noob related stuff

[Kekti]

Ok ya i'll call myself a noob cause well i've never played the game nor do i have it i'll prob have it tommorrow though and was wondering if any one would hook me up with some tips as my first job and some pics of the UI and mabe a map of the key commands and explain how the battle system works and how u fire specials ect. basicly anwser the basics for me plz and thanks for ur help o and which sever is the most noob friendly and engilsh speaking and has ppl on aroun est. zone times? once agian thnx

[Murphie]

Re: noob related stuff

I hope this doesn't sound harsh, but the forum that you're posting in right now has some really excellent information that will answer a lot of your questions. Just do some reading and you'll likely find an answer to most of your questions.

All servers are the same. Just let yourself be randomly placed if you don't know anyone else who is currently playing.

[ValisOfValefor]

Re: noob related stuff

1st questions awnser: Pick whichever job you think you'll like, we can't tell you what you'll like
Warrior: You'll end up tanking and meleeing alot, Big job for those masochists out there. But a very good starter job.
Theif: Meleeing is the key.
Monk: Very easy and fun job to pick up. Melee
Red Mage: A good mix between White Mage, and Black Mage, that *can* melee, but not as effectively as other jobs.
White Mage: You'll be in the back, keeping the fighters alive.
Black Mage: Another back line job, big job for those Sadists out there


2nd question awnser:Err, you pick up the commands in the booklet.

3rd: All the servers are the same. Either get a WP to one that sounds like one you'll like. Their all the same in most regards, other than small differences in the economies and such.

(Oh yea, and use the search function most the time, becuase theres lots of posts already awnsering these questions.)

[Kekti]

Re: noob related stuff

ok thnx lol no its not to harsh i play MxO and well ya i've been on the forusm i pretty much knew what to expect but if some one could i'd really like a screenshot of the ui so i can figure it out kinda

[Murphie]

Re: noob related stuff

I posted one the other day. Let me find the link.

Or heck...

1. UI with macro palletes open (only when using macros do you see this).


2. UI with menu open. It has two sides.


3. UI in battle.


All in all, it's pretty unobtrusive.

[neighbortaru]

Re: noob related stuff

there's a reason i have those links in my sig

[Murphie]

Re: noob related stuff

I have sigs turned off.

[Kekti]

Re: noob related stuff

thnx but uhh how does combat work not seen that in any of the links

[Murphie]

Re: noob related stuff

You'll figure that as you go. Some pics aren't really going to explain that very well.

[Kekti]

Re: noob related stuff

ok uhh is there any way to make the updating go faster lol

[Murphie]

Re: noob related stuff

Not really, no. I mean, having a very nice connection helps, but it's still quite a task.

[Vair]

Re: noob related stuff

I dunno why, but I just feel like doing this.

Here are some links to pictures that might get you excited about playing FFXI.

You said you wanted pictures so here ya go, lol. >.>

((Maybe I'm just showing off my pictures. ))

Random Jeuno Shot.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...r/img_0034.png

NM Tree

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...iever/Ahtu.jpg

Besieged and Troll NM:

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...eImprudent.jpg

Wyvernpoacher Drachlox, which I am proud to say we took down in a level 59-60 EXP party.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...ernpoacher.jpg

[Jarre]

Re: noob related stuff

ok uhh is there any way to make the updating go faster lol

Unfortunately not see my thread on my recent re-install of everything, best thing to do is install the disks, do the POL update then set the main one going select disconect from network when finished and start the update, leave it goign over ngiht, go to bed and wake up ready to start playing.

People disregard the game booklet that comes with the disks, don't. it has some usefull information in it short cuts, battle commands and a small section on how to set up macros. there is also a guide book availiable for a small fee (I think brady games produced it) which ahs more info etc.

You wont expect to kn ow everythign when you start. Its a long learning curve and can be frustrating sometimes, but you will elarn the jobs, learn how not to die. Many people will laugh at this but when i first started playing (before I joined this forum and actually learnt something) I didn't know how to rest!! The msot usefull thing ever when HP or MP is low type /heal or /h and you will crouch (or sit if a taru) and slowly Hp & MP will be recovered.

You will die lots as you get used to learning the different monsters and always remember to check yor prey (select them go to bottom of menu that appears and click on check, don't fight anythign above even match at low levels, you will most likely die, just fight easy prey, decent challenge and at a pinch even match)

[Balfree]

The UI seems to be all too defining of your choice to play FFXI.

I'm sorry to say you wont have an easy time figuring it out if youve played MMORPGs before, this is not point and click, though it can be, but you'll be in the 0.5% of people that use point and click, if you choose to do so.

