Just a question

[Vega Obscura]

Hi. I'm new to the site, and relatively new to FFXI Online. I havn't yet played it, but I have been planning out what I'd be. I decided to become a Red Mage with a Black Mage Sub-Type. I just had a question; what'm I in for?

[Jei]

Re: Just a question

We are a mage. The higher you go, the more and more spells and utilities we'll get to help our group. We provide MP refresh for mp users, have highest debuffinf skills and can provide cures and healings.

We get to equip sword as well, which is a really cool weapon when we solo.

[Icemage]

Re: Just a question

Best advice to new players: Don't overplan your job/subjob.

The ONLY choices you make when you create your character that will affect your long-term prospects are:

Server: Not really a choice unless you use a World Pass (a key code purchased from in-game by an existing player which will allow you to create a new character on their specific server). Different servers have different qualities and mixes of players, but generally speaking, most servers are similar in the essentials, and the differences are by degrees.

Race: More so than any other decision you will make, your chosen character's race will determine their final capabilities to a certain extent. Granted, all races can play acceptably as any job if you know what you're doing and use the right items to make up for racial shortfalls, but those shortfalls require significant amounts of time and resources to address. Don't pick tarutaru if you want to play monk, and don't pick galka if you like to play mage jobs, unless you really enjoy being unique and challenged (I know players who have done both, and still perform acceptably, but they'll be the first to tell you that they have to work a lot harder at being good than other races).

Name: This never gets mentioned, but choosing a name which you can bond with and that others can have respect for is more important than anyone will admit. There are certain names which I automatically downgrade my respect level for simply because they show a lack of originality and herd mentality. Examples: Any variation on the names Sephiroth, Cloud, Strife, or any other Final Fantasy series character. You may think it's cool to have a character that is "just like" the original, but there are dozens of people who have tried the same thing and all it does it make you immensely difficult to remember when it comes time to build an in-game reputation. Names which are vulgar or inherently immature also fall into this category. Just. Don't. Do. It.

The point is that your "chosen" job means little to nothing in FFXI. You can always step into your Mog House and change your jobs around to work on whatever aspect of your character you choose, so only the three elements above are truly set in stone.


Icemage

[TheGrandMom]

Re: Just a question

I would just like to add to Icemage's excellent post. When considering race, if you can't make up your mind, a good path to take is Hume or Mithra for Red Mage.

And his post about names is spot on. You want a name that is unique and stands out. One that you can build a good reputation with and people remember. Not something like "Ok I've played with Sephroth and he's a good player...or was that Sephiroth....or Sephoroth...oh screw it get the other guy!"

[:+:Pal[A]diN:+:]

Re: Just a question

Icemage- you make this seem too serious, it's just a game man. If the guy has a hard-on for Red Mages let him be one. It's a game have fun with it don't get all technical and crap with it, when you get too technical and serious the game loses the fun factor.

[truenoir]

Re: Just a question

Well, Icemage brings up good points though.

Job isn't the bigger thing to choose at this point, since it takes you 2 seconds to change it. Knowing you are more interested in mage jobs, sure, means you should probably avoid Galka and perhaps Elvaan too. Saving the joke names for mules, also a good idea.
Something to keep in mind with your name, and this is something SE also says, is to keep it reasonably short. There are times when people will want to type your name for spells or for adding you to a party via command line, and having an easily typed name will be good. Also, minimize typos at the delivery box.

As for RDM, yes, expect to be a support caster. If your idea of this job is just what the book says about waving swords around enchanted by magic, and occasionally firing off white or black magic spells...you're going to be disappointed XD

[Icemage]

Re: Just a question

Icemage- you make this seem too serious, it's just a game man. If the guy has a hard-on for Red Mages let him be one. It's a game have fun with it don't get all technical and crap with it, when you get too technical and serious the game loses the fun factor.

I agree, but the thing is, most people don't really know what job they'll like best when they start playing. That doesn't usually happen until they get farther into the game and see what the various jobs can do at the highest levels.

You're an excellent example of this, by the way. Your online name is "Paladin" yet your signature says your main job is RDM/BLM.


Icemage

[:+:Pal[A]diN:+:]

Re: Just a question

It is a previous name from a previous game.

And pretty much what Jei said sums up what Red Mage is, always busy keeping the party going and the experience flowing.

[Sepukku]

Re: Just a question

You'd be suprised as to how many people take this game as serious as Icemage (if not even, more serious!).

