Getting Back Into It

[Ramor]

So, aside from "don't reinstall" what can people offer in the way of things I've missed or should know, abbreviations, where people generally have their EXP camps etc...

I quit right around WotG release, and did most endgame up until that point, minus salvage which I had never done because I knew I was going to quit.

New tanking formats? (i.e. I've seen it go from agi to haste to pld/nin haste, brd/nin etc), what's the OP DD flavor the month? (still SAM is where my money's at), new EX gear that's readily attainable and I should almost certainly have, will I need WotG for leveling purposes starting around mid 20s? ways of making money or alternative leveling formats, new KS/BCNM and anything else that might be of help.

[Faris]

ah you haven't missed much, maybe a month of gameplay will get you bacl on tracl.

too lazy to give details, but trust me nothing "whoa!" new.

[Vigilia]

WotG hasn't really changed gameplay in any way, in practice it's just an alternative ongoing besieged to get fast XP and buffers whenever you feel like it/can't get a party. With added bonus of awesome storyline and quests and ANNMs to mess with if you want to, WotG was a real treat for casual players imo. ANNMs have good moneymaking potential and some very nice drops, but they're not any more guaranteed than old skool KS/BC/ISNMs. If you eventually join an HNM shell at some point they'll drag your butt to WotG zones to kill some ponies and worms. There's no WotG-related gear that's absolutely must-have although there are some very nice bits from the NMs and for leveling a new job the lvl 45 and 55 Allied Notes sets are AHable (and go for pretty cheap nowadays, all sets have some useful bits depending on the job you're leveling) and out of the lvl68 rare/ex gear only select jobs have a use for it.

The major change post-WotG that affects gear attainability has been the Nyzul change, everyone in party can now save runic disc progress meaning that everyone and their mother has f100 Runic Key. Nyzul gear is much more abundant and Nyzul weaponskills are more or less required for certain jobs (Drakesbane, Atonement, Stringing Pummel, King's Justice etc. to name a few). Tanking-wise Atonement has changed lot of PLDs priorities into a more melee-like idle setup to use between JAs and spells but other than that not much has changed. Lot more PLD/RDMs out and about. For leveling purposes Fields of Valor are an awesome addition. See the thread about DD potential here in standard discussion about what's the best DD and what DD's dad can beat up your dad. Or something.

Probably forgetting something but there's some things that have happened over the last year and a half.

[Mayareira]

will I need WotG for leveling purposes starting around mid 20s?

Eastern Ronfaure(S) has a very popular level 37 colibri/ladybug camp and even after 40~'s many groups simply grab a 37 and sync to him for some awesome exp. In terms of exp gained, it far exceeds any other camp at that level range. Also, you'll need WoTG for certain quests like teleports, retrace, etc.

About campaign...to be honest I wouldn't bother with it until Lv. 60s. Time spent/exp simply doesn't worth it especially since it is a lot easier to form/find groups thanks to the level synch feature.

[Hyan]

Eastern Ronfaure(S) has a very popular level 37 colibri/ladybug camp and even after 40~'s many groups simply grab a 37 and sync to him for some awesome exp.

Level Sync - FFXIclopedia - a Wikia Gaming wiki

That's groundbreaking right there. Possibly the biggest change since implementation of WoTG.

ZNM is pretty cool endgame event, although it has nothing to do with WoTG :D. It's like sky and sea combined without the camping part. And the end boss is like AV, only beatable (however only one LS has succeeded so far I think!).

[Gergall]

The Mog Satchel has changed the way many players manage their inventory. It is regarded by many as the latest must-have. Your gobbiebag and satchel can each go up to 80 inventory slots now.

The WotG item "Sprinter's Shoes" contains 15 charges of an enchantment with 12% movement speed, all jobs can equip it, and it is very easy to purchase as many as you want with Allied Notes.

Allied Notes can also be used to purchase the new Iron Ram set which is very popular with it's magic defense bonus and elemental resistances. Note that the body piece for this set has not been released yet but is likely to be released with the next update.

Campaign Battles are not really recommended for jobs under level 60 or so. Even in the 60s you may have trouble getting decent XP and Notes.

