Spart the Taru

Update

2007-03-07T19:20:08Z

Holy crap...

Gonna go slowly... or I might lose my head.

LS has been a little crazy recently, but I think thats cleared up. Drama happens, time to move on.

Than todays update.... wow...

Really looking foward to the new Nyzul area assaults, and not just because of the possibility of what could drop in them. I just think small manning around Vana'diel is incredibly fun.

The bitch slap of indiscriminate justice that SE handed down to the RMT was absolutely amazing. I realize that inflation is going to happen on affected items now, and that eventually they will just find something else, but for now... a huge THANK YOU goes out to SE for doing the right thing.

Possible new HNM in the Thickets, looks like a rhino, could be cool. The more stuff the myriad of LSs have to camp, the better.

Signet changes are interesting, but I feel bad for PLDs who leveled before this. I'm sure they would have loved to have had their TP.

Big yay for being able to switch to merit points on the fly.

New Drk spells, gonna have to wait and see what the effect those have.

/Brd tanking likely got nerfed, have to wait and see exactly how much enmity the mazuka songs now pull.

New equipment is always cool, and from what i've seen briefly from data miners, some of it looks pretty interesting. All assault pieces so far that I can tell.

Than the NM changes...

Forced spawns for Big Bomb, Alkyoneus, Pallas, Sozu Rogberry and mother fucking Ullikummi... THANK FUCKING GOD!!!!!

Whole bunch of really cool items getting R/E equivalents is nice, have to wait and see where they move the normal drops to.

100% drop on Virtues is fantastic. Should have been that way from the start.

Can't wait to get home, download, and start checking stuff out... maybe a sick day tomorrow is in order.

~Spart

Salvage

2007-02-11T17:15:07Z

Joined a Salvage linkshell and been doing around two runs a week. We've been spamming Bhaflau to beat the boss after farming it a little bit before we moved on. The original strat was to dual tank it, and we've used everything from Nin/War to Pld/Nin to Rdm/Nin and just havn't had the luck we needed. Lowest we got it was around 43% before an unfortunate homing missle would erase hate on a tank, and than take down the DD. Well the LS leader decided to switch things up a bit and:

I realize there is a bit of death there, but thats only because of spamming it at the end. We still had two tanks, but had them kite when they could get hate. We had two buffed up monks with drinks from the run Hundred Fist at the start, along with a chainspell Stun from me. With the buffs they were able to take off about 30-35% of his HP in 30 seconds. After that the Blm/Nin just proceeded to nuke and kite as they got hate. We also had a Rng this run, and they were able to do a fair bit of damage. The deaths all mostly happened at the end, so was a much safer and much faster way to take him down. Got pieces of the Morrigan body and the Skadi legs.

After that, we went to Arrapago Reef, and while we killed a few NMs there, that zone is a huge pain. I can see why nobody has gotten to the boss yet. Horrid drop rate, and the final floor just looks nasty.

So far on our runs i've won a piece of the Usukane hands. I've decided to go after that set instead of the Morrigan, mostly because with a few exceptions, i'm pretty happy with my Rdm gear. It does what I need it do to, and with a few exceptions of gear that would be nice to have, its basically finished.

Decided to work on leveling Rng. I got it to 24 over 2 years ago, and havn't touched it since. It bothered me to have it just sitting there unfinished, but the more I play with it, the more I think I might keep going. I always wanted a job that would put big numbers up, and i'm having fun doing it.

Best screen i've ever taken.... bar none

2007-01-30T01:17:08Z

Update

2007-01-22T18:16:47Z

So whats been going on...

Dynamis, Limbus, ENMs, Assault for the most part. I'd like to add some Salvage to this, but it seems it is going to be a case of if you want it done, you have to do it yourself.

Been running weekly, for the most part, ENM trips to Boneyard Gully and Bearclaw Pinnacle. valeforoverdark and I have been duoing the Brothers ENM regularly. We both want a Hedgehog Bomb and a Forager's Mantle, and the 3k or so XP/Limit isn't bad either as it helps keep my buffer up. So far we've gotten one bomb, and the rest has been garbage except for a Scouter's Rope. Bad drops can't last forever ( right? they honestly can't right? ) Also been doing the 13 man + Shell We Dance ENM in Boneyard Gully. We go with a 4 man group, although we know its been done with less, but thats not why we go. Its a fun fight for all of us, and if we get lucky on drops, than bonus. However I did learn its possible to get nothing from an ENM drop. And I mean nothing, zip, zero, zilch, nadda. Its an odd feeling to open a treasure chest, and not have a treasure pool. We've gotten one Blau Dolch so far in the runs we've done, and a couple of Cloud Evokers, which leads into another deal....

