This FAQ is written for the EU/US/JP version of Phantasy Star Online Episode 1&2
for the Gamecube and Xbox.

It is written for the sole purpose of teaching people on how to get the most out of their RAcasts since in my opinion they are a very underrated Character Class by most newbies (and stuborn players alike) in the world of PSO. All of the info presented here was discovered after countless hours of patience, practice and testing.

RAcasts are a class wich require for a person to master them, and only with patience and a clear mind you can reach that rate of perfection. Ok that sounded like very "Sensei to his pupils" talk but it's actually true. ^_^

Ingame description:
Racasts have the greatest attack power potential out the Ranger classes.
Unable to use techniques, but can use traps.

RAcast stats at level 200:
HP 1964
TP 0
ATP 859/(1350)
DFP 505/(606)
MST 0
ATA 199/(224)
EVP 626/(699)

Notes: The number between (brackets) is the maximum value that particular stat is allowed to have, the number to the left is the stat once Level 200 is achieved without any enhancements. HP can grow infinitly as long as you are still able to use HP Materials.

Trap levels:
Damage 2 (Each 7 Lv + 1)
Freeze 2 (Each 9 Lv + 1)
Confuse 2 (Each 11 lv + 1)
Slow 2 (Battle Mode Only)

Max number of Materials which can be given to the character:
Total Materials: 150
HP Materials: 125

To be more specific, let's take a look at his max Stats again shall we?

HP 1964
TP 0
ATP 1350
DFP 606
MST 0
ATA 224
EVP 699

Now let's take a look at a HUcast and a HUcaseal's max stats.

HUcast:
HP 1762
TP 0
ATP 1639
DFP 601
MST 0
ATA 191
EVP 660

HUcaseal:
HP 1380
TP 0
ATP 1301
DFP 525
MST 0
ATA 218
EVP 877

Now let's examine all the stats and see who's better in what:

HP RAcast > HUcast > HUcaseal
TP 0
ATP HUcast > RAcast > HUcaseal
DFP RAcast > HUcast > HUcaseal
MST 0
ATA RAcast > HUcaseal > HUcast
EVP HUcaseal > RAcast > HUcast

So basically, we have RAcast having the most HP, DFP and ATA, and second best ATP and EVP among these three classes; all have 0 in TP and MST so those don't count.

Since the RAcast has among the best ATP of all the classes, plus also having among the best ATA of all the classes, it ensure he packs a lot of close range power while keeping his hit accuracy at close range among the best in the game.

Looking at the stats again, we can consider the RAcast has one of the best Power/Accuracy ratios of PSO, meaning he can actually be more effective as a Hunter then some other Hunter classes in terms of ATP/ATA, like for example, the HUcaseal which only really has EVP in her favor comparing with RAcast and HUcast, and ATA comparing with only the HUcast.

To sum it up, don't be afraid of using close range weapons with a RAcast. Just find good close range weapons a RAcast can use, like the Monkey King Bar, Stag Cutlery, Victor Axe, Red Saber, Yamigarasu, S-Beat Blades, etc, and go beat up some Ragolian creatures with them!

A good close range weapon in a RAcast, coupled with good long range weapons which
they can equip, ensures the RAcast is a very versatile class no matter what some people might say about them.

Kalki: No matter what, if you're a RAcast, and raising a MAG on your own, this will be it's first evolution, which occurs at Level 10. Also from here, this is a starting point of where you might want to go with your MAG.

Kalki's Photon Blast is Estlla, the Dolphin.

Surya: This evolution occurs at Level 35, in which your POW *must* be greater than your DEX. In order to do this, alter feed you Kalki Dimates and Trimates to increase POW, and Antidotes and Antiparalysis to increase DEX. Make sure to keep a good look at the bars, since balance is the key when breeding a MAG. RAcasts who want to deal more damage starting off, can easily choose this evolution path.

Surya's Photon Blast is Golla, the Elk.

Mitra: This evolution occurs at Level 35, in which your DEX *must* be greater than your POW. In order to achieve this evolution, it is best to feedyour Kalki more Antiparalysis and Antidotes, and less of Dimates and Trimates. Make sure to keep a good look at the bars, since balance is the key when breeding a MAG. RAcasts who want to have a better attack accuracy, can easily work their way into this evolution.

