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Xenoblade |OT| Sorry I Kept You Waiting!

Instro

Member
And what "role" is Riki considered? The slow over time attacks coupled with someone like dunban taking aggro letting him do a ton of damage with back attacks and stuff make it seem like DPS, but I'm wondering why he has so much HP.

Riki is probably the closest to a jack of all trades I think. He can tank with his high health and ability to equip heavy armor, he has some high damage arts, a number of arts that cause status effects or inflict Burning/Freezing/etc, he has the best healing skill outside of Sharla, he also has some good support skills like Happy Happy and Hero Time.
 

Korosenai

Member
I was completely dark on this game when I bought it, so i didn't really like the reversible cover art.

Now that i'm about 10 hours in, I absolutely love it.
 

ZenaxPure

Member
Spoiler stuff

I see, that clears up things pretty well. I think I liked the end quite a bit.

They're pretty damn tough if you go in unprepared. Keep in mind that max level is 99. The final boss' level is somewhere around
~81?
.
The Super Uniques reach up to
100+ (the strongest being around ~120)
. So you'll need some good Gem setups to actually try and hit the higher leveled ones.

I see, level
120
sounds pretty interesting to fight. Guess it's time to go questing.
 

MetatronM

Unconfirmed Member
And what "role" is Riki considered? The slow over time attacks coupled with someone like dunban taking aggro letting him do a ton of damage with back attacks and stuff make it seem like DPS, but I'm wondering why he has so much HP.

Riki has so much HP because Nopons are tough as hell. Anyway, like Instro said, he can fit in pretty much anywhere. He's got a little bit of everything and can support pretty much any party configuration. He can heal, tank, dps, buff, debuff, use directional attacks, topple without break, use ether attacks, etc.
 

burgerdog

Member
to heal melia because she is not

You should give Shulk a shot at healing if your Dunban is truly unhittable, he'll do a lot more damage and do a decent job of healing when needed. I've been using Melia/Shulk/Dunban and stuff usually dies quick enough that you don't need heals, uniques that have more hp haven't been a problem either.
 

Owzers

Member
You should give Shulk a shot at healing if your Dunban is truly unhittable, he'll do a lot more damage and do a decent job of healing when needed. I've been using Melia/Shulk/Dunban and stuff usually dies quick enough that you don't need heals, uniques that have more hp haven't been a problem either.

That's what i do and it's fun and successful. Also gave Dunban the gear gems that regenerate health when in Aura for when he is hit. Sharla basically exists for boss battles for me.
 

AniHawk

Member
Get Heavy Armor on Melia asap and totally, just totally, ignore Melia's agility. Her spell always hit.

hm. this is a good idea. i'll have to track down some good stuff.

and man, how great is that brandle armor or whatever it's called. i had that on at level 28, and some of my guys are still wearing pieces of it at level 44.
 

bryehn

Member
Finally got my copy. Got a lot of RPGs on the go; Amalur, Witcher 2 and Mass Effect 3 (lol), but I still feel like digging into this right away. Been forever since I used my Wii.
 

Adam Prime

hates soccer, is Mexican
Question about Melia/Riki team synergy:

Melia's DoT Ether attacks: Posion and Flame namely, does so much more DoT than Riki does currently (Lv ~65) and since you can't have both running at the same time, is there even a point for me to have Riki equip these spells? Do I just need to boost Riki's ether up a lot more to get these spells to be more effective, or will they never match the damage when Melia does it, so why even bother?

Right now I have Melia with the Posion and Flame, and Riki with the Chill and Bleed. Is that how most people run their teams?
 
Question about Melia/Riki team synergy:

Melia's DoT Ether attacks: Posion and Flame namely, does so much more DoT than Riki does currently (Lv ~65) and since you can't have both running at the same time, is there even a point for me to have Riki equip these spells? Do I just need to boost Riki's ether up a lot more to get these spells to be more effective, or will they never match the damage when Melia does it, so why even bother?