LS has been having some trouble with the Ouryu BC. My understanding from the bit of research i've done is that you manaburn this fight and move on. I am part of a linkshell that is generally opposed to manaburning anything, and while most of the time I respect that fact, we've lost this fight enough that maybe its time we just knuckle under and get the win. Ouryu and the Bahamut V.2 fights are easily manaburned, and it allows the LS to get some better items for its members. Maybe it sucks that not everyone is included in the fight, but at this point i'd rather see a win than step on someones toes. My two cents.

We've been having some good luck on Dynamis recently. For as long as i've known, we were the only LS that would leave a city dynamis with 1-3 drops and that would be it. Now in the Northlands zones, that might be ok and considered a good day, but in the cites thats crap. Well our last two runs into Bastok and Sandy yielded AF2 in the 10-15 range both times. One of those ended up in my back pocket...

I did some solo work in Sea with these and Counterstance on... and to be honest... I have no idea what "Enhance Counterstance" does. I don't see any difference between my counter rate with or without them. If my Guard was anywhere near cap, i'm sure these would be much more useful, but at the moment, they go in the "Yay I have AF2" category rather than the useful AF2 spot.

Havn't done as much Limbus recently, and I think its because I don't play a job that has any really useful AF+1. I upgarded my Rdm hat mostly just because I had the items, and there are 2 pieces of Monk I would consider for Chi Blast builds, and maybe one for solo work, but otherwise the only reason to do it is for the "ooohhhh white border" factor. Also its hard to go with LS for coins when I know I can solo/duo the zones for 10-15 a shot. Gonna start trying to make the LS runs again though, as its just more fun to do things with more people on some occasion.

Up to Rank 4 in Assault, and starting to come across some really fun and interesting missions. I'd still like to get Yigit Gages, but its become something that as I slowly accumulate points in Mamool Ja, i'll pick them up when I can rather than pushing for them. Mostly I just do them for quick fun and to save points for...

Salvage. LS currently doing no runs at all that I know of. If they are, they aren't advertised or at a time that i'm not able to be online. Starting to wonder if I could setup a once or twice a week run for anyone able to come. I'm pretty sure a good group with the right jobs could do some small farming of zones on a regular basis, or go after a boss if for some reason we got a big turnout. My patience with being in charge of setting these things up is very short however, but it might be the only way to get a regular run going. I know some people in the LS are interested, so maybe i'll toss the idea out there if I don't see any movement towards Salvage soon.

New toy:

Was actually a more difficult decision when I was asked to choose than I originally thought. Some of the earrings would be kinda cool on my Rdm, but in the end I decided I was happy with my Rdm ear choices, and this was a good upgrade for my Mnk. Hopefully I can get lucky on our Kirin run this weekend, and a decent drop + lot will net me a Shura Togi. Would go a long way to getting my Mnk where i'd like him to be. Even for a Taru, i'm been holding up reasonably well in parses for not having the "Best" gear. I'd really like to upgrade my leg slot, but when you get one Haidate in 6 Byakko fights.... well my lotting luck doesn't hold water there.

Random fun thing, got a ToD on Aspid, and the next day was able to claim Adaman. I've got a Behemoth Tongue, so was looking to add to the collection, and right after HQ is the best time to try for free Egg claims.

http://img480.imageshack.us/my.php?image=adamanduogmdt3.png

2x Rdm/Nin > Adamantoise lol. I know he's been solo'd by Mnk/Nin's and i'm sure other jobs, but it was tons of fun to take him down. Not sure why the GM showed up, but he never said anything to us.

So thats what i've been up to. Back working on merits again this time until I finish them. Than i'm debating leveling another job or not. Right now between Sam and Nin, but we'll see how I feel about it.

Holy Update Batman

2006-12-20T18:37:46Z

Some pretty cool stuff SE sent down the pike with the latest update. Since there are plenty of places discussing the new gear, i'll keep it to personal interest.

The only items of interest for me on an individual level are the head and legs. Head, while not as much acc as Optical hat, and not as much haste as Walahra, is a combination of the two that I would wear full time. Its as simple as that. The legs give me a "Fuck B. Haidate" kind of feeling. I don't think if I had a Shura Togi that I would straight swap for this body, but that might just be personal feel. Be awhile before a parse can show anything. Enmity on the feet is not Monk friendly, and Dune Boots are hard to beat here. The hands are kind of a nice solo piece, but not worth dumping AF2/Bando/OKote for. My opinions on Body/Hands/Feet might change depending on how much haste you get for having the entire set equipped, but until that happens, my opinions are here.

