Happy Birthday Final Fantasy XIII!

[FinalxxSin]

It's very rare to find an encounter where I care about both Strength and Magic for damage output during that encounter. For most fights, as long as I have one of them, I'm good. In between fights, I can easily swap weapons. The benefit? Faster chain building because of animation quirks. When looking to optimize your play, that's an edge that is well worth seeking out.

So my point still stands then, especially if you're having to switch Claire a lot with RAV and COM roles. I can't think of any person who's played FFXIII that have kept her strictly in a single role. The game doesn't support it in a lot of cases.

 

[tiornys]

So my point still stands then, especially if you're having to switch Claire a lot with RAV and COM roles. I can't think of any person who's played FFXIII that have kept her strictly in a single role. The game doesn't support it in a lot of cases.

I'm not seeing what you're getting at. More to the point, I think I do see what you're getting at, but if I'm right about what you're trying to say, then you're suffering from a common misconception. So, let's be clear. Lightning is effective as both a Ravager and a Commando regardless of whether you spike her Strength, spike her Magic, or keep both balanced. With a Strength spec, she can use -strike abilities like Flamestrike and Sparkstrike to build chain effectively, and she can use Attack and Blitz to output high levels of damage. With a Magic spec, she can use all of the Ravager spells for chain building, and she can use Ruin and Ruinga to output high levels of damage. Since most enemies have equal resistances to physical and magical damage, Lightning can be effective against most enemies with any spec.

STR-spec Lightning has increased evasion due to greater battlefield movement, more damage output per hit (because physical attacks have a base x1.2 modifier vs. magical attacks at base 1.0), and better damage with Army of One (although that's very much a secondary consideration for the power). MAG-spec Lightning never misses the enemy, outputs more attacks in less time (she casts offensive spells faster than she uses physical attacks AND she doesn't have to move to the enemy), and has greater facility with Ravager AoE spells. MAG-spec also boosts her healing and, once secondary roles are developed, her buff and debuff durations. Most of the time, MAG-spec Lightning is better than STR-spec Lightning. Against enemies with high magic damage resistance, STR-spec Lightning is of course better than MAG-spec.

Finally, coming back to my point, both MAG-spec Lightning and STR-spec Lightning are usually both better than balance-spec Lightning. The advantage you get with balance-spec is the ability to access both the physical and magical skills at high effectiveness in the same battle. The disadvantage is that you make Ravager attacks more slowly than either STR-spec or MAG-spec Lightning. Since Lightning performs with high effectiveness using only STR-based skills OR with only MAG-based skills, the only time you might see a real benefit from having access to both is if you face a battle containing some enemies who are weaker to physical attacks and other enemies who are weaker to magical attacks. Want to take a guess on how many battles in the game fit that description? It's a really short list, and the most prominent example (Jabberwock and Bandersnatch) fails to provide a good counterpoint since the best solution to Bandersnatch is to bypass its damage resistance altogether with a full-ATB ability or Eidolon finisher. Consequently, STR-spec Lightning is the superior choice in that fight. There's a couple of battles that mix Goblins and Borgbears, and one mission with a phys-weak flan and two magic-weak flan, and... that's basically your entire case in favor of balance-spec. Meanwhile, you're slower in every other fight in the game. Not worth it.

 

[FinalxxSin]

....

You make a good point on the accuracy of magic, which is something that I've had to deal with in the past. The melee attacks, while being miss-able, are more responsive if she is already in target range. Pretty much most of her offensive animations are fast. The thing I aim for is effectiveness, while you have a more optimal approach using multiple weapons that'll allow you to obtain the higher X factor for your situation. I use one end weapon on each character, because it'll cover the functions that they are strong at and will address each situation regardless of the foes. We aren't going to agree on this as we both have different approaches to gear set up for Claire.

 

[tiornys]

You're right, we won't wind up agreeing here.

