FFXI Journal #3
I was going to wait to do another journal entry until after I posted some content for all of those people who could care less about FFXI. However, an update was requested and who am I to deny those who request of me? I promise more non-FFXI updates, really...believe....'hon...
On to the update:
Things have changed quite a bit. Iujk has passed me and is now a pimped out level 25 WHM with a level 20BLM and level 15 THF. This is the last I heard, it could be higher now. I'm not too far behind: 20THF, 19RDM, 14WHM, 12BLM, 8WAR. I promise to put in more work in to WAR, MNK, BLM, and WHM between now and the end of the week. I'm hoping to get WHM and BLM to 20 while stopping MNK and WAR somewhere around 12-14 unless I can find a forgiving PT willing to put up with crappy gear.
Smithing has improven. I'm a level 10 in blacksmithing now. Also, I have a level in leathercrafting. I've officially given up on all forms of crafting. I've dumped at least 30k in to it and all I have to show for it is a poor set of equipment for my level 20 jobs. I'm going to gear up my RDM and THF (single set people, I don't know who started this 3-set madness) and get to cracking in Qufim. I'll return to crafting when I can farm 10k and crystals like it's nothing.
The AsuraTitans have grown in size quite a bit. Notable members include: Baduno and Trysin (Bad and Trys). These two are my go to guys when it's time to to chat or throwdown in the Dunes. Speaking of the Dunes (or Doonies according to Bad), I hate it so much now.
I'm calling people out because not enough people do it. Or at least, I want to but I forget the names of these people. Vitalis has been the latest offender. I understand you're learning to tank as a Paladin, it's a shame you didn't learn anything as a WAR because you clearly don't know how to Provoke. "I'm saving Provoke incase I lose hate for an emergency." Guess what? If you Provoke as much as possible, you'll generate as much hate as possible -- decreasing the chance that you lose hate. To all tanks: Do not wait for the incredibly touch (IT) mob to smack us mages in the face before you realize we're generating more hate than you. I was a BLM for crying out loud, Blind and Poison alone puts me at the hate threshold forget nuking. I'm not really mad it happened, I'm mad it happened over and over. PLDs, forget about damage, cure and 'voke please let the WAR and BLM handle the killing. In case he ever reads this: after you caused a ruckus, we de-sync'd and grabbed a rabbit and logged safely in Selbina -- all 5 of us.
There's a cetain THF that needs to be called out but I forget its name. There's an important note for pullers though -- when the PT leader says we're good: start pulling. You know your job, pull until the mobs run out or the PT needs to stop. Both of these break conditions need to be addressed. When the mobs run out -- you may pull some filler mob to keep the EXP flowing. That's just good practice. You DON'T pull a stronger mob and hope everything turns out okay. It sounds like common sense but it apparently doesn't sink in for people and I've been wiped that way. Also, you need to understand when the PT needs to stop. It's easy to not notice when the WHM/healer is out of mana. Every PT member has their job and is focused on it. Guess what you're job is puller? To watch that little MP bar and make sure you don't pull when it gets low. Yes, the WHM should group notify that he is low on MP but not everyone has a parser and feels the need for an idiot light to go off. Make sure people are ready to kill, wiping your PT is officially grounds for getting kicked in my PTs.
Lessons for PTs:
- Don't argue with the PT leader -- be heard and then shut up; a good leader will do what's right
- Be alert: Look out for links, low MP, and idleness or disconnects.
- Come equipped -- you don't need the latest gear but showing up in a level 1 set is a definite party foul
- Stronger mobs are not acceptable when you can't find the proper mob to pull
- Noky on Asura doesn't like to be PT leader but when he is, he doesn't like idiots. If you're feeling a little stupid -- please politely decline the invitation.
- Do not leave after you level, it's rude. If you know you're going to have to dip out -- give the PT leader a time so he can schedule a replacement
- If you know something the leader doesn't, help out -- don't try a coup d'etat. (Thanks Bad)
- If the linkshell says AsuraTitans, they're awesome -- you should definitely keep them around
One more thing about the Dunes: I'd really appreciate it if people would stop power leveling there. Especially with WHMs in the PTs but in general too. The summer brings with it a lot of new players and there are already enough people who don't know how to play the game and their job. The Dunes sucks, but it sucks for a reason -- it's what makes people in to good FFXI players ready to take on Garrison, Dynamis, Maat, and all the other difficult challenges that await. Don't get me wrong, I love the EXP from a PL -- 400xp a pull is awesome stuff that allows you to take care of the Dunes in one or two nights. However, there's a lot of room for carelessness and idiocy because when it hits the fan (and it always does), there's a high level guy taking the heat and raising the few people that got caught up.
This "update" has been far too long already so I'm gonna wrap up. Tropico, my Taruhood brother, is more-than-likely calling it quits. He's a businessman AFK and has things to attend to. Nothing but love and I understand completely. Fortunately, Iujk is here to stay and the LS is growing by the day. Join the AsuraTitans people, it's where the good stuff is hidden. We keep it in little boxes...on the hillside...made of ticky-tacky.
Look for our first official AsuraTitans outing. We have plans to take on Rank 2-3 and N.Gustaberg Garrison.
