BST Advice

[Babyorphan]

Well if this is the same Jerseyprophet I used to know, then you know the Warrior job fairly alright, and know what gear used to be good for that. Basically BST and WAR are pretty similarily geared. We have an additional Charm set (or basically all you need is an Apollo's Staff once you get to those levels), but we focus and share the same things WAR tends to use on their WS set and TP/Haste set. Camps have been covered nicely by people above, and I think you should find most of those spots posted satisfactory. But a part of being a BST for me is to go around hunting for some exclusive spots on your own as well. Kinda gives you a deeper knowledge of the lands, not just the beastiary.. compared to alot of other jobs. Anyways, this is how my BST looks most of the time solo:

http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/5179/gaynesspk7.jpg

To give you an idea of gear at higher levels (some parts of it is replaced and some items has been added too it) that imo. are pretty decent or good as a BST, I can link the following image of how I looked even further back in time:

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/8969/animatedfc3.gif

I love to carry around at least one stack of Carrie's, best tanking Jug pet you can find imo. and it allows you once you have higher levels to do good damage and can Snarl it off, to chain a little higher on certain camps with my own record being so far #11 on EM->T (but I do that for Merits though at 75..). Besides that I carry around with me a stack of Zeta pet snacks (sometimes 2 or 3 depending on how long I plan to be out in the field). Use it quite often together with a few Reward adjusting equips. As for the food I tend to use myself, it's either Sole Sushi +1 or some Curry, but only when I PT or was doing (H)NM. I tend to go for Sole since I use the Ridill over the Temp. Axe, as it uses no ammo slot, nor ammo to proc. And versus EM->T it is hardly missing anyways.

Again, not sure if it's you Jersey or a different Jersey I am looking at here. But as the join date is from back in 2004, I'd like to believe it's you, and then you basically probably remember/know how WAR plays, and what to focus on. BST is more or less the same with added Charm gear.

[Arcanesoul]

55-59 - Toraimarai Canal - 55-57 no longer viable due to MPK patch, 58-59 Bats vs Skeletons at entrance to Windy Walls. Slow exp but always uncamped.

As much as l liked leeches vs skele's back in SSG, I always hated this.
1) get the quests done so you can enter the canal from W. Walls.
55 + grab the slime near the Horoto ruins entrance and maul stuff.
58+ go further in, to where the crabs and pugs are. Camp on the steps and use pugs vs crabs. Even if you go into the red, the skele's don't aggro if you're at the top of the steps. So much nicer than skele's

[Damane]

at lvl 35 everything becomes easy, just keeping pushing till there!

[Okan]

I leveled BST way back in the day (well I was 69 when ToAU was released) so I never did any WoTG camps, but here is where I leveled (starting from 27).

27-29 - Qufim Island - Basically used crabs/bats/pugs vs everything but leeches. Bats destroy Skeletons so use that to your advantage.

30-31 - Korroloka Tunnel - Crab and Pug room, use against each other. Better to start here at 29.

32-33 - Eastern Altep - Spiders vs Spiders and Beetles. This place sucked, find a WoTG camp or something, maybe do Leeches in Qufim with FoV mixed in.

34-36 - Bibiki Bay - Efts, Rarabs, Dhalmel vs Birds and Dhalmel. Efts kick ass as pets.

37 - Sea Serpent Grotto - Bats and Leeches vs themselves and Sahagin

38-39 - Purgonorgo Island - Find/convert a Kraken to EM and go to town on everything EM+

40-44 - Yuhtunga Jungle - Behind the outpost (H-11 I think) using Bees and Crawlers vs Gobs. There is a bomb that spawns occassionally you can have fun with too. One of my all time favorite camps

45-46 - Yhoator Jungle - West of the teleport crystal, Crawlers vs Gobs

47-48 - Gustav Tunnel - Lizards and Leeches vs Gobs

49-50 - Camp is no longer viable after MPK patch

51-52 - Fei'Yin - Bats vs Bats and Pots in the basement

52-54 - Bostaunieux Oubliette - Slime vs Bats at the West Ronfaure entrance. Not viable after MPK patch unless you use Familiar. There is also another camp nearby but it is a bit dangerous

55-59 - Toraimarai Canal - 55-57 no longer viable due to MPK patch, 58-59 Bats vs Skeletons at entrance to Windy Walls. Slow exp but always uncamped.

60-62 - Boyahda Tree - Funguar and Spiders vs each other and Crabs. I loved this place and its almost always empty these days.

