MVP-ing as a Sniper, any advice?

[Leamee]

Hello guys!

I went to RMS test server and it is quite laggy tonight so it does make things more difficult but I kind of got powned by eddga the second time. I don't know how that happened, but he broke my 2 bows, which means that I was effectively useless. I used the repair command but I'm pretty sure that on a real server I'd need a WS friend to follow me around if I wanted instant repairs.
First lesson learned: I should bring about 3 bows to MVPs sessions if the monster is a breaker. Better safe than sorry (it happened 2 DS before the end of the battle, tsk).

On the plus side, kasas are now less of a problem even if lagging never helps, so that's one thing sorted - and kasas are mini-bosses after all, and actually deal way more damage than an eddga because most melee chars don't even go near them, while eddga + pots = win.

Everybody's going to laugh, but I mainly had problems dealing with the insane amount of bigfoots. They effectively reduced my flee to 0 and almost killed me off with their 150 attacks (wt..?)
They also "hide" eddga which is infuriating because I kept running into him because of the lag and couldn't see him in the sea of stupid bigfoots.
Is there a way to know if the MVP is an equipment breaker?
Should I DS and teleport instead of running around the boss?
Which MVP should I try next? (Please not another breaker >.<)

And, the most important part:
Do you have any advice that might help me avoid getting mobbed by the minions and/or hit by the boss?
I don't think I even do 3 DS/sec but if I can manage the kasas I guess I can also MVP, I just need someone to guide me thru it.
Thanks!

[fluidin]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lz4hbOzVKk

this guy has pretty slow ds too, so maybe u could try what he does?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hW7stuPJ4U
ds chaining.

[Orange]

MvP's being covered in mobs-
http://www.ratemyserver.net/forum/guide-request//creative-editing-most-valuable-player-mvp/0/

For mobs like bigfoot, you can kill them in 1 sharp shoot, run back, ds, if it respawns them then sharp shoot again. You should be able to out do eddga. If you can't 1-2 shot SS any mobs, then simply run until the mvp is split from them then run a bit more and stunlock MvP, outpot the adds and tele then repeat(I do this, it slows down killing a lot but no risk of dying)

I think you can view monster skills on RMS website and it will have "break shield" and such, note that acid terror and bomb break weapons/armor to.

Some easy MvP's you should be able to solo as a sniper-
Garm
Eddga
Bacsojin(tele's like a b****, trust me)
amon ra(simply stand to the right and up at max range, SS the mobs when they build up)
Lord of Death(run away as it casts aoe spells, kill a wanderer as it's the only threat of its mobs)
mini valks(not an MvP, soloable by hunter and good drop tho)

I'd suggest doing amon ra/valk mini next as they both have good drops(valk shield/OCA) at high chance

[Leamee]

Thanks a lot for your answers, guys. The videos and comments were extremely helpful!
I think I know why I'm a slow DS-er - My max aspd without agi up is 183 because I'm full-dex build right now (but did max agi to 99).
Should I sacrifice some dex equips for agi equips? I mean 183 Aspd with awas is freakishly slow, I timed myself and when I touch type I only use 3 fingers or so, basically index finger -middle finger -middle finger, I know that's weird but I still get 65-70 WPM and great accuracy when I take typing tests, that's 5.25 keys a sec by the way so should be enough for DS-ing even if I need to click and hit the key at the same time.

I feel like I could be way faster if I could get 185 aspd but right now my equips are : + x tights of x (ele armor), wool + tidal (matyr/ verit & another ele reducing card) and ulle's cap slotted with knocker (could put something else for agi I guess) and 2 refined gloves (rental items +4 dex each). I'm still in thor-equip mode basically, though thor equips = good for eddga. However if I want to stun-lock other MVPs I guess I need to change things up.

Any suggestions for good agi accessories or agi cards in headgear? I could also get ghost bandana but if I do phreeoni before the bigger ones to practice, I'll need some anti stone-curse gear so I'll have to sacrifice element def or agi.
Anyway, I'll try to do eddga again without changing my equips to get a feel for SS, and then I'll go do the other monsters if it works out well.

Thanks again!

