Final Fantasy XI Then...

[Magnakai]

I got an issue with some of the statements you've made about FFXI there Magnakai, how much did you play it before stopping exactly?

I got up to level 20something. I think this was about 3 weeks to a months play in FFXI. Granted, it's nothing compared to what some of you guys spent hacking away at it, but it's just my honest perception

Discourages? Whaaa? Quests quite often come with no explanation other than "There's something suspicious in that place! Go and check it out!" If that's not an encouragement to explore I don't know what is. Also consider for example the Selbina clay quest which can't be done without investigating every nook and cranny of dozens of in game locations to try and find those elusive stone monuments.

Certainly, and I do remember that sort of thing, but it's just that the game seemed to be mostly about party based hunting. The quests were moooostly, at least up to the point that I was at, a distraction. Everyone recalls spending a good week or so levelling in the Dunes. It was something that you almost had to do, as I can't really see any other way to effectively reach level 18 and collect the bits needed for your second class. The quests and cut scenes were certainly infinitely better than something like EQ or RO, and a step in the right direction, but the sheer amount and variation of quests in WoW make it impossible to draw a fair comparison.

I guess that means you never used sneaking magic/items to get through a high level dungeon in FFXI either? If you were a thief it may even have been to pick the lock on a chest :P

Well, yeah, I know you could do that. I did remember that about 10 minutes after I made tha post. However, as I recall, the game never instructed you to. It was always the player's choice in FFXI. That's an important distinction to me.

I would also say it's early days for WoW...

Right. This I certainly would agree with. For a general comparison, check the GameFAQs pages for each game
FFXI has loads, going into it's most minute detail:

http://www.gamefaqs.com/computer/doswin/game/555735.html

WoW has a bunch of quest guides, only 1 class guide, and no general FAQs

http://www.gamefaqs.com/computer/doswin/game/534914.html

FFXI starts off just as open and accessible to soloing and parties, it was only after 6 months to a year or so that it became much more of a challenge requiring co-operation etc, for me at least.

My point is that even relatively early on in FFXI you're rather depedant on having a group with you most of the time. I would argue that, while some of the quests are possible to solo, you're mostly constrained to party play for levelling. On the other hand, WoW offers the opportunity for both right the way through, at least as far as I can see. I honestly can't see myself spending 6 months in FFXI as a (mostly) solo player. Once you reach level 10/11, you have to party.

That thing about low level mobs aggroing you and giving up so as not to spoil it for low levels.. well the low level mobs ignore the high levels in FFXI anyway (unless you rest in front of some of them etc). Also mobs DO give up the chase - it may not happen often but it does happen.

That's true, actually. Makes my point rather redundant!

Also you kind of breezed over the combat explanation as if it's just a 'point and wait' system in both games.. can't speak for WoW but you've underestimated FFXI if you think thats all the combat is. It calls for strategy, timing, teamwork... the more I play the more I think the combat system is a work of genius.

Well, I did breeze over that a little, didn't I? I was writing assuming that everyone reading it would know about Renki etc. When I said "point and wait" I meant in the way that, for melee attacks at least, you justpoint yourself in the right direction and hit attack. This is in comparison to something like City Of Heroes, where you manually initiate each punch or Ragnarok Online. (CLICKCLICKCLICKCLICKCLICK!)
As far as the depth goes - I don't know what happens in WoW when you get a much more finely attuned party. I can see it really helping, in similar ways to FFXI, bar the timing/renki system. The buffs that classes can

From poking through allakhazam, it seems that most of the depth is in creating different builds of characters - something I didn't touch on at all - and how to use them effectively. The skill and talent systems allow for, IMHO, greater character customisation than in FFXI. You have the choice to focus on different parts of your character. There are rogues that play this way and there are rogues that play that way. And they're all balanced pretty well, as far as I know.
It's not as immediately obvious as the dual-class system, but it really feels much more of an evolution than the immediate revolution in FFXI. I realise I'm getting down to the niggly bits here, and this is one of the areas that just feels better in WoW.

