Final Fantasy Record Keeper X-2: Gems, Mithril, Salt - In Position!

[darkdragoon]

For Magia I'm just rotating in my usuals as the first 10 or so are 1 battle each.


LOTRwise
Debuff tech that is outdated but may still pop up for Torment (Lion, Setzer)
Dualcasts on good characters (Rinoa, Galuf)
a damage boost that is fine but really screams for an USB (Barrett)

[Red Fel]

On the one hand, the IV LotR gave me yet another of Cecil's Lightbringer USB. Yawn.

On the other, today's daily draw gave me a USB. Nice!

On the other other, because this time there are three hands, it was Noel's Blazing Spirit USB. Which is (1) a dupe, and (2) Noel-gear. So... yawn.

On the other other other, because why not four, finally an ST Ice SPB other than Snowspell. And for free!

EDIT: Okay, folks, the first of the LDs is up! Get your LMRs! I got 2/11, Wakka (increase debuff duration) and Aria (chance to increase WHT healing after using WHT).

Also, so is the III LotR. 1/3, Desch's USB (MAG Lightning/Non damage, Imperil Lightning, reduce party offensive MAG cast time for 3 turns).

But that's not all! 4A Banner updates! They're swapping banners around. Our knowledge of details is limited.

First of all, we know that the banners will include, in order, (1) Zidane's Awakening, (2) Kain's Awakening, (3) Realm Chains, (4) Terra's and Bartz's Awakenings, and (5) Tidus' Awakening. (Source.) Assuming that the banners remain otherwise consistent, we can assume they'll look something like this. This appears to be supported by these banner images.

If this is the case, I'll likely switch my plan from 1/3/5 to 3/4/5. Zidane's and Kain's banners didn't impress me much.

Notably, they don't appear to list the Core Banner. However, there will be some very fine free draws.

[danzibr]

Thanks for the info! And Desch USB, nice. I got Refia’s (literally my only relic for her, but I’ll take it).

Hmm. Bummer they changed the order. I was going to whale on Bartz AASB and apply the rest towards chains. Now... I dunno.

[Slayn82]

Kittymari on Reddit posted a pretty good, and Looong, thread explaining several elements of the current state of the meta. Go check it when you guys have time. Very informative.

https://www.reddit.com/r/FFRecordKee...f_soul_breaks/

My pulls have been pretty rewarding so far. I'm waiting to post everything at once after tomorrow.

[danzibr]

Kittymari on Reddit posted a pretty good, and Looong, thread explaining several elements of the current state of the meta. Go check it when you guys have time. Very informative.

https://www.reddit.com/r/FFRecordKee...f_soul_breaks/

My pulls have been pretty rewarding so far. I'm waiting to post everything at once after tomorrow.

Wow, what a read. The case studies in particular. Look at similar SBs, see why one remained relevant.

And incoming pulls! Very exciting. Along with incoming pulls, incoming salt.

Edit: anyone do the OSB draw? I think imma skip. Weird, they used to be so sought after.

[huttj509]

It's fun to discover something you missed.

Was trying to figure out if a dagger stat-stick would be better for Yuffie than the water boosting fist she's using for my 4* fire magicite team. In looking at that realized "what, why isn't she using water boosting armor?" So swapped that in, also "wait, why is she using 20% damage with a fist weapon, when I can have bartz use 30% with a sword, and swap that 30% when attacking a weakness to Yuffie?"

And then I noticed I've been using Rikku's en-water instead of her imperil water...

Yuffie's finisher for her AOS at 99 stack of Tidus' chain went from mid 50k to about 80k.

Only knocked a second and a half off my clear time (down to just over 25 seconds) but was fun.

And yeah, sticking with the 20% water fist weapon.

[danzibr]

It's fun to discover something you missed.

Was trying to figure out if a dagger stat-stick would be better for Yuffie than the water boosting fist she's using for my 4* fire magicite team. In looking at that realized "what, why isn't she using water boosting armor?" So swapped that in, also "wait, why is she using 20% damage with a fist weapon, when I can have bartz use 30% with a sword, and swap that 30% when attacking a weakness to Yuffie?"

