Welcome boys and girls to Skill Chaining 102. Now most of you may know the basics of this, but I'm here to shed a little more light on it for you. I hope to help newer players enhance their party experience and damage output. This is not just for melee players, I will tell how to chain with Summoners and burst with the best of them as a Black Mage, Red Mage, and even as a White Mage. Also, I will shed some Light on LVL 3 Skill Chains and suggestions on how to set up macros. But first, like any good lesson I must review what you have already learned (but I will be brief about it don't worry I'm short and to the point usually). To help understand what I'm talking about I will refer to boxes on a skill chain chart by the element. (i.e. the wind box or fire box, etc. etc.)

I. How to get your Skill Chain to go Through

Now, the way most people know how is by waiting 2-4 seconds after the first WS, and doing their WS. They are absolutely right about this. There is also another way to know how to time your skill. Use the Animation. You can read in the chat log that so and so just readied their skill, but you need to wait 1-2 seconds after the animation actually shows them doing it. This in effect becomes the above stated 2-4 seconds. So the moral of this part of the story, just pay attention. Even if you don't read it in the chat log, you can also hear it, or even see the animation. So there are 3 different ways to tell someone just started the chain, and no reason why you should miss it. This is also assuming the mob stays in one place (Those stupid mandys must know pain is coming with their sleep and or running around).

II. Suggestions on Macros

Now I am a Monk. I love my job. And of course I've had the ability to Boost since as long as I can remember. And when you have an ability like this USE IT!! Thief is a prime example. SATA Viper Bite will do 350-700 (ask a real thief for more accurate numbers) but a regular one will do 60-80. I prefer the phrase one-hit-wonder about them, but that is besides the point here. Also a note to all of you warriors out there, War cry only lasts about 30 seconds. That is perfect to use before a skill chain (Not at random times). Put some use to it. With that said here are some examples:

/p Rage-a-holic {Raging Fists} -- > in 3 Seconds!!
/ja "Boost"
/wait 2
/ws Raging Fists

And my reasoning for these in particular is. The first line just shows a little personality to your NA buddies, and uses the translator to tell JP players what's going on. Putting a Call on it is a personal preference but highly recommended if you are starting the chain. The second line would be whatever buffs you would need to use. Being a Monk, boosting is pretty much mandatory. I also do suggest a 2 second delay between your last buff and your weapon skill, you have to put at least a one second delay between buffs or you will get an error. The last line of course is your weapon skill. As a side note I use translator for any words in quotes because I'm a horrible speller, as you'll probably read. Here's what a SATA Viper Bite macro should look something like:

/p Clever Phrase {Viper Bite} -- >
/ja "Sneak Attack"
/wait 1
/ja "Trick Attack"
/wait 2
/ws "Viper Bite"

Ok in this macro, you have 2 buffs. Pretty straight forward I think. This type of macro with the amount of buffs and waiting time included should be set off as soon as you see you party member ready their weapon skill, preferably something to start Distortion.

You would like to be as buffed as possible for the chain so very organized skill chains may look like this.

Warrior uses War cry
Warrior uses Boost
Warrior readies Power Slash
Thief uses Sneak Attack
Thief uses Trick Attack
Thief readies Viper Bite
Black Mage starts casting Blizzard

Now this is a Distortion Skill Chain with a Blizzard magic burst (more on that later). The sequence goes the warrior increases attack of party, then of himself some more and starts chain. Thief uses his 2 buffs, and pounds on the mob. Then the mage adds insult to injury with a burst. A very common chain and burst, this would be the best way to do it assuming you have a War/Mnk, Thf, and BLM.

You know what abilities your job has, and since I don't play all jobs I can only give examples of the ones I do play. So use your own judgment on how many buffs you should have up before doing your WS.

III. What Weapon Skill Work Together?

This part is more legwork on the individual's part. GET YOURSELF A CHART.

http://www.adennak.com (version 3.0 has Bloodpacts on it ooooo)

You may notice arrows all over the place and a list of weapon skills and pretty colors. Here is how you translate this chart into mob death. Basically to start, go from one box into another by following the arrows. Seems easy enough. This chart uses As and Bs to show WS with multiple boxes. Skewer for example is in 3 different boxes. So what happens if you do:

Skewer > Vorpal Thrust = Transfixion (lvl 1 Light) or

Skewer > Vorpal Thrust = Reverberation (lvl 1 Water)

Which goes through?
Skewer (B) is in the dark box, and it goes into the light box which has Vorpal Thrust (B) causing Transfixion instead of Skewer (C) in the light box to Vorpal Thrust (A) in the water box which would be Reverberation. Transfixion goes through because B goes before C and it's as simple as that. Just mind your ABCs and you'll be fine.

