Thinking of leaving WOW coming back after 2 1/2 years what to expect?

[Gizim]

After playing the crack known as WOW for over 2years pretty much since day one and have a level 70 Warlock. Im looking for a change and for something new i played FFOnline after it came out liked it but it really wasnt made for the starting MMORPG players. So what has changed is it more starter friendly? remember know im used to WOW which is made for idiots so help me out here.

[Grizzlebeard]

What are the chances on this thread turning into a litany of misinformation, biased comments and sweeping statements borne of ignorance?

[Gizim]

What are the chances on this thread turning into a litany of misinformation, biased comments and sweeping statements borne of ignorance?

All i want to know is if the complaints about the game at the release of the game are still here now years after release.

[Grizzlebeard]

Pretty much and then some. It's a genre game so if you're prepared to overlook its obvious age and lack of player-friendliness you can still have some fun with it. Just don't expect to see any real returns on your time investment for a long time. Few things to be aware of also. Despite S-E's actions the RMT are still rampant and having serious impact on many levels of the game from crafting to HNM camping. Player elitism is still rife and depending upon timezones and gear you can expect to wait hours to days for party invites. There are very few productive things you can do solo in FFXI so be prepared to need people to achieve pretty much everything.

Think that about covers it and I didn't even mention your previous MMoG.

[IfritnoItazura]

All i want to know is if the complaints about the game at the release of the game are still here now years after release.

What were the complaints, beyond complaints about "sub-optimal new player experience"?

I think RMT is a big problem, but that's not so different from most popular MMO's--and, you can find plenty of enjoyment despite their presence if you're not too obsessed about their kind. As for S-E doing or not doing enough, after seeing the hyper-inflation accumulated over the last two years wiped away, it's hard for me to fault them for not doing enough to contain this intractable problem.

There are quite a few good years left in this game, I think, if you'd like to join. :)

[Pawkeshup]

I think Grizzle is slightly pessimistic, or on a server where RMT hasn't felt the sting of the task force yet.

FFXI is actually really player friendly. Not quite as much as WoW. By that I mean that it's not as easy to find ways to make money and get gear.

And yes, you cannot solo to endgame like you can in WoW. Well you can, with some jobs, but the length of time it would take on everything but BST and a few others would be painful.

This is a party-based game, so your playing experience will vary greatly by the friends you meet and make. Random parties aren't the issue, it's getting assistance with some basic things like Rank missions and Level cap, or Genkai, quests.

For me, the difference between WoW and FFXI is the focus on grouping. You were a Lock, so for you that will be a huge new thing. If you're burned out of DoTing up mobs and fearing em while your Void or Sucky is taking them down, and miss the comradrie of a party, then you've found a good place to be.

[Auron517]

Honestly, if the last time you played the game was the North American Release, chances are the complaints that you had with the game at that time are probably gone...the game was changed alot.

It still has it's share of problems though, so you should probably just try it for yourself. RMT is still around, but SE has been pretty vigilant in banning them every two months or so, which has improved the economy alot.

Beyong that, you're bound to get the usual "New-Player from WoW Advice", You can not solo (for the most part), and this game takes up mass amounts of your time.

[Vyuru]

A typical day in the life of a person living in Vana'Diel:

http://spiffy-keen.com/ffxi-elforto/comm/finished/odango2_web.jpg

[LyonheartLakshmi]

What can you expect after having been gone for 2+ years? Expect to be left out of a lot of things if you don't have the newest expansion (Treasures of Aht Urhgan).

One of my long time FFXI friends who had been lured away by WoW came back to FFXI this past week. Most of my catching-him-up talk centered around all the new ToAU stuff. The other half had to do with deflation (he actually stopped playing before the big inflation trend, so he actually things are more expensive right now).

Summary: if you haven't already done so, go out and get a copy of ToAU.

[Clever Ninja]

Grizzle is just an anti-FFXI fanboy. It was established months ago in another thread that somehow turned into a FFXI vs WoW thing, so don't take his opinion on this topic seriously. Which makes his first post very ironic.

Anyway, this game for a fresh new player is not easy by yourself. Realistically, unless you get higher level help and/or a linkshell of friends you can't even realistically finish the subjob quest unless you get lucky and grab it from a Ghoul in the Dunes. As mentioned, FFXI is a very party oriented game. While Beastmaster and a few other job comboes can solo, and you can duo/trio/4 man certain mobs, the best exp is in parties, although that doesn't necessarily mean the most fun is in xp parties.

