DFFOO [JP][Thancred Raid Lufenia+][Alt Run] Thancred, Ramza, Steiner
19Literally the only banner that I got out unscathed on both banners. Got him on free pull in contrast to having dreadful luck on both version during the latter half of August. The unfortunate thing with this luck is, I probably would need to token Laguna BT later.
Not a meta character by any means but Thancred is definitely a solid one.
At first glance he may have low HP dumps or lacking flairs like Alisaie's turn shenanigans. He actually hides quite a few extra HP dumps on his instant turn BRV++, C88 and new HP+ (Trick attack).
What his LD gives him is a new buff that has a maximum of 5 stacks. The stack increases whenever he acts, including C88, BRV attacks. At 5 stacks he would be able to pull off his new HP+ Trick attack, which puts the trick attack debuff onto the enemeies that causes they to take 20% HP dmg more.
Both of his C88 and S1 applies poison, so you don't have to spam it all day trying to get the debuffs. His S1 does give him the ATK up buff though.
Thancred's base skills still gives him 2 ninki. When you have above 3 ninki, you can choose to consume 3 to get a free skill with BRV++ or get the +version of his EX attack, which is now a 4 HP dump attack that does really nice splash dmg (may even look like full HP dmg when supplied with some HP dmg up).
The difficulty of playing Thancred is to juggle between his 5 stacks, ninki usage and free skills so they don't overflow too much. You can chain BRV++, into C88 into a skill to rack up a lot of HP dmg, but you also have to watch out for whether his stacks are at max so you probably should use Trick Attack to dissipate those stacks. It is perfectly fine to hold it off for a bit in case the boss is gonna cleanse or, like this one, have consecutive turns that you may need to soon reapply it, but since Trick attack is a free turn HP+ attack that has 3 dumps and splash, in theory you should fire off as many as possible.
His LD Dream within a dream also gives him instant 5 stacks, so use it to refresh buff, deal dmg or get instant stacks to reapply the debuff again immediately. His LD is a ST 6 dump attack, so time it in a burst dmg window, just like all Ninjas do in FFXIV. His EX also does really good dmg. Although it may take some extra brain power and practice to manage ninki, using EX boosters like Rem and Selphie can speed up his EX considerably.
While chaining BRV++ into C88 or a free skill is nice, the EX guage being almost full still warrant attention. If you don't have enough Ninki, you would miss out on the + version of the EX attack.
In many ways Thancred is not your typical press-every-button-to-win character. There is actually depth and a few layers to use him.
BRV dmg and BRV dmg cap:
Ngl I was expecting his S2 to do 3 dumps given the animation. The good thing with the current configuration is Thancred, unlike some of the previous characters like Laguna or Irvine, actually have quite enough BRV hits to support his HP dmg cap. His C88 also gives him 30% BRV cap, so he is quite self-sufficient in that regard. He also has BIG BRV dmg and gain increase from his extension, and he still retains his ability to deal massive BRV dmg against poison targets. This may not have been a big deal in the old days before Lufenia, but BRV dmg up is quite key to high reduction Lufenia stage these days. This one in particular is 90/90.
I don't have HA realization book atm so my Thancred is at HA. Ramza is there to boost the HP dmg cap. Technically because of the debuffs Ramza BT may not be at its optimal state. Buffs have to be reapplied from time to time to maintain its momentum.
Also I made a mistake of not using Lenna CA earlier so 2 of them still got paralyzed. And... Idk why I didnt simply Thancred LD near the end lol.
While the fight is detailed in the non-synergy one. I would like to make a note that Steiner is actually REALLY good in this fight. Not only he reduces HP dmg taken, provides HP regen to counteract the HEAT debuff that saps your BRV and HP, his LD effect providing BRV on every turn (both enemy and friendlies) actually play a big role in preventing your party from being broken and pushed back. This is exceptionally helpful during those 3 consecutive turns that they would continuously AoE BRV attack you.