Actually, it's +5 for every stat, +10 for 2 stats and +5 for a third stat which results in 2 stats at +15, one at +10 and others at +5. Btw, when thinking about it, it's sums up at 8*9*55 = 3960 sources. Thanksfully it's in the long run because pressing 4k times the same button to increase stats would have driven us insane ^^
Oh, is it? Whoops. I can't even remember my own nonsense ^^'
I was wondering what sort of damage formula is used for the "Attack" command, as it seems very underwhelming. Everyone on my team, including Cid (whose magic is like slightly over 1/3 of what his STR is) does more damage with level 2 spells than Attack. On the other hand the Deathblow also misses too much to be reliable physical damage. Is magic meant to be the 100% time go to, or is my gear just weak (strongest weapon I currently have is apocalypse) and I'm struggling with the
On another note, it's not possible to select the "do nothing" option when talking to the Corel NPC that teleports you into saucer areas with the gold ticket, so you always have to trek back if you by mistake talk to the NPC or decide not to go to the saucer.
I'll fix that NPC. As for Attack, you need to make some preparations to beef up your physical damage output. Consider using some of the following:
-) Elemental Matera + [Element] in the weapon, 2x damage
-) Added Cut + Command/Spell for additional damage (Deathblow and Mug are the common ones, for a makeshift 2x-Cut).
-) STR boosting equipment: Power Wrist, Gigas Armlet, Edincoat, anything that raises it.
-) Front Row for short-range attackers (Back Row imposes a 50% damage penalty to physical attacks).
-) Counter Attack and Command Counter can be used to generate more free physical attacks.
Another thing to consider is the defence of the enemy; some will have noticeably higher physical defence or magical defence. Pearl Weapon has 200 Defence vs 170 Magic Defence, but both these stats drop to 55 when his chest-plate opens for his big attack. Put a non-elemental Materia like Barrier or Cover or something into Cloud's weapon and then combine it with Elemental for 2x damage (doesn't work for his Limits, which use separate formulas/elements).
The general balance of Physical vs. Magical is that physicals are fast-animation and cost no MP while spells take some time + MP to use. Physicals though can generate more hits overall and have the ability to land 2x damage from criticals, with stacking counter attacks, command counter, Added Cut, 2x-Cut/4x-Cut, and Limits. It's easier to build the STR stat as well thanks to the Weapon value adding onto the character's strength.
Where Magic comes in is with the versatility that's available at a given time and it's higher damage overall. By contrast, the support Materia for Magic isn't quite as potent. Quadra only doubles the damage output because it halves the base damage dealt with the drawback of only being effective for as many charges it has (5x max), while MP Turbo and Magic Counter can both drain MP at a quick rate. I think the potential damage is higher for Magic though, which is the way it should be. There needs to be a pay-off for using that MP and setting up all the Materia for the spells.
I've been told by some that physical attacks are too strong but then other players will tell me that Magic seems to be the end-all. In the vanilla game, there is a definite point when physical attacks will outstrip magical ones and it's based on Level and the availability of Materia that will multiply it's damage output. In NT, Level gets synched at 44 and those Materia are shuffled around a bit with all the equipment changes so I'd say it's in constant flux; there'll be times when physicals have an edge but others when magic has it. It depends when you unlock stronger spells, find weapons & Materia, and what characters you happen to be using for certain stretches of the game.
I will say I've been very impressed with the Fort Condor rewards. Everything so far has been useful and if I haven't missed anything then I've just done Fort Condor Battle 11 for Remedy x10, just after waking the Sleeping Forest with the Lunar Harp in Bone Village.
Well, I'm glad; someone said they were useless consumables and only useful for selling ;-;
