Gear

[Ryuuhikiuu]

So I've been playing FFXI a ton less because I'm afraid of hitting level 34 for my Ochuido's Kote, because I simply don't think that I'll be able to get it (without doing something like buying gil) at this point. A level 34 MNK would be my highest level, and I simply don't think it's feasible for me to get that much money without leveling before I'd just quit.

The problem is that I'd feel like trash without getting it. I wouldn't have any issue not getting Peacock though, because I feel like as a Mithra I could get a different piece to try to make up for it.

A lot of people talk about how they get their Kote around level 50, but then isn't AF just around the corner? I would much rather completely skip it if I'm going to be using it for that short of a time.

Advice?

Edit: I've also been thinking about taking MNK to 30, doing the BRD quest, and then leveling BRD/WHM and do BCNMs for the gear I'd like for MNK. Is that a good idea?

[Celeal]

O.Kote is very nice to have, but is not a requirement for leveling monk. O.Kote is expensive because you can use it from level 34 to 70+. Since O.Kote is good for many levels, and if you insist of getting it, you can try to get it at later levels, when you have enough resource to get it.

Added:
An alternative is, use attack food + accuarcy gear setup until level 40~45, then have both sushi and attack food setup ready down the road. Use Beserk, focus and Boost wisely.

[Tomato_Kai]

Everyone I've talked to who's started with MNK has not had had Ochi's Kote at lvl 34. That said, I'm personally the kind of guy who *must* have the best equipment. Yes, that means Peacock Amulet (or charm, if you like) and yes, that means Ochiudo's Kote. You can farm for the item (like I'm doing) or you can camp the NM for the rare/ex version.

That being said, there are less expensive alternatives to the Ochi's Kote. Primarily, you could try Horomusha Kote, they have a bit less attack, (+15) but don't affect evasion... and the biggest bonus, they cost substantially less. I don't know what your server looks like, but when I last checked on Bahamut, they were rolling for about 200k per. That's pretty significant over 800k.

At any rate, choose what best suits you, the Cheap Alternative, The Real Deal, or the Rare Spawn Drop.

In any case, without those bright red gauntlets, your status as a mnk does decrease in this day and age. People (stupidly) look down upon not having ridiculous resources at your command. I like that SE made enough alternatives for us that we don't have to just worry about one particular mob in one particular situation. Woo!

[Legion]

Wait until you start noticing it, if that makes any sense.

I got mine at around lvl 40 alongside the rest of the ouch which is lvl 40.

I farmed beehive chips on rolanberry and turned them into beeswax in order to save for mine.

As has been said once you have these gloves you can use them for a long time I still have mine at 63 +20 ATT is hard to find.

AF is good but should be used as a macro swap rather the xping with

[Ryuuhikiuu]

I feel the same way Kai, it's just that I feel like I'd quit before I could save up that much money.

I've read in a lot of places melee are much more expensive than casters, so I'm going to try leveling a BRD up and doing BCNMs/whatever else to get the best gear for my melee classes. (I plan to level MNK and THF, thief/assassin types have always been my favorite classes)

Primarily, you could try Horomusha Kote, they have a bit less attack, (+15) but don't affect evasion... and the biggest bonus, they cost substantially less. I don't know what your server looks like, but when I last checked on Bahamut, they were rolling for about 200k per. That's pretty significant over 800k.

Hah.. Shit! Horomusha is 500k on my server, and Ochi's is 600k. I'm just gonna level BRD and try to get all my melee gear from him.

[Mog]

Unfortunately, the grim reality is that if your first job is a melee, it's harder to get the best gear that you can obtain, unless you get lucky with some BCNM's , farm a lot, or have really generous friends.

My first job to 75 was black mage, and it wasn't that much of a gear-intensive job. Once that hit 75, it was a lot easier gearing up my samurai when I was leveling that up.

It's probably good that you choose bard. Everybody and their mom loves bards and the ground they walk on.

[Ryuuhikiuu]

Yeah exactly, and the WHM sub shouldn't be terribly difficult to find groups with as well

[Callisto]

My advice: Level up as far as you need to in order to solo Mee Deggi safely, then camp the R/E version. I'll be blunt that camping for the R/E ones will suck absolute and complete ass, but once you have them you're done with it and you can use them pretty much til endgame, as well as on SAM and NIN should you decide to level those.

Don't worry about people thinking that you're gimped and whatnot, it's been said a million times but truly knowledge of your job > gear in 99% of cases, and anyone who looks down at you for not having elite gear on your first job is an idiot, and cannot have their opinion taken seriously. You can make up the Attack in other slots for the time being until you can get the Kote, then get them at your lesiure. Alternately, head out to West Sarutabaruta and farm your balls off til you can pay for them with beechips/silk. This is how obtained lots of crazy HQ gear my first time to 75. It's time consuming but it adds up faster than you think.

[Ameroth]

As a new player with obviously limited resources, most people aren't going to just boot you from parties or make fun of you because you don't have 600k to just pull out of your lvl 25 ass. Honestly, if someone ever was giving you shit for that, they're elitist assholes and you shouldn't give two shits or piss what they have to say.

My advice: Play your job the way you want to play your job. Don't be afraid to take constructive criticism, but don't let people pigeon-hole you into doing what they want. If you want to spend the time/money to get the piece (R/E or non-R/E), that's your call. You pay the monthly fee like everyone else. If someone thinks you should have it so bad, tell them to buy it for you or piss off.