I main MNK.
MNK pride all the way. I could say more about why it is an amazing class, ( Gearsets, Dragon Kick, DPS output, demanding yet rewarding playstyle ) but I'm afraid that I'd likely be overzealous and rub some BRD, DRG, or BLM the wrong way.
I also did exactly what you're trying to do now last month - and have a complete allagan set to show for it.
So, Turn 5.
Required Cross-class Skill: Invigorate. You'll need the TP.
Chances are you've noticed that there is usually only one melee DPS slot in most PF groups. Basically, you have to beat some other melee to the spot, which is difficult enough to begin with. I've seen that some MNKs just host their own party to ensure that they get the melee slot, but if you're not that familiar with the turn ( and say as much ) it may be difficult to get people to join. It may be painful, but learning groups will get you through the basic phases of the turn and that's all good experience (usually).
Anyway, I'll list out the MNK tips you need to know for the fight. Some have already been listed, but I'll try to flesh those out a bit more if I can.
[ * ] Starting out, depending on your group setup ( 1 tank / 2 tanks ) you'll want to let tank(s) get hate and position the lesser adds off in a group or around Twintania. After holding off for a few seconds, move in and build GL on the first add or, if you're eager to down them, use Perfect Balance ( You can pop it now or save it for conflag phase. 3 minute cooldown, so it'll likely be available if you use it early ). The most important thing here is to avoid the liquid hells thrown out while you're DPS'ing. If you're lucky, you won't be targeted too often.
Most importantly though, you need to make sure you aren't directly under / in front of Twintania when DPS'ing or you can get plummeted along with the tank. Watch for when the tank turns her ( left / right ) to move her to the next phase position. Also, if you're out in the middle / side when the adds go down you can 'Shoulder Tackle' back to Twin to keep your stacks up.
[ * ] Next phase, just wail on Twin alongside the others ( split into groups for conflag of course. Compositions vary, but there's not too much to do here as a MNK other than do max DPS and move if and when you get the conflag icon. )
This is also where Perfect Balance can come into play - if you get stuck in the conflag column of fire you're sure to lose your stacks. So, when free of the conflagration, you can pop Perfect Balance to get back into fighting form or, depending on the timing, you can hold off and slowly build back up GL stacks ( You want PB for when the DPS race on the snakes begins after divebomb phase, so consider whether you'll have time for the 3 minute cooldown )
[ * ] When Twin flies off to begin divebomb phase you'll be huddled up with all the others and have the 3 snakes appear. This phase is very important as you'll want to do as much damage to the main snake as possible before the next phase begins. So, first thing to do is ignore the two lesser snakes. Let the other DPS whittle them down. Your focus should be on the main one. Now, there are two ways to do this. One, you can stay grouped with others and hit him from the front ( lower dps, and the tank will need to have moved the snakes into melee range so you can be grouped with others and still attack). Two, you can move behind main snake and do as much dps as possible before Twin divebombs. A divebomb timer ( or having someone else letting group know when divebombs are incoming is great here ). With this method you can spend 20-30 seconds behind the snake, and then 10-20 seconds before twin starts divebombs you move back to group.
[ * ] Next phase is where you *have* to be doing your max DPS. Let tank move snakes into position and then start DPS'ing ( can open with PB or wait save it for main snake - your call ). BLM or other caster will LB and immediately ( or shortly after ) the snakes will begin to die. You don't want to be close when this happens as you'll get stacks of the debuff. Back away a few seconds before they drop to avoid this. When main snake has 4 stacks (ideally) of debuff, dps him hard.
Be aware of your position in the field. You'll need time to make it to the neurolink before Twin swoops back in. Do as much DPS as you can, but if it's close, throw on a DoT or two and let ranged finish it.
At this point, if you haven't already, you MUST have Twin focus-targeted so that you'll be aware of twister casts in the next phase.
