Board 8 > Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius Topic 49ish - Whims of Fayt

(+) Yeah! (+)

I thought Bards weren't really all that great 7* (mostly because there isn't any content that actually requires them). If Ramza is amazeballs, I'd 7* him as well since he's a decent support, but given that I don't have unlimited Cactuars and Gil, I've been trying to establish a hierarchy on which 7*s to go for and which to "eventually" get to.
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Bards got rendered pretty much obsolete by CG Nichol. If you don't have Nichol they can still have some use if you want a buffer, but if you do have Nichol it's probably a waste to level Ramza (unless you really like him of course). I'll be 7*ing my Ramza's just for the 7* missions, but I've never used him before, and I'll never use him in the future.
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I have one copy of Maritime Strategist Nichol. I have him in my party, but not sure if I've been using him to his fullest.

I basically just use the +Atk/Mag -Def/Spr Stance for OTKO fights, and the dual stances of raising (without lowering) stats and either damage reduction or mp refreshing depending on what's been necessary for longer fights. It's been working pretty well. I miss using Ace though since Ace had the triple Imperil and better MP refresh, and I usually just had Ayaka handle the stat boosting.
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Ace's MP refresh is actually worse on average I think, unless you get lucky. Nichol can do 80 per turn on demand since he can use his dual stances.

His general rotation (barring specific content) is

Soulful Stance/Impregnable Stance first turn
Some combination of Magic Restorative Stance/Duality Stance/Iceberg Stance/Lone Stance/single stances with limit fill, content depending.
Just keep tinkering with those until you can drop his limit.

He's been amazing for story events and stuff since I can just repeat everything until the end, and won't have any MP issues. I also have him recovering more HP than he could ever hope to use per trurn, so he could have a lot of extra surviability too.
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Trying to decide if I want to 7* Wilhelm or Orlandeau first.

And I'm on the "Hoard Lapis for Hyoh" train. I've already got a full FD TDH set.
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I've been hoarding for Sieghart, who's Hyoh (in terms of role) anyways?
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I'm pretty much going to blow everything on FFVIII, and then probably try and save a little for Halloween on the slim hope that GLSakura gets a 7*. I doubt I'll actually be able to, because I tend to burn my resources pretty fast, so it'll more likely be spend everything as I get it then frantically save a couple weeks worth of tickets and lapis. And if she doesn't get a 7*, my next target is Valkyrie Profile.
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Yeah I dont have a CG Nichol and Ramza gets access to dual 60% breaks which I'll make use of first turn to break content and then sing until I get units to fill the bard role
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BakusaiTenketsu posted...

I've been hoarding for Sieghart, who's Hyoh (in terms of role) anyways?

Best chainer for TDH in the 7 star meta for a long time.
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BakusaiTenketsu posted...

I've been hoarding for Sieghart, who's Hyoh (in terms of role) anyways?

Everyone should keep in mind a 7* tank is good regardless so don't wreck yourselves in the process. Do check what they can do since they went for somewhat diverse paths. (Some are charm or stop proof. )

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Hyoh will be the golden standard for damage among chainers thanks to his TDH kit is a very good long term investment IF you can grab him off the 11k. (Dupe is in the air.)

(inb4 they release a clone with better performance and wider chain-family appeal shortly after.)

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Shadow Dino posted...

Trying to decide if I want to 7* Wilhelm or Orlandeau first.

And I'm on the "Hoard Lapis for Hyoh" train. I've already got a full FD TDH set.

Long-term, Wilhelm.

Orlandeau will be there if you need him later if you are not hurting in the damage department now.

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CG Nichol will perform well even during 7*, BUT do keep in mind he will fall flat if you run hungry units without ending the battle fast.

=================================
Went for a yolo after that bust from farming left-over lapis despite being done. =_='

4* ticket

Olif
Fidel
Steiner
Orran
Cagnazzo
Refia
Fidel
Fidel

3* ticket

Crowe
Mercedes
Roddick
Mim
Lani
Roddick
Roddick
Aiden
Amarant
CG Lid
Vaan
Roddick
Rena 2#
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Fiyun posted...

(inb4 they release a clone with better performance and wider chain-family appeal shortly after.)

you mean 7* Fryevia.
just like when she showed up the first time and made Orlandeau look like a chump, or just like when she got enhanced and made him look like a chump again for being the better entry into the family.

as long as they just stop trying to focus on TDH with her and instead go TDW for her 7* form she'll be golden.
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Wanglicious posted...

Fiyun posted...

(inb4 they release a clone with better performance and wider chain-family appeal shortly after.)

you mean 7* Fryevia.
just like when she showed up the first time and made Orlandeau look like a chump, or just like when she got enhanced and made him look like a chump again for being the better entry into the family.

as long as they just stop trying to focus on TDH with her and instead go TDW for her 7* form she'll be golden.

