I have not found very detailed posts/information about TM, so I hope my guide can help for those who are grinding for extra-STR or simply for extra mob-collections.
If you have any questions or recommendations, feel free to let me know!
Table of Contents:
1. Introduction - What is Transformation Mastery?
2. Recommended Items/Talents for Training TM
3. Using Brionac
4. Bonus Stats from Collections
5. Skill Training Guides (Rank F to Rank A)
6. Skill Training Guides (Rank 9 to Rank 5)
7. Skill Training Guides (Rank 4 to Rank 1)
8. 300 Collection Tips
9. Maps
10. Conclusion
-------
1. What is Transformation Mastery?
[Image: http://puu.sh/8tets.jpg]
*Passive Life-skill (Adventure Talent)
*Once finish collecting a monster's transformation, you can transform into it.
*Costs 385 AP
*Bonus stats (Life+57, Stamina+57, Str+24)
*Extra bonus stats depending on number of collections (30,50,100,150,200,250, & 300)
*Requires 1 to 5 collection
*Collecting mobs will give you extra stats (ONLY when you are transformed)
[Image: http://puu.sh/8teD3.png]
These stats are ONLY applied when you are transforming.
------
2. Recommended Items/Talents for Training TM
[Image: http://puu.sh/8teW4.jpg]
*Adventure Talent (extra 1.5x base chance)
*Demonic Nightmare Dream Catcher (+10% success rate)
*Shamala Wear (+10% success rate)
*Brionac
Adventure talent is a must, it can save you a lot of time and hundreds of dungeon passes.
Demonic Dream Catcher is easy to acquire (Saga Ep9) - around 100k in Alexina server.
I do not recommend using dream catchers other than the Demonic ones.
You can acquire 'Master Adventurer' with r8 Campfire, r7 Rest, and r4+ fishing.
Having a Shamala Wear is definitely helpful at later rank, but they are EXTREMELY costly.
(Around 15m+ for female and 5m+ for male)
I recommend borrowing/renting from friends/guildies.
Using a Brionac in higher rank will save a lot of time and money, I will explain using brio later on.
Lastly, TM is very challenging life skill--you should be prepared to travel a lot and put a lot of time on it.
------
3. Using Brionac
You may be wondering why Brionac is necessary to train TM.
At some ranks (especially rank 6 to 3), using a Brionac will save time and money.
It will let you skip collecting few mobs and will let you advance to next rank.
You also need to fulfill 30% of training to use Brionac.
Keep in mind though, your ultimate goal should be collecting 300 mobs for extra stats/journal points. If you rely on Brionac too much, you are going to have a hard time getting 300 collections.
Simply put, Brionac is a double-edged sword--it is convenient, yet you eventually have to "collect" the missing mobs for 300 collections.
------
4. Bonus Stats for Collections
If you reach certain collection numbers, you will receive a quest from Shamala and based on the number of collections, you will be rewarded with extra HP/STR stats & journal points.
Suppose if you just finished collecting total 50 mobs on your Transformation Diary, you will receive a quest AFTER changing channels/logging in again. You also need NPC Shamala to 'talk' with.
[Image: http://puu.sh/8tfWZ.png]
Collecting 300 mobs are very challenging, but STR + 5 is also extra stats that you would not want to miss.
------
5. Skill Training Guides (Rank F to Rank A)
Rank F to Rank A is mostly collecting field/shadow mission mobs that are very common to find.
I do not recommend using a Brionac in these ranks.
<Rank F>
Fox - Tir Chonaill field
Raccoon - Dugald Aisle logging camp
Armadillo - Filia South
Spider - Tir Chonaill Old Ruins
Rat - Dunby Southgate
Kiwi - Cor Village
<Rank E>
Wolf - Tir Chonaill East
Bat - Rabbie Normal
Mimic - Any Dungeons
Wisp - Dunby Southfield
Dire Wolf - Osna Sail
Goblin - Ciar Normal
Coyote - Sidhe Sneachta
<Rank D>
Cobolt - Math Normal
Plateau Wild Boar - Abb Neagh Lake area
Shadow Fighter - Tail Shadow Missions
Bandit Imp - Pursuit
Bear - West Dugald Logging Camp
Physis Fox - Vales
Imp - Fiodh/Barri Normal
Gremlin - Fiodh Normal
<Rank C>
Shadow Lancer - Tail SM
Bandit Goblin - Pursuit
Wicked Penguin - Par Ruins Normal
Skeleton - Gairech/Rabbie Normal
Aardvark - Quila/Maiz Prairie
Rat Man - Ciar Basic/Adv
Bandit Human - Pursuit
Lightning Sprite - Ceo Island
Flying Sword - Fomor Attack
Grizzly Bear - Dunby Southwest
Jackal - Canae Meadows
<Rank B>
Porcupine - Longa Desert Southeast
Mongoose - Quila
Shadow Shire - Dorren's Request (1st left orb)
Bone Fighter - Shadow Cast City
Bandit Giant - Pursuit
Crag Cow - Dorren's Request (1st left orb)
Ice Sprite - Ceo Island
Water Buffalo - Cor Village East
Grumbil - Defeat Shadow Wizard
Sahagin Fighter - Rundal Basic/Siren
Zombie - Tir Na Nog
Shadow Wizard - Dorren's Request (1st right orb)
<Rank A>
Shadow Warrior - Defeat Shadow Wizard
Bone Lancer - SCC
Elsinore Rat - Avon (New King's)
Arat Deer - Stones of Sliab Cullin
Fennec Fox - Muyu Desert
Stripless Hyena - Muyu Desert
Fire Sprite - Ceo Island
Snake - Ciar Basic/Fiodh Normal
Poisonous Snake - Scathach
Corrupt Alchemist - TOA/Sulfur Spider
Zombie Soldier - Their Method
Sahagin Warrior - Rundal Siren
Warg - Sella Beach (or WD spawn area)
------