As for Rdm:

Some pretty cool stuff. The feet are sex on a Mnd build. The body is the best nuking thing anyone can wear, and in a pinch replaces Dalmatica. That is not to say that Dalmatica doesn't have its place, but its no longer the only option. A magic defense build still favors Dalm. Hands replace Z. Mitts. Legs are better than Mahatma/Jet by far. Head is meh, but thats because i'm a RDM and my AF/AF2 will always rule that slot.

So Mnk head and legs, Rdm body, legs and feet.... half tempted to start farming crafting materials for them now... but i'm patient, won't have any of this for a long time.

Server reset

2006-11-14T16:37:32Z

One good thing about maintenance is it usually happens while i'm at work, which means NMs are popping about the time I get home. What this generally means is login and run to Behemoth's Dominion, Dragon's Aery, or Valley of Sorrows as fast as possible. First HNM Linkshell there with people gets a free Fafnir or whatever else. Everything dies pretty quickly, and everyone goes back to their normal lives.

The bonus here is all the other NMs pop as well. So its generally pretty easy to hunt down that 21 hour spawn you've been waiting months to have time to kill. Enter Sabotender Bailarina. Its not just that I havn't had time to camp him, its more that finding time, and than getting help at the same time is generally difficult. However, right after a maintenance, people are running around looking for something to do.... which leads to...

TP gear for monk, but enhances kick attack damage by 30, or the equivalent of having a weapon with DMG +30. I have been currently wearing Taru RSE which adds 4 str and 4 vit, which I will probably keep around as it makes a pretty good WS Macro piece. Now if I can just get my hands on some Shura.....

Thoughts.

2006-11-06T17:54:47Z

Have not done a decent entry in quite awhile, mostly because my interests are currently not FFXI related. Been playing FFXII and loving it. The only reason I ever started FFXI was because I wanted to play an FF game, and realized that they weren't going to be doing an offline one for quite awhile. And now that i've got one, i'm engrossed in it.

The only thing left to do is finish merits, which means more XP. Bleah. I just dont have the motivation to do that anymore. And anything in game that isn't a BC or spawned NM is controlled by RMT. Claimed the last Nidhogg and the last KB. I know we don't have it as bad as some servers, but its getting there. While they didn't kill Nid, they did kill KB, and only a matter of time before they can kill Nidhogg. It's just depressing to see. I've essentially given up on any item in game that doesn't come from a spawned mob, and that includes Kirin because of Ulli.

Unfortunately, endgame FFXI is all about loot. If your not striving to get something, there is nothing to do. Killing things just to say you did it no longer holds any interest for me. It's a selfish premise, and I could play the game simply to help other people get stuff, and I do login for raids to help people, but it gets boring.

Currently playing FFXII and enjoying every second. Got FFIII coming for my DS very soon, followed closely by the Wii and the new Zelda game. So lots to occupy my off hours and I think FFXI is gonna take the fall. I considered leveling another job to maintain my interest, but thats grasping at straws at this point. I've got a lot of friends in game, and RL friends who still play, so I doubt i'll walk away anytime soon, but why pay for something your not having fun doing?

This isn't to say i've given up on the MMO idea. Obviously i've spent a lot of time on FFXI, and I realize I enjoy the format in some capacity, even though WoW wasn't for me. So i've got my eye on a few games in the coming months that i'm probably going to give a fair shot. Gods and Heroes is one of them, and probably the biggest interest at this point. I love mythology, so an MMO that sits me in that era is fine by me. Also a big fan of being able to control minions, so we'll see how that goes. Doesn't come out till Feb at the earliest though, and i'm fully expecting a pushback on that date.

Oh well, we'll see where it all goes from here.

-edit-

HAHAHAHAH http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics/ff11us/detail/1013/detail.html

lvl 75

2006-10-16T14:44:07Z

That is all :) /cheer /hurray

.....

2006-07-31T22:18:11Z

It took me two months to go from lvl 70 to 72. There will be no screenshots until I hit 75. That means no great Asuran Fists backflip shots, even though I have them...

Someone XP with me god damnit!!!

LVL 70!!!!!!

2006-06-08T02:05:47Z

Dinged lvl 70 on Monk last weekend. Started Saturday at 12k until lvl 69, and ended the day at 200 past 70. 44k experience points in one day. Was pretty much exhausted, but was one of the most fun parties i've ever been in.

