NiN LS - Low man endgame shell

[kareface]

http://nineinchninjas.com/images/Banner.jpg

I've been meaning to rewrite this post for a while. Today I've set aside the time to do so. I'll explain a little more about the shell and go into a little detail.

Our site is:
http://nineinchninjas.com

Our Forums are:
http://nineinchninjas.com/forums/index.php

What is the shell about?

Nine Inch Ninjas was formed after Iron LS broke. A group of Iron members got together and decided to make a low man shell. Looking back, it's hard to even conceive that we are the same shell anymore. How far we've come and how much we've managed to do with as few as we have. Even now, there are only a few members that still play from when we made the shell. We are always focused on now. Our loot system is designed to benefit the most active players, not the oldest. When we get everything we need from an event, we try and keep expanding the content in the shell to keep up with the player base. While keeping older events for newer members to continue with, or selling anything not needed.

We have 3 main principles at the core of the shell. First off, we always try and limit the number of people in the shell. If you can do the same events as the LS's that have 40 members, with 20, and do them just as fast, and kill just as much, you are doubling your drop rates. Because you half the number of people who require the item in the shell. As long as you focus on strategy, efficiency, and reduce the chances of making mistake, you can do the same as much larger groups. I'm rarely let down by the shell.

Secondly, we focus on attendance. I'm proud to say, that we currently maintain 93% roster attendance for main events. On average, we are missing 2.4 people per event. I've seen, and been in too many LS's in which only a handful of players show up to events on a regular basis. The majority of the members come once or twice a week. Or even worse, only show up to events when they can benefit from the drops. Our LS and attendance system tries to promote constant activity. With low numbers, you have to make sure that everyone in the shell shows up, or things like Jailer of Love, Einherjar, Dynamis, and HNMs would be much harder.

Last but not least, job diversity. I try to always keep set jobs for players when possible. This allows them to specialize, and focus on getting gear for the jobs that are most needed by the shell. However, job flexibility is very important to a low man shell. It provides older members with new avenues, allowing them to continue developing their characters, while benefiting the shell at the same time. Most importantly, it gives us the flexibility to go from larger events where you only need 1 or 2 specific jobs, to smaller events where you might need many more. We always try and use our numbers wisely, and at events where we don't need the entire LS, we break down into smaller groups. Allowing an LS of 18-20 members to run 3 salvage or Nyzul sets per day, to farm up 6 chips for limbus this week on top of a boss run, farm up more JoL sets and Kirin sets then we have time to use, and do several Bv2's every week.

We try and use our attendance, job diversity, and low numbers to focus on getting our players everything we can for them.



What have we accomplished?

We've managed things that even I was surprised about. Here's just a short list. Most of our salvage runs we go with 6-7 members depending on the run. On our server we've done better then groups that go in with 10+. Things like SSR: Clearing Hammerblow, Powderkeg, Triple, Turtle, boss, and plenty of time left over with 6-7 ppl. Clearing all the possible NMs, and boss, in Arrapago with 6. We have unlocked over 200 salvage pieces in shell, and over 30 body pieces. We even help fund bodies for LS members. We've made several Nyzul groups for the members that don't need anything from salvage anymore. So people can chose between the areas they still need items from.

Our Dynamis accomplishments always surprise me. Clearing most of the starting cities with 18 or less. Killing DL with 16, fragment NMs with 11. Killing all the CoP bosses with 10-14. I think we are up to 13 relic in the shell with more stage 4's waiting on currency. Our focus is mostly getting the drops we need from xarc and CoP areas. Pooling the currency to help LS members who are unlocking relics speed up the process.

Setting solid records on Ouryu, 14min, most of the time entering with 12. Killing Vrtra with 20 members in 3 minutes. Clearing some of the harder areas of Einherjar, entering with less then 20 some days. Low man JoLs in 40min. Doing so many Bv2's, that even our level 18 jobs are getting B-masks and B-staves. We were the first group on Bismarck to finish a Pandy set. We've almost got all the gear we can from omega and ultima. Most importantly, we've manged to make Guni cry like a little girl. Not in a happy way, more of a pathetic and sad way.

We do just about everything, and anything we aren't currently doing, we will be very shortly. You can view more of what we've done on our site, @ http://NineInchNinjas.com



Who are we?

Mostly huge assholes, from all over world. Primarily from the US, but we have the occasional EU or JP player. We are a fun bunch, we usually try and help each other when needed. We are very active, and have fun with this game. Ventrilo is a big part of the shell, it's the main medium of the shells communication. Most of the members are mid-twenties, with a few exceptions.



What are we looking for?

Activity, jobs and experience. Sat-Thurs, 4pm-11pm PST is the bulk of the events. If you can be on before or after, there is usually some events going on. Right now we want people who have several jobs + BB mnk or th4 thf if possible. I'll never turn down an active Gjallahorn BRD as long as he has a good background check. Also, having a bunch a jobs doesn't mean anything if you don't have the gear and knowledge to play them in an end-game environment. We are very critical of trial members, expect to be scrutinized for gear selections and play styles. We aren't limited to only what is suggested above, but it's much more likely that you'll make trial if you meet the requirements.


Other then that, make sure you have:

Lots of Assault points.
Lots of Zeni.
First lieutenant if possible.
Ventrilo with a working microphone.
All the clears you need to make events.

If you are thinking about applying for a trial, please read this thread:
http://nineinchninjas.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8307

[kareface]

Bump, rewrote the whole post, now that I finally found some time.

[megido]

Most importantly, we've manged to make Guni cry like a little girl. Not in a happy way, more of a pathetic and sad way.

Lmao... how'd I miss this.

[kareface]

We are essentially full. I'm still willing to take applications. But heavy scrutiny will be placed on any new application coming in. You must be able to provide something we can't live without. Activity is always a must. If there isn't something to distinguish your application, you may want to hold off until we have open recruitment. As we are looking for specific jobs in those cases and will be more flexible with applicants.