Originally Posted by ScrotieMcB
The truth of the matter is that aero/hydro and pyro/geo are horrible combos on the same character. Instead, aero on a different character than hydro, and pyro on a different character than geo.

Scenario 1: You're faced with an enemy composition of fire-based monsters who heal off fire. The pyro/geo becomes worthless, because throwing poison at the fire-based monsters just creates more fire. The aero/hydro, on the other hand, is inundated with good moves and doesn't have time to execute all of them. On the other hand, if you split them, the hydro can start things off with a Rain dance, then the Aero can follow up with lightning and some Bitter Chills. (It's important for the Hydro to have a better Initiative.)

Scenario 2: You're faced with an enemy composition which is very weak to fire damage. The aero/hydro feels kind of meh in the fight, while the pyro/geo is inundated with good moves and doesn't have time to use them all. On the other hand, if you split them, you might have one character start things off with a Fireball, then easily follow up seconds later with a Deadly Spores from the geo for a wicked one-two punch. (Order here doesn't really matter as much.)

If you keep Jahan in both Aero and Hydro, you are probably doing it wrong. Pick one and only one for further investment, and then give him either Pyro or Geo to compliment it.

In my opinion, the ideal party is:
1. Ranger: Dex, Perc; Bow; Quickdraw and Bartering/Charisma/Leadership (don't invest too heavily in this last category because you can wear +Charisma/Bartering items in town and +Leadership out of town)
2. Cleric: Str, Int; Shields and One-Handers; Man-At-Arms, Pyrotechnics, and Aerotheurge; Lightning Rod, Weather the Storm plus Plate Armour plus Explode
3. Jahan: Int, Speed; Hydrosophist, Geomancer, Witchcraft; Scientist (again, don't invest too heavily, +skills items ftw)
4. Madora the Strength-Rogue: Str, Con, and up to but not exceeding 8 Dex; Two-Handers; Tactical Retreat, Fast Track, Cloak & Dagger; Comeback Kid, Picture of Health, Glass Cannon; also Weather the Storm plus Plate Armour to be resistant/immune to Cleric's Explodes

Assuming your non-Jahan caster is a Str/Int hybrid, the logical distribution is to give Pyro and Aero to the hybrid, since that gives the hybrid access to Explode as well as Lightning Rod, which is great for melee since it allows them to wade into electrified water and delve into static clouds.


If you have a scout you should never have to cast rain while in combat. Rain doesn't put you in combat either, and with the huge radius you don't need to be in line of sight to drop it on a group of enemies before initiating.