Category:Steps

From FFXIclopedia, the free Final Fantasy XI encyclopedia

Steps are one of the five types of dances available to Dancers. TP is required in order to use Steps. The different types of Steps are all placed into one Job Ability category, meaning that when any Step is used, its individual recast timer must be allowed to cool down before another Step may be used.

When used, the player attempts to make a physical attack on the targeted enemy with his/her weapon. If the attack successfully lands, no damage is inflicted, but the enemy will receive a Step Daze effect, and the player will receive Finishing Moves, which are required to use Flourishes. Because Step accuracy depends on the user's melee accuracy, boosting your accuracy or reducing the enemy's evasion will assist with successfully landing Steps.

Step Dazes work differently from Samba Dazes (see Sambas page for more information). Unlike Samba Dazes which are used to help support the party, Step Dazes directly enfeeble the enemy by lowering one of its attributes. When initially inflicted, the Step Daze effect starts out as a "level 1" effect with a 1 minute duration. Repeatedly connecting with the same Step ability on the same target before the Step Daze effect wears off extends the duration by 30 seconds for each additional hit and causes the Daze effect to "level up" toward a maximum of level 5, where the effect is most potent. Subsequent uses of the Step will only serve to extend the Daze duration. If a Step Daze effect wears off on an enemy, using the appropriate Step again will set the Daze effect starting at level 1 once again. In addition, unlike Samba Dazes, an enemy can have more than one current Step Daze effect active at once.

Successfully landing a Step normally earns the player two Finishing Moves, used to perform Flourishes, and can be stocked up to a maximum of 5. If the enemy already has a level 5 Step Daze effect and the appropriate Step is used again, it will only yield one Finishing Move.

Step Daze effects seem to assist with the likelihood of landing a successful hit with Desperate Flourish. Lethargic Daze (inflicted by Quickstep) seems to grant the biggest benefit, due to its "evasion down" effect.

Sneak Attack (and Trick Attack combined with the Assassin job trait) can be used to ensure success on a Step, since they ensure 100% physical accuracy when correctly used. However, the Steps still will not inflict any damage.

Steps are learned by Dancers at the following levels:

20: Quickstep

30: Box Step

40: Stutter Step

Each new merit will increase Accuracy of the Steps by 3 each level (As update on 9/8/2006, Group 1 merit upgrade)