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FFXI Was My Childhood (Homecoming)Follow

#1 Aug 17 2014 at 8:07 PM Rating: Good
Greetings Fellow Adventurers,

Hope everyone is well. I'm posting because I am highly contemplating returning to Vana'diel. I spent a large majority of my childhood in the world of Vana'diel nerding away into long hours of the night.

I'd like to get some input on how easy it would be to return to FFXI once again. I quit FFXI just before the release of ToAU to nay return. However, my curiosity has got the best of me and now I've come this far to investigate. My main fear is everything will be different and the old player mechanics won't be the same and I'll be a total noobcake. Also, if it isn't too bad to return I'll be looking for a new home (server, linkshell, community). Would love invitations to friendly and helpful LS.

Thanks ahead of time for your input to those who do.
#2 Aug 18 2014 at 12:34 PM Rating: Decent
Bump

Edited, Aug 18th 2014 5:43pm by throwbacktime
#3 Aug 18 2014 at 1:07 PM Rating: Good
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It's not really any less friendly, it's just there are significantly fewer people playing than there were seven years ago. If you quit before ToAU then all I can say is that your main fear is justified; everything has changed and you will be a total noobcake. Trying to explain everything that has changed since ToAU would be like writing a dissertation, to be honest. Some people, like myself, don't even play anymore. We just check in on the forums every now and then because it's a part of our childhoods which we, for some reason, don't fully let go of.

Anyway, here's a link to something that may help you: http://www.bg-wiki.com/bg/Returning_to_Vana'diel

A short summary of what I can remember that has changed is that 6-man parties no longer exist, traditional exp parties no longer exist, crafting is mostly useless, all gear you have will be obsolete, level cap is now 99, and server populations will be lower.

You WILL be confused if you return, but there are guides around on here and on other sites like the one linked above and FFXIAH. Learn about Abyssea as it will be one of the faster ways to level up if you can find a way to get into a party there for free (yes, level 30s pay to boost to 99 in Abyssea now). The other quick way to level is with book-burn parties. It'll make sense if you come back and ask what they are or read about them.

Your best bet would be to find a server with a decent population, which you'll have to ask around to find out as I've no idea, and /shout for a newbie LS. Try it for a month, try make some friends to guide you through, and if you don't like how FFXI is now then all you've lost is a few hours and a little money.

#4 Aug 18 2014 at 1:52 PM Rating: Excellent
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Dimondis paints a rather bleak picture... it isn't that bad.

The game has changed radically in the past few years, but many of the changes have been focused on making the game more casual friendly.

--6-person exp parties don't really exist, because it is viable to get exp solo, with 18, or anywhere in between. The new Trust system lets you capp up to three NPCs of various jobs to flesh out a group or support you solo. Abyssea provides fast and easy exp (no, you normally don't have to pay, although lower level characters are expected to provide some particular support functions) for up to a full ally.

--It is much easier to catch up now. The new Records of Eminence (RoE) system lets you build points as your character progesses, ultimately offering baseline ilvl gear that will allow you to participate in many end-game events as you build up further. These events are fairly open; there is no 72+ hour HNM camping against the entire server in hopes of a drop.

--End game content is more forgiving and inclusive than it used to be, and much less job specific, although some jobs perform better i nsome events than others. That said, if you are returning, your best bet for entry into this is to start with a support job (whm, geo, brd, cor) and use that to build a DD.

--A number of Quality of Life improvements just simply remove many of the hassles that we used to have to deal with.

All of that said, yes, if you're interested in returning, try it out for a month or so, and ask questions.
____________________________
Renatus (Titan)
"We are Dragoons, and to make short work of foppish cavalry is our bread and butter."
-Bob Shaftoe, The System of the World
#5 Aug 18 2014 at 2:44 PM Rating: Good
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I didn't mean to sound bleak XD Sorry!
#6 Aug 18 2014 at 3:42 PM Rating: Good
You two are awesome!

Jesus. Book burning, 99 level caps, 3 NPC companions (I remember being able to have 1 and they were otherwise useless), dissertation amounts of new **** I don't even remember Abyssea fully...barely remembered Sky. I won't lie to you brothers, I'm intimidated. I am intrigued by the new RoE system (that seems very helpful).

