Brand new to FFXI

[Murphie]

Re: Brand new to FFXI

If there aren't any charmable mobs around for the BST to work with, for instance.

[Balgus]

Re: Brand new to FFXI

If there aren't any charmable mobs around for the BST to work with, for instance.

Wouldn't Jug pets and pet food work in that situation?

Not trying to sound like a BST fanboy here, but honestly I've been leveling one for the exact reasons Kage said it was so nice to have a 75 RDM. I was just wondering if there were any players that had personal experience with both jobs at high levels that could give me some in depth pro's and con's of how each job handles situations such as the ones Kage mentioned. I figured BST/WHM or BST/NIN would be able to solo more quests, missions, BCNM's, and perform coffer hunts sooner and better than a RDM/, but I have never really read any head-to-head comparisons.

I suppose I choose BST/ because it fits my playtime better these days, because I don't have time to party very often.. but I would just hate to find myself wishing I had focused on RDM/ for the task instead.

Also, apologies to the OP. Not trying to derail your thread, just in a similar situation as yourself starting relatively fresh and all. I've been trying to decide which route I should take so that I will be able to enjoy the game to its fullest without having to rely on the help of outside help unless it is absolutely necessary. Not that I do not enjoy meeting others or partying, this is an MMORPG after all, I just don't have the long stretches of time to play that I used to.

[Murphie]

Re: Brand new to FFXI

Jug Pets aren't always going to be enough. Don't get me wrong. BST is an excellent solo job, and if you're going for solo exp, I'd choose that over RDM every time. But there are some mobs at or around endgame that a RDM may have more luck with than a BST, which is all I was referring to.

[Balgus]

Re: Brand new to FFXI

Jug Pets aren't always going to be enough. Don't get me wrong. BST is an excellent solo job, and if you're going for solo exp, I'd choose that over RDM every time. But there are some mobs at or around endgame that a RDM may have more luck with than a BST, which is all I was referring to.

Would there be enough mobs at or around endgame that it would be worth leveling up both jobs? Or are these cases few and far between?

[Necropolis]

Re: Brand new to FFXI

Can't give a head-to-head comparison but a talented rdm could probably solo more NMs and such but as the OP said, he's a social guy (or gal <.<)

Bst however has the advantage that they've soloed 1-75, or at least most of it so are more aware of thier limitations. Another advantage of bst is once it's 75 you can use it as a sub and beable to charm the same as if it was your main. Since charm success rate isn't a skill but rather just a check of chr.

Also all thier abilities (except merited ones) are 30 or lower, so you would have all the tools of a 75 bst as a 75anything/37bst

(thought I'm not sure of comparitive strengths of jugs pets as a sub, so perhaps a bst wandering through here could enlighten)

But to the OP, welcome to FFXI, and enjoy the game ^^

[Balgus]

Re: Brand new to FFXI

Can't give a head-to-head comparison but a talented rdm could probably solo more NMs and such but as the OP said, he's a social guy (or gal <.<)

Bst however has the advantage that they've soloed 1-75, or at least most of it so are more aware of thier limitations. Another advantage of bst is once it's 75 you can use it as a sub and beable to charm the same as if it was your main. Since charm success rate isn't a skill but rather just a check of chr.

Also all thier abilities (except merited ones) are 30 or lower, so you would have all the tools of a 75 bst as a 75anything/37bst

(thought I'm not sure of comparitive strengths of jugs pets as a sub, so perhaps a bst wandering through here could enlighten)

But to the OP, welcome to FFXI, and enjoy the game ^^

So at level cap RDM/ is more useful when it comes to soloing most NMs?

I hear RDM/BST is a workable solo option (for exp) as well if your BST is already leveled (incase there isn't enough time to party). As far as the Jug pets go I think they are all BST only so you can only use them if your main job is BST irrc.

Thanks for the additional input!

[Murphie]

Re: Brand new to FFXI

Would there be enough mobs at or around endgame that it would be worth leveling up both jobs? Or are these cases few and far between?

It seriously depends. I haven't leveled BST to 75, but I have a few BST friends, and they seem to do ok. It's not very easy to say definitively one way or the other.

Honestly, you'll get a lot more enjoyment out of this game if you play the job you love, and not worry so much about what you may or may not be able to do when you hit 75 (unless that is the basis of your enjoyment in the game).

[Necropolis]

Re: Brand new to FFXI

So at level cap RDM/ is more useful when it comes to soloing most NMs?