TDW is just 100% opposed to TDH's 300%.

The risk is Kurasame will scuff at her performance if Gumi flubs.

(1260% 12 hit Hybrid Attack is his base move.)
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She'll be even better if they give her W-Ability and let her stick with TDH (I think)
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Again, what's a Fry?
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Fiyun posted...

TDW is just 100% opposed to TDH's 300%.

The risk is Kurasame will scuff at her performance if Gumi flubs.

(1260% 12 hit Hybrid Attack is his base move.)

does he have the MAG to make up the difference?
i mean i guess one solution, if you wanted to really make her TDH, would be to have Ice Needle give a magic TDH too. it already exists in the game so this could totally work.
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Wanglicious posted...

Fiyun posted...

TDW is just 100% opposed to TDH's 300%.

The risk is Kurasame will scuff at her performance if Gumi flubs.

(1260% 12 hit Hybrid Attack is his base move.)

does he have the MAG to make up the difference?
i mean i guess one solution, if you wanted to really make her TDH, would be to have Ice Needle give a magic TDH too. it already exists in the game so this could totally work.

He leans towards physical hybrid. Don't let that fool you with his kit.
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voltch posted...

Again, what's a Fry?

Ice Queen Fryevia
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ChaosTonyV4 posted...

voltch posted...

Again, what's a Fry?

Ice Queen Fryevia

Poor Voltch has no Fry :/
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voltch posted...

Again, what's a Fry?

Something that goes well with a Wendy's Frosty.
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Fiyun posted...

Everyone should keep in mind a 7* tank is good regardless so don't wreck yourselves in the process. Do check what they can do since they went for somewhat diverse paths. (Some are charm or stop proof. )

I feel like Tanks and Support are the backbone of the team though. There is a TON of DPS units in the game, but there's not nearly as many good options for Tanks and Healers, so having a few options for those seems more important than having more than 12 different DPS choices. My 7* Prospects include 1 Tank, 1 Healer, 2 Support, and about a dozen+ DPS.
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Fiyun posted...

Hyoh will be the golden standard for damage among chainers thanks to his TDH kit is a very good long term investment IF you can grab him off the 11k. (Dupe is in the air.)

(inb4 they release a clone with better performance and wider chain-family appeal shortly after.)

Wouldn't shock me if the inevitable CG Rain is meta-breaking overpowered.
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I mean, he is the MC...
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Is Awakened Rain not CG?
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He isn't. He's pretty good though.
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...Well thats strange.
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oh wow.
so about needing 3 million gil to do the first one uh...

Gumi is giving 3 million to everyone.
guess i'm getting both Olive and Dark Fina from day 1 after all. goal for DF is to hit 110, that's when all her skills are learned and all that comes after are "just" passive boosts (to the tune of +70% MAG and +25% to each defense).

goal for Olive is to 1) find out what she's got, and then 2) run her through as much as i can. i've got 8 of these cactaur full and have another week of raid so hopefully i'll get both at a nice respectable level.
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I think the only one I'm going to do is Orlandeau, and I'm not feeding him any cactuars since I haven't chain fused more than one. If we don't get a fusion bonus on Friday, then I'll go ahead and try and pump him up.

I may try to do SBDF, but only if I can make a good shot at clearing Marlboro. Any tips for taking that down? I'm unfortunately exceedingly short on Ribbons (i.e. I only have one), so I'm for sure likely to need some form of status protection from Marie or Mystea. Beyond that I'm looking at LB Fina for healing, MP, and dispel as needed, Barbie and Lexa for chaining (friend Barbie if I need more of my own units), and I'm not 100% sure what my tank needs are. I have Basch for AoE, WoL/Merc Ramza for provoke without 100% evade, and Noctis for provoke with 100% evade.
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I wonder how 7* Wilhelm could handle Malboro
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I would wait a bit longer for a lv 120 tornado Fina buddy.

What you probably will aim for is Basch 100% dark and thickening up his hp/def for magic aoe special tentacle mechanics, Marie to protect you, Wilhelm/Mamza to eat random attacks.

Otherwise follow the kill helpers exactly at 4 turns, 3 turns after 50%.
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oh definitely, the EXP needed for 110 to 120 is obscene. you're pretty much always better to getting another 7* unit and getting them to 110 too. yeah, you'll miss on a few extra perks but they'll be much better than their 6* form in every possible way.

after i get her i'm gonna run her, Barb, and a friend Barb for a triple Tornado chain through some trials. maybe i'll throw in a Shantotto too if i can fit her, otherwise CG Nichol and... Rikku? would do.
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I think it was like 1.35 maxed king metal minituars to get them to 110, and then another 9.5 to get them to 120. Someone on the FFBE board posted about that yesterday.
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So for damage dealing, am I better off with DC Tornado, or DC Tornado+Aeroja? I know the latter takes time to build up, but is the overall damage better once Aeroja is capped? I'm wanting to try this tonight and tomorrow, so I'd be bringing a friend Barbie. I'm not doing much else with my stamina, since my TMR macro doesn't seem to be able to run more than a few hours without breaking. Woke up this morning and it was in a different app entirely.

