Royal Redingote and SCHFollow

I'm currently using a [mACC+4 MAB+4] Redingote on my RDM, and have been debating changing it to [MAB+4 Fast Cast+5%] once I get SCH to 75 to access it as well. My reasoning being:

A) Once I have SCH @ 75, my RDM nuking will take a backseat to my SCH nuking

B) On SCH, if I am not under Klimaform I will likely be using Scholar's Gown if I need mACC

C) I am duoing with my brother's SCH, and there are quite a few already-75 or near-75 SCHs in my LS (we are very mage-heavy; my SCH will not likely heal in any event other than Salvage), meaning in any event where nuking is important, I can expect to have Klimaform up 66%-100% of the time (depending on if I am paired with 1 or 2 other SCHsin the nuking party). As such:

D) In any event where nuking is not important enough to warrant dedicated SCHs for a nuke party, I will almost certainly be asked to come on my (better-equipped and merited) RDM instead.

Therefore: Redingote will generally only be used for its MAB (under Klimaform/on Puddings), so it is safe to drop the mACC augment for a more useful (to both RDM and SCH) Fast Cast augment.

Are there flaws in this line of reasoning/sacrifices I have not considered here?

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This brings me to my second question, which I have checked the wiki and the stickies (it's possible I missed it, but I didn't see anything about it), and while I know that "Fast Cast" and "Grimoire: Reduces Spellcasting Time" stack, I don't know if they stack like Haste and March do for melee (straight addition), or for recast time (multiplicative in separate categories). With the following gearset, assuming the spell being cast is within the appropriate Grimoire, is the total casting time I calculate correct?

Dark Arts		10% G:RST 
/RDM			15% FC 
Argute Mortarboard	5%  G:RST 
Loquacious Earring	2%  FC 
Royal Redingote		5%  FC 
Warlock's Mantle	2%  FC 
Scholar's Loafers	5%  G:RST 
Fay Staff		2%  FC 
 
20% G:RST + 26% FC = 46% Cast time reduction

This would have spells firing at 54% of their normal cast time, granting near-Celerity/Alacrity spellcasting speed to every Grimoire-appropriate spell, no Strategems required, leaving Celerity/Alacrity to primarily be used for their Recast benefits.

Or, is it calculated (100% - 20% G:RST) * (100% - 26% FC) = 59.2% of normal casting time?

Edit: Added in a lucky Fay Staff augment (which I will be shooting for).

Edited, Sep 17th 2009 5:16pm by Aliekber

Thanks for indulging me; I'm sure I'm not the first casting speed-obsessed RDM to ask this, I just don't know where to find the answer others have gotten before me.



I suppose I'm just used to RDM's gimpy C+ rating making +Skill generally the highest priority for nukes.

I personally don't find the redingote to be that useful for nuking. IMO, the most benefit you could get from it on your SCH is for the rare situation where /DRK is extremely useful. Being at or near capped fast-cast for stuns is extremely beneficial any time you my be called upon to /DRK.

If you have another job that can get much better use out of the ACP body pieces, I would honestly recommend using it for that one instead.

Another thing to mention, of the augments I've seen on the pixie weapon, I am yet to see anything that would be more beneficial than HQ staves. I could be wrong, and if I am, someone point me to an example that is better in at least 1 situation.

I'd go with FC/MAB with the job options you have (RDM, BLU, SCH) if you mentioned being on BLU a lot then I'd recommend getting the body for BLU with ACC/DW.



You mention Redingote not being too useful for nuking yet you say it would be a better option for trying to cap Fast Cast for Stun? Something that most SCH's do for EXP and lesser NMs/HNMs beats a situational sub job for usefulness.

As to the damage INT+5 and MAB+4 boosts damage on tier IVs higher than Mahatma body does unless you get lucky and get INT +6 augment on it.

Since Fast Cast gives only half the effect for recast using Goliard body is a better option for Stun because -4% > -2.5% for recasts.