Someone suggested XP'ing off of chigoes, which are the flea/tick things running around in the new Aht Uhrgan areas. Turns out IT Marid's spawn these things. So you have a tank fight the Marid, than gangbang the chigoes as they spawn. What it does is one pull can net you chain 10-12 depending on how many chigoes are spawned. So basically around 1k xp per pull. Chigoes were giving anywhere from 40-110 xp each, and they can be one shotted by a Blm pretty easily.

Only kicker on the the chigoes, is it seems that one hit melee kills (read WS) or critical hit kills yield no xp. Occasionally screwed up the xp chain, but usually another would spawn fast enough to keep the chain going. Like I said, very fun party.

Apparently thats all the good karma my Monk had built up, as I havn't had a sniff of an xp party since. Too bad too... only 34k xp from being able to start the Asuran Fists quest, which is the ultimate goal anyway. I wanna backflip ^^

-edit-
Just realized the windower console is showing in the pic. I use windower, so sue me.

What is going on......

2006-05-25T16:20:14Z

Sometimes the planets align and atrocities not meant for this world occur.....

Or i'm just having a pretty good week. Maybe I shouldn't leave for the weekend and just sit in game and hope for more stuff to fall my way. There is a Dynamis-Beaucedine run on sunday.....

While they are AF2, probably the most useless of the Rdm pieces. Macro in for enspells, phalanx and stoneskin, thats about the extent of the use. I did resist about 5 spells in dynamis after equipping them, including breakga, so their might be an argument for the magic defense. But i'd rather get the Yigit Gages as a full time piece of hand gear.

Apocalypse

2006-05-23T15:52:23Z

This is just a warning to anyone on the Valefor server.... A crash and reset is now inevitable. A system restore to before Sunday is going to happen. So anything that happened since the weekend will be reset very very soon. This is the only possible conclusion, since what happened on Sunday isn't supposed to happen. I won AF2..... FOR MY ACTUAL MAIN JOB!!!!!!!!!!!

Something is very very wrong... if trends continue (aka I get AF2 Hat or a Dalmatica or Nashira Seraweels) than I sense my character is going to be randomly deleted or something. My luck isn't this good.

The nice thing here is instead of adding to the inventory problems a RDM already has, these allow me to sell my Errant Pigaches. Not sure exactly how much damage +4 Magic Attack will add to nukes, but should get a chance to test that out fairly soon.

Monk progress and thoughts

2006-05-18T17:06:09Z

Up to 67 on my Monk now and steadily progressing. I seem to be having more luck with invites as of late. I don't know if I have spawned a good reputation and people who I have partied with before are telling leaders to invite me, but I do seem to be getting parties with a lot of familiar faces recently. Whats amusing is that everyone seems to be amazed that a Taru DD can pull hate. Eventually people are going to realize that race matters a lot less than gear, especially in terms of a job like Monk which is so gear dependant. Yes an Elvaan or Galka with the same gear and food is going to outdamage me, but not by such a tremendous amount that it makes any real difference.

Been looking at gear options for a few slots as of late. Ranged slot on Monk is sort of a weird place. Couple of options though. Tiphia Sting was my main goal, but comes with a little bit of a price tag for a ranged slot.

That and its camped by gilsellers pretty regularly. I've camped Demonic Tiphia a few times, and i've read enough accounts from Rdm/Nin that even though it would take awhile, i'm confident I could solo him. However that assumes I can get claim alone from a party of 12 gilsellers.... pretty low chance. I don't like paying for items that are primarily sold by Gilfinder either, so i'm less likely to buy the item if I know I could get the drop. Just a personal philosophy. Than I found this.

The major bonus to this item, is its free. AND incredibly easy to obtain, since its just a quest with a bunch of cutscenes around Aht Uhrgan. Probably more of a tank item in the long run, but definately has its uses for a Monk. Tiphia Sting is probably still the better item, although i'm not a fan of the -evade, but in terms of an XP party. Bibiki Seashell might be the better solo item, but i'm definately interested in the Killer effect when I get hate on crabs etc, and if it will help my WS damage on Vit modifiers much.

Also been looking to gear to replace my subligar eventually. I know, I know... Subligar for Life!!!! But eventually you do have to move on. Or at least you get sick of the look enough that you take a worse piece of gear over it.
So

vs.

I realize there are better pieces of gear out there. Melee Hose, Shura Haidate or Byakko's Haidate. But none of those are easily obtained. Hopefully I can get them one day, but for now these are my best two options. I'm not rich, so the Rasetsu+1, while very nice, is out of the question at this point. Latent on the Rasetsu activates in red HP from what I understand. So lose 3 attack in exchange for a ton of defense, the Ice Spikes effect, which could be cool, but coming from a Rdm background its my opinion the mob should be paralyzed already, and some extra counter when low hp. OH... and the non subligar look. I'll probably have both and switch them around for some testing, but its something i'm debating currently.