I'll probably give it one or two tries just figuring things out, and hopefully I can clear it in the next couple days.
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RaidenZeroX posted...

I think it was like 1.35 maxed king metal minituars to get them to 110, and then another 9.5 to get them to 120. Someone on the FFBE board posted about that yesterday.

Wow. Didn't know it was THAT big of a gap.
Mmm... in that case I may need to rethink the third 7* I was considering, Gilgamesh. I'm not sure what makes him so much better still. There's killers sure but surely he's got more to offer. Guess I'll wait and see on that or if I'll be holding some back for batch 2 as I've got a Tidus in the wings.
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Horith posted...

So for damage dealing, am I better off with DC Tornado, or DC Tornado+Aeroja? I know the latter takes time to build up, but is the overall damage better once Aeroja is capped? I'm wanting to try this tonight and tomorrow, so I'd be bringing a friend Barbie. I'm not doing much else with my stamina, since my TMR macro doesn't seem to be able to run more than a few hours without breaking. Woke up this morning and it was in a different app entirely.

I'll probably give it one or two tries just figuring things out, and hopefully I can clear it in the next couple days.

What you want is consistent damage if you are not shoving its balls up its throat, so you will have to test what works for you. As long as you can handle devour cycles.

Kinglicious posted...

RaidenZeroX posted...

I think it was like 1.35 maxed king metal minituars to get them to 110, and then another 9.5 to get them to 120. Someone on the FFBE board posted about that yesterday.

Wow. Didn't know it was THAT big of a gap.
Mmm... in that case I may need to rethink the third 7* I was considering, Gilgamesh. I'm not sure what makes him so much better still. There's killers sure but surely he's got more to offer. Guess I'll wait and see on that or if I'll be holding some back for batch 2 as I've got a Tidus in the wings.

To make you grasp, a 6* is 2m exp.

A 7* is 44m.
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RaidenZeroX posted...

I think it was like 1.35 maxed king metal minituars to get them to 110, and then another 9.5 to get them to 120. Someone on the FFBE board posted about that yesterday.

Might as well post this.

As always, varies somewhat between units do check before you dump full kings.

Level 120 And Your 7*s

Leveling 7 star units to max level is veeeeery heavy on the experience requirements. Going from level 101 to level 120 costs 45 million experience, or 10 max level King Cactuars.

I can't speak for everyone, but in my case, I only *have* 10 max level King Cactuars - and I have a lot more than 1 potential 7 star.

I was struggling to decide how best to level them, when I decided to take a look at the experience chart.. Take a look:

* **101 -> 105**: 1,702,194 exp (~0.35 Max King Cactuars)
* **101 -> 110**: 6,732,534 exp (~1.5 Max King Cactuars)
* **101 -> 115**: 18,706,384 exp (~4 Max King Cactuars)
* **101 -> 120**: 44,653,250 exp (~10 Max King Cactuars)

As you can see, there's a VERY large exponential growth in experience cost the closer you get to 120. So, what am I suggesting?

While I can't speak to later batches of 7 star units, the one we're looking at now (disclaimer: this is before any GL-exclusive enhancements are revealed) gives all units their strongest/core 7 star abilities by level 110.

Level 110 is easy to reach - you can get 6.5 units to level 110 for every unit you can get to 120. That means you can build a full team of level 110 units at the cost of a couple of weaker passive abilities for one unit (and some base stats). Those last 10 levels provide different benefits for each unit, but typically include one small, weaker passive at level 115 (most are 20% MP, 20% SPR, etc), followed by a mid-power level passive ability at 120. While these are certainly useful, if you compare them to the abilities the units get at level 101, 105 and 110, they can't even begin to account for losing 5.5 other units at 110.

In other words - since we're just beginning to build up our well of experience to put towards 7 star units, distribute it in a way that will get you a solid team of partially leveled 7 star units at level 110, rather than dumping everything into a single unit!