[Relics]

Looks to me like you can already kill it

and the one I meant was evil snake lord

[Leamee]

Thanks for the suggestion!
I did use agi and bless scrolls when you were there though, so that pumped my aspd up to 185. That said I killed him yesterday without SS and with 183 aspd so I guess you're right =)
I'll try evil snake lord, looks like I'll need marc or ED though. I guess that frost diver = death.
If I fail miserably (I have a bad feeling about that one, don't know why) I can always resort to killing garm and phree and stormy (maybe maya) before I go back to evil snake lord. I don't know if they're easier but they're all lower-tier MVPs.

[Relics]

Garm, phreeoni, stormy should be no problem..
others that are fairly easy:
Moonlight flower
Golden thief bug
Tao gunka
Mistress
Dracula
Turtle general

the problem with maya is her teleport, and she's very fast.

[Leamee]

Garm, phreeoni, stormy should be no problem..

True too.

others that are fairly easy:
Moonlight flower
Golden thief bug
Tao gunka
Mistress
Dracula
Turtle general

I might just try to kill them all even if you're not on (agi/bless scrolls FTW!), minus tao gunka (no need to re-do that one).
Again, thank you, I learned a lot - and I had a lot of fun :-p I don't even know how I thought that MVP-ing was possible without pots (eddga works but that's it) - I do kasas without pots but that's unwise because you can't chain more than 3-4 kasas if you're lucky, after that you run out of SP and your HP don't look too good either.

As I said I'm still learning the mechanics of the game so feel free to give me basic advice if you think it may help in any way.
Oh, and I'd like a video of a sniper killing mini valk on his/her own if that's possible, or some proof that it's actually doable. Okay, there are pro players out there, but even the mobs around the valk could kill a snip (skog etc).

I know that atroce is another popular MVP for snips, probably because of the hat, but again I highly doubt that I'd be able to kill that one on my own without a video or advice.

That said, I'll keep practicing on the lower-tier MVPs till I get the hang of it =)

[Jolrael]

I've been monitoring this thread but never had the chance to post because of my shed... Anyways, I'd suggest that maximize your DEX to the fullest, AGI around 85'sh and the rest to your VIT. I say so since your a Hit and Run type you have to inflict the full damage of your DS and with a 85'sh AGI, I don't think that the mob could hit all the time and with the VIT(for your maxHP) is for when the MVP uses a skill(AoE) that cannot be avoided.

Back to the MVP's:

Mistress
Maya

-this MVP can be killed by a Sniper "No Doubt about it"... The only problem is that its a Pain in the @#$% because everytime you get close to it teleports.

Atroce

-haven't tested killing it with my sniper but I think it is possible, with its movement speed(slower than you of course) and its mob(3 Galions) and DS range of a Sniper its GG for him... hahaha... The only problem is that when it cast Defender on itself(long range damage reduction) you'll run out of arrows before you take him down.

[Leamee]

Thanks for the reply and advice!

Anyways, I'd suggest that maximize your DEX to the fullest, AGI around 85'sh and the rest to your VIT

I can't connect and check out my stats right now as I have to log off but my stats are more like 99 dex 75 agi and rest in vit and int.
It turns out that my DS is not *that* slow and 70 agi without buffs or awak is enough for walking speed I think. I run around the mob and mainly try to avoid the minions. In my case, SP is a big problem though. I can't see how I could manage to solo valk or atroce especially as valk requires traps = SP and atroce's defender= more arrows, more SP. I'll probably try a more int-based build at some point on some other MVP to see if it works. For example, with mini valk I can totally see an "almost no agi no vit full int dex" build working, as if she hits me I'll be OHKOed anyway. However, DS speed is also a problem so I might put 40 agi, buffs and awak and use verit/sohee card instead of matyr (which is frankly useless against mini valk...).

As I said before, I'm a beginner and I've never MVP-ed in my life. I've made some progress thanks to your advice and thanks to my new friend Relics  but I'm still learning and I'll definitely be trying out all the MVPs to find a build I'm comfortable with.
By the way, I saw a sniper solo garm with a luck/agi (blitz beat) build, and while I'm not a big fan as it seemed like he was getting destroyed by the garm babies -not good- he did manage to kill garm. However, I don't know if he used pots as I have effects turned off, but I think he did because he tanked about 4K damage and a full agi/dex/ luk char can't have that much vit. I honestly thought he was going to die because I kept seeing 400/200 attacks on the screen and that's usually not a good sign.

