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#1 Aug 20 2010 at 9:21 AM Rating: Excellent
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So I've been scanning the FFXIV forums quite a bit for the last couple of weeks, checking out the sights, anxious to play. But when I finally ran the benchmark, I found my computer doesn't just sucks... it sucks BAD. I'd need to spend at least $200 to upgrade the video card, and possibly another $100 on the power supply and $300 on a new processor. For that amount of money I might as well wait for the PS3 release!

However, I accidentally ran the FFXI benchmark and found, not surprisingly, that I passed with flying colors. Looking online, I found the "Ultimate FFXI collection" (the original game, RotZ, CoP, ToAU, WotG) for $15 and thought, "Eh, why not?" The first month is free anyway, and I'm not currently playing any games. I played FFXI back in 2003-2004, and never got far but hey - I sucked at the game. My first job combination I leveled to hit 30 was WAR/WHM, because I wanted to be a Paladin... yeah, couldn't understand why people laughed at me for it.

So, six years later I've restarted. It's safe to say I've forgotten almost everything. When I logged in, it took me a few minutes to figure out the controls (and I'm still not sure I have them all down). WASD doesn't work for movement, but to my chagrin. It seems I can only move by left clicking? But then I can't change my camera angle unless I stop... huh. I guess items in my inventory don't stack... although I think they might if I get a dozen of them (hiyo, wind crystals). Bastok is pretty empty. I've seen four people, and two of them were AFK Bazaarers. Nobody was at the AH. I forgot how early combat is a miss-fest. I must have like a 50% hit rating against these darn huge hornets. Does that increase as my weapon skill goes up, or only with +ACC gear?

Speaking of gear, I think I'll be living on what I can make. Basic items in the AH at Bastok are selling for thousands of gold... the 60 I have isn't going far. It's gonna be interesting.

So, here I am. If you all have any advice for a complete newbie, feel free to give some. I know it's a tough road, and I likely won't play for more than a few months, but I'd be happy to know! Also I have only installed the original game right now, not the expansions... do they make a difference at low levels?

Oh... and is Valkurm Dunes still a decent place to group up? I'm gonna be sad if I'm all alone... and screwed without a subjob.

Thanks ^_^
#2 Aug 20 2010 at 9:59 AM Rating: Excellent
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Quote:
When I logged in, it took me a few minutes to figure out the controls (and I'm still not sure I have them all down). WASD doesn't work for movement, but to my chagrin. It seems I can only move by left clicking? But then I can't change my camera angle unless I stop... huh.


The default "full" keyboard setup uses the numpad for movement. You can shift the camera with the arrow keys. Some of us prefer that setup. Alternatively, if you set the keyboard to "compact" in the game options, you get WSAD movement controls.

Either way, the mouse is all but useless, you tend to have two camps: those that prefer to use a gamepad as their primary control (and presumably put it down whenever they need to type), and those of us that prefer to use the keyboard for darn near everything.

Quote:
huh. I guess items in my inventory don't stack... although I think they might if I get a dozen of them (hiyo, wind crystals).


Right, not everything does - however, an auto-stack option was implemented a while back, so you can turn that on if you like.

Quote:
Bastok is pretty empty. I've seen four people, and two of them were AFK Bazaarers. Nobody was at the AH.


Little reason for them to hang around there. /sea all and you'll likely find 800-4000+ people on, depending on the server and time of day.

Quote:
I forgot how early combat is a miss-fest. I must have like a 50% hit rating against these darn huge hornets. Does that increase as my weapon skill goes up, or only with +ACC gear?


Skill is 1 ACC per point through 200 skill, after which it's .9 ACC per point. You also have gear, traits, and food/buffs. DEX also contributes, at 2:1 for 1h weapons, or 3:2 for 2h.

Practically speaking, yes, early accuracy sucks and there's not a whole lot you can do about it. In the long run, DDs will strive (and can often get) a 95% hit rate (can't really get perfect accuracy or evasion all the time, 20%-95% basically).

Quote:
Speaking of gear, I think I'll be living on what I can make. Basic items in the AH at Bastok are selling for thousands of gold... the 60 I have isn't going far. It's gonna be interesting.


