Game:

Final Fantasy IX (2000)

Duration: 11:25

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Full Playlist/End of Service thoughts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHim6AighbU&list=PLrUTnCWBLN4RnxHeTbKESmZwI9droZBLa&index=1

While there still IS a gear requirement, it's not as high as people might think anymore. Wait mode blew the fight wide open as planning and executing P2 is much much easier now being able to dial in small amounts of time.

I went from 3 sub30s (7, 9, FFT) to all sub30s because lol

Reqs:
1 Main DPS with at least 2 BDL. Good ones obviously really help. HE really helps.
1 "ramp" DPS with at least 1 BDL. HE mandatory here for early gauge.
1 "utility" that helps boost DPS. 1-2 BDL, can get away with 1 if ramp has two. (Utility here means anything from Imperil, an AASB that has another Boostga/Faithga, or overstrike HA, etc timed to go right before main dps to reduce savage levels, etc)

Anything extra on these 3 of course help but gauge juggling is tricky. LBOs are god-tier here because of that, and ADSBs are next-best because they can be fired off early just for a damage boost.
1 Realm healer who can keep people up. The regenga/QC USBs are incredible here
1 Big Mog (AASB2 honed + AASB1) or Big Orran (Sync, AASB, BSB)

All of them should be maxed dived with HA. Even 4-hit HAs are surprisingly good because of the multipliers involved.

FFIX
I previously cleared this because lol Zidane, but redid the lineup/ordering and re-ran to demonstrate the strategy.

Zidane (AASB1/Sync)
Beatrix (AASB/USB)
Marcus (AASB/USB)
Eiko (AASB2/USB)
Orran (Sync/AASB/BSB)

Zidane wombo obviously puts him in main DPS position. IX tends to push P1 insanely fast if Marcus AASB is used as ramp, which results in not enough gauge to execute P2/P3- hence it's delayed by a turn. Beatrix is there as Util since her HA are free King's Rage hits. Since we're going so fast, Marcus' AASB buff for weakness element lasts long enough for Zidane's Sync opener after P2 DPS starts.

This run gets away with 4 BDL because, again, lol Zidane.

One big whoops moment is not using Eiko's crit USB. That would have pushed the run a turn faster.

Strat
1) buff (Orran AASB1 or Mog AASB2) and chain up immediately; The offrealm does nothing but spam chases- i.e. Orran HA and critsong or Mog HA and breakdance. Big Buff (Orran BSB, Mog AASB) as close to the 15sec mark as possible (integrated into point 3 later), and re-chain around 15-16s. The Fullbreak counter obviously goes off at 40%. Orran especially can have a little issue with gauge here- consider De'diaja in Slot1 to push gauge a little more if necessary

2) The ramp gets the first BDL up at 7sec because first ability gives more gauge, push to 70% by 12-15s. This tends earlier if there's a second BDL for P1, but otherwise can go slightly on the later side if the main dps is strong to carry the later part of the fight fast.

3) DK needs 6 SBs total to not eat Sphere AOE- 3 immediately on phase transition, then 1 after the first attack, and 2 more after 2nd attack/toplane memory bite. So for that, four people get 1 SB off in P2, last (usually main dps) needs to cast two. That person needs priority in P1 to potentially start casting before the transition while the ramp does the last push, as does Orran for BSB timing if using Orran.

4) Essentially healer is in slot3 to eat sphere, put the two with better gauge gain above (so they can SB before memory bite) and two slower ones below. Healer can basically Diaja or Holyja the entire fight for gauge- with offrealm chip heal support, every healer having some kind of AOE HA medica and the new Chain II giving some help with DR, there's significant overheal especially since going fast cuts out most of the nonsense. (You do not eat the debuff or P2 Megaflare at all) Healer QC USB is a must, it often does more than AASB/Sync depending on their effects

5) DPS should have their fully set-up stuff going off right after Godwall falls off (wait mode + seeing when it's cast goes 90% of the way here)

6) Main DPS with two BDLs up and the offrealm buff SHOULD be able to push King's Rage especially since chain count will be maxed at this point.

7) 2-gauge LBO can be blown in P2 in lieu of 6th SB right before Sphere Ray. Reduced damage is worth for people not getting delayed.

8) If the fight has P1 Black Hole, healer needs to glint there (assuming Orran) or alternatively have Haste ready to cast if using Mog (or Mog can haste)

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