[Effedup]

I recently unlocked BST and started messing around with it, and while I get the basic jist of what I should be doing, I'm kinda random with what I'm doing...none of the peeps in my LS have done much with the job (I think the highest BST is 9-10) so I figured I'd post here...

Is there a specific levelling guide out there for BST? I looked at the stickied BST to lvl 30 guide and it is all greek to me. I got BST halfway through lvl 2, but like I said earlier, I'm kinda random about it. Is there specific mobs that I should be looking to charm? I started charming hares and sending them after pugs which was getting me decent xp, but then it hit the floor when I levelled, obviously. Basically, should I be charming DC and EM mobs and sending them after T and VT? What's a good rule of thumb? Also, should I just melee through the low levels? A couple LS mates tell me not to bother charming until 10, but as BST is new to me I'm having fun watching mobs destroy each other ^^

Also, when it comes to gear, what should I be looking for as far as stat bonuses go? What stats affect charm success? Should I be gearing towards MP or HP or what?

Any suggestions outside of these questions is greatly appreciated. I'm a newb with this, and could use any help you guys can provide. It'd be nice to have BST levelled so I can go solo when I can't find a party...

Thanks! ^^

[Jugil]

First off, leveling from 1-10, if you want to get through those levels quickly, then charming mobs will actually hinder your progress. That being said, there is nothing wrong with charming from level 1, it will just make fights quite a bit longer.

Should you take the quick route, I would still suggest charming around level 8 just to get a feel for it. Doing this will give you a feel for pet hate, and it's better to do this while it's still very easy to salvage a fight in which you've pulled too much hate.

In terms of gear, you will eventually want two sets at the least: charm gear which is comprised of +CHR (and +charm later on), and melee gear which will include a nice balance of Attack, STR, and accuracy. I personally have a "panic" set that swaps in +evasion and +killer effects gear, and also a resting set which increases MP gain while resting (though I don't use this set up much anymore now that I have the Gaudy Harness).

The "to level 30" guide in the stickies gives some good info on where to go. Also, the BST Bible gives a nice break down of what to do and how to do it (plus some decent links). Also check out FFXIclopedia, they have some decent database info.

[LyonheartLakshmi]

Another useful resource, available right here on FFXIonline, is the Beastmaster Anthologies. The sticky at the top serves as a level-range based index with possible zones to exp in.

Each zone has its own thread in the Anthology, which may or may not have useful, up-to-date information. Since it's a forum thread, you can post questions, or share your own experience while soloing/duoing/trioing in that zone.

[Haggai]

I think its silly that people tell new BSTs not to charm until 10. I did it from level 1, so I could get a feel for the mechanics. IMO, its much better to learn the ropes when exp loss is little to none, rather than in your teens where its more.

You'll be learning more the whole way, but better to get the big deaths out of the way off the bat.

[Effedup]

Originally Posted by Haggai

I think its silly that people tell new BSTs not to charm until 10. I did it from level 1, so I could get a feel for the mechanics. IMO, its much better to learn the ropes when exp loss is little to none, rather than in your teens where its more.

You'll be learning more the whole way, but better to get the big deaths out of the way off the bat.

I'm with you as far as charming goes...it might be a little slower, but the only way to learn is by doing, at least for me. Besides, I need to get my macros worked out ^^

Also, watching a pug own hares is kinda fun...