FFXIV Ranged DPS Role Actions: Guide & FAQ (Dawntrail UPDATE)

All you need to know about Healer Role Actions in FFXIV, the replacement for cross-class skills!

Here’s quick  guide about Physical Ranged DPS Role Actions! (previously the cross-class skills system). This time around, we no longer have to choose – and have access to all Role Actions! (As a note, people informally refer to these classes as “Ranged”)

Dawntrail Update: Buff to Second Wind.

  • Second Wind becomes straonger at L94, up to 800 Potency.
What Jobs get the Physical Ranged Role Actions?

Job Classes

Bard (BRD)
Machinist (MCH)
Dancer (DNC)

Base Classes 

Archer (ARC)

Ranged DPS Role Actions – Navigation:
Ranged Role Actions List | Role Actions Uses & Discussion

Ranged DPS Role Actions list

LevelActionDescriptionCastRecastDuration
6Leg GrazeAfflicts target with Heavy +40% for 10s.Instant3010
8Second WindRestore own HP, scales with attack power.
Cure Potency: 800
Instant120-
10Foot GrazeBinds target for 10s.Instant3010
20PelotonIncreases out of combat movespeed for nearby party members.Instant530
24Head GrazeInterrupts the use of a target's action.Instant30-
32Arm's LengthIgnore most position altering effects for 5s. Cause Slow +20% for 15s when struck.Instant1206(15)

Second Wind improves via a Role Trait at L94.

Ranged DPS Role Actions: Quick Strategy & Discussion

Here we talk a little bit about each of the role actions, and their applications.

Leg Graze & Foot Graze

Mostly useful while soloing. VERY RARELY USED IN RAIDS. If it does, don’t fret not binding these skills as they aren’t commonly used anyway. Heavy and Bind really don’t come up very often in hardcore content.

The usefulness of Bind (and to a lesser extent Heavy) while questing is amazing!

Second Wind

Can save your life in raids when expertly used. Learn how to use it well! Never bad to have a self-heal while soloing too, of course.

Note: As a healer main there are very few instances where Second Wind ACTUALLY helps. It’s great for when you accidentally took a hit before a damaging mechanic. Ask your healers about it! “It’s better to do it before, than after”.

Peloton

A great little luxury skill to speed up dungeon runs in between pull and all non-combat walking in general. Godlike for questing and moving around in town, haha.

Head Graze

Interrupts are rarely used in raids, but very important when they are. Being a ranged character, it’s usually you or the tank who is responsible for it. Don’t sweat binding to a useful button, as it doesn’t come up very often.

Arm’s Length

A very niche skill to cheese some raid mehcanics. It also prevents your cast bar from being interrupted, so keep that in mind!

Ranged DPS Role Actions – Navigation:
Ranged Role Actions List | Role Actions Uses & Discussion

Well, that’s about it for Ranged DPS Role Actions! FOR NOW! I’ll be adding to this soon.

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FFXIV Machinist Leveling

Level up your Machinist (MCH)! Setting up – Early Rotations – Gear Checks and more!

If you’ve found yourself here, you’re likely leveling up a Machinist. You’ve found the right place. Hopefully, our Machinist Leveling Guide helps you out – especially with setting up and the early L30+ rotation!

Machinist Leveling Guide Navigation:
Page 1: Unlocking, L30 Skills & Rotation, L30 Gear, Class Quest List
Page 2: Leveling MCH 30 to 50 (Basic info for now)
Page 3: Leveling MCH 50 to 60 (Basic info for now)
Page 4: Leveling MCH 60 to 70 (Basic info for now)

For those who jumped right into this page, we will add a little blurb about unlocking Machinist, if you haven’t already.

Unlocking Machinist (MCH) Job

Quest Name: Savior of Skysteel
Quest Location: Foundation (X:8, Y:10)
NPC Name: Stephanivien

You will be rewarded with the Soul of the Machinist, your main hand weapon (Steel-barreled Carbine), and a free coffer of 30 left side gear (Toadskin Jacket and Toadskin Brais)! Equip them as soon you have them!

