The reason for writing this post is the lack of knowledge in reference to skillchains.
I don't blame players who just started the game or never got the chance to try them but the players who got a sub job or even an advanced job.
At this lvl i can't imagine someone who never tried to chain before.
Let's start:
I use skillchains since i reached a lvl10 weaponskill with my first job so i think i know some things about them.
Now i'll try to explain in a simple way how they work and how you should prepare for them.
This should be a guide for those who don't use skillchains at the moment. Try them and don't be affraid of messing a chain. Only noobs will flame you for this if you tell them you never tried SC before.
1. The first thing you need for a chain are the weaponskills everybody is able to use.
2. Guess what. Yep you have to search for the most effective chain you can use.
To make things easier use this information:
Monster Classification Chart: http://db.gamefaqs.com/console/ps2/file/final_fantasy_xi_monster_class.txt
Renkei Charts: http://db.ffvault.ign.com/screenshots/?category_select_id=cat_8
Now you search for the mob you'd like to fight and check his weak element. Take that and your weaponskills and search for a good skillchain in one of the charts.
3. Know your role! Once you decide on a chain make sure everyone knows when he/she has to use what weaponskill. This includes mages too.
A skillchain without a magic burst is only a half skillchain.
4. Set up macros. Most important is one like this:
/p 2nd (Weaponskill) TP<tp>
2nd: tells the others when you'll use your WS
Weaponskill: yes here's your WS (use the auto translate WS)
TP<tp>: reports your TP to your party
If someone uses this macro everyone should report the TP.
So everybody will know when the chain is ready for use and can prepare to use the WS or Spells.
For beginners this macro should help to get the timing:
/p (Weaponskill) in 3 seconds.
/wait 2
/p 3rd (Weaponskill) (I'm using it)
/wait 1
/ws "Weaponskill" <t>
Once the first one uses this the other players can get ready to use their macro.
I'll explain the timing later.
Thiefs should have one like this:
/wait 1
/ja "(Sneak Attack)" <me>
/wait 1
/ja "(Trick Attack)" <me>
/wait 1
/ws "Weaponskill" <t>
5. If you did the 4 steps you are ready for chains now. So let's get to the right timing.
As you should know the time between the use of weaponskills is at least 3 seconds and (i think SE changed something here to make it a bit easier to chain) max 4 seconds.
So if you're a bit too slow for the 3 seconds the chain should still work.
UPDATE: It seems like SE changed the timing a bit so it's easier now to chain even if you are a too fast or too slow.
If you use the macros from 4. everything you'll need is a start command from the first in chain. So everybody can prepare to use WS and spells.
With a little training you'll get the timing in a short time. Then you can delete the "3 seconds" tell, the /wait 2 and the other stuff.
Most of the players in experienced parties use the weaponskill without any /tell but of course the choice is up to you.
6. Magic Bursts: They are easy if you make sure what element to use and at the end of a chain.
It's a bit harder to get the right timing to burst between two weaponskills.
You'll have to know how long it takes to cast the spell and when to start.
It's the same for ancient spells. In this case the Blm has to start the chain (because ancient spells have a 17s casttime) with a "/p starting skillchain!" or something like that and start casting after the others give their OK.
For example: the spells take 4 seconds to cast
/p Starting Chain! (or something lke that)
player1 uses weaponskill
player2 prepares weaponskill
player4 starts casting spell
3 seconds
player2 uses weaponskill
skillchain I
player3 prepares weaponskill
player5 starts casting spell
1 second
player4 casts spell
magic burst I
2 seconds
player 3 uses weaponskill
skillchain II
1 second
player5 casts spell
magic burst II
You can burst with more than one spell too. Just cast the spells so they'll go off when the skillchain takes effect and you'll get double and tripple magic bursts or more.
A tip from me. If you are not the first one in the chain and everyone has 100+TP get ready for the chain. Press Strg-W and select your WS and the target. DON'T USE IT NOW! Just wait till it's time for it.
This way you can't fail by pressing the wrong button or mess with your macro.
7. Use Provoke before starting the chain. This will prevent the mob from running to the mages in the middle of the chain.
Also the Whm should reduce healing in this time to the minimum and not use CureIII, Curaga or (this one is realy great for suicide ^^) Benediction.
Blm should stop nuking and prepare for MB instead.
8. The chain damage seems to be calculated with the weaponskill that produces the chain so it would be the best idea to select a chain that's not only strong against the type of mob you are fighting but also has the strongest chain creating weaponskill as attack before MB.
Yosh (japanese for "OK"). I think that's all you'll need. Maybe i forgot something important so please feel free to add your informations.
Happy chaining ^^
Edit: changed colors, changed timings, added info and 7.
Edit: updated some info
Edited, Tue Mar 23 10:34:57 2004 by RidingBean
Edited, Wed Aug 18 07:24:36 2004 by RidingBean
Edited, Tue Nov 30 04:42:22 2004 by RidingBean