FFXI is very "Macro" driven, you create macros by typing in strings of commands.

To activate macros, if using a keyboard, you press and hold the Alt key for a macro palette, or the Ctrl key for a second palette. While holding down each of the keys, you can press up or down to scroll between 10 pages in each palette, so you have dozens of macro pages, each with 10 macros each.

To create macros you open your main menu and find the "Macro" option, after that you are shown all your macros, and you can create/edit/delete them in this section.

A Macro consists of command lines, here's an example of how to cast a Fire spell:

/ma "Fire" <t>

"/ma" tells the game you want to cast a spell, "ma" stands for MAgic

"Fire" is the spell you wish to cast, you have to type in the spell correctly, taking into consideration the capitalizationa and white spaces, ie, "Thundaga III" is correct, but "thundaga iii" is incorrect.

"<t>" is your target, if you are currently targetting something, this "<t>" function will automatically cast your spell on that target.

There are other target types, <stpc>, <stnpc>, <bt>, <st>, and maybe more.

"<stpc>" after activating a macro, it readies your action, be it a spell or an ability, and it lets you select a target in range before it uses the ability/spell. This target mode is special, it will only scroll between PLAYERS, it will not target mobs or npcs around you, its good for casting white magic and similar powers, it eases the trouble of having to scroll between many targets if youre in a crowded area.

"<stnpc>" is the exact same thing as above, but it only targets npcs.

"<bt>" is an automatic cast, it will automatically target your current "red" mob, your current red mob is the mob you or your party are fighting, people do not usually use this target mode because if youre fighting mutliple mobs, it may prove dangerous, careful because it selects a target automatically and begins using/casting your magic/ability, does not ask for a confirmation, much like <t>.

"<st>" is my favorite, its the same as <stpc> and <stnpc>, but lets you scroll between any and all targets, be it Players, or NPCs.

recap:

<t>, <bt>, does not let you select a target, action begins automatically.

<st>, <stnpc>, <stpc>, lets you select a target with a special cursor, called the "sub cursor" by some people, action begins once you select your target.

-

Appart from macros, you can use normal actions, what murphie is lacking on his helpful pictures is the action menu, which is a tiny menu that displays on the bottom left corner of the window when you engage a mob, an npc, an object, anything.

When you target something, this menu appears, if its a mob it lets you do a multitude of actions, if its an npc, it displays other actions, if its yourself, another set of actions is displayed, if you happen to be on a chocobo and then target yourself, you get yet another set of actions, some of the most important actions are:

On mobs:

Attack - engages in combat
Magic - gives you a list of all your avaliable spells, select one to begin casting.
Abilities - gives you a list of all your avaliable abilities, select one to use.
Items - gives you a list of all your avaliable USABLE items, select one to use.
Check - checks the mob's strenght, read the output message to find out how strong the mob is compared to your current level AND equipment.

On npcs:

Talk - engages in conversation.
Trade - trade something to npc.

On players:

Magic - gives you a list of all your avaliable spells, select one to begin casting.
Abilities - gives you a list of all your avaliable abilities, select one to use.
Trade - trade something to player.
Check - examine player, it gives you their job, level, and equipment, aswell as access to their personal shops, or "bazaars" if they have stuff to sell.

On chocobo you have:

Dig - digs an item from the ground, you cant dig everywhere, this action only pops up when you can dig.
Dismount - dismounts chocobo.

Other common actions are:

Chat - manually defines what chat mode you wish to use, when you type something, you have to define which "channel" you wish to talk to, theres a bunch of channels:

1. Say - people within range will hear you.
2. Tell - only one person will hear you, usually you need to do this manualy though, you'll get it once youre playing, this is your "whisper", to speak to someone in private.
3. Linkshell - your linkshell (clan/guild) will hear you.
4. Party - your current party and alliance will hear you.
5. Shout - everyone in your current zone will hear you.

Examine/open - when confronted with an object, door, or "???" spot, you can examine it (cant recall this one correctly, someone correct me if im wrong).

In terms of UI, FFXI is unique, theres is nothing in the MMORPG market today that equals FFXI's system, to my knowledge atleast, and because of that you may feel frustrated at times. But i guarantee that if you put a bit of effort trying out everything, you'll pick it up in no time, and you will most probably end up hating the old systems, thats how i feel nowadays.

On another note, if you do use the action menu, when you select a spell or an ability, the system gives you a sub-cursor to select who/where to use it on, so its safe to say that the action menu uses a <st> type target.

[Kekti]

Re: noob related stuff

ok thnx lol ya i'm picking it up quick and if some one could get me a world pass for bahamut that'd be awsome i'm on shiva right now...o and uhh why do WAR have no mp?