Hoping for level 70 soon. Got my Optical Hat waiting in the wings, and getting very anxious to get started on the Asuran Fists quest at 71.

~Spart out

I've never played a tank...

2006-05-04T16:33:22Z

Ok, i'm going to post this here because people whose opinion I respect on the topic will answer and I won't have to deal with trolling through forums of flames to find my answer.

I was partying my MNK the other day with a group of RDM, BRD, NIN, THF, SAM. The THF and I were doing Howling Fist > Dancing Edge for a Distortion SC. Pretty standard really. The SAM/THF was TA SC on to the NIN at the start of fights, and doing 400-800 damage pretty readily. The NIN is fully merited in enmity from his THF main.

So naturally I am lining up behind the mob, and doing Howling Fist to turn the mob to me so the THF could Dancing Edge back onto the NIN. Worked very well, and the really good THF was fast enough that when I turned the mob I rarely took a hit. If the mob didn't turn, i'd provoke to try and get his attention.

Well about half the time I could turn the mob, if not with the WS than with provoke. But considering the damage already put onto the NIN and the forementioned enmity merits, turning the mob wasn't always the easiest thing to do.

Here is my question. If I add gear into my provoke macro, so that it equips the +enmity gear before provoke, is that going to help at all? Does +enmity = a greater hate spike from provoke or does it just mean the hate dissipates slower over time with the increased enmity. Would I be better served to simply equip +enmity on a regular basis when I know the tank has the ability to hold the hate normally?

Finally!

2006-05-01T14:55:56Z

Somehow I always knew this would happen. There was no possible way that with the number of people traditionally lotting RDM on dynamis runs, that my first piece of AF2 was going to be for my actual main job. And so of course on my LS's dynamis run on sunday, this drops.

I could care less if it only has occasional use, I WON SOME AF2!!!!!!

Monk is 63 now, and hopefully I have found a LS static so that it will level a bit faster. At least I have something to look forward to now.

WWWWWWWWOOOOOOOTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2006-04-06T23:33:29Z

Narya is back in business. Now just gotta get Raimus and Hien back ;)

Bow to Nar... you served a great purpose. Now step aside and let the Narya come through.

Update time

2006-04-03T18:42:35Z

I'm a bad LJ'er. Or whatever the term is. I am more likely to read other peoples than write in my own. So sue me ^^

Lot been going on. Been leveling Monk when I get the chance. Most recently got to party with Zarkon on his Bard, which was a good time, mostly because it was 4x Monk 1x Bard 1x Rdm at lvl 60 against bones in Gustav Tunnel. Occasional chain #6 and around 12k xp in about 2 hours. Not bad for a non traditional party setup. And it was fun to party with Zark again. I have a good time playing with my old static members. Need to do it more often. I'm sure Zark will out-level me in a day or two, but was good to get in at least one party while we could.

Linkshell has been working on SEA a good amount. They took down the Jailer of Faith (Congrats to Qestasar on his new toy) recently and I was able to make it for Jailer of Fortitude (Multi attacking Great Axe... thats a scary thought, Congrats Zechs) the other day. These NMs seem to either be really difficult or really easy. And absurdly one way or the other. I'm sure we just havn't found the right strategy for some, and I'm confident we'll figure it out. Something i'm proud of in the LS, there are some extremely bright people in it.

Still occasionally hitting up SKY as we have new and old members who still need gear from it. But the majority of it is pretty routine anymore, and the Gods don't pose much of a problem. That isn't to say that everything is always smooth and easy, but everyone knows whats coming and if something does go amiss, i'm confident i'm with a group who will rebound without incident. We've gotten Kirin down to a 30 minute fight, which is great as I know there are tons of members after his drops. Lost lot on W. Legs, but I would have passed for a PLD anyway, so i'm not too worried about it. I'll get them in time. Than its Tarutaru Flee all day every day. ^^

Been duoing Limbus with Overdark in our eternal persuit of Ancient coins. The Locquacious Earring is slowly coming into view. I've decided that the phantom earring and the geist earring really don't do anything for my RDM, so hoping to sell both of those. I'd keep the Geist for Monk, but whats the likleyhood i'll ever bring Monk to a raid over RDM.... yeah... right. I'd like the Brutal Earring and the Boxer's Mantle as well, but thats a good ways off. And as long as we continue to go, I will get them in time.

