I'm actually still making my way through 5-3, but I have had so much fun with my static doing these. You HAVE to be prepared with meds, as Lokii said, and we always hashed out strategies ahead of time. Maybe if we had SMN and RNG it would be a lot easier, but we like the challenge.
2-5 can be a difficult hurdle, but many things after it are harder - Diabolos, Ouryu, Trackers, Snoll Tzar, Ultima/Omega, ...
We've been very successful; some we beat first attempt (Ouryu, Promy-Vahzl), some took us a couple tries (Diabolos, Trackers), but nothing has been a real sticking point yet, although we'll see how well we do against snoll tzar in a couple weeks (we only meet once a week and some weeks have been canceled)
For 2-5 specifically, we used a combination of "Super PLD" and "zombie" - the PLD grabs hate from two mammets but does not engage, provoke, or anything. That why the WHM can cure the PLD without the hate being transfered. The PLD also needs hi-pots to try to be as self-sustaining as possible. Then a secondary tank (WAR/NIN or an avatar works) pulls the 3rd and we slaughter it as quickly as possible. At this point, everyone is close to death, so you plan a strategic wipe and re-raise by the entrance (make sure you are not on the grass). Then come back and finish the other 2 in the same way (you won't have time for a 2nd wipe, but it's easier with only 2 mobs).
I STRONGLY suggest several Yellow Liquids on the secondary tank (since he's engaged, he can more easily what form they're in), with a few more scattered around for backup. I would suggest 5-10 liquids just to be safe (sell leftovers on AH or keep for 6-4). We used this strategy more than once to help a few others through (this was the point our static really coalesced).
One thing I've heard over and over is "no one wants to re-do these or help out". For some, it's a gear / level-cap issue, for others, just because they had such a hard time. For me personally, I love helping out, but only if people are willing to take it seriously. After the number of people who thought just "showing up" was sufficient (without reading strategy or buying necessary stuff), we haven't helped many others. The first sign for me to not help is when someone complains they didn't by sneak oils, re-raise earrings, or anything else because of the price. Sorry, but some things you just have to pony-up and deal with.
Edited, Fri May 5 16:33:20 2006 by lawtechguy