I do miss FFXI. It's a damn fine game, and I often glance longingly at the box on my shelf (actually sadder than it sounds) but for my money, WoW offers a better experience all round.
I hope this elaboration's made a bit more sense... I certainly am not trying to tempt anyone away from Rargh or Seraph, but this is just my honest opinion.

[C']

Hmmm, sad to say, but I think the time has come to finally hang up my katanas and call it a day.

I've just been online to see the price of my current want (Elusive Earrings) had gone up another 100k overnight, however that in itself would not have been enough to make me give it up. It is but one piece of equipment, one that I would have gladly foregoed and confidently told anyone who questioned my decision not to pay 100% price rise for the item to **** OFF! and felt assured I wasn't being gimp.

However, I looked at some other items that I would need between now and 65 and all of them have received a price increase of 200-300k multiplying the amount of gil I would have needed to made by a not insignificant amount.

However, perhaps the final nail in the coffin was when I checked out the prices of Ninja Tools, and in particular, Shihei. Currently priced at 10k a stack, and I'm at a stage now where I am going to need approximately 5-6 stacks per level (and more and more as the levels pass) and the thought of needing over 100k per level to EXP is not something I particularly enjoy the thought of.

It is a difficult decision. I don't want to quit. In fact, in a way it makes the last 14 months seem like rather a waste. Spent all that time leveling a job and not even gotten it to the point where I get to experience end game activities or even see every single zone in the game. Surely that was the reason I played in the first place?

In fact, it is uncommon for something like this to beat me. However, the fact is that, by fair means or foul, other people who play have dictated a rate of inflation that I feel unable to keep up with and despite Square-Enix's best intentions, there is little that they can do about it, mostly because they were far too slow to react to external pressures impacting on the game and now I feel the damage has been done and is close to being irrepairable The price increases of recent times have made it clear to me that my abilities to play the NIN job are insufficient to keep up with those others at or around my level who are able to offer higher prices for the equipment they need.

Sadly, it seems there is no place for a farming Ninja in Vana'diel.

So it is with a heavy heart that I wish everyone good luck in their future endeavours with the game but for me the magic I first felt with the game has been replaced with apathy (Apathye? ) and resentment. I always remember bumping into Tobal completely by random (we were THF and MNK at the time) and proceeded to get beat down hard by an Orcish Neckchopper on La Theine Plateau. Back then I didn't even know what lay beyond with Valkurm Dunes feeling like an area for people many times my level, but the game seemed magic. It was a severe disappointment when time came to log off as I knew it meant another day at work before I could return. Now logging off is a rest from the stresses and strains in my level. Surely a game is supposed to be the opposite?

Anyway apologies for the long, rambling post. I guess I thought typing stuff out may clear my mind a bit and let me focus on my decision (maybe even change my mind).

Mihki, Mahlory - been a pleasure to play with both of you in both of your character incarnations. First time I saw Sturn we were in Giddeus, helping Nyoneme with the Rank 3 dragon battle which was also the very same day I unlocked NIN. I was so happy that day ^_^ And PTing with Akasha in Gusgen Mines trying to get a Magicked Skull was a truly memorable Friday night. Sadly, Mihki's decision to go PLD meant that we could never PT in a true EXP situation and that is something that I regret now. Perhaps if I had followed a different path, I wouldn't be making this post now.

