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Final Fantasy XII The Zodiac Age |OT| You Had One Job!
- Thread starter FlutterPuffs
- Start date
The reason you don't see Bushi paired with mages often is because they barely gain anything from each other. Bushi does give mages a bunch of HP, but that's about it. The other way around is worse though, because it limits the Bushi's huge damage potential. No adrenaline or focus and few battle lores means that katana won't be doing nearly as much damage as it could be doing.
Drillary Clinton
Banned
When can you get the second jobs for characters?
BossDarkseid
Member
After Tomb of Raithwall apparently.
So, give or take like 10-15 Hours into the game. I'm a shade under six hours and just left Bhujerba, but I have the speed multiplier for places outside of towns and i'm leaving Hunts until I get the team together + second jobs.
FlutterPuffs
Member
How many LPs does it take to fill up one zodiac grid, and so you need to fill the second jobs one again?
AmethystEnd
Member
If there are squares that are identical between two boards, you don't have to fill those again. Otherwise, yes, you have to clear the second board separately.
He pairs well with Time Mage for one. Gets heavy armor, can cast Berserk on self etc. But generally you don't want to pair him with jobs that have to do a lot during fights because that takes away from his great single target DPS. For example Black Mage is all about casting spells during fights and that means you won't be attacking with katanas during that time.
And I have to say overall about the game that the dual job system really makes the game better. I couldn't go back to IZJS anymore.
Red Mage works. Start fights by casting Disable or Sleepga and then just start hacking away.
Or there is also this that I posted on the last page:
AmethystEnd
Member
Mine isn't, haha. I remember bits and pieces but for the most part, the story is pretty much brand new to me.
I'm 100% okay with this.
Via Purifico
Banned
I raged quit while at the last part of the game when it first came out. I am enjoying this a lot so far and the fond memories are coming back.
After 15 and 13 playing a Final Fantasy that's actually good at world building, establishing characters with clear motivations and just setting up a story is extremely pleasant.
As a first timer I wasn't sure I'd enjoy the more passive combat but so far it's really enjoyable, and I can already see how it will get more interesting later on with more gambits and tougher enemies. Really glad i picked this up.
As a first timer I wasn't sure I'd enjoy the more passive combat but so far it's really enjoyable, and I can already see how it will get more interesting later on with more gambits and tougher enemies. Really glad i picked this up.
Baloonatic
Member
How important is esper allocation in this version? I forget whether it has a big impact on what your characters can or can't learn.
Ah, that's nice! Will abuse it then. Thanks :>
MetalliCabombination
Member
Quite important.
Auto_aim1
MeisaMcCaffrey
I still don't remember the story though.
Also had my first game over. Was merrily killing Cockatrices in some desert and then got wrecked by a unique named one.
AmethystEnd
Member
The first thing I did when I initially exited the city with Vaan was get totally wrecked by a group of 3 cockatrices.
It was like a welcome home party.
SprachBrooks
Member
I think I made a mistake by rushing to choose my party's jobs. Made Fran a black mage
SprachBrooks
Member
How long into the game before we get the opportunity to add another job?
mrmickfran
Member
I am loving the new orchestrated soundtrack
Giza Plains holy shit
Giza Plains holy shit
So far Giza plains and Lowtown are the 2 I don't like as much as the originals.. Nothing on the level of thunder plains in X yet at least
I really wish this version of the game had a recommended job selection for both jobs of every character, just to ease some of the frustration. I don't do well with this many things to consider, lol. Sigh, still poring through guides on job suggestion combos... I don't care about min/maxing too much, I just want something that is lore-compatible and gives every character a really good balance, ideally using every class.
neoism
Member
you have to get the first summon (the poor mans ifrit)
SolVanderlyn
Thanos acquires the fully powered Infinity Gauntlet in The Avengers: Infinity War, but loses when all the superheroes team up together to stop him.
I wish Basch didn't cut his hair lol.
I agree (although I'm a rare person who likes XIII), I actually shed a tear during the opening cinematic, I had forgotten how good it is. It doesn't feel incoherent to me either, we watch them lose the war from the perspective of Kings etc, then get dumped into the streets of Rabanastre to experience the aftermath. I love it personally. Also, Vayne has the most amazing hair.
Just saw this post, and you said it better than me, I shouldn't have bothered lol.
