A Few Questions

[Bratdawg]

Hi, im new to this site and to FFXI. im only a level 5 BLM, and i was wondering a few things...

1. What is hate, and how do i see how much I have?
2. I'm a Tarutaru, is that a dumb decision since i also need to level up WAR and other melee based jobs?
3. Can I change countries? If I can, then how?
4. Basic BLM tactics?
5. When can I get a sub job?
6. What is a good sub job for BLM?


Thanks ^_^

[Ingrel]

Re: A Few Questions

1) Hate basically determines who the monster is attacking. Whoever has the most will be the one currently under attack. You can't actually see it, per se, just its results.
2) No, not a dumb decision. Any race is capable of playing any job. Differences may apply, but they can function just fine.
3) Yes, you can change allegiance. There's a specific NPC in each city that takes care of that, I believe for 10,000 gil.
4) Several tactics. I usually just slap on elemental enfeebles, usually Choke and Shock unless asked for other ones. (I'll check with the party.) Then, depending on what I do, I move onto either other misc. enfeebles, or start nuking with one or two spells, usually one that the mob's weak to, and burst as needed. (If the party decides to skillchain.) My way of playing might not be the best, but I've yet to get (m)any complaints about it. (Although there's always room for improvement someplace.)

[Mhurron]

Re: A Few Questions

Hate is a term used to describe your position on the mobs hit list dependant on how much of what actions you have performed in relation to others have done. So for instance Cure 1 for 30HP won't generate as much hate as Freeze for 1200HP damage. It is not something you can check.

Any race can play any job. Racial stat differences may affect how you approach the job and the gear you choose, but does not make it so that you only have a few job choices.

Yes you can change countries, there is an NPC in each city to do so somewhere. The cost is dependent on the conquest rankings of your current and target city.

Don't over nuke. Give the tank time to establish his place at the top of the hate list before throwing out your most powerful spells. Don't be afraid to help the WHM by backup curing if you can. You do not have to stop healing the second the puller says they have a mob coming. Dia is better then Bio, use it to level up your Enfeebling skill. Do not use Bio to level Dark Magic skill, you will get Drain at 12, Aspir at 25 and Stun at 45 to do that. Magic Bust and learn your targets elemental weaknesses, there is no point in casting Stone IV on a Earth Elemental. Learn and use your Elemental Enfeebles. Both WHM and RDM make good subjobs for BLM you may want to level them both, but WHM is the more important.

There are stickies at the top of the Black Mage forum for more tips.

[Nerotu]

Re: A Few Questions

well they basically answered those in good detail, but I'll answer these :
5. When can I get a sub job?
You get a sub job at lvl 18. You need to do a quest for Isacio in Selbina (in Valkurm Dunes). You need to collect 3 items, Crab Apron, Magicked Skull and a Damselfly worm. They're ok to get while xping, but the magicked skull is a major pain in the ass.
6. What is a good sub job for BLM?
Another Mage job would be a good sub for BLM, basically beause of more spells, and bonuses on your mana and health.

[Loial]

Re: A Few Questions

5) You can also do a quest for Vera in Mhaura. She wants Dhalmel Saliva, Bloody Robe and Wild Rabbit Tail.

If you have any friend that are 30+, the Mhaura quest is the way to go. The Crab Apron and Damselfly Worm (if you go with the Selbina quest instead) you'd probably get simply while leveling in Valkurm Dunes (that's where a lot of lower level players go). However, the magicked skull has a poor drop rate from what I remember.

The items for the Mhaura quest drop much more often, however the Bloody Robe drops off of a Bogy which is a little harder, but if you got someone to help you, in the end, its quicker.

[Icemage]

Re: A Few Questions

Drop rate on the bloody robe is waaay better than the magicked skull. I'd say it's around 50% drop on the bloody robe... the skull is much rarer. Probably 5% in Gusgen Mines, while the Ghouls in Valkurm are slightly better, perhaps 25%, with the tendency to be fickle whenever you really need one.

I've helped people complete the Mhaura quest in under 45 minutes many times. The Selbina quest has always taken me over 30 minutes just for the skull, on the occasions when someone has already started the quest there.


Icemage

[Loial]

Re: A Few Questions

I went with my entire LS back in Nov '03 PC release to Gusgen mines to get the magicked skull. We were there as all level 15-18s, about twelve of us. It took an entire weekend to get the skulls. Of course, while we are there, some non-self-respectful NAs begged some JPs to get them skulls and they'd clear out the whole area ; ;

Still a good memory though

A good friend of mine from college that runs my LS joined the game after I did. We got his 3 items in all of 5minutes or so for the Mhaura quest. We killed 1 rarab on the way and 1 dhalmel while rushing to the beach before Bogies depop at 4:00. Super quick.