And then I noticed I've been using Rikku's en-water instead of her imperil water...

Yuffie's finisher for her AOS at 99 stack of Tidus' chain went from mid 50k to about 80k.

Only knocked a second and a half off my clear time (down to just over 25 seconds) but was fun.

And yeah, sticking with the 20% water fist weapon.

Ooohhh nice optimization. I like going through my teams when the occasion arises, making sure they have the best gear on.

Oh. Or reading and experimenting. Right now my Ice team has Squall with BSB2, RM is a double cast Spellblade one. However, I think Gathering Storm might be better, going to try that soon.

[huttj509]

Ooohhh nice optimization. I like going through my teams when the occasion arises, making sure they have the best gear on.

Oh. Or reading and experimenting. Right now my Ice team has Squall with BSB2, RM is a double cast Spellblade one. However, I think Gathering Storm might be better, going to try that soon.

I'm trying to decide how to tell if Bartz is better off with 30% dmage with sword equipped, or the doublecast spellblade materia. Would be nice if the doublecasts were somehow showing if they came from the LMR or RM. Since the LMR alone *could* be getting those procs it doesn't feel as visceral unless I get a triplecast.

[danzibr]

I'm trying to decide how to tell if Bartz is better off with 30% dmage with sword equipped, or the doublecast spellblade materia. Would be nice if the doublecasts were somehow showing if they came from the LMR or RM. Since the LMR alone *could* be getting those procs it doesn't feel as visceral unless I get a triplecast.

And for those times you get the quadruple+casts... *shudders*

That is a tough one. Especially if you have chains.

I currently only run Gathering Storm on my Ixion team (to entrust Bartz for EnEarth BSB -> USB1 -> USB2 -> Spellblades, and I use Arc for Blink rather than Elarra) and Siren team (on Elarra, ‘cause MM and the other MM are taken). Thinking I should branch out.

[Red Fel]

And the last of the LDs is up! USB time! 1/11 for me - Garland's, with damage, En-Dark, DRK abilities reduce delay, and DRK abilities trigger a chase. Nice!

The last of the LotRs is also up, 2/3 for me, both rainbows, two copies of Sarah's BSB.

And now, onto what else is new: There are Special Selection Record Dungeons, with missions for same, including Tyro's Arcane Overstrike relic as a reward! We also have various gift dungeons, event realm dungeons, and other fun bits.

Dig in, folks. 4A is officially here!

[T.G. Oskar]

So...remember when I posted the previous results for the Happy Gacha, and I said that they were really, really good, and that I could possibly jinx it? Well...guess what?

Jinxed. BIG time.

Spoiler: Happy Gacha results

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• Krile's Asura Rod (V). One of the two draws, and the dupe. Basically, an EnFire BSB with Commands that combine Fire/NE damage with status effects (Command 1 has Interrupt, Command 2 has Slow). Decent, but not as impressive as Squall's one. Or even Papalymo's one.
• Faris' Epaulet (V). The other result of the V draw, and the non-dupe. It's an LMR, which boosts damage based on the number of stat debuffs, meaning that you max the damage boost with a Hyper Break. Since Faris is the Queen of Debuffs, she has a decent boost to damage that way. It's also +Wind Light Armor.
• Cecil's Guise (IV). Another LMR, and this one is...poor. Boost to DEF based on number of attacks taken, when most attacks eventually ignore DEF. The silver lining? It's +Holy Heavy Armor, meaning I can combine it with a good weapon to deal tons of Holy damage.
• CoD's Calcite Rod (III). Another dupe. It's a good BSB, what with Radiant Shield, but the commands aren't that great.
• Guy's Viking Axe (II). Another LMR, and for a character I don't use. It's +dmg. when wielding Axes, and the weapon itself is an axe, so it's self-boosting in its own way.
• Echo's Captain Costume (I). Notice how the results were either a dupe or an LMR? Well, this one is both A dupe and an LMR. The LMR is pretty nice, and I've gotten a good amount of traction from it, but getting stuff for FFI characters is so rare now, a dupe feels depressing.