Frankly this game is all about PvE content, and it's got some of the best PvE content IMO in regards to MMO's. If you enjoy PvP then you will be dissappointed, as the PvP WoW has greatly trumps FFXI PvP, and frankly to get things done in WoW is easier too since not all tasks require a group to complete, only Elite quests or Instance quests. FFXI revolves around grouping, and that's both its strength and weakness since it shaped FFXI's community to what it is today, but sucks since if you want something done quick but can't get people together for it then it's basically not gonna happen.

Just buy the game new and try it for the free month is all I can suggest. FFXI is not for everybody, and if you put in sufficient time then a month 'should' be enough to say whether or not you want to continue progressing into the game.

[Jei]

1-55 the game by it's core is pretty much the same. Jeuno is still the place to hang out and seek PT. Hunting grounds haven't changed much. Group dynamics never changed. PLing is more common tho, you can almost expect a PL 3/4 PT you join. Like it or not it's up to you.

55-75 is very fast these days with the introduction of ToAU expansion. It concentrates a lot more on heavy DD party built. Blackmages are, for the most part, impossible to find group that they have to either solo or team up with other blm. Skillchains and magic burst no longer exist in these levels.

I personally don't really like how partying is like these days with all the burning. But that's subjective. It gives you fast easy exp. And I mean, very fast. But at the same time, only a few jobs are welcomed in party for those exp.... war, mnk, nin, brd, rdm are all people want. Other jobs are really left out.

HNM hunting sucks.

[Grizzlebeard]

Grizzle is just an anti-FFXI fanboy. It was established months ago in another thread that somehow turned into a FFXI vs WoW thing, so don't take his opinion on this topic seriously.

Where exactly is my statement incorrect? I think the opinion of someone who played from NA release and has actually reached 75 and played at all levels of the game is slightly more qualified to comment on the state of the game than someone with a 41 warrior. This added to the fact I bought a new set of disks and tried playing again from scratch over the last month so I know pretty damned well how the newbie experience compares to that of NA launch. However, keep up with the insults, I'm sure it makes you feel good about yourself. :thumbsup:

[Dark Raz]

Where exactly is my statement incorrect? I think the opinion of someone who played from NA release and has actually reached 75 and played at all levels of the game is slightly more qualified to comment on the state of the game than someone with a 41 warrior. This added to the fact I bought a new set of disks and tried playing again from scratch over the last month so I know pretty damned well how the newbie experience compares to that of NA launch. However, keep up with the insults, I'm sure it makes you feel good about yourself. :thumbsup:

Actually..my sister, who just started and only highest level is 19 WHM, knows more about FFXI than half the level 75 population, which I find funny and deliciously ironic.

You can ask plenty of 75s this question:

"Which part of the storyline was your favorite, or which arc should I be interested in?"

Most of their responses?

"Uhm, the part where you get 100k afterwards."

Yet, they're rank 10, completed CoP and Zilart, but know nothing about the story. (Even if it was completed awhile ago, you'd know plenty about the story, because CoP was grueling but worth it.) She even know proper techniques for most jobs when most of the 75s gimping their way through dunes and qufim didn't know jack about the jobs they're gimping through for a subjob, which I find ironic, because beginners, tend to at least try, compared to the 75's who "are more qualified" as you say.

But I digress.

As for what to expect, MANY MANY things have been fixed, the economy is going back to normal (and yes, gougers, the prices are going back to as they should have been, sorry you got raped by SE, but life goes on.), RMT is still a problem, but that is MMORPG Life, SE is hampering them greatly though.

[Auron517]

Where exactly is my statement incorrect? I think the opinion of someone who played from NA release and has actually reached 75 and played at all levels of the game is slightly more qualified to comment on the state of the game than someone with a 41 warrior. This added to the fact I bought a new set of disks and tried playing again from scratch over the last month so I know pretty damned well how the newbie experience compares to that of NA launch. However, keep up with the insults, I'm sure it makes you feel good about yourself. :thumbsup:

I don't think Clever Ninja was stating that he's more experienced than you Grizzle...

In your previous post you were just exaggerating about the game, or at least that's what I took from it.

