Reaper DPS Frequently Asked Questions — Dawntrail 7.00
On this page, we go over some of the most frequently asked questions regarding Reaper and playing it in Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail (Patch 7.00). As more questions are discovered, we will add answers to them on this page.
How do I use Perfectio?
Perfectio is a bit complicated to access. The chain starts with Plentiful Harvest which grants you a buff called "Perfectio Occulta". You then have 30 seconds to cast Communio (through Enshroud) which turns "Perfectio Occulta" into "Perfectio Parata" and will allow you to cast Perfectio.
When do I use Perfectio?
Perfectio has three main uses and should always be used before the buff runs out. The first major one is during buff windows where it is our strongest hitting weaponskill. The second is to avoid casting Harpe due to melee downtime, this requires extensive fight knowledge. The last is saving it for multi-target cleave, this again requires some knowledge of the fight since you don't want to lose a usage.
When do I use Sacrificium?
For the most part, you can use Sacrificium after any of the first three Reapings, ensuring that you use both of your Lemure's Slice. For burst windows, you will want to follow what is shown in the rotation guide as the purpose is to catch early/lates buffs more consistently.
Why do people say Reaper is resource negative?
Because it is true but it also isn't always a big deal. With the addition of Perfectio and the weird 8.5s Enshroud window, Reaper loses 20 Soul every two minutes. Which will be visible whenever you enter your burst window. We start 50 Soul ahead because of a banked Soul Slice charge and our pre-cast Harpe. Because of this at around the 10 minute mark in a full uptime fight, we will be unable to do a standard burst window without holding onto an enshroud for over a minute. At the 8 minute mark you will also be unable to do a standard burst window if you lose 2 GCDs through either downtime of melee Limit Break. How big of an issue this is will really depends on how fights in Dawntrail play out.
Why Do My Reavers Keep Dropping?
Whenever you obtain a Reaver, your next weaponskill must be one that spends a Reaver ( Gibbet, Gallows, and Guillotine). Using any other weaponskill will immediately cancel the Reaver buff. The same applies to Executioner's granted by Gluttony.
Why Does Gluttony Keep Drifting?
Reaper has an odd-timed rotation so Gluttony will not always neatly fit into the same off-GCD slot. It drifts a little bit every minute.
How Many Targets Do I AoE on?
3+ Targets is when you want to start doing AoE weaponskills and abilities.
Do You Do Anything Special on Two Targets?
If you are about to enter a burst window then you will want to Whorl of Death to apply Death's Design to both targets as the bonus from your cleave abilities will make it worth it.
When Do I Use a Strength Potion?
The answer is fight-dependent, but ideally you use it on your first two-minute burst. If you think you will lose a usage by delaying it that long then you should use it in the opener.
When Do I Use Harvest Moon?
You will want to use Harvest Moon when you have to disconnect from the boss for a GCD or more. You can also use it in a raid fight to hit 2 or more targets. Lastly, you can use it to help fix your combo so you enter a burst window with no combo running.
Why Does the Opener Start With Harpe?
Because Harpe has a cast time and it takes some time to run to the boss, you can precast Harpe at 2 seconds and it will essentially be free damage. This also provides about 10 Soul gauge at the start of the fight which is a big boon.
How Do I Get Immortal Sacrifices?
When you use Arcane Circle you and your party will receive one stack of a buff called “Ceremony Circle” and you will receive a buff called “Bloodsown Circle”. Whenever someone uses a damaging spell or weaponskill while under the effects of Ceremony Circle the stack will be consumed and it will give the Reaper one stack of Immortal Sacrifices. You cannot use Plentiful Harvest until Bloodsown Circle has worn off, which means you only use it once for every cast of Arcane Circle.
Changelog
- 27 Jun. 2024: Updated for Patch 7.00.
- 19 Jan. 2024: Reviewed for 6.55.
- 14 Oct. 2023: Updated for Patch 6.5.
- 27 May 2023: Reviewed for Patch 6.4.
- 11 Jan. 2023: Updated for Patch 6.3
- 20 Apr. 2022: Updated for Patch 6.1
- 02 Dec. 2021: Guide added.
Guides from Other Classes
Ellunavi Sevald is a Veteran FFXIV player who was been theorycrafting since 1.0. He has cleared all three of the ultimate fights the game has to offer and has participated successfully in week one raid groups. He has also high parses for multiple jobs, across multiple raid tiers. He is currently a Reaper Mentor and Senior Moderator on the Balance Discord. He streams on Twitch, as well as leading some of the streams on Twitch for the Balance.
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