Tobal - Like I said, bumping into you in La Theine and the obligatory "are you from NTSC-uk" messages are a constant memory. I truly hope you get your Haubergeon as I am truly impressed with your dedication to the SAM job in a game where many players feel forced to neglect their job of choice to appease the masses and level a more 'invite friendly' class. If you could only have seen my face the day you got your Ochiudo's Kote to drop. I had a smile from ear to ear

Wedge - You got me in the linkshell in the first place. One thing that has impressed me is your constant willingness to help people ahead of your own in game needs (a fact made clear to me tonight with your /tell regarding BCNM60). Heck, you even offered to reak all the way from Windurst to La Theine to give me a pearl. You are always up for helping if you possibly can. Much respect for you

Apathye - You don't visit here but I'm posting this anyway Genuinely one of the friendliest and funnest people I met in game. No offence to any of the others (as everyone is great) but I think I will miss you the most. Again always helpful and show a real appreciation and enthusiasm for the game. Our conversation 2 Sundays ago was the weirdest and most unintentionally funny thing I've ever witnessed. Never before have I had a joke so disastoursly backfire PS_ you went away with my Winged Boots >.<

Vanicent - you get nothing. I'll probably see you tommorrow lol. Nah, I wish we could have sticked at around at similar levels so could have teamed up at some point. Sadly your uni commitments meant it was not to be.

Daragon - Yes, you ****ing annoyed me sometimes, but I do think deep down you enjoy the game else you wouldn't still be in it However I'll admit that there were times when your comments made me smile. If only because, in my lowest times you always made me realise someone, somewhere, was having a worse time than me

Nyoneme - Well you showed me how to really get ahead in this game. Whilst I was struggling to get my first AF you were already HNM fighting, Dynamis exploring uber player. Yet at the same time, you always kept in contact and remained friendly and always helped when you could. Again, much appreciated.

Sorry if I missed anyone out but I will miss you all. Also, this may not be a final goodbye. Cesarion still wishes to continue to play so the account will remain active, with Rarehero occupying his Jeuno Rent-a-Room indefinitely. You may even see my name on the LS from time to time as I plan to keep an eye on the economy every now and then, just to see how things are going. If things take a positive turn I will have no hesitation to return. This is also the reason why my gear and gil are not being distributed out to people. This may not be the end.

Much respect guys (and girl )

Rare

[Razz]

You don't need Elusive Earrings, just get NQ (or HQ, but I bet those are a ****ton of gil) Eris Earrings. Enmity is my choice for ears. What level are you anyway?

The BCNM is reallly really easy to do btw.

[Tobal]

Don't quit man, if the haubie doesn't drop below 2.9-3m(currently 3.5m from 3.8m) next week im just gonna say **** them and buy back my snipers and masters gi, i know i'll feel gimped not having the must have item's(heck i wish had Leaping and Emp.Pin to) but i know im not gill buyer or a sad **** that spends 24/7 NM camping.

All we have to do it get bcnm(60/40 whatever) back on track and figure out a winning team even if means have pick winning formulas that leave people out from time to time, and at the moe i don't mind sitting out of a few BCnm to make room for better jobs, as gil till end game for me now won't cost much more than 300-500k every 5 lvls which is easily farmable/craftable.

And if you're truely sick of your job try another, i did when i nearly lost all faith in mid 40's with my samurai and took up paldin for a month or so, Ninja isn't the only job out there.

P.S. i totally forgot how we met and its now totally flooded back to me, how was very random it was, man those where the days i was monk this time last year and not little problems out side making 10k in gil and getting my sub job

[mikewl]

Rare its a good thing that you are keeping your account open, give the game a rest, right now your focus on obtaining equipment you need is spoiling the experience, a week or two away from playing might be all you need away.

A while ago I also was at the point of quitting, I had actually posted here listing all my equip which I was going to give away.

I uninstalled the game and decided to take a break for a while, it didnt take long before I was back on and enjoying things, doing the Shadow Lord fight etc.

Also when I mentioned about doing that BCNM60 for the ring, I got the impression you did not think it was fair since you would not be supplying the orb, I say forget that dude, Rargh is a team and everyone I have spoke to about it was more than willing to help you out and no one thought it was unfair. I think we have to start working more and more as a team to progress.

Another thing, as you have said you will be checking the economy etc.

