how do you survive the dunes?

[Lilani]

Re: how do you survive the dunes?

I got my SMN to 19 last night (FINALLY) and I'm ditching the dunes.

For one thing: many of my parties exepected me to main heal, with one incompitant subhealer. I would be perfectly fine with this if I had cure II. But, I DO NOT have cure II so I WILL NOT MAIN HEAL. One of these parties invited me as a main healer when my search comment clearly said {sub} {healing}: O but obviously that wasn't enough of a hint. Luckily a WHM came online soon and I disbanded to let them invite the WHM (*glee*).

For another thing: Some people, for some reason, actually seem to be ok with 66 exp per battle with the exp ring. And we're not chaining this 66 exp, we are lucky to get chain 2 for 67 exp.

Like someone else said up there, insanity is required for the dunes. If you aren't already insane, you're gonna be by level 15.

[Hamlet]

Re: how do you survive the dunes?

We were somewhere around Konschtat, on the edge of the desert, when the Hi-Ether began to take hold. I remember saying something like:
(Raoul) I feel a bit lightheaded. Maybe you should lead.
Suddenly, there was a terrible roar all around us, and the sky was full with what looked like seeker bats, all swooping and screeching and diving around the party, and a voice was screaming:
Sefirofffff: 18MNK LFP!!!!!!
(Raoul) Holy Jesus. What are these goddamn animals?
(Drgonzo) Did you say something?
(Raoul) Hm? Never mind. It's your turn to lead.
(Raoul) No point in mentioning these bats, I thought. Poor bastard will see them soon enough.
Sefirofffff: 18MNK LFP!!!!!! gud tank plz invt me!!!!!!
(Drgonzo) Let's give the boy a lift.
(Xxxxxcloudxxxxx) (Camp) (L-9)
(Raoul) What? No. We can't stop here. This is bat country.

lolerz.

[Icemage]

Re: how do you survive the dunes?

Skip the Dunes and go to Maze of Shakrami and Korroloka Tunnel. You can duo or trio for XP in those zones at your leisure, and at much less risk of blatant stupidity than in Valkurm.


Icemage

[Murphie]

Re: how do you survive the dunes?

Skip the Dunes and go to Maze of Shakrami and Korroloka Tunnel. You can duo or trio for XP in those zones at your leisure, and at much less risk of blatant stupidity than in Valkurm.


Icemage

Exactly. I don't know why everyone trudges blindly to the dunes every time they get a job to 10. It's like inviting someone who always annoys you over to your house, and then getting angry when they inevitably do.

[Bishop]

Re: how do you survive the dunes?

Honestly, if you think about it, the dunes isn't as much of a grind as what you have to do later on in the game. Even if you've never had the pleasure of xping in korro or shak, the dunes is ONLY 10 lvls. We're not talking about the xp require to get you from lvl 65-75 here, we're talking lvl 10-20 (unless you really really love dunes and wanted to stay longer.) And at this point, it is very possible to get you a PL to just zoom past this stage. If you don't like PL, just sit down, and slowly think about how happy you will be once you get out of this area. Even if you get ONE lvl per day at the dunes, it's only 10 days. There are so many things in this game you will have to work far more than 10 days for.

[Nakti]

Re: how do you survive the dunes?

How do you survive the dunes with out giving in and going insane?...

Remember to put on your Sense of Humor. It's equippable by all races, level 1+, and doesn't even take an equipment slot!

It doesn't matter where you're XPing. Any party can be a nightmare. So if you really, really need that 2000 XP to level, just grab a friend and duo somewhere. Pick-up parties are always a gamble. Don't be afraid to suggest different areas, different mobs, ... Even if you can't get any XP, you can at least get skill-ups or figure out how to tweak your macros.

I find that having my LS equipped during really bad parties helps. Just be careful not to mistell!

[Chveya]

Re: how do you survive the dunes?

