Tips for Fighting Soils

[azurerogue]

Soils are a great place to level, I'm sure almost everyone knows that by now. But when you go there at too low of a level it can be a pain. Melee really doesn't have this option at a low level and for casters those Mantis' can be a real pain. Most people tend to stay near the center of the area (where soils seem to spawn the most) but there is an advantage to going down to the beach area. That advantage lies in the physics of the game. You can use tricks down there to keep enemies out of melee until you kill them. All you need is a a weapon, a spell, or some way to deal damage.

First you need to gain the enemies aggro. Then lead them to one of the logs found on the beach (screenshots to follow). Then all you need to do is run to the other side of the log while they stand there, trying to figure out how to follow you. If you are ranged, just shoot/spell them from the other side. If you're melee, you'll need to pull them close to the log before you run to the other side to bash them while they stand there (I've tested with a lance, but I also used Pierce which I'm pretty sure isn't used at the spear's full range, meaning melee with daggers/swords/etc should be possible this way). Your only worry is if they get bored and wander off before you kill them - in which case you should just lure them back!

Good luck! Have fun at soils!

My Mage using this trick against a mantis:
http://img405.imageshack.us/my.php?image...006ij2.jpg

Me testing this trick with my Knight
http://img116.imageshack.us/my.php?image...008nm7.jpg

I also used Pierce on him but I forgot to take a SS. You'll just have to try iit yourself.

[ShadesOfBlue]

geo's is a better option for casters and swordies till theyre able to handle soils.

[azurerogue]

I disagree. Geos for Mages, maybe... but they have twice the MDef and less vulnerability to fire. For swordies, you need like 142 HIT to hit them 100% of the time, meaning that even at level 60 most swordies/knights wouldn't hit Geographers reliably.

Geographer = 8071 HP, 26+83 MDef, 150% vulnerable to fire, 142 to HIT 100% :: 13575/10000 Base EXP/Job EXP

Increase Soil = 8230 HP, 12+23 MDef, 200% vulnerable to fire, 116 to HIT 100% :: 13800/10550 Base EXP/Job EXP

I'd say that makes soils better, so long as you can keep them away (mages can just move and cast, swordies can use the trick above). This is all just my opinion, though, so people can go to Geos instead, obviously

[ShadesOfBlue]

my reasoning behind that was just because the fact geo's dont move so its easy good xp (about the same as soils) without fear of dieing so no need for a healer or pots so no zeny used.

[azurerogue]

Yea, I understand that. And I think it makes decent sense for mages. But for swordsmen, it takes so long to kill them (I read like 50 pages in a book while I gained one level kill them with a fire lance and provoke) that it seems like it's not worth it (unless you want to do something else while you level ;p)

[ShadesOfBlue]

yea i started killing one with a low level archer and had enoguh time to go to the store and back before it died lol.

[Frogboy]

soils are far better for low-level archers, your only real concern is mantises, but depending on build that shouldn't be a big deal either.