SkylineRKR
Member
Yeah Vaan isn't bad at all. His design sucks ass, but as a character he doesn't whine about his dad (or bro) all the fucking time or doesn't act like an asshole towards people who care about him. See VIII and X. You can also shove him aside, though he'll always be controlled in cities it seems.
And I think Ashe and Basch might be among the best FF characters ever created.
I'm curious about how this pans out, I can't remember having an issue with it when I first played. But its a common complaint so i'm going to pay extra attention to their introduction.
How is this party line up.
Vaan - Shikari / Uhlan
Balthier - Breaker / Machinist
Basch - Knight / Breaker
Fran - Archer / Red Mage
Ashe - White Mage / Time Mage
Penelo - Black Mage / Monk
I usually play as the classic line up Black Mage, White Mage and tank.
So I will have Vaan, Ashe and Penelo as my main party.
The other 3 as back up or if I get bored. Fran is back up white / Black Mage for the second team.
Vaan - Shikari / Uhlan
Balthier - Breaker / Machinist
Basch - Knight / Breaker
Fran - Archer / Red Mage
Ashe - White Mage / Time Mage
Penelo - Black Mage / Monk
I usually play as the classic line up Black Mage, White Mage and tank.
So I will have Vaan, Ashe and Penelo as my main party.
The other 3 as back up or if I get bored. Fran is back up white / Black Mage for the second team.
They're there but they feel hugely underdeveloped to me. I also have another issue with the latter part of the story, specifically regarding Ashe but I don't want to go into spoilers
Donniewahlberg
Banned
Just finished escaping the prison, it's really nice to play this game again. FFXII was never my favourite (IX) but I do love Ivalice as a world and rank 12 fairly high, especially in light of what we've got since. Just finished up escaping the prison out into the desert. I'm pretty much just rolling with picking one job that each character that feels canon/right story wise and a job that compliments the first choice. Can't remember ever considering this first time around but it does make me a little sad that the only non human member of the party is Fran when there's such a range of fun races in Ivalice.
Side note, my last major summer with the PS2 I remember spending on FFXII and DQVIII, it's cool to have both games back in circulation and interesting to see one go to Ps4, one to 3ds.
Side note, my last major summer with the PS2 I remember spending on FFXII and DQVIII, it's cool to have both games back in circulation and interesting to see one go to Ps4, one to 3ds.
I'm two hours into the game and still haven't picked jobs yet lol.
Probably closest to this so far:
Vaan - shikari/foebreaker
Balthier - white mage/machinist
Basch - bushi/knight
Penelo - black mage/red mage
Ashe - black mage/monk
Fran - uhlan/time mage
So for black mage/monk is it really just a caster with monk level hp? I'll basically have two primary casting damage dealers in this setup right?
Probably closest to this so far:
Vaan - shikari/foebreaker
Balthier - white mage/machinist
Basch - bushi/knight
Penelo - black mage/red mage
Ashe - black mage/monk
Fran - uhlan/time mage
So for black mage/monk is it really just a caster with monk level hp? I'll basically have two primary casting damage dealers in this setup right?
Looking at the license boards Machinist seems to have more abilities that benefit mage than monk, so you could maybe swap those 2. Other than that those are extremely close to what I've gone for
You've put breaker twice so I guess swap Basche to knight/bushi
Beatofficer
Member
I was a teenager when this game first came out on PS2. I remember not enjoying it at all and giving up on it. I didn't like combat, I didn't like the main character, and I was one of those people who were like "this isn't my Final Fantasy with this auto attack and automated combat." I have been harsh to this game ever since.
I got really into FFXI after that which lead to playing that for several years and a MMO addiction for almost a decade. I never went back and it was always in my mind that this was my second least favorite mainline FF game.
I'm in my 30's now and started this on Monday night. My teenage self was wrong, so so wrong. XII is great, I appreciate and love the combat now, the 2x and 4x speed is GOAT, for combat and I'm sure for grinding in the future. Im eager to get off work and home from the gym so I can continue this journey.
Question: Does it matter which order the character gets their job?
I got really into FFXI after that which lead to playing that for several years and a MMO addiction for almost a decade. I never went back and it was always in my mind that this was my second least favorite mainline FF game.
I'm in my 30's now and started this on Monday night. My teenage self was wrong, so so wrong. XII is great, I appreciate and love the combat now, the 2x and 4x speed is GOAT, for combat and I'm sure for grinding in the future. Im eager to get off work and home from the gym so I can continue this journey.