I'll agree to disagree (I mean, clearly you're enjoying your approach and that's really what's important), but to explain my stance: I don't like to limit myself by selecting just one weapon to develop for each character. Different weapons highlight different strengths of the characters, and I like to use the one that best fits the fight at hand. Heck, even though I just spent a lot of time arguing in favor of unbalancing Lightning's stats, I generally upgrade her Blazefire Saber first because it's cheaper than her other weapons. There are a couple of fights where I'll use Axis Blade over her other choices (even if I haven't upgraded the Axis Blade and have upgraded something else), and despite my panning of Lionheart I will even use that weapon in the rare cases where it's appropriate to do so.

 

[Dionysos]

I recognise that this topic derailment is coming to a natural end, but I just thought I'd say this:

Let's not forget that this thread is for discussing the age of FFXIII now that it has reached its 6th birthday. Discuss related things, by all means, but be cautious to remember the thread's purpose.

Feel free to make a new thread(s) to discuss weapons and game mechanics if you wish. There may be plenty to say, and you'll be able to get more in-depth elsewhere, and other people might like to join in without needing to worry about the thread topic.

-

I really cannot believe that it has been 6 years... I really do feel old... You know what's worse? FFVII is 20 years old next year!

I did quite enjoy FFXIII. It was pretty, graphically speaking. The characters were a bit hit and miss, but I genuinely liked Sazh and Vanille (yes, even though she was as hyperactive as a 5 year old on a bouncy castle after rinsing down a mouthful of sherbet with a cup of cherry cola). I was even suprised by Snow, who had an interesting story arc dealing with the dark side of heroism and the responsibilities and consequences of being the hero figure. The music was fairly decent, with some crazy, trippy music, which made me feel much like Vanille did (the chocobo song, etc). The FFXIII universe had a very particular feel to it, and it was pure, clean, and nice to look at.

So, yeah. I enjoyed the game, but not one of my favourites at all.

Happy birthday, FFXIII. Where have the years gone?

 

[Phosphoric Ooze]

I prefer to use Lionheart, which is obtainable in Eden during chapter 12, and the upgrades to it since it has the "Quick Stagger" ability.

Meh, MAG won't be high.

 

[Cardinal Copia]

I can't believe it's already been 6 years since the game came out. That's crazy to think about honestly. Idk what's crazier. The fact its 6 already? Or that they made a damn trilogy for it?

 

[LovingOfLightning]

Happy Birthday Final Fantasy XIII!
Can't believe it's been another year and I still am where I was in Chapter 13 hunting the Grand Pulse mark in the caves!
You might be able to understand not being able to play it as much these days, but I have been using my PS3 time for Lighting Returns speed runs!

 

[iSmiff]

6 years and I still haven't got tempted to give it another go. I even played XII multiple times. What a piece of absolute garbage

I can't believe it's already been 6 years since the game came out. That's crazy to think about honestly. Idk what's crazier. The fact its 6 already? Or that they made a damn trilogy for it?

 

[Autzerain]

Playing it now for (a second official) first time (did not finish my run through a year ago so I started again). My first entry into the series and I am happy to say that the world is reason enough for me to play. I remember being captivated by the trailers of the trilogy for the art and atmosphere. Now XV and VII Remake trailers abound with even more graphical prowess. Regardless of if I end up playing any other FF games apart from the XIII trilogy, I think XIII may continue to be my favorite for nostalgic reasons and character variety.

 

[flybypie]

Hmm, this part of the forum is pretty dead. Maybe it's because there's not people who want to discuss the games online. I wonder why that would be.

6 years and I still haven't got tempted to give it another go. I even played XII multiple times. What a piece of absolute garbage

Oh wait, that's why. It's because even a moderator on this site cannot permit any discussion of the game between fans to take without harassing, terrorizing, and bullying people who dare to enjoy a game they don't.

It's because of people like iSmiff who cannot stand the popularity of games they don't like so much that they have to make life hell for people who want to share their enjoyment of a game in peace. A moderator of this site can't even let fans have a celebration thread without being a self-absorbed brat making the thread all about how him and the other selfish jerk want to terrorize the fans and creators for ever making a game they don't like.

So, iSmiff, on behalf of people who've actually played the game, who actually know what they're talking about in conversations regarding the game...thanks a lot, you bully. You assholes have made the internet complete fucking hell for anyone who simply enjoys something you don't.