IV. Chaining With a Purpose

So your now asking yourself what chains you should be doing, because after all there are a good amount of them to choose from. You want to try to do a chain that is of an element that the mob is weak to. Let's take crabs for example since they are popular for experience parties. They of course are weak to Ice and Thunder, which leaves open Impaction and Induration for a level 1 chain, and Distortion and Fragmentation for a level 2 chain. Of course the level 2 chains are supposed to be better, but I would not do a lesser weapon skill in order to do one when I can just as easily do a level 1 chain where the closing skill hits for heavier damage. Now what to do about these crabs? Distortion? That would be nice, but I want to shed a little light and/or clear up a few misconceptions. In most party setups (or at least good ones) there are 3-4 melee players, but I will use a full party, level 25 fresh off the airship to Kazham. For example purposes you have a War/Nin, Thf/War, Drk/War, Rdm/Blm, Blm/Whm, Whm/Blm. Now some of you may wish you could put this together example remember. War axes, Thf dagger, Drk Great Sword. Now what do you think is a nice chain. You should do Induration > Fragmentation. It would look a little something like this:

Smash Axe > Frostbite > Shadowstitch

Induration > Fragmentation
Ice > Thunder + Wind

Not only are you doing a Skill chain, but your doing a level 2 chain, on top of that your setting it up with a level 1 chain (from my experience doing 2 consecutive chains helps with the bonus on the second chain) and the insult to injury (cause I'm sure you like to kick em while they're down as much as I do) is that the mandy is weak to every element in both chains (chain works just as well on crabs). This will be devastating damage assuming that the thief adds Sneak Attack to his Shadowstitch. Here is a prime example of how a lower level party can mow down mobs. Of course at higher levels you have more weapon skills and much more options with your chains. It's a good idea to ask your blm (if you have one) what spell he/she would like to burst with.

I personally just chain anything. If your at a lvl where none of your WS are very good, then just set up someone else who has a better one. For instance Nin, I don't think any of there WS are all that great, but they can start Distortion (10 Blade:Rin) and Fragmentation (100 Blade:To). My Pld buddy set me up when we would kill NM. Circle Blade > Raging Fists = Impaction. We did that because we were fighting orcs which are strong against Fire.

Distortion vs. Fragmentation
Most xp parties go up against crabs. Crabs are strong against Water. They are weak to Ice and Thunder. Distortion is Ice and Water. Fragmentation is Thunder and Wind. Since Distortion has one element that the mob is strong to, the bonus will not be as big. Fragmentation has Wind as it's other element which is a neutral element.
Neutral Element > Based on Element.
Wind > Water
Also Thunder is a more damaging spell for Blm, which means better burst.
Thunder > Blizzard
I hope I've proved a point here. Distortion is not the only Skill chain out there, and while you're at it, invite a monk. HA!! Take that you thief.

Useful info: Mighty Strikes stack with weapon skills (Thanks Artem for that). So Rampage used with Mighty Strikes equals a ton of damage, if you hit with all 5 of course.
If your really in the mood to experiment, try bursting with Astral Flow, I bet that is interesting.

V. Chaining with a Summoner

So you have a favorite weapon skill that really hits hard, maybe even steals hate sometimes. And you don't want to compromise, you doing that skill no matter what, but none of the melee have a skill that can set you up for a chain. Luckily you have a Summoner in your party. Example time. Say you are a Ranger, and you just got Sidewinder. You try it once and realize, hey I can do 600+ damage to an IT mob. Your mouth starts watering. I want to end a skill chain with it. Ask yourself your options. You want to end a level 2 chain of course. Sidewinder just happens to end Fragmentation . What summon would do a skill in the Ice box to start that chain. Shiva, the Ice element summon of course. Titan also can start this chain by doing Megalith Throw, but we will use Shiva for this example.

Axe Kick > Sidewinder = Fragmentation

With this chain the ranger can get his massive bonus from fragmentation and the black mage can magic burst with either Burst or Thunder(I-IV) . Everyone is happy and good damage was done without interrupting the efficiency of the party.

There are a few things to keep in mind when chaining with Summoners:
1) You must wait for animation of the Summon's skill before you ready your weapon skill. (like carby's little flip on Poison Nails)
2) Summons are considered others, set your chat filters accordingly.
3) The timing is a little tricky at first but once you get it you'll never lose it.

VI. Magic Bursting

So you're a Black Mage and you love to just sit back and cast spells. One way to maximize your damage output is to magic burst. This will make your mp more efficient which greatly helps your party less down time. Red mage this means you too. Your debuffs will last longer and be more effective if used as a burst. White mage gets Holy, Banish, and can also burst cure against undead. Summoners can use avatars to cast spell to burst also. Ok, first things first, basic bursting. Now with the regular spells (i.e. Blizzard, Thunder, etc.) all you have to do is start casting when you see either the last weapon skill animation or the animation for the skill chain. The cast times are pretty quick so these give you some time to start casting. When you get into level 2 spells (i.e. Blizzard II, Thunder II) your going to have to start casting when the last weapon skill is being readied.