Question: Does it matter which order the character gets their job?
No wonder they lost the war. Dalmascans basically go to fight wearing metallic lingerie against full-armored Archadians.
KyanMehwulfe
Member
Think I settled on my character builds. Still been working on this since yesterday; hadn't played the game yet but I think I'm ready. Tried to format it as:
STR, MAG, VIT, SPD Stats*; Character, Jobs, Augments (Swiftness, Channeling, Adrenaline, Focus, Spellbreaker, Serenity). Then, Espers, and abbreviations for the gear. It's using every armor only 1 time to make sure that I didn't mess up and make it impossible for 2 characters using the same gear to both hit 99/99 or something like that. *I chose to put the total stat despite the 99 cap to keep track of wasted +stats or how closely I flushed everyone to the 99 cap.
099/100/47/38 - BAS - BSH/MNK - S3C0 AFSS - CHA ZOD - GldCp + Lrdly + Genji
099/068/98/98 - BAL - SHI/FOE - S3C0 AF - BEL ZAL CUC SHE ULT - GrndH + Mirag + Grmns (or Genji @ 99/68/78/48)
099/085/62/41 - FRA - KNI/TBM - S3C3 AFSS - ADR HAS - Genji + Genji + JadeA + Blood Sword A + Aegis Shield = EVA 74% + MEVA 65%
099/073/61/43 - VAA - KNI/MCN - S3C0 AF - MAT EXO FAM - DuelM + Maxim + Genji
100/103/57/36 - ASH - UHL/WHM - S2C3 AFSS - BEL - Circl + GrndA + ?????
071/115/78/36 - PEN - BLM/RDM - S2C3 SS - ZER - Hairp + GlmRb + ?????
Balthier is my main guy and he's probably my favorite build in that for both SHI Ninja Swords and Daggers or FOE Axes and Hammers, I hit 99/98/98 for STR, VIT, and SPD. He has a lot of versatility, too, with being able to use Main Gauche + Shield Block 3 to tank, buff or debuff with Protectga/Shellga (via Esper, sacrificing either 1 STR or MAG on Vaan or Fran) or all 4 Breaks, or help out with recovery since (with no ARC) he has Phoenix Lore 2 and Potion/Remedy Lores 3. But he's primarily DPS and can switch in Genji Glove for the 32 or 25 combo rates, respectively, of Orochi N or Scorpion Tail F and still be 99/48 and 99/79, respectively, or go 99/98 if Orochi N or if I just want to see the biggest numbers possible, Scorpion Tail F.
It fits my headcanon, too. Shikari can use guns so Balthier could just as easily be it as a Machinist. Let's me also go all-ranged for Fun with Balthier, Fran, Vaan, or Balthier, Vaan, Penelo if I want to do Oil + fire attacks. Balthier is inferior with guns, but my headcanon is, he uses guns as a ruse to help hide his past job, and that in his past job he was a Foebreaker.
Basch as a Bushi was a hard decision. A lot of people are going Bushi + Knight or even + Foebreaker or Shikari. I ruled out Shikari because I felt it kept him from perfecting his DPS and lacked taking advantage of his MAG. Likewise for FOE, for MAG. So, that leaves Bushi + Knight. However, what does Knight offer? Heavy Armor + Zodiac Esc. Shield + Shield Block 3. Higher EVA would be nice for Critical HP Berserked DPSer, but most difficult Bosses/Marks in this game have Null Evasion, so all the EVA become useless. Also, you're at 99/97 STR/MAG, whereas BSH/MNK can easily hit 99/99 with Mystic Armor.
BSH/KNI is still great. The stat difference is marginal and symbolic with Masamune I, and even if the EVA is useless, BSH/KNI will have MEVA 60 vs just MEVA 5 on BSH/MNK, but with the way Critical HP works as a percentage of max HP, the HP advantage of BSH/MNK may be more useful for keeping a <20% HP alive because BSH/MNK can wear Dueling Mask and still hit 99 STR for Masamune I, and with HP Augments will have about [with Bubble] about 3500-4000 more HP than BSH/KNI (depending on Exodus), which is then an extra 700-800 HP to work with at Critical HP. That should put Basch at 18,118 HP as BSH/MNK vs 14,648, or instead of Critical HP of <2929 he'll have <3623. I think the huge EVA advantage is a non-factor by that point because any monster than doesn't have Null Evasion won't kill you anyhow, but to be sure it's basically a +55 MEVA vs +700 HP (at <HP Critical) for keeping your Adrenaline Berserk DPSer alive.