As for the Lucky Draws? I only pulled on one. With the upcoming Mythril, that means I got up to FIVE draws for what's most likely the most sought-after Banner. Of course, you probably know which of the three draws I made: OSBs are no longer that cool, and you probably figured I don't want more LMRs. So, what did I got from the USB Lucky?

3/11, with only one dupe.

Spoiler: USB Lucky!

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• Cinque's Shock Hammer. The one dupe, making a +Earth weapon much better.
• Agrias' Durandal! You know, barring Save the Queen, I got all of the original FFT's Knight's Swords! (Durandal is the weakest, followed by Save the Queen, then Excalibur, then Ragnarok, and finally the Chaos Blade). This one, that said, is GREAT! Alright, so...remember Cleansing Strike? A Reverse Wall with a 50% reduction? Alright, so...you might ALSO remember Holy Knight's Charge, which is EnHoly. Well, Loyal Blade, the USB, combines these two with a +KNT damage boost. This is a great Ultra that makes Agrias a disturbingly good Knight. Much superior than Beatrix, though both of them are chillingly brutal on their own regard.
• Hilda's Lamia's Harp! A harp with huge MND, for a character I lacked anything. Despite that, it's a sweet USB Medica - IC, Curaja-level, +DEF and...Last Stand! Sure, it's no Haste (Gordon provides that) or slot saver, but Hilda happens to have a good skill set.

Everything said, this was a good haul. The Ultra Lucky, I mean.

[Antonok]

So the free 40 draw should be up in ~3 1/2 hours.

For my draws tho

Parade:
1/3 - Master BSB. Why not. Already have everything else for him I think.

Lucky:
Iwantmymithrilback/11 - Aerith USB1. A dupe

[danzibr]

Good pulls, bad pulls.

Me, I got a BSB for WoL from LotR. I’ll never use it, but he’s more complete.

Went 3/11 on the Ultra LD. 2 dupes though, and the other will probably never see action.

Edit: but I am enjoying 4A overall. I noticed the Arcana place of Orbfest. Makes for some hard decisions.

[Antonok]

Free draws are up!

40 draw: 6/40 2 Rainbow, 4 Disco
Rikku BSB1
Gladio Glint
Luneth OSB (I drew his AOSB from the parade >_> )
Meia OSB
Seifer USB
Papa AOSB

8 Draw:
Shantotto BSB
Terra BSB (the bad one)
Wrieg BSB
Fang BSB
Queen LMR (dupe, but +lightning armor so I'll take it)
Zell LMR
Yang Glint

And.....

Master AOSB.

I think I now have a complete Master. Overall, undecided. Seifer USB is the best thing since dark is a weak point.

[danzibr]

I got Master AOSB too!

8 draw: 1 disco (Master AOSB), 7 other things (including 2 different LMR for Freya, huh).

40 pull: 2 disco, 4 rainbow. USB for Ramza (a new one, offensive) and WoL. Yay free stuff.

[Slayn82]

Time to sum uo what I got.

Spoiler

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Countdown:
FF Tactics - Agrias's USB
Type 0 - Queen's BSB
FF XV - Gladiolus'S RLM2
XIV - Thancred's Poison BSB
XIII - Fang's BSB
XII- Gabranth's RLM Barbut
XI- Shantoto's BSB Dupe, Ayame's BSB
X- Auron's BSB Fire dupe
IX- Quina's RLM dupe
VIII- Selphie's USB2
VII- Elena's BSB
VI- Leo's BSB
V- Bartz Arcane USB
IV - Ursula's Arcane USB
III- Arc's USB Brave mode
II- Guy's BSB
I- Dupe WoL USB.

40 pull - Rinoa's USB Brave, Ultimecia's OSB, Gang & Golbez En element RLMs.

Granted 8:
Bursts: Elena VII, Szah XIII.
Materia: Ingus, Kain, Penelo, Delita.
Squall's fire glint
Tidus's Arcane Soul Break.

Let's see: Selphie consolidated herself as my best single healer, with both USBs, a materia and an excellent BSB. Arc musters some competition, when all you need is healing. He probably can take over Eiko's BSB duties.

