How to Hunt NM: Bloodsucker

Now that I finally own a Bloodbead Ring, I have decided to post my research on Bloodsucker for any other would-be hunters. To start, Bloodsucker pops every 3 days (72 hours) after its previous Time of Death (ToD), unless a maintenance occurred the day before. After a maintenance, it will pop 21 to 24 hours afterward, and then continue to pop every 72 hours after its ToD. From experience, I have noticed that this NM usually pops after 23 hours, and judging by the JP competition I have had, if you do not see it within ± 15 minutes of the 23 hour mark, you have probably missed it.















Moving on to locating the NM itself, Bloodsucker is a blue Leech NM with the same name as the nearby red Leeches. Another way to differentiate this NM from its kin is by using "Widescan." Bloodsucker will always appear at the bottom of the list, and normally, this spot is occupied by a red Leech at J-8.

What makes the Bloodbead Ring difficult to acquire is several-fold:

1. It is unlikely you will be alone in your hunt; many players camp this NM right after maintenance periods, and they might bring friends with them.
   
2. The spawn area is infested with EP-DC Leeches that agro and link.
   
3. The NM has an "Endrain" effect that heals itself for 75-150 HP per hit ("Invincible" seems to block this effect however).
4. The difficulty of tracking the NM, noted above.
5. The drop rate -- it is far from 100%.

Could a BST solo this NM?
To be honest, I would say it is unlikely, but it might be possible with a good pull and really heavy melee gear (I am thinking Temperance Axe for sure). On average, you can expect to be drained for 150 HP a hit, and given competition, links, and BST claim abilities, one would be foolish not to ask for help. The NM itself is reported to have around 3600 HP, and the local Leeches just do not do enough damage to counter this NM's special effect. 

Common Techniques for Defeating Bloodsucker:

1. "Chainspell" can be applied to quickly demolish this NM. Five or six "Thunder III"s from a RDM will annihilate Bloodsucker, allowing you to deal with your links shortly after. Remember to keep "Stoneskin" and "Blink" up, and if necessary, "Sleep" the NM to give yourself breathing room. 
2. A BLM can use "Sleepga" and AM IIs instead of the method above. Two or three AM IIs should do the job.
   
3. Evasion can help dodge hits if your job/equipment has copious amounts of it. Usually a NIN or THF/NIN with the right gear can solo this NM, but there might be other jobs capable of winning as well. Do not forget Signet for the Evasion bonus!
   
4. Zerging. Typically, you will need at least another person, and preferably, two to do it safely. Again, everyone should sub NIN for shadows and traversing the maze, but being a DC NM, some tweaking might be possible.

Khaki's drop rate:
1/3 with Treasure Hunter I
0/1 with Treasure Hunter II + Thief's Knife