Thoughs on FOCasts?

[Rhypht]

I'm just curious if there will be any benefit/incentive at all for playing a Force Cast character. The description of them now states that they have 'very limited' technique power, but they do have some, in contrast to PSO1. Is there a catch that gives this specific class an edge?

[Randomness]

Sure. They'll hit harder with physical attacks than other forces will, if it's anything like PSU. (And they'll be every bit as capable with any techs that don't care about stats... so stuff like SDJZ, Anti, etc.)

[FenixStryk]

As a Force, I'd want to prioritize T-ATK over my other stats. While Casts do have better HP, Non-Tech Defense and Non-Tech Damage, the difference is minimal.

Similarly, the difference in base T-ATK between a FOcast and a FOnewearl (the worst vs. the best) is about 13% (432 vs. 495). It's there, and it's the biggest stat difference in the entire game, but I'd reckon you can still live with it if you're not a min-maxer.

Considering Casts are the best Hunters and Rangers on paper, and hybrid classes will probably be suited to them as well, it's an acceptable sacrifice.

The numbers, if you want them (subject to change)

Level HP PP S-ATK R-ATK T-ATK S-DEF R-DEF T-DEF ABIL
100 594 100 367 384 432 357 340 446 465 (FOcast)
100 522 100 350 377 495 340 340 493 452 (FOnewearl)

[AC9breaker]

A blight upon the universe.

[Zeota]

A blight upon the universe.

This man speaks the truth!

[Ryudo]

The increased HP and defence lets them use skills like PP convert and Photon Flare with less risk

[Ithildin]

I think its bloody ridiculous. What's the point in having different characters if they are all the same in the end?

[Vashyron]

The numbers, if you want them (subject to change)

Level HP PP S-ATK R-ATK T-ATK S-DEF R-DEF T-DEF ABIL
100 594 100 367 384 432 357 340 446 465 (FOcast)
100 522 100 350 377 495 340 340 493 452 (FOnewearl)

The stats at Level 51+ are "broken," personally I wouldn't use them as an example.

That said, regardless the stats are quite close anyway.

[Griffin]

Completely unfair! I imagine their base Tech Attack will be lower than that of even humans.

[Saotome Kaneda]

The stats at Level 51+ are "broken," personally I wouldn't use them as an example.

That said, regardless the stats are quite close anyway.
^ ^ ^ ^
Unless they actually mean for all other stats to act like that while allowing Ability to continue rising, which would mean that Ability does a lot more than we originally thought...

But yeah to keep it within the scope of the upcoming beta you should compare the known working stats at levels that matter: 1, 20, and 50(only if the levels past 50 are actually wrong)

Of course ignoring the EXP reqs...

FOnewearl
Level EXP HP PP S-ATK R-ATK T-ATK S-DEF R-DEF T-DEF ABIL
1 30 150 100 72 82 99 72 72 94 94
20 31600 221 100 224 257 308 224 224 294 208
50 422990 334 100 320 367 440 320 320 420 296

FOcast
Level EXP HP PP S-ATK R-ATK T-ATK S-DEF R-DEF T-DEF ABIL
1 30 171 100 75 84 86 75 72 85 97
20 31600 252 100 235 262 268 235 224 266 214
50 422990 380 100 336 374 384 336 320 380 304

FOcaseal
Level EXP HP PP S-ATK R-ATK T-ATK S-DEF R-DEF T-DEF ABIL
1 30 169 100 74 85 86 72 75 85 97
20 31600 250 100 232 264 268 224 235 266 214
50 422990 377 100 332 378 384 320 336 380 304

[Golto]

So far casts don't get the crippling modifiers for tp/t. def as they did in psu. The stats in general are so much lower in pso2 than in psu too so the difference will be even less noticable.

[Mega Ultra Chicken]

FOking awesome, of course! FOcasts seem like they're intended to be the new Melee Forces since their options for non-Tech weaponry are more viable (to whatever extent they have more S/R-ATK than Hughmen and Newfolk.)

[Zorafim]

What's the point in having different characters if they are all the same in the end?