Right now I have Melia with the Posion and Flame, and Riki with the Chill and Bleed. Is that how most people run their teams?

Yes pretty much. That way riki can spend more time being sneaky.

Edit: Also, I'm pretty sure later Riki has the most powerful dots by far, so you can switch melia to burst.
 

Bisnic

Really Really Exciting Member!
So i just bought the first set of armor for the last character you get and did
Monolith always make those super sexy female suits in past games? Both her and Sharla are kind of ridiculous lol
 

ag-my001

Member
So i just bought the first set of armor for the last character you get and did
Monolith always make those super sexy female suits in past games? Both her and Sharla are kind of ridiculous lol

I didn't really notice it too badly with the last character. Then
I was controlling her while climbing a wall...
dear Lord...

Of course, my favorite armor sets for that character made them look like a dragon.
 

Adam Prime

hates soccer, is Mexican
Yes pretty much. That way riki can spend more time being sneaky.

Edit: Also, I'm pretty sure later Riki has the most powerful dots by far, so you can switch melia to burst.

yeah I mean maybe his dots get crazy powerful once you learned the Advanced Art books, but for right now, Intermediate, his spells just aren't as powerful because his Ether isn't as high as Melia and he can't boost the damage with a Bolt, Copy Bolt, buff before casting them.

I dunno, everyone keeps talking how good he is, but the AI doesn't stack DoTs (like Ice, then Fire, then Poison) and his AI mostly does Auto Attacks, and wtf why would you even waste time on an auto attack unless there isn't a single Art to select?

I mostly feel like Melia manual, and then 7th and Dunban are good AI characters because all they have to do is fucking auto attack and if you do any Arts on the side, then fine, but not necessary. I would carry around Sharla but I don't need her unless outside of boss/unique battles.
 
yeah I mean maybe his dots get crazy powerful once you learned the Advanced Art books, but for right now, Intermediate, his spells just aren't as powerful because his Ether isn't as high as Melia and he can't boost the damage with a Bolt, Copy Bolt, buff before casting them.

I dunno, everyone keeps talking how good he is, but the AI doesn't stack DoTs (like Ice, then Fire, then Poison) and his AI mostly does Auto Attacks, and wtf why would you even waste time on an auto attack unless there isn't a single Art to select?

I mostly feel like Melia manual, and then 7th and Dunban are good AI characters because all they have to do is fucking auto attack and if you do any Arts on the side, then fine, but not necessary. I would carry around Sharla but I don't need her unless outside of boss/unique battles.

The problem is, the ai sucks for almost every character. So with characters that take a lot more work to make good (Riki/Melia) its kind of hard to justify having both in your party.

Riki is an unstoppable beast when you control him, but then so is Melia. As an AI partner Riki isn't as bad as Melia, but he isn't great.

Edit: My main team ended up being Riki control, 7th, and Dundun. I wanted to use Melia, but I just had to use the little bastard. I love Riki.
 

2San

Member
So do you guys bother with getting the 4th skill tree's? They seem pretty good to amazing for some characters, but they seem way too much trouble to get. I'm just focusing on the story anyway.
 

Adam Prime

hates soccer, is Mexican
The problem is, the ai sucks for almost every character. So with characters that take a lot more work to make good (Riki/Melia) its kind of hard to justify having both in your party.

Riki is an unstoppable beast when you control him, but then so is Melia. As an AI partner Riki isn't as bad as Melia, but he isn't great.

Edit: My main team ended up being Riki control, 7th, and Dundun. I wanted to use Melia, but I just had to use the little bastard. I love Riki.

yeah that's kinda how I'm feeling about it at the moment. There's no point to include both in the party, but I would like to have both of their affinity be high so I can skill link each other.

Ugh, I just need to go and fight THAT monster that allows you to cheese affinity bursts.

So do you guys bother with getting the 4th skill tree's? They seem pretty good to amazing for some characters, but they seem way too much trouble to get. I'm just focusing on the story anyway.