Agrias became great again, Ayame can do the OSB+BSB top combo from 2017, Bartz got an Arcane, but his DPS without USB is somewhat low, just BSB + OSB. Delita in comparison is top spellblade DPS along Celes.

Big winners are Rinoa's and Tidus. Tidus will be a freaking monster with his Arcane and USB. And Rinoa gets to be a powerful Earth Mage again, along all her Ice powers.

[huttj509]

Prompto's lightning chain 2. ding ding we have a winner.
type-0 ice imperil with stat debuff, maybe on my magic ice team, I'll need to check.
Warrior of Light OSB, meh, and a dupe. But I can make a + weapon boosting Holy out of it.
Rapha BSB that buffs the party's magic and also heals allies while damaging the enemy...I can work with this.
Vivi en-fire BSB, dupe, but a +fire rod.
Braska en-fire BSB. Might fit in my magic fire team.
Rubicante en-fire BSB....ok, I think I can fill out my magic fire team, game.

Lulu Arcane Overstrike, on ice damage bracers.
Lulu glint.
Kain en-lightning LMR
Sarah (I) heal all sometimes when using bard LMR
Lenna heal all chance when using white magic LMR (dupe)
Gaffgarion mini-trance LMR (when low on health full heal and reduce delay)
Zell en-fire BSB...I'm good on fire monks, thx.
Lenna healing BSB, dupe.


Edit: Hmmm, what's the most efficient way to get Prompto enough meter for 2 soul bursts? I already have his lightning machinist machine gun USB. That combines nicely with the chain.

[Red Fel]

Busy morning, folks! But let's sum up.

First, a summary of my LotRs:

Spoiler: LotRs

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• T0: 1/3. Ace's Summer Uniform (BSB), dupe.
• FFT: 2/3. Ramza's Brigandine (LMR), dupe. Meliadoul's Save the Queen (BSB), new.
• XV: 2/3. Noctis' Axe of the Conqueror (AOSB), dupe. Aranea's Cowl (BSB), new.
• XIV: 1/3. Alphinaud's Morkinskinna (Brave USB), new.
• XIII: 1/3. Vanille's Mistelteinn (BSB), dupe.
• XII: 1/3. Larsa's Princely Raiment (BSB), dupe.
• XI: 1/3. Aphmau's Jadagna (USB), dupe.
• X: 1/3. Auron's Echo Bracer (Glint), new.
• IX: 1/3. Steiner's Stoneblade (OSB), dupe.
• VIII: 1/3. Ultimecia's Doom Mace (OSB), new.
• VII: 1/3. Yuffie's Mystile (Glint), dupe.
• VI: 1/3. Shadow's Kagenui (USB), new.
• V: 1/3. Kelger's Cloak (LMR), new.
• IV: 1/3. Cecil's Lightbringer (USB), dupe.
• III: 1/3. Desch's Gladius (USB), new.
• II: 1/3. Minwu's Shining Staff (USB), dupe.
• I: 2/3. Sarah's Light Robe (BSB), new. Sarah's Light Robe (BSB), dupe.

Next, LDs!

Spoiler: Lucky Draws

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• LMR: 2/11. Wakka's Cerulean Armguard, new. Aria's Spirit Ring, new.
• OSB: Skip!
• USB: 1/11. Garland's Rebellion, new.

Next, my big anniversary pulls!

Spoiler: Anniversary Freebies

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40x pull: 8/40, two discos:

• Magic Shuriken: Yuffie's BSB. CMD2 has a little Mug Bloodlust to it, but otherwise, like most BSBs, it shows its age. A dupe, though.
• Wonder Wand: Tellah's BSB. The entry is fantastic - Faithga + Hastega and reduced magic cast time. On top of that, it has the Maria-style commands, with one a +MAG/-DEF bargain and the other dealing more damage based on MAG. New, and pretty solid.
• Gladius: Bartz' Wind BSB. That makes three. It's the Wind version of his Fire BSB, with its +SPB abilities on CMD2, which is great. And it's new.
• Vanille's Guise: Vanille's LMR. +WHT healing when using WHT. Yo, dawg, we put WHT in your WHT so you can WHT while you WHT. And a dupe.
• Seraph Comb: Red XIII's LMR. Chance to W-cast BLM. Pretty sure this is a dupe.
• Terra's Cloak: Terra's Glint. Typical stacking En-Element (Fire) plus reduced delay. Not bad, and it's new.
• Healing Rod: Aerith's USB, the good one. Alas, a dupe.
• Balmung: Gabranth's Brave USB. En-Dark, grants extra Heavy Charge when you gain Heavy Charge, triggers off of Dark abilities. Really nice.

