The fighter weapons are the highest single-target DPS weapons out there. So comparing anything else is a little silly.

But yeah, I too am a fan of the techniques, but found them underwhelming at first. After taking force and techter to level 12, I decided to carefully weigh my options, and made the decision to take Ranger up to 20. But after doing so, came back to techter.

Techter as a main class offers Shifta/Deband. This is a party-wide 5% damage boost, 5% down boost, extra natural PP regen, and 10% less damage taken to every ally in range that can be kept up constantly. As a side note, techter main offers 40% more healing and shares heals with allies in the area. Force offers Photon Flare. Which appears to offer 20% more damage (through potency) for 30 seconds on a 3 minute cooldown. There is also a lot of natural PP regen there available (at a reduced rate) as a subclass force, too. Ranger offers blight rounds, which creates a weak point at the target location on-demand that increases damage to the particular location by 20%.

To be honest, "natural" PP recovery feels like a bit of a trap. Most of the time one can only recover PP naturally by standing still or moving without photon dash. In other words, it only helps recover PP when idle. Sub gunner with its active PP bonuses makes a lot more sense, as I don't want to be idle on the battlefield when I can help it.

Shifta/Deband offers a lot of boosts, but each of them are very small. 5% extra damage, and a total of 10% extra down (1.05*1.05), plus small defensive options. The only trouble here is that while they can be maintained constantly and affect every ally in the area, the bonuses are still small. It can be hard to notice unless one is a min/maxer whose trained to keep an eye out for those buffs.

The ranger option is probably something you aren't expecting, as it's a ranged class and not a technique class. That means most likely using a sub force in order to use the rod and techniques. Also it means that the techniques itself will be about 9% less effective as you aren't getting the main-class bonus to them. On the flipside, Blight round allow you keep a 20% or 25% bonus damage on a specific part constantly while doing a good chunk of damage by itself. Everyone gets that bonus damage as long as they hit the specific part targeted. A rifle is required, so this option is specific to ranger/force using a rifle/rod multiweapon. The good news is that both the rifle and rod are 4 star Foursis series weapons, so it's not difficult to set up.

I however ended up ranger/gunner for a while using an unmodified rifle and launcher. Damage was great, especially from the launcher, but I ended up missing the elemental down option techniques have. That is the one thing that makes techniques worthy of boss battles. Do enough damage matching the elemental weakness and you can force an elemental down on the target. This acts like a down status, but is separate from the normal down from high damage. So the enemy boss can spend a lot more time downed than usual.

But that's my opinion.

I have gotten to level 20 as a Ranger and was using a Foursis rifle and a Vialto launcher without multiweaponing. The sole reason I used those two is because that's what I found in the field.

But honestly, if I were to do it over again, purchasing a Resurgir rifle and launcher to make a multiweapon rifle/launcher sounds like a good idea to save some costs of upgrading. Upgrading a single weapon instead of two could have saved me quite the bit. But with the cost of the multiweapon process itself, it doesn't look like there is much saving in N-meseta. Just N-grinders and fodder weapons. The rifle by itself actually doesn't seem to need multiweapon help all that much. Homing darts are the perfect mobbing tool, able to lock on to and attack everything in range of your sights. Blight rounds and spiral shot aren't all that bad against single targets. The skill Slide Shot Advanced turns the weapon action into an attack while dodging move. So overall there isn't really any weakness to cover. Multiweaponing with a launcher might be convenient in order to quickly alternate between blight rounds and the launcher's really powerful photon arts. But I can't really think of any other combos that might be worthwhile.

The launcher deals monster DPS to single targets and small groups, especially against bosses. However it is slow and doesn't really have anything to defend oneself with except the basic dodge everybody has. I've been tempted to try to multiweapon a launcher with a sword so I have something to block with. Maybe the partisan can also work since both are available in Vialto version.

But otherwise, at least for the Ranger, there doesn't seem to be much to sweat about.

After reading the title I am tempted to say, "what economy?"