I've only got one 4th skill tree, and it was so bloody easy to get that it makes me want to go back and get everybody's. I have Melias, and I just had to kill some easy mobs that appeared right in front of my face and then talk to some people. If all the others are as simple as that... then yeah no problem. I think the 5th Tree requires maybe beating some higher level enemies though.

I think I'm probably going to finish teh game more, and then if I decide that I want to play on go back and get all the skill tree stuff.
 

Hiltz

Member
So do you guys bother with getting the 4th skill tree's? They seem pretty good to amazing for some characters, but they seem way too much trouble to get. I'm just focusing on the story anyway.

I got both for all characters but it took extra time away from the story. Some of the skills are worthwhile ,but you just need ot have a lot of patience with level grinding to fully upgrade both skill trees.
 
So do you guys bother with getting the 4th skill tree's? They seem pretty good to amazing for some characters, but they seem way too much trouble to get. I'm just focusing on the story anyway.

Some 4/5s are easy as hell. Others (some of them aren't even good) are a pain in the ass to get.
 

2San

Member
I've only got one 4th skill tree, and it was so bloody easy to get that it makes me want to go back and get everybody's. I have Melias, and I just had to kill some easy mobs that appeared right in front of my face and then talk to some people. If all the others are as simple as that... then yeah no problem. I think the 5th Tree requires maybe beating some higher level enemies though.

The problem I have is that you need a 4+ star area rating for some quests to become available right? Seeing as all my area ratings are 1 except for 1 area that's 2 star. I highly doubt I have the patience to do the side-quest to get such a high rating.
I got both for all characters but it took extra time away from the story. Some of the skills are worthwhile ,but you just need ot have a lot of patience with level grinding to fully upgrade both skill trees.
But I don't really need them to finish the story right? Since the main story quest seems pretty easy for now.
Some 4/5s are easy as hell. Others (some of them aren't even good) are a pain in the ass to get.
Are there 4th skill tree quests that don't require the whole high area affinity thing?

Edit: it seems not every skill tree needs the whole high affinity thing. Will probably do those. :eek:
 

ag-my001

Member
So do you guys bother with getting the 4th skill tree's? They seem pretty good to amazing for some characters, but they seem way too much trouble to get. I'm just focusing on the story anyway.

The fourth skill tree's have some of the best skills in the game (such as Melia's skill that makes Dunban a deity). The often over-looked benefit is that the fourth tree costs much fewer skill points to finish up. The last skill is only 2000 points, while on the main three the last skill is 3500. The earlier skills are similarly reduced in points.
 

Adam Prime

hates soccer, is Mexican
The fourth skill tree's have some of the best skills in the game (such as Melia's skill that makes Dunban a deity). The often over-looked benefit is that the fourth tree costs much fewer skill points to finish up. The last skill is only 2000 points, while on the main three the last skill is 3500. The earlier skills are similarly reduced in points.

They all seem unnecessary to finish the game, but necessary to beat all post-game high level stuff.

I dunno, I still have a hard time figuring out which teams I want to stick with and use. I guess it's a good thing that most of the cast is compeltely viable and not everyone is running around with the same teams at the end of the game.
 
They all seem unnecessary to finish the game, but necessary to beat all post-game high level stuff.

I dunno, I still have a hard time figuring out which teams I want to stick with and use. I guess it's a good thing that most of the cast is compeltely viable and not everyone is running around with the same teams at the end of the game.

Yep! The only character that's actually bad is Reyn, but he's not so bad that you can't use him. Its just that dunban (and even 7th) is much better as a tank.
 
OK I have questions.

- Is there a map of Eryth Sea? I need to find the Isle of Solitude and the Hode Headquarters (Hodequarters) for some quests, and I seem to have already found every warp thing. How do I even get there?

- I also need to find those Deluded Ignas for the Giant something or other quest in the marsh. But, I cannot find them anywhere. Where are they?
 

cametall

Member
I'm having issues with Dunban holding aggro when I control Melia. She just destroys too hard and Dunban can't handle it! Riki and Melia are a lot of fun to use but I'm finding myself having to tone back the damage output with Melia.

