I managed to get along on my first Dynamis run on Sunday after waiting four weeks for a location I can join in on.
After making sure I had the prerequisites (I did) seen the cut scenes (I had) and supply of cookies (munch), I waited at the Trail markings in Jeuno for things to kick off.
After the usual introductions, I asked if anyone had any advice for a noob white mage on his first Dyanmis run.
The advice can be paraphrased as "Keep up re-raise, don't aggro and spam cure".
Wow, I *like* Dyanamis already. That's the sort of instructions I can remember.
Then things got complicated.
The shell I am in (MidgardLS) is made up of various European countries (mostly). And some of them started speaking Dutch and French!
Help!
Since I speak neither, I could see complications arising as a team member who needs healing forgetting my lack of language skills aks for a Cure in his/her native language!
What would I do?!
So I asked what was French and Dutch for "For the love of gods cure me you dopey white mage can't you see I'm dieing?!"
In true cooperative fashion, Tukker suggested "WIIILLLYYY!!!!!"
Yup, that would work.
The run itself was fun...looking forward to more!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
This is my party...
This is my party.
Sometimes it has had a new tank.
Sometimes a new DD.
Once, a new PL.
But it is still the same party I started this morning.
It is my party.
Sometimes it has had a new tank.
Sometimes a new DD.
Once, a new PL.
But it is still the same party I started this morning.
It is my party.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
You Know You've Been Playing Too Much FFXI When...
...you doze off and miss the Selbina ferry whilst helping out Razius.
...you tell someone at work that you are going afk. Not over email, mind you. The person sat next to you.
..you know exactly where the best place to camp for a colibri bird party, but you can't remember where you left your car.
...you tell someone at work that you are going afk. Not over email, mind you. The person sat next to you.
..you know exactly where the best place to camp for a colibri bird party, but you can't remember where you left your car.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Valid Reasons For Going AFK Without Warning #1
...you smell burning, and notice smoke coming out of a buzzing light switch.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Tarutaru
One of the most charismatic races in Final fantasy XI is the Tarutaru. These are the magic-strong, melee-weak archetype in the game, and are a cross between a Halfling and a Munchkin.
They stand knee-high the other races and resemble slightly over-weight children. Some would describe them as cute, in a pick-up-and-hug kinda way.
Generally, they are ideal for the mage job types, being physically weak but adept at magic, and you frequently see them playing white mage (even squishier than Wilykat...) or Summoning avatars to fight for them.
Occasionally, there are a brave few that play damage dealers. Now, don't get me wrong, there are some damn good ones out there. Kurpse frequently plays as a Samurai, and does it well. There is enough gear out there that the lack of stats in one skill can be made up without too much of a problem, and one of the best things is that any race can play any job.
Even less frequently, you see one as a Paladin.
Now, I've mentioned before the 'standard' party make up for the game. There are a variety of ways the roles can be mixed about and fulfilled, but there are, broadly, three key areas.
You have the healer, who keeps the party on their feet (clearly the most important job, you will agree). You have Damage Dealers, who are there to actually wound the mob and kill it, but are frequently not very good when getting thumped themselves. Last, you have the Tank, whose sole job is to keep the mob's focus and take a pounding.
Paladin is the job-of-choice for the role of Tank, coming complete in full plate armour (bright white if you have the Artefact Armour), sword and shield. A white Knight to come to your rescue, if you will. Visions of a bold and fearless ne'er-do-well willing to throw themselves in front of the mob to Take-One-For-the-Party (or the White Mage, if I have my way).
A Tarutaru Paladin looks more like...and I mean this in the nicest way...a huggable tin can. That's one, at the front.
It's like having your very own, very small can of whoop-ass.
Really, I mean it in the nicest way. I've seen some damn fine Tarutaru Paladin; in fact many are far better than some Galka (the big chap onthe right) who can tank naked on a good day*.
Which brings me to the point of this post, and the story I wanted to relate when I started the ramble.
Be warned, elements may have been ever-so-slightly exaggerated for purposes of enjoyment.
Patsu has recently joined our Linkshell. I 'recruited' him a week or so ago after he was the Paladin tank in a level 35 party where I was Black Mage (for a change).
For a new player, he was doing a damn fine job holding hate, and keeping the mob off me (the squishy one). We partied for a couple of hours and as people were replaced we found we were in a party almost entirely composed of Linkshell members. Patsu was asking general advice on the game, and we had a couple of people there who had played Paladin and were helping out.
