Hi New Player Here :)

[Franglais]

Hi everyone,

I just purchased the game today, with the first 2 expansions, and I would just like to ask a question, if I may, while the patches are downloading.

Basically what I was wondering, is how is this game for soloing? I am new to this game, but not to Final Fantasy nor MMOs; I am the type of player who prefers to go it alone, rather than group all the time - a lone wolf if you like.

Also, any tips to help me to this end would be particularly welcome. Looking at the classes and descriptions, it would appear a Warrior or Red Mage would probably be my best choice to suit my needs initially, but I could be mistaken in this. I was hoping eventually to go to Ranger.

Thanks in advance for reading this and also for any advice given.

[Theyaden]

Re: Hi New Player Here

Beastmaster is probably the advanced job you'll want if your big into soloing. FFXI is largely party based. You can solo experience it's just much slower than party experience in most cases. Geterally people solo their first job from 10-13 and the goto a place called Valkurum Dunes to grind XP to 20.

Once you reach 20th level you can get a chocobo licence on your first trip to Jeuno to travel faster. Once you get to 30th level you can unlock Beastmaster wihch is said to be the best solo class in the game. If you start with redmage you'll find it easier once your leveling bestmaster since you can self heal reducing downtime. I started with a whitmage myself and Sneak & Invisibility helped me explore places that were instant death if spotted. Redmage has those spells also so it should serve you well. Good luck

Edit:
Progression
1. Solo to 10-13
2. Party in Valk dunes (There are also the Korokola tunnels at 16 you can move to outside Bastok)
3. level 18 trade in subjob items
A: Crab apron (crabs in Valk)
B: Damselfly Worm (Damselflies in Valk)
C: Magic Skull (Ghouls in Valk or more easily with help in Gusgan Mines)
4. Level subjob to 15 (Whitemage, blackmage, Warrior) Warrior as a redmage sub is frowned on at higher levels, but you shouldn't get too much flack through 30 redmage
5. Somewhere at 20-25 get chocobo licence to travel more easily
6. Continue leveling Redmage at 19 or 20 you goto Qufin Island just outside of Jeuno and pt to 25
7. Get 3 keys for Kazam airship pass mission (usually easier with help most people are friendly and will help a new player out with these missions)
8: Take airship to Kazam and level to 30 with redmage
9. Go back to Jeuno and unlock beastmaster and solo away.

* Not trying to overwealm you just wanted to let you
know where the path to the advanced job will take you.
You will probably get your first linkshell in Valkurm Dunes advise, help, and company make the differing elements in game much more pleasant.
It's actually fun running through these hurdles on the first time through. Other than Beastmaster I've never known of a job that solo experience was normal for.

[neighbortaru]

Re: Hi New Player Here

unfortunately, it is terrible for soloing. the game is designed for group party and the only job capable of truely going at it alone, all the way (at a reasonable pace) is Beastmaster.

[Franglais]

Re: Hi New Player Here

Thanks for the swift replies guys. I had hoped Ranger would be a good choice, as they solo pretty effectively in other MMOs, but Beastmaster could be fun. I think I'll take Theyaden's advice and commence with Red Mage. I was leaning towards that as a starting class in any case.

[Franglais]

Re: Hi New Player Here

I have another question, if I may.

Regarding this forum itself, how do I stop receiving emails every time someone replies to my thread? LOL

[Malevolent]

Re: Hi New Player Here

1st: wrong game to solo...you should play WoW if you like to solo....

2nd: For the 1st 10-15 lvls you can solo but after that depending on what job you take you'll need a party of 4-6 to get things done. Now once you open the Beastmaster Job you can solo to your hearts content.

~ Your best skills in this game will be your communication skills and cooperation...this game is geard towards forming parties and building friendships.

If you ever hit the fairy server you already have a friend. Feel free to look me up anytime. I'm in my farming stage...after you lvl a job to 30 you might wanna think about farming till you find your niche. take heed to my sig...eyes off the boobies eyes off the boobies.

[Icemage]

Re: Hi New Player Here

Go to your User Control Panel, select User Options, and select "No email notification" under the Thread subscription mode option.