[ * ] When Twister and Dread Phase begins quickly move along the outer edge ( avoiding bumping into others ) to dodge twister. Move over to flank of Twin, but be mindful of your position in relation to the center of the arena. A dread will drop right in the center and if you get rooted in place by Twin you'll need to be far enough away that the tank and dps can kill the dread before it reaches you.Â
The Main Tank can help you a bit here by positioning twin off-center a bit or turning her flank / rear away from the center to give you a comfortable place to dps without fear of being terminally close should a dread come for you.
When it's safe to do so, you'll be responsible for dps'ing down the dread. As a melee, twisters are a concern for both you and the Off-tank ( if there is one ) so, even while dps'ing, watch for the twister cast. If it starts while you and the OT are close together, move away from them till it's over and then move back in. Also try to keep track of ground you've gone over, watch for 'landmine' zones you and the OT may have created and weave through those areas accordingly. You have some freedom to choose where these zones are, so keep that in mind when moving around the center areas.
[ * ] After the twister / dread phase ends, you can breathe again. Take up a position at Twin's rear / flank and DPS. Only thing you have to watch out for is Liquid Hell spam from Twin - if this happens run around the sides of the arena, taking care to 'blaze' a trail that doesn't hit other party members. Once Twin finishes, move back in.Â
One thing to note is that during this phase the OT (or you, if there's only one tank) will be absorbing 'hatches' in the neurolink beneath Twin. If you're dpsing by Twin, don't get too close when they explode - I think I remember seeing a DRG get insta-killed by the hatch explosion once.
If you're in the neuro playing stand-in for the OTÂ - just ensure no hatches get out. Block them with your body while doing ( significantly nerfed) DPS to Twin.
Lastly, as soon as LB2 is available, unleash it on Twin to end her a little faster.Â
If all goes well, you'll have cleared the turn!
** ...and get to see what the loot drops are. For me, the allagan chest took 15+ tries. The allagan weapon I got on my second clear. In any case, odds are you'll get plenty of practice with the turn. Good luck!
MNK pride all the way. I could say more about why it is an amazing class, ( Gearsets, Dragon Kick, DPS output, demanding yet rewarding playstyle ) but I'm afraid that I'd likely be overzealous and rub some BRD, DRG, or BLM the wrong way.
I also did exactly what you're trying to do now last month - and have a complete allagan set to show for it.
So, Turn 5.
Required Cross-class Skill: Invigorate. You'll need the TP.
Chances are you've noticed that there is usually only one melee DPS slot in most PF groups. Basically, you have to beat some other melee to the spot, which is difficult enough to begin with. I've seen that some MNKs just host their own party to ensure that they get the melee slot, but if you're not that familiar with the turn ( and say as much ) it may be difficult to get people to join. It may be painful, but learning groups will get you through the basic phases of the turn and that's all good experience (usually).
Anyway, I'll list out the MNK tips you need to know for the fight. Some have already been listed, but I'll try to flesh those out a bit more if I can.
[ * ] Starting out, depending on your group setup ( 1 tank / 2 tanks ) you'll want to let tank(s) get hate and position the lesser adds off in a group or around Twintania. After holding off for a few seconds, move in and build GL on the first add or, if you're eager to down them, use Perfect Balance ( You can pop it now or save it for conflag phase. 3 minute cooldown, so it'll likely be available if you use it early ). The most important thing here is to avoid the liquid hells thrown out while you're DPS'ing. If you're lucky, you won't be targeted too often.
Most importantly though, you need to make sure you aren't directly under / in front of Twintania when DPS'ing or you can get plummeted along with the tank. Watch for when the tank turns her ( left / right ) to move her to the next phase position. Also, if you're out in the middle / side when the adds go down you can 'Shoulder Tackle' back to Twin to keep your stacks up.
