[Pai Pai Master]

The latest update makes a few changes to the way EXP can be acquired. According to the update notes, players can now gain EXP from a wider range of enemies. The EXP acquired from Easy Prey and Decent Challenge enemies has increased.

Seeing as how the line in Eldieme Necropolis for the Fellowship Quest NM was 80+ players long and I had already died at the hands of the NM once before because of a rather unfortunate slipup, I thought I'd test out the EXP change for myself.

I went to Passhow Marshlands with my lv30 THF/NIN and took on a few Easy Preys.

My first victim was a Carniverous Crawler, which conned as Easy Prey with low Evasion and Defense. After disposing of the creature I gained 20 EXP.

The second monster was a Gadfly, conning at the same Easy Prey with low Evasion and Defense. I gained 15 EXP from the Gadfly.

After that I engaged a Goblin Gambler, which also conned as Easy Prey with Low Evasion and Defense. I gained 25 EXP from the Goblin Gambler.

I decided to up the ante and take on a Goobbue, also conning Easy Prey with Low Evasion and Defense. It took a little longer, naturally, but I gained 29 EXP from the Goobbue.

Finally, I thought I'd take a risk and do battle with a Malboro, conning at Easy Prey with Low Evasion. The first half of the battle went well, as the Morbol struggled to make its way past my shadows, and didn't manage to hit me once until it became aggrivated and sprayed me with its Bad Breath. Of course, this handicapped me greatly, and it brought me down to Critical Condition before I was able to gain enough TP for a Burning Blade, which finished it off. I gained a whopping 41 EXP from the Easy Prey Malboro.

After that I kinda let my victories get to my head, and I was stupid enough to try and take on a Decent Challenge Water Element. Thankfully, I was able to Flee after it cast Drown on me and it became apparent that my chubby Tarutaru butt would be found floating in the marsh a few days later if I didn't act fast. I ran as fast as I could, aggroing a couple of Goobbues on my way to the zone and nearly being beaten to an adorable little bloody pulp. I decided to wait until I have someone else with me to try any DCs, even if they weren't Elements.

So there you have it, my experiences with the EXP changes and Easy Prey monsters. Here's a little recap.

Carniverous Crawler: EP-- = 20 EXP.
Gadfly: EP-- = 15 EXP.
Goblin Gambler: EP-- = 25 EXP.
Goobbue: EP-- = 29 EXP.
Malboro: EP- = 41 EXP.
Water Element: DC = Me running my ass off.

I'd like to hear any comments and analysis about the changes. I expect the EXP changes for DC mobs is even more significant, and can enable groups of 2 or 3 players to EXP efficiently when unable to get access to a full party able to take on VTs and ITs.

UPDATE: On my way home to Jeuno I took on a Brass Quadav in Rolanberry Fields, which conned at Decent Challenge with Low Evasion but High Defense. I managed to screw up my Sneak Attack at the beginning of the battle so it was a little tougher than I expected, but I was shocked to find myself acquiring 72 EXP from the Decent Challenge enemy. This is a much larger adjustment than I expected to get from a monster I was able to solo with few problems.

[Zempten]

I'm interested in finding out if the Prom mission locations can now be a area for players at or above the level cap to exp in ^^

[Pai Pai Master]

I'd say so. The possibility of being able to take on EP and DC Empties with 2 or 3 of my friends and gain such decent EXP is intriguing.

[ruffrydasean]

nice.. But you might have went a bit more smoothly if you had your NPC buddy
i can't wait to join ya.. *same Server*

[Jei]

from 36 to 41 hmm i'll try DC and EM ^^

[Pai Pai Master]

That's another thing I was thinking about. The EXP change and the NPC Buddy addition go hand in hand, perhaps as a gesture from Square Enix to make players wishing to "solo" and gain good EXP. With this having been done, I can definitely see myself with my NPC buddy soloing EP and DC mobs and gaining a pretty good rate of EXP.

[Aeolus]

The npc buddy will take away the extra exp you gain taking you back to the origanal, youll just be able to kill the stuff quicker and more of it.

[Zempten]

What scares me is how those quiet areas are not going to be so quiet for long ; ;

/shout Raise @ <pos>
/shout TRAIN!!!
/shout WF?!?!

*shudders*

I kind of like the peace and quiet ^^

[ruffrydasean]

Originally Posted by Aeolus

The npc buddy will take away the extra exp you gain taking you back to the origanal, youll just be able to kill the stuff quicker and more of it.

Yea i was gonna mention XP/Hour

just like how a PT could kill a VT every 2 min for 140+XP vs. an IT for 200~ XP every 6-7 min.. the same may apply to this... you'll just be killing faster possibly...

[amastacia]

I think the XP change is mostly going to affect level 50+ players.

It is at that point that the level range of what's EP through IT widens as is, I think they just went and widened it further.

I'm still stuck updating, but if someone with a high lv job can wander through a place where the mobs used to just *barely* be Too Weak, it should be easy enough to see what Squenix has done.

[Jei]

i read that with NPC, you gain 70% exp from the kill. so possible, monsters that gave 50exp before will still maintain the 50 after patch with NPC out fighting with us maybe.

[RoNTi]

Having a npc out is the same as having a pet out for a bst from what i understand xp whise.

[little ninja]

took on a bunch of topaz, gold, ancient quadav this afternoon. all i can say is exp increase where??? they gave no better exp today then they did prior to the patch. still averaged between 12 or 15 on ep- -, an 21 or 25 on ep- +,

[divisortheory]

I soloed a Tough Steelshell last night. I got 160 xp for it. Anyone know how much it would have been before the update? (I was Lv. 72)

[Pai Pai Master]

Even Match, Tough, Very Tough and Incredibly tough don't give more EXP, from what I understand. I believe only certain Easy Prey and Decent Challenge monsters have been altered to give more exp, i.e. tougher ones for various level ranges, such as the EP Malboro giving 41 EXP.