I actually killed garm in front of him and that triggered the garm battle I guess, but it was interesting to see how 2 very different styles could work on the same MVP.

However I might change my mind once I try Atroce if that ever happens, but ideally I should reset stats and change my equipment before each MVP anyway.

Back to the MVP's:

Mistress
Maya

-this MVP can be killed by a Sniper "No Doubt about it"... The only problem is that its a Pain in the @#$% because everytime you get close to it teleports.

Garm rude tps too in order to heal itself mainly. I ran out of wind arrows and was only doing 2K/DS and actually decided to run into the garm babies while potting because running/ hitting only made things worse as he healed himself way too fast, which proves that having a good bow and the right arrows really counts especially when you're facing a TP-er or healer.
Sharp shooting was slightly more effective on garm but with the delay and SP cost I decided to keep DS-ing. If Mistress and Maya are anything like garm I might have problems outpotting them because SP quickly becomes an issue. I really think I should switch to verit :x

I'm also working on a "trap trap trap trap DS mini valk" project and welcome any advice regarding that cute (but very vicious) mini boss.

[Symbol]

Beginning your MVP Career is never easy. Don't be ashamed of dieing to low-tier MVPs :#
Usually while running on popular listed MVPs (Garm/Stormy/Moonlight/Phreeoni/Gunka and Eddga) you should focus on slaying them on ONE run. The chances you're going to make more and more mistakes as you die are really huge.

Is there a way to know if the MVP is an equipment breaker?

Like Orange stated you can check RMS MVPs skill database (Link on each MVP) to see if they have any skills you wouldn't like them to use.

Should I DS and teleport instead of running around the boss?

Not really. A lot of MVPs (not sure if every single one) teleport on rude attacks. A DS isn't really a rude attack imo but flywinging a lot will cost you time/zeny and patience to look for the MVP if it runs.

Do you have any advice that might help me avoid getting mobbed by the minions and/or hit by the boss?

AKA Boss Killing Guide.
I don't really have the best builds out there and I'm certainly not the best at MVPing but all my Sniper's stuff are low-end equipment. As so I don't bother getting myself resist cards/armors. And since I don't really have problems MVPing, if you use the right stuff, you should have no problem at all. (Obviously not counting in human modifier)
If you're lazy to run for AK cards to build yourself a comp bow, you should keep one (or two if you're afraid of breaking stuff) of each elemental bow with a opposite-element-damage-card (like vadon and madragora). This way you'll find it quite easy to deal 4~6k DS on mid-defense MVPs.

As for the builds, like the advices already given, keep your Dex at the maximum 10x multiplier and your Agi at 70~80. If you're sticking to the low-tiers I (lets make it clear - I) wouldn't bother adding chunks of Vit, and would focus on Int/Agi. But that's just me on low-tiers.

     Garm
By far my favorite MVP. He's really easy after you get used to him. A Gale Bow w/ a Drainliar card can suit you with at least a 4k DS (with my lazy equip). If you're not yet confident bringing a ED/Marc carded tights is a huge plus.
As for the tactics you can simply stay far away from it and spam DS 'till the Babies get close to you. When that happens, simply move behind it and repeat. If you ever see him casting something, either run outta screen or teleport if you're too close.

     Stormy Knight
Same strategy as Garm. Just switch out the Gale for an Earthen and the proper arrows/cards. One Sharp Shooting shall be enough for the Goblins. When the path is clear, make sure to snare him so he won't Shield Bash you. Remember to bring the same ED/Marc as stated above.

     Moonlight
Bring a Frozen Bow w/ a Vadon card. Stay afar from her and take out a few Ninetails. If you would like to trap, you should make a large line of it since she'll just wipe them off with Magnetic Earth. Just spam a couple DS and she'll be gone.

     Phreeoni
Bring a OAB w/ Steel Arrows and a ED carded tights. You can possibly clean the hodes and sandmen with one SS but I'm not really sure if that works w/o a Fire Bow. I'm not entirely sure, however if the ED CAN stop its Petrify Attack, you should be safe to DS and Run/Trap.