However, WotG also has "Campaign Ops" which is an extremely easy way to rack up XP and Allied Notes on any job level 10+. Note that some ops are low-level friendly, and some are not.

Fields of Valor is amazing and can be done solo or in a party.

[Ramor]

I've still got my old account which has 2 75s (well a 74, fucking losing exp) a 67 and various 40s and under, I only ask about earlier content because a friend's starting up who's only around the mid 20s to early 30s right now, so I'd basically be tagging along for his parties and if they're going to be in WotG areas then that means I'm going to need to get WotG

Also Level Sync is about the only reason i even considered reinstalling, 5 years too late joke goes here.

Also, PLD/RDM? this more for soloing purposes or as a viable tanking spec? I'm sure I can find some threads on it I'm just curious, I have no real intention of going back to my paladin anytime soon.

Is Limbus still 50k a pop or did they change it and do people even still do Limbus?

And another thing, about how difficult is money to get? I've heard it's about the same but that most things are cheaper, anything change with crafting lately? Or fishing for that matter.

Thanks for the replies so far, sorry to ask about everything but I kind of hate going into the game and trying to get a party at level 70 and not having any idea what people are talking about in the party

[Mayareira]

Also, PLD/RDM? this more for soloing purposes or as a viable tanking spec? I'm sure I can find some threads on it I'm just curious, I have no real intention of going back to my paladin anytime soon.

PLD/RDM is very good for soloing and situational for tanking(not as common/useful as /nin though, shines with aegis especially). A lot better than other combinations on monsters like Jailer of Love.

Is Limbus still 50k a pop or did they change it and do people even still do Limbus?

Limbus is still a very popular event and soap is only 15k now. They've also lowered dynamis entrance fee down to 500k.

And another thing, about how difficult is money to get? I've heard it's about the same but that most things are cheaper, anything change with crafting lately? Or fishing for that matter.

For the casual guy its alot easier. Khroma Ore's sells very fast and you get IS merely by exping n ToAU zone. Same with ANNMs, can do campaign for Allied Notes.

Fishing had a fatigue update as a RMT countermeasue.

Thanks for the replies so far, sorry to ask about everything but I kind of hate going into the game and trying to get a party at level 70 and not having any idea what people are talking about in the party

Also, recently a user named Hubsch2016 posted a useful changes guide on GameFAQs. I'll copy/pasta post WoTG updates so that you can see what's added/adjusted.

November 20, 2007
- Update for Wings of the Goddess (WotG)
- Campaign introduced
- Dancer and Scholar jobs added
- Rent-A-Room system removed
- Party members can now be invited into your Mog House
- Revisions made to Chocobo Circuit
- Gobbiebag VII and VIII added
- Two-handed weapons and Great Katana weapon skills see adjustment
- WHMs get Repose, THFs get Accomplice, RNGs get Velocity Shot
- BSTs get new recast times for commands, and Snarl as new command
- Two-hours now wear off if you zone while it is active
- Pankration sees adjustments, including feral skills, ability to capture elementals, and new camera angles to watch battles.
- Macros expanded to contain 20 macro "books" with ten sets of macros within each book.
- Option to Run in Windowed Mode added to FFXI Config

March 11, 2008
- DNC and SCH get AF quests and are included in Brygid the Stylist Returns quest
- Fellows and Campaign Ops see some changes
- Level 20 requirement implemented to mine in certain areas
- Level requirement also added to some more quests, as well as once per day limit
- Armor storing NPCs added to WotG towns
- A maximum limit has been placed on the total amount of bonus attack speed that can be gained from a combination of spells, abilities, and items. (Haste max?)
- Recall spells, Retrace, Absorb-ACC, Klimaform, and Monomi: Ichi added
- SCH gets a ton of stuff, including new abilities, adjustments, spells, etc.
- THFs get Collaborator, WARs get Retaliation, SAMs get Sekkanoki, SMNs get Elemental Siphon
- LOTS of job adjustments as well, including BST, DRG, COR, BLU, PUP, DNC
- Emperor Band added
- Mannequin pricing adjusted
- Macros, config settings, and map marker data can now be backed up on POL servers
- /dance1-/dance4 added