The prices in the game are all over the place at the moment and I get the feeling now is a bad time to buy anything that costs a bit, in a few weeks the prices are going to adjust and hopefully for the better.

Im finding fishing a fun and rewarding thing at the moment, I have been to quite alot of areas I dont go to often to get the best fish for my skill lvl.

On saturday I was on the Selbina boat for a long time and being a busy day there were many other fishermen on the boat, lots of conversation about the skill and places to fish, it was really a good change of pace.

[C']

You don't need Elusive Earrings, just get NQ (or HQ, but I bet those are a ****ton of gil) Eris Earrings. Enmity is my choice for ears. What level are you anyway?

The BCNM is reallly really easy to do btw.

I'm level 61 at the moment and my earrings are currently:

Dodge Earring (Evasion+3)
Eris Earring (Emnity+2)

My plan was to keep the Eris and replace Dodge with Elusive. However, at levels 63/64 I will be getting Arhat's gear which will already provide a ****load of Emnity. Having more on the ears would be wasteful I thought, so was planning on going for an Elusive/Dodge Earring combo (maybe Elusive/Elusive).

Also, I have read that the BCNM battle is easy but I have lousy luck when it comes to getting drops that I need. Killed the Hotogisu NM 8 times with no drop. Killed Leaping Lizzy 4 times no drop, it goes on. Maybe there is a hidden 'luck' stat and I flatlined on it

[mikewl]

I'm level 61 at the moment and my earrings are currently:

Dodge Earring (Evasion+3)
Eris Earring (Emnity+2)

My plan was to keep the Eris and replace Dodge with Elusive. However, at levels 63/64 I will be getting Arhat's gear which will already provide a ****load of Emnity. Having more on the ears would be wasteful I thought, so was planning on going for an Elusive/Dodge Earring combo (maybe Elusive/Elusive).

Also, I have read that the BCNM battle is easy but I have lousy luck when it comes to getting drops that I need. Killed the Hotogisu NM 8 times with no drop. Killed Leaping Lizzy 4 times no drop, it goes on. Maybe there is a hidden 'luck' stat and I flatlined on it

That Katana is a pain to get but to be honest all the Katana runs have been enjoyable trips, I know from speaking to some other Ninja's that its a very rare drop, something like a 1/20 chance to drop, the people I spoke to all did not get the drop untill at least 20 tries.

Im still up for trying again.

[Daragon]

I think thats a rather unfair thing to say about me, rare. A little offensive even but 1 point you made does ring true. Yes, I do have it much worse than you in-game, but yet I'm still playing.

I'm going to use as an example, my lack of Leaping/wing boots and Emp's pin. Would I love to own both those items? Yes. Do I care that I don't have those items simply because I can't afford to buy or camp them? No. Do I still get party invites despite not having them? Yes. Do other people care that I don't have them? No. Do other people TELL me that I'm gimped and that I suck by not having them? No.

My point is a simple one: You don't have to make yourself "Teh Uber" at every possible opportunity. What I do is find a cheaper alternative for the item(s) I can't afford or simply go without. My belief is, why spend 500k + on, lets say an earring for example that has +5 eva on, when you could spend under 50k on an earring that has +3 to eva. Sure you don't get +5, but who is going to care? You say that Ninja is no good for farming? I'd guess your thf is a few levels into 30 at least, why not take that further like me? Sure TH2 doesn't guarantee drop still, but everyone I've spoken to about it says its definately a worthwhile thing to have and is a noticable improvement over TH1.

You think the economy sucks? Join the club. You think I "****ing" annoyed you, I'm going to be honest with you, there's been more than a few occasions when I got extremely pissed as a result of something you either said or did and I think you can think of a few of those times yourself.
My attitude is the same for almost every MMORPG. As paying customers of a product, would you expect sloppy, lousy, non existant customer service? A lazy workforce that refuses to address glaringly obvious problems? Broken features? Some element of that product which made your life that little bit more difficult? No, you shouldn't. I pick up on problems such as these and express my opinion on them and I'm sorry if people seem to disagree with me.

