring a Dragoon since I don't have any notable Dragoon stuff. And if it's a CM I already had Blood/Sky Grinder/Dragoon Jump at r3. I honed all that stuff a while ago though before Lightning Dive came around, as long as the target doesn't absorb Lightning that does seem pretty solid so I'll keep it for sure, but will probably wait to hone it until I get a good Dragoon relic or I need it for a CM against a Lightning-weak boss or something.
-Same with the Monk stuff; I'll keep them obviously but it's hard to justify expensive hones when I don't have any A-Team monks or anything. Next time there's a CM and a monk is an option I'll do some honing maybe. I don't doubt they're good or anything, I've just reached a point where I don't really need them for clears or whatever. I'm planning on doing 2 pulls on the first Orbfest banner so maybe I'll get lucky and get Refia's BSB or something.
-I was probably going to hone Sapphire Shot anyway, but since there's no twin water spellblade on the way that definitely cements it. Have you bothered with Hydroburst at all? Seems potentially neat but needing to exploit an AoE water weakness seems incredibly niche/rare.
As others have said, Meltdown is top tier of the 6*,followed by Affliction Break, Mug Bloodlust and Curada. Affliction Break is a necessity for MP, rest is luxuries. The others are super high DPS, but DPS is found everywhere. Craft the others depending on your acquired SBs.
Yeah all my Chain Spells are at R3. R4 is complete overkill, I barely dip into my other ability before the boss keels over. My last U++ basically had everyone with 5*+ skills apart from my White Mage like so:
If you're going pure Summoner, yeah they need to both be at R3 and even then that probably won't be enough to last the fight without a SB. The great thing about Bahamut is that even with one MAG buff, you'll probably be close to maxing out the damage, so it's great for those annoying gauntlet fights. Most people will say to wait to see if one pulls Alphinauds BSB before crafting high end summons, but I will be personally taking both Bahamut and Tiamat to R4 come XIV.
As all the Dragoon/Monk/Shooter stuff, yeah if you don't use those characters, not much point in honing them. I really enjoy mixing my parties up, SBs take a seat compared to abilities when I decide what to use in most compositions. (exceptions are buff ones obviously)
Hydroburst I have at R3. It's served me well, most notably in that stupid VI gauntlet. Any extra AoE is worth it, especially with Torment dungeons coming very soon.