Random lag spikes due to spells.

[fren.]

I play on the ps2 and my connection has really never had problems, well not like this until recently. I was in a party tanking and the mob just so happened to have blaze spikes up; whenever the melee hit it (and the spike animation would go off) my entire game would just lock up for a few seconds and it kept doing so until the spikes were dispelled.

It seems kinda random and doesn't happen anywhere else.

[Kohan]

Does this still happen? If it does, is it exclusively related to Blaze Spikes? Is it only related to one zone, or does it occur everywhere?

If it hasn't happened since, chances are the assets required for Blaze Spikes (whether it was the graphics, animation, or sound) didn't load correctly, and the game's script was going in circles while trying to run properly. This can happen to a normally sound, full retail release game, and while it is a bug, it's just an occasional occurrence and nothing to be afraid of.

If it happens every single time without exception, and in every zone, the aforementioned assets related to Blaze Spikes may be corrupt and require replacement (so checking your files would be a good place to start).

[fren.]

I play on the ps2 primarily and it's an occurrence in every zone when I engage mobs with spikes up.

[Kohan]

In that case, I'd definitely suggest checking your files. Hopefully, that'll detect corrupt assets related to Blaze Spikes, and replace them. If it doesn't, reinstalling FFXI may be your only option.

Though the latter suggestion may sound drastic, you unfortunately don't have the freedom PC users have when it comes to DAT replacement (obtaining the necessary assets from a friend and simply overwriting them on your HDD).

[Elesirdur]

I recall something like this happening a few years ago when I was running a CoP mission LS. We had about 25 people all running the Palace of Hu'Xzoi (or w/e it's called) escort mission and found it was faster to just CHF and kill all the kegs that would, without fault, get aggrod by someone. These mobs put up ice spikes and with 18+ ppl wacking at it, including like 6 monks, our PS2 players would have some serious issues with their PS2's locking up, lagging badly, or just restarting on their own. I think it was just a graphical processing problem where the PS2 just couldn't keep up with the data it needed. Once the PS2 players turned off their spell effect visuals they were able to stay connected, but still suffered abnormal lag.

Granted, this was back in 2006 and I have no idea if this issue with PS2s and -Spikes spell animations had been fixed at all. The best solution I can give is to turn off the visual spell effects when your problem starts and see if that fixes anything.

[altwight]

if file check doesn't work (located at POL startup) take your PS2 apart and clean it very good. not related to FFXI i've had similar cases when cleaning the PS2 worked. Please follow a guide while taking your ps2 apart. if you fail at a certain point you could screw your ps2 over completely.

[TaruMortis]

This happens to me in Mt. Zhalyom near Cerberus spawn point.. anytime the song "March" was casted my ps2 would lock up sometimes.