Continue doing any and all quests in the chain. You should get the Hotshot skill before proceeding.

Since Machinist starts at level 30  (provided you have a level 50 character), there are a few things you have to “catch up to”… Namely, your Skills, Rotation, and to a lesser extent, Gear.

Fresh Level 30 Machinist Rotation & Skills

Thankfully, there aren’t too many skills unlocked by L30 so you won’t be overwhelmed.

MCH Rotation Summary

The MCH “rotation” or if we can even call it that, is all about bullets, procs, RNG, and frustration.

Reload and Quick Reload add bullets into your gun that “surely” proc your next combo in the chain. If you’re doing it “raw”, your combo is reduced to a chance.

You must be very keen of procs, and maximizing the use of every bullet!

It’s useless to go into detail this early at L30. In the next tabs, we will mention ALL AVAILABLE SKILLS and the context wherein they’re used.

L30 MCH Single Target Rotation
L30 MCH Single Target Rotation

Use Reload (L4) and Quick Reload (L26) as often as possible. Be mindful never to go above 5 bullets.

Is Hotshot (L30) buff up? If no, use Hotshot, if yes, proceed.

Split Shot (L1) Proc or bullet? Proceed. If not, spam Split Shot (L1)
Slug Shot (L2).

If you have Reassemble (L10), use it only on your strongest skill (in this case, Slug Shot with Ammo.

Heartbreak (L6) when the enemy is at low life.

L30 MCH Basic AoE Rotation
L30 MCH AoE Rotation

DO NOT USE YOUR AOE ON 2 TARGETS.  A case can be made for using spread shot on 2 guys IF YOU HAVE AMMO – but I don’t think it’s ultimately worth it.

Spread Shot (L18) spam on 3+ targets.  Obviously with 4 or more targets, Spread Shot becomes beastly – but be wary of the TP costs.

Remember to still keep Hotshot (L30) up.

L30 MCH Misc (Cooldowns, Utility)
L30 MCH Utility Skills

Reload (L4) and Quick Reload (L26), just a reminder, gives bullets which increase potency on most skills, and ensures proccing the combo chain.

Reassemble (L10) ensures your next weapon skill is a critical strike – always save it for your strongest shot.

Blank (L15) is a decent pushback, you can interrupt skills with it. Careful using it in dungeons – you don’t wanna loosen up piled enemies.

Rapid Fire (L30) speeds up your GCD considerably for 3 skills. Useful in the near future with Wildfire (L30). For now, it’s a generic DPS cooldown.

L30 MCH Role Actions
L30 MCH Role Actions

Long story short a basic solo setup is:
Invigorate > Second Wind > Peloton > Any

For a detailed guide check out our Ranged DPS Role Actions guide.

 

Fresh level 30 Machinist: Gear Check

The free gear you get from completing the Machinist quest is, ultimately, lacking. You only get a chest and leg armor, while lacking Helm, Belt, Gloves, Boots – and the entire 5 right-side accessories. If you plan to maximize your options in leveling – you wanna shore this up ASAP.

Ignore this section if you’re one of those pure PotD types.

FOR THE ACCESSORIES: Fluorite Tier, OPTIONALLY melded with Heaven’s Eye > Savage Aim > Savage Might. You can meld your other gear, too, if you like.

L30 MCH Basic of the Basic gear
SlotItemNote
WeaponSteel-barreled CarbineFree from coffer
HeadHQ Steel SalletMarket board / ARM
BodyToadskin JacketFree from coffer
HandsHQ Toadskin ArmguardsMarket board / LTW
BeltHQ Toadskin BeltMarket board / LTW
LegsToadskin BraisFree from coffer
BootsHQ Toadskin Leg GuardsMarket board / LTW
EarringHQ Fluorite EarringMarket board / GSM
NeckHQ Fluorite ChokerMarket board / GSM
WristHQ Fluorite BraceletMarket board / GSM
RingHQ Fluorite RingMarket board / GSM
RingHQ Fluorite RingMarket board / GSM

Machinist Class Quests: Where!?