     Eddga
Same equips as Moonlight. As stated above, a SS shall clean all Bigfoots but being aware of random Ninetails crowds can help. You can either DS/Run or Trap it.


As for the requested Mini-Valks, when on a "normal" server, you'll be really more comfortable with a warper since you can't really don't die there. Since she won't stay on the Ankle Snares for too long, it's necessary you spot it and lay layers and layers of traps (after you clean the roaming Frus/Skoguls outta the way). The BEST combination I found so far to SOLO it is Full Agi/Flee set (such as Dragon M/Panties) and a OAB with Cursed Waters. It is possible to manage to kill it w/o those, but if you can OAB/Cursed are a MUST.

Well that's probably it for my help. I really hope it can suit you in any way.

Symbol~.

[Leamee]

Thanks a lot for the guide, I really appreciate it. I don't know if I'll be sticking to low-tiers as ideally I want to be able to kill as many MVPs as possible. Orc Lord, Orc Hero, etc seem to be soloable with a Sniper but I'm not good enough to kill them yet.
I've been dealing with a lot of stuff IRL and I don't have time to play right now, but once everything's calmed down I'll go back to RMS test server for some more practicing.

Stormy Knight
When the path is clear, make sure to snare him so he won't Shield Bash you. Remember to bring the same ED/Marc as stated above.

I only killed him once but found him to be the easiest MVP of all the MVPs I practiced on so far. (that is, Eddga, Garm, Phree, Tao, ESL and probably something else but I forgot). I just SSed then DS-locked him and he was dead. Oh well, it looks like I was really lucky for once!

I don't know if you can even deal 6K on an MVP unless you self-provoke + buffs (bless, agi, WS buffs). With the ideal bow (AK AK + 2 random cards) I do 4K.
Anyway, I'll get the calculator out when I have time, but your advice is definitely very good so thank you very much =)

Edit: By the way, I totally agree with you when it comes to equips. I'm a decent poker player and I know when to fold and I feel like too much people sadly don't know when to stop upgrading their equipment/ chasing cards.
Poker is based on statistics and so is in-game forging and IMO +6 equips is a luxury for snipers.

I have +10 stuff on RMS test serv and I can't feel the difference between +6/+7 and +10 IMO. From now on, I'll upgrade my equips up to +4/+5 and that's it. I'd rather buy more cards, they're way more useful than a +7 whatever.

[Symbol]

I don't know if you can even deal 6K on an MVP unless you self-provoke + buffs (bless, agi, WS buffs). With the ideal bow (AK AK + 2 random cards) I do 4K.
Anyway, I'll get the calculator out when I have time, but your advice is definitely very good so thank you very much =)

With casual equipments and buffs you can even reach a 7k DS.


The top Garm image is nothing but self buffs (aka Concentration/TrueSight). The bottom one goes with simple Bless+Agi and the grass field with the addition of Provoke (Aloe Vera). Same sequence with the Moonlight Flower, from Left to Right. This shows how MVP defense can lower your damage. Garm has 40 Def and I peaked at 5,7. Thats lower than the lowest Moonlight damage, that has 10 Defense. Add it to the fact I'm wearing Roween carded Manteau (10% damage against water) on both MVPs, giving Garm ROUGHLY 44% more damage (If my calculations are correct).

. Just noticed I was using Minoros card against Moonlight. Lol. Since I'm too lazy to do it again, I could assume my damage would peak at 8.5k (again if my calculations aren't wrong).

I have +10 stuff on RMS test serv and I can't feel the difference between +6/+7 and +10 IMO.

I couldn't tell the difference between a +0 and a +10 since if I get hit It'll probably trigger a lock on me and I'll just die. But anyways, that's just me. And a +7 to +10 would grant you +9 Hard Def. That may save your life but I really rather run than stand and tank.

[Jolrael]

I don't know if you can even deal 6K on an MVP unless you self-provoke + buffs (bless, agi, WS buffs). With the ideal bow (AK AK + 2 random cards) I do 4K.
Anyway, I'll get the calculator out when I have time, but your advice is definitely very good so thank you very much =)

when MVP hunting its better to use a [4AK] compo than [2AK+2random card] compo... forgot the link but i have read it here at RMS forums.