They aren't. Two identical starting characters, with the same class, can end up completely different due to weapon preferences, talent tree specializations, and sub class preferences. The difference is still there, it's just not based on race anymore.

[landman]

I don't know if the striking damage of a rod is based on attack power (like in PSO) or if it is based in the tech power (like in PSZ). If it's the first, then sure, they will hit harder using tech weapons, if it's the second then they only will hit harder with a gunslash.

[Dinosaur]

No one uses the FOcast set. It's as rare as a newm. Seriously, no one plays as these!

PS: It might have something to do with that 75%~ female population.

[kyuuketsuki]

I think its bloody ridiculous. What's the point in having different characters if they are all the same in the end?
Because... they won't be? If nothing else, they'll look different. Though there's also what Zorafim said. And stat differences between race/gender combinations.

[ClothoBuer]

CASTs and NEWMs were already the least-played combo in the Alpha, and this'll likely carry over into the release. Between the lack of reasonable outfits, and everyone obsessing over their Newearl lolis, I don't see it changing. I do agree that for Melee Force, CAST is the clear choice.

[Kazzi]

I don't know if the striking damage of a rod is based on attack power (like in PSO) or if it is based in the tech power (like in PSZ). If it's the first, then sure, they will hit harder using tech weapons, if it's the second then they only will hit harder with a gunslash.

If you whack something with the Rod it counts as melee damage from what I saw in the Alpha. The tech power only counts for the actual techs. When I melee'd on my FO the damage was god awful and not even worth my time.

Though I was tempted to play as a FOcast myself, but I think I'd prefer subclassing for the traps instead.

[Misto]

I haven't played since PSO, but I am understanding this correctly that CAST can now be Forces? This seems like this makes little sense or have their been some radical changes throughout the series in the class selection since I last played?

[Mega Ultra Chicken]

No one uses the FOcast set. It's as rare as a newm. Seriously, no one plays as these!

PS: It might have something to do with that 75%~ female population.

[BROcast] IT IS BECAUSE GIVEN CAST PARTS ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY BRO FOR THIS UNIT, DOG-UNIT. RESEMBLING A FOOTBALL PLAYER YIELDS A HIGHER BRO RATING THAN FEATURING A PART RESEMBLING A MECHANIZED GANGSTER HOOD, BROSKI. ACHIEVING THE MAXIMUM BRO RATING IS ONE OF THE PRIMARY DIRECTIVES OF THIS UNIT.

[MegaUltraChicken] I dunno if 75% of players will be female in the actual game, though. Just look at all the male Casts in PSU. But I do have a feeling that Newman boys will be relatively rare because they have been historically.

[Omega-z]

Dinosaur - I Played Brawling Dezorian looking FoCast in Alpha 2.

It's a fun class, My Rod Physical attacks where half the tech's I did and in turbo mode it's not bad at all. It's rod's normal is stronger then the normal of a Gunblade saber part and especially the gun part, GB PA's are better and faster.

Now it's biggest point is it's Durability I can get whacked around and still be fine even form the dragon. It's overall DPS on Tech's could be low but I didn't focus on TP at all. Even then I was hitting pretty good with them to not worry at all since I was still nuking pretty good with them.
If anything I believe they Replace the FoMar of old place with melee/durability.

I was able to get high HP as a Hunter with pretty good Def. My attacks where fine the only time that seem to take some time was the Dragon, That might of been because of the Ice Tech Sucks on it even tho it's weak against it ( can explain more it you like ).

Overall it's a good class/race that can be used to add versatility in a pinch in harder situation's.

[Ithildin]

They aren't. Two identical starting characters, with the same class, can end up completely different due to weapon preferences, talent tree specializations, and sub class preferences. The difference is still there, it's just not based on race anymore.

Oh come on. This is PSO-2 not PSU-2. What happened to character class? CASTs not being affected by status effects but not being able to use techs? Where's the MAIN differences now? There isn't really any other than looking different. It's just a few stats. In all honesty I really can't be bothered with a few numbers.