So Damn Frustrating!!

[Redimus]

Re: So Damn Frustrating!!

I think he was referring to the actual Smithing Guild, not a linkshell.

No... NPC guilds don't count.

[Redimus]

Re: So Damn Frustrating!!

If you enjoy the idea of doing anything remotely independant, FFXI isn't the game for you. To be blunt, you will not be able to solo for XP any more period. I guess you could, but considering that almost none of the missions are soloable in the game (by a reasonably leveled player, it's just not gonna work for you. If you are playing a less popular job (PUP is pretty much the least atm), prepare to LFP for the majority of your time in the game.

If this sounds unpleasant to you, I'd suggest you throw in the towel now. FFXI isn't a game for people that have less than a 2-3 hour block to play fairly regularly. FFXI is not a game for people who want adequate rewards for time spent every time they log in.

A) What does LFP mean?

B) Why is it so imperative I join a linkshell? Is finding a party without one really so hard?

[Neomage]

Re: So Damn Frustrating!!

LFP means Looking For Party. And unless you make a static(I estimate ~10% of players do) your parties will be random pickup parties, which you don't need a LS for. No, Linkshells are for missions, quests, and finding friends to help you with stuff like smithing.

EDIT: Woah, 1k posts! DING!

[Eohmer]

Re: So Damn Frustrating!!

No... NPC guilds don't count.

Umm, ok? So what are you talking about then?

[Redimus]

Re: So Damn Frustrating!!

Umm, ok? So what are you talking about then?

Back in the day self proclaimed "1337"s or as I prefer to call them: Wanna be hacker script kiddies with downsyndrome. Used to make guilds to "1337 haxor" game servers and post their shitty VB "warez" on... Well... Warez....

<.<

[Eohmer]

Re: So Damn Frustrating!!

Back in the day self proclaimed "1337"s or as I prefer to call them: Wanna be hacker script kiddies with downsyndrome. Used to make guilds to "1337 haxor" game servers and post their shitty VB "warez" on... Well... Warez....

<.<

Who would have thought that's what you were talking about when you said...

and finding some one to synthesize monk gear in windurst seems unlikely since there is no smithing guild.

>.<

[Redimus]

Re: So Damn Frustrating!!

Who would have thought that's what you were talking about when you said...


>.<

Are you purposefully messing with me or did you really accidentally make that connection from what all was said?

[Hyrist]

Re: So Damn Frustrating!!

While many beleive soloing is pratically impossible to do in this game, I hang out in a linkshell generally full of examples to counter that. One of which is a rather infamous PLD/WHM who soloed the majority of his paladin job from 1-75.

Suffice to say, if there is a will, there is a way, but it is defiantly not easy.

As far as gear and parties go. Past level 10 you should be taking a look at the Auction House as far as means of getting equipment. The NPC shops will not be carrying the levels of equipment you will desire most anytime beyond the level 10ish gear, and the rising difficulty of monster will keep you wanting to attack the Easy Prey to Decent Challenge level, which is the level you will swear by if you wish to continue soloing, Decent Challenge being the apsolute maximum you are willing to risk.

Dispite what FAQs and guides say, at level 10 you will make good exp attacking the beastmen in the outskirts of the area's surrounding each of the 3 starting nations. Though the exp may not rate high in individual numbers, the ability to take on multiple enemies consistently without resting will make up for that factor. In addition, the loot you sell and raw gil you will gain off of Beastmen will help you save up currency for further equipment down the road.

With the advantages of the starter areas, and with a little paitence, there is no reason why a player cannot solo his job up to 13 or even 14 without ever leaving the starter zones. You can continue this cycle in the Teleport Crag Zones to help you level even further without relying on a party. However, post 15 it is strongly recommended that you start partying, if only to collect items that are required for your Sub Job quest.

You will discover that the more you party, the greater the skew becomes between getting exp and making gil. Eventually, if you end up like most players and partying for your exp, the two practices will become entirely two different tasks.

However, the significant advantage in this is time. The more you specify your time doing one thing at a time (such as exping) the less overall time you spend leveling. (however, that may also mean you spend more time getting gil to update your equipment, but this is how most manage their game.)