The fact that you say you can SOLO is frightening...the only SOLO function I remember was to about level 15 in Konschtat or La Thiene then flag goes up for a grueling grind in the Dunes...the loss of the grind parties is something I'm very happy to hear. Part of the reason I quit was it was too time consuming.

I was your average Penta-Thrust spamming DRG...is there any place for Dragoons these days? I was well versed in most jobs (pre-toah) but DRG was by far my fav (I think it was the ability to Jump). I hate support jobs. White Mages were always too squishy for me. I was very good at RDM (my first 70 was RDM). What are your suggestions for an economical and quick to level job? I am thinking THF, RDM or WAR.

Let me know your thoughts. Again, I appreciate the input I'm receiving!



Edited, Aug 18th 2014 5:50pm by throwbacktime
#7 Aug 18 2014 at 3:53 PM Rating: Good
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mmm drg are in a bit of a tough patch. They are a decent DD but they don't quite match up to the strongest DDs. They are wanted for niche uses (Angon, Piercing weak mobs) but don't see as much play as SAM and RNG and MNK in terms of DDs. To be fair, no DDs see as much use as SAM MNK and RNG.

You can totally do a lot of events on DRG etc, just don't expect to see people shouting for that specifically. You'll have an easier time gearing DRG if you level a support job but... then good luck ever getting off the support job! To be honest, play the job you wanna play and you'll find opportunities to use it.

I am in a very casual and friendly shell on Asura that I'm sure you could join (I don't have a sack but they seem to let people join whenever they want). It includes people leveling up and stuff as well as doing endgame. you don't have to entirely solo - you can call trusts in parties now too so... if you meet a fellow traveller you can join up.



Edited, Aug 18th 2014 2:54pm by Olorinus
#8 Aug 18 2014 at 4:06 PM Rating: Good
Question about the "Trust".

Is that something that is automatically activated by anyone? How do you obtain your 3 NPCs (maybe as you hit certain levels)? I guess I really just need to go by the game and get over this intimidation factor..I'll probably start Friday.

Olorinus thank you for the invitation to your LS. I actually used to have a character on Asura named Urubaen so it would be nice to return to something familiar even if the only "familiar" thing is the server name.
#9 Aug 18 2014 at 4:20 PM Rating: Good
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Trusts are essentially spells which summon NPCs to act as party members. Once you hit level 5 you can begin acquiring them from a quest given by an NPC in one of the starting nations.

Edit: Trusts are slightly different to the NPC companion you remember (which, by the way, can now cap at 99 and can be helpful to have!). Trusts don't need to gain EXP in order to level up. They're automatically synced to your level and will learn spells/weapon skills automatically. Having 3 Trusts and an Adventuring Fellow with you is like having your own little party. Now, if only they could chat with you... lol.

Here's some info on the Trusts and quests: http://wiki.ffxiclopedia.org/wiki/Category:Trust

Apologies if I made it sound scary, and be sure to double check my info as I don't currently play =P Just going by what I remember.

Edited, Aug 18th 2014 6:25pm by Diamondis
#10 Aug 18 2014 at 4:21 PM Rating: Good
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The trust is used like magic... like a summoning spell. Each NPC is obtained in a different way, here are some sites that will help you figure out where to get different ones:

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/38761-About-the-Trust-Initiative
http://wiki.ffxiclopedia.org/wiki/Category:Trust

Some of them you get through general mission progress - others you can get by doing a trust specific quest line, others you get through special in-game campaigns (like last month they did a bunch from the past that you could get for 1000 Allied Notes each)

Some are from login points (Ukka). Others from events.(Mumor)

We pretty much seem to get at least 1 trust that we can buy with login points each month. Some are repeats, others are new.


Edited, Aug 18th 2014 3:42pm by Olorinus
#11 Aug 18 2014 at 5:00 PM Rating: Good
Great information folks. You've convinced me that I just need to experience the new FFXI to understand really how much has changed. I am excited to hear that the vanilla game/jobs/general idea is the same. It's just the expansions after ToAU and leveling that I will have to get accustomed to.

