Starting Job

[areon]

ok so I started the game but before i made my charater i noticed that i didnt think about my Job. I came up with my top 3 (not in any order) Blm, Thf, Mnk. Can anyone tell me about the jobs so i can make up my mind?

[Centurion]

Re: Starting Job

there are a lot of places to get this type of basic info-

try here- http://wiki.ffxionline.com/index.php?title=Jobs

this will take you to the Wikipedia which focuses on all things FFXI.

-for future reference, this Wikipedia link can be found at the bottom of the Main Topics section of the Forum page-


hope that helps

[Akai]

Re: Starting Job

war or whm is the best because theyre the easiest to level IMHO because war is a DD and a tank at lower lvls, and you dont need blm sub for whm at that lvl

[Macht]

Re: Starting Job

Also should be able to find it on the Menu List at the top labeled "Wiki Pages". Lot should come up too if you were to do a search (Might want to use Advanced Search function to help reduces what comes up).

As for the job you choose to start with, it sounds like you were planning an advanced job to be the one you go to. Might be best to pick the start job that'll help you with that advanced job.

[Jei]

Re: Starting Job

my 2c, if you like fighter job, warrior is a good start. it will lay down your foundation you will learn to tank, to do damage, to pull, to die for the PT and etc. Everything you need to know is really all in their in the warrior.

You'll die a lot I ensure you don't give up ^^

[Aeni]

Re: Starting Job

Here's my take on the starting jobs (note, this is pre-subjob questing):

[Thief] No. I'd highly recommend to level this with a subjob. Piss poor ability to solo monsters at even low levels make this a horrible choice.

[Warrior] If you're interesting in meleeing, this would be a top choice.

[Black Mage] Top choice if you want to be a damage dealing mage. Really, you're in demand with this job all the way to the end. I shouldn't say this, but you can also go on a gimped sub, because believe it or not, the majority of players in the game would rather pickup a BLM with a slightly gimped subjob than not go without one at all (Yes, these players do exist even to this day)

[White Mage] Go for this job if you're into the curing and healing. Don't expect the job to be easy, especially at low levels. You'll die lots in Valkurm Desert, frigging nubs expecting you to whip out Benediction like giving away candy at Halloween >.>

[Red Mage] Good first job to solo while you get the hang of being a mage (It offers both white magic and black magic spells at low levels). Not so great job for subbing down the road.

[Monk] Good first melee damage dealing job. MNKs can tank at lower levels and their beefy HP can help parties out in a pinch.

Here are the cookie cutter paths for the first job and then the second on your way to level 30 and unlocking the advanced jobs:

MNK -> 18, WAR, THF -> 30
WHM -> 18, BLM, RDM -> 30
BLM -> 18, WHM, RDM -> 30
WAR -> 18, MNK, THF -> 30

Again, I wouldn't recommend THF as first job and RDM, like I said, only has the solo options (at low levels) going for it.

[tdh]

Re: Starting Job

Here are the cookie cutter paths for the first job and then the second on your way to level 30 and unlocking the advanced jobs:

MNK -> 18, WAR, THF -> 30
WHM -> 18, BLM, RDM -> 30
BLM -> 18, WHM, RDM -> 30
WAR -> 18, MNK, THF -> 30

Again, I wouldn't recommend THF as first job and RDM, like I said, only has the solo options (at low levels) going for it.

I found it very easy to get to Lv.30 with RDM. Getting to Lv.10 was decently easy as well. However I'm a RDM main, and always wanted to be a RDM. So I may be a tad biased, but other people I've known who just turned to RDM randomly have found that it was easy to get to Lv.30.

I will agree that THF is a pain until Lv.15. I can't imagine taking THF as your starting job to get your subjob items. But THF15 is crazy fun! That's when THF really takes off! {Sneak Attack} {Fast Blade} FTW!!

[Caspian]

Re: Starting Job

I will agree that THF is a pain until Lv.15. I can't imagine taking THF as your starting job to get your subjob items. But THF15 is crazy fun! That's when THF really takes off! {Sneak Attack} {Fast Blade} FTW!!

*Raises hand*
Did it. Trying to find parties from 10-15 since soloing basically wasn't an option just flat out sucked. Basically an xp leech until 15. But yes, 15+ rocks. Especially compared to the jackass WAR's using 1h sword and shield. Bust out a 80dmg SA+Fast blade. Everyone's jaw drops..."What? A thf just did more dmg than me???? I'm confused. The world doesnt make sense anymore!" Expect LOOOOOONG waits for pt's if you plan to make THF your first job w/o a sub.

[tdh]

Re: Starting Job

*Raises hand*
Did it. Trying to find parties from 10-15 since soloing basically wasn't an option just flat out sucked. Basically an xp leech until 15. But yes, 15+ rocks. Especially compared to the jackass WAR's using 1h sword and shield. Bust out a 80dmg SA+Fast blade. Everyone's jaw drops..."What? A thf just did more dmg than me???? I'm confused. The world doesnt make sense anymore!" Expect LOOOOOONG waits for pt's if you plan to make THF your first job w/o a sub.

I sub'd RNG trying to get THF to Lv.15. Hoping I could do some damage with ranged attacks. It was pretty sad. I solo'd from Lv.13 to Lv.15. Had a LS member PL me to Lv.15. Leveling with a WAR who thought she was going to become a DRG, so she was using a Polearm. Her and I decimated Cabs with Double Thrust >> SA Fast Blade. Now she's a PLD71.

[TheGrandMom]

Re: Starting Job

[Thief] No. I'd highly recommend to level this with a subjob. Piss poor ability to solo monsters at even low levels make this a horrible choice.