62-63 - Ifrits Cauldron - Bees, Bats, and Opo's vs Bombs. I absolutely loved this camp, Chain 7+ possible with lucky exploding bombs.

63-67 - Cape Terrigan - Lizards and Bunnies vs Gobs and Raptors. If you get a trio the Cocks are good exp.

68 - Upper Delkfuts Tower - Bats vs Pots. Stay the hell away from here, exp sucks ass. I got ToAU right after I finished this miserable camp.

69 - Aydeewa Subterrane - Crawlers and Diremites vs each other. Pretty good camp here, Crawlers tear Diremites to shreds.

70-71 - Bhaflau Thickets - The infamous Kisser camp. Be prepared to fight over this camp, probably the best BST camp there is. Leeches vs Colibri, easy easy exp.

72-73 - Ru'Aun Gardens - Birds vs Bird and Pot - Go to one of the side islands, each has 3 sets of 2 birds. Convert one from each set to EM and rotate to a new pair after each kill. At 73 if you want to stay by the main entrance kill Pots. Another one of my favorite camps which will probably be ruined once FoV gets put there.

73-75 - Mount Zhayolm - Crawlers vs Pugs - Crawlers destroy the Pugs here. Exp slows at 74 due to DC pops but still isn't too bad

There are plenty of alternatives to this (especially in ToAU areas) but its what I did. There are also many duo alternatives so don't be afraid to ask someone to exp with you.

I can't remember the exact level (65'ish I think) there is a camp in Wajaom Woodlands that you can use Wasps and Bees around the hive to fight Puks. It's VERY dangerous here if you don't know what to do. I think it's around H-11, but for me the best thing to do was use the Worker Pephredo until it was low and release and then use the Soldier bee and melee with it at this point. Note that I did not attack while the Worker was fighting, I used Dia 100% of the time and you have to be VERY careful as the Puks have a mildly large roaming range and if you anger the red morbols they have a vampiric hit so it really isn't in your interest to try and kill it.

Once you get to 67-68 the spiders in the area start to go EM and should be able to go 1-1 with Puks. This can get you to 70 to get to the Kisser camp in the Thickets. I took that to 72. Yes, 71 to 72 was basically EM-T targets and mindless, but hey... exp is exp. Stopped there as I'm on break at the moment due to some crazy real life circumstances.

[Rilu]

I can't remember the exact level (65'ish I think) there is a camp in Wajaom Woodlands that you can use Wasps and Bees around the hive to fight Puks. It's VERY dangerous here if you don't know what to do. I think it's around H-11, but for me the best thing to do was use the Worker Pephredo until it was low and release and then use the Soldier bee and melee with it at this point. Note that I did not attack while the Worker was fighting, I used Dia 100% of the time and you have to be VERY careful as the Puks have a mildly large roaming range and if you anger the red morbols they have a vampiric hit so it really isn't in your interest to try and kill it.

Once you get to 67-68 the spiders in the area start to go EM and should be able to go 1-1 with Puks. This can get you to 70 to get to the Kisser camp in the Thickets. I took that to 72. Yes, 71 to 72 was basically EM-T targets and mindless, but hey... exp is exp. Stopped there as I'm on break at the moment due to some crazy real life circumstances.

Sup Noah! what server are you on now?

[Okan]

Uh.. I don't remember. Haha. I haven't been playing for over a month. Short story is my job is relocating from Seattle to Wenatchee, WA and I'm not going with it (The joy of being a contractor) so I'm hanging around until the last day then going back to FL...

And I think it's Fenrir? Not 100% sure. And you fail at remembering the name. Close though. -Noel

Edit: To stay on topic though:
For food, I loved the Rice Dumplings. Some strength, attack, and hit bonus. EXTREMELY cheap (4k a stack) so it wasn't like I through a hissy fit when I died immediately after using one.
For gear, it's rather simple > Pretty much all the items that Sandy opens up via CP is what you can use. Get a Light Staff immediately at 51, Apollo if you got the money (Increases success 10% and 15% respectively). Get the Haub once you get to that level. I personally sold the Haubergon and bought the Hauberk (Big price difference on the server). Once you get to 70 is where the differences will come in because if you're rolling with some friends that will let you jack some ZNM drops or abjurations, I'd go that route...