Does Melia get an aggro reducing ability? I just finished
Prison Island, I'm level 44
.
 
i wasn't looking to be impressed, but i've found myself doing all the stuff people have been saying: getting lost in sidequests (in a good way), wanting to explore a huge gigantic world.

it's not blowing me away like it did for other people, but i've put 35+ hours into it, am currently at the 50% mark, and still want more. that's a good sign.

Definitely a good sign, it already sounds like you've gotten your money's worth. Thanks for the input.
 

Hiltz

Member
I'm having issues with Dunban holding aggro when I control Melia. She just destroys too hard and Dunban can't handle it! Riki and Melia are a lot of fun to use but I'm finding myself having to tone back the damage output with Melia.

Does Melia get an aggro reducing ability? I just finished
Prison Island, I'm level 44
.


I also had this problem as well, but couldn't find a way to solve it even by giving Dunban an Aggro Up gem.
 
I also had this problem as well, but couldn't find a way to solve it even by giving Dunban an Aggro Up gem.

It's almost impossible because Melia's burst is insanely high, upping Dunbans damage output helped a lot but not enough. The only tank that could hold hate was 7th for obvious reasons.
 

Adam Prime

hates soccer, is Mexican
I'm having issues with Dunban holding aggro when I control Melia. She just destroys too hard and Dunban can't handle it! Riki and Melia are a lot of fun to use but I'm finding myself having to tone back the damage output with Melia.

Does Melia get an aggro reducing ability? I just finished
Prison Island, I'm level 44
.

Maybe you're not far enough in the game, but sounds like you need some Arts Stealth gem which reduces aggro from offensive arts. I personally don't give a shit if Melia draws aggro because I also have her lined up on the adjacent side of my other party members, so if the enemy turns to aggro Melia my other two characters will pound ass with rear attacks that do extra damage. By the time they are done Aggro'ing Melia the damage they suffered from turning their back on my other two party members, they're dead... or they start Aggro'ing them and now my Bolt attacks do extra damage from the rear.

So yeah, solution: line up Melia in the back of the monster before you start Discharging elements. I find that the AI rarely runs around to the rear to use their rear attacks, so make the monster 180 and aggro towards Melia so the AI can use their rear attacks more effectively.
 

Hiltz

Member
I think naked Dunban only raises his agility and won't have any effect on maintaining aggro anyway. Apparently, it is not worthwhile since you lose out on using equipment gem slots. Besides, Dunban is fast enough without having to resort to being naked. Plus, you can always use Melia's Summon
Wind
to temporarily boost the agility of everyone in the party.
 

Adam Prime

hates soccer, is Mexican
I'm having issues with Dunban holding aggro when I control Melia. She just destroys too hard and Dunban can't handle it! Riki and Melia are a lot of fun to use but I'm finding myself having to tone back the damage output with Melia.

Does Melia get an aggro reducing ability? I just finished
Prison Island, I'm level 44
.

Another strategy once you get Summon Refelect, is to cast that after you are done discharging your three elements. Then the time you'll spend recasting 3 elements you'll be able to reflect an attack from the aggro, and by that time the aggro will likely switch over to someone else.

Again, not having a single character hold aggro isnt' nessecarily a bad thing. Just line up correctly so that the monster spends a lot of time spinning around 180 back and forth targeting your party. that way you and the AI characters get to take turns getting rear attack damage consisntently.
 

Shaffield

Member
I'm having issues with Dunban holding aggro when I control Melia. She just destroys too hard and Dunban can't handle it! Riki and Melia are a lot of fun to use but I'm finding myself having to tone back the damage output with Melia.

Does Melia get an aggro reducing ability? I just finished
Prison Island, I'm level 44
.

I run into this problem from time to time as well, but I usually just put on Reflection when she draws aggro. I gave Dunban a couple of Aggro Up gems to help him get it back, and also leveled his Blinding Blossom quite a bit, so when Melia draws it, it doesn't last very long.
 

