2011-03-14, 03:32 PM
I don't really think monsters attack with enough damage or with enough frequency to warrant putting points into Mana Reflection. Adding to that, if the skill is true to its "reverse the mana flow" description, I'd assume it only applies to magical attacks and we all know (or I guess don't know) how monsters' magic attacks are in game i.e. ranged physical vs. actual magic. The previous fact adds to the frequency aspect where maybe 1 in 3 attacks (at bosses) will be magical and compounding that with only 60% of the time reflection, you see where this is going...
I hadn't planned on doing this, but I'm early for class and you provide such a great example that I couldn't resist. You are actually a great hindrance to Mana Reflect's ability: Using your 3600M.DEF at level 183, Ariel and her highest, theoretical M.ATT (thanks SP Database) of 13500 at level 180 and the SP Monster Damage Calculator, the maximum damage you could incur is 9450 with a return of 94500. I've never gone PBing nor do I know the mechanics of how a run occurs or when what monster attacks, but as a simplified example, your FD DoT could clear that 100% of the time in less than 3 seconds.
Also using your other screens as an example, I've become quite jealous of an L/I AM's inability to tank hits at bosses; CL lacks the dual directionality of Paralyze and tanking, at least for me, often results in facing the wrong direction for a cast or casting past the monster. Why wander tangentially like that? Tanking also reduces Mana Reflect's ability as I'd assume you'd be receiving physical damage all the time never allowing for magical damage, if it exists, to occur.
Future Ereve monsters might have more M.ATT, but even then I can't say it will improve the utility of Mana Reflect that much and it would appear I have run out of time. Perhaps an update later...
I hadn't planned on doing this, but I'm early for class and you provide such a great example that I couldn't resist. You are actually a great hindrance to Mana Reflect's ability: Using your 3600M.DEF at level 183, Ariel and her highest, theoretical M.ATT (thanks SP Database) of 13500 at level 180 and the SP Monster Damage Calculator, the maximum damage you could incur is 9450 with a return of 94500. I've never gone PBing nor do I know the mechanics of how a run occurs or when what monster attacks, but as a simplified example, your FD DoT could clear that 100% of the time in less than 3 seconds.
Also using your other screens as an example, I've become quite jealous of an L/I AM's inability to tank hits at bosses; CL lacks the dual directionality of Paralyze and tanking, at least for me, often results in facing the wrong direction for a cast or casting past the monster. Why wander tangentially like that? Tanking also reduces Mana Reflect's ability as I'd assume you'd be receiving physical damage all the time never allowing for magical damage, if it exists, to occur.
Future Ereve monsters might have more M.ATT, but even then I can't say it will improve the utility of Mana Reflect that much and it would appear I have run out of time. Perhaps an update later...