[Grizzlebeard]

I don't think it's an exaggeration but if it upset some people then apologies. Problem some people have is they haven't played other MMoGs so they're ignorant to how the newbie experience is in other games compared to FFXI. This combined with a distinctly biased opinion of how fine everything is in FFXI could be translated as misinformation to the OP. While I agree I'm generally overly pessimistic with my appraisal of this game I will stand behind the fact my statements are based on experience and truth.

[Karinya]

The "big 3" HNMs are still hell, but they're not as much of the endgame scene as they used to be. There's 4 kinds of instanced or pseudo-instanced dungeon runs ranging from 15 minutes (not counting organizing and travel time) to 3+ hours, plus forcepop HNMs for people who don't want to stand around Dragon's Aery with 150 people waiting for one mob (that only one group will actually get to fight).

I disagree that 1-55 hasn't changed, though. It hasn't changed *as much*, but new gear and foods in particular have had a noticeable impact IMO, not to mention the revisions to certain jobs (summoner in particular would hardly even be recognizable as the same job from 2 1/2 years ago), and of course the presence of the new expansion jobs, which can join your party at any level.

One thing that hasn't changed is that the experience system is still strongly biased toward parties, and for most jobs the vast majority of the experience you earn will be in a party. Many quests and missions are also strongly group-oriented, having enemies strong enough to be very difficult to solo. For some jobs the only thing you can really effectively do solo is make money.

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

Pretty much and then some. It's a genre game so if you're prepared to overlook its obvious age and lack of player-friendliness (if you are a melee class) you can still have some fun with it. Just don't expect to see any real returns on your time investment for a long time. Few things to be aware of also. Despite S-E's actions the RMT are still rampant and having serious impact on many levels of the game from crafting to HNM camping. Player elitism is still rife (but that's beside the point its rampant in all MMOs) and depending upon timezones and gear you can expect to wait hours to days for party invites (if you are a melee class). There are very few productive things you can do solo (if you are a melee class) in FFXI so be prepared to need people to achieve pretty much everything (if you are a melee class)

Adjusted for proper context.

And just to add, RoZ's endgame and general NM content is still horrifically broken and RMT still run rampant in it. Even AF coffer key even the coffers themselves are hell to get now, as there's an RMT cracking them open at every turn in places like Castle Zvhal Baileys.

I once railed SE for making certain ToA AF craftable by NPC and costing loads of gil as a result, but at least I can get that AF without having to wait hours to find my coffer or get a key.

Starting to wonder if its even possible to get my BST pants Treasure Coffer, its nigh impossible right now unless I want to camp a spot for hours.

Only real parts of the game that are safe from RMT are the CoP endgame content (I don't care how many RMT are in sea, they can't stop you from getting god spawn triggers or get gear from limbus). ToA content isn't even profitable for them.

[Grizzlebeard]

When I said player friendliness I was referring to how player-friendly the game is not how friendly the players are. As with all games there are some very nice people and some not quite so nice. Regarding the party invites, I already qualified that statement by referring to timezones. Your insistence on it being a melee only issue is incorrect as I could wait up to three hours during Euro peak times for a party on bard.

[IfritnoItazura]

I think whether this game is enjoyable largely depends on one's attitude. If you're in a mind set that "can't solo is bad", "most NM's are completely broken", "RMT is at many places," and/or "takes long time to find party for ____ job(s)," and stay fixated on them, then you definitely would not enjoy FFXI.

On the other hand, if you're focused on having fun and enjoying the friendships formed in game, it's quite easy to overlook them on most days. I know I do, and FFXI is fun for me.

To enjoy FFXI or not isn't in the hands of RMT's or the magical party invites--it's up to you.

[Aeolus]

Alot of melees can solo just as well as a Brd or a Whm bbq. Slight generalisation.

[Jei]

RMT may not contribute directly to the enjoyment of the game. But I can't deny how depressing I was when running through cities and see all the anon armies following each other -everywhere- :(

It's a sad sight to see....

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

Alot of melees can solo just as well as a Brd or a Whm bbq. Slight generalisation.

THF, NIN, RDM, BLU, BLM, PUP, DRG and BST can solo for worthwhile EXP. Saying any other class can solo is being extremely generous with the term "solo."

Stalling death for 20 minutes - something BRD can do with the right gear - is not something I consider solo.

