Capping Shield

Finished Ochain, head to abyssea - tahrongi, put on regen atmas, scoop up as many mandies as I can, pop montanga (skill low 300's), let them beat on me for long time. Too easy right? Well, it's been over an hour since I hit 351 (with merits) and I haven't got a single skillup. I was under the impression that you could cap this way. Am I mistaken or did SE ninja this method?

There would be a certain skill cap with relation to the level of the monster you're fighting. You just need higher level mandies.

Are they DC to you?

EP ...but I was under the impression you could cap here. Anywhere in abyssea (and atma) where I can?

Something that's DC or higher. Altep mandies are probably best.

Actually, Altepa mandies are EP unless you're killing them fast to raise their level.

I capped my skill using bloom buckler and montagna on buffalo in Uleguerand aby. They start out DC and have a decent double atk rate. Pull 5+ and watch the skill points roll in.

I went /dnc for tp cures in case something went south with regen atmas.

Crabs in Grauberg {A} will cap you. They hit harder than most ideal things but they will definitely cap you and no harmful tp moves (str-down ohno).

Tahrongi mandies worked for me @340 up to 372(no merits) in about an hour and a half with no food. Just did this yesterday. Probably coulda got more, but I got bored and left.

When I obtained my Ochain, this is how I capped shield. They do hit hard (especially when gathering them all), but when actually blocking with phalanx up you should see a ton of zeroes. Pull a bunch over to a corner where you can get 'em in shield block range and you'll cap pretty quickly.