Level and Skill Level

[Ahinjel]

Currently, I'm sitting at lvl8 RNG/WAR, my Marksmanship is at 16, and my Archery is at 14, both should be at 27 to be at cap for this level. Problem being, that's quite a ways off, seeing as I'm less than 400 TNL. I even suicided 3 times to slow down my leveling, in order to try to get my skill's capped, but it didn't work, I haven't even used my Emp Band!

Question: Should I continue on, and level, allowing my skill points to come as they may naturally? Or should I take a death or two near level in order for them to cap? I realize, you can always get skill up PT's down the road, but I just want to have all the tools I can possibly have at my disposal. I think it would make a difference in dmg output myself, as well as allowing me to get the Weapon Skill's I should be getting when I should get them (at least according to the game time line).

Advice? Suggestions? Comments?

Thank you.
Z

[Murphie]

In earlier levels it's really hard to cap your skills. You shouldn't have any problem once you move into the double digits though, as you'll be fighting mobs that con a lot higher.

I'd suggest checking out the worms in Konschtat or La Theine. Both are great for skillups (and EXP) at your level.

[Tirrock]

I'd suggest going out as WAR and leveling them. If you keep exping RNG, you'll need WAR leveled anyway.

[Mazon]

Worms are your friend. Seriously. When leveling Marksmanship or Archery. Load up on Bolts/Arrows go out to the K. Highlands and let loose a volley of bolts/arrows. Do not engage in melee attacks. Stay just on the outer edge of your Ranged weapon and shoot to your hearts content. When you get low on health, retreat. Rest. Repeat.

[Caspian]

Do what you can to get it leveled, but dont stress over it. Definately don't kill yourself to keep from leveling and raising skill cap. They will very quickly cap once you start partying. If it is a huge deal to you, then do what others have said and take on some worms.

[Dryhus]

Please select one:
a) Kill EM mobs for an easy 100 XP per kill and skill-ups.
b) Suicide and lose a bunch of XP so the capping of your skills can coincide with your leveling up.

[tdh]

There's always Skill Ups with another higher job. There are a number of jobs that have Archery or Marksmanship skills that you can skill up with to help you out with RNG.

Archery:
WAR, RDM, SAM, THF, NIN

Marksmanship:
WAR, DRK, THF, NIN

So if you have any of those in the 20's or higher you could skill up your skills to the proper levels. When I started leveling RNG, I already had a decent Archery Skill from goofing off with RDM, and 100+ in Marksmanship from DRK. That head start helped out big time when leveling RNG.

[Cometgreen]

You never get skills capped when you solo the first few levels. They'll rise very quickly when you get into a group and start fighting t/vt/it mobs. Sure, it'd be nice to have them capped before you get into a group, but I don't think anyone in Valkurm will judge you for skilling up archery.

[Ahinjel]

Awesome, thx guys. Greatly appreciate the feedback. Not that I was at all skeptical, but, you guys in here seem to be just as friendly or more so than the folks I usually talked w/(long time ago)in the WHM forums.

The only other "real" issue I'm having now is Woodworking. I've looked at it, and looked at it, and for the life of me, I just don't understand wth Square was thinking when they put in Crossbow Bolt as lvl16 Smithing to make, yet...almost none of the others as you go up in levels need Smithing at all ><. I'm trying to level woodworking to make my own bolts (and some arrows) later on down the road, but, wow you pretty much have to have high Alch to do so. I can see now this will definitely be the job I level quite slowly. Not that I mind at all, but, there's so much more to it, when you opt to do so w/out skimping, and I'm only lvl12 o.0

[Avoklex]

I dont reccomend trying to cap your skills in those early levels. They wil cap easily in parties and fairly quickly, as well. Once your in the dunes, or some other place, you will see your skills sky rocket. A rating in both, I think, means a lot of skill early and fast.