A good bloke, good sense of humour, and pretty good at his job. The sort of person that fits into the Chocobo Kingdom Linkshell well.
Last weekend, I spent four hours taking Patsu through the areas from the Wings of the Goddess expansion, set 30 years in the past. He had been getting party invites for East Ronfaure [s]** and didn't know how to get there. Fair enough, I said, lets get it done.
This involves a lot - and I mean a LOT - of running through multiple areas where the mobs aggro me at level 75. And can kick ass. Then take names. Then put the boot into what ever is left of you. What they do to a level 35 character doesn't bear thinking about. Really. It's not nice.
I actually managed to get Patsu through from Batilla Downs to Windurst, then from Batilla Downs to East Ronfaure without him dying once (a journey of several hours and about 10 regions). I died twice, and Elyja died once (before getting to us!) however.
We felt we done good once we reached East Ronfaure.
Since we were in the area, we took Patsu up to the tower around where the Campaign Battles are fought.
Campaign is an additional in-game thing where you take part in the beastmen invasion, fighting against a horde of mobs with fellow players. Mobs are nasty, even at level 75 only certain jobs can solo with much hope of killing a mob. And there can be dozens. You expect to get knocked out, but at least you don't lose experience for it. Remember, here, that Patsu is level 35.
Anyway, Elyja and I were explaining how the thing works, just as a battle started. We watch Patsu get Tags (to indicate he is taking part), and explain what happens.
We are standing with 20-30 players by the fort, looking down the hill at the advancing horde of Orks.
A silver streak catches our eye, moving rapidly down the hill toward the largest knot of Orks, and their General.
You can see where this is going.
Yes, Patsu was charging the Orks, screaming defiantly.
Single-handedly.
I mean, hell, usually I run and hide about this time, creeping out later to raise any dead people and mop up.
Elyja and I look at each other.
Yes, perhaps we could have sent a warning. But it was like we were frozen in time, horrified at what was happening.
Or perhaps we just wanted to watch this as we were only going to find it hilarious.
The brave level 75 characters are still at the top of the hill, and haven't moved.
Patsu reach the mob of Orks, picks out the biggest, baddest, ugliest Ork there (the General) and attacks.
Several seconds of Whiffle Ball*** ensue, as Patsu repeatedly swings at the General's ankle, and misses.
The Ork advance halts in total confusion. This is certainly not how it usually goes for them.
The General looks down, wondering what the blur of activity is.
General looks at his Ork warriors. All forty of them.
All forty Orks look at Patsu.
Everyone looks at the General.
The General looks at Patsu.
Who realises for the first time that perhaps this wasn't such a great idea after all.
The General takes a swing at Patsu, and connects.
Ouch.
Hell, they'll be digging Tarutaru armour out of the walls of Fort Karugo Narugo after that hit.
Once Elyja and I can stop laughing, and one Raise later, we explained that Patsu might want to consider waiting a few more levels before trying Campaign - but at least he knows where to go now.
Patsu agrees, and decides that, while we are still here, to make the most of it and finish the battle, so charges the nearest mob.
Now, in the heat of battle minor details can escape the normally focussed thought processes. Perhaps the rage and thirst for revenge over powered his Tarutaru mind. Perhaps the Haste I cast on him encouraged him. Perhaps the Protect IV made him a little over confident. Or perhaps it was because he's fairly new to the game, and having far too much fun to care.
Because when he charged this time around, he was still weakened.
At 50% health.
He saw the funny side.
Moral of the story? Have fun, and don't let anyone tell you how you should play your job.
* Apologies for that imagery. I'm sorry. Really I am.
** The [s] denotes the past as the area is in both time lines. Don't ask.
*** Whiffle ball - remember those plastic balls full of holes that no matter how hard you swing at it, it never goes any distance?
They stand knee-high the other races and resemble slightly over-weight children. Some would describe them as cute, in a pick-up-and-hug kinda way.
Generally, they are ideal for the mage job types, being physically weak but adept at magic, and you frequently see them playing white mage (even squishier than Wilykat...) or Summoning avatars to fight for them.
Occasionally, there are a brave few that play damage dealers. Now, don't get me wrong, there are some damn good ones out there. Kurpse frequently plays as a Samurai, and does it well. There is enough gear out there that the lack of stats in one skill can be made up without too much of a problem, and one of the best things is that any race can play any job.