June 10, 2008
- WotG missions added
- Nomad Moogles added to Selbina/Mhaura
- When changing citizenship from one nation to another, a player's completed supply run quest data is now saved in the same manner as mission rank and Conquest information.
- More job level requirements added for quests, as well as Level 20 requirement for logging in certain areas
- Fellow system sees vast changes, including level cap raised to 70, personalities, ability to summon fellow in new areas, and more
- Chocobo racing and raising sees some minor changes
- Dark Ixion and
- ZNMs introduced
- Campaign sees lots of changes, including healing NPCs present during battles and new campaign medal ranks
- Einherjar also sees changes, including anyone can do any tier now (except Odin) and Ampoules of Therion now given whether you win or not, based upon performance in chambers
- Group 2 merit point category limits increased
- MNK get Footwork, PLD gets Reprisal, BRD gets Pianissimo
- Players can spend Allied Notes for gear from other nations now (albeit at an increased cost of AN)
- Guild points can be used to purchase gear to prevent HQ synths
- Mog House Furnishings see changes, such as increased storage amount, elemental strength, and the removal of Moghancement: Fishing from some
- Automatic inventory sorting now available in Congig
- A new text command "/battlebgm" has been added. Use this command to toggle the condition for battle music playback between: 1) when you yourself enter battle mode; and 2) whenever any party member enters battle mode.

September 9, 2008
- Level Sync introduced
- Level restrictions no longer prevent players from equipping gear of a level beyond that restriction.
- Tutorial NPCs added
- New quests leading to the acquisition of new job-specific weapon skills have been added.
- Chocobos now available in WotG areas
- Easy Prey and Decent Challenge mobs now give more exp
- Players now learn first weapon skill at combat skill level 5 (instead of 10)
- Campaign sees a lot of additions and adjustments
- SNM/SCNMs added
- Nyzule Ise also sees changes, including drop rate of armor on Floor 100 reduced from 100%
- SCH and DNC get new merits
- BLU/COR/PUP can now upgrade AF and relic armor through Sagheera
- Dynamis and Limbus prices drop by half, BLU/COR/PUP items and equipment added to drops, and drop rates of armor in Dynamis increased in Northlands and Dreamlands
- Pandemonium Warden, Absolute Virtue, and Jailer of Love now despawn after two hours. AV will also now always spawn after JoL.
- Beastmen and Kindred seals can now be stored in any quantity by Shami NPC in Jeuno.

December 9, 2008
- New WotG quests and missions added
- Fields of Valor and Treasure Caskets implemented
- Players can now warp to Whitegate from Jeuno by talking to NPC
- Outpost Warp NPCs in home cities moved to new locations
- Treasure Coffers/Chests see shortened respawn time and increased chance of reward
- Minor changes to Campaign
- DNC and SCH get new merits
- EXP Bands can now be recharged in both ToAU and WotG cities using Imperial Standing or Allied Notes.
- Jeuno taxes abolished
- DNC/SCH can now upgrade AF and relic armor through Sagheera
- DNC/SCH will now drop in Dynamis and Limbus
- Fishing fatigue increased for characters below Level 20 and those with less than two weeks since first login.
- <stpt> and <stal> added

December 18, 2008
- Moblin Maze Mongers introduced

April 9, 2009
- A Crystalline Prophecy add-on now available. By completing this add-on, players can choose from one of three pieces of armor.
- Moblin Maze Mongers sees many additions and refinements
- Fields of Valor sees expansion into new areas as well as Elite Training NM fights
- Treasure Caskets can now drop from mobs in more areas
- Campaign sees changes, including teleportation into new areas, reduced exp gain from fortifications, and removal of skilling up from fighting Campaign mobs without Allied Tag
- Dark Ixion gets Rage
- WHMs, RDMs, and SMNs get new spells and job abilities
- Augmented items added. These can be obtained from Elite Training NMs, new special NMs in WotG areas, or by using key items from the A Crystalline Prophecy questline in Jeuno Tenshodo HQ
- Gobbiebag IX and X quests added
- Mannequin storage capacity increased
- Mog Satchel implemented