(disclaimer: beyond the abilities, unit base stats rise as well, which can make a bit of a difference, but I'll leave that to you to value, as it's hard to put a precise valuation on the stat growth for all of this batch)

**TLDR:** Level a core team of 7 star units to level 110 first, instead of leveling a single unit to 120, as you can get 6.5 units (a full team) to level 110 for the same amount of experience as a level 120. Units get their strongest 7 star abilities at level 101, 105 and 110, so you aren't missing much, the 115 and 120 abilities are much smaller in strength, and simply nice to have, not necessary to succeed.

https://www.reddit.com/r/FFBraveExvius/comments/93bgiu/level_120_and_your_7s/

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Alright, so I've got

M. Ramza with 8845 HP/524 DEF/344 SPR
Basch with 12465 HP/388 DEF/420 SPR and 100% Dark Resist
Barbie with 1118 MAG and Demon Killer+ Ramuh
Marie with Rikku's Pouch and Bushido since she's going to have off-turns not doing much else
LB Fina with a Ribbon just in-case status ailments get through

I have no idea if those defenses are going to hold up. We'll just have to see when I get a Barb friend with Ramuh up. If Ramza can't survive I'll see if I can build WoL with similar gear or use a 100% evade Noctis instead.
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You don't need SPR on Basch. Focus on DEF/HP due to threshold attack runs on *funny* mechanics. As long as 100% darkness resistance is present the magic bit is fulfilled for magic aoe protection.
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Well the good news is my defenses are top notch enough to survive. Basch can tank all the party-wide attacks with no issues. Ramza can take every hit thrown at him. Status defenses are perfect.

The bad news is I can't get the damage up high enough. I wound up killing the mini-marlboros on off-turns, and I couldn't figure out how to get back on track. The upside is I was actually able to survive all of that, including having Ramza Devoured, with only the occasional death on Fina and one on my Barbie. So I know my team can survive most anything Marlboro throws at me, I just need to change up my damage.

Which is why I'm swapping out Marie for BSSakura, using her status protection move for the team, and then blasting everything down with Quick Rebel Intention capping Tornado chains. Fina's gonna have a hell of a time keeping up on the MP, but I think that'll work better. I may even swap out Fina for Lunera, better MP regen, stat buffs, and I really didn't need Curaja-level healing.

So my only real issue now is how do I deal with killing all three at once? As soon as the Skin Softened goes away, I'm not dealing all that much damage, and the breaks I can bring aren't going to make much of a dent in its defenses.
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Are you breaking them with Basch?

You will have to time the triple kill by poking the smaller ones before it is time.
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D'oh, no wonder. I was so wrapped up in the idea of "Breaks are useless against the big one" that I completely spaced that I could break the smaller ones.

So with the timing, do I just have to make sure I can do enough damage to the big one with its massive defenses up? Because I doubt I can kill all three in the short timeframe of a Skin Softened debuff. I thankfully have enough ST skills between the Barbs and BSS, but that also means I'd need to survive some of the big Marlboro's onslaughts, including losing my provoker to Devour, right?

Edit: Apologies for spamming the topic, by the way. If my next run fails I'll take my questions to the actual board.
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If the breaks are enough to kill them in two turns you are on the right path.

Otherwise wait a day or two.
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So I still had my original fight going and yes, I can kill both Marlboro's in two turns with breaks. I eventually did lose because my patterns were thrown off, but I'm pretty sure I can take this fight now. Pretty sure I can take this fight now, just have to worry about timing the LB for the kill, because I do not want to have to do this trial again. Thanks for all your help Fiyun.

Worst part of the fight I just did was I actually managed to kill Great Marlboro twice, I just couldn't do it at the same time as the small ones. Twice! Survived until about Turn 40 before Basch somehow died (probably took a debuff hit while Ramza was devoured), and Fina a couple of turns before. Wasn't going to recover from that. But a whole hell of a lot better than my first attempts at this last year.
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Horith posted...

Pretty sure I can take this fight now, just have to worry about timing the LB for the kill, because I do not want to have to do this trial again.

Note: The LB kill only counts the first time you kill the Great Malboro. LB kill any other time and it won't proc. No idea if killing it the first time will keep the mission cleared if you have to do another cycle, though.

( I learned this the hard way twice and I have to eventually get around to doing it again because of it.)
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What are Max King Metaltuars?
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BakusaiTenketsu posted...

What are Max King Metaltuars?

King metaltaurs leveled to max.
Yes,you can fuse cactaurs now.
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So how good are 7* Squall and Rinoa actually?

I'm sure I'll end up pulling a bunch of them when my failed attempts to get Rena continue next week.
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Not sure yet. They got GL buffs, so we'll have to see what those are before we can really say if they're good or not. I'm pulling for them regardless, but I'm trying to keep my expectations low.
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crazygamer999 posted...

BakusaiTenketsu posted...

What are Max King Metaltuars?

King metaltaurs leveled to max.
Yes,you can fuse cactaurs now.

This seems like a waste of money though. You spend gil to level the Metaltaurs, and then you spend gil again to level the units? Plus, I would think you have a better chance at Great and Amazing Successes with multiple fusions over just one large one. Is Metaltaur fusing mostly meant to save unit inventory space, or is there another benefit?
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Mostly inventory space.

Also the cost of fusing is pretty trivial at this point.
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I spend my Metaltuars as soon as I get them, and I don't farm them unless I need them, so space hasn't ever really been a problem for me lol.
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