Hopefully land kings will be in our timeframe soon and I can get some camping in on them. IMO, my linkshell is way too good and we do way too much to not have our members wearing the kinda gear they deserve. But how do you convince 30+ people to sit in one spot for 3 hours when they might not even get claim. I'd heard an idea recently that the 99 KS fights should drop abjurations and I tend to agree with the logic. 99 KS to go into a reasonably difficult fight for the chance at an ABJ drop... you can be sure all of mine would be looking for a A. Body. *drool* I'll post pictures when I get home.

~Spart

Long time no see...

2006-02-06T15:22:13Z

It has been awhile, but with not playing FF comes no updates for LJ. The break from the game isn't something I really planned or that I sat down and decided I needed to do. I just sorta stopped having fun and found other things to occupy my time. The biggest of which is I started working out again (Contrary to popular belief, FF is not that great for the waistline... who knew?). This wouldn't be a big deal except i'm working out at 6 AM, which means i'm generally going to bed before 10 PM, which isn't real condusive to FF. I love the game, but its a full time job along side the rest of my life, and its very hard to play a full time game part time. I miss the people, so I will probably go back soon, but at the moment I am having fun playing the Xbox and PS2 games I have wanted to put more time into, along with playing WoW with an old friend of mine. He used to be my video game buddy, but than moved to Arizona, so its nice to find a game I can occasionally hit up with him again.

Gotten a little FF time in, mostly at the request of some friends for help. A real life friend of mine is a 74 PLD, and was looking for a sword or a great sword... I don't really know which, but its a rare/ex drop from some Antican NM. Fun fight, we duo'd it pretty easily.

Other than that, done some seeking on monk... not some leveling, just some seeking. Most of the time it is accompanied by my LS making fun of my Tarutaru Subligar, or sitting on me. Is it weird that I am used to this by now?

Oh, and I try to keep my RDM out of trouble... but he just seems to have a nose for it. <3 Ennovy ^^

Should get back to playing soon, hopefully get some xp parties on monk. 57 at the moment and pushing towards full AF. Woot.

~Spart out.

I hate work....

2006-01-13T00:44:24Z

The only thing currently getting me through the day is that I have Your the Best by Joe Esposito stuck in my head since 7 AM this morning. For those of you not familiar, thats the theme song to Karate Kid. I like to sing it to myself while seeking on monk, I feel its fitting.

God its been a long day......

Try to be best
‘Cause you’re only a man
And a man’s gotta learn to take it

Try to believe
Though the going gets rough
That you gotta hang tough to make it

History repeats itself
Try and you’ll succeed

Never doubt that you’re the one
And you can have your dreams!

You’re the best!
Around!
Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down
You’re the Best!
Around!
Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down
You’re the Best!
Around!
Nothing’s gonna ever keep you dow-ow-ow-ow-own

Fight ‘til the end
Cause your life will depend
On the strength that you have inside you

Ah you gotta be proud
starin’ out in the cloud
When the odds in the game defy you

Try your best to win them all
and one day time will tell
when you’re the one that’s standing there
you’ll reach the final bell!

You’re the best!
Around!
Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down
You’re the Best!
Around!
Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down
You’re the Best!
Around!
Nothing’s gonna ever keep you dow-ow-ow-ho-how-ho-own

INSPIRING GUITAR SOLO

You’re the best!
Around!
Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down
You’re the Best!
Around!
Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down
You’re the Best!
Around!
Nothing’s gonna ever keep you dow-ow-ow-ow-own

Fight ‘til you drop
never stop
can’t give up
Til you reach the top (FIGHT!)
you’re the best in town (FIGHT!)
Listen to that sound
A little bit of all you got
Can never bring you down

You’re the best!
Around!
Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down
You’re the Best!
Around!

Comes back to bite ya in the ass.......

2005-12-27T23:17:27Z

So everyone complains about the level grind. Yes its long, yes there are people who can't play their jobs properly, etc etc. To be honest, I didn't really believe it.

Here is the problem, I static'd with an amazing group from 50-75 on RDM. And from 1-50 I static'd with two RL friends who played whm and pld. So all we ever needed was 3 damage dealers, and we were set. Easy enough. Even if they DD's weren't very good, Galka PLD and 2 Taru mages could live long enough to fight pretty much anything. The 3 of us stopped playing together at 50, due to the WHM moving to a place with no internet.

I got asked to join a XP static by the mighty DRG Raimus, and actually joined when he said I could ride Hien whenever I wanted ;) In this static I met the 5 players who are 90% of the reason I still play this addictive little thing we all call a game. So from 50-75 I was with 5 amazing players who made the grind easy. Sure we all got tired and took breaks from XP, but I knew anytime we went out to level, that everyone had gear, had the right food, would do their job and we would get a certain amount of XP minimum from that evenings excursion.