I'd probably give BSH/KNI the edge, but my other concern is my main party is a SHI/FOE and KNI/TBM (for easier Haste + Bubble during the story), so BSH/MNK is going to better take advantage of my 99 MAG than BSH/KNI (MNK gets Curaja without Esper, Holy, Renew, and Arise too but then your MCH loses Hastega/Slowga). So, BSH/MNK gives me a better healer when I'm not Berskered, and I think the extra HP when <HP Critical is an interesting alternative to big MEVA advantage of KNI.
The other 4 characters have a lot of freedom. I went with 2 Knights partially because I think the Job can be split well into 1 DPSer with Tournesol (Vaan + Genji Glove usually about 4-8% less DPS than Basch BSH) but gets the Curaja to help out with healing and party MP, and another one into 1 Tank/Healer with Zodiac Esc. Shield. and gets Brave, Faith, Curaja, and then goes for a 2nd Job that gives you Magic Lores and Channeling. I went with KNI/MCN on Vaan so he do top DPS with Tournesol + Swiftness 3 but still has Curaja, Hastega, and Slowga; then, Fran as KNI/TBM also with Swiftness 3 but also lots of Magick Lore and Channeling 3 for Curaja, Hastes, Berserk, Bubble, etc. TBM is kinda gimpy but I think it fits KNI well and makes a strong endgame Tank/Healer/Buffer but also early game you get manageable support with Cura, Raise, Haste pretty early. Plus it fits my headcanon of Balthier, Fran, and Vaan all being able to use ranged weapons hhhh.
Fran as KNI/TBM has a lot Accessory freedom. Thinking for the story, can use Jade Collar + Blood Sword A + Aegis Shield + Decoy to be my main tank with EVA 64 and then even with Null Evasion Boss/Marks, the MEVA 65 will nice. I was thinking, I could use Genji Armor (both still hit 99 STR) + Battle Harness, too, on either Vaan or Fran if I wanted them to tank easier mobs, and I think their 84% counterattack rate would suit Tournesol and its low combo rate better than Genji Gloves if they're tanking low-medium difficulty enemies. If you're controlling them as main character and lead them into mob groups, you'll get the 1st attack and a lot of counterattacks right off the bat. I'd switch to a shield though for any difficult mob though.
Rest of the party has some freedom about switching up items and keeping important stats at 99. For example, no one is using the Magepower Shishak. Fran could use it and the extra +1 STR wouldn't matter but she would gain +1 MAG and +MDEF. Or, if Ashe wanted to use White Robes for P-Up Holy (Holy Lance or Holy spell), she could replace Circlet + Grand Armor (+14 STR, +10 MAG) for Magepower Shishak + White Robes (+11 STR, 15 MAG). She'd end up at STR/MAG 97/99 instead of 99/99 but she'd utilize the Magepower Shishak more than Fran in that scenario (assuming I was using both together).
Similarly, Vaan hits STR 99 easily so I went with Dueling Mask and Maximillion (Rather than, say, Grand Armor or Magepower Shishak) so that he exactly reaches 99 but doesn't go over, but also gains the +800 HP and +6 Speed, respectively. But if I want more MAG instead, I could switch in Magepower Shishak. Penelo I made sure could still hit 99 MAG with Flame Staff (for Ardor + Oil) and subpar gear, though she can reach MAG 99 and pretty impressive VIT 78. In practice, I'd probably give her MP and SPD though, depending on who's gear I can steal.
That's about all on my build. It's quite long, and partially wrote it I think just to double check everything. I spent probably 2 weeks trying to perfect it. I haven't even played the game yet because I wasn't ready lol. I had the day off today even and I spent all day still going back and forth on KNI vs MNK for BSH, or whether to make Balthier or Basch my FOE or BSH. And then, with my rather DPS-focused-party, how I can I get more healing and buffing? Fran was originally a MNK/KNI: I wanted Scorpion Tail, Masamune, Whale Whisker + Genji Glove x 3. Fran becoming KNI/TBM was out of a need for better MAG/Channeling and healing/buffing haha.
