Too late to start again?

[Chinch]

Hey BG,

I started playing FFXI when it was released, and quit during CoP just before I unlocked sea which I think I was at PM 5-3 or whichever the Ultima/Omega fight was. I'm having some serious cases of nostalgia and, knowing there have been many expansions that I missed out on, would like to know if it's really too late to start fresh again?

Some questions:

1) Are there still a lot of people leveling to 75? Basically, is finding a party harder/easier than it was 2-3 years ago?

2) Would it be painful to go through each of the expansions all over again? Is it needed?

3) Is the game still fun? Are there a lot of people still playing?


That's basically it, thanks BG!

[Kohan]

Hey BG,

I started playing FFXI when it was released, and quit during CoP just before I unlocked sea which I think I was at PM 5-3 or whichever the Ultima/Omega fight was. I'm having some serious cases of nostalgia and, knowing there have been many expansions that I missed out on, would like to know if it's really too late to start fresh again?

No. A lot of the modifications have made it easier to play FFXI, including more lenient Raise EXP bonuses, Campaign, Level Sync, and so on. Coincidentally, I left FFXI around the time merits were introduced and returned about six or seven months ago; I only play a few hours a week at best, and all of these things are fantastic. It makes having an account viable despite my extremely limited play time.

Some questions:

1) Are there still a lot of people leveling to 75? Basically, is finding a party harder/easier than it was 2-3 years ago?

Due to Level Sync, yes. If you haven't read up on it, you should. You can see the community's discussion, including their pro and con arguments, here:

http://www.bluegartr.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65215

2) Would it be painful to go through each of the expansions all over again? Is it needed?

Trying to find people may be a challenge, but I would say you should at least get Sky, Sea, and Salvage access. WotG is not yet completed and thus it's a good time to get caught up on its missions.

3) Is the game still fun? Are there a lot of people still playing?

Enough to level and do things? Certainly.

[Cream Soda]

1) I think its easier to lv to 75 with the addition of lv sync. For example if there's a 2 lv 30's lfp and maybe some ppl in mid 40 and lower 50's. You can invite the 40's or 50's ppl to ur pt and make them the same lv as u. Lv sync is most commonly used in mid lv'ing. You won't get a lv 75 to sync to 40 for example unless they're your friend because merit partires are much better xp and not hard to get, plenty of 75's lfp.

2) I personally thought they were fun, so you'd have to ask someone else about that

3) I still have fun and just did a /sea all 1.8k on fairy atm

[Vigilia]

1) Are there still a lot of people leveling to 75? Basically, is finding a party harder/easier than it was 2-3 years ago?

See above with regards to comments about Level Sync.

2) Would it be painful to go through each of the expansions all over again? Is it needed?

You only need to go through Rise of the Zilart and Chains of Promathia expansion missions if you plan on eventually joining an end-game LS that raids in Sky/Sea (the end game areas you gain access by completing part or all of the storylines in the said expansions). The missions nowadays are pretty easy to do, RoZ missions up to Sky access you can plough through in an evening with a little help from a couple of lvl 75s. CoP missions are still a bit more work but they have been simplified a lot and with the XP reward/no XP loss from battles it's not that hard to find help anymore. With regards to Treasures of Aht Urghan, you only need to do first few missions, all of which bar one are soloable at 75, to access Salvage if that is what you wish to do. Otherwise you can skip ToAU missions almost altogether, only need first 2 (or 3?) to become an official mercenary and they're all cutscenes. You don't need to do any ToAU missions past the third one if you don't want to, most LSes don't care if you have them done or not unless they do LS salvage. Wings of the Goddess missions are indeed incomplete, and most of the ones in game at the moment are soloable at 75. WotG missions so far do not mean anything to end-game play either, however with regards to WotG and ToAU you will spend a few hours doing a bit of leg work unlocking all the porters/maws to access different areas but it's just a question of running a lot.

3) Is the game still fun? Are there a lot of people still playing?

Yup, Odin server has problems with overpopulation, most other servers have 2-4k people on during busy hours at weekends. In five years I've never had problems with regards to finding people to play with.

[Chinch]

Great answers so far! You guys are really selling me back into FFXI <3

As far as I'm concerned, I plan to start absolutely fresh from level 1. New class, new race, probably not a new server (back to Remora for me). Just talking about this is making me anxious to get back into playing.

Thanks all, I plan to read up on the new things that were added.

e: Can you still only pay via credit card? Have they added a type of gamecard or even paypal as a method of payment?

[Cream Soda]

Great answers so far! You guys are really selling me back into FFXI <3

As far as I'm concerned, I plan to start absolutely fresh from level 1. New class, new race, probably not a new server (back to Remora for me). Just talking about this is making me anxious to get back into playing.

Thanks all, I plan to read up on the new things that were added.

e: Can you still only pay via credit card? Have they added a type of gamecard or even paypal as a method of payment?

You have to use credit/debit, but I'm 90% certain you can use those prepaid visa cards. Works like a credit card and you can put money on it at CVS pharmacy

[Chinch]

Ok, cool :D

One last question.

1) As far as jobs are concerned, which out of the newer jobs (BLU, DNC, SCH, COR, PUP) are the most worthwhile and needed in endgame?

[_chuchu]

Ok, cool :D

One last question.

1) As far as jobs are concerned, which out of the newer jobs (BLU, DNC, SCH, COR, PUP) are the most worthwhile and needed in endgame?