While the whole scope of this may be daunting and frustrating at first, believe it or not, options begin to open up once you have joined a linkshell and have passed level 30. Linkshells will often team up together to accomplish tasks they could not do alone, as well as at chance times create parties they stay together with (otherwise known as 'static partys').

At level 40, soloists gain a companion to assist them in their alone times with the "Fellowship Quest" allowing you to summon and raise an NPC that can any non-ranged weapon type, with an option of 3 different combat styles, which can be upgraded as you contiue to use them. Though they are not as useful at the beginning (Short duration remaining with you both fights and time limitations apply) The more you work with them, and do quests with them, the stronger your "bond" grows with your fellow, allowing them to stay with you longer, as well as giving you an item that will assist in you calling them more often. (They start with a once per 16 hour (rl) limit.)

As you level, you will discover monsters become more complex and difficult to take on yourself, however, if you are determined, you will discover that each job has a specific 'nich' against certain monsters that they have an advantage over. However, compared to parties, soloing becomes increasingly slower over time, as the bar is raised on how much experience is needed per level.

One thing you should know. Events and quest in this game are near-completely party dependent. This game encourages people to play together and work together to complete difficult goals. It's something a player needs to get used to if they want to advance in the storyline and have access to what the majority of the players believe to be the more fun parts of this game.

In the end though it all boils down to the decisions you make and the people you become friends with.

Good luck.

[Redimus]

Re: So Damn Frustrating!!

I wanted to clarify that I DO want to part, and I do want to do all the little quests and missions and such that make this game fun.

I have no desire to solo for the duration of my time here.

However since it seems finding a party is always going to be hard, I guess its comforting to know.

I'm nearing level 13 as we speak, and will be heading off for the subjob quest as soon as I hit that goal.

So... I'm not as frustrated any more now. Thanks.

[Neomage]

Re: So Damn Frustrating!!

No problem. Usually it is very tough leveling untill about 15, either solo or PT, and then you start to get into parties more often and meet more compitent players.

[Hyrist]

Re: So Damn Frustrating!!

Also note that even though you can collect the items at any time, you cannot complete your subjob quest until level 18, so you have time.

[Ayrlie]

Re: So Damn Frustrating!!

i agree that warrior is not the best soloing job in the world. even with /nin for utsusemi, bloody bolts, and evasion+ gear, we simply get hit, and not even rampages crank out enough damage output when soloing.

when i go soloing on white mage, hexa strike + easy prey skeleton = dead skeleton. stoneskin buys you all the hits you need to survive.

[Aeni]

Re: So Damn Frustrating!!

Unless you are totally twinked out, you cannot take on even match mobs after level 10 or so (Sans utsusemi, charming beasts and other trickery to make you believe you are soloing even matched mobs)

This game doesn't like you to solo at all. Hence, the scaling difficult which does not match the level check at all.

[ItazuraNhomango]

Re: So Damn Frustrating!!

Unless you are totally twinked out, you cannot take on even match mobs after level 10 or so (Sans utsusemi, charming beasts and other trickery to make you believe you are soloing even matched mobs)

^_^;

Why are Utsusemi and Charm "trickery"? After all, they are some of the earliest spells and job ability from Ninja and Beastmaster. To me, they seem "natural", if anything.

I vaguely remember solo'ed EM critters around DRG12-ish, and I'm pretty sure BLU can take on T's in the Lv.20's range. Also solo'ed some Yuhtunga Mandragora on DRK/WHM (while munching on ginger cookies), but forgot exactly at what level. >_>;

Is Wyvern also a "trickery"? Blue Magic? Abusing mandies with ginger cookies? Or even /WHM? What about NPC fellow? And, Avatars?

If so, at low (but above 10) levels, there sure are a lot of "trickery" one can use to solo. All it takes is a little know-how, really.


(No argument that the game is designed for partying, of course.)

[Celeal]

Re: So Damn Frustrating!!

At later level, Easy prey can kill you easily if you are trying to solo using the level 1-10 methods.

I would solo until level 14 before joining party in Dunes. Those Lizards and Goblins are no joke for exp. parties for level 9 ~ 13: Bomb Toss, FireBall, poison, Bazeful Glace (pertified), all those link/train/aggro/pops and death/downtime....

Duo party (2 players party) works very well from level 10 to 15 too.