Though FFXI is often full of downtime, when the time for action arrives, speed and accuracy are key. To this end, the FFXI development team has slaved tirelessly on creating a UI that is unparalleled in the MMO world. This month, I'd like to salute their hard work on creating one of the best UI I have ever seen.

The number one goal of any UI is to communicate as much information as possible to the user without taking up too much space. FFXI's status bar takes care of this with a series of icons that tell you every thing you need to know about what effects are on you- good and bad. Let's look at a few examples. Take, for instance, barspells:



With just a glance, the player knows that Barthunder is active, and not any of the other 12 barspells, shielding them from a monster's devastating elemental attacks. Moving on:


This one is obvious. The impenetrable protection of Phalanx is breathtakingly rendered.

Gaze ye now upon the glorious radiance of Ballad:


And minuet!

Let's not forget the potent DoT of Requiem:


Let's look at some offensive buffs. Respectively: Berserk, Counterstance, Divine Seal, and War Cry, each unique effect masterfully rendered in icon form:



Practically works of art! Hey. Let's play a game. I'll show you an icon, you tell me what buff it is. Ok? Here we go:



Almost too easy, huh? I'm sure you know what it is so I won't insult you by spelling it out!

By now it should be clear just how much work went into making the status bar as concise and communicative as possible. So let's look at other examples of SE's fantastic UI.

Information about your character's stats are practically what the game revolves around. Again SE provides us with an at-a-glance interface to get all the relevant information in just seconds.



Awesome. (Not pictured: Accuracy, ranged accuracy, ranged attack, haste, dps, enmity, recast timers, evasion, spell interruption rate, +/- HP mod, +/- MP mod)

When it comes time to actually fight, information is once again key. When a dangerous HNM pops and all the LSs of the server must race down to Dragon's Aery to get claim on the fearsome Fafnir, creating an alliance quickly and accurately is very important. That's why SE created the Party List menu, to give you instant access to all the relevant information pertaining to your current party setup.



During a hectic fight, communication is key. Knowing the MP of, TP of, and status effects on other party members, especially those in the other parties of the alliance, is key. The party list to the right of the screen will tell you all you need to know!



Some HNMs require that those performing melee damage be able to disengage at a moment's notice, often in a panic after a powerful attack has rent a tank asunder! Luckily, a button to instantly disengage from the target monster is provided right on the battle menu. No confirmation is necessary, it just goes!



I hope that my overview of the FFXI UI has given you a whole new perspective on what a...something... it is! See you next month!

Here are the things we wiped to this month:

Bahamut!



2x Bahamuts Staff
1x Bahamuts Hose
4x Bahamuts Mask

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Sky!

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Odin! Are you sure he drops oldworld abjurations?

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Dynamis! I'm pretty sure we did more than just kill 1 eft, though. /glare

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Omega!

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Sandworm!







3x Avalon Breastplate
2x Zahaks Mail
1xVelocious Belt
2xAvalon Shield
2xWhite Tathlum
2xBlack Tathlum
1xFragarach
1xOily Trousers

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Ixion!







4xIxion Cape
6xHermes Sandles
5xAzoth
3xIxion Cloak

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And now for loot!

Aeri and Cei are really excided about their Ixion cloaks. Also, Suzaku's scythe and cleric's cap/cleric's mitts.


I rather enjoy my Azoth, White Tathlum, Black Tathlum, and Ixion Cloak. They call me king of WotG.


Atumre's taru smashing will go even better with Bard's Cannions, Enkidu's Subligar, and Beast Slayer.


Ceiyne attempts to recapture his lootwhore glory days with Azoth, Ixion Cloak, Summoner's Pigaches, and Zahak's Mail.


Drewbixcube's only puzzle is how he manages to not burn his own retinas looking in a mirror. Grats an Aurum Gauntlets and Oily Trousers.


I want to say something mean about Gizmosan but I've held out this far so I wont. Grats on Avalon Breastplate, Hermes Sandles, Black Tathlum, and Melee Crown.


If you're wondering, yes, Kazen does hate your fragile mind. Grats on Duelist's Boots, Hermes Sandles, Velocious Belt, and Valor Surcoat. I guess.



It's ok guys, Kuno has stoneskin and Terra Staff. Grats on Ixion Cape, Avalon Shield(lol?), and Hofud. Also grats on leading the way to a bright new future with Thunder Grip.


The bellyshirt is Nikkei's fault. Grats Marius on Azoth and Summoner's Pigaches.


Not even Maxxan can stand to look at himself. Grats on Goliard Clogs and Enkidu's Subligar.


I wonder who will win? Grats Nikkei on Avalon Breastplate.


Trust me, Nirokun will just keep asking you to go to his mog house until you do it. Grats on Ixion Cape, Shadow Trews, White Tathlum, Fragarach, Summoner's Bracers +1, and Monster Gloves.



Septimus is probably deciding if he loves me or hates me for this update. Grats on Hermes Sandles, and grats to the floor of his mog house on Monster Trousers.


Sonomaa is probably just glad I haven't said any swear words in this update. Grats on Hermes Sandles, Bahamut's Mask, Saotome Kabuto, Melee Hose, and Homam Corazza.



This is Toecutter/Barada. He got a Zahak's Mail and Duelist's Chapeau. The Night Rider knows who he is.


I almost forgot to put Tsukasaz in the update. These things happen. Grats on Ixion Cloak, Azoth, Adaman Sollerets, Hecatomb Leggings, Byakko's Axe, and Bahamut's Mask.



And whose UI was straightforward enough to bring in the most loot?

It's a Ryphen! Grats on Black Tathlum, Avalon Breastplate, Ixion Cape, Byakko's Haidate, Suzaku Sune-ate, and Hecatomb Leggings.



I wanted to make the humour in this update so impenatrible and esoteric that only 10 people on EARTH would get it, but I decided not to. You're welcome.