This is a feature I’ve been meaning to start for a few weeks now. Every month I’ll update The List to show what I’ve accomplished and what’s still on my list of goals.
This will probably be a little bit long, so you can read the full list after the cut.
Yep, I got a swift belt tonight. All in all, the LS went 6/9 on our Swift Belts tonight. 1/1 on Mithra, 1/3 on Elvaan and 4/5 on Hume.
We also did this with a 47 NIN and a 50 WAR as tanks. There’s no telling what you can manage if you’re desperate enough.
So I’ve been thinking (a dangerous pastime I’m sure) and I’m just wondering why so many weaponskills are worthless.
Not like, why they suck or do so little damage. I’m aware of this on some of them, such as the weird modifiers or dubious skillchain potential, but why would SE put such worthless WS into the game in the first place, or, alternatively, not give some of them a buff?
I mean, consider how some (most) jobs use maybe 3 WS out of their whole repertoire as they level up. It’s always seemed strange to me. Of course, there are a few WS that stun and these get used occasionally, but what about the other weird ones?
Raiden Thrust? Gale Axe? Any Scythe WS before Guillotine?
Sometimes I wonder if SE even considers the mechanics of their own game, that’s all.
So I think I’m going to level BLU instead. That or MNK or something. I just want to rip the face off something without feeling like I might have to heal at any second, is that too much to ask?
If a two month break is bad, I don’t want to know what half a year says about me. Anyways, yeah, I’m gonna try to start blogging again, since a friend of mine is now (check the blogroll).
So what do I have to say? Not much. BLM, SMN, and RDM are now 75, SCH is now 71, and WHM is 63. There’s been a bunch of updates, but nothing that really affects me. I’ll never have a mythic, so the whole uproar over mythics mean little. MMM is sort of fun.
I’ve been doing stuff with my LS. Nyzul is okay, but I’d really like to do something more, so I’m hoping that pans out in the future.
Anyways I really will try to post more now. Kyari will probably hurt me if I don’t. Stay tuned!
But I hope to get better.
Two months between updates is a little bit excessive, I’ll admit. I apologize (if anyone reads this anyway) however, I have been busy, and I hope to convey that in this post!
When last we met, I was talking about an update that hadn’t happened yet–now we’re almost due for another, and the impact of the last one has all but been absorbed into the community. I know that I was wondering about Elemental Siphon, which has turned out to be quite nice indeed. That said, what have I been up to, and what do I hope the future holds?
Let’s get started!
Evoker’s Ring
I finally did get my Evoker’s Ring. I tried for a while to get friends to do a Fenrir run, but hardly anyone had the Bauble. This is one downside, I find, to not being in an HNMLS–it’s kind of hard to find help for things like this. However, just a couple of weeks ago, I was invited out of the blue to a Astralburn/SMNburn Fenrir Fight. We took him down easily, and I am now the proud owner of an Evoker’s Ring.
I had been holding off leveling SMN for a while because I didn’t have it, because I’m a little gear-conscious; though my gear may not be ‘perfect’ or ‘elite’ I like to have those pieces I deem ‘essential’ or that will aid me in a considerable fashion. There’s just no other good substitute for the Evoker’s Ring, and now that I have it…
Leveling SMN Again
That’s right, I’ve been leveling SMN again. Unfortunately, I’m on dial-up internet at the moment (yes, kids, there’s still places where you can’t get high-speed) so Campaign is a bit of a chore. Therefore, my prey of choice is Aglooliks at the top of Uleguerand Range. Admittedly, this is with the Anniversary Ring effect on, so the numbers are a bit crazy. By the way, are you guys glad they gave us another? I know I am.
With all that said and done, I’m now 73 SMN, and well on my way to 74. However, what was I doing in the interim? Well..
Subjobs and Other Such
I got THF to 41, for one. It’s rather fun, since I’m not exactly used to melee jobs. I camped Leaping Lizzy (1/7) and the Valkurm Emperor (1/2) for the Bounding Boots and Empress Hairpin, which I’m also using on my Ninja (now 32) and Dancer (now 20). I figure at the very least, I’ll get THF to 45 for TH2, and NIN and DNC to 37 as multi-purpose subs. Also on this list (that still require leveling) are DRK, BLU, and SAM, and to a lesser degree PLD.
To faciliate Ninja, I decided to try to BCNM my own scroll of Utsusemi: Ni in order to save precious gil. I figured I’d go through enough of it just for tools and such (and boy am I); however, my first attempt was a bust (that is, doing Steamed Sprouts). However, my second bore much better fruit.
That’s right, Ni and an Archer’s Ring in the same crate–and on my orb. I was floored. Heck, I’m still floored. I wasn’t expecting that. It’s as good a Royal Jelly loot pool as I’ve ever seen.
What else is there?
Elitism
I’m not an elitist really; if you have decent gear and you do your job well, I’m not gonna raise a fuss if you’re not wearing +1 equipment and all the best for every slot. I’ve been in those shoes, and I know it’s sometimes hard to get all the best gear. I hope other people afford me the same courtesy, though I’m well aware many will not.
However, despite this outlook, I do study up and learn about the jobs I play. I like to make sure I am doing a good job, especially if my gear isn’t absolutely perfect. I may not understand all the worst math, but I try to make an effort nontheless. So…sometimes, things throw me off.
When last I leveled my THF (I haven’t since) I was invited to a party at level 40. We gathered in Jeuno, the setup decent; NIN THF WAR WAR BRD WHM, I believe it was. We discussed camp options, and finally it was decided we would do Beetles in Western Altepa Desert, despite being a little on the low side.
“It should be fine if all the melees eat sushi,” the BRD said.
This threw me for a loop. Admittedly, I spoke without thinking, but the first thing I said was, “I’m not. I may use Rice Dumplings, but I’m sure as hell not going to use sushi at level 40.”
This caused a bit of a stir. However, I like to think I’m not unfounded in my decision. First of all, I wouldn’t use sushi before 50 on any job. I’ve been instructed that the returns are not worth it in terms of the cost, and that it is especially prohibitive due to a lack of significant attack or haste gear. Due to this, you may be accurate, but your damage will be pathetic. The Bard proceeded to lecture me in /tells, and the main points seemed to be such; it was foolish to use attack food, because all that a THF should be worried about should be SATA. Squid Sushi was all I should eat, from then til kingdom come.
I have taken the opportunity to study a bit and consult with some higher level thieves I trust; almost all my sources agree that attack IS important to a thief, and that the hits in between SATA DO matter. I’m beginning to think, sadly, that this BRD was a misinformed Rank 10 critter, like some others I’ve seen. I know that I was having acceptable results with both Meat Mithkabobs and Rice Dumplings, and I doubt my damage would have been as good with Squid Sushi even if my SATA damage had been a bit higher.
If anyone is a higher level melee and if I am misinformed, please do tell me; leave a comment or contact me in game. For all I can see, I was in the right. However, if there’s something I’m missing I’d love to hear it.
That said, the BRD also sort of insulted my pulling skill when I dared to stop and ask the WHM if his MP was okay for another pull. Well, whatever.
Wrapping it up…
The Next Update
All I can say is, Nomad Moogles in Selbina and Mhaura? FINALLY! Oh and Nyzul Relic info at last! I’ve joined a Nyzul Static, and so far we’ve not managed to get very far in. However, I’m confident we’ll do better in the future, and I’m interested in a few of those–particularly Nirvana, Laevateinn, and Tupsimati. I can’t wait to see what the stats are, and just how hard it will be to obtain one.
I hope everyone’s having a good time in Vana’diel! Talk to you again soon.
Dinged 71 in a Mire party, slapped on my robe, and boy do I feel good!
Well, until I realized I forgot my Hierarch Belt in my safe. And that I still need to kill Fenrir again so that I can get the Ancient’s Key for my Evoker’s Ring…
But you know, besides that, it’s still awesome!
I tried it out today helping a few people in the LS get Carbuncle Mitts. Grats to Saionji, Cahl, and Jubeekabee!
Now to get to 75…
(By the way, the spirit update sounds intriguing. I hope it helps with my MP use!)
That’s right. I’ve been slacking off on updating, but actually accomplished several things in game! Let’s get right down to it, why don’t we?
Rank 10
Probably the biggest thing that happened, I finally got Rank 10! (Along with Kerrick.) I immediately spent the large majority of my conquest points on this spiffy Aketon. You can see my neato flag in the background, too!
Static Party!
Our static party continues strong. We’re up to about level 42, and Scholar is sorta fun, if a bit gimmicky. And yes, we DID level there. On Makara and crabs. The birds we killed a couple of, but they’re kinda rough. I throughouly recommend the camp if you can get a 40′sh party to go here (38-40 on the crabs, 40-42 on the Makara). There’s a ton of mobs and it’s just gorgeous!
Mulecrafting!
I’m starting my Bastok mule on Alchemy. Here you can see him in all his droolworthy swimsuit goodness happily making Tsurara. I’m not very far yet, but I think I’ll appreciate the diversity on down the line. (By the way, the guys in the LS make fun of me for having male mules but I know several of them have female mules–or play girl characters–so what’s up with that?)
NPC Fellows!
Yep, this is my NPC. His name is Voldai, and he’s the attacker type (mostly because I’ve always played a class that can heal, at least in some capacity.) I’m thinking of changing him to the ‘tank’ type when the new update goes live! I’ll probably level him a little more too–he’s not that high of a level yet (mid 40′s or so, I think). Gosh I’m terrible, I just summoned him to take this picture and then pretty much told him to leave. Still, I haven’t forgotten you big guy, I promise I’ll level you up soon!
Besieged!
…is always an excuse for me to stalk Rughadjeen, and also to get some tasty Imperial Standing and skillups. I thought this picture turned out neat–I’m standing back-to-back with Seril (who subs Dancer for these sort of things). Male Humes dancing is awesome.
As I write this, I’m doing a fort-bashing Campaign in The Eldieme Necropolis [S] and 236 exp away from level 69 on my Summoner! So, in a few days, I would expect an update with pictures of me in my shiny robe. I’m excited. Are you excited? I hope so, because it’s awesome.
Happy adventuring, everyone!
I think this image should explain everything.
Basically last night me, Cahl, Kerrick and Ziero were in The Boyahda Tree to fight Agas (for the Sleepga II quest) and afterward, I asked if we could swing by Ro’Maeve to see if Shikigami Weapon was up, not thinking it would be.
However, it was. We didn’t claim, but we got the TOD, and came back today, and that, as they say, is history. We took Seril with us as well–so if anyone is curious, our party makeup was a bit on the sad side– BLU/NIN (Cahl), BST/WHM (Kerrick), THF/NIN (Ziero), WAR/DNC (Seril), and BLM/WHM (myself). In addition, we had Cahl’s NPC, a Soothing Healer type who was I want to say level 56.
I think the big factor was that we were uncontested. This kind of thing NEVER happens to me, so I’m flummoxed. Ker widescanned, Cahl claimed, Cahl and Z held while the rest of us ran over…a few things aggro’d during the fight, but we slept them and kept on trucking. Then bam, Shiki dropped.
It was still full moon so maybe that helped the drop rate, and I’m sure Z’s TH2 did as well. Either way it dropped and I’m more than glad. I can’t quite wear it yet, but you can be sure I’m rushing to level 71 as fast as I can.
My mannequin gets to wear it for now.
And how am I rushing to 71? Djinn. They were nerfed a little, but you can still solo them quite well on Iceday and Lightningday, which are conveniently one after another.
This was with empress band on, but the exp is still quite nice without. I was pulling approximately 10k/hour on these guys once I got my rhythm down. Too bad you only get about two hours a stretch on them; if we could do more…well, I suppose that’s why they were nerfed.
Any way, I’m a very happy SMN, and I’d especially like to thank Kerrick, Seril, Ziero, Cahl, and Saionji…Saionji didn’t quite make it to Ro’Maeve in time, but he was on his way, so we’ll count it as moral support, ya?
Sorta.
Okay, I’ll admit the break from updating the blog was longer than I’d intended, and I got less gear in the interim than I’d care to admit. However, I did get something that made me do a 180 and change my direction in FFXI…
That’s right, after much toil, I finally got Diabolos! So now I’m leveling SMN like crazy. Up to level 64!
And HOW am I leveling it? Well, I’ve been soloing Volcanic Gas and Morozko, got a couple exp parties, and now I’m off to Eldieme [S] for some more cheesy-as-Hell fortification thrashing.
65, here I come!
The static party’s also going nicely. Got my SCH to 40, boy do I dread the AF though. Start getting storms next level!
(That said, the -ga stratagems rock. I just wish I could use them with SCH set as a sub.)