Present pull: Seven rainbows, one disco:

• Prompto's Fatigues: Prompto's BSB. New, and not bad, but as I've said, BSBs have aged.
• Paine's Guise: Paine's BSB. The Dispel is nice, but it's a dupe.
• Orlandeau's Cloak: RAIJIN CID's BSB. Good armor, but a dupe.
• Sleipnir's Tail: Rydia's Earth BSB. Again, good item, but a dupe.
• Zeus Mace: Porom's BSB. Guess what? It's new. Fairly standard - CMD1 trades typical 0CT for a Raise function, but otherwise normal.
• Magitek Dagger: Thancred's BSB2. That's a dupe, too. But hey, PHY Bio is apparently a thing again, perhaps.
• Flame Whip: Rydia's Glint. SMN ability boost is pretty darn significant, actually. So that's pretty great.
• Chaosbringer: Garland's AOSB. New! Man, this game is suddenly really pushing Garland on me, huh?

Busy morning indeed. Time to farm up some relic mastery.

[Slayn82]

Edit: Hmmm, what's the most efficient way to get Prompto enough meter for 2 soul bursts? I already have his lightning machinist machine gun USB. That combines nicely with the chain.

Combat 4 Support 5 means both LifeSiphon and Wrath.

I have his USB and BSB, use LifeSiphon and R4 Tempest Snipe with Ace Striker on him. LifeSiphonx3 early, USB and Snipes, BSB and commands until USB and Snipes, and you are set for most fights.

I think Shout Chains don't work well with other SBs on the Chain Holder, unless you are finishing or have a dedicated enthruster. Unlike old generation chains like Ingus and Rinoa, that you don't need early in the fight for the damage buff.

[danzibr]

Hmm. I feel like this game just wants me to not get chains. We’ll see how that banner goes.

[darkdragoon]

40x was pretty middling. Well, Exdeath is actually quite solid, it's just his shtick doesn't really work on Gilgamesh.

8x was pretty good.

[Slayn82]

So, everyone playing the waiting game for banners 3-5?

Meanwhile, I decided to pull on the half price USB banner, got Marche's USB. Giving Quickcast to the party physical attacks after Knight abilities.

Time to stomp enemies like real life crushing the dreams of little kids.

[danzibr]

So, everyone playing the waiting game for banners 3-5?

Meanwhile, I decided to pull on the half price USB banner, got Marche's USB. Giving Quickcast to the party physical attacks after Knight abilities.

Time to stomp enemies like real life crushing the dreams of little kids.

Ho. Ly. Smokes.

I read about Marche USB, that it was in lots of Holy parties, but never bothered looking up what it does. I see.

[Red Fel]

So, everyone playing the waiting game for banners 3-5?

That's me, yeah. Banner 1 is just two thieves and a rebel, nothing I care for. Banner 2 offers Raines stuff, Alphi's Chain, and OK's USB3, but with my luck I'll walk away with a Pencil Glint.

Technically, I have enough to do four pulls. And since we're not getting a Core banner, apparently, I could always go for Banner 2-5. Or, and hear me out, I could do two pulls on one of the latter three banners.

Decisions, decisions.

Ho. Ly. Smokes.

I read about Marche USB, that it was in lots of Holy parties, but never bothered looking up what it does. I see.

I know, right? It's an obscene force multiplier. Especially with a Holy Chain - if everyone is rapid-firing, that number ticks up fast. He's a big reason my Dark Magicite team turned around so well.

[huttj509]

So, everyone playing the waiting game for banners 3-5?

Meanwhile, I decided to pull on the half price USB banner, got Marche's USB. Giving Quickcast to the party physical attacks after Knight abilities.