I am now being punished for that gift. I don't get how people take more than one job to 75 without a static. It boggles my mind. Maybe it is because I am in a linkshell now where I can not dedicate to leveling, as I need to play RDM to help out with raids/events and what not. And my job doesn't let me dive into FF for hours like the job I had when I leveled the first time did. But I feel like my MNK leveling is being held back by pure stupidity of other people.

The concept that I am now a DD and one of many choices I can deal with. I am essentially interchangeable with war, rng, drk, drg, sam, thf, blm, etc. I am ok with this. If I wanted to get to 75 as fast as possible I would be leveling BRD. So I am not going to level as fast as other jobs. Also, i'm a taru. "Race doesn't matter, blah blah blah" is a joke. Not because of my performance, but because of other people's perception. I am taru, therefore I am an inferior MNK. It is one of the reasons I am doing this on my taru instead of my Elvaan. I wanted the challenge.

Yesterday I got two invites from the same party. The first was "Can you tank?". I looked at my screen puzzled. Well I can voke, and I tend to pull hate over the course of a fight, and on occasion I will counter. But I am pretty sure that does not make me a suitable tank. I replied not really and I didn't have gear for it regardless, which I consider to be true, because it is. Could I have picked up some MNK tank gear, sure, but not worth it to me. So I continue seeking, about an hour later I get an invite from the same guy. Just asks if I want to party, I ask if they have a tank, he says yes. Meet in Boyahda Tree. Ok. Buy some food, make sure I have all my gear, head out. Get there and join the party, 5/6. I look at the party list. MNK, SAM, THF, RDM, BLM. So I ask about a tank, and they say they have one. I, being naive as I am, assume a NIN is on the way. No WHM and a THF, makes sense to me, this should work fine. I ask about the 6th, leader says he is on the way and will meet us at camp. So we go into Boyahda, and arrive at the first spider camp.

I kinda AFK while waiting for the last member, and play around with Dragon Quest ( Damn thats a great game ). I see, the 6th join, and I see the puller go to grab a spider, but I am not really paying a ton of attention. When the spider comes back, I engage and start my fists of fury. As I am punching, and at this point I know i've seen a provoke, I realize there is a wyvern hovering over me and attacking. A quick party check confirms my fear, that the 6th member was a DRG. Ok, well I didn't provoke, so must be the SAM. Yep, decked out in the most defense gear a SAM can wear, sure enough I have a SAM tank.

This leads to a few possible conclusions. 1) I will be tanking shortly, and I was. 2) The SAM will get sickle slashed and I will be tanking, and it did. 3) The BLM will nuke and pull hate and get two shotted, which they did. Or the you didn't see this coming 4) The THF will link on the second pull, the BLM and RDM will take 4 tries to sleep the add, the first will kill the BLM and RDM, but through the luck of god end up dying, and the second, which no longer has hate and is just sitting there, will be provoked by the SAM who will proceed to try and zone it through the 3 spiders in the way back to the entrance and die. At which point it will come back and attack the others. I HP'd back to jeuno and disbanded the party, 400 xp lower than when I started.

Should I have joined the party, no. I should have known based on the first contact with the party leader. Was I desperate? A little, 5 hours of seeking will do that to you. Do I expect to see a lot more of this? Definately, and I now believe all the stories. Have I gained a lot more respect for people who have done this on all their 75 jobs? I'd buy you all a round if I could. Will I ever be a 75 Taru Monk? You bet your ass I will.....

Jorgy Victory

2005-12-20T18:09:12Z

A couple of pics from our recent Jorgy win :)

I have fraps, but I always forget to start it. I'll get better about it ;)

~Spart

World Serpeant Slayer

2005-12-13T00:48:54Z

Fun weekend of FFXI...

LS Took down Jormungand this weekend. We had tried a few times before, the last try of which we got him to 1% and than wiped. Let me tell you, I could have quit the game that night. Play your ass off for 4-5 hours and than not win, after seeing his HP that low... devastating to an ego. We went back after him with confidence and it payed off. Had some rough patches, but were able to pull through them all. I didn't get the title, but honestly I could care less. I know my role and how vital it was. Spent the entire night in the add party taking care of Agloolik's (ice bombs) and Ice Elementals. Had BRD's there to sleep adds, but Lullaby just wasn't as effective as we thought it would be, so spam Sleep and Sleep II. Stressful experience trying to manage 1-5 adds at any one time, and keep BLM's from nuking and waking up 3 at a time. Everyone did an amazing job, and I think any time you take down a greater wyrm, it says a lot about your linkshell.