Not really the way to go. The AH there is likely dead, and early gear is often found at NPCs for a reasonable price.

Couple things to look at:

- http://wiki.ffxiclopedia.org/wiki/Tutorial_npc for some early quests with nice rewards for a new player.

- http://wiki.ffxiclopedia.org/wiki/Fields_of_valor be sure to make use of the regimes there, and buffs, when soloing the early levels.

Quote:
Also I have only installed the original game right now, not the expansions... do they make a difference at low levels?


Depends on exactly what you mean, though there's really no reason -not- to install them. Outside of RoTZ content, which was part of the original NA release anyway, you won't really run into things you need the expansions for until 30+ - unlocking jobs, Ronfaure [s] Colibri, that sort of thing.

Quote:
Oh... and is Valkurm Dunes still a decent place to group up? I'm gonna be sad if I'm all alone... and screwed without a subjob.


It's pretty common to solo straight into the 30s now...so...if people are partying, then Valkurm is often still a place they'd go. Most experienced players, however, won't even bother unless they're doing specialized setups.
#3 Aug 20 2010 at 10:03 AM Rating: Default
Quote:
Most experienced players, however, won't even bother unless they're retarded.
ftfy

Valkurm is not, and never was a good place to exp. Lizards before stona, flys before having a decent amount of mp to cure the damage from cursed sphere, gobs ever. And pugils, isn't slow just great? oh, and lets not forget the pld/pld crabs!

Valkurm is one of the worst places to exp, and not just because of the noobs. Maze of shakrami, followed by korroloka tunnel will keep you busy with squishy worms until qufim, where you fight more worms.



Quote:
Right, not everything does - however, an auto-stack option was implemented a while back, so you can turn that on if you like.
It's actually auto SORT, which is insanely annoying.

Edited, Aug 20th 2010 12:04pm by ThePsychoticOne
#4 Aug 20 2010 at 11:07 AM Rating: Good
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ThePsychoticOne the Prohpet wrote:
Quote:
Most experienced players, however, won't even bother unless they're retarded.
ftfy

Valkurm is not, and never was a good place to exp. Lizards before stona, flys before having a decent amount of mp to cure the damage from cursed sphere, gobs ever. And pugils, isn't slow just great? oh, and lets not forget the pld/pld crabs!

Valkurm is one of the worst places to exp, and not just because of the noobs. Maze of shakrami, followed by korroloka tunnel will keep you busy with squishy worms until qufim, where you fight more worms.
I bet he had something like SMN burns in mind when he wrote that.

Quote:
Quote:
Right, not everything does - however, an auto-stack option was implemented a while back, so you can turn that on if you like.
It's actually auto SORT, which is insanely annoying.
And this is why I stick with lightluggage... oh, and SE added an option to play the game windowed if you wanted. It's not very good, but it's something and can be found in the FFXI Config. That setting can only be changed while FFXI is not running.
#5 Aug 20 2010 at 11:09 AM Rating: Good
Not sure how you can install the original game without the expansions, unless you had ancient CDROMs from 7 years ago. Steam routinely offers the deluxe all-expansions-included FFXI set for as low as $5; as soon as it goes on sale again, I'd say nab it and install the expansions. They're not that critical before level 20, but it's handy to be able to go to the jungles at level 25, or at least have the option.

That said, it's entirely possible to solo a job up these days. I'm picking away at my subjobs, and I can do a level a day by myself in an hour or two of steady play. Definitely solo your way to level 20, at which point you'll be in hot demand as a syncee in Qufim Island.

What server did you pick? If it's Bismarck I can log in and say hi.
#6 Aug 20 2010 at 11:22 AM Rating: Excellent
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#7 Aug 20 2010 at 11:37 AM Rating: Decent
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I started on Bahamut and chose San D'Oria as my starting point. Was around 1 or 2am EST when I managed to start playing after finally getting all the updates to complete. Before I even killed my first worm I ran across a helpful person who stopped what he was doing to talk with me about some basic startup knowledge, which was very helpful. Saw a few other people wandering around, and when I got outside to hunt a bit ran into a White Mage who talked with me for a while, and after I hit level 6 we formed a party and hunted for a few hours.