Recently, I have managed to get my Ranger to level 20, a Vialto Launcher to level 40, and a Foursis rifle to level 37. I also upgraded 3 of the unique red-box Qual De units to an average of level 20. All of that has pretty much cost me every N-meseta I have earned. There is nothing left to buy fodder from the market. In fact most of my loot has been "converted to cash," because I'm perpetually broke. The daily and weekly mission pay just goes straight to the upgrade shop.

Since I really want to play Techter for a while, I bought a Resurgir Wand and Wire from the market in preparation. But after the purchase I found out I don't have enough cash to fuse them into a multiweapon like I wanted to. So I feel stuck with my old PSO equipment and the fresh Vialto Talis that I found as loot at least until I get paid my next weekly. But that is the only thing on the market that I found worth buying with my limited N-meseta. In fact, my weapon and unit grinding looks like it's on pause for the next week since I really want that multiweapon and that's the only way I can afford it.

Before we can buy stuff on the player shops, we need N-meseta to buy that stuff with. So, beyond the daily and weekly missions, how do we earn it? If you tell me I need premium to sell to the market then I am not listening. Any other ideas?

When you're looking at the prize list for scratch tickets, there is a preview option that will allow you to see how the outfit or accessory looks on you. Also, the same preview is available when browsing personal shops. So you can at least see the outfit on your character before you actually buy. Other than that, I don't know what to tell you.

Yeah. Each main class has it's own specialty action only usable by the main class. These are:

Iron Will (and Warcry) for Hunter, Overload for Fighter, Blight rounds for Ranger, Chain Trigger for Gunner, Photon Flare and Resta Field for Force, and finally "Shifta/Deband" and Resta Field for Techter.

Combining any of these on one character is impossible, since you can't have two main classes at the same time. All other skills either require a specific weapon or don't have any requirements. Therefore can be freely used when the class is set as sub. Unfortunately, the only two active buffs that can be combined with other class buffs on the same character are Hunter's Physique and PP Conversion, and both of those have reduced effects when used from a subclass.

Yeah, it kinda sucks. But I think the developers have a good reason for the change.

Given that you can spend your real money right now on NGS AC scratch tickets and Premium services, this isn't an "open beta." We went from closed beta to full launch. Mind you, the launch has some issues, but that doesn't mean the game isn't what it is.

It looks like the next continent is going to finished and released sometime next year, and we can expect a couple more classes to be released in the fall. If it follows the original PSO2 pattern, more of the planned content is going to be released gradually over time. So yeah, if you're looking for the "full game," expect a +/- 10 year wait.

From what I understand, the ability to deploy a talis to remotely cast techniques is a feature exclusive to the original PSO2. the NGS talis is a different beast entirely. The NGS talis features are exactly how you described. You can't remotely cast techniques, but the photon arts allow you to alter your techniques to really pour out the DPS while PP lasts.

The only other thing I observed with the NGS version is that Barta Blot and Zonde Clad don't work with talis PAs deployed, but still work when techniques are used without either of the PAs.

How interesting.

The jet boots weapon action turns a PA in progress into its alternate version, and is a very useful tool for getting the most of of your jet-boots Bouncer. Strike Gust's normal mode is to kick upward into the air. Strike Gust's weapon action reverses that, quickly grounding you and creating a shockwave and the Shifta effect where you land. Grand Wave is a charging attack. It sends you forward to deliver several kicks into the enemy you collide with. The weapon action reverses that to send you spinning directly away from the enemy you targeted (or auto-targeted). The spinning away is a full second of I-frames, meaning you can't be hit during it. If timed right will allow you to survive a lot of stuff that would deal serious damage to everyone else. The Deband effect gets activated the moment the weapon action gets used, at the location it's used. Surging Gale can cast Zanverse as part of the weapon action as well. The normal action kicks 4 times left and right to do AoE damage, while the weapon action alters the attack into a spin that draws enemies in, deals a lot of smaller ticks of damage, and casts Zanverse while spinning.