It happens to everyone, don’t worry. We will be listing the relevant chunks per tier on the respective page of this leveling guide as well, for easy reference.

Machinist Job Quests 30 to 50
LVLQUESTLOCATIONCOORDSISSUERREWARDS
   XY
30Master of MarksmanshipOuter La Noscea2018Rostnsthal
35Always the Last Place You LookFoundation810Stephanivien
40Rook Before You ReapFoundation810Stephanivien
40Securing the LocksFoundation810Stephanivien
45A Suppressive StrategyFoundation810Stephanivien
45Blood on the SandsFoundation810Stephanivien
50Rage against the MachinistsFoundation810Stephanivien
50The Power of a TourneyFoundation810Stephanivien
Junior Machinist’s Armor Coffer
Machinist Job Quests 50 to 60
LVLQUESTLOCATIONCOORDSISSUERREWARDS
   XY
50A Joye-less CelebrationFoundation810Stephanivien
52Pushing the BrumeFoundation810Stephanivien
54A Joye-ful ReunionFoundation810Stephanivien
56Wheels of JusticeFoundation810Stephanivien
58Taking the FallFoundation810Stephanivien
58Rusted SteelFoundation810Stephanivien
60Rise of the MachinistsFoundation810StephanivienMachinist’s Armor Coffer
Machinist Job Quests 60 to 70
LVLQUESTLOCATIONCOORDSISSUERREWARDS
   XY
60The Machinist’s ChoiceFoundation810Stephanivien
63The Hrunting HeistFoundation1212Hilda
65Release the HoundsFoundation1212Hilda
68Snouts Down, Tails UpFoundation1212Hilda
70The Mongrel and the KnightFoundation1212HildaGunner’s Armor Coffer

Machinist Leveling Guide Navigation:
Page 1: Unlocking, L30 Skills & Rotation, L30 Gear, Class Quest List
Page 2: Leveling MCH 30 to 50 (Basic info for now)
Page 3: Leveling MCH 50 to 60 (Basic info for now)
Page 4: Leveling MCH 60 to 70 (Basic info for now)

I’m sure you’re itching to level up – and I hope you took the above preparations to heart! Just continue onwards with the links just above!

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FFXIV 3.2 Machinist (MCH) Best in Slot (BiS) Gear

3.2 UPDATED! MCH Best in slot guide! “BRB buying bullets in town”. MCH Lore buy order, Melding, Pages & Normals, more!

So your 1 key hasn’t worn out yet and you’re back to being a “Robot Sympathizer” which isn’t too popular with the Eorzeans! Thankfully, MCH got some pretty beefy buffs – so GL getting your 3.2 MCH BiS! Thanks to Tiffany Faye for the help!

Quicknotes: Of course, is very similar to BRD BiS. The most glaring difference I can tell you is that SS is absolutely garbage for MCH.

Navigation: Machinist BiS
MCH BiS | Discussion | Lore Buy Order | Crafted TBA

3.2 Machinist Best-in-Slot

MCNItemMeld 1Meld 2ACCCRITDETSS
WeaponMidan Metal MusketoonCRIT VCRIT V-110-123
Offhand---
HelmMidan Goggles of AimingDET VDET V486924-
BodyAugmented Torrent Tabard of AimingCRIT VCRIT V1122475-
HandAugmented Torrent Armguards of AimingDET VDET V486924-
BeltMidan Belt of AimingDET V--5146-
LegsAugmented Torrent Tights of AimingCRIT VCRIT V-102-112
BootsAugmented Torrent Boots of AimingCRIT VCRIT IV-6966-
NeckMidan Neckband of AimingDET V-365112-
EarringAugmented Primal Earrings of AimingDET V--5146
WristAugmented Primal Bracelet of AimingCRIT V-5148--
RingAugmented Primal Ring of AimingCRIT V--4849-
RingMidan Ring of AimingCRIT V-3612-51
FoodBaked Pipira Pira--1837--
StatsTotal stats from gear349741342286
End value7031095560640