[Jerseyprophet]

Well if this is the same Jerseyprophet I used to know, then you know the Warrior job fairly alright, and know what gear used to be good for that. Basically BST and WAR are pretty similarily geared. We have an additional Charm set (or basically all you need is an Apollo's Staff once you get to those levels), but we focus and share the same things WAR tends to use on their WS set and TP/Haste set. Camps have been covered nicely by people above, and I think you should find most of those spots posted satisfactory. But a part of being a BST for me is to go around hunting for some exclusive spots on your own as well. Kinda gives you a deeper knowledge of the lands, not just the beastiary.. compared to alot of other jobs. Anyways, this is how my BST looks most of the time solo:

One and the same bud.

[S N K]

When I hit 33 I literally loved Gusgen Mines with Shrooms and Flys vs Bombs. It was great exp and easy to keep chains.

You have to be careful tho with the magic agro from the random elementals but I blew thru exp fast there.

[Bakthi]

33 in Gusgen was the first time (and one of the few when not in a party) I went /NIN on BST. I loved it, and recommend that every BST try it. If you can learn to survive down there, you'll do well.

[Soa]

I skipped Gusgen at those levels mainly due to it being constantly camped back then. Its the same reason I skipped Ugly Range and Garlaige in the late 50's (I did do a little in Garlaige, maybe half a level tops).

As much as l liked leeches vs skele's back in SSG, I always hated this.
1) get the quests done so you can enter the canal from W. Walls.
55 + grab the slime near the Horoto ruins entrance and maul stuff.
58+ go further in, to where the crabs and pugs are. Camp on the steps and use pugs vs crabs. Even if you go into the red, the skele's don't aggro if you're at the top of the steps. So much nicer than skele's

Truth be told I never really explored this zone till after I finished leveling here. What I did was drag a slime to the Windy Walls exit and fought Bats at first then switched to Skeles at like 58. It was like BO version 2 at first and I never understood why noone ever came here instead of fighting over the 4 bombs in Garlaige basement.

I did notice the pug/crab camp you are talking about and probably would have used it had I explored more. I was just so comfortable with the other camp I didn't bother moving.

I favored empty camps over exp/hr which is why I stuck it out in some sub par spots (Fei'Yin, 58+ in Toraimarai) but if I had to do it again I'd probably just go for the fastest exp I could get.

[Jerseyprophet]

Where near philly Soa?

[Conrad]

I appreciate this thread, I've been prepping to take up BST for a while now myself and this is much more useful than trudging through Alla's forums.

Also I live about 20 minutes away from you Jers. heh

[Riel]

Babyorphan it's nice to see a well geared BST posting here. Question: Why Askar hands over Dusk, and why Dusk+1 feet over Aurum (assuming you have them)?

[Jerseyprophet]

Skirkle, if you werent on Carbuncle id Duo with you.


I just joined the BST LS Untamed (Opiates) today! Thank you for the heads up on that btw.


Also, keep this going!!

Post pics of your bsts, keep motivating those of us (me included) that just started it. Oh and ding 29 :D

[Okan]

Oh yeah, if you have friends that have BST up, level sync is AWESOME. It's like a blessing for BSTs.

[Babyorphan]

Babyorphan it's nice to see a well geared BST posting here. Question: Why Askar hands over Dusk, and why Dusk+1 feet over Aurum (assuming you have them)?

Askar manopolas was slightly cosmetical reasons, the Dusk gloves +1 looks so extremely fugly, and while yes, the Dusk ledelsens +1 ain't all that great to look at either, again I find them better looking than Aurum sabatons (wich I don't have, since they were added while I had my little break from FFXI between June '08 -> March '09 (back to playing FFXI more moderately for the time being)). Not outruling the possibility of me actually going for a pair of Aurum over time though, but for now I am happy about the Dusk, they look alright under Byakko's Haidate and the colors (maybe since I am weak to certain colors, or slightly color blind as one might call it) are matching the rest of the equipment fairly alright.

Askar manopolas I also use when soloing because of the little Enmity gain I get, since I tend to use Jugs alot, I like to Snarl off a wee bit higher threat to my little tanking friend. The DEX was also a factor in my choice, with the slight increase in Accuracy and Criticals. In the big picture though, I think the lack of Dusk gloves +1 on the market (at least wich weren't extremely overpriced) was one of the major factors of me not having those, and I ain't really seeing too many of them these days either. Granted, I will most likely prefer using Askar manopolas, as they do look slightly better ("Oh, cursed vanity.."), while I also do enjoy the DEX and Enmity (for reasons written above).

This is basically the main set of equipment I am after these days:
- FFXIAH.com (Beastmaster TP)

Needing to uncurse my Cursed Hauberk -1, obtain a Ancient Torque (wich I never see on market..) and finish the final stage of Guttler, then I am done with the TP set.