[ * ] Next phase, just wail on Twin alongside the others ( split into groups for conflag of course. Compositions vary, but there's not too much to do here as a MNK other than do max DPS and move if and when you get the conflag icon. )
This is also where Perfect Balance can come into play - if you get stuck in the conflag column of fire you're sure to lose your stacks. So, when free of the conflagration, you can pop Perfect Balance to get back into fighting form or, depending on the timing, you can hold off and slowly build back up GL stacks ( You want PB for when the DPS race on the snakes begins after divebomb phase, so consider whether you'll have time for the 3 minute cooldown )
[ * ] When Twin flies off to begin divebomb phase you'll be huddled up with all the others and have the 3 snakes appear. This phase is very important as you'll want to do as much damage to the main snake as possible before the next phase begins. So, first thing to do is ignore the two lesser snakes. Let the other DPS whittle them down. Your focus should be on the main one. Now, there are two ways to do this. One, you can stay grouped with others and hit him from the front ( lower dps, and the tank will need to have moved the snakes into melee range so you can be grouped with others and still attack). Two, you can move behind main snake and do as much dps as possible before Twin divebombs. A divebomb timer ( or having someone else letting group know when divebombs are incoming is great here ). With this method you can spend 20-30 seconds behind the snake, and then 10-20 seconds before twin starts divebombs you move back to group.
[ * ] Next phase is where you *have* to be doing your max DPS. Let tank move snakes into position and then start DPS'ing ( can open with PB or wait save it for main snake - your call ). BLM or other caster will LB and immediately ( or shortly after ) the snakes will begin to die. You don't want to be close when this happens as you'll get stacks of the debuff. Back away a few seconds before they drop to avoid this. When main snake has 4 stacks (ideally) of debuff, dps him hard.
Be aware of your position in the field. You'll need time to make it to the neurolink before Twin swoops back in. Do as much DPS as you can, but if it's close, throw on a DoT or two and let ranged finish it.
At this point, if you haven't already, you MUST have Twin focus-targeted so that you'll be aware of twister casts in the next phase.
[ * ] When Twister and Dread Phase begins quickly move along the outer edge ( avoiding bumping into others ) to dodge twister. Move over to flank of Twin, but be mindful of your position in relation to the center of the arena. A dread will drop right in the center and if you get rooted in place by Twin you'll need to be far enough away that the tank and dps can kill the dread before it reaches you.Â
The Main Tank can help you a bit here by positioning twin off-center a bit or turning her flank / rear away from the center to give you a comfortable place to dps without fear of being terminally close should a dread come for you.
When it's safe to do so, you'll be responsible for dps'ing down the dread. As a melee, twisters are a concern for both you and the Off-tank ( if there is one ) so, even while dps'ing, watch for the twister cast. If it starts while you and the OT are close together, move away from them till it's over and then move back in. Also try to keep track of ground you've gone over, watch for 'landmine' zones you and the OT may have created and weave through those areas accordingly. You have some freedom to choose where these zones are, so keep that in mind when moving around the center areas.
[ * ] After the twister / dread phase ends, you can breathe again. Take up a position at Twin's rear / flank and DPS. Only thing you have to watch out for is Liquid Hell spam from Twin - if this happens run around the sides of the arena, taking care to 'blaze' a trail that doesn't hit other party members. Once Twin finishes, move back in.Â
One thing to note is that during this phase the OT (or you, if there's only one tank) will be absorbing 'hatches' in the neurolink beneath Twin. If you're dpsing by Twin, don't get too close when they explode - I think I remember seeing a DRG get insta-killed by the hatch explosion once.
If you're in the neuro playing stand-in for the OTÂ - just ensure no hatches get out. Block them with your body while doing ( significantly nerfed) DPS to Twin.
Lastly, as soon as LB2 is available, unleash it on Twin to end her a little faster.Â
If all goes well, you'll have cleared the turn!
** ...and get to see what the loot drops are. For me, the allagan chest took 15+ tries. The allagan weapon I got on my second clear. In any case, odds are you'll get plenty of practice with the turn. Good luck!