To figure out what's going on, you may need to drag your friend into the Damage Practice: Rockbear training and watch what is happening.

The Shifta, Deband, and Zanverse used is at the level learned and modified by the custom disks learned. So your friend should be able to slot Shifta and Deband to the sub-palate or a weapon and use them directly. The weapon actions doesn't need the techniques to be slotted, but if the option isn't there then he hasn't actually leaned the techniques properly.

If he can cast the techniques directly, look at him use the photon arts and weapon actions. With Strike Gust, if he spins in the air and kicks, or just spins in the air, he isn't using the weapon action properly and needs practice. The proper weapon action will slam into the ground while activating Shifta. That is similar with Surging Gale. If he doesn't spin backwards after charging forward, he isn't using the weapon action, and needs practice. The Deband auto-cast also sends the Bouncer spinning backward for a second (which can be canceled with another technique, photon art, dodge, or attack).

If he is able to make a ground-slam with Strike Gust or spin backward after a Surging Gale, but not generating a Shifta or Deband then the only thing I can think of is that the techniques aren't actually learned. Start over and make sure that he can cast Shifta and Deband directly.

Hope this helps.

Oops. I may have been misinformed. Sorry.

Yeah, Te/Bo is no longer a thing now that the scion classes are out.

On the Japanese side, Phantom did a good job on making the Force and Techter obsolete. So much so that the developers had to create things like compound techniques in order to lure players back from Phantom. You'll be going on a treasure hunt if you're serious about being a Techter.

For sub class, since you used the Phantom class before, I would recommend Phantom as your Subclass, although I personally decided to go with the Etoile subclass after using both for a bit.

The first thing on the treasure hunt list is Nabarta Type-0. This is your block button, and you can perform a strong counter with a high chance of freezing the target (when possible) on a perfect guard, much like your Braver's counter move.

Next on the list is Marlu's client order. It requires level 50, but when you complete it you get Heavy Hammer and the three simple compound techniques. Heavy Hammer is your one-and-only all-purpose Techter Photon art allowing you to close gaps quickly and deal big hits to the target. I'm personally not all that impressed with Re Zandia or Re Formelgia, but I do use Re Barantsia regularly. This technique allows one to move around the battlefield quickly while constantly attacking whatever target aimed at with ice and light. It may not generate "big" damage numbers, but you do get a lot of them over time, so it's well worth it in any situation where being close to the target is a bad idea. Especially fun with a Kwadarka Orb and the S1: Photon Descent 2 enhancement. 10% of PP costs and a constant 5 PP per second even while the technique is active can really extend the firing time.

Then there is Tech Charge Parry (L) ring. At a full +20, it gives 0.6 seconds of guard frames whenever you charge a technique. With Phantom Tech Short Charge from the sub, this gives very similar results to Phantom's class-only stealth charge. Except it's guard frames instead of i-frames, so you're still vulnerable from the back. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't recommend other rings until you can bind this to a unit. Frankly I have the combined version Defense Techniques bound to one of my units right now. Alternative Wand E Charge may be really tempting, but stick it out.

The big compound techniques give you occasional big burst damage almost for free. Either complete Klariskrays's orders or buy them from the photon drop exchange to get them. I bought mine early for photon spheres and didn't regret it. But if you do have the levels in any class, Klariskrays is likely the better option.

In terms of actual combat, basic attacks backed by Photonic Fury and Wand Lovers can actually out-DPS most of your techniques and possibly many other classes' PAs, while earning you PP instead of costing it. It is definitely viable to use Shifta, Deband, Zanverse, Megiverse, Zondeel, and Type Zero Nabarta as needed while relying on just basic attacks to kill opponents. The only trouble with this is it's also dangerous. You don't have a guard cancel so just getting into an opponent's face and swinging blindly is a very good way to get you smacked back in return. I find myself using Techniques for damage at range very often. It gets the job done safely most of the time.