A New Beastamer

[Zempten]

Hi guys

Well, I'm finally getting around to leveling my beastmaster ( Level 10 Elvaan)after going thru other jobs. I was posting here to ask some questions if it wouldn't be too much trouble.

BTW, just wanted to say I went to ffxibeastmasters.com or something like that and read their leveling guide but I'm still a bit confused.

1) Gear Selection:
How should I gear up my BST? Will DEF play an important role at the low levels where my meele will generate more hate then my pet? When does CHR become that important?

2) Weapon choice:
Which weapon would a beastmaster use? Axe? Scyth? Most of them are capped for me

3) Leveling:
Would anyone mind sharing their experiences soloing? I plan on soloing my BST full way as I have limited time to play and setting up a PT can take a while. So I was thinking of mainly just soloing on my BST. I really want to take advantage of the chain of command where certain animals intimidate others, but my knowledge of mobs that are like this are limited. So if you don't mind sharing please do. Also abotu the chain of command thing, does using this to my advantage allow me to tackle even - toughs? or ever very toughs?

Well, thanks again for all your replys and I'll try to use the search button and find other websites to help me out. Thanks once again

[Gman]

I use Allakazahm or IGN's FFXI page for BST leveling guide. They are both almost identical, although I havent been to the one you mention so it may be better/worse.

1) CHR gear pre-AF is important. Failing charms will happen no matter what, but you want to reduce the amount it happens as much as possible. Only problem is availablility of good CHR gear. At 14 you an get 2 Hope Rings (+2 CHR each ~15k gil each) Then at 15 you can get a Bird Whistle (+3 CHR) I still use this now, macroed in when I charm. Other than CHR, you'll want a mix of good defence gears, and maybe a bit of MP+ gear assuming you sub WHM. At present, I carry 2 electrums on me, but only use them when I need a lot of mp for something like raise.

2) If scythe is capped, stick with axe. The only reason I even use scythe is to keep it skilled up. Having said that, when farming scythe's damage against too weaks kills axe's. Axe is BST's "A" weapon, so that should be the main one.

3) Soloing is the way to go. I'm currently in a duo, but I sometimes find myself held back by both of us not being ready to level at the same time, and neither of us wanting to get too far ahead of the other. Certain places are very duo friendly, where others are more solo oriented.

The "killer" effects and the typeA intimidates typeB isnt a huge factor, and definately wont give you an edge against toughs and VT's. Mobs that are normally strong will be strong against any other foe. For example leeches and slimes. Always use these as pets as opposed to prey. At early levels before you get Sic, the killer effects play a bigger part, and may give you an advantage over the enemy, but not really any kind of consistency that allows you to plan for it. In other words, dont rely on this. ^^

[Zempten]

Thanks, one more thing. Is there any type of food I should be eatting?

[Gman]

I learned early on that food was just not necessary. Attack foods like meat kabobs are more dangerous than helpful 1) because if you actually melee while buffed up on attack, you will draw hate and die. 2) when you die, you lose the food effect and have to use again.

CHR gear, while definately helpful, is on the expensive side. Use if you wish. Flint Caviar is good.

Pies/mage foods. These are somewhat useful, but not needed. The pies are good for MP boost, and if you do a lot of enfeebling (use at own risk, causes hate) the roast mushrooms are good for the +MND.

I simply dont use food now. The only food I really used was when I was in trio and pets had so much hate that meat kabobs wouldnt cause a problem.

[Roxtar]

I just started BST too. I just got to 10, and it was a blast. I used meatkabobs, and just meleed. I got exp chains on Ts, and if I was in trouble, I'd just charm the monster.

Now things are going to get tougher though and I'll actually have to play BST "the right way".