Getting frustrated

[skeeterlite]

Came back to the game after not playing since 2003, and have leveled a BLM to 5, RDM to 5, MNK to 5, and WHM to 5 - 4 different content ids while I try to figure out what to make as a main long enough to get the subjob quest done. Once I figure out what I want to do, I'll be deleting the other content id's and just sticking with the one - but as they are free for the trial period I'm making use of them to try things out.

I'm having a few real key issues so far.

A) hardly ever able to find anyone to group with
B) making enough money to afford weapons/scrolls
C) not knowing what to do in general - do I just grind?


Any suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Armando]

Re: Getting frustrated

You know you can just change jobs, right? No need to make multiple content IDs. But anyways...

1) People don't party until Level 10.
2) Are you fighting with Signet on? Are you sorting your inventory so items stack? Are you selling your drops on the AH? If the answer to these is "no," then that's your problem.
3) For now, just grind. As you level, more activities will open up. Around level 10, you can do the first two or three missions in your nation relatively easily.

[skeeterlite]

Re: Getting frustrated

You know you can just change jobs, right? No need to make multiple content IDs. But anyways...

1) People don't party until Level 10.
2) Are you fighting with Signet on? Are you sorting your inventory so items stack? Are you selling your drops on the AH? If the answer to these is "no," then that's your problem.
3) For now, just grind. As you level, more activities will open up. Around level 10, you can do the first two or three missions in your nation relatively easily.

I don't have the money to buy all the gear (clothing, weapons,scrolls) for each class to try out, so instead I was using the separate characters to get a fill for things and not have to worry about not having the cash. I have no clue what signet is, what is this?

[DakAttack]

Re: Getting frustrated

The game hasn't changed much, and you do know you can change jobs on a single character, right?

In the past you would grind it out to level 10 or so, and then find a group in the dunes, but with the assistance of adventuring fellows most people stick it out to 20. At that level it's Qufim until 25.

For money, you'll want to target enemies that drop crystals that are in demand in the city you're based in. In San d'Oria it was always fire and wind, for the woodworking and blacksmithing guilds. You may also target enemies that drop many items, and selling every last thing you get on the AH.

Keep up with your missions as you grind. They usually expand out into the areas you're most likely leveling in, in the beginning.

[Wise Donkey]

Re: Getting frustrated

I have no clue what signet is, what is this

There is an NPC at the gate of each starting city with initials after their name, i.e. "Gateguard T.K." Those NPCs can give you Signet, which will let you earn Conquest Points and earn crystals for the monsters you kill.

[Armando]

Re: Getting frustrated

Signet also gives you slight defense and evasion buffs when fighting enemies lower in level than you, and lets you keep TP while you're resting. But the main issue here is that enemies that give EXP will drop crystals frequently, and crystals can be sold for modest amounts of gil.

[Firewind]

Re: Getting frustrated

Actually to a new player a stack of crystals can make a lot of money on the AH. What you should target depends on your starting nation and your job:

Sandy: Fungar drop mushrooms and dark crystals that sell for a lot be careful because they can paralyze you. Being a White Mage mushroom foods are my main food so WHMs especially are always after these. bats also drop wings that sell for a nice amount. Sheep crop skin that can be made into leather by pretty much anything since it's a starting synth for leathercraft. That should sell well. Goblins and crabs also drop onions and crab meat respectively which are both valuble to people who cook.

Bastok: There are bees in Gustaberg. Honey and beehive Chips sell for a nice amount. if you can kill the sheep then the skin can also be turned into leather. Vultures drop eggs and feathers that sell for decent amounts of gil and Saplings drop seeds that are always in high demand from farmers. Bats in the Zeruhn mines also drop bat wings.

Windy: Beehive chips and Honey again. Crows drop eggs and feathers. River crabs drop meat that always sells well and Goblins frop Wild Onions that sell for a nice chunk of gil. Cralwers drop silk that sells for a lot but it is very rare but it's also suicide for anyone other than a White Mage to fight one at low levels due to it's poison attack. I have had it last for well over 80HP when I first started levelling Dragoon.

[Ziero]

Re: Getting frustrated

I don't have the money to buy all the gear (clothing, weapons,scrolls) for each class to try out, so instead I was using the separate characters to get a fill for things and not have to worry about not having the cash. I have no clue what signet is, what is this?

But at that level, there really is no different gear as most jobs share armor and spells. Thf, Rdm and Warrior can both work fine to 5 with a Sword and Mnk doesn't even need a weapon. Blm and Whm can both use a staff or a wand and not have any trouble. And if you really can't afford the low level spells, why not just make the new character and mail the scroll to your main?

Having numerous characters would just cost you more gil then switching around on one, especially since most items are fully interchangable pre 7-8.

Also, NPC shops are your friend. Don't buy lowbie items off the Auction House unless you absolutely have to. And not only buying, but sometimes it's better to sell things to NPCs. Also, be on the look out for quest giving NPCs. I know one in San D'oria that rewards 200 gil for every two Batwings traded in, and those are very simple to obtain. There's also a quest asking for Rabbit hides, which are also fairly abundant. Many NPCs will also reward you with cheap, but ok gear for simple quests.

Best information I can give you is to check out FFXIclopedia for quick and easy information about low level quests and cheap gear.