There's some degree of preference in there. It's probably 80/20 min-maxing/headcanon or preference. Going two KNIs and no ARC, for example. I just want Vaan with a 2H sword and Fran with a 1H sword, and I have some 'fun' party ideas like Balthier (Fomalhaut + Fire Ammo), Vaan (Alberaan Y + Fire Ammo), and Penelo (Flame Staff + Ardor + Oil) for massive damage. Or, Vaan, Balthier, and Fran all using ranged weapons and going hunting on Cerobi Steppes. I had trouble deciding on my Ulhan but I went for Ashe + Holy Lance + White Robes, and ultimately I went with FOE for Balthier and BSH for Basch mostly based on which weapon stance/animations I prefer for each -- they're pretty much equal if you exchange them (Basch a slightly better FOE <20 HP with Genji; Balthier slightly better at 100% HP with Germinas Boots). A bit of headcanon in there, too... Basch being the Samurai (he sort of is in RK) and Monk and Whale Whisker also kind of fit that, while I think a Shikari/Foebreaker fits the current story of Balthier but also his history quite well (imagine his character art actually in heavy armor with a heavy axe/hammer). And as a sky pirate, he's basically sort of my FF Tactics Ninja with either Yagyu Darkblade or Scorpion Tail.
STR, MAG, VIT, SPD Stats*; Character, Jobs, Augments (Swiftness, Channeling, Adrenaline, Focus, Spellbreaker, Serenity). Then, Espers, and abbreviations for the gear. It's using every armor only 1 time to make sure that I didn't mess up and make it impossible for 2 characters using the same gear to both hit 99/99 or something like that. *I chose to put the total stat despite the 99 cap to keep track of wasted +stats or how closely I flushed everyone to the 99 cap.
099/100/47/38 - BAS - BSH/MNK - S3C0 AFSS - CHA ZOD - GldCp + Lrdly + Genji
099/068/98/98 - BAL - SHI/FOE - S3C0 AF - BEL ZAL CUC SHE ULT - GrndH + Mirag + Grmns (or Genji @ 99/68/78/48)
099/085/62/41 - FRA - KNI/TBM - S3C3 AFSS - ADR HAS - Genji + Genji + JadeA + Blood Sword A + Aegis Shield = EVA 74% + MEVA 65%
099/073/61/43 - VAA - KNI/MCN - S3C0 AF - MAT EXO FAM - DuelM + Maxim + Genji
100/103/57/36 - ASH - UHL/WHM - S2C3 AFSS - BEL - Circl + GrndA + ?????
071/115/78/36 - PEN - BLM/RDM - S2C3 SS - ZER - Hairp + GlmRb + ?????
Balthier is my main guy and he's probably my favorite build in that for both SHI Ninja Swords and Daggers or FOE Axes and Hammers, I hit 99/98/98 for STR, VIT, and SPD. He has a lot of versatility, too, with being able to use Main Gauche + Shield Block 3 to tank, buff or debuff with Protectga/Shellga (via Esper, sacrificing either 1 STR or MAG on Vaan or Fran) or all 4 Breaks, or help out with recovery since (with no ARC) he has Phoenix Lore 2 and Potion/Remedy Lores 3. But he's primarily DPS and can switch in Genji Glove for the 32 or 25 combo rates, respectively, of Orochi N or Scorpion Tail F and still be 99/48 and 99/79, respectively, or go 99/98 if Orochi N or if I just want to see the biggest numbers possible, Scorpion Tail F.
It fits my headcanon, too. Shikari can use guns so Balthier could just as easily be it as a Machinist. Let's me also go all-ranged for Fun with Balthier, Fran, Vaan, or Balthier, Vaan, Penelo if I want to do Oil + fire attacks. Balthier is inferior with guns, but my headcanon is, he uses guns as a ruse to help hide his past job, and that in his past job he was a Foebreaker.
Basch as a Bushi was a hard decision. A lot of people are going Bushi + Knight or even + Foebreaker or Shikari. I ruled out Shikari because I felt it kept him from perfecting his DPS and lacked taking advantage of his MAG. Likewise for FOE, for MAG. So, that leaves Bushi + Knight. However, what does Knight offer? Heavy Armor + Zodiac Esc. Shield + Shield Block 3. Higher EVA would be nice for Critical HP Berserked DPSer, but most difficult Bosses/Marks in this game have Null Evasion, so all the EVA become useless. Also, you're at 99/97 STR/MAG, whereas BSH/MNK can easily hit 99/99 with Mystic Armor.