And even earlier than that for level 3 spells, start casting those a little earlier than the last weapon skill being readied. You can get away with casting a level 3 spell when the last weapon skill goes through, it's cutting it pretty close and one lag spike and you missed it. Ask player who ends the chain to put a /wait line in his macro with some text to warn you what is coming. Now we come to the Ancient magic . Now this is not recommended for experience parties, as it is seen as a waste of mp, I've done it every so often to kill the mob at the end of a chain. I mean why not you are going to be resting anyway. Plus, with this damage mob dies faster giving you a greater chance to get that chain 4 or 5. Note to Blackmages, This is how the sequence of events might pan out:

Black Mage starts casting Freeze
/wait 5
Someone starts Distortion (if you use a 3 second wait, count to 2 and hit macro)
/wait 3
Someone else finishes Distortion (skill chain as normal)
/wait a little more
Magic Burst!! 1100-1200 damage

This is a vague illustration of how you burst with a 2 person chain. Now if you want the timing to be insanely easy, just add another weapon skill to the chain. The casting of the ancient magic should be at the same time as the first weapon skill of a 3 person chain.

Monk readies One Inch Punch
Black Mage starts casting Freeze
/wait 3
Warrior readies Power Slash
/wait 3
Thief readies Viper Bite
/wait 3
Magic Burst!!

This works like a charm every time, assuming of course all the skills hit. All in all, none of this is very complicated. One thing I do recommend is for the mages also to, if not get a skill chain chart, at least learn what elements go with each chain.

Another note, when attempting to burst the middle of a 3 person chain, only use debuff type spells. If you hit with too hard of a spell to steal hate the mob will run to you and the third weapon skill will not be allowed to land. I had a White Mage who burst Holy on a Transfixion > Distortion chain, and he stole hate and ruined the Distortion part of the chain. He was happy he did decent damage for once. I was mad that Distortion was ruined, because the mob should have died right then and there.

VII. Level 3 Skill Chains

Now for the really fun stuff, Level 3 Skill chains let me say from the start they look awesome, and I have only seen Darkness. In my opinion, SE made these worth the wait. But cool animation is not why we are here. We are here to destroy. These chains will also give you a 75%-100% bonus in your damage, which is VERY nice. Also the bursts the mages get are better. I think I'm within my realm to say that these chains are devastating. Ok, now for the technical information. Reading this chart looks easy since it's only 4 boxes. I will refer to them by the level 2 chain that they end (for reference Dragon Kick is in the Fragmentation box).

LIGHT Light, Fire, Thunder, Wind

To accomplish a level 3 LIGHT chain you have to do a weapon skill in the Fragmentation box and go to or from the Fusion box. Either way you go will work. Elements for this chain are Light, Fire, Thunder and Wind. Mages can burst any of these they wish. There is also a way to incorporate lower level skills to make a level 3 chain, but you do need AT LEAST one level 65+ player to do a skill. It would work like this. Let's say I was a 65 monk(only a few lvl's left), and I was helping out some level 50 guys trying for genkai 1.

Now we're fighting bones, and I ask them if they want to see something cool. I tell the paladin to do Red Lotus Blade, I tell the monk to do Combo (just want to wound the mob, not kill it), and then I would do Dragon Kick. This would combine to do Fusion > Light and equal one dead mob. After all ahhhh's are done, I would tell them that higher-level stuff is pretty awesome (hey, I'm a high level of course I'm going to brag a little).

Now I will explain why that worked. Think about it like this, when you do you 225 WS that puts you right into the Fusion or Fragmentation box. Since only one person has a skill that high, you have to do 2 lower level skills to get into that box. So that would make Red Lotus Blade > Combo = Mistral Axe. Oddly enough Mistral Axe would probably do more damage than the chain, but that's besides the point. If it helps in the explanation, a level 65+ weapon skill is equal to a level 2 skill chain minus the burst. Also doing a Fragmentation chain with lower level skills and then doing a weapon skill from the lvl 3 Fusion box will give you Fragmentation > Light (i.e. Frostbite > Piercing Arrow > Wheeling Thrust).

Darkness Dark, Earth, Ice, Water

Darkness runs on the other side of the tracks. It's elements are Dark, Earth, Ice, and Water. These can be accomplished by going between the Distortion and the Gravitation boxes. It's fairly easy when you are of level to do these. Distortion > Darkness could be something like Howling Fist > Dancing Edge > Asuran Fists (and yes, that chain would rock hardcore). Gravitation > Darkness could go Tachi:Jinpu > Penta Thrust > Cross Reaper. I tried to use weapon skills people would actually want to do. These types of chains would only be used for coffer hunting with higher level help or that awkward stage in leveling in a party 64-65.

Also, I have found that once you do a level 3 chain, the chain is over. A party I was with coffer hunting attempted to do a double level 3 chain. Blade:Chi > Vorpal Blade > Swift Blade > Cross Reaper. The chain ended on Swift Blade with a Distortion > Darkness chain. Cross Reaper did not go through. So with this evidence I say that you can only do one level 3 chain unless you start the chain over again. If you have found different let me know.

VIII. Credits and Such

Like to thank Aden for the cool chart, Bigdumbface for being my Skill chain buddy, and Artem for info on Warrior. Legal Stuff: uh. Do what you want with it, I'd just like credit, and maybe an xp party or two. It'd be real cool to get ppl to do chains I tell them to because I wrote the book on it. This is more for those parties where I lvl up my sub tho.

If anyone thinks there is something I should add. Let me know I'd be happy to. Happy Hunting!