Rebel Leader

THE POWER OF BUTTERSCOTCH BOTTOMS
I can't believe this even has to be suggested. I've had my wii since launch and only own about 8 games for it, and I bought component cables as soon as they were available despite barely using the console. Are people really playing with AVs hooked up to their HDTV?

I did because I didn't really care.
I only got the $5 component cable because of the Amazon Prime trial
 

Rebel Leader

THE POWER OF BUTTERSCOTCH BOTTOMS
Jesus, the amount of quests after Eryth Sea is staggering. This is going to take a while..

It's dangerous to do it alone, TAKE THIS!
BGPkj.jpg
 

EvilMario

Will QA for food.
I think naked Dunban only raises his agility and won't have any effect on maintaining aggro anyway. Apparently, it is not worthwhile since you lose out on using equipment gem slots. Besides, Dunban is fast enough without having to resort to being naked. Plus, you can always use Melia's Summon
Wind
to temporarily boost the agility of everyone in the party.

Although using naked Dunban makes you a badass. Does that count for anything? ;_;
 

chaosblade

Unconfirmed Member
Yeah the blue armor. I'm kinda afraid to see what's next.

You really want to stick with that other than the head piece (because she tanks well against powerful enemies, good agility + holds aggro well), just upgrade to the better versions of it. Speed armor is by far the best until the last version, at which point some parts get redundant so you're best off mixing and matching.

It's always pretty revealing though.

I think naked Dunban only raises his agility and won't have any effect on maintaining aggro anyway. Apparently, it is not worthwhile since you lose out on using equipment gem slots. Besides, Dunban is fast enough without having to resort to being naked. Plus, you can always use Melia's Summon
Wind
to temporarily boost the agility of everyone in the party.

It's not a bad solution early on, but the problem is where that skill is in the tree. Chances are by the time you get that skill you won't really need it. By the end, his agility with skill links and gems alone is plenty.
 

RPGCrazied

Member
I should reply this soon. Do those high level monsters drop anything cool? I think my party is around 85 or a little higher, can't remember.

I could steam roll through the game in a new game plus I guess.
 
Doing all the quests in Colony 9, there's some dangerous spots around lol. They make it pretty clear where you're not supposed to go starting out. Lemme just go exploring... oh hey level 70 enemies! The exploration is so fun though, it was a goddamn revelation to me when I jumped in the water and my character actually started swimming. JRPGs have evolved. But yeah, I already started down the road of doing every quest possible. I have a feeling this will be my undoing.

Also I have to say I LOVE how party members interact in and after battle, how you can rally your team and they're calling each other out saying good move or whatever and how they celebrate after battle. It's so fun and just gets me hyped for the next encounter. It really feels like you are controlling a team of young adventurers instead of essentially set pieces in a story.

And my last bit of praise for the game today is the music, holy good goddamn. Best music since FFVI.

I haven't even finished the first dungeon yet and I'm in love.

I now realize why operation rainfall happened and why people were so pissed off that Nintendo wasn't releasing this game stateside. If this game was not released in Europe and North America it would have been a goddamn tragedy. I try not to think about it because I am retroactively furious at the prospect of missing out on this game.
 

chaosblade

Unconfirmed Member
I should reply this soon. Do those high level monsters drop anything cool? I think my party is around 85 or a little higher, can't remember.

I could steam roll through the game in a new game plus I guess.

Not really. I mean, once you beat the 100+ enemies you've really done all there is to do.

It is required to complete the collectopedia because they drop the one particular item that has a high enough value to trade for another particular item.
 

Effect

Member
In general how good is the AI if one doesn't want to control the other characters (unless you have to for story reasons)? Will they always react to your actions as Shulk the way Reyn seems to in the beginning? For example if you inflict "break" he'll always follow up with an attack that will cause or try to cause "topple". He'll use the spin attack if surrounded I'm finding. If health is low Sharla seems to be good about healing while doing other attack when it isn't needed. Does this keep up?
 
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