What kind of changes has there been? (FAQ) - Final Fantasy XI Message Board for PC - GameFAQs
http://www.playonline.com/pcd/verup/ff11us/update.html

[Panthera]

what can people offer in the way of things I've missed or should know, abbreviations

FoV Field of Valor
MMM Moblin Maze Mongers
ANNM Allied Note Notorious Monster
ACP A Crystaline Prophecy

where people generally have their EXP camps etc...

East Ronfaure [S] is simply broken. The Colibri are tightly bunched up into two groups, and you can fill in with Ladybugs at night at 38-. A Thf can take off 50% or more HP with with SataVB. White Mage is preferable as it offers haste at 40. It’s Easy to go from 37-42 in a few hours.

Caedarva Mire outside of Nashmao for 55-58 is an alternative to Wajaom Woodlands that some people still don’t use or know about. Wajaom Woodlands and Bhaflau Thickets are still common camps, and Caedarva Mire 68-71 or what have you.
What is NOT generally used anymore is Ayadwee Subterrain. One can Level Synch to previous, better camps. Puks are such a hassle, I’d Level Synch to avoid these as well.

New tanking formats? (i.e. I've seen it go from agi to haste to pld/nin haste, brd/nin etc),

Blue mage tanking might be new to you for various situations.
The new tanking format is NO tank at all. Drg/mages simply heal one another in such parties. (Perhaps not new but worth mentioning, though not a fan of it myself).

new EX gear that's readily attainable and I should almost certainly have,

The ACP body is fairly easily acquired, some would argue you pay $10 for it as only the final BCM has any challenge to it if that with the right setup and people who know what they’re doing. You can customize it to suit your needs and playstyle.
The Iron Ram (Purchased using Allied Notes from WoTG) set is good for Paladin for HP, enmity and MDB. The windy Allied notes foot piece is an alternative to Yigit feet for blms.

will I need WotG for leveling purposes starting around mid 20s?

Need? No, not at that level. But I’d say it’s a must have for 37-42 as stated. And again, Campaign Battles gives you some EXP, at least while you LFG.
The Mandragoras do not do Sleepga in the past for the 20’s, so you could try that, but that’s still not a “need.”
A reason why you might “need” WotG is for Dancer as a subjob. Nin/dancers know what I’m talking about. Also, /Sch is an excellent support job for whm.

ways of making money

ANNMs offers some Gil.

or alternative leveling formats

Level Synch revolutionized the game. You no longer have to worry about finding a tank and healer at you own level. Sometimes, a job that’s not as desired might find themselves in a party simply because everyone can Level Synch to them to be able to party at a desirable camp!
Wotg “Campaign Ops” are decent if you just need a few hundred exp for you LV, should a party break early. (I generally don’t feel sorry for strangers who need a few hundred exp. I tell them “I see some Campaign Ops in your future.” Let tired people go to sleep already).
Wotg “Campaign Battles” offers a way to get some exp without parting, and you can LFG while you do so, if nothing else.
“Fields of Valor” can be attempted solo or in a party. “Field Support” offers Refresh, Regen, and Reraise! and food which can be purchased cheaply with Tabs. Monsters drop treasure chests now, which have helpful temp items. FoV makes leveling SO much easier.
“Astral Flow Burn” but the #1 Rule of Fight Club is “You don’t talk about Astral Flow Burn,” so I won’t.
MMM is an alternate meriting format that many still don’t know about. You no longer have to build your own Maze, but can purchase a copy for only 500 Gil. And there you have your own private merit that others cannot overrun. I still don’t understand why people aren’t doing this more given you don’t have to build your own.

[Ramor]

Everything's been wonderfully explained, so thanks to everyone so far! And now just one last question, or more an extension of the no tank party thing

I've been reading through the DD thread here in standard and aside from all the bitching and SAM vs. DRK going on, what exactly are people talking about having DRK and SAM tank? I'm aware of SAM's Seiko/3rd Eye and whatnot but have a lot of parties just entirely foregone the DPS/Heals/Tank or TP Burn parties in favor of different formats?

