2011-01-01, 05:34 AM
TLeviathan Wrote:I don't get why you're arguing against Adv. Blue for boss situations... it's not like you're going to be using reaper on a boss. 20% status/elemental resistance vs. a buff you won't be casting is what it comes down to. As for the extended time on drain vs. blue aura, I just don't see the argument there. The damage lost by having to cast drain a handful of extra times is insignificant (even more so on bosses which dispel). And @ the above... your whole point is "if you're not a serious bosser," yet it's very common now post-BB to single party the "non-serious" bosses (it was pre-bb anyways)... it wouldn't be inconceivable to have a single party, 3 of which are battle mages. The only time where multiple parties are guaranteed are the serious fights which you won't be participating in. When it comes down to it, you're not really gaining much by skipping the blue aura skillset. Noticeable survivability increase > slightly longer buff duration.
What the pineapple type of single party bossing situation do you need survivability on that you would want a third Battle Mage for Blue? Are there seriously no other DPS solutions to your party? Are there seriously a high enough Battle Mage ratio to rationalise putting 3 per party? If you need Blue to survive, you could either get a Dark Knight or you're not ready for bossing. It's as simple as that. This game isn't complex enough where you need an explicit support class to keep you alive at all times. As long as you can survive a hit, you can pot afterward to full health and survive the next hit. It's not hard. Adv. Blue should not reduce the amount of potting you need to do either.
You should be getting Advanced Blue because Reaper and Drain suck and you get passive resist, but not because you're gonna be the hot pomegranate for partying.