As a matter of fact, I am just gonna buy the digital download of the Collector's Edition from Gamestop tonight and dive headfirst. Olorinus, I will post here to notify you when I get my client updated and fully installed. I will PM you my character's name and we can meet up in-game to get me a pearl (if you're available tonight).

I'm feeling very anxious mixed with heavy nostalgia. Wish me luck fellow (ex-)Adventurer's! Would love to add anyone who is willing to answer my noobish questions throughout my transitional return to Vana'diel.

Thank you again Diamondis, RenatusofTitan and Olorinus for the crash course!
#12 Aug 18 2014 at 6:21 PM Rating: Good
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Welcome Back.

They always come back.............muhahahaha.....Smiley: lol







Seriously welcome back, you are gonna have a lot of fun.
#13 Aug 18 2014 at 7:15 PM Rating: Good
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Indeed, they do always come back... game is like crack, but a nice, nostalgic crack! I'd jump back in myself if any of my friends remained in the game. Making new ones is too hard for an old man like me =P
#14 Aug 18 2014 at 7:52 PM Rating: Good
Thank you Nako! Diamondis, hey you might as well come back! I could use a mentor! I'm starting from scratch. Old account(s) info has been lost throughout the years.
#15 Aug 18 2014 at 7:56 PM Rating: Good
Oh hey...does FFXI support windowed mode yet or should I get a windower? I have all the games/expansions installed but I've got a 2hr FFXI update before I can play.

#16 Aug 18 2014 at 8:09 PM Rating: Good
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FFXI has a windowed mode now, but I've never used it because of that program that shall not be named which always did everything better =P The 3rd party one has and always will be superior, imo. I am tempted to come back... I've been getting that itch I always get during the time between classes where I want to re-activate and play. Every time I do, though, I just watch my moogle spin because I have no clue what's going on in terms of events anymore XD I left shortly before Abyssea, then I came back a little after the first Abyssea expansion, and was hella confused by it all for a while. Then I left again before SoA came out... now when I come back I'm hugely confused by SoA, and a little pissed off that everything I worked for (and spent time helping friends with) is now not worth getting! lol.

If I can scrape $25 together sometime I may join you and Olorinus on Asura. Odin has nothing left for me D:
#17 Aug 18 2014 at 8:26 PM Rating: Good
I hear ya. Due to my amazing Google Fiber connection, I am down to 35 minutes to go! You know where to get a hold of me when you do come back.
#18 Aug 18 2014 at 8:38 PM Rating: Good
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Oh, you're so sure I'm coming back, huh!?! Well let me tell YOU something... You're probably right >.>; I haunt the shadows of these forums, but no one posts much any more, so feel free to post about stuff you need help on. Will give me something to reply to =P
#19 Aug 19 2014 at 12:25 PM Rating: Good
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I'll catch you tonight. If not, here are some members of LS listed: http://www.ffxiah.com/linkshell/Asura/Magical/#achievements

It's super friendly so I'm sure if you send anyone on this list a tell they will hook you up with a pearl. Heeroyuy is almost always on and a leader in the shell so can definitely hook you up.

Sorry I missed you last night!

Edited, Aug 19th 2014 11:28am by Olorinus
#20 Aug 19 2014 at 3:15 PM Rating: Decent
Hey sounds good! Name is Tajekowa! See you tonight possibly!
#21 Aug 19 2014 at 4:09 PM Rating: Good
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throwbacktime wrote:
Hey sounds good! Name is Tajekowa! See you tonight possibly!


I should be on in about 2 and a half hours!
#22 Aug 19 2014 at 5:50 PM Rating: Good
On now currently!
#23 Aug 20 2014 at 4:33 AM Rating: Good
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Hmmm So I'm getting my daily ffxi fix is like how an addict needs their crack, only difference is at least I don't have to spend HALF MY DAY robbing & earning to support my habbit, I justneed to get ONE grannies handbag a week to cover my next weeks electric and £10per month subscription Mwoarhahaha.
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