Before we start, I posted a chase meta post a while back attempting to clear some misconsceptions about the chase meta, do take a look if you want some context. https://dd.reddit.com/r/DissidiaFFOO/comments/a77pyb/misconsceptions_about_the_chase_meta/

As we've reached the halfway point with global’s Anniversary, I wanted to take a chance to look back to look forward.

I would like to recap the last few months while analyzing the pace and general flow of the meta; to see if whether or not the chase strategy was ever a requirement. I’ll also include the current anniversary content into the mix.

Selphie EX

JP Score: 220k

GL Score: 180k

Boss strats: AoE is the name of the game, Squall and Noct. Wave 4 actually caught the tail end of this EX so you could awaken them in time to attempt to clear it.

Those without AoE were left with strong ST damage. Ashe being awakened halfway through also allowed insane damage numbers.

If you had a 60/60 Squall, you just won this one. If you didn’t, you kinda needed a Selphie. If you didn’t have both, you’ll be in for a rough time. The general strat was just pressing Renzokuken to win.

Noctis is a unit that’ll be seen throughout, his high uses and launch capabilities prove useful for score. Even Cloud was of use for some folks. Since wave 4 dropped with the maint, you had around 17hours to grind out the awakening wave 4 dudes to use. Laguna in particular is the standout.

In hindsight, this was the best banner to pull. Squall lasted me for longer than I expected and Selphie is Selphie. Thancred being a dud is fine as he still has a rework to look forward to. Hell you don't even need Squall’s EX to clear this to reach the JP score. An EX-less run

Gilgamesh EX

JP Score: 200k

GL Score: 120k

This was mad nerfed so I won’t even say anything.

Instead I’ll instead be talking about the JP score more. In JP, they had to get 200k score and even had a month extended.

Since our stage is basically the same as JP, I tried to replicate the JP score. I got it with a 15cp Terra. Selphie’s worth only keeps growing.

Without Selphie, it’s possible to brute force down the JP score with the brute force squad.

Relm EX

JP Score: 145k

GL Score: 135k

Boss Strats: Fire damage. The main strat was actually stalling wave 4 to get your ifrit out and burst the boss down that way.

The closest score wise to JP, at this point you don’t really see anyone using launches unless they’re trying to artificially inflate their score for big dick.

Like I mean come on, and before the claim, “What about JP score!”, remember that its 142k with 15cp Terra and Squall with 15cp stats...

Noct, Ashe, Cloud, etc was still used at this point to reach further than the JP score. So yeah.

This is the first time you’ll be able to grab a segway into the launch meta however, Relm can supplement for Layle slightly. Relm is pretty fun tho.

Lion LC

JP Score: 200k

GL Score: 170k

Boss Strat: AoE again. This time the trick is to keep the small wolves alive for your AoE boys to clean house.

Suddenly LCs are asking for high scores now, though Lion LC is basically a Squall clear.

This is the first time I’ve seen how big launches really bump your score, and frankly speaking. It really is just for big dick memes.

At this point, it’s really just playing with what you have.

Rancor from the Woods EX

GL Score: 165k

Boss Strat: Less of a boss strat and more of an overall strat, this particular battle requires you to have strong double batteries or a Terra Battery. The third just needed to be a strong DPS. Cait friend is a must.

Battery up and string out your uses, this required quite a number of attempts before finally nailing a strategy.

Now this is the first time we had new exclusively hard content. (Lenna doesn’t count)

Rancor from the Woods EX actually took me a while to figure out, mostly because wave 2 was a pain to optimise.

Built specifically for double batteries with turtles in wave 1 and 3, the default squad could still beat it.

The name of the game is lasting long enough for each fight. Squall is starting to reach his limit.

Beatrix EX

GL Score 190k

Boss Strat: Either you had a Beatrix, Cait, or Terra Selphie.

If you had none of those, you’re on that launch hype. You need to reach the boss wave by turn 18-19, else you weren’t hitting the very tight score limit.

The boss’ high defense in the late stage also meant that 2 dps weren’t going to cut it unless your name was Terra.

The trick was summoning before the boss can use Radiant Vigor , even better if you can get it down before the first Radiant Vigor.

This is JP score and this is JP style content. Brute force can’t get it due to its rising defense. Those who didn’t pull would be using Selphie Cait Terra. Or some variation of the sort.

Looking at this battle, you’re forced into double batteries a shaver. Using single batteries can work but they’ll have to be paired up with a Terra to ignore the defense, Selphie is the common denominator here.

Personally, I’ve tried a few comps, Relm, Cait with 15cp only, and Selphie for the budget launch comp. And Penelo working out. I’m still working on the Terra 15cp run with Squall Selphie, was 4k off the hi-score so there's progress.

A halfway conclusion

Looking back, we had quite the number of usable units. Personally I was only really interested in the FF8 crew so I went all-in on them and got out pretty healthily.

Squall Selphie definitely carried me, but many people on discord also had different teams with different squads.

Generally 2 DPS with 1 support tend to get the job done. Most people tend to forgo a support and that's where the problem stems from. 2 Batteries with 1 DPS can also work, allowing you to just swap into a launch comp when you swap out the DPS for a DKC friend.

Artifacts are also a major component, getting the bare min 108atk x3 on your DPS is a must if you want them to last long. Same said for your supports, artifacts are the best way to save your gems, at the cost of your time.

The second half

We’ll be seeing a dip in difficulty when Leon and Fang’s EX come around (compared to Beatrix at least). But we’ll most likely be equal with JP for score requirements, considering our newer toys and earlier EXs.

My advice? Farm your artifacts, go for the units you like, don’t be afraid to use shards to awaken fools. Team composition plays a huge factor, so it's best to have a core of units that you can play-off of.

Chase meta is a myth, but the legacy it left us is an easier GL with a stronger emphasis on early EX releases. Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing, remains to be seen.

What I do know is that Terra’s 15cp was the best investment I’ve ever made.

TLDR: Just read the conclusion, context is important.

Special Thanks:

The classic dissdiadb.com for all the info

Safeena's for all the juicy numbers

To my boys in the DFFOO official discord questions channel for listening to me ramble on about being poor for the last few months.