[John Lynch]

So I'm pretty hopeless at real time combat which is why I play Final Fantasy. However FFXII with its real-ish time combat is playable for me. So I've read reviews and it seems that its extremely similar to FFXII in that I simply attack automatically by being near the enemy, and that if I want to do something special (like cast a spell, use an item, use a special combat move) I select it from a menu much like FFXII.

Is this the case? Can I play FFXI if I don't find FFXII's combat too difficult?

Thanks in advance. I've wanted to play FFXI for years, but the combat has put me off.

[Armando]

You should be able to play with no problems. FFXI's battle system is arguably less hectic than FFXII's since you only have to manage one character.

[MrMageo]

What he said, Might I suggest Monk

Auto-attack Punch, Boost, Punch, Punch, Boost Punch, Punch, Boost, Weaponskill, Punch Pucnh Kick Kick Kick Boost Punch Punch Weaponskill wash rinse repeat for ever.

[Lunaryn]

I'm no fan of twitch-gaming either. I've actually found FFXII's system a bit difficult to cope with (though not impossible; gambits make it in some regards easier than Star Ocean series games, though most Star Ocean series game battles are more brute-force-susceptible than FFXII battles). I find FFXI a lot easier to cope with, all-in-all (though my effectiveness on DRK is somewhat limited by the fact that I'm rather poor at Stunning due to long reaction time).

[Ellipses]

You'll be fine with a lot of classes. You might find support classes like White Mage and Red Mage too hectic, but it depends on just how much of a problem you're talking about.

One difference between FFXI and FFXII is, if I remember correctly, FFXII pauses the game while you're selecting things from a menu. There is no pause in FFXI, so you can't afford to take forever selecting things. Most players use the macro system instead of the menus, though, which makes it a bit easier.

[Cotners]

Originally Posted by Ellipses

You'll be fine with a lot of classes. You might find support classes like White Mage and Red Mage too hectic, but it depends on just how much of a problem you're talking about.

One difference between FFXI and FFXII is, if I remember correctly, FFXII pauses the game while you're selecting things from a menu. There is no pause in FFXI, so you can't afford to take forever selecting things. Most players use the macro system instead of the menus, though, which makes it a bit easier.

I wish the game would pause while I am looking for a spell that I don't have macro'd, that would be awesome... except for everyone else.

[Icemage]

FFXI's combat system doesn't rely much on good reflexes. You've got a couple of seconds to react to everything, so if you can handle FX12, you can handle FFXI. The combat timing in both games is very similar - eerily so, in fact. When I first started playing FF12, it felt like I was playing FFXI, only without having to deal with other people.


Icemage

[Feba]

FF12 was definitely a follow up to FF11, but it is different. Mainly, FFXI doesn't have gambits to protect you. You also do not get a pause option on the menus. On the other hand, you only have one character to deal with. If you can play with your main character's gambits disabled (use them to your liking on the other members of your party) and in real time, FFXI should be playable for you -- probably even a bit easier, if you use macros properly.

Originally Posted by Icemage

FFXI's combat system doesn't rely much on good reflexes. You've got a couple of seconds to react to everything,

This isn't really true, especially of the mage classes. Hellooooo Stun. Not to mention cures, flash, and even escape/teleports can be very sensitive to when you cast with regards to living or dying. The same also applies to melee, though; missing a provoke or goofing off for a second can get you or others killed.

It's not a twitch shooter, but good reflexes are very useful.

Still, if you want a game that gives you time to sit back and smell the roses, think about your moves, or just not rely on pressing button A at time X, FFXI is probably not your game.

[Susurrus]

Just play Monk, Warrior (post tanking levels), or Dragoon! You can go AFK like half the time.

[Sylvane]

Originally Posted by Susurrus

Just play Monk, Warrior (post tanking levels), or Dragoon! You can go AFK like half the time.

This is horrible advice for someone new, the jobs are fine, in fact, the job I learned most on is monk, but please don't just assume you can walk away because of that, there's a lot of things you can learn to do to improve any party while you have all that down time between ws's.

[Susurrus]

When I was going 1-41 on MNK all there was to do was the occaisional JA & WS...and wait for timers/TP.

Spam boost maybe?


Same with DRG minus the spam Boost...

[Lmnop]

A MNK can go afk but it's not a good idea. The analogy is made simply because there are minutes at a time where all you've done is punch and WS (btw, don't Boost unless you're about to WS. Doing it during normal auto-attack just adds 1 second to your delay and doesn't increase damage by more than maybe 1-5% -- not worth it).

However, don't actually go afk if you can avoid it. If you're a mnk/war (which you would be for the first 60ish levels of your life), every afk is a possibility that your tank will almost die and you could've Provoked to save him.

Same goes for DRG, except if you let your Jump timers sit at 0:00, you're losing out on a nice chunk of damage/tp.

---

OP, don't fear FFXI's combat system. Once you learn how to write macros, particularly, the game is very easy. A monkey could play FFXI.

[Kailea]

Originally Posted by Susurrus

Just play Monk, Warrior (post tanking levels), or Dragoon! You can go AFK like half the time.

yeah and then suck at those jobs -.-


really dont tell someone this -.- I play DRG, and I dont do that at all

[Lmnop]

The point isn't that it's how it's played or how it should be played. It's that the game is that easy that you feasibly could!

No need to get upset, humans.

[Susurrus]

I was being sarcastic, really. I'm just saying there's that little going on with playing those jobs, as opposed to a red mage or ninja who has to almost constantly be doing something.