Final Fantasy XI Then...

[Vanicent]

OK, that's Tal, Darwock, Wedge and myself all interested in Bastok Eco War (I just want the 5k, tbh )

I'll mention it on the linkshell if I hear anything. If possible, I'll make sure all three of you (plus whoever else is interested) are online before I report it.

[talizker]

Isn't the level Cap 20 for Eco Warrior? Is it no possible to sneak the party through the most tricky stuff?

[Vanicent]

Isn't the level Cap 20 for Eco Warrior? Is it no possible to sneak the party through the most tricky stuff?

Yes the cap is level 20.

Regarding sneaking the party through...I can't remember if it's possible, tbh. I've only done Bastok Eco War once, and that was at least back in August.

[Darwock]

In my experience, once you've got 12 people online and waiting for the start then that's enough to ensure they will wait for it to happen - any less than that and people get restless and decide to do other things.

I'm a bit of a veteran of the Bastok one as I tried it so many times before succeeding - the worst thing about these missions in my experience are:

1. Everybody talking at once, nobody listening
2. People not knowing you can't do more than one at a time and discovering this at the very last moment (see the 'not listening' part)
3. People mucking about threatening to touch the ??? so nobody knows when it's really about to start
4. Strategies along the lines of 'we will sleep the left one' - when it starts you cant tell left from right as they rush around all over the place, and also sleep doesnt stick anyway.
5. People (and room clearers) who claim to know the way and don't!

The only other advice I would give is don't volunteer to be the one who touches the ???... There's always some crazy fool who wants to do this - just let him!

As for sneak... you could sneak the early stages if you had a lot of red mages (18 people remember).. however you still need to clear the hardest area of bogies and ghouls, because the minute they sniff blood in the main fight you will have a lot more than 2 puddings to contend with.

[talizker]

Ok, not really an option then ^^ Guess its just fight! Was going to bring BLM but may do it as RDM so I have a slightly better chance of defending myself...

[mikewl]

I have booked Tuesday to Friday off work, im going to be doing some mad lvling, This weekend im going all out on ballista lvl 30, 40 and 60.

Tonight im going to get my blm upto lvl 10 ready for the LS party on wednesday.

Also got to make time for fishing, especially with the new system.

[Darwock]

Very proud moment for me - i have just pulled off my very first solo skillchain & magic burst! I had a grin from ear to ear when I heard the SC kicking in, and the MB on top meant the entire fight (easy prey) lasted about 10 seconds. To make the moment even better it got spotted by some passers-by.. you can't have proper show-boating without spectators lol.

Another reason to add to the pile of why I want to level up - so I can get more magic burst options from my subjob! Pity my summoner can't use a sword or I'd be able to do Liquefactions as well as Detonation/Scission.

In fact now I'm wondering whether the half-strength summons from BLM/SMN could be used purely to generate magic bursts... I know they would do little damage themselves but hmmmm... this I have to try!

[talizker]

That sounds cool Darwock - looking forward to seeing that in action

After not getting a single party invite in 3 hours on Monday I got one in 2 minutes last night in Gustav Tunnel. Apart from the annoying waiting around when people left we had a great 2? hour stint making > 6k exp (meaning getting 41 and Refresh).

I am now back at my Mog House in Bastok if we are starting the level 10 party tonight...

[Darwock]

Arse, I forgot about the lvl 10 thing - I'm currently holed up in Mhaura. If I make it to Windurst I can use my republican stables medal though. How is it going to work regarding the scheduled maintenance? From past experiences it can sometimes be up to an hour after the stated finish time before it lets you on, and then the network is going to be congested meaning slow downloads for everyone. Tal are you going to be able to set the download going even if you can't play before 9:30-10?

Done some reading on skillchains now that they are viable for me, and turns out I made an error - I stupidly thought the elemental attribute next to the weapon skill showed what element the weapon skill was. That would be the sensible thing wouldn't it? Seems in some cases it bears no relation whatsoever... the good news for me is that means I can add liquefaction, impaction and reverberation to the list of possible solo chains. Niiice!

I've got a feeling smn would be a good match for sam in a party - blood pacts every 60 seconds might tie in well with a samurai's high TP regeneration for multiple chain opportunities.

[talizker]

I will have the PC on all night so will get the update as soon as I can which should mean i'll have no probelms being on for the normal time.

[C']

Remember, you can start downloading the update prior to the servers being back online.

Usually about halfway through planned maintenance time, the Play Now button on POL Viewer changes to Check Version and selecting it downloads the update (although obviously once done, you can?t get online until maintenance period is over)

However, sometimes the servers get overloaded and updating can takes ages.

[Darwock]

Well I put my lunch break to great use - ran into Windurst and collected my teleport medal - so I'll be ready to start in Bastok when the time comes.

[Tobal]

I believe the words im looking for concerning the new Samurai trait is...


HOLY **** BATMAN!

The samurai job trait Zanshin has been added.
After gaining this job trait, samurais may attack again immediately after missing a target.

and..

The effect of the samurai job ability Third Eye has been adjusted.
Magic, songs, and breath attacks will no longer cancel the effect of Third Eye. Also, the effect will extend to anticipating multiple-attack techniques that target a single opponent.

that means... Third Eye will now eat all of Barrage, Combo, Raging Fists, Goblin Rush, Jetstream...



and the rest..

The story of the Chains of Promathia continues, opening the way to the new area of Al'Taieu.The new region "Lumoria" has been added.
* This region is not included in the Conquest and will not be displayed in Region Info.
New quests centered in the Chains of Promathia areas have been added.
Numerous changes have been made to the Ballista system.
Details here >>
Multi-tickets for barges and manaclippers are now available for purchase.
The following changes have been made to the barge system :
-It is now possible to board barges from the same landing at which you disembarked.
-A new route for South Landing via Newtpool leaving from Central Landing has replaced
the Central Landing via Newtpool route leaving from South Landing.
-The number of barges operating per day has increased from four to five.
Mannequins are now on sale.
Mannequins can be purchased in Mhaura from the NPC Fyi Chalmwoh.
Also, mannequins of a different race can be purchased at a discount price by trading in an old mannequin.
Those wishing to purchase a mannequin must first complete the quest "It's Raining Mannequins."
It is now possible to choose the exit area after clearing certain battlefields. The battlefields and their corresponding exit areas are as follows :

* The exit area cannot be chosen after clearing a battlefield for the Chains of Promathia story. For Mine Shaft #2716 only, it is necessary to speak with a Moblin NPC in Newton Movalpolos after clearing the battlefield.
Battlefield Exit Area
Mine Shaft #2716 >> North Gustaberg, inside the entrance to Mine Shaft #2716
Spire of Holla La Theine Plateau, inside the entrance to the Spire of Holla
Spire of Dem Konschtat Highlands, inside the entrance to the Spire of Dem
Spire of Mea Tahrongi Canyon, inside the entrance to the Spire of Mea
Spire of Vahzl Beaucedine Glacier, inside the entrance to the Spire of Vahzl
Monarch Linn Misareaux Coast, inside the entrance to Monarch Linn

Even after completing the quest "Return to the Depths," it is now possible to take the shortcut to Mine Shaft #2716 by trading an Ahriman tear to the NPC Tarnotik in Oldton Movalpolos.
Forest carp are now accepted for the quests "The Rivalry" and "The Competition."
The reward for a single moat carp in the quests "The Rivalry" and "The Competition" has been changed to match the amount received when selling the fish to other NPCs.
The rewards for the quest "Inside the Belly" have been adjusted.

[Battle Related]New battlefield types known as Empty Notorious Monster (ENM) quests have been introduced.
Details here >>
Several new features have been added to the battlefield system.

- Best Time Record Holder -
When entering a battlefield, the record for the best time will now be accompanied by the record holder?fs name.


-When cleared by a party, the message will read, "That record is held by (number of)
adventurers, including (name of first member to enter the battlefield)!"
-When cleared solo, the message will read, "That record is held by (name of record holder)!

- Event Scene Skip -
It is now possible to skip the event scene for battlefields you have already cleared.New notorious monsters have been added to the Chains of Promathia areas.
A section of the monsters in the Chains of Promathia areas has been adjusted.
The behavior of certain monsters has been corrected.
The behavior of the Morion Worm has been adjusted.
A certain amount of time after it has been engaged in battle, the Morion Worm will retreat under the ground, ending the fight.
The location where monsters reappear after using the ability Mijin Gakure has been adjusted.
The limit for adjusting existing abilities using Merit Points has been raised.
The abilities available for Merit Point usage have been expanded.
These abilities have been divided by job type, as listed below.
There are two conditions for using Merit Points on these abilities: the job to which the ability pertains must be set as the main job, and the main job level must be 75.
Warrior Monk
-Berserk Recast
-Defender Recast
-Warcry Recast
-Aggressor Recast
-Double Attack Rate -Focus Recast
-Dodge Recast
-Chakra Recast
-Counter Rate
-Kick Attack Rate
White Mage Black Mage
-Divine Seal Recast
-Cure Cast Time
-Bar Spell Effect
-Banish Effect
-Regen Effect -Elemental Seal Recast
-Fire Magic Potency
-Ice Magic Potency
-Wind Magic Potency
-Earth Magic Potency
-Lightning Magic Potency
-Water Magic Potency
Red Mage Thief
-Convert Recast
-Fire Magic Accuracy
-Ice Magic Accuracy
-Wind Magic Accuracy
-Earth Magic Accuracy
-Lightning Magic Accuracy
-Water Magic Accuracy -Flee Recast
-Hide Recast
-Sneak Attack Recast
-Trick Attack Recast
-Triple Attack Rate
Paladin Dark Knight
-Shield Bash Recast
-Holy Circle Recast
-Sentinel Recast
-Cover Effect Length
-Rampart Recast -Souleater Recast
-Arcane Circle Recast
-Last Resort Recast
-Last Resort Effect
-Weapon Bash Recast
Beastmaster Bard
-Killer Effects
-Reward Recast
-Call Beast Recast
-Sic Recast
-Tame Recast -Lullaby Recast
-Finale Recast
-Minne Effect
-Minuet Effect
-Madrigal Effect
Ranger Samurai
-Scavenge Recast
-Camouflage Recast
-Sharpshot Recast
-Unlimited Shot Recast
-Rapid Shot Rate -Third Eye Recast
-Warding Circle Recast
-Store TP Effect
-Meditate Recast
-Zanshin Attack Rate
Ninja Dragoon
-Subtle Blow Effect
-Katon Effect
-Hyoton Effect
-Huton Effect
-Doton Effect
-Raiton Effect
-Suiton Effect -Ancient Circle Recast
-Jump Recast
-High Jump Recast
-Super Jump Recast
-Spirit Link Recast
Summoner
-Avatar Physical Accuracy
-Avatar Physical Attack
-Avatar Magical Accuracy
-Avatar Magical Attack
-Elemental MP Cost

If the target of a ranged attack moves out of weapon range, the ranged attack will now automatically miss.
The shield system has been altered.
Shields will now reduce the amount of damage taken instead of negating all damage.
The frequency with which a shield is used, as well as the amount of damage reduced, will depend on the type of shield equipped.
To coincide with these changes, shield usage will now be determined after any evasion effects are considered.
The blindness effect caused by the white magic spell Flash and the black magic spell Blind will now be considered as different status effects. Accordingly, Flash will no longer cancel the effect of Blind.
The white magic spell Banish will now cause more damage against undead monsters.
The white magic spell Banish III has become available.

-Banish III WHM Lv.65
The damage for Banish III cast by monsters has been adjusted, and paladin-type monsters will no longer have access to this spell.
The white mage job trait Divine Veil has been added.
The job trait Divine Veil enhances the effect of the job ability Divine Seal. When cast after using Divine Seal, the effect area for spells that remove status ailments will increase from a single target to a small radius.
New methods of obtaining the white magic spell Raise III have been added.
The samurai job trait Zanshin has been added.
After gaining this job trait, samurais may attack again immediately after missing a target.
The effect of the samurai job ability Third Eye has been adjusted.
Magic, songs, and breath attacks will no longer cancel the effect of Third Eye. Also, the effect will extend to anticipating multiple-attack techniques that target a single opponent.
The Super Jump ability of the dragoon?fs wyvern will now be called Super Climb.

[Item Related]A new feature regarding the storage of artifact armor has been added.
Artifact armor for each job consists of five parts: Head, Body, Hands, Legs, and Feet.
If you trade all five parts to one of the NPCs listed below, you will receive a key item called a "claim slip" in exchange for your artifact armor. You can retrieve your armor at any time by talking to the NPC and paying 1000 gil.

-Taulenne (Northern San d?fOria)
-Sinon (Bastok Markets)
-Tesch Garanjy (Windurst Woods)
-Caruvinda (Lower Jeuno)
-Ratonne (Tavnazian Safehold)
Several shops have new goods for sale.
The available amount of curry powder, holy basil, and ground wasabi has been increased.
Logging is now possible in the Misareaux Coast.
Logging results in the Lufaise Meadows have been adjusted.
With some exceptions, fish obtainable through fishing will now be bought at half the previous price by NPCs.
Conversely, the number of guild points gained per fish for Fishermen?fs Guild contracts will be multiplied by 1.5, and the new point limit will be recalculated based on this new value.
Changes and additions have been made to the items required to fulfill guild contracts.
A new key item called "Alchemic Ensorcellment" has become available for purchase with alchemy guild points.
The number of alchemy guild points required to purchase the key item Anima Synthesis has been reduced from 3000 to 2000.
Various new items have been added.
New synthesis/desynthesis recipes have been added.
It is now possible to trade cluster cores and snow lilies.
New graphics for fishing rods have been added.
It is now possible to add a maker?fs signature to the food item brain stew.
The icon for the item urushi has changed.