 

[iSmiff]

Hmm, this part of the forum is pretty dead. Maybe it's because there's not people who want to discuss the games online. I wonder why that would be.

Oh wait, that's why. It's because even a moderator on this site cannot permit any discussion of the game between fans to take without harassing, terrorizing, and bullying people who dare to enjoy a game they don't.

It's because of people like iSmiff who cannot stand the popularity of games they don't like so much that they have to make life hell for people who want to share their enjoyment of a game in peace. A moderator of this site can't even let fans have a celebration thread without being a self-absorbed brat making the thread all about how him and the other selfish jerk want to terrorize the fans and creators for ever making a game they don't like.

So, iSmiff, on behalf of people who've actually played the game, who actually know what they're talking about in conversations regarding the game...thanks a lot, you bully. You assholes have made the internet complete fucking hell for anyone who simply enjoys something you don't.

Woah there Timmy, hold your horses. Am I not entitled to my opinion? The fact I think the game is complete garbage (still my opinion, by the way. It's dreadful) isn't me 'harassing, terrorizing, and bullying people' who like it. So before you go around making accusations like that I think you need to get your facts straight.

People can like whatever garbage games they want. I like some crappy games too. Football Manager is a glorified database but who cares? I'll easily smash 400+ hours into that each year (definitely not a crappy game though, but I digress). I HAVE played XIII, it bored me senseless and there wasn't even a good storyline to save the awful gameplay mechanics and dreary characters. I did like Sazh though, that Chocobo in his hair was cool. Vanille needs to die though, seriously. I've never seen a more annoying FF character and I thought Selphie was kinda obnoxious.

You really are delusional though pal, me saying a game isn't worth my time hardly makes me a self-absorbed brat making the thread all about me. Get a grip. If me saying that a game you like is trash makes your life hell then you'd better abandon ship on this internet thing before you really get hurt. Your life must be miserable if you're taking my opinion about XIII this personally.

I'd tone down your insulting people too by the way. I obviously have thicker skin than you but if you go around calling other members of this forum assholes then you wont be lasting very long.

 

[flybypie]

Right, there's nothing wrong with you waltzing into a thread where people are celebrating a game and whining about it. It's perfectly your right to make it impossible for fans to discuss the game without someone like you spouting crap no one else cares about.

 

[Linnaete]

Right, there's nothing wrong with you waltzing into a thread where people are celebrating a game and whining about it. It's perfectly your right to make it impossible for fans to discuss the game without someone like you spouting crap no one else cares about.

Then you are free to disregard such posts and not read them. I also strongly urge you to calm it with that ridiculous persecution complex. For someone lamenting that a celebration thread has been shat upon, you're doing that very thing perfectly.

 

[iSmiff]

Then you are free to disregard such posts and not read them. I also strongly urge you to calm it with that ridiculous persecution complex. For someone lamenting that a celebration thread has been shat upon, you're doing that very thing perfectly.

This. You can carry on celebrating stuff like FFXIII, belly button lint and James Milner and i'll celebrate other things. Speaking of which, Mila Kunis was born today. Now theres something that I can be thankful for. Although so was Nick Grimshaw, and he's a tool. swings and roundabouts.

Let's get back on topic please. Yay for FFXIII

 

[flybypie]

This. You can carry on celebrating stuff like FFXIII, belly button lint and James Milner and i'll celebrate other things.

Like being a self-centered asshole antagonizing people who want to share their enjoyment of a game for one without a fucking jackass shoving his nose in just to insult and attack them for it.

 

[AuronX]

Indeed, let's stay on-topic, folks.

Personal insults are a no-no around here. Consider this a warning: tone it down.

This thread isn't an outlet to air your grievances with other members' opinions--however how strong they may be. It also isn't a discussion of FFXIII itself or whether it was a decent game. That horse has been beaten to death. If people really still want to discuss that after all these years, then by all means do so...peacefully and in the relevant thread(s). Otherwise I believe the topic was "Happy Birthday Final Fantasy XIII!", and if you don't have any comments of that nature to add, this thread isn't for you (there are plenty of others).

Carry on