Help Characters development (Weapons+Magick)

[Tetsu]

I'm right now in Tomb of Raithwall. First of all, it's worth fighting the first Demon Wall? I tried 3 times but I couldn't beat him.

My characters lvl are:
Vaan - 20
Balthier - 10
Fran - 17
Basch - 20
Ashe - 20
Penelo - 17
*Vossler (Guest)

I noticed that when I fought with Demon Wall, Balthier's damage was very good.

I want to ask you some questions.
1. Katana is for attack power or magick attack?
2. I read somewhere that the best character for using magick is Ashe. It's true? Because I already started using her LP for magick.
3. Which quickenings I must learn?
4. Some people say that Vaan is better with magick. It's true?

 

[Rorolina Frixell]

Katana i'm not sure, I always found it more a melee weapon

No idea on Ashe but i've always found her and Penelo quite effective at using magic

And i'd go up to the 2nd quickenings on your main party if you plan to use them on Demon Wall, personally I gave everyone hammers, the boosted damage was pretty good, also casting Slow on it.

As an added note, if you beat the first Demon Wall you get Demonsbane, very rare treasure pickup so you'd be best saving after you beat it and then keep going into the new area that opens up to try and get it.

 

[Ness]

I noticed that when I fought with Demon Wall, Balthier's damage was very good.

That's likely because you're still using guns with Balthier. Guns' attack power is lower but they ignore defense.

1. Katana is for attack power or magick attack?

Katana is definitely a preferred melee weapon. IIRC it has the possibility of chaining several consecutive strikes together, which gives in advantage in toe-to-toe combat.

2. I read somewhere that the best character for using magick is Ashe. It's true? Because I already started using her LP for magick.

In my experience Penelo has the highest base MP, but Ashe runs a close second and should definitely be reserved for a magical specalization.

3. Which quickenings I must learn?

If you look carefully at the License Board for each character, the Quickenings are tailored to each character. However, once a character purchases a Quickening tile, that tile is unavailable to the others. The key is to just plan your purchasing paths carefully so you don't waste LP on your way to your Quickenings.

You do want to get them ASAP though, since they give a substantial amount of MP and can get you out of a tight spot in a boss fight.

4. Some people say that Vaan is better with magick. It's true?

I doubt it. I feel that the best way to approach this game is a sort of MMO-ish mentality. Have one character who's meant to soak up damage and draw enemies towards him, one who does damage from a distance/casts magic, and one who just casts magic. The great thing about FF12 is the level of freedom you have to develop your party, so you should experiment and see what combos work best for you.

I wouldn't be too bothered if you can't kill that first Demon Wall, it's quite hard and the rewards are not earth-shattering. Give it a good try and if you can't, just carry on.

 

[Tetsu]

That's likely because you're still using guns with Balthier. Guns' attack power is lower but they ignore defense.

So, I should keep Balthier with guns, right?

Katana is definitely a preferred melee weapon. IIRC it has the possibility of chaining several consecutive strikes together, which gives in advantage in toe-to-toe combat.

I think that I will equip Vaan with Katana.

If you look carefully at the License Board for each character, the Quickenings are tailored to each character. However, once a character purchases a Quickening tile, that tile is unavailable to the others. The key is to just plan your purchasing paths carefully so you don't waste LP on your way to your Quickenings.

OK, but in the end, I can learn to all my characters, all of their 3 quickening or is there a limit in learning quickening? For example, max quickening to learn (10...)?

No idea on Ashe but i've always found her and Penelo quite effective at using magic

1. Max. possible HP
Level 10: Ashe 284, Penelo 275
Level 50: Ashe 2445, Penelo 2372
Level 99: Ashe 5251, Penelo 5096

2. Max. possible MP
Level 10: Ashe 54, Penelo 62
Level 50: Ashe 230, Penelo 231
Level 99: Ashe 349, Penelo 346

3. Strength
Level 10: Ashe 26, Penelo 25
Level 50: Ashe 47, Penelo 45
Level 99: Ashe 73, Penelo 70

4. Magick Power
Level 10: Ashe 25, Penelo 23
Level 50: Ashe 45, Penelo 42
Level 99: Ashe 69, Penelo 69

5. Vitality
Level 10: Ashe 26, Penelo 26
Level 50: Ashe 40, Penelo 41
Level 99: Ashe 57, Penelo 60

6. Speed
Level 10: Ashe 24, Penelo 25
Level 50: Ashe 29, Penelo 30
Level 99: Ashe 36, Penelo 36

I think I will go with Ashe + Ashe is beautiful. xD

As an added note, if you beat the first Demon Wall you get Demonsbane, very rare treasure pickup so you'd be best saving after you beat it and then keep going into the new area that opens up to try and get it.

Yeah, I know that. ^^

And last question, what is better? To learn first all three Quickening in a characters or to learn 1 quickening to 3 characters?

 

[Ness]

So, I should keep Balthier with guns, right?

Well, that's up to you...but guns are certainly not a bad choice, particularly if you equip him with light armor and keep him out of the action.

I think that I will equip Vaan with Katana.

A fine idea...but if he's going to be melee I would recommend pairing him with heavier armor for increased defense.

OK, but in the end, I can learn to all my characters, all of their 3 quickening or is there a limit in learning quickening? For example, max quickening to learn (10...)?

Yes, there are enough Quickening tiles for 3 per character. Once a character learns their third, the other tiles disappear for that character.

And last question, what is better? To learn first all three Quickening in a characters or to learn 1 quickening to 3 characters?

I would spread them around, since it will be easier to chain Quickenings together with multiple characters as opposed to just one.

 

[Tetsu]

A fine idea...but if he's going to be melee I would recommend pairing him with heavier armor for increased defense.

Katana with heavy set is a good choice or with Light its better? 'Cause I want to build Vaan to use Katana swords.

I would spread them around, since it will be easier to chain Quickenings together with multiple characters as opposed to just one.

OK, now I must practice/learn chain Quickenings.

 

[OzDok]

Light Armour increases HP but has a lower defense rating, Heavy Armour doesn't have a bonus to HP but has a higher defense rating. IMO - it really doesn't matter.

If you want an easy Demon Wall kill, then haste and beserk is a good idea. If you throw those two on Baltheir, he'll do insane damage.

 

[Tetsu]

Mmm I use guns at Balthier. Guns power is based on magick or attack power? I mean, where I must spend his LP?

 

[Ichigo]

Guns use attack power and ignore defense as stated earlier in the thread, also fun fact: Balthier actually has the lowest effectiveness with guns out of the whole party which is ironic because he starts with one.

One cheesy thing I used to do before I got better at FFXII was get quickening chains for every character then do a chain with my first party, then switch out a character for another one with a mist charge for another quickening and do it again until they ran out.