Post-30 Invites...

[Funguwari]

Hey, I'm a RDM, currently nearing 30 (22 as of now), (have hit 30 before w/WAR) and I really love my RDM; however, being that I started late with the job I love. (ex. My friends all were melee because that's what they started with and now have surpassed me... their adv.'s are high because I was Lv'ing my melee adv. and was their Lv until I tried RDM and fell in love.) Either way, it seems alot of people along with me love RDM, actually RDM is one of the most played jobs, period. (On my server [Unicorn] WHM is the most.)

Anyway, to make a long story short, I love my RDM, and post-30 I heard it was nearly impossible to find a tank for your group because there are so many mages and damage dealing jobs than tanks. And being that there are so many people playing RDM... that will give me alot of competition. Now most people say, "Oh, it's only low Lv RDMs that come up using the '/sea RDM all' command. Use '/sea RDM 41-75 all' and you'll how many RDMs there are." And I really wish I can do that. If I only would have started as a RDM I maybe wouldn't have to worry about this and I would be at that point already, but, I am not. And these people (the hordes of low Lv RDM) I will have major competition agianst. So, I can't really say it's only going to get better in the future because it's a Lv45 that's telling me not worry about now, it will only get better in time. On top of that, I can only find time to play on the weekends so PTing and Lv'ing will be especially hard.

Anyway, agian, what I'm trying to say is: I love my RDM, I think it's the most funnest :biggrin: job in the world and I wanted to know if post-30 if it was easy to get PTs... (with this suppossedly lack of tanks around) I don't wanna shelve my RDM because I can't get into PTs. But, then agian, I don't want to play it struggling along saying, "Ohh! I love my RDM! It's so much fun! To bad I can't even get into a PT and Lv," because, that in all honesty makes no sense. I know at Lv41 I'd get into a ton-o'-PTs but, that is a decently far way off and by the time I reach that point, many other (hordes of low Lv RDM) will reach it, plus, the high Lv's are already at that point so there isn't a way I'm going to get a PT in my eyes. If you're a high Lv and you say there is not many RDMs around, it's kinda hard for me to accept that because agian I can only play on weekends and there are hordes of new low Lv RDMs that are "storming the gates". And that Lv12 RDM on Sun. (while I was 23) is going to be hitting Lv23 or sooner, as soon as I get back on, on the Fri. of next week. And to top it off, there are more low Lv RDMs than high one's and agian, I can't play much so my LS and friends surpass me because they have a week's worth of play and more ahead of me and it keeps building up on me week after week so this; "get friends" theory won't work much at all. . . .

All in all, will I be able to PT!? Or, is this a over exaggeration, etc.!?

Thanks! :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

[Beener]

Hmm....

Post 32, as long as you have dispel (farm up that 60k+ now) you will be one of the more wanted jobs

Post 41, I get invites from jeuno while i'm /anon in windurst because all the higher people know what i am, and there are maybe 10 redmages and bards 50-60 (the jobs that reduce downtime)

My friend tells me that a lot of whitemages now refuse to party without a redmage or bard, how the tables have turned.

[Funguwari]

So you're saying with all the problems I have stated above... I still would have a easy time finding a PT...?

Even with the huge # of RDM, me only having enough time to play on weekends (so the early Lv RDMs may surpass me), and to top it off there are more low Lv RDM than high Lv RDM and it being extremely hard to find a tank post-30...

I will still get invites?

I don't wanna wait an extremely long time for a PT... I mean, if 5 hrs is the norm, then, yes, I'll wait, but, if I have to wait 7 hrs because of listed reasons above... then, I'd think I'd drop the job so I don't waste my time to be honest.

[DM337]

Originally posted by Funguwari
So you're saying with all the problems I have stated above... I still would have a easy time finding a PT...?

Even with the huge # of RDM, me only having enough time to play on weekends (so the early Lv RDMs may surpass me), and to top it off there are more low Lv RDM than high Lv RDM and it being extremely hard to find a tank post-30...

I will still get invites?

I don't wanna wait an extremely long time for a PT... I mean, if 5 hrs is the norm, then, yes, I'll wait, but, if I have to wait 7 hrs because of listed reasons above... then, I'd think I'd drop the job so I don't waste my time to be honest.

7 hours? that's impossible. The only way you wouldn't get a party invite for 7 hours would be if there were no parties in your level range around. I've gotten 4 invites within 15 minutes while mining in Yughott without my party flag up. That should give you an idea of how easy it is to get parties as a RDM once you get Refresh.

[Apple Pie]

Why don't you form and lead your PT instead of waiting for invitation? I'm afraid if you're just wasting time if you just turn LFG flag on and stay at Jeuno for hours.

As for the shortage of tanks, you don't always have to stick to the ideal PT setup. Be flexible. Even though you lack a tank (= NIN, PLD, and WAR), it doesn't mean you have no way to go out leveling.

Around LV20-30, attackers (except for RNG and THF) are still able to tank if

1) they sub WAR.
2) they eat Boiled (or Steamed) Crab and Fish Mithkabob (or Chiefkabob).
3) they equip proper gears.

