[CraZcrakr]

So here's the deal. I used to play FFXI when it first came out and now was thinking about playing again. But I remember not liking how long it took to level and get through the game, it seemed to take forever with how you have to sort of start over to level up your second job and all that. Also my friend was trying to get me to play WOW but I like FFXI better for the jobs, character races, and everything about it but the leveling time.

So the ?'s are, Is it still the same as far as leveling?, What has changed since the first year it cAme out (don't have to go into any detail)?, and do you suggest getting back into FFXI or is there something else out either similar or newer?

Thanks to anyone who gives me some advice.

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

The EXP curve has been reduced since FFXI's first year in the NA market.

A level sync feature is available starting at level 10, so its now easier to form groups.

The EXP of Easy Prey and Decent challenge mobs has been increased.

There are rings available via conquest that offer a light EXP boost.

Additionally, in the last update "Training Manuals" were added to all original FFXI outposts, in which you can partake of training quests that will add a little more EXP to your soloing, duoing and partying.

Also mobs in the original FFXI zones (and in next update RoZ ones as well) will offer these manuals. Treasure Caskets now appear in original FFXI zones and offer various rewards to players and parties, usually in the form of ethers and such, which all PTs to run more smoothly, sometimes you'll be rewarded with armor as well. These caskets have a 10% chance of appearing.

As for jobs, five have been added in the last three years.

Blue Mage - A job that learns mob attacks and uses MP to deal physical damage with the attacks they've learned.
Puppetmaster - A hand-to-hand fighter that employs an automation to fight alongside them
Corsair - Pirates that buff their allies with job traits by gambling, reset job abilities and deal ranged damage with guns.
Scholar - a mage class that can do some interesting and even unique tricks with existing black and white magic.
Dancer - a healer that uses TP to cure allies and enfeeble the mob, while using daggers to fight.

[Mog]

Originally Posted by CraZcrakr

So the ?'s are, Is it still the same as far as leveling?

As far as leveling goes, they introduced level sync, which makes it possible for a random band of players to sync to the same level and be able to party together.

Originally Posted by CraZcrakr

What has changed since the first year it cAme out (don't have to go into any detail)?

For questions like this, I would suggest you do your own research and check ffxi wiki. There's lots of links and info on the newest stuff. There's simply too much to list.

Originally Posted by CraZcrakr

and do you suggest getting back into FFXI or is there something else out either similar or newer?

You're posting on an FFXI forum, so we're all going to give you a biased answer. If you want a newer flashy looking MMO, I would suggest WoW.

[CraZcrakr]

Originally Posted by Omgwtfbbqkitten

The EXP curve has been reduced since FFXI's first year in the NA market.

What exactly does this mean? You get less now?

[Satimasu]

Takes less exp to reach your TNL.

[CraZcrakr]

So can you still not change the looks of your character that you pick on day one?

[Durahansolo]

Originally Posted by CraZcrakr

So you still can't change the looks of your character that you pick on day one?

FTFY, wording almost confused me.

Nope. SE might add it someday in the future, but they haven't said anything as of late.

[CraZcrakr]

Is it easier to get your friend in the same world as you yet? I remember I had to track down some guy and buy a passport code or some thing and then my friend had to start over with a new character and type in the code. What if we were gonna start at the same time, how do we make sure were in the same world?

[Ziero]

You can now choose what server you want to start on and even transfer existing characters...for a real life fee...between servers.

[Jarre]

when you create a new character, you can now choose which world you want to start in rather than be put into a random world. which means if you start with a friend both of you can choose the same world.

[CraZcrakr]

Is there PVP now?

[Feba]

You remember Ballista? That's still basically it; there's Brenner now, but it's even more unpopular. So yes, there's technically PVP, but no, you're not going to run around killing people randomly. They're still games.

[Queen Uma]

PvP is still restricted to activities such as Ballista and Brenner. Thankfully SE has kept away from the idea of being able to kill whoever you want in any zone.

Also something of note I don't think anyone else mentioned. SE changed the aggro mechanics a while back, monsters will depop if they lose track of you or you leave the zone. They will no longer walk back to their pop spot aggroing everyone they can along the way. This doesn't happen with NMs though.

[CraZcrakr]

I haven't played forever so I don't remember what ballista or brenner is, or SE. But I get the point, sounds like you agree to fight I'm guessing? oh well.