You more then likely either picked a bad time of day to meet anyone in your starting area, or perhaps no one was starting any new jobs around you. Keep at it though, and eventually you are bound to run into some helpful people as well.

Edited, Aug 20th 2010 1:45pm by Vampero
#8 Aug 20 2010 at 11:44 AM Rating: Good
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catwho wrote:
Not sure how you can install the original game without the expansions, unless you had ancient CDROMs from 7 years ago. Steam routinely offers the deluxe all-expansions-included FFXI set for as low as $5; as soon as it goes on sale again, I'd say nab it and install the expansions. They're not that critical before level 20, but it's handy to be able to go to the jungles at level 25, or at least have the option.

That said, it's entirely possible to solo a job up these days. I'm picking away at my subjobs, and I can do a level a day by myself in an hour or two of steady play. Definitely solo your way to level 20, at which point you'll be in hot demand as a syncee in Qufim Island.

What server did you pick? If it's Bismarck I can log in and say hi.


I downloaded the bundle, but you need to actually install each expansion. Apparently. And I picked Bahamut :-( Drat! I knew I should have asked first!
Isolia wrote:
Great information

Thank you so much! This should help. I need to check those tutorials. Hearing that people solo to 30 I'm amazed... back when I played before, it was impossible to solo after level 12.

Thanks all! We'll see how I do :) I'll update more with more info as I go :)
#9 Aug 20 2010 at 11:46 AM Rating: Decent
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Found out about This Guide recently. I'm looking it over now for a bunch of tips. Shows a lot of starting quests and gear options.
#10 Aug 20 2010 at 11:51 AM Rating: Good
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Quote:
And I picked Bahamut


There's a new player LS on Bahamut called Prophecy. Most players in the LS are below lvl 30, and there's a thread called "Calling all NEW and RETURNING players" somewhere on the front page.

There's plenty of people on daily, and we'd love for you to join us in our shenanigans. :D
#11 Aug 20 2010 at 2:29 PM Rating: Decent
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ThePsychoticOne the Prohpet wrote:
Quote:
Most experienced players, however, won't even bother unless they're retarded.
ftfy

Valkurm is not, and never was a good place to exp. Lizards before stona, flys before having a decent amount of mp to cure the damage from cursed sphere, gobs ever. And pugils, isn't slow just great? oh, and lets not forget the pld/pld crabs!

Valkurm is one of the worst places to exp, and not just because of the noobs. Maze of shakrami, followed by korroloka tunnel will keep you busy with squishy worms until qufim, where you fight more worms.



Quote:
Right, not everything does - however, an auto-stack option was implemented a while back, so you can turn that on if you like.
It's actually auto SORT, which is insanely annoying.

Edited, Aug 20th 2010 12:04pm by ThePsychoticOne


1)You can turn away from lizards

2)Yes the game is much more advanced today than it was back then, but those flies were magic for exp in groups

3)You can run from those bomb tosses as the tank(or whoever has hate) to avoid AoE damage

4)that pug slow sure didn't seem to matter to people back in the day

5)No one bothered going to maze and tunnel because they were too much of a hassle to get to, dunes was the go to place and SE sure enough made us pay for it with the mobs to fight there

6)what? apparently making assumptions that everyone should know everything from the word go is the cool thing to do.

7)What sucked back in those days were prick high levels training mobs so they could watch them wipe low levels. That's about it, and it was a pretty big con for dunes exp. That went on for a lot of zones, however.

8)As if these days gear is that much better than 8 years ago for the dunes area. Level 10-18 gear was never banging in stats, especially HP and MP. And in the age of players using the accounts of fallen comrades to PL themselves, it just makes more sense to just go to the dunes and power your way through unless you're Bastokan. As a newbie you are bound to catch a PL party before no PL party, as bad as they may be for your combat skills. Then again it is very rare any experienced players these days are going to invite sub less newbie players because you are better off solo than a group full of newbies. No offense to newbie players but many of us have been around for years with capped skills and unless group exp is better than solo, there really is no reason to go with group exp outside of friends.

Does that help newbie players? No, not in the least. As a matter of fact I'm sure because of us many newbie players don't last. Is it our problem? I don't know. Maybe, maybe not. Maybe at this point we're just so tired of feeling like our game of choice has been all but abandoned by the developers in favor of their newborn baby that we're content with riding it out til the end instead of trying to make it an even better place all around. Shrug. I think it's better for a newbie player to solo to Qufim these days anyway. It gives them more time to learn the ropes and possibly an easier time attaining sub jobs, instead of having some dunes **** brick vet telling them how much they suck for being a newbie. Most people these days solo a lot and skip groups altogether so it's not the end of the world if you miss out on the early group experience. A lot of vets are shy of new folk by default and don't talk much anyway to enjoy a group atmosphere.
#12 Aug 20 2010 at 2:41 PM Rating: Decent
Voldermolt wrote:
ThePsychoticOne the Prohpet wrote:
Quote:
Most experienced players, however, won't even bother unless they're retarded.
ftfy

Valkurm is not, and never was a good place to exp. Lizards before stona, flys before having a decent amount of mp to cure the damage from cursed sphere, gobs ever. And pugils, isn't slow just great? oh, and lets not forget the pld/pld crabs!

Valkurm is one of the worst places to exp, and not just because of the noobs. Maze of shakrami, followed by korroloka tunnel will keep you busy with squishy worms until qufim, where you fight more worms.



Quote:
Right, not everything does - however, an auto-stack option was implemented a while back, so you can turn that on if you like.
It's actually auto SORT, which is insanely annoying.
1)You can turn away from lizards

2)Yes the game is much more advanced today than it was back then, but those flies were magic for exp in groups

3)You can run from those bomb tosses as the tank(or whoever has hate) to avoid AoE damage

4)that pug slow sure didn't seem to matter to people back in the day

5)No one bothered going to maze and tunnel because they were too much of a hassle to get to, dunes was the go to place and SE sure enough made us pay for it with the mobs to fight there

6)what? apparently making assumptions that everyone should know everything from the word go is the cool thing to do.

7)What sucked back in those days were prick high levels training mobs so they could watch them wipe low levels. That's about it, and it was a pretty big con for dunes exp. That went on for a lot of zones, however.

8)As if these days gear is that much better than 8 years ago for the dunes area. Level 10-18 gear was never banging in stats, especially HP and MP. And in the age of players using the accounts of fallen comrades to PL themselves, it just makes more sense to just go to the dunes and power your way through unless you're Bastokan. As a newbie you are bound to catch a PL party before no PL party, as bad as they may be for your combat skills. Then again it is very rare any experienced players these days are going to invite sub less newbie players because you are better off solo than a group full of newbies. No offense to newbie players but many of us have been around for years with capped skills and unless group exp is better than solo, there really is no reason to go with group exp outside of friends.

Does that help newbie players? No, not in the least. As a matter of fact I'm sure because of us many newbie players don't last. Is it our problem? I don't know. Maybe, maybe not. Maybe at this point we're just so tired of feeling like our game of choice has been all but abandoned by the developers in favor of their newborn baby that we're content with riding it out til the end instead of trying to make it an even better place all around. Shrug. I think it's better for a newbie player to solo to Qufim these days anyway. It gives them more time to learn the ropes and possibly an easier time attaining sub jobs, instead of having some dunes sh*t brick vet telling them how much they suck for being a newbie. Most people these days solo a lot and skip groups altogether so it's not the end of the world if you miss out on the early group experience. A lot of vets are shy of new folk by default and don't talk much anyway to enjoy a group atmosphere.


1) no one actually does though
2) wat
3) lol...?
4) Because people were retarded back in the day. We also didn't use brds for almost anything, use blms in exp to mb freeze, didn't care about haste, etc.
5) teleport mea/altep are such a hassle
6) ...what the @#%^ are you talking? Just because we didn't realize how sh*tty the dunes were back in 2004 doesn't mean it was a good place.

Edited, Aug 20th 2010 4:49pm by ThePsychoticOne
#13 Aug 20 2010 at 2:46 PM Rating: Good
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Yeah, I have no idea what your guys are saying, really :)

Well, I've worked the controls a bit better. Using the number pad isn't too bad to move, already doing the camera is still kind of annoying. Playing windowed mode is a LOT better for looking up info. I did the first couple of tutorials, but the next is in the Highlands and I need to be higher than level 6 to get there. I sold some insect wings to a vendor and got enough gil to buy my first two spells; w00t! Just to find out that I started with the Stone scroll in my bag. Oops!

Also finally figured out you need to use the Chariot Band as an item to get the bonus exp. LOL!

Going to head to N. Gusta to see if I can find these Fields of Valor thingies. Seem interesting, even if it's only... one an hour? At least I'll get some gil :) Next step is to finish Mission 1-2, and get to level 10 or so. I should try and get back into fishing too...

Edity: Couple more questions:

Any way to check how much gil I have without going to a shop? Or Conquest Points without taking to an IM?

Edited, Aug 20th 2010 4:47pm by LockeColeMA
#14 Aug 20 2010 at 2:48 PM Rating: Good
LockeColeMA wrote:
Any way to check how much gil I have without going to a shop? Or Conquest Points without taking to an IM?
equip screen for gil, /rmap for cp.
#15 Aug 20 2010 at 2:48 PM Rating: Good
CTRL E opens up your equipment menu. How much gil you have is listed there.

Your total conquest points are listed under the "Region Info: Conquest" world map.
#16 Aug 20 2010 at 2:51 PM Rating: Default
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Don't mind Rog. Everything he says that's not raw stats usally is laced with pure a-hole. Good info otherwise though.

Welcome to the fold, sorry you coulden't get into FFXIV right away. Had the same issue when FFXI came out. (Delayed me all of a week though.)

Currently debating spending the money to upgrade again myself over just waiting to march and then buying it for my PS3.

Depending on which route(job) you're taking I'd highly reccomend taking up monk first, then warrior. Monk in particlar isn't so expensive gear wise untill later one when you're making money. And if you're after advanced jobs taking that route will likely get you through to them with the least amount of hassle, barring subjob leveling.

#17 Aug 20 2010 at 2:57 PM Rating: Good
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This was a pretty good thread a few weeks ago, about farming etc. I recently re-activated FFXI to play with my bro and a few of his friends, also starting from scratch, but with some help. There was stuff in here I'd forgotten and/or never knew.

http://ffxi.allakhazam.com/forum.html?forum=10&mid=128097929592879201&page=1

#18 Aug 20 2010 at 3:52 PM Rating: Good
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LockeColeMA wrote:
Hearing that people solo to 30 I'm amazed... back when I played before, it was impossible to solo after level 12.
It helps that, other than Fields of Valor, easy prey & decent challenge mobs give more exp now than they used to. And Signet helps more now with increased healing HP during rest, no TP loss while resting, bonus experience earned in smaller parties, and increased defense and evasion against attacks from your auto-attack target (if the mob is checked Even Match or weaker).

Edited, Aug 20th 2010 4:57pm by Jevilwolf
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...draining with sambas is kind of like you smack the thing and as you smack blood flies out... normally the blood would just you know fall and be red an what-not, but, with the samba your all whacked out and decide to drink the blood as it flys out. thus not adding MORE damage just taking more advantage of your damage. at least thats my take on it.
#19 Aug 20 2010 at 5:42 PM Rating: Good
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Should have chosen Unicorn. That's where Usagi doesn't log in.
#20 Aug 20 2010 at 6:19 PM Rating: Good
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xypin wrote:
ThePsychoticOne the Prohpet wrote:
Quote:
Most experienced players, however, won't even bother unless they're retarded.
ftfy

Valkurm is not, and never was a good place to exp. Lizards before stona, flys before having a decent amount of mp to cure the damage from cursed sphere, gobs ever. And pugils, isn't slow just great? oh, and lets not forget the pld/pld crabs!

Valkurm is one of the worst places to exp, and not just because of the noobs. Maze of shakrami, followed by korroloka tunnel will keep you busy with squishy worms until qufim, where you fight more worms.
I bet he had something like SMN burns in mind when he wrote that.

I don't think he had burns in mind... Believe it or not, a long long time ago, people actually made exp parties there, and it kicked the crap out of any exp you could get in the dunes.
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#22 Aug 20 2010 at 7:46 PM Rating: Excellent
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Ihatetwilight wrote:
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Little reason for them to hang around there. /sea all and you'll likely find 800-4000+ people on, depending on the server and time of day.



4,000? lol maybe 5 years ago but you aint gonna hit anything close to that today and come Sept 22nd you will be lucky to /sea all and hit 700 during a weekend.


I know it hurts when something you love comes to an "end" but you guys need to start excepting reality. FFXI is on life support and the plug is barely in the wall.


Hi, apparently you hadn't heard that some servers have been merged.
#23 Aug 20 2010 at 7:51 PM Rating: Excellent
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Paskil wrote:
Ihatetwilight wrote:

Quote:
Little reason for them to hang around there. /sea all and you'll likely find 800-4000+ people on, depending on the server and time of day.




4,000? lol maybe 5 years ago but you aint gonna hit anything close to that today and come Sept 22nd you will be lucky to /sea all and hit 700 during a weekend.


I know it hurts when something you love comes to an "end" but you guys need to start excepting reality. FFXI is on life support and the plug is barely in the wall.


Hi, apparently you hadn't heard that some servers have been merged.


Yeah, we're hovering close to 1,700 logged on in Siren right now, and that was an un-merged server.

Edited, Aug 20th 2010 9:52pm by Hulan
#24 Aug 20 2010 at 8:14 PM Rating: Good
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LockeColeMA wrote:
I should try and get back into fishing too...


Wait until past lvl 20, otherwise you will get nerfed by the anti rmt codes.
#25 Aug 22 2010 at 10:10 AM Rating: Good
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shibaaa wrote:
LockeColeMA wrote:
I should try and get back into fishing too...


Wait until past lvl 20, otherwise you will get nerfed by the anti rmt codes.


I don't know what this means, can you explain it?

Quote:
It helps that, other than Fields of Valor, easy prey & decent challenge mobs give more exp now than they used to. And Signet helps more now with increased healing HP during rest, no TP loss while resting, bonus experience earned in smaller parties, and increased defense and evasion against attacks from your auto-attack target (if the mob is checked Even Match or weaker).


Is there anything else that makes leveling easy? I heard years ago you can get an NPC to help you out for a short amount of time each day; is that something to look into?

I did my first Regime on Friday; was kinda nice to get a good boost. My Chariot Ring feels pretty useless with the 500 exp limit and 16 hour cooldown. Should I invest in the other EXP ring? Do they stack, or share a cooldown? Thanks again, all! Level 8, got a few spells, life is fun :)
#26 Aug 22 2010 at 11:28 AM Rating: Excellent
Most of us switch to the Emperor band, which is 3 charges a week, a 50% bonus, that lasts for 6,000 exp. That's enough to net you a level up until the late 40s. I use a combo of emperor band and FoV bonuses to knock out 1-2 levels a day on a job solo. The FoV bonuses increase as you level up, so that the ones in the 60s start giving a 1,000 exp bonus instead of just a few hundred.

You can only hold one ring at a time, however. So use up the charges on the chariot band, then toss it and get yourself an emperor.

Most exp rings don't stack, but you can get the Kupofried Ring without having to toss the emperor, so if you ever see an NPC while tabbing around that says "Mog Tablet" go ahead and snag it.

Square Enix nerfed fishing until level 20 to combat all the Level 1 fishing bots in the cities. You can only catch a few fish and you reach fatigue very quickly prior to level 20. After 20, the restrictions are gone.

You can do the quest for a helper NPC at level 40. He starts out at level 30, however, and you have to level him up a bit. They can be used for about 30 minutes once every 20 hours when you first start out, but you can increase that to an hour through a series of quests with the NPC. I use Romidiant, and he's a perfect gentleman.

Edited, Aug 22nd 2010 1:44pm by catwho
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