[Vyuru]

THF, NIN, RDM, BLU, BLM, PUP, DRG and BST can solo for worthwhile EXP. Saying any other class can solo is being extremely generous with the term "solo."


Well, while I know that you'd disagree with this Omgwtfbbqkitten, but in the lower levels with your NPC buddy, you can actually solo rather well. As a lvl 34 (now) sam, with my NPC set to Soothing Healer she has enough mp for me to take on 2-3 EM mobs before she needs to rest, I can toss on a rdm subjob and provide enough mp to take on another mob after she runs out. I soloed in Qufim/Delkfutt's Tower from lvls 29-34 off and on off of weapons, some crabs, leeches, and various gigas. Toss in a exp band and it was slow exp but doable.

Now granted, later on that may not be so feasible, but early on it is.

And while I don't think they are soloing, honestly I have no idea what they are doing, I see alot of lvl 70+ jobs soloing Lesser Colibri all the time with either a mage sub or pld subjob. I suspect they are kindred seal farming or something, at 70+ those birds can't give alot of exp.

THF, NIN, RDM, BLU, BLM, PUP, DRG and BST can solo for worthwhile EXP.

Wouldn't ranger be able to solo as well as or better than a thf? I'm assuming that a thf solos by sleep/bloody/acid/holy bolt spam with a SA+WS + flee + sleep bolt to the mob as opportunity arises. Oh and of course this is assuming a ninja sub.

[forevergamer]

well...being away for that long,i must say that i hope your friends are still there.they can be a big help to your return.:)

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

Well, while I know that you'd disagree with this Omgwtfbbqkitten, but in the lower levels with your NPC buddy, you can actually solo rather well. As a lvl 34 (now) sam, with my NPC set to Soothing Healer she has enough mp for me to take on 2-3 EM mobs before she needs to rest, I can toss on a rdm subjob and provide enough mp to take on another mob after she runs out. I soloed in Qufim/Delkfutt's Tower from lvls 29-34 off and on off of weapons, some crabs, leeches, and various gigas. Toss in a exp band and it was slow exp but doable

I'll grant you NPC in conjunction with focusing on mobs like worms will make low level solo rather viable. The NPC aspect is limited and cuts out some EXP, though.


And while I don't think they are soloing, honestly I have no idea what they are doing, I see alot of lvl 70+ jobs soloing Lesser Colibri all the time with either a mage sub or pld subjob. I suspect they are kindred seal farming or something, at 70+ those birds can't give alot of exp.

They're usually RMT, but sometimes a seal farmer.


Wouldn't ranger be able to solo as well as or better than a thf? I'm assuming that a thf solos by sleep/bloody/acid/holy bolt spam with a SA+WS + flee + sleep bolt to the mob as opportunity arises. Oh and of course this is assuming a ninja sub.


THF would pull it off better. RNG has awful evasion and THF's is amazing at 75, they can even tank some nasty NMs. Additionally, THF tends to use lower delay Xbows, so bloody bolts give faster returns.

I has this time I was camping Novv the Whitehearted with a THF I knew, I was after the Minstrel Coat for my BRD. Novv pretty much knocked me out as soon as I claimed him. I had reraise, got up, and he slapped me down again.

This left the THF alone to solo Novv. He burned lots of Bolts and Shehei, but evaded many hits without them and managed to sleep and take out links. He macroed his bolts like a BLM would macro his spells.

Now, this NM uses Benediction when he gets low and even when it happened, the THF just kept one going. We eventually did have one of his LS friends a half hour later to help bring the NM down, but that THF told me later that that was the biggest solo test he had ever experienced.

Round 2, had back up, killed it outright, no drop.

And third time we tried, I got killed early again, but Novv made sure to dispel my RR before he did. THF soloed it again holding out for backup. Backup asked him if he could pull the fight to the gold coin door:rofl: He cussed his friend and told him to get one in Norg. Through all this, he slept and killed lings, used acids to weaken and bloody to heal.

We got the drop that time and I made sure to repay him some food and tools. He was amazing

[Vyuru]

Good lord that is incredible. How many stacks of bolts did he go through? 30+ minutes of bolt spammage? Wow.


Backup asked him if he could pull the fight to the gold coin door He cussed his friend and told him to get one in Norg.

hahahaa, I almost fell out of my chair laughing :)