Mitra's Photon Blast is Pilla, the Sorcerer.

Type A Section IDS: VIRIDIA, SKYLY, PURPLENUM, REDRIA, YELLOWBOZE

Kama: This evolution occurs at Level 50, and every 5 levels onward. In order to attain this MAG, you POW must be greater than your DEX. In order to achieve this evolution, feed your Surya/Mitra more Trimates, and less Antiparalysis. Since Trimates and Antiparalysis don't add any to your MAGs MIND score, feed it according, usually alternating between said items. RAcasts who want to do even more damage with their weaponry, can easily choose this path.

Kama's Photon Blast is Pilla, the Sorcerer.

Bhirava: This evolution occurs at Level 50, and every 5 levels onward. In order to attain this MAG, your DEX must be greater than your POW. In order to achieve this evolution, feed you Surya/Mitra more Antiparalysis and less Trimates.Since Trimates and Antiparalysis don't add any to your MAGs MIND score, feed it according, usually alternating between said items. RAcasts who want to havean even better attack accuracy, can easily choose this path.

Bhirava's Photon Blast is Pilla, the Sorcerer.

Type B Section IDs: GREENILL, BLUEFULL, PINKAL, ORAN, WHITLL

Madhu: This evolution occurs at Level 50, and every 5 levels onward. In order to
attain this MAG, you POW must be greater than your DEX. In order to achieve
this evolution, feed your Surya/Mitra more Trimates, and less Antiparalysis.
Since Trimates and Antiparalysis don't add any to your MAGs MIND score, feed
it according, usually alternating between said items. RAcasts who want to do
even more damage with their weaponry, can easily choose this path.

Madhu's Photon Blast is Mylla and Youlla, the Children.

Kaitabha: This evolution occurs at Level 50, and every 5 levels onward. In order to
attain this MAG, your DEX must be greater than your POW. In order to achieve
this evolution, feed you Surya/Mitra more Antiparalysis and less Trimates.
Since Trimates and Antiparalysis don't add any to your MAGs MIND score, feed
it according, usually alternating between said items. RAcasts who want to have
an even better attack accuracy, can easily choose this path.

Kaitabha's Photon Blast is Mylla and Youlla, the Children.

Type A Section IDS: VIRIDIA, SKYLY, PURPLENUM, REDRIA, YELLOWBOZE

1-Kalki
2-Surya
2-Mitra
3-Kama
3-Bhirava

Level | Section ID | MAG Name | ALIGNMENT
------------+------------+--------------+--------------
Level 10 | BOTH | Kalki | N/A
------------+------------+--------------+--------------
Level 35 | BOTH | Surya | POW > MIND + DEX
------------+------------+--------------+--------------
Level 35 | BOTH | Mitra | DEX > POW + MIND
------------+------------+--------------+--------------

------------+------------+--------------+--------------
Level 50 | A | Kama | POW > DEX > MIND
------------+------------+--------------+--------------
Level 50 | A | Bhirava | DEX > POW > MIND
------------+------------+--------------+--------------

------------+------------+--------------+--------------
Level 50 | B | Madu | POW > DEX > MIND
------------+------------+--------------+--------------
Level 50 | B | Kaitabha | DEX > POW > MIND
------------+------------+--------------+--------------

• A mag which provides you with Shifta/Deband before boss fights and has Milla & Youlla for Photon Blast is a very good start.
  
  
• A RAcast MAG should have considerable POW and fairly decent DEX to ensure you are both accurate and deadly; don't bother much with a MAG's DEF stat, use Mats to raise your DFP instead.
  
  
• Obviously, a RAcast's MAG needs no MIND stat, so don't even waste time with it.
  
  
• If you can spare an armor slot, equip a PB regen item to raise your chances of
  S/D yourself with the M&Y PB while adventuring around Ragol.
  
  
• Stick to Rifles and whatever close range weapon a RAcast can use which he is good at (Stag Cutlery, S-Beat Blades, Monkey King Bar, etc); these will be your best friends for life.
  