[skeeterlite]

Re: Getting frustrated

But at that level, there really is no different gear as most jobs share armor and spells. Thf, Rdm and Warrior can both work fine to 5 with a Sword and Mnk doesn't even need a weapon. Blm and Whm can both use a staff or a wand and not have any trouble. And if you really can't afford the low level spells, why not just make the new character and mail the scroll to your main?

Having numerous characters would just cost you more gil then switching around on one, especially since most items are fully interchangable pre 7-8.

Like I said, the content id's are free until the end of the 30 day trial, which is why I decided that route. The 3 classes I'd been working with so far were WHM, RDM, and MNK and those 3 classes used either completely different gear or spells and as stated I couldn't afford to gear each one specifically. I've settled on RDM for now as I'm havign good luck with it, lvl 8 now, and deleted and canceled the other content id's already now that I've figured out what I want to do.

That said, I have been collecting and storing things til I can get stacks of 12 of them, since that seems to be the recommendation at least. I've got a few stacks of earth crystals 2 stacks of fire's and half a stack of beehive chips and silk... Soon as I finish the stacks, I'll put them on the AH and hopefully upgrade some spells/gear.

[Ryoii/Nonomii]

Re: Getting frustrated

RDM spells can be rather costly. Try to avoid buying early spells off the AH if possible. As an example, Slow usually sells for 3-4k on the AH, but it can be purchased from whichever nation is ranked 1st in Conquest for less than 1000 Gil: Slow - FFXIclopedia.

You can dramatically (>50%) increase your damage output while soloing on RDM by using en-spells (starting with Enthunder at Lv16), Blaze Spikes, and food (Sausage - FFXIclopedia are best from Lv1 to 30 on any melee job). Your en-spell and blaze spikes damage is linked to your enhancing magic skill, which will increase very slowly. The best way to raise your skill is to repeatedly cast bar-spells on yourself, but this still takes a large amount of time. You'll average a gain of about 0.05 skill for every enhancing magic spell cast. (Hint: You can enter your mog house to regain full MP. This is something you can do while waiting for a party invite.)

RDM can solo fairly well at all levels when waiting for a party invite. Starting at Lv20 you can kill the pets of enemies with the beastmaster job. The pets have very low HP but otherwise are the same as another enemy of their level, but you do not get any drops from them, just XP. You can find more information by googling BLM soloing guides. I did this in Battalia Downs (20-24), Ranguemont Pass (24-26), and Bibiki Bay (27-30). You can buy Reraise and Warp scrolls with your Conquest Points to make this safer and easier.

Two more tips regarding funding your playing:
1. Conquest Points can later be converted to Gil at a rate of about 2.5 Gil per point by purchasing gear and selling it on the AH.
2. Beastman Seals are very valuable. As a Lv40 RDM, you can get together with two NIN and do the Under Observation BCNM, which has a chance of dropping the following two items: Peacock Charm & Scroll of Utsusemi: Ni.

I hope this helps alleviate some of your frustrations. Enjoy exploring Vana'diel!

[skeeterlite]

Re: Getting frustrated

Great help of info there! Thanks a ton. I'll definitely look into what you mentioned regarding the en-spells. I got barsleep last night off a bird guy so can use that I guess to raise that skill lvl.

[Minimee]

Re: Getting frustrated

it would help to know what city you started in and which server your on. but as the others said getting signet from the gate guards is crucial. everything you kill drops items that can either be put on ah or sold to merchants or used for quests. my suggestion is this spend several hours in town doing nothing but talking to every npc and going into every shop and building. you wil learn where to buy your low level items and you will get quests, which will either give you gil or armor and weapons. do every quest your able to maybe eevn spend a couple of days doing this. if in sandoria 2 bat wings 200g, 3 rabbit hides 120g, 4 flintstones 100g,. these are repeatable quests. well i reread your 3rd post im guesing your in windy. repeatable quests silks do atleast once but may sell for more on ah. cornettes from mandys 200g. be sure and do the quest at the hat shop and the SOB series of quests, kids behind a building in port area. yagudo necklace quest is a good repeatable for 2 reasons; gil and norg fame.
now a good way to make gil for new people; check prices in shop think self bow and short bow, arrows, magic and bard scrolls, armor and weapons. right the prices down then go to ah and compare prices. most people will check ah before shop and pay those prices instead of going to a shop. just put 1 of each on ah dont want to look like theres alot of choices. good luck with what you find and hopes this helps.

[skeeterlite]

Re: Getting frustrated

Yup, started in Windy on the Leviathan server. Thanks for the tips again, I'll check in to those. I have a bunch of those quest items in my mog bank so can make use of those hopefully.

[Silent Howler]

Re: Getting frustrated

A) hardly ever able to find anyone to group with
B) making enough money to afford weapons/scrolls
C) not knowing what to do in general - do I just grind?

A) Unfortunately... while it's true that players generally don't start partying until level 10 (some even skip that now and don't start until 15) this will continue to be a problem throughout your leveling career. Or at least, getting an invite. It varies from job to job. Sometimes you'll get lucky and get a group 5 minutes after you log in, and other times you could be sitting around for hours. Try to do other things like farming or crafting to pass the time, or just find a good linkshell with people to chat with.

B) Again, this will continue to be a grueling problem for quite a while. My highest job is 59 and I'm still doing the same thing I've always been doing, farming silk threads and teleport service.

C) There is A LOT you can do in this game, like quests and missions. Some require higher levels, however, and that is where the grind comes in. There are lots of little hobbies you can do to make money, like crafting, although it takes work before they become profitable.