[Hereaux]

Re: Just a question

yeah... some people take it WAY too serious >.<

[Jei]

Re: Just a question

well you really have to get serious sometimes but not always ^^ For example, try to be serious and concentrate in exp PT or BCNM. 1 careless move from only 1 member can mean frustration for everyone.

[Hereaux]

Re: Just a question

well yeah, that should be a given... but some people live and die by the game and that is just ridiculous.

[TheGrandMom]

Re: Just a question

Icemage- you make this seem too serious, it's just a game man. If the guy has a hard-on for Red Mages let him be one. It's a game have fun with it don't get all technical and crap with it, when you get too technical and serious the game loses the fun factor.

I'm sorry but Icemage brought up excellent points that new players should be aware of. The game isn't all about you, the game is about the community. If someone chooses a name that the majority of the community takes offense to or thinks is stupid, it can make it difficult for him/her until they can build up their repuation. This even happens in real life. If a blindfolded girl has to choose from 2 guys and is going to take one of the two out on a date, one's name is Rudy and one is Robert, who do you think she's going to choose? The majority of us are programmed that way. It works in game also. (No offense to anyone named Rudy, it was just an example.)

As for race, I help a LOT of people in game. A lot of them are new players. I can't tell you how many times I've run into new players that are disgusted with their race because they didn't realize there were going to be extra obstacles for them to overcome. Not to mention stereotypes in the game. Galka mages suck, don't pt with them. Taru tanks take too much dmg, don't pt with them. And on and on. A GOOD player knows how to compensate for these things. The job is more difficult but it can be managed. New players do not have those skills yet and get ostracized. A good portion of them were quitting or quit because of it. So knowing things like Icemage pointed out can make your gaming life easier.

well you really have to get serious sometimes but not always ^^ For example, try to be serious and concentrate in exp PT or BCNM. 1 careless move from only 1 member can mean frustration for everyone.

This is SO true. I like to pt with a few of my favorite people. We always have a good time, even if others we pick up aren't that great of players. LOL (Oy today was one of those days!) But one thing we all learned is NOT to make me laugh too hard when we are exping. In between fights, after fights, during downtime, yes. During fights....NO. I can not get a good laugh going and concentrate on the game. I killed my bestest taru buddy doing this. I felt really bad. ; ;

[:+:Pal[A]diN:+:]

Re: Just a question

I did not say he brought up bad points, I just said let the guy make his own choice where would you get in life withought trial and error? This post was not about what race to pick or what server to be on, it is just a person asking what they expect from Red Mage. If a person makes a wrong choice it is never too late to do the right thing, like me when I first started out it is all about trial and error my friend. I tried every job and deleted them, every race and then started over untill I finally found what I like. Was it worth the time invested? Yes. Did I make friends along the way? Yes. Was it annoying as hell some times? Yes. But if I had to do it again I would not go into a game basing my decisions off of what another person thinks of what is right from wrong. Because the experience I have had so far has been great and wouldn't change it for anything. If i pick a Galka Black Mage I should not be judged for it, it's a game people have fun with it. If i went into every game as technical as you guys are making it It would not be enjoyable in the long run.




[QUOTE=TheGrandMom]I'm sorry but Icemage brought up excellent points that new players should be aware of. The game isn't all about you, the game is about the community. If someone chooses a name that the majority of the community takes offense to or thinks is stupid, it can make it difficult for him/her until they can build up their repuation. This even happens in real life. If a blindfolded girl has to choose from 2 guys and is going to take one of the two out on a date, one's name is Rudy and one is Robert, who do you think she's going to choose? The majority of us are programmed that way. It works in game also. (No offense to anyone named Rudy, it was just an example.)

As for race, I help a LOT of people in game. A lot of them are new players. I can't tell you how many times I've run into new players that are disgusted with their race because they didn't realize there were going to be extra obstacles for them to overcome. Not to mention stereotypes in the game. Galka mages suck, don't pt with them. Taru tanks take too much dmg, don't pt with them. And on and on. A GOOD player knows how to compensate for these things. The job is more difficult but it can be managed. New players do not have those skills yet and get ostracized. A good portion of them were quitting or quit because of it. So knowing things like Icemage pointed out can make your gaming life easier.

[TheGrandMom]

Re: Just a question

Great that worked for you, but it doesn't work for everyone. And people that specifically are new to the game and visit forums dedicated to the game ARE people looking for those answers. Because Icemage and others take the time to help these new players, they have more knowledge and are able to relax and enjoy the game.