[System Related]Major improvements have been made to the fishing system. A new NPC has appeared near the Fishermen?fs Guild to explain the changes.
Details here >>
Search comment categories have been divided.
The previous four categories have been divided into seven: EXP party, Mission, Quest, Battlefield, Item, Synthesis, and Others. Newly added subcategories such as Seek Party and Find Member allow for more specific comments and searches.
New text commands for setting search comments have been added.
There are two steps to setting a search comment using text commands. First, compose a comment of up to 3 lines using /seacom. Second, set a category and subcategory with /seacomup to register the comment.
?@
1. Composing a Search Comment

/seacom (/sc) [line no.] "[mes.]"

Search comments can be up to 3 lines long. Enter the line number of the search comment window, and then type your message.
If you wish to enter spaces before the message, the entire message must be enclosed in quotation marks.

Example :
/seacom 1 Hello!
/seacom 2 Invite me to your party!
/sc 3 " Please!"

The first, second, and third lines of the search comment window will be entered as "Hello!", "Invite me to your party!", and " Please!", respectively.
At this point, your comment has yet to be registered and will not be displayed in searches. This is accomplished by setting the category name and subcategory number with the /seacomup command.

* Messages cannot exceed 40 characters for each line. Lines longer than 40 characters will be truncated.

2. Registering a Search Comment

/seacomup (/scu) [category name] [subcat. no.]
Category names and subcategory numbers are as follows :

-Category Names
expparty, mission, quest, item, synthesis, battlefield, others

-Subcategory Numbers
1 Seek Party, Want to Sell, Need Made
2 Find Member, Want to Buy, Can Make
3 Other

Example :
/seacomup expparty 1

Your search comment will be registered under Seek Party within Expparty, and will be displayed in searches involving these categories.

* If no category is specified, the message will be registered in Others. If no subcategory is specified, the message will be registered in 3 (Other).

Chat filters have been refined to allow separate settings for NPCs you are currently fighting and other NPCs.
It is now possible to separate NPCs with red names (those you are currently fighting) from NPCs with yellow or purple names (other NPCs) within the chat filter settings. This means that you can view log messages concerning the NPC you are fighting without interruption from other NPC actions.
The names for several chat filters have been changed. Their respective functions remain the same.
When entering and leaving the Mog House, the camera will now move to a position behind the character.
An issue concerning the screen remaining dark when entering or leaving the Mog House has been addressed.

[Known Issues]
The log window messages concerning the monster abilities Tortoise Song, Goblin Dice, and Dispelling Wind are occasionally inaccurate.

[C']

NIN got shafted with the new merit point abilities. ;_;

ENM details here:

http://ffxi.allakhazam.com/forum.html?forum=10&mid=1109179004184895548&num=10

Sadly, as I was kind of worried about the one that seems most LS members can do is lvl30 cap which means I'm out >.<

The wording of Zanshin confuses me. I get that it means if a SAM swings, and misses, he gets another swing right away without any delay. But what if he misses again? Does Zanshin keep kicking in until he hits or is it you get 2 hits, then delay even if you miss the second?

Wonder what impact WAR sub and Double Attack will have too? And if this job trait is low enough, you may see a lot of SAM subs reappearing in the near future.

Update is also available to download now.

EDIT - every update I keep seeing new things and making new posts. This time, I will endeavour to keep editing this one.

Anyway, this just caught my eye:

If the target of a ranged attack moves out of weapon range, the ranged attack will now automatically miss.

Without knowing too much about end game stuff (essentially HNMs) is this a RNG nerf for those battles? From my understanding someone kites the HNM around and RNG and BLM trail it. Sounds like they are making that more difficult.

[Darwock]

Yikes.. too much info given on that thread at allakazham! I got the bit about 5 days between fights - that's what i was looking for. I wonder if that's enough? I hope whatever resides in those battlefields kicks serious arse - to stop people bringing in their lazy low-level mates as an alternative to power-levelling.