Scholar
I had plans to take SCH to 75, so I can finally have my first mage job. But due to sudden events in the game, I’m halting SCH at 60 and continuing MNK, which I left off at 47.
During my SCH days of 10~60, the most boring periods are where I only have access to the first strategem and only have 1 charge.
Things slightly got better when I have 2 charges, but it was still hard to play SCH. In some PTs, I had to do erase and dispel. Having 2 charges with 2 minute recasts and because of SCH mechanics, it was difficult for me to switch between the 2 spells.
When I’ve reached the level for 3 charges and having access to Accession, this is when the job starts to get interesting.
Depending on the PT setup, I would choose between /RDM and /NIN. If we had a lot of melees and a PLD tank, I would opt for /RDM to give party members en-spells. As I already have capped enhancing magic from my PLD, the extra damage from these en-spells are mostly 15. Which is almost as good as having TP-free damage from 1~2 extra melees?
And if we had a NIN tank, I would sub /WHM for Stoneskin-ga to help him put shadows back up. But most NINs I PTed with couldn’t make good use of it. Perhaps I didn’t use enough MND equipment to give stronger Stoneskin or I’ve overestimated it for mid level parties.
1 min 20 sec for the charges to recover also made it a lot easier to switch between the 2 addendums for dispel and erase.
Motivation for Monk
I tend to level certain jobs as a way to show my appreciation towards my friends who’ve left FFXI. So yea, another friend has left. :(
I thought I wouldn’t feel anything this time but because we became quite close, and he is one of the FFXI players whom I’ve met in real life when I visited Japan last year, it was sad to see him go.
So to you, Z, I will level MNK to 75!
Thus for the past few days, I’ve been soloing EP/DC monsters for guard skill ups. It’s slow and I’ve already gained 3 levels, lol. Currently soloing Colibris in East Ronfaure [S], it’s suitable for LV48-51, I believe. My guard is in the 90s now. I don’t know how far my patience can hold before I start seeking for PTs, but for now, I’m just going to try to cap it.
Thoughts on PT setups
I’ve always believed that there shouldn’t be a fixed setup for making PTs. But at least, the basic tank and support job has to be there. Or not? (Healing breath setups, but usually for LV75 merit PTs)
As I levelled SCH in PTs, I’ve been in odd setups that work because the players are skillful and able to adapt. I’ve also been in the standard setup PT that didn’t work out well simply because 1 player really sucked.
Just wanted to let this out because I’ve been hearing a lot of people complaining about their PT setups the moment they joined the PT. Before they’ve given it a chance, before they’ve tried adjusting their play style a little to suit the odd PT setup.
In odd setups, the first hour is usually the worst. But once every player gets used to it, it may eventually turn out to be a very fun levelling session!
FFXI has 20 different jobs to play, and since I don’t static, I get to level in different PT setups. Different PT setups = different play styles = fun. This is what I’ve always believed in. Well, as long as each player knows their job well enough D: