Final Fantasy XI Then...

[Pacman555]

Sorry to hijack this thread a bit, but I'm interested in getting myself online with Final Fantasy XI, on PS2 though, not PC . Will this even be possible? I seem to remember it won't be, thanks to Sony's online game checking system to prevent the use of imports on their broadband service.

Cheers.

[Darwock]

Hey Pacman, I'm online with PS2.. it's only possible on a US console though. The game + HDD is only available over there anyway.

[Pacman555]

Cheers for the reply Darwock . Hmm, now I'll have to choose between the outlay on a more RAM+a new graphics card for my computer or a US PS2 and FFXI . . .

[C']

Be quick. In order to play FFXI on PS2 you need the HDD which is not compatible with the new 'improved' slim-line PS2 consoles.

I've already read over at Allakhazam about people in America having troubles buying the old model consoles so you may have to go the second hand route.

[talizker]

Cheers for the reply Darwock . Hmm, now I'll have to choose between the outlay on a more RAM+a new graphics card for my computer or a US PS2 and FFXI . . .

You'll be suprised how low a spec PC will actually run FFXI. The graphic options let you run it with a similar look to the PS2 one (resolution etc) with an average spec DirectX 8 card.

[Pacman555]

Oh noes! Does anyone have any idea where I might be able to grab a new old style US PS2, without going down the Fleabay route?

[Pacman555]

You'll be suprised how low a spec PC will actually run FFXI. The graphic options let you run it with a similar look to the PS2 one (resolution etc) with an average spec DirectX 8 card.

Oh, I thought it required a pretty ninja system. I really need some more RAM though, I've only got 256MB >_<. Ludicrous I know.

[Darwock]

..but no widescreen or rumble (for the fishies biting on your line lol).

However also it means you're a little bit compromised when it comes to beating Neoncppp to buying the bronze ingots, heheh... (mouse will always be faster than controller). Then again PC is prone to more random disconnects just due to the nature of Windows PCs.

It probably makes no difference in the end, other than to your wallet - although I read one very amusing post on gamefaqs from a guy who stated he'd checked thoroughly, and all the people with underlevelled support jobs and low rank were playing the PS2 version, lol.

[Mr Pump]

To be honest one of the things that attracted me to this was its console stylings. Gave up playing on a PC a few years ago, I found the joys of widescreen and a big couch a much more compelling experience.
This game has brought me back though, a few minutes setting up the joypad, and there you have it a rumble filled console experience, with added configuration options and shortcuts of a PC game.

[Darwock]

Actually, does anyone use one of those USB PS2 controller adapters? How easy is it to set up the analogue sticks etc?

[talizker]

Actually, does anyone use one of those USB PS2 controller adapters? How easy is it to set up the analogue sticks etc?

Yep!

Got one from Play.com - doesn't need any special drivers with XP and you just calibrate the analogue sticks as any normal joystick. Works great in FFXI, PES4 and Emulators etc...

[Mr Pump]

Thats what I mostly use, haven't got rumble on though, don't know if you can get other ones which do as FFXI does support it.
Very easy to set up, just plug n play. On FFXI you can choose from a few default layouts and the anologue mostly works fine. Only problem was for some reason on the right stick the x and y planes had been swapped but it just took a couple of secs to reconfigure this in the setup.

[mikewl]

Anyone know a place where I could host some videos. my Ballista one is about 50meg with reduced quality, my free bt space is not going to be enough.

<Update>

Ok, had to really drop the quality but here it is:

Ballista - Bastok vs Windurst

I need more practise as you will see, but im planning to do lvl 60 and 30 most weeks. I want to get a melee job to 30 for this, most likely warrior, but for now I will have to be rdm or whm.

Also you can tell when we were winning by the music, when its upbeat we were winning, when it went more drum like we were losing.

[C']

Last night was really? strange.

Logged on with the intention of getting 34 on my WAR. 34 is where a fair few pieces of equipment need swapping out and that is usually where I do a cut off point for levelling my subjob. Apathye was levelling BLM and Tobal not due on for ages so decided I wanted to get it out of the way and sorted before Shadow Lord so tried for a pickup group. Surprisingly got an invite quickly from a NIN called Chrismeng. Obviously I was happy not to be invited as a tank so joined up and we were teleported out to Altepa Desert. However something wasn?t quite right. When we got to camp there was a few names I recognised (high level healers) such as Thetaru and Cholse. Then it struck me.

I was in a party with known gilsellers >_<

I confirmed with Bayan who would have seen these people at higher levels and it was true. I feigned a disconnect and left it for a couple of hours. Stupidly I forgot to get a Scroll of Instant Warp and was stranded. Luckily Mahl came to my aid.

Came back on and in the space of an hour joined 2 PTs that mostly amounted to nothing. The second had potential but the PLD tank left within 10 minutes of joining and I was asked to tank. My equip sacrifices defence for attack and the result wasn?t pretty. No one died but the WHM was drained of MP after one fight. The PT disbanded.

I was getting mighty pissed off at this point, and camped outside Garlaige Citadel with my lfg icon upwhich I have never done before. I just wanted to get to 34.

Got another invite with a WAR/MNK and WAR/NIN PT. And the results were fantastic. I was able to play a pure DD role. We had an excellent SAM who took the charge of SC impressively. Co-ordinated SC with members, told them who he was about to chain with, then immediately mediated and launched a 2nd SC with another member.

Brilliant.

I?ve never seen a Sam take responsibility for the skill chains like this before, which is surprising since that is what they excel at.

At first I wasn?t included in the SC (being a new member) but at one point he had TP and his other 2 partners weren?t ready when I was. I asked him to give me an Enpi, and proceeded to Berserk, Sneak Attack and Hrd Slash.

BAM!

190 damage on the weapon skill and a Distortion for 90. Very nice and from that point on he let the WAR/MNK tank solo her Sturmwind and chained with me.

We pulled in great EXP, lots of chains, and I decided I wanted to stay beyond 34 so Byan was kind enough to bring me another stack of Horn Arrows, and also sorted out the train that some high levels had created (unintentionally).

Sadly the SAM left along with the SMN and WAR/MNK so we got a RDM, and 2 MNK,( one of which I?d PTd with on Saturday and had just got his Kotes that morning), and again it was awesome. My ranged attack shad been struggling to land but I managed to get vital skill points to level Archery and startd hitting more regularly, upping my damage further, and the WAR/NIN took over tanking duties.

Overall, I got halfway towards 35 (much higher than planned). Now the WAR gear gets sold and the process of working for my Scorpion Harness begins full-time.



Ok, it looks like Shadow Lord is all set for tonight. So exciting. ^_^

I think the PT setup is going to be:

Apathye (BLM/WHM)
Mahlory (WHM/BLM)
Mihki (PLD/WAR)
Rarehero (NIN/WAR)
Tobal (SAM/WAR)
Wedgemoon (BRD/WHM)

But I think there is no limit to how many people can enter the battle so if anyone knows other people who are at the appropriate level and need to obtain Rank 6, I think they can come to.

I think the PT looks really balanced but obviously, I have no knowledge about how difficult he is so it is still an unknown quantity. I think we need to head to the Throne Room but I?ll confess I have no clue how we get there either so the journey should be interesting.

The /lsmes states that the battle is arranged for 8pm so that gives people enough time to get home, sorted and online. I think we should meet in Jeuno at 8pm and then Teleport to Xarcabard.

I tried to buy a stack of Shurikens this morning but there was none in stock. Hopefully I can get some this evening before we set out.

[Darwock]

I got to 35 in the ****adel last night as well, didn't see you around though Rare. 35 will do me for now, should be enough to get me by in the areas I want to explore and the quests I want to do.

Good luck with the shadowlord thing... another reminder though could you keep the post-battle discussion in spoiler quotes please?