Icemage

[Franglais]

Re: Hi New Player Here

Considering the average IQ of a WoW player tends to be 60 from my experience, and Everquest II and DDO are both practically unsoloable, I thought that this would make a better option.

I think I probably phrased my initial post incorrectly; I am not averse to Partying Per Se, but I am against games that force you to group, if you see what I mean. Partying for 10 or 20 levels isn't that much of a problem, as long as I am more than able to solo later on, should I feel the need, and not have to put up with useless healers, tanks who cannot tank yada yada. Call me cynical, but after numerous years playing MMOs, I find I trust my own judgement and dedication to a cause better than the majority of PUGs I have been a part of. I do not mean that in a condescending or arrogant manner in any way, it is just the experiences I have had.

[Franglais]

Re: Hi New Player Here

Go to your User Control Panel, select User Options, and select "No email notification" under the Thread subscription mode option.


Icemage

Thanks a lot, Icemage, I appreciate it.

[neighbortaru]

Re: Hi New Player Here

Considering the average IQ of a WoW player tends to be 60 from my experience, and Everquest II and DDO are both practically unsoloable, I thought that this would make a better option.
I think I probably phrased my initial post incorrectly; I am not averse to Partying Per Se, but I am against games that force you to group, if you see what I mean. Partying for 10 or 20 levels isn't that much of a problem, as long as I am more than able to solo later on, should I feel the need, and not have to put up with useless healers, tanks who cannot tank yada yada. Call me cynical, but after numerous years playing MMOs, I find I trust my own judgement and dedication to a cause better than the majority of PUGs I have been a part of. I do not mean that in a condescending or arrogant manner in any way, it is just the experiences I have had.

then, sadly, you chose the wrong game. this game, much like EQ (which, it seems, inspired it) and DDO, forces you to group.

but, I understand all to well what you are saying. that is why I choose to play BST most of my time.

[Shadowneko]

Re: Hi New Player Here

BST is a hard way to solo abit too. Like the oter guy said this game is very party based and getting moreso my the day. Most jobs can't really solo effectiviley past lvl 15....and gettting 75 is not easy....but besides leveling there are well...really fun distractions!

I really like doing missions(I like the chalange and the storyline) and eveeryone should at least do up to rank 5 on the nation missions(free airship pass). CoP has a really good story and everyone does Zilart to get Sky access!

My FFXI tip: don't get too obessed with straight leveling...run off with some friends and do fun stuff or You'll burn out way to quickly.

BTW: Ranger can solo some but it's mosly worms...it got abit worse a couple of updates ago...

[Icemage]

Re: Hi New Player Here

I think you may find FFXI a refreshing twist then. While there ARE a large number of clueless people wandering about in the lower levels (I'd say 1-30), the amount of net stupidity decreases beyond that point, and you're more and more likely to run into people who really know what they're doing in FFXI as you gain levels.

A lot of this is specifically because FFXI forces you to group up to be effective in just about everything you do past about level 15. The reason why you usually see all those brain-lobotomized high level players in other MMORPGs is specifically because it IS largely possible to solo to max level, and so people never learn the necessary skills to cooperate and be functional.

That generally doesn't happen in FFXI - the system is tilted so heavily towards group activities that lone wolves either learn better social skills or give up entirely.


Icemage

[Franglais]

Re: Hi New Player Here

That was an extremely informative post, Icemage, and I thank you for it. What you say does make a lot of sense. I shall certainly give the game a good shot, and am looking forward to it.

[Lambeaus]

Re: Hi New Player Here

I'd say try to find a small static LS that knows what they are doing, would be your best bet for enjoying this game

[Malevolent]

Re: Hi New Player Here

Well if you enjoy a good game a some good social times...when you reach 30 open either Ninja or Beast master. Both are quite well at soloing (Nin a lil slower than BST) i am enjoying the slow pace lvling nin and farming at the same time. getting 30-60 exp everykill...108xp if i come on to a Tough mob. But I need to farm so i don't mind the grinding yet...when i'm over about 4-5mil i think i'll start grinding EXP for NIN again...but soloed 1-16 to date. also 2.2 mil towards my goal...