[Symbol]

when MVP hunting its better to use a [4AK] compo than [2AK+2random card] compo... forgot the link but i have read it here at RMS forums.

Not really. Let me show you why:
* 4 AK Carded Composite Bow = 200% damage since they all stack.
* 3 AK / 1 Minoros Carded Composite Bow = 1.75 x 1.15 = 2.0125
* 2 AK / 1 Minoros / 1 Elemental Damage Carded Comp. Bow = 1.5 x 1.15 x 1.2 = 2.07

It doesn't actually matters if you see only the Bow parts. I don't know about you but I really rather drop a Minoros/ElementalDamage Card than another AK, but that's just me. :#

[Relics]

The 'best' would actually be, if you don't count TG, 2AK, 1 Race, 1 Element.. for example vs Garm

2AK (1.5), 1Goblin (1.2), 1Drainliar (1.2)  = 1.5 * 1.2 * 1.2 = 2.16

4AK is the worst to do if you're using AK's (4ak = 2.0) since even 1 AK, 2 Race 1 Size = 1.25 * 1.4 * 1.15 = 2.0125
2 AK 2 race = 1.5 * 1.4 = 2.1 and 3AK + 1 race = 1.75 * 1.2 = 2.1

[Leamee]

First of all, thanks a lot for all the screenshots. It looks like you've taken a lot of time to explain all of this to me and I'm really grateful  
I noticed that you're using not-so-shabby renewal equips while I'm still using non-renewal stuff. Do you know who drops the dragon manteau and the dragon vest? I believe that either dragon vest or dragon manteau is dropped by the new MVP that's in the nest dungeon, so I guess that kind of equip would be quite pricey. I looked up both items on RMS but it looks like the database is slightly outdated.

Bless+Agi and the grass field with the addition of Provoke (Aloe Vera)

Does the grass field have any influence on the damage you can deal on Garm? Maybe it's another renewal thing I don't know about  
I kind of guessed that you were using aloevera, I should try it too.

I couldn't tell the difference between a +0 and a +10 since if I get hit It'll probably trigger a lock on me and I'll just die. But anyways, that's just me. And a +7 to +10 would grant you +9 Hard Def. That may save your life but I really rather run than stand and tank.

Same here. I really like your equips by the way. +5/+6 is the way to go   What's the last card that's in your bow and did you use that bow on all the MVPs for the demo? I looked up roween card as I'd never heard of it and its effects are very very sweet.

And yes, defense does matter. Kasa (23 def) = DS peaked at 7.9K for me on calc and on RMS test serv if you use aloevera and GG card, otherwise ~7.7K.

when MVP hunting its better to use a [4AK] compo than [2AK+2random card] compo... forgot the link but i have read it here at RMS forums.

Symbol is right. I don't think AKs stack but in any case, on Kasa (my favorite guinea pig)
+10 compo bow AK AK Vadon Peco (with bless agi snip buffs GG card aloevera): = the ideal bow to kill kasas
Minimum Damage   7082(3541X2hit) Average Damage   7514(3757X2hit) Maximum Damage   7940(3970X2hit)
With +10 compo bow AK AK AK AK and the same buffs:
Minimum Damage   6612(3306X2hit) Average Damage   7016(3508X2hit) Maximum Damage   7412(3706X2hit)
This calculator is extremely accurate, which means that you lose 500 per DS = ~1.5K dps which is quite a lot. Plus AK cards are way expensive.
With AK AK (25% 25%) and mino mino (15% 15% !!!)
Minimum Damage   6600(3300X2hit) Average Damage   6986(3493X2hit) Maximum Damage   7374(3687X2hit)

Ideally you'd want 4 different cards in your bow if you weren't able to use 2 AKs as you get a penalty each time you use the same card twice and it gets worse and worse as you use it more. 4 AKs = 2 AKs 2 Minos means that the AKs are only worth 15%~18% when you stack them I guess.
However, 3 AKs 1 Mino:
Minimum Damage   6726(3363X2hit) Average Damage   7132(3566X2hit) Maximum Damage   7532(3766X2hit)
I'd rather use 2 AKs and 2 Minos because Minos are cheaper and the difference between AK AK AK and AK AK is very small.
AK AK AK AK is really a waste as adding one Mino improves the damage - Relics is right.  

