To put it bluntly, DPS classes get very little respect in the FFXIV world. While the role of the damage dealer is far less demanding than that of the healers and (especially) the tanks, DPS classes do, ya know, actually kill the opposition, meaning we’re an integral, albeit easier to manage, facet of game play. As a perennial DPS player in ffxiv, I feel for myself and my damage-dealing brethren. However, I must admit that many of us make ourselves easy targets for the scorn. We forget to follow the tanks lead, pull mobs inadvertently, draw enmity, and just generally make the game miserable for tanks and healers. For reasons that I will not get into in this post (but I may it explore in later ones; anyone particularly curious can search LOL dragoon to get the “scoop”), dragoons are notoriously known for poor play. I currently play with a level 50, item level 80 dragoon as my primary job, so I wish to impart some wisdom upon my fellow dragoons. Hopefully, this knowledge will help new lancer/dragoons play the game well enough to combat any negative stereotypes players may have about the job/class. Embedded within the dragoon-ing (yes, I’m pretty sure I coined that term!) will be tidbits that will be applicable to those seeking hints about general DPS good practice. I’m looking to make this a weekly thing, so come back for more tips! This week we have….. Positioning and Combos: In general, dragoons (indeed, all DPS jobs/classes) should position themselves to the rear or flank of any opponent. The strategy comes in when players have to position themselves appropriately for certain attacks and/or combos. For instance, with dragoons (and also pugilists/monks) some attacks do more damage when executed from behind. The opening move of every dragoon should be heavy thrust, which gives you an attack boost. Heavy thrust should preferably be done from the opponents flank. After heavy thrust, one should move behind a target (in general) and execute the following combo: Impulse Drive > Disembowel > chaos thrust This combo will lower a targets piercing resistance, making attacks from dragoons and archers more effective, while allowing you to land a strong hit with chaos thrust and apply damage over time. Next up, you should execute this combo: True thrust > vorpal thrust > full thrust. Nothing fancy is added here, it’s just straight up damage. However, the boost from heavy thrust, the lowered pierce resistance, and the combo bonus make it very potent. This combo is your bread and butter. (sidenote: if you’re low on HP, insert life surge into this combo before full thrust; you’ll critical hit for some serious damage and regain some HP). Lastly, before the current heavy thrust effects wear off, hit your target with Phlebotomize for some solid damage and damage over time. When necessary, use the following combo to stun and do decent damage to your target: Power Surge > Spineshatter dive (bonus: this attack looks really cool!)
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