Working on monk, got it to 48 now, and can't wait for 50. Double Attack, Yes Please! 51 is Kick Attack trait, so very much looking forward to the first time I attack 5 times in a round, or at least thats how I think it works. It is funny to see people react to a Taru Monk. Most of them give me a hard time till they see me pull hate. Its gratifying. Hopefully I can pull one or two XP parties this week and hit 50. If i'm really lucky, Zarkon will pull an amazing feat and be able to HQ an upgrade on TM Hooks. I think it would be cool to wear a scorpion harness and TM Hooks +2 both signed by Zarkon. Like a walking pimp Taru Monk advertisment. Like wearing calvin klein on your ass, but FF style. I'm easily amused.

Another Red Mage from my LS and I have been working on duoing the Holy Cow ENM made famous by Avesta. If you havn't seen the videos, I recommend checking them out. We've got the fight down, in fact I bet the other guy could probably solo it at this point. However, I am yet to see anything but Cassia Lumber drop from any ENM I have ever done. Starting to drive me a little nuts, but sooner or later I have to see a good drop. Right?? Law of averages and all that?? Think we are gonna start working on Bugboy ENM duo soon. We tried it once, but were amazed at how fast his resistances went up. I really need to work on some merits, they make a huge difference when soloing.

I've got some screens at home, and I will see about adding them when I leave work tonight. While i'm downloading this new update. Fun stuff.

~Spart

spart_ffxi @ 2005-12-08T08:46:00

2005-12-08T16:46:36Z

Dear Santa...

Dear Santa,

This year I've been busy!

In July I didn't flush (-1 points). In May I got in line at the supermarket at the same time as someone else and I didn't yield (-8 points). Last Monday on a flight to Bangladesh, I stole the emergency flight information card (-40 points). Last Tuesday I saved a busload of nuns in Angola (326 points). In August I had a shoot-out with rival gang lords on the 5 near LA (-76 points).

Overall, I've been nice (201 points). For Christmas I deserve a red Radio-Flyer wagon!

Sincerely,
Spart_FFXI

Hells Yeah!!! Radio-Flyer's rule!!

~Spart

I hate the AH

2005-12-06T20:51:13Z

So everyone complains about the economy... now its my turn.

I have been keeping track. The last 25 items I have put on the AH, I have gotten all returned to me. Some of these had a 30k price tag just to list them in the first place. So last night, after another couple hours of unsuccesfull seeking on my monk, I decided to farm the last item I needed for the final Gobbiebag quest. HQ Eft Skin used to sell for about 15-20k each. The droprate isn't spectacular, but I used to camp the NM there, and could usually get 5-10 of these depending on how long I stuck around. I was feeling lazy so went to purchase it from the AH, just to see the price had risen to 70k each. This immediately popped the light bulb of seeing how well I could farm these since I wasn't doing anything else productive, and I could always use the gil. Also, the NM drop is currently selling for 900k - 1m, so if I got lucky, could be a very productive night.

I ended up with 6 HQ skins, so at 70k each not a bad couple of hours of work. Got the NM, but no drop as is my tendency, 0/8 on him so far. Get back to the AH, and one had sold for 70k within 2 mins of me getting there. So I put my 6 skins up, for a little under 70k, but not much, 1-2k at most. I logoff and go to bed, figuring i'll have a little extra cash the next day.

This morning I logon, to the wonderful sight of no gil in my inbox. Lately, this has been a bad omen for me. Check the AH... and the next 5 skins sold for 50k?!?!?!?!? If the price stays, I will not only lose my AH fee x2 for relisting, but 20k / skin. 120k+ because some dillhole decided to sell his faster by undercutting a ridiculous amount. I have had this happen recently on 3 different weapons, fuma kyahans, purple belt, 5 different rings and a few other items. By my figures, I have lost close to 1 million gil in sales from undercutters in the last 2 weeks.

Now I have already listened to the argument that someone decided it a) wasn't worth the price it was selling for or b) didn't look at the price history and just listed it for what they figured it was worth. I don't buy either. Also, the idea that someone is trying to lower the prices to fix the economy is bogus. When prices on items raise, they raise across the board. That means that if some uber expensive items doubles in price, more than likely the items I was farming are selling for twice as much as well. I've been playing this game way too long and farming for my income the entire time, and it has always held true. Your still farming the same amount of time to buy the same items, that hasn't changed, just the gil amounts have.

I knew I should have started a crafted when I began this whole FFXI debacle so long ago.

~Spart

Entry Uno

2005-11-23T17:08:52Z

Alright, I have been hassled enough by you crazy FFXI fiends that I am working on getting one of these up and running. Rants a comin ;)

~Spart