I also have another question: does anyone know how to kill Orc Lord / Orc Hero / Atroce as a Sniper and if it's even possible?
I'll test some more stuff when I get the time, thanks everybody!

[Symbol]

I'm really glad to help. When I started MVPing I had the same problems and figured everything out by myself, taking a lot longer to get the basics.

Do you know who drops the dragon manteau and the dragon vest?

Dragon Vest is dropped by Draco and Dragon Manteau is a reward for the El Dicastes quest. RMS database is kinda outdated on the Renewal drops. But that's just while Renewal sets itself.

Does the grass field have any influence on the damage you can deal on Garm?

Naah. I was on the field (prt_fild08) because I'd just killed the Lutie Garm and I always do my testings on Prontera Fields. The only difference is the actual Provoke.

What's the last card that's in your bow and did you use that bow on all the MVPs for the demo?

The Garm bow was a 2 AK / 1 Minoros / 1 Drainliar. The Moonlight was a 2 AK / 1 Skel Worker / 1 Vadon.
However, as stated by Relics above, I completely forgot about racial cards. If you swap the Minoros for a Goblin Card, you'll get a 2,34 multiplier instead of a 2,24.

as you get a penalty each time you use the same card twice

As far as I know, the card penalty stuff isn't true. Cards with the same script stack infinitely. Cards with different scrips don't.

does anyone know how to kill Orc Lord / Orc Hero / Atroce as a Sniper and if it's even possible?

I never actually tried to solo OL/OH but Atroce is simple, as long as you have the patience to take him off. Just lure the Gallions away or take a couple down and trap Atroce all the way.

[Leamee]

I'm really glad to help. When I started MVPing I had the same problems and figured everything out by myself, taking a lot longer to get the basics.

Again, thank you *so* much. I had to figure out how to make zenys quickly on my own and I really wish someone had told me that selling rough eluniums or quest items to NPCs isn't a very good idea. As you said, when you're alone, getting the basics takes a ridiculously long time.

Dragon Vest is dropped by Draco and Dragon Manteau is a reward for the El Dicastes quest.

Ok, so those are pretty easy to get Thanks!

The Garm bow was a 2 AK / 1 Minoros / 1 Drainliar. The Moonlight was a 2 AK / 1 Skel Worker / 1 Vadon.

Thanks for the info   It's true that goblin would be better than minorous but your DS is already very impressive so I don't think it really matters. I'd be super happy if I could deal that much damage per DS!

As far as I know, the card penalty stuff isn't true. Cards with the same script stack infinitely. Cards with different scrips don't.

I don't know. Gravity keeps updating the game and changing stuff up but I guess it's that not important anyway since we all agree that 2 AK + racial + element is the way to go.  

Luckily, all the elemental bows you mentioned are easy to get as a hunter (minus burning bow if you don't have jakk and pasana, which is a shame because even an archer can equip it but I guess you can buy a cheap one from a more experienced sniper).

I've also been wondering about the best way to kill incarnations of morroc. Since they all have pneuma I don't know if they even are killeable by a sniper as they are mini bosses and thus immune to the knock-back effect of charge arrow. Come to think of it, an ME priest would probably do well there.


Edit: I also have trouble killing Skogul and Frus (and Skeggiold but I doubt that Snipers can solo Skeggiolds...)
Do you have any advice? I guess that one is fine with silver arrows and the right bow but when you get mobbed it's goodbye.
Am I doing something wrong?

[Relics]

Skid traps, but the usage of that is limited ever since arrow shower doesn't replace them anymore..

I guess you could place skid traps infront of you always and when the mob aggro walks to you, it'll be pushed back everytime giving you space to DS.

[Leamee]

Skid traps, but the usage of that is limited ever since arrow shower doesn't replace them anymore..