  
• When fighting bosses, if possible, take Shot type weapons; by doing this, you are ensuring you will hit the boss multiple times (5 times per shot really) for massive total damage since ALL bosses (except Dark Falz and Olga Flow's first form) have multiple targetting areas.
  
  
• With a RAcast's high ATP, very good ATA, highest HP and a hell of a lot of DFP will ensure he is an effective "temporary HUcast" in case you require close range confrontations; that's why I recommended you to carry around close range weapons as well as Rifles just in case.
  
  
• Good Battle units are a must for a RAcast (Devil/Battle or God/Battle) to ensure his shooting ratio with a Rifle is optimum and his efficiency as a "temp HUcast" is maximised.
  
  
• Cure/Freeze is your friend, trust me.
  

• Carry around Star Atomisers, just in case you get into a game of Androids only
  with your friends or for quick emergencies if someone is being surrounded and pounded to death; this way, if necessary, you can use it and heal them all for an instant "Resta lvl.30 like" effect, including yourself.
  
  
• Tank for your adventure partners if need be. A RAcast's HP and DFP at higher levels will ensure you will remain alive and able to withstand large ammount of punishment before you throw down the towel; in other words, you don't really have to fear much unless you go battle a really high leveled monster.
  
  
• Do not hog experience/kills with Shot type weapons; the other players won't be
  very pleased about that. Use them for poking monsters instead so the other players can finish them off. This way everyone gets the same experience since the one who kills the monsters doesn't get more experience because of it, as long as everyone hits the monster everyone gets the SAME experience points!
  
  
• The Spread Needle is a well known Experience/Kills Hogger, so don't expect a warm welcome from some players once they see you walking around with one. If you REALLY need to use a Shot/Spread type weapon, then use others since there are plenty more of them

AhKing and his Ah-King.com site, the place where I got the Level 200 stats for the character classes. Go visit it, it's mandatory! The AhKing PSO Forum is pretty cool and informative as well, so don't hesitate.

Nisshoku for being a great friend and contributing with the RAcast MAG section. I couldn't have done it without him! ^_^

:History:

[Small Note: dates are in day/month/year format.]

*20/07/2003*
v.0.6
-Ok, so I decided to do one more version before adding a close range weapon list!
-Added some extra "RAcast Tips".

*21/04/2003*
v.0.5
-RAcast as a "temporary HUcast" section complete.
-This might be the last version of the FAQ for a while, I might include a list of
close range weapons the RAcasts can use in a later update to complete the FAQ.

*03/04/2003*
v.0.4
-Merged "RAcast evolution tips", "Useful items for a RAcast" and "RAcast General Tips" thus originating a new section called "RAcast Tips".
-Re-organized the FAQ History; it was a bit confusing previously. ^_^;;
-Removed the "RAcast VS Other Classes" section since the last thing I want is to
get into an argument about which class is best since, in my opinion, no class is
really the best; they all complement each other in some way.

*23/02/2003*
V.0.3
-Added a RAcast's stats and descriptions.
-Added new section called "RAcast evolution tips".
-Added information to the "RAcast's MAG Evolutions" section, made by Nisshoku.
-Moved the initial MAG tips from V.0.2 into the "RAcast General Tips".
-Added AhKing and Nisshoku to the credits.

*23/02/2003*
V.0.2.1
-Corrected the Guide's version number... called 0.5 to 0.1 and 0.6 to 0.2. o_O
-Added my name to the initial Guide's info... kinda forgot previously. ^_^;;

*23/02/2003*
V.0.2
-Added some initial RAcast MAG tips.

*22/02/2003*
V.0.1
-Began Writting this FAQ. ^_^
-Added some RAcast general tips.
-Added some RAcast online tips.

This FAQ shall not be posted up on any gaming websites without my permission.
Email me at D4rKSuN@hotmail.com if you wish to do so.
Also, the plagarizing or selling of this FAQ is illegal.
Feel free to print this for your enjoyment. ^_^

The newest version of this FAQ can always be found at "SV-8 Online Madness"
and at the ST@R FORCE Website (not yet added).

This FAQ can also be found at these websites:
PSO World

Anywhere else means that they stole it. :P

It will be updated everytime I have some corrections or new info to describe.