Getting endgame gear, and when is enough enough?

[Vyuru]

So, having read some of the stuff around here I realise that this might be a somewhat controversial topic, but before thinking further about going into endgame stuff I feel that I need to ask this.

Assuming either a point based system, since that seems the most common, or possibly a set order of who gets what, and given the latter, also assuming that I've worked at obtaining my item and put in my time for it and not have gotten it the first day I joined a shell.

Either way, once you have obtained the gear you want from whatever event, when is it appropriate to say goodbye to that shell?

I've been wondering about this largely since Aksyanni's ranting about immature LS members, and my responses to her. You know in hindsight it is pretty easy to say just look for a good, mature LS, but the question does arise, what if you can't? Which leads on to the next question of, assuming you've put in your time and gotten your gear, when is it appropriate to say goodbye to the LS you may or may not like?

[MrMageo]

Re: Getting endgame gear, and when is enough enough?

Its a hard thing to say. Ive been in several Endgame shells (5) 3 of which I rode out until mergers and subsequent mass leavings, 1 which died when the leader and his wife went on vacation. and my latest one.

As for the particular question, I think a reasonable time frame is when everyone gets at least equal amounts of gear. By everyone I mean the people who consistently show up for pop item runs, and for full 3 hour camps of timed NM's.

Also its good to value gear. Things such as osode and haidate from sky obviously have a much higher value than say something like Wyrmal feet. A quick answer would be when the core players, (the ones you see most frequently) all get some type of gear or if they pass on a certain piece to hold out for something else. This usually should take 2-3 months after that I would say it is ok to move on.

Also It never hurts to keep in touch with these people from time to time, I know I still do sky runs with my very first shell which merged then unmerged, because I made so many friends I don't expect gear or anything like that but I still have fun and helping friends gives me a high.

[Kitalrez]

Re: Getting endgame gear, and when is enough enough?

When they no longer can help you, and you're stuck just showing up to be their bitch. (Lookin' at you, WHMs, RDMs, and BLMs). If you can't enjoy being in a shell, then it's a job. If it's a job, then you work it until you get paid. When they're no longer paying you, there's no reason to stick around.


Endgame shells have problems, they tend to be problems created by the design of endgame itself. Limbus and Assault shells solve this, but the stuff like Dynamis and Sky created these problems and perpetuate them. Main problem is that you have idiots. You need these idiots in the shell or you'll never be able to do anything massive. These idiots show up, do their thing, complain about or trash talk everyone else and pretty much poison the shell for anyone else in it. Or, perhaps the idiot is a job you need and the person playing it can sometimes be counted on to help, assuming they don't have something more interesting going on somewhere else. LS leads tend to deal with this by beg/bribe/threatening these people into compliance for as long as they can be before they leave. If EGLS's were set up like Social LS's, you wouldn't have these problems. But we don't recruit people we like and enjoy being around to EGLS's, we recruit everyone we can use, then toss the people who are too outrageous to fit in. It's like the Bataan death march in linkshell form, if you manage to last til the end, you win.

My advice is if you dislike your EGLS that badly, stick with it until you get what you need from them, then move on to find something else. They're using you for manpower, same as they're using every other member. If it's a pain in the ass to be in that shell, someone didn't set it up to be enjoyable enough that people stay for the long haul. Once you're out, either find or form a shell that you can enjoy. Pick people you like being around, pick events that small groups can accomplish and enjoy, like ZNMs or Limbus. Lvl 75 social LS's actually work, that's the dirty little secret of endgame. They won't be taking down gods or dynamis, but they'll do just fine everywhere else. Once you get gods and dynamis out of your system and need a break from the unpaid job, take it.

Bottom line: You should never have to feel guilty for leaving a bad relationship.

[TheGrandMom]

Re: Getting endgame gear, and when is enough enough?

I'm old school but thats because I've been playing on the internet since the beginning. I'm loyal to my guild/ls/clan to the end. The only way to get rid of me is to kick me, break it, or betray me so blatantly that being in it is extremely uncomfortable for everyone.

Now that doesn't mean that I don't understand other people leaving for whatever reasons. We are all individuals and have our own ways of looking at things. About the only thing I can say is don't leave right after getting something. I've seen that happen so many times and thats when people get pissed. And don't make up some sob story about having to leave too "My rl is so horrible right now. My father needs a heart transplant and my mother is thinking of divorcing him. I just can't concentrate on endgame right now." and then join another endgame ls within days. Then you look like a douche. Be honest "I enjoyed my time in this ls and have made many good friends. I hope that you will continue to be my friends and honor my decision to move on in the game."