Yeah, I'd have to practice first. That said, it's a great idea   An SP-draining one, but a really cool one.
When I get the time I'll log on to RMS and practice a little bit on some random MVP or warp to odin and try to work out how to deal with mob aggros.
Kicking butt in Ice Dungeon 3 was also high on my list for some reason, I can't remember why.
Thanks for the suggestion!
Posted on: Jan 16, 2011, 06:18 amOkay, I have a question regarding garm. Most of the time I can kill him without any problem but sometimes it seems like he goes into berserk mode. I just resu'ed myself 3 times and each time I hit him it's the same story. He runs into me really fast and I'm dead again. I wonder if he only does that when his HP is low because usually he goes berserk then heals then hits again.
It can't possibly be storm gust as I have ED so I really don't know. As I said I can kill him fine 4 times out of 5. I looked up his skills and he doesn't have provoke or anything of that kind so I'm clueless right now.
Edit: I think I just double-posted, sorry. Anyway, everything was fine and I thought that running like crazy was the solution but he just OHKOed me again. It's really really weird - maybe I'm lagging a lot, who knows.
Edit bis: After around 15-20 garms, I can confirm that he does go into berserk mode, even when I activate effects and run to avoid his deadly storm gust.
5 things happen:
1. He heals like crazy.
2. He slows you down
3. He becomes faster
4. He storm gusts/ beats the ... out of you.
5. If you happen to resu yourself, more often than not you'll see a series of "Miss" when you try to hit him. It's worse than defender because he becomes immune to ANY attack. It lasts quite a long time too. It does wear off after a while though.
Has anyone experienced this before? I'm not asking you guys to kill 20 Garms in a row, but I was wondering.

Edit bis: I think I got it, though there's no foolproof method to not die. It's a boss after all - even low-tiers can OHKO pretty much any class if they decide to go 'zerk. That said, I killed him 12 times in a row without dying. I think he only went berserk once. I recognized the warning signs, which are mainly agi UP + decrease agi then SG SG, I ate the first SG (he slows you down so it's near-impossible not to take some dmg) then noticed that he was still walking freakishly fast. I started DSing and what a surprise, a series of "Miss". I managed to outrun him somehow and decided to sit near him but out of screen and waited for the berserk to wear off. Sure enough, 2 minutes later he was back to his normal sucky self  and I was able to finish him off.

I guess you need to know your enemy before you go to war 
I'll probably kill each low-tier MVP about 20 times just to get a feel for MVPing. Moreover, knowing them that well will allow me to dodge their deadliest attacks. Next in line is Eddga, then Phree. If I manage to kill them 10-12 times in a row without dying and without pots, I'll pick another MVP.

[Relics]

http://ratemyserver.net/index.php?page=mob_skill_analysis&m_id=1252&m_name=Garm

>  Agility UP [Lv 5]   
attack - HP lower than 30 percent

Not sure how much this modifies his behavior if it's about casting spells and such, but yeah he 100% buffs himself when his HP drops below 30%.. subsequently this should also raise his flee by a bunch.

[Leamee]

Thanks a lot for the info.  I didn't know you could get a skill analysis for each monster. That's so cool!
I'm learning more and more every day. Apparently, Agi UP is cancellable, and I guess that most of the time my DS-ing like crazy cancels his Agi UP, but that sometimes I have to take a break to avoid the baby garms and that he gets the chance to cast it.
Honestly, once he's Agi UP it's game over, next time I see him buffing himself I'll either TP or run like crazy and sit, since I can't even touch him. Thanks again, now I feel quite proud about having killed him 12 times in a row without pots and without dying. 

[Symbol]

Sorry for not making clear that you could have it's Skills analyzed. The link on the MVP page I meant was the exact skill analysis.
Besides the Agi Up Relics pointed out, your Garm issue COULD be his lock. When you DS spam him, he sometimes simply stay on the place he was and suddenly rushes towards you.
I've never seen it A LOT with others MVPs but with Garm it's rare *not to* happen. As for me, I've never actually seen him Agi Up himself because whenever you see him casting something I simply keep spamming DS. It's not because of the Storm Gust, but mainly the Wide Freeze that can get you killed if you don't have a slave Sasquatch near you.

If you still have trouble with MVPs AGI UP (like Incantation and Turtle G.) you can always bring a Professor for dispelling. :#

[Leamee]

Thanks a bunch, Symbol! You described my main problem perfectly. It seems like DSing from afar is safe but he suddenly rushes toward you. I've never tried killing inc or turtle but I think that I found a method to survive Garm's lock. I'm typing on my Blackberry so sorry for the typos. Anyway when I'm home I'll do another MVP killing session, thanks again