BSH/KNI is still great. The stat difference is marginal and symbolic with Masamune I, and even if the EVA is useless, BSH/KNI will have MEVA 60 vs just MEVA 5 on BSH/MNK, but with the way Critical HP works as a percentage of max HP, the HP advantage of BSH/MNK may be more useful for keeping a <20% HP alive because BSH/MNK can wear Dueling Mask and still hit 99 STR for Masamune I, and with HP Augments will have about [with Bubble] about 3500-4000 more HP than BSH/KNI (depending on Exodus), which is then an extra 700-800 HP to work with at Critical HP. That should put Basch at 18,118 HP as BSH/MNK vs 14,648, or instead of Critical HP of <2929 he'll have <3623. I think the huge EVA advantage is a non-factor by that point because any monster than doesn't have Null Evasion won't kill you anyhow, but to be sure it's basically a +55 MEVA vs +700 HP (at <HP Critical) for keeping your Adrenaline Berserk DPSer alive.
I'd probably give BSH/KNI the edge, but my other concern is my main party is a SHI/FOE and KNI/TBM (for easier Haste + Bubble during the story), so BSH/MNK is going to better take advantage of my 99 MAG than BSH/KNI (MNK gets Curaja without Esper, Holy, Renew, and Arise too but then your MCH loses Hastega/Slowga). So, BSH/MNK gives me a better healer when I'm not Berskered, and I think the extra HP when <HP Critical is an interesting alternative to big MEVA advantage of KNI.
The other 4 characters have a lot of freedom. I went with 2 Knights partially because I think the Job can be split well into 1 DPSer with Tournesol (Vaan + Genji Glove usually about 4-8% less DPS than Basch BSH) but gets the Curaja to help out with healing and party MP, and another one into 1 Tank/Healer with Zodiac Esc. Shield. and gets Brave, Faith, Curaja, and then goes for a 2nd Job that gives you Magic Lores and Channeling. I went with KNI/MCN on Vaan so he do top DPS with Tournesol + Swiftness 3 but still has Curaja, Hastega, and Slowga; then, Fran as KNI/TBM also with Swiftness 3 but also lots of Magick Lore and Channeling 3 for Curaja, Hastes, Berserk, Bubble, etc. TBM is kinda gimpy but I think it fits KNI well and makes a strong endgame Tank/Healer/Buffer but also early game you get manageable support with Cura, Raise, Haste pretty early. Plus it fits my headcanon of Balthier, Fran, and Vaan all being able to use ranged weapons hhhh.
Fran as KNI/TBM has a lot Accessory freedom. Thinking for the story, can use Jade Collar + Blood Sword A + Aegis Shield + Decoy to be my main tank with EVA 64 and then even with Null Evasion Boss/Marks, the MEVA 65 will nice. I was thinking, I could use Genji Armor (both still hit 99 STR) + Battle Harness, too, on either Vaan or Fran if I wanted them to tank easier mobs, and I think their 84% counterattack rate would suit Tournesol and its low combo rate better than Genji Gloves if they're tanking low-medium difficulty enemies. If you're controlling them as main character and lead them into mob groups, you'll get the 1st attack and a lot of counterattacks right off the bat. I'd switch to a shield though for any difficult mob though.
Rest of the party has some freedom about switching up items and keeping important stats at 99. For example, no one is using the Magepower Shishak. Fran could use it and the extra +1 STR wouldn't matter but she would gain +1 MAG and +MDEF. Or, if Ashe wanted to use White Robes for P-Up Holy (Holy Lance or Holy spell), she could replace Circlet + Grand Armor (+14 STR, +10 MAG) for Magepower Shishak + White Robes (+11 STR, 15 MAG). She'd end up at STR/MAG 97/99 instead of 99/99 but she'd utilize the Magepower Shishak more than Fran in that scenario (assuming I was using both together).
Similarly, Vaan hits STR 99 easily so I went with Dueling Mask and Maximillion (Rather than, say, Grand Armor or Magepower Shishak) so that he exactly reaches 99 but doesn't go over, but also gains the +800 HP and +6 Speed, respectively. But if I want more MAG instead, I could switch in Magepower Shishak. Penelo I made sure could still hit 99 MAG with Flame Staff (for Ardor + Oil) and subpar gear, though she can reach MAG 99 and pretty impressive VIT 78. In practice, I'd probably give her MP and SPD though, depending on who's gear I can steal.