They are not better than plain tanks but they still work.

Well, I know it's hard to be a leader because we have to know about where to go, what to hunt, who to invite, skillchains, and so forth. However, they are all on the web. Even though we aren't really sure about these, you can always discuss these with your PT members.

[SlipA]

Parties dont go out with hope for good exp unless there is at least a redmage or bard in the party. My server has a big lack of tanks as well. But my friend has had /tells when he is playing his ranger, to stop that and bring out his redmage to party. So basically rdm is most irreplacable party member besides tank or bard.
Incidentally, the tank shortage is severe in the 50-65 range, but there are way too many tanks 30-49ish on my server. Amazing but true.

[Funguwari]

Even with the huge # of RDM (2nd most played job...), me only having enough time to play on weekends (so the early Lv RDMs may surpass me), and to top it off there are more low Lv RDM than high Lv RDM and it being extremely hard to find a tank post-30...

And you still get invites fast that says to me... all the other RDM at your Lv didn't get a invite... and you did... you either play everyday and are able to keep up with your friends... or, just lucked out. Because the other RDMs didn't get invites. Now as I posted, I am unable to make friends and/or keep up with them because I can only play on weekends really...

EXAMPLE;
I meet friend we both at 32... we play together gain a Lv or 2, then Sunday hits... gotta log early for sleep... friend plays all night. I am unable to get back on, on Fri. night Now, I'm at 32 my friend is at 38... and still Lv'ing.

So... the friends thing dosen't work out for me. I know at later Lv's it's hard to gain Lv's due to the large amount of EXP you need to Lv so, if he gained let's say 1 Lv that whole week he had ahead of me... then, we'd be able to PT because 1 Lv dosen't make a difference really in EXP gain, and he will only be 1 Lv ahead me for a long, long time.

But, with all the statements and reasons and problems I have, and you say I can still get into PT's ultra fast... then, cool. I'm happy.

[Funguwari]

Agian there are a huge amount of high Lv RDM, and suppossedly no tanks...

Don't you see the PTing problem?

EXAMPLE; (not far from what actually happens)
10 RDMs, 2 tanks, 15 WHMs, rest damage dealing jobs...
You need a tank... so bang... there goes those two tanks... now, the PT with the tank and the damage dealers... need a RDM... there are 10 RDM to choose from... of course they're going to pick their friend's RDM... and if not, they go based on sub and race... then, bang agian, you are shut out of a PT until God gives you a breath of good luck. Not to mention it I'm only able to play on weekends (I've gave you all my reasons... see above posts for my reasons of why I can't get a PT) so, next time I log, there will be double the RDMs... and the other classes, i.e. the tanks and damage dealers... there could be a huge influx of tanks, etc. next time I log on... or, it may be the opposite... more damage dealers... of course the other players in this Lv zone have supassed me which free's up some space... so, agian based on luck... next time I log on... I can either get a PT, or, the same situation happens...

[Apple Pie]

I've never seen a situation like [10 RDMs, 2 tanks, 15 WHMs, rest damage dealing jobs...] for 6 months but how huge it actually is?

We have around 4,300 players on our server (Gilgamesh) in our prime time. Yes, we are the second largest party coming after WHM and there are around 350 of us.

Do you think it's really a huge amount? I'm afraid not. In fact, it is always frontliners that are waiting for hours at Ru'Lude Gardens with LFG flag on. I always see a bunch of tanks among them.

They have tougher competition than ours. Think of how many jobs competing for 3 slots (in case a PT consists of 3 frontliers and 3 backliners)

I'm also the one who only go leveling on weekends but I've never had problem like yours. As soon as I log in, I usually receive a bunch of tells unless I make myself "/anon."

[Sukashi]

I'm not sure how it is on your server, but for a lot of RDM on our server very few put up search comments. Search comments may help tons because it shows the potential PT leader that you know what you're doing.

For me, it's

(Hello!) -@6800- (English) MP412+25
(Japanese)/(English) (Party) OK^^
(Dispel) O (Refresh) O (Airship) O

Two very important spell (hell, crucial) for RDM is Dispel (RDM32?33) and Refresh (RDM41). Since they're relatively high-cost spells (Dispel 65k~70k, Refresh is different prices on varying servers), a few RDM are too lazy to buy ^^; When you buy these spells make it a point to put in search comments.

And always make sure to level sub :P (Yes, my subs are unlevelled T_T) When PT leader picks RDM for party they usually look for levelled /WHM or /BLM sub, maybe Rank, search comments (I find that a few NA on server don't bother to look at but I put up anyway -_-)

The point I'm trying to make is that no matter how short or how long of a time you can play, you have to make sure that your stats are viable to the PT. Levelled subs, Good rank (especially Rank5 for Airship), and buying critical spells at the level needed will only benefit your chance of getting into a party.

And yet there are still a few nights out of many when I'm sitting in Jeuno for two hours without invite :\ This was with levelled sub, decent Rank (4 before), and food -_- You win some, you lose some. That was pre-41 though ^^

[Vaiyo]

Funguwari, most of your anxiety really hold no weight. I say that in a good way ...