I hear RDM/BST is a workable solo option (for exp) as well if your BST is already leveled (incase there isn't enough time to party). As far as the Jug pets go I think they are all BST only so you can only use them if your main job is BST irrc.

Thanks for the additional input!

Well I just started leveling bst, but from what I've seen from a bst in my LS during a swift belt run (40 cap) he far outshines a rdm. But it would again depend on the mobs, what you have to charm and if a jug could take the beating. But then you see rdm soloing all kinds of NMs that I havn't seen bst do.

So if you wanna solo everything, then rdm and bst. But overall soloing (exp, NMs, quite a few BCs) then bst would be the better.

Both I think require a bit of good gear, but between the two of them, bst would be the cheaper, and easier on the inventory space.

[Balgus]

Re: Brand new to FFXI

Honestly, you'll get a lot more enjoyment out of this game if you play the job you love, and not worry so much about what you may or may not be able to do when you hit 75 (unless that is the basis of your enjoyment in the game).

I generally agree with this, and I plan to play the group dependent jobs that I love when I have the time. However, I try not to party unless I have at least 3 hours to play, because creating a party alone, combined with travel and setup time can easily take an hour. So during the smaller sessions it is nice to be able to accomplish some things other than just farming some gil or fame, which is typically the most a group dependent job can do solo. Being able to unlock those fun adv. jobs, complete some old missions that most players have already done, hunt for coffers, solo for decent XP, solo a few BCNMs, all without being dependent on other players and most importantly being able to logoff at whim incase RL calls without leaving others helpless or inconvenienced trying to replace you, makes the game a lot more enjoyable for me. Heck, it makes this game actually playable for me.

[Necropolis]

Re: Brand new to FFXI

I generally agree with this, and I plan to play the group dependent jobs that I love when I have the time. However, I try not to party unless I have at least 3 hours to play, because creating a party alone, combined with travel and setup time can easily take an hour. So during the smaller sessions it is nice to be able to accomplish some things other than just farming some gil or fame, which is typically the most a group dependent job can do solo. Being able to unlock those fun adv. jobs, complete some old missions that most players have already done, hunt for coffers, solo for decent XP, solo a few BCNMs, all without being dependent on other players and most importantly being able to logoff at whim incase RL calls without leaving others helpless or inconvenienced trying to replace you, makes the game a lot more enjoyable for me. Heck, it makes this game actually playable for me.

I would say in a general sense that bst more or less fits your needs. Rdm, from my observations, solo things just to prove they can. It's rarly ever needed and is much quicker of course in a party.

For example, a rdm soloing fenrir (with the correct gear) could take 25+minutes, where as a party would be done in 5 to 10 minutes. Also the Joyeuse NM has been soloed by a rdm, and again it takes like 30 minutes. I don't know if that's been bst soloed, but why do it if you can ask 3 or 4 friends to come out?

Bst for me offers the opportunity to avoid lfp or just partying for a short time then logging. I can wake up in the morning, get my 30 minute fix of ffxi and go to work. With rdm you might be on mob 2 if just exping. Bst can solo/duo/trio quiet a few BCNMs and can perform well in level capped areas.

But in the end it's boils down to the job you enjoy more. Rdm can get parties fairly easy, bst will rarely get party invites. They can both solo, bst being more in general, rdm in special cases or just deteremined. Some people like killing with nothing but bio/poison, some like to swing and axe, you choice, enjoy which ever you decide or both if time permits.

[Balgus]

Re: Brand new to FFXI

I would say in a general sense that bst more or less fits your needs. Rdm, from my observations, solo things just to prove they can. It's rarly ever needed and is much quicker of course in a party.

For example, a rdm soloing fenrir (with the correct gear) could take 25+minutes, where as a party would be done in 5 to 10 minutes. Also the Joyeuse NM has been soloed by a rdm, and again it takes like 30 minutes. I don't know if that's been bst soloed, but why do it if you can ask 3 or 4 friends to come out?

Bst for me offers the opportunity to avoid lfp or just partying for a short time then logging. I can wake up in the morning, get my 30 minute fix of ffxi and go to work. With rdm you might be on mob 2 if just exping. Bst can solo/duo/trio quiet a few BCNMs and can perform well in level capped areas.

But in the end it's boils down to the job you enjoy more. Rdm can get parties fairly easy, bst will rarely get party invites. They can both solo, bst being more in general, rdm in special cases or just deteremined. Some people like killing with nothing but bio/poison, some like to swing and axe, you choice, enjoy which ever you decide or both if time permits.