Time to stomp enemies like real life crushing the dreams of little kids.

I wanted to pull on the USB banner, but I'm at 100 mythril now and would like 3 pulls on ma boy Bartz and didn't want to do the math.

[darkdragoon]

That's me, yeah. Banner 1 is just two thieves and a rebel, nothing I care for. Banner 2 offers Raines stuff, Alphi's Chain, and OK's USB3, but with my luck I'll walk away with a Pencil Glint.

Technically, I have enough to do four pulls. And since we're not getting a Core banner, apparently, I could always go for Banner 2-5. Or, and hear me out, I could do two pulls on one of the latter three banners.

Decisions, decisions.

Core banner has been spotted.

B1- I have good stuff for Zidane and Vaan, USBs for the classic guys too but there's enough dupes and timing to where I may just wait until Wednesday morning to be sure
B2- Kain and Raines have carried me for 2+years so more stuff for them would be great. Also Alph and OK. Pecil is a sentimental favorite as well.
B3- enough dupes to be dicey but pretty much my #1 wanted LMR and chains. Argh.
B4-ludicrous amounts of power
B5-upgrades in two realms/elements I could use. Double Argh.

[huttj509]

I notice Kain's awaken Dragoon seems to increase his cap by 2, while other awakenings increase it by 1. Is this to compensate for the jump delay?

[huttj509]

just learned this:

Go to your patry screen. Long press on a character.

From here you can view their magia distribution, go straight to upgrading that magia, review their sphere skills, and review their crystal water benefits, and go straight to upgrading that character's crystal water.

Thank you Reddit.

[Red Fel]

Core banner has been spotted.

Huh. Deep-diving into Reddit, and... yup. Apparently we're getting it on the 6th, basically a Fest Banner 6. Who knew? Do we also get the three-for-two deal on it?

Well, on a related note, the familiar Sandslice has a relic analysis for us, here. Short version? Yeah, unless you like THF or need help with Holy Magicite, everyone's waiting for 3-5.

Spoiler: Fel on Banners

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• Banner 1: I have Zidane's Grand Lethal USB, with the chaser that can Imperil Wind, so I'm basically set for him. Vaan is the worst, Firion is also the worst, and I'm set on o'Light and Shantotto. Skip.
• Banner 2: I have Kain's Luminous Dragoon USB. It's not quite as awesome as his Awakening, but it covers some of the same bases. OK's selections are actively worse than what I already have for him, and I already have Alphi's Brave USB. Pencil's Brave sounds pretty nice, but Raines' Ability Double makes me fear for my hones. Probably skip.
• Banner 3: I have Ignis' BSB. Other than that, it's all new, and it's all upgrades. One pull.
• Banner 4: I have Cloud's Dark Heavy USB. Everything else is pure win. One pull.
• Banner 5: I have Vanille's LMR. Everything else about this banner is amazing, especially Celes' USB, which is another version of Marche's USB. One pull.
• Banner Core: Dr. Mog's USB seems really potent, in either an offensive MAG or healing role. Biggs' USB seems a pretty decent way to tack damage onto an otherwise sub-par KNT. Wedge's USB doesn't impress. Tyro's critfixing Hastega doesn't impress. Elarra's USB1 is amazing, but her USB2 is only decent. Dr. Mog's Glint is amazing, an instant-cast wall, but I can already instant-cast wall by using it as an RW on a character that starts with IC. The rest of the Glints and LMRs are unimpressive. Elarra's BSB isn't overwhelming. Overall, a few solid relics but nothing I'm screaming over.

Feel like I might just skip the Core, as well as Banners 1 and 2.

I notice Kain's awaken Dragoon seems to increase his cap by 2, while other awakenings increase it by 1. Is this to compensate for the jump delay?

I think it's to compensate for the lack of W-cast. Most Awakenings include a W-cast, but instead, Kain gets non-delay jumps. That's still slightly less powerful than a W-cast, so I guess they boosted him to compensate.

[huttj509]

"hmmm, what crystals do I need, meh, I wish there was..."
/me sees arcana feast dungeon
"nevermind, I'm good."