Couldn't agree more. Thf is one of the worst picks for a brand new player. So from your 3 picks I would say this is an absolute no.

Blm is a GREAT job and fun too. The problem with blm is that the lvls from about 6-10 are rather painful for soloing. But once you get to the party lvls it really is fun and not that terribly difficult.

Mnk was one of the first jobs I tried in FFXI. I love punching stuff and mnk is an outstanding damage dealer. Of course the downside to mnk is that your competing with many other damage dealers for a spot in a party. So waiting time can be long at some lvls but in end game your a machine and totally a hot commodity!

But in the end, you need to decide if you prefer to be up close to a mob and smacking it around or if you like standing back and casting nukes. Once you decide if you prefer a mage job or a melee job then, from your 3 choices, its pretty clear cut which way to go.

Just remember to play a job that is fun! Leveling a job just so you can get to a higher lvl quicker but you hate the job is no dang fun! Don't make the game a chore because your here to have fun! And, last but not least, remember that you can change your job at any time in your mog house. So if you choose one and after a while decide that you just don't like it, go to the mog house and try one you will! Have fun and good luck!!

[Caspian]

Re: Starting Job

Now she's a PLD71.

LOL

Yeah, TGM, I wouldnt recommend starting out as THF either. Wish someone would have told me earlier, though chances are I would have done it anyway out of spite. As far as soloing in early levels...MNK is way easy. I kept my hand 2 hand capped by fighting EM's the whole time. Like TGM said, soloing 6-10 with BLM can be tough. Your tactics really are hope Bind sticks then nuke till its dead. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[aegina]

Re: Starting Job

of those three jobs you mentioned, mnk is by far the easiest job to level as your first job.

i would recomend levelling monk to 18 (monk can easilly solo to 15 i hear) then go level you subjob, which should be war/mnk

mnk is a very, very good first job to take up. it is reletavely cheap and easy to learn. you do have some problems finding pt's at certain levels, but so do most jobs, so don't let that scare you.

my 2 gil

[Bakira]

Re: Starting Job

*Raises hand*
Did it. Trying to find parties from 10-15 since soloing basically wasn't an option just flat out sucked. Basically an xp leech until 15. But yes, 15+ rocks. Especially compared to the jackass WAR's using 1h sword and shield. Bust out a 80dmg SA+Fast blade. Everyone's jaw drops..."What? A thf just did more dmg than me???? I'm confused. The world doesnt make sense anymore!" Expect LOOOOOONG waits for pt's if you plan to make THF your first job w/o a sub.

I hope you're kidding when you say that. My main job is WAR and I use a 1h Sword and a Shield. I see no problems with it. I just prefer Swords over Axes and I don't care too much for Great Swords (too slow for me).

If you're serious, why would I be a jackass for using a 1h Sword and a Shield?

Back on Topic, I'd say WAR or MNK would be a good choice if you prefer Melee. I haven't play a Mage class yet, so I'm not sure about those.

[Aeni]

Re: Starting Job

I found it very easy to get to Lv.30 with RDM. Getting to Lv.10 was decently easy as well. However I'm a RDM main, and always wanted to be a RDM. So I may be a tad biased, but other people I've known who just turned to RDM randomly have found that it was easy to get to Lv.30.

I will agree that THF is a pain until Lv.15. I can't imagine taking THF as your starting job to get your subjob items. But THF15 is crazy fun! That's when THF really takes off! {Sneak Attack} {Fast Blade} FTW!!

Oh, don't get me wrong, RDMs have a place in those early PTs too. They can dual as either a WHM or BLM replacement, but it's more of a "jack of all trades, master at none" until RDMs get their own unique spell sets and job ability. But RDM w/o a subjob might be a bit harsh, because your role in the PT isn't clearly defined (People will either ask you to main heal or main nuke and that can be tricky depending on your equipment and your skill levels)

As for THF ... I'd rather THF/MNK, h2h and SA + Combo or Shoulder Tackle THF/MNK is so highly underrated and even in the 20s, when so many THFs go /NIN for dual wield. ><;;

[Lunaryn]

Re: Starting Job

I took THF to 18, it wasn't that hard. Mind you, I only got invites a couple times, as most of the time I was either with a static, or organizing the party myself. Still wasn't too big a deal.

I pulled in a few parties, though many times I had to defer to others simply because they'd go out and pull something regardless of whether I was doing the same (this happened repeatedly in a party where the party leader had designated me the puller, and repeatedly shouted "One puller!" each time we had this happen). It doesn't take long to get tired of running around in circles trying to stay just out of the mob's range while waiting for the party to defeat the mob someone else pulled because it happened to spawn nearby while one is out looking.

Even w/out SA, you can contribute to the damage a bit through WSs. Gust Slash was mildly useful in the parties that let me skill up dagger (Beestinger's decent, and builds up TP fast, though said TP is pretty worthless prior to Gust Slash). Sword WSs at low levels are decent, you can get in some damage this way. Once you have SA, of course, the usefulness of the class improves a fair bit. And who doesn't want someone with Treasure Hunter around when they're looking for a Magicked Skull?

Probably the most useful thing for me post-10, though, was Legionnaire's Crossbow + Blind Bolts. It's surprisingly easy to hit many mobs with this, and the blindness effect is pretty common, and can be a lifesaver if you end up in solo combat w/ a DC or EM. I also made a point to get Legionnaire's mittens for the attack bonus and traded Kamiel a Legionnaire's Cap for a Royal Footman's Bandana.

Personally, I think leveling WHM on my San d'Orian alt has been more of a pain than leveling THF on my Bastokan main. Though I've only just gotten my alt to a dunes-ready level, so we'll see how partying goes. Kinda thinking I'll wait until Kamiel goes back to leveling PLD so I can static.