How do you avoid the PL? Seriously, any halfway decent party at those levels and someone will bring in a PL... do you disband and go back to soloing bordom/n00bie hell? giving up your one shot at a semi decent party for the night? do you suck it up and go against your sense of fun (and even to a degree morality)? Do you kick up a stink, get into an argument, than leave/get booted from the party?

I can't stand being PL'd either, and had the good fortune to only be in one party with a PL while I was leveling my WHM through the dunes recently. Being PL'd is the worst as a WHM, in my opinion, because they completely usurp the WHM role. I sometimes wonder why I'm even being invited to the party when they have a PL. I'm not leveling at the dunes in an attempt to gimp my healing skills...

RE: what to do, well, I have told people "I'm sorry, you don't need me," when I show up to camp and lo, there is the PL. I just disband and resume seeking. I like to enjoy my exp parties, not just feel like I'm being rushed through without experiencing or learning anything meaningful.

My husband (who loves being PL'd) thinks I'm a complete snob because I just can't stand it! It literally makes me feel guilty and kind of sick to my stomach to participate in a party with a PL. Plus, to me it is just. not. fun. I know I'm probably overreacting, but the best parties I've ever been in have NOT had a PL. I had three VERY good and FUN parties this time through, and I hope that as long as I continue to have a positive outlook, that will continue to happen when I get there tonight to level BLM. Pray for me.

[Jei]

Re: how do you survive the dunes?

1 level per day in the dune is pretty sad that's like solo 1k/hour for 4 hours a day you ended up 1 level per day also.

1-14 I don't really PT anymore these days. Unless I'm mage then I have no choice.
14-17 I tried to look for people to go korroloka. Need a full PT for 14-15. 17+ can duo or trio with a healer. At least try to reach 19 here.
19+ seek in jeuno make PT to Qufim or Sauromague.

[Windlorn]

Re: how do you survive the dunes?

Allot of good suggestions for alternate xp areas but getting a whole party who's willing to try someplace different is challenging in itself. Then trying to get a replacement member for the alternate area can be tough also.

As for the dunes, I've leveled quite a few jobs for myself and my mules through that area. I've had bad days there, as has everyone, but I've had great days there as well, and many of those didn't include a power level.

Start with cheap food as suggested. Don't be afraid to quit a bad party. Don't be afraid to quit a good party that changed some members and then went bad, (it happens!).

I've always like the dunes, more than not. As crazy as it sounds, you have decent xp areas just outside both in La Theine Plateau and Konschtat Highlands where you can solo until you get a party. If you get agro in most areas (other than the tunnel area to the secret beach), you have a decent chance of out running the mob(s) that have taken an attraction to you.

Maybe I'm a bit nostalgic about the dunes since I had my first party experiences there and made friends there that I still talk to today. The pain and suffering you endure together while trying to find that good party and a little bit of luck, can forge some strong friendships. Plus, you will laugh about it later on, especially when you get to xping in areas where just getting to camp alive is half the battle.

Hang in there!

[PTT]

Re: how do you survive the dunes?

1) Breathe Deeply.

2) Go to your happy place.

3) ...Seriously, go to your happy place.

4) You there yet?

5) Good. I was getting a bit worried ^^

6) What was I saying again?

7) Argh, am I still in the dunes?


The dunes aren't really something you survive. Not with your sanity at least.

If you can, I'd definitely recommend getting a party and hitting up Tahrongi Canyon, Maze of Shakhrami, and Buburimu peninsula. My new static did this, and we're quite glad to have skipped the dunes. MoShakhrami was the place to level about that range when the NA launch happened. Now, hardly anyone goes there, except to solo the odd mazemaker, or some HNMLS going to Attohwa Chasm.

Definitely, give it a try, it's much better than the alternative I think.

[Kildem]

Re: how do you survive the dunes?

Be patient. This is how i survive to dunes everytime. But that is just me...

[Ayrlie]

Re: how do you survive the dunes?

I avoid the dunes if possible

10-15 party in carpenters landing where you enter from northern san d'oria near carpenters guild shop, easy walk from town, camp either at the cave or on the dock, and work in beetles, and eventually move to orcs and pugils.