Why The December Update Is 100% Win

Hello everyone. Allow me to introduce you all to my favorite stat in the entire world of Vana'dielI:

Subtle Blow

That's right, subtle blow reduces the TP you give to an enemy while fighting it. Sounds boring right? Let me assure you, it's not. Especially when the enemy's HP is very low and you're evasion tanking it, so it's not getting TP by hitting you. By stacking subtle blow (along with a Dancer's natural proficiency in being subtle), you can greatly reduce the number of offensive skills an enemy will attemp tto unleash upon you while you dance with it in the moonlight. Or in the sunlight, I really don't care what time of day you're fighting.

There is...or at least...there was a downside to this amazing subtlety. There was a maximum level to which one could be subtle. I suppose, too much subtlety would be bad for a dancer's profession anyway, yeah? But alas, 50% was the maximum reduction in dealt TP, which unfortunately, is not enough.

"More subtlety," we yelled, "We wish to be less blunt while we are dancing and eviscerating things in the face! Is there anything to be done!?"

However, the development team at Square Enix heard our cries!


For those of you not versed in this sort of speech, allow me to translate into a language with which you may be more familiar:


Hearing this glorious news I visited my friend Joachim in Port Jeuno, seduced some Traverser Stones out of him, and had his friend Horst send me to the gateway to Abyssea, where I knew I could find some formidable foes with whom to dance.

The first stop was Abyssea-Misareaux, where I decided I would attempt to have a face-to-face dagger match with none other than the ornery orobon, Cep-Kamuy. My previous encounters with this enemy had been on a different class, and our strategy for defeating him relied on keeping our distance. Today would be different! I killed his friends who were swimming around in the river and sliced out one of their cheeks and employed it as bait to lure him out of hiding...and asked him to dance. As we were dancing, I noticed a significant decrease in the frequency at which he would attempt to use a special skill. In fact, upon his defeat, he had only used 4 special attacks!

I took to Abyssea-Attohwa and decided to try my luck against that nasty scorpion, Kampe! I noticed the same thing! It only used a special skill 3 times in the entire fight...

It certainly makes things much easier for me, especially when there are no mages around to keep an eye out for me!

In short:

Cep-Kamuy(as you know :p)has always been able to be tanked by a DNC and even a THF. Makes it much easier for procing red !! than having a BLM kite/nuke it.

Never tried soloing kampe but now I guess I'll try.

I have noticed that NMs in visions and scars areas are now jokes though now that we're 90. The new subtle blow trait however comes in handy greatly in heroes areas.

Tablilla(the mini Faust) in abyssea - altepa would spam typhoon the first time I fought him because we had DDs galore on it. When I solo him, he uses it 3 times max.

I've also noticed a difference when tanking things like Sobek, Eccentric Eve, Ovni and the likes. Hardly any TP moves used.

You can't hit the DNCs and when the DNC hits you, YOU DON'T GET TP :D. This is only a savior for dnc on account of how fast it attacks without outside support.

Thank you SE. Best part of the update(besides your new awesome atmas).

Now that BLU have 2 TP down spells, I wonder how awesome it'll be to have 2 non-attacking BLUs spamming those spells as you melee.

I would like to use this thread as an opportunity to encourage all other DDs to use as much subtle blow - gear as possible.

I would like to solo those nms as well. Could let me know what atmas you were using and maybe gear set? I have a hard time not using razed ruins but if there is better options I am all ears

Nothing amazing.
Razed Ruins + Gnarled Horn atma.

Notable evasion gear:
Kila+2 (+20)
Scouter's Rope (+10)
Charis Tights+1 (+10)
Dance Shoes+1 (+7)
Boxer's Mantle (+10skill)

Notable Subtle Blow gear:
Rajas (+5)
Charis Neck (+5)
Heed Ring (+7)
Auric Dagger (+10)

One thing that may be super-notable is that I have 5/5 fan dance.