I do realise I'm more than just a little vocal in-game, but thats only because I raise valid points and rather than talk to a wall about them, I feel the need to speak to someone who might just be able to relate. Recent examples include the price hike of chocobos in Jeuno/crag to 2k, the unfair prices on kit that I want to buy (sound familiar?). Dying for the 11 millionth time because out of nowhere something 10 levels higher than me has just spawned ontop of me or discussing the interesting beliefs of a gil seller.

Perhaps if I remained in complete silence while on the LS, that would be better? That way I wouldnt be able to accidentally annoy someone.

/endrant

[C']

lol it was a tongue in cheek comment you muppet.

Hence the

[Daragon]

I'm sorry if I mis-interrpreted your post, but I do realise I must piss off at least one person with my comments, thats as certain as the earth turns, and there's not been 1 MMORPG I've been in where someone's indirectly been on the end of my old-man esque rants.

There's also always been an MMORPG where someone had the absolute gall to confront me on my "Damn, could this be anymore ****" attitude, and by reading your post rare, I thought you were being genuinely serious

[Marvelon]

Shame to see you go Rare, it's been a pleasure having you around, always helpful, always willing to give advice (even get out bed to give advice ). Your dedication and commitment to the ninja job is exemplary, there may be players who have better equipment, but I doubt there is anyone out there as dead set on playing the game to the best of their abilities. I mean, levelling your sub with emp pin and winged boots O_O

I think the current Economy situation now sells the idea of a static though, we know why we don't have the ultra uber equipment of each other (I can't be arsed to farm for a vigor ring, so I'm fishing for it (which will take ages) Mahl certainly won't pay 3.something million for a vermillion cloak, so has opted to level SMN sub instead. Apathye and the Moldavite earring, Tobal and the haubie etc.)

In fact, because I play one of the cheapest jobs in the game I won't take part in any BCNMs anymore, unless a PLD is absolutely necessary. I don't need the gil, and there are plenty people who'd rather do it who do need the cash.

Actually Rare, with the static now at 5 people, you could fill in as an extra DD... ever considered subbing RNG? ^^

[Darwock]

Why do we never hear anything of Toxicforce these days? I saw him in Jeuno the other night.

[mikewl]

I agree with Mihki on bringing Rare into the static, we were doing excellent when we partied with Tox and Natasha. I know it means two tank jobs and it may not be the way you want to level but maybe something can be arranged.

On another note, im upto 750k gil now and soon hope to have my Apollo's Staff or if they are ever back on sale on the AH two Melody Earrings +1, not sure which to get first.

Fishing is bringing me a fair amount of gil now, boat fishing usually brings in about 25-30k back to Jeuno fishing in port for another 10k or in Rolanberry Fields for Moat Carp. im now lvl 26.

[Sdub]

wow Rare, well I won't try to dissuade you that's a decision each man (and woman) has to make for themselves. But I will say that Rargh will be a poorer LS without you.. and you will always be more than welcome.

I suppose that when you play a game like this with the same people for such a long time, they become more than just 'that hume that we partied with last night' to actualy becoming friends.. if that sounds kinda sad or psycho stalkerish it wasn't meant to be, but I know that when me and Mihki talk about anyone in the LS actually, but especially those that we have known the longest it is with a certain fondness that is usually reserved for your mates.

When we were talking about having a LS meet the other day Rare and you said you were a bit shy I was really surprised because I was thinking 'but we've known you so long, how could you be shy around us?' lol. Yeah ok maybe it is kinda sad :/

Anyway I hope that you will be around for me and Mihki's wedding which Tobal is trying to get a date for as we speak, if not in person then at least looking over Cesarion's shoulder

[Tobal]

still waiting on the 2nd lot of lotto results for that.