 

only making short discussions to update all BiS quickly

MCH BiS Discussion

640 SS? What gives, man!? Well, SS is locked in 3 key pieces of gear

  • 100+ from 245 Weapon (Silly not to use this)
  • 100+ from Legs (Other legs are ACC DET and no crit…)
  • 50+ from Ring (Un-upgraded ring is OK, but lose too much ACC!)

So with that, we’re stuck. You may not like it, but we HAVE NO CHOICE.

Why not use Midan Body? It has CRIT! Well, there’s this other stat that’s slightly more important that Crit sometimes – it’s called ACCURACY. The 50~ Crit lost from body more than makes up for the tons of accuracy WE ACTUALLY NEED. It’s just a 50~ point loss, shh bby is ok.

Frontal Accuracy? This set is 20 points away from Frontal ACC cap. If you find yourself needing it, simply replace 1 (2 max) DET melds for ACC.

Technically, you can swap the body and legs, as both of those slots have mirrored stats. This BiS just assumes everyone will get the legs sooner than the body. Just tossin’ that out there… meaning:

  • Choosing Midan Body + Midan Legs (saves lore)
  • Choosing Lore Body + Lore Legs (Earlier BiS power spike to beat A7/8)

If your MCH is an alt you may consider the Midan option.

It is as of yet confirmed if Piety increases your worship levels and boosts proc chance. If that’s the case you can check WHM… (This is a joke, k).

MCH Lore Tomestone Buy Order

The below spending strategy is purely to obtain BiS fastest:

  • Weapon: Not bad so why not? You’ll have to buy this at some point, man.
  • Body: By order of Midan counterpart…
  • Legs: By order of Midan counterpart…
  • Hands: This before boots since the stats are way better.
  • Boots: Yep… “That’s a lot of Lore, MAN!!!!”
  • Ring > Wrist > Earring in that order of value.

ANYTHING ELSE IS OPTIONAL: left-side fillers should be prioritized (Head > Belt), then accessories Neck > Ring(Unupgraded).

USING UP PAGES AND MIDAS NORMAL PARTS

Click on the expandables below to see how you should spend pages, and which Midas Normal parts to get first –

Midan Savage Pages

MIDAN SAVAGE PAGES

The below spending method is for getting BiS fastest:

A5S: Belt > Ring > Neck > Any
A6S: Head > Illuminati Dark Gobcoat  x 3  > Any
A7S: Illuminati Taut Gobtwine x 4 > Any
A8S: Weapon > Any (Gobdip then just wait for Gun is fine…)

B-but Mahiko Senpai, the piece I bought dropped the next week! Don’t blame me. Blame yourself, or God. Not “God Mahiko”, just God. Or yourself.

Midan Normal Parts

MIDAN NORMAL PARTS

“what should MCH’s pick up in Midas normal”! Is a common question, so here it is! This is a general thing, and people might have varying levels of gear or goals but as a catch-all good enough recommendation:

MCHM1NM2NM3NM4N
Week 1chainboltspringspring
Week 2pedalpedalspringspring
Week 3boltlenscrankcrank
Week 4boltboltlensANY

So we’re avoiding body here since we’re picking up lore ASAP. Every other body piece is pure value and will serve you as far as A8S! The stats are surprisingly great. BOLTS = Ring > Neck > Any. Week 5+ ANY.

Click the above!!!

MCH Crafted Gear Viability

I’ll be updating this in the second pass just so I can finish more BiS pages asap. 90% of the info you’ll need is already here, though.

Navigation: Machinist BiS
MCH BiS | Discussion | Lore Buy Order | Crafted TBA

As the robots rise and fall – so does your proc chance!!! GL with yer’ Machinist for BiS in 3.2!

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