Up to you which one you want to level. Don't level any job just because you want to fit in and make sure you have some interest in the job (ie wouldn't mind being asked to come as a certain job most of the time.) COR and SCH are nice jobs to have, BLU is ok, DNC idk, PUP not so great (but I may be wrong unless SE decides to fix it.)

[Vigilia]

Ok, cool :D

One last question.

1) As far as jobs are concerned, which out of the newer jobs (BLU, DNC, SCH, COR, PUP) are the most worthwhile and needed in endgame?

COR, but it's also the most expensive to level and gear well. End-game shells in general laugh at PUPs and DNCs (only level these two jobs for your own enjoyment, you will never bring either to an end-game event aside from Dynamis but then you could Dynamis with a herd of blindfolded monkeys). If you want to play end-game fast and easy, neither is a good choice. BLUs and SCHs are reasonably wanted but only up to a certain limit and most end-game shells in this day and age would not accept you if BLU or SCH is your only 75 job. Multiple 75s is pretty much a requirement as there are certain events that only certain jobs are any good at. However, BRD and COR are exempt of this as they're useful at every damn event you can imagine.

RDM and BLM pretty much fall into the same category of all-around awesome jobs you can never have too many of but most LSses are also inundated with both by now. If you'd rather level an all-out DD job, after the changes made to 2-handed weapons any of the heavy melees is a good choice: WAR, DRK, DRG and SAM all kick ass. They are miles away from the jobs they were few years ago.

[Chinch]

COR, but it's also the most expensive to level and gear well. End-game shells in general laugh at PUPs and DNCs (only level these two jobs for your own enjoyment, you will never bring either to an end-game event aside from Dynamis but then you could Dynamis with a herd of blindfolded monkeys). If you want to play end-game fast and easy, neither is a good choice. BLUs and SCHs are reasonably wanted but only up to a certain limit and most end-game shells in this day and age would not accept you if BLU or SCH is your only 75 job. Multiple 75s is pretty much a requirement as there are certain events that only certain jobs are any good at. However, BRD and COR are exempt of this as they're useful at every damn event you can imagine.

RDM and BLM pretty much fall into the same category of all-around awesome jobs you can never have too many of but most LSses are also inundated with both by now. If you'd rather level an all-out DD job, after the changes made to 2-handed weapons any of the heavy melees is a good choice: WAR, DRK, DRG and SAM all kick ass. They are miles away from the jobs they were few years ago.

Back when I played dragoons were sort of laughed at, lol. So, today, it wouldn't be silly to have a 75 dragoon?

So far SCH and DRG are catching my eye.

[_chuchu]

Back when I played dragoons were sort of laughed at, lol. So, today, it wouldn't be silly to have a 75 dragoon?

So far SCH and DRG are catching my eye.

DRG is nice because of Angon

[Chinch]

DRG is nice because of Angon

Sorry, whats Angon?

[_chuchu]

Sorry, whats Angon?

Merit ability that has the effect of Physical defense reduction of target -20%, nice for zergs

[Cream Soda]

Drg is far from lol these days

[Vigilia]

The days of lolDRK and lolDRG are pretty much over. DRK is the undisputed king of the zerg fights, DRG is the job to bring one of to everything for Angon. Both jobs are pure awesome to merit with and really do not struggle with invites up to 75 the way they used to.

DRG and SCH would both be good jobs to have at 75 because they complement each other, most end-game shells prefer it when a player has multiple 75s that can take over different roles at events. It's really a case of a two-sided coin, on one hand you should only level jobs that you enjoy but on the other if you want to do end-game fast with a reasonably decent linkshell there are certain job combos that will get you there faster. Like mentioned above, being a decent COR or BRD is usually a fast ticket to anything you fancy doing. If you're leveling other jobs it's always recommended to have two (or more) different types of jobs leveled, for example one DD and one mage. Or one mage and one tank, etc.

I'd say leveling up all the required subjobs and at least two 75 jobs is the hardest part for anyone picking up the game now. It's been out for so long that practically everyone who's been playing for the past few years has multiple 75s and most established end-game linkshells pretty much expect it. On the other hand, there are still lot of new Sky and lesser HNM-camping shells starting up (at least judging by the /shouts flying around Whitegate) who take on board pretty much anyone lvl 70+, it's really down to how much time you're willing to invest into working your way up the foodchain so to speak.

[Julian]

Just a note on level sync, it will probably be tough on a new character because you can't really solo skill up or skill up on another jobs, so be careful when exping and level syncing too often under your level, your weapon skill levels may drastically fall behind.

[darkepyon]

If you aren't careful, level sync stunts your growth! Best way around that though is to make your own parties.

[Chinch]

Anyone know any good servers to possibly restart on? OR does someone possibly lead a social LS on said server that is willing to let me join and chat while I work my way up? Help would be absolutely fantastic!

[ringthree]

Drg is far from lol these days

The argument could easily be made that DRG is a top tier DD on par with SAM and WAR, and ahead of DRK and others (outside of zerg). DRG is devastating in smaller man events like Salvage and Nyzul Isle.

[Kohan]

Anyone know any good servers to possibly restart on? OR does someone possibly lead a social LS on said server that is willing to let me join and chat while I work my way up? Help would be absolutely fantastic!

That depends. Do you want to be in a highly populated server where you'll likely always have people to play with, but will have a lot of competition when you reach endgame? Or, do you want to go somewhere with a lower and thus more relaxed population?