From the sounds of thing one option is just full on DPS with a couple of DRG/mage to toss out the heals when needed, meaning I'm guessing we're almost entirely past the loldrg phase of FFXI gameplay (which is great, I love DRG). Just a little more explanation on that particular aspect if possible, but everything else is fantastic and thanks again everyone.

[Gergall]

DRG is not lol for (IMO) two reasons:

1) Everyone is XPing on Colobri which take extra damage from piercing, which DRG has in abundance. Even WAR is using polearms on these things.

2) Because DRG was unpopular for such a long time, SE kept giving it little nudges in seemingly every patch for a long stretch of time. These nudges were largely ignored but added up over time. (Some examples include Spirit Link, Wyvern breath magic bursting, wyvern on a 20-minute timer with a new 2hour ability, the 2-handed weapon update, and an improvement in gear options).

PUP is widely viewed as the new lol job although it can do a lot of interesting things. It's just not really suited for HNM.

[Stumps]

that PUP is an underestimated job is the understatement of the underverse, its potential is maximum

[Hyan]

PUP's just not really suited for HNM.

It's more suited to HNM's than many other jobs, IMO ;o.

[Shenrien]

It's more suited to HNM's than many other jobs, IMO ;o.

Infinite Hateless Cure bomb? Infinite Hateless Blizzard 4 Bomb? Hmm..

although I sparingly say hateless because if the puppetmaster doesnt deactivate fast enough then he's screwed

[Panthera]

And now just one last question, or more an extension of the no tank party thing

I've been reading through the DD thread here in standard and aside from all the bitching and SAM vs. DRK going on, what exactly are people talking about having DRK and SAM tank? I'm aware of SAM's Seiko/3rd Eye and whatnot but have a lot of parties just entirely foregone the DPS/Heals/Tank or TP Burn parties in favor of different formats?

From the sounds of thing one option is just full on DPS with a couple of DRG/mage to toss out the heals when needed, meaning I'm guessing we're almost entirely past the loldrg phase of FFXI gameplay (which is great, I love DRG).

RE: Drgs

Drakesbane WS for Drgs was a tremendous boost. It's everything you could want in a weaponskill. 1) It's Multihit 2) Chance of Critical 3) has an STR mod.

Also, Drg did well with Cat. 2 merits: angon (as opposed to some jobs that got screwed). Not to mention that Drg used to lack good body options (i.e. no haubergion/hauberk blue/purpleBerk), but not it gets several! Askar, Aurum, Ares, or a custom Nuevo Coselete, or Zahak's Mail. Two handed update was very kind to Drg, as was the Wyvern getting stronger update. In short, yes, the game is well passed loldrg.

Now, that's not to suggest that this is what a majority of parties do. It's just an option. I've seen it work, and i've seen it fail hardcore.

NEW FORMATS: MAGELESS PARTIES

Dancer can main heal, but it's smart if they bring an I-wing to get themselves going, so they can heal more on the first fight while they're building tp (assuming pre-No Foot rise). However, it's a good idea to have your bard or cor (sorry guys...) sub white so the party has raise, or have an alternate character standing by for it.

Puppetmaster can main heal as well. Dancer is a popular support job for this as it gets a fair amount of mage CHR gear, and pup WS can be a bit meh. Sub white works (even better really) also, as pup gets Vermillion cloak and again, lots of mage gear. However, sometimes the pup can find his Automaton beating him to the punch on cures! This way, you are getting to healers for the price of one.


On a personal note, i don't fool about the drk / sam stuff. When i'm pulling on bard, i want someone to voke the damn colibri off me so i can go about my business. And again, i've tried the dragoon burn a few times, but i wouldn't return to it. It works on paper, and it's splendid on forums, but in practice, it can fall short of "potential." And Rdms can become frustrated with a lack of voke as well. There's more than one way to heal and they work just fine, but i don't think much comes close to, let alone beats provoke and flash.