That's about all on my build. It's quite long, and partially wrote it I think just to double check everything. I spent probably 2 weeks trying to perfect it. I haven't even played the game yet because I wasn't ready lol. I had the day off today even and I spent all day still going back and forth on KNI vs MNK for BSH, or whether to make Balthier or Basch my FOE or BSH. And then, with my rather DPS-focused-party, how I can I get more healing and buffing? Fran was originally a MNK/KNI: I wanted Scorpion Tail, Masamune, Whale Whisker + Genji Glove x 3. Fran becoming KNI/TBM was out of a need for better MAG/Channeling and healing/buffing haha.
There's some degree of preference in there. It's probably 80/20 min-maxing/headcanon or preference. Going two KNIs and no ARC, for example. I just want Vaan with a 2H sword and Fran with a 1H sword, and I have some 'fun' party ideas like Balthier (Fomalhaut + Fire Ammo), Vaan (Alberaan Y + Fire Ammo), and Penelo (Flame Staff + Ardor + Oil) for massive damage. Or, Vaan, Balthier, and Fran all using ranged weapons and going hunting on Cerobi Steppes. I had trouble deciding on my Ulhan but I went for Ashe + Holy Lance + White Robes, and ultimately I went with FOE for Balthier and BSH for Basch mostly based on which weapon stance/animations I prefer for each -- they're pretty much equal if you exchange them (Basch a slightly better FOE <20 HP with Genji; Balthier slightly better at 100% HP with Germinas Boots). A bit of headcanon in there, too... Basch being the Samurai (he sort of is in RK) and Monk and Whale Whisker also kind of fit that, while I think a Shikari/Foebreaker fits the current story of Balthier but also his history quite well (imagine his character art actually in heavy armor with a heavy axe/hammer). And as a sky pirate, he's basically sort of my FF Tactics Ninja with either Yagyu Darkblade or Scorpion Tail.
Mr. Nice_Guy
Member
I've only been able to spend about an hour or so playing but dear god I forgot how good the OST was.
Yeah this has been what's happening to me as well. Haven't really touched XII since it originally came out and I'm surprised by how much I am remembering.
Yeah this has been what's happening to me as well. Haven't really touched XII since it originally came out and I'm surprised by how much I am remembering.
Red Liquorice
Member
KyanMehwulfe, that's some deep thinking there on your builds!
How would one work out what the best builds are in-game though? All I had to go on was the brief description of each job and I chose just what I liked the sound of. The game doesn't really do a great job of explaining the benefits of each job as far as I could see.
I know we can use FAQs, and the internet, and the game is a decade old etc - but just in the game itself, it's not very helpful.
How would one work out what the best builds are in-game though? All I had to go on was the brief description of each job and I chose just what I liked the sound of. The game doesn't really do a great job of explaining the benefits of each job as far as I could see.
I know we can use FAQs, and the internet, and the game is a decade old etc - but just in the game itself, it's not very helpful.
KyanMehwulfe
Member
Yeah.... Most of that I didn't know the first 2 times I beat the original game. Balthier is slower with guns? Combo animations are different speeds but but don't change damage? I remember thinking that different animations look different speeds but I kinda hoping ATK meant DPS not raw Damage, and that if someone was slower with a 10 ATK weapon, then their damage would be higher per hit -- so each character regardless of animation speed than had the same overall DPS (some RPGs do this: they give weapons a DPS stat instead of damage to make animation speed less important). Was never really sure until I started reading about tests people were doing with emulation. Quite a lot of the stuff I referenced about DPS is based on the damage formula calculations and DPS or character frames test logs I've seen.
But TBH it's pretty marginal. I mean, you're talking about 5% differences in character frames or at best 5-10% differences in total DPS -- over long fights, fully buffed, no less. It's pretty hard to notice that in-game even on a 10 minute fight, let alone monsters that die in 2-5 hits. And the stat stuff is just me being picky and trying to make sure I waste as few +stats over 99 as possible. It's kinda spoiler-y in the sense that I'd never want to know endgame stats before I beat the game once; it's just with the 99 stat cap, there is room for min-maxing if you wanna try aim for symbolic max stats.