I am really banking on the idea that BST as a SJ can provide similar freedoms for the many other jobs in the game (to XP when playtime is limited). RDM seems like an exciting and challenging job, and although it is in high demand it most definitely does not allow for any kind of casual, short term, or semi-afk play styles - which are almost always totally unacceptable in party situations (for obvious reasons).

[ItazuraNhomango]

Re: Brand new to FFXI

Well I just started leveling bst, but from what I've seen from a bst in my LS during a swift belt run (40 cap) he far outshines a rdm.

(Minor correction: Swift Belt is obtained from NM's in Sacrarium, a Lv.50 capped area.)

What do you mean by "outshine"? I'd think RDM and BST would have very different roles in a Swift Belt run, normally, making a direct comparison difficult.

p.s. You stole a bat from my sister in Korroloka Tunnel yesterday. >_> (She had it targeted with weapons drawn, and was about to cast Hojo on it when you voked it; you probably didn't see that, though. )

[Necropolis]

Re: Brand new to FFXI

(Minor correction: Swift Belt is obtained from NM's in Sacrarium, a Lv.50 capped area.)

What do you mean by "outshine"? I'd think RDM and BST would have very different roles in a Swift Belt run, normally, making a direct comparison difficult.

p.s. You stole a bat from my sister in Korroloka Tunnel yesterday. >_> (She had it targeted with weapons drawn, and was about to cast Hojo on it when you voked it; you probably didn't see that, though. )

Yea, sorry had the zons mixed up, we farmed in aquaducts for codex's which were 40cap area, then poped in sacrarium.

The bst and rdm each tried to solo one of the pops, we had about 20 codex's to pop so were trying for something different. Neither ended up soloing it all the way, but the bst had his to about 20% where the rdm was still at 60%. I didn't mean to imply one was better, just one is more suited and use to soloing I suppose would be a nicer way to say it.

Both jobs are very accomplished soloers, just seems as though rdm requires a lot more gear and effort to solo where as for bst it's just leveling like they've done for how many ever levels.

Sorry about the bat, I don't usually level there so didn't know if they aggroed like in dunes tunnel. Was out there with a friend. It certainly wasn't intentional ; ;

[ItazuraNhomango]

Re: Brand new to FFXI

The bst and rdm each tried to solo one of the pops, we had about 20 codex's to pop so were trying for something different. Neither ended up soloing it all the way, but the bst had his to about 20% where the rdm was still at 60%. I didn't mean to imply one was better, just one is more suited and use to soloing I suppose would be a nicer way to say it.

^_^; I'm surprised the solo RDM even got that far; Aegis Schism is quite scary to any tank, especially a non-blinking tank. A solo RDM doesn't have Utusemi: Ni at that level, so eating Aegis Schism (defense down) followed by some big attack would suck, a lot.

BST's at least can use a pet to sponge up the damage for a while; Stoneskin and Phalanx are no match against Fomors' nasty moves. x_X

Sorry about the bat, I don't usually level there so didn't know if they aggroed like in dunes tunnel. Was out there with a friend. It certainly wasn't intentional ; ;

lol. All forgiven--I already told my sister at the time that you're a nice guy and you probably just didn't notice she was about to beat up the critter.

[Malacite]

Re: Brand new to FFXI

Welcome to FFXI ^_ ^

The grind is this game actually isn't that bad, and has been toned down over the years. Seriously, if you want a horrific soloing grind try Ragnarok Online sometime >.>p


Anyway, that said this game has 6 beginner jobs and 12 advanced jobs for a whopping total of 18 different play styles, all of which can differ greatly based on sub job choice. This game is a blast but can also be a total time sink too, so try not to get sucked in beyond the PSR (Guilty >.>b)


WHM is a very good job to get started on by the way. You'll be in high demand for parties, learn lots of helpful spells for various applications (not just EXP) and you're bound to make a lot of friends, especially if you're really good at the job. ^^b That said, you shouldn't feel the need to rush to 75 either. Take your time and enjoy the game, as there's a lot to do aside from EXP.


Which brings us to the one major problem everyone faces; money. Hopefully this'll be the only thing that'll be a bit of a drag, as it is for everyone. I'd advise looking into lucrative propositions early on, such as smithing (Copper ingots cost nothing to make and sell for decent cash on the auction house).

Leveling THF up for treasure hunter is another good option, and will give you some good perspective on the game in terms of soloing. I personally find THF to have a higher learning curve than WAR or MNK but it's not a bad job to start out with either if you like soloing and want to make money.


That's enough for now I think. Have fun and enjoy your time in Vana'diel!