Keep in mind that every server is unique in itself in terms of job spread & make-up, but generally speaking at 33 RDMs are highly sought after for dispel, and after 41 there is almost always a RDM in the party because of refresh. Bards are generally rare, and in the case that a group does find a bard it is often paired up with a RDM for a double-helping of mp regen.

And like any other job really, there'll be days where you'll log on and instantly get an invite despite not having your LFG tag on and other days you'll sit around for awhile; though as a RDM myself, I find that the former happens more often than the latter. All in all, despite having a lot of other RDMs roaming around on my server, I don't find myself having trouble finding groups on a consistent basis.

Hope that helps ^^

[llkoole7]

what are the strengths and weaknesses of being a mithra rdm...will it affect my invites??

[Funguwari]

Wow, seriously? All that stacked agianst me and I'll still be able to find PTs quicker than melees?! That is great! I was getting worried!

Well, now that, that is out of the way, I'll Lv my RDM!

[Vaiyo]

To make a long(er) answer short: No.

Mithras tend to be good melees because of their higher DEX and AGI than larger races, so that naturally translates over a bit - as a Mithra RDM, you'd naturally (in other words, without taking other things such as equipment or playing ability into consideration) have an easier time soloing.

On the other hand, Mithras also tend to have average of anything else, so that also translates the same way as Mithra strengths; you'd have mediocre amounts of MP and have naturally average INT & MND (as opposed to Tarus).

On the whole though, since RDM is such a 'middle-of-the-way' job that being any race (well, maybe Galkas because they have less MP, but I'll let Galka players give their own input on that subject matter) would really have no impact on your overall performance in a group. Some players might be picky about what race you are playing a RDM with, but as far as being a Mithra is concerned, it won't noticibly affect your invites.

[llkoole7]

hey thanks for that. That does make sense. So mithra and hume RDM are basically the same except hume has a tad bit more survivability and mithra well...got more dex/evasion.

[Xerzes]

As someone said previous to me, Search comments affect things greatly. Throw in that you have Dispel at level 32 (I use the Translator, it says something like <Dispel> </yes>

People look at your search comments pretty hardcore believe it or not (JP a lot of the time)

I'd start farming that 60+k for dispel right now, because once you get to level 32 dont expect to get a PT very easily without it.

[llkoole7]

60K !!! OH well...it's worth it...that spell owns. Phalanx is what has me more worried anyways.

[Bamce Sylph]

phalanx is a solo/farming spell, don't worry about that until later, its pracically useless in pt's

[Silverquick]

Use '/sea RDM 41-75 all' and you'll how many RDMs there are." And I really wish I can do that. If I only would have started as a RDM I maybe wouldn't have to worry about this and I would be at that point already, but, I am not. And these people (the hordes of low Lv RDM) I will have major competition agianst. So, I can't really say it's only going to get better in the future because it's a Lv45 that's telling me not worry about now, it will only get better in time.

I will nearly guarantee you that isn't going to be a problem.

Most of the people you are standing with now, many of them will drop. It taks a certain sort to be a Red Mage, and there are reasons for it. But you will find them as you go.

[EDarkness]

I find that various RDMs have different experiences in the PT situation. I've had some RDM friends who have serious trouble getting groups they complain about waiting hours to get groups. Then, I have others (like myself) who don't have any troubles getting groups. I wonder if perhaps it has something to do with reputation, or perhaps just good timing. I had the toughest time from 33-35. But then, I'm against the Garliage Citadel in general. *ahem* Also, I didn't buy Dispel until level 44. Heh, heh. I kept hoping the price would go down, but alas. Had to fork out 70k for it in the end. Even then, I picked it up only because some other RDM showed me up in the Crawler's Nest. Ugh, that sucked. But I got revenge when I PT'd with her later. :) It all works out in the end.

At 41 things get to be different. You get Refresh (or Mage Crack) and then you're the hottest dude on the block. A friend of mine had his group breakup because they couldn't find a RDM. How often does that happen? Once people get a taste of Refresh they don't want to go back.

So I wouldn't worry about getting groups. Just leave a good impression on people and you'll be okay.


-EDarkness

[Altruist]

I'm in a semi regular PT right now so I don't know how hard it is to be lfg at some points but this is my leveling story.

1-15 solo (sometimes with a thief)
15-20 life in the dunes, generally filled in for whitemages, still did melee.
21-30 life in qufim (met a lot of people some in my regular PT now)
31-34 (incredibly slow, at least I had time to farm)
35-45 (much faster your loved at the nest)
45-50 (sorry no NA, don't know why but I was one of the first mid level rdms and was constantly refused invites, shouldn't be so bad now)
50-68 (regular PT, on spring break now hope to hit 70 soon and fight maat, getting 20k a day is driving me insane ><)

On a weekend there maybe 10 rdm's in my range, weekday I may be the only one. Good deal of variablility. However PT's sometimes don't start or run without ideal make up simply because no blms logged on or something. Heck I had a PT break because we couldn't find a damage dealer.