On RDM/DRK, Part I

When I first moved to Carbuncle I was accepted into the Foodmonsters linkshell a few days after I transferred. From the way I understood it I would be expected to come Red Mage to most every event. As you might know RDM are expected to have /BLM, /WHM/, /NIN, and /DRK *shudders* for various things based upon the situation. When I moved, my DRK was a lowly level 10 and I was very opposed to getting it to 37 prior to moving as I normally came to every event as BLM on Cerberus. So anyway, I leveled lolDRK to 37 (actually 48 now, go figure) and I was quickly sucked into being one of my Linkshell's Stunners.

Things I have used RDM/DRK for:

Zerg fights:
(Chainspell Stun lock-down)
Dynamis Lord
Bahamut version 2

HNM:
(Nasty spells and TP moves)
Tiamat - Firaga 3
Khimaira - Fulmination
Cerberus - Gate of Hades

Random lolfights:

Suzaku (CSS vs. CS)

So yeah, all of the above are things I have typically gone RDM/DRK to. Both Chainspell Stun and Stunning single moves from HNM can both be stressing, more often the latter especially on Khimaira and Cerberus as their TP moves happen rather quickly and timing a Stun has to be almost perfect to prevent them from going off.

Bahamut version 2/Dynamis Lord

Nowadays high-hazard fights like Bahamut and Dynamis Lord are done by meleeing burning it, using a one to three (Baha normally only takes one Stunner) RDM/DRKs to Chainspell Stun the target so it cannot act. In my opinion, this is very, well, anti-climactic and takes some of the fun out of a fight but really I can't think of a more effective way to get in and get out of an event like Bahamut or DL. Melee burns are very high risk, and more often than not the weight of the entire battle lies on the RDM/DRK's shoulder. If one thing gets through it can spell certain death for everyone in your linkshell and normally after that happens you won't feel so hot, and neither will anyone else.

I've asked a lot of people about how they go about stunning both of these things and no one could really explain to me how I could go about Chainspell Stunning in a way I could easily understand. I guess my best advice for first timers doesn't involve a stunning strategy, but to maintain your cool. Be cool, no matter what happens--win or lose. No one likes to hear emo remarks in LS chat over what you should've, could've done. Whatever happens, happens, but you always want to try your very best not to panic. It's important to note that there is a small factor of luck involved during these two fights and sometimes things WILL get through your CSS.

Even though there is a small factor of luck involved, that doesn't mean there isn't a "right" way to Stun. Because there is. And that is Stunning with a psuedo-rhythm if you will. It's really important not to stagger your stuns trying to stun specific TP moves/Spells during these fights, you don't want DL or Baha to act at all. Also I have found Stunning via a macro can be very risky due to lag, so don't do it. Stun using to menu alone, spamming the enter key at EQUAL intervals not at a random mish mash of presses. From what I've seen this minimalizes the amount of things that will get through and sometimes as I have experienced to my surprise that DL can and will go down before your two-hour is over. Stunning from the menu allows space between Stuns as before it actually goes off you will sub target the NM prior to it going off, though you won't really be seeing that you're sub targeting when doing CSS correctly.

Something also important to note when it comes to CSS is that adding too much Dark Skill through gear will only work against you as Stuns seem to last longer with the more skill you add. I used to Stun in gear that brought me to 225 skill, but I always ended up overlapping Stuns (having "no effect") leaving a greater chance of things getting through. 212 Skill using Dark Torque and Merciful Cape alone seems to work enough for Stuns to be potent enough not to build up resistance too fast but also for them to be weak enough not to last longer than the Stun before it. (I hope that made sense :P)

*(For DL do not Stun in Crimson, I believe he counts as a demon and as we all know demons eat dragons...would be incredibly bad to get intimidated)

As a RDM/DRK on DL the TP move that will most likely ruin your LS's run won't be Oblivion Smash, but Violent Rupture. Because if you are standing at a distance from DL you won't be able to get back into range quickly enough to actually stop DL from using OS. The AoE alone isn't all that bad but should you get hit by it it adds a nasty Gravity effect, so if you can persuade your LS to pull DL down to an area where you can put your back to a wall it'll only help this not to happen. Honestly, I would never stand at a distance for DL regardless, because most or none of DL's TP moves shouldn't be getting through anyway. Standing right where the melee are is your best bet for success and if anyone argues with you /tell them to bite me.

In comparason DL is a lot tougher to get right than Bahamut 2, but both have their nasty points and should be handled similarly in regards to CSS.

Next post, I'll detail RDM/DRK's role in Stunning ground HNMs Tiamat, Khimaira, and Cerberus.