Also nearly finished with my WS set:
- FFXIAH.com (Beastmaster WS)

Again needing to uncurse the Cursed Hauberk -1, get a Cursed Cap -1 and uncurse that and finishing the last stage of Guttler.

While this may take me from months to a year (or more) to complete, since I am currently taking it very easy within FFXI due to having limited time to spend on gaming (and how often do you see a BST get into a HNMLS and drops like Earthen Abjuration: Body (wich I am pretty sure I was fairly close to getting when I quit/took a break in June '08 btw., damn work taking away all my game time! Hehe..)), I am at least getting pretty close to my dream equipment being finished.

http://decu.bloodhoof.info/images/bl...02008/12_4.jpg

We want you! Sign up for the BST army today.
Also, here are some older pictures from when I played BST in a HNMLS (tons of fun!):

http://decu.bloodhoof.info/images/bl...02008/08_1.jpg

http://decu.bloodhoof.info/images/bl...%202008/02.jpg

http://decu.bloodhoof.info/images/bl...%202008/03.jpg

http://decu.bloodhoof.info/images/bl...%202008/15.jpg

http://decu.bloodhoof.info/images/bl...02008/21_4.jpg

http://decu.bloodhoof.info/images/bl...ehemoth1_1.jpg

http://decu.bloodhoof.info/images/bl.../dynamis_4.jpg

http://decu.bloodhoof.info/images/bl...iftbelt1_1.jpg

http://decu.bloodhoof.info/images/bl...seafarm1_1.jpg

How old WS gear used to look..

http://decu.bloodhoof.info/images/bl...02008/22_4.jpg

And a little running to Sky farm run picture with town gear.

http://decu.bloodhoof.info/images/bl...02008/17_6.jpg

[Feedmenow]

To OP:
When pet kiting (Throwing 2-3 or more pets at one mob) I'd recommend having macros that blink out every job ability animation so that you can swap pets without getting hit. It's not typically vital for exp mobs, even bombs, but it's good training for NM soloing, which can and will kill you in a couple of hits in certain situations.

To Babyorphan:
Why the 200 skill Ridill over the 269 skill Temperance Axe?

[Babyorphan]

To Babyorphan:
Why the 200 skill Ridill over the 269 skill Temperance Axe?

Depends on what I do really, EM -> T is not a problem hitting with a Ridill for a BST, so for soloing it is extremely nice. Neither have I ever really had much issues hitting with it on things like ground Kings, sky Gods and alot of the sea Jailers and for your generic Merit burn PT. Main reason to why I tend to use the Ridill more often than the Temperance axe is that I can use the Ammo slot for Tiphia sting instead. It doesn't eat Virtue stones. One extra swing and it is slightly faster on the swing rate as well.

Also that'd be 213 skill Ridill and 277 skill Temperance axe, hehe.
But yeah, I do switch around weapons if I swish too much.

[Shinryuu]

Main reason to why I tend to use the Ridill more often than the Temperance axe is that I can use the Ammo slot for Tiphia sting instead.

"I want to use my ammo slot so my mainhand gains 2 ACC and ATK despite sacrificing 64*.9 ACC and 64 ATK on offhand ^_^"

Not jumping on you for using ridill. It's an awesome EM weapon. But tiphia sting cannot be your main reason for using one. Besides, you are not even close to capping ridill's hitrate in merits even with sushi.

[Babyorphan]

But tiphia sting cannot be your main reason for using one.

No, I didn't mean that as the only reason alone, but for the other parts behind it being a part of the main reason as well:

I can use the Ammo slot for Tiphia sting instead. It doesn't eat Virtue stones. One extra swing and it is slightly faster on the swing rate as well.

Depends on what I do really, EM -> T is not a problem hitting with a Ridill for a BST, so for soloing it is extremely nice.

But yeah, I do switch around weapons if I swish too much.

As for Accuracy I am around 380 Accuracy (404 in desired gear) in Merit PT's with a BRD I normally go with if I use the Ridill. Yes, of course it is probably considered "lol" to use Blade Madrigal, but she has that in her merits and the chains are in the "everlasting" range, so nobody has been complaining. Note though that I play alot of the time solo, I am a BST after all. Thus, yes.. I use Ridill more. Save Temp. axe and Virtue stones for other things where I'd swiff and swish too much. Did anyone mention yet that BST makes excellent pullers in Merit PT's?