I also used the same setup to duo/trio Lusca.
Pretty sure you could solo it on DNC if you got lucky and he didn't use the physical absorb move.
(He didn't use it in 2/3 of our fights)

5/6 on tiara+2!

Tankable isn't the same thing as soloable.
The most dangerous part about the fight is Leeching Current, as it will still do a ton of damage sometimes even through Fan Dance.
(Apparently it counts as physical).
Basically, if I'd been hit a few times, and fan dance wasn't up, I'd turn around and back tank it until the timer was back up. I wouldn't recommend risking taking a leeching current at anything lower than Fan Dance -4. Having 5/5 fan dance makes this much faster, at least.

I actually use some of the weirder new atmas on occasion. I love Atma of the Inpenetrable for anything that spams breath moves (HI BALAUR).


...wow
that's
genius.

Also, BLU has *3* TP down spells.

Light of Penance
Feather Tickle
Reaving Wind

Just trio'd Usurper with WHM, BRD, DNC.
It barely used any TP attacks, I'm loving this <3

With the addition of a 3rd Lunar Abyssite, which makes for a third Atma infused, Gnarled Horn will certainly be a great choice. RR/VV/GH Atmas will make for some great soloing.

Edit: NIN has those TP down ninjutsu, as well.

on bg i think there was a thread saying that the agi-tp reduction was different and stacked with subtle blow cap, meaning u can go over 50% tp reduction now >.>;

that being said, ninja makes a really great job for solo/lowmanning things even moar than before now.

We've lowmanned this quite a few times, and our thf tank discovered that he can still damage it during physical absorb mode by tp'ing on it and using magical ws (Aeolian Edge?). He'd do more damage with the ws that he healed it with his tp.

would you be talking about this?

http://www.bluegartr.com/threads/101126-New-Job-Traits-amp-Abilities-(12-7-10)/page6

Sux2beu.
AFK SOLOING IRATHAM.

...oh wow firaga III for 2035, nvm.

When it switches to physical mode, I switch to some crappy level 20 daggers.

<<violent flourish>> <<do you have it?>>

I say the december update was about 60% win, the only reason I don't give it 100% is because of their epic failure on the glitches (which I wouldn't knock that much, but their refusal to fix it is just pathetic)
they need a good lawsuit to keep them in line, but on what grounds, hmm.

Yes!
But screw that new BLM trait.

Noticed the subtle blowa lot yesterday when soloing ovni! (MNK/nin)
It really helped me out, since that thing has a ton of HP and a massive PDT-.

you can use nebula gear btw :o

I can attest to the greatness of the AGI=Subtle Blow tweak. I've been active in duoing some T2-T3 NMs in Abyssea lately, and rarely do they ever use TP moves, even while I'm spamming my spells. I also noticed, in a somewhat more tragic twist, that it has made learning Blue Magic from weaker monsters a bit more difficult.

Yessssss
I noticed that too.
Although it gave me an excuse to beat on things with my moogle rod for a little longer, so it was OK.

KUPO
KUPO
KUPO
Critical hit!
Kupo!

aww i want one!

Would the Ambusher's Hose be a better option then ocelot pants for a soloing purpose now?

I bring it out almost exclusively for learning BLU spells lol.

I don't think so.
You wanna stack on some SB, but don't forget that you want to deal some damage too.

Right now I use AF3+1 pants, but I've been killing Usurper for some trousers.

Also Delta Thrust for the plague.


I agree I am loving the new AGI change. Last night I went out to try soloing Waugyl & Ansherekh, a drg friend was in zone so I invited them just in case the sojourn dropped from Waugyl. Both should be an easy enough solo as dnc, only real problem could be the paralyze from Ansherekh.

With 3 lunar now, I tried out:
Cloak & Dagger
Razed Ruin
Kirin

I think Kirin is a nice little atma for Dnc. 40 Agi, and Macc superior for violent flourish.

Also, add in Lowing to the mix to ensure no TP moves ever happen.

i like the way you talk..


..and you got a purdy mouf