Even less frequently, you see one as a Paladin.
Now, I've mentioned before the 'standard' party make up for the game. There are a variety of ways the roles can be mixed about and fulfilled, but there are, broadly, three key areas.
You have the healer, who keeps the party on their feet (clearly the most important job, you will agree). You have Damage Dealers, who are there to actually wound the mob and kill it, but are frequently not very good when getting thumped themselves. Last, you have the Tank, whose sole job is to keep the mob's focus and take a pounding.
Paladin is the job-of-choice for the role of Tank, coming complete in full plate armour (bright white if you have the Artefact Armour), sword and shield. A white Knight to come to your rescue, if you will. Visions of a bold and fearless ne'er-do-well willing to throw themselves in front of the mob to Take-One-For-the-Party (or the White Mage, if I have my way).
A Tarutaru Paladin looks more like...and I mean this in the nicest way...a huggable tin can. That's one, at the front.
It's like having your very own, very small can of whoop-ass.
Really, I mean it in the nicest way. I've seen some damn fine Tarutaru Paladin; in fact many are far better than some Galka (the big chap onthe right) who can tank naked on a good day*.
Which brings me to the point of this post, and the story I wanted to relate when I started the ramble.
Be warned, elements may have been ever-so-slightly exaggerated for purposes of enjoyment.
Patsu has recently joined our Linkshell. I 'recruited' him a week or so ago after he was the Paladin tank in a level 35 party where I was Black Mage (for a change).
For a new player, he was doing a damn fine job holding hate, and keeping the mob off me (the squishy one). We partied for a couple of hours and as people were replaced we found we were in a party almost entirely composed of Linkshell members. Patsu was asking general advice on the game, and we had a couple of people there who had played Paladin and were helping out.
A good bloke, good sense of humour, and pretty good at his job. The sort of person that fits into the Chocobo Kingdom Linkshell well.
Last weekend, I spent four hours taking Patsu through the areas from the Wings of the Goddess expansion, set 30 years in the past. He had been getting party invites for East Ronfaure [s]** and didn't know how to get there. Fair enough, I said, lets get it done.
This involves a lot - and I mean a LOT - of running through multiple areas where the mobs aggro me at level 75. And can kick ass. Then take names. Then put the boot into what ever is left of you. What they do to a level 35 character doesn't bear thinking about. Really. It's not nice.
I actually managed to get Patsu through from Batilla Downs to Windurst, then from Batilla Downs to East Ronfaure without him dying once (a journey of several hours and about 10 regions). I died twice, and Elyja died once (before getting to us!) however.
We felt we done good once we reached East Ronfaure.
Since we were in the area, we took Patsu up to the tower around where the Campaign Battles are fought.
Campaign is an additional in-game thing where you take part in the beastmen invasion, fighting against a horde of mobs with fellow players. Mobs are nasty, even at level 75 only certain jobs can solo with much hope of killing a mob. And there can be dozens. You expect to get knocked out, but at least you don't lose experience for it. Remember, here, that Patsu is level 35.
Anyway, Elyja and I were explaining how the thing works, just as a battle started. We watch Patsu get Tags (to indicate he is taking part), and explain what happens.
We are standing with 20-30 players by the fort, looking down the hill at the advancing horde of Orks.
A silver streak catches our eye, moving rapidly down the hill toward the largest knot of Orks, and their General.
You can see where this is going.
Yes, Patsu was charging the Orks, screaming defiantly.
Single-handedly.
I mean, hell, usually I run and hide about this time, creeping out later to raise any dead people and mop up.
Elyja and I look at each other.
Yes, perhaps we could have sent a warning. But it was like we were frozen in time, horrified at what was happening.
Or perhaps we just wanted to watch this as we were only going to find it hilarious.
The brave level 75 characters are still at the top of the hill, and haven't moved.
Patsu reach the mob of Orks, picks out the biggest, baddest, ugliest Ork there (the General) and attacks.
Several seconds of Whiffle Ball*** ensue, as Patsu repeatedly swings at the General's ankle, and misses.
The Ork advance halts in total confusion. This is certainly not how it usually goes for them.
The General looks down, wondering what the blur of activity is.
General looks at his Ork warriors. All forty of them.
All forty Orks look at Patsu.
Everyone looks at the General.
The General looks at Patsu.
Who realises for the first time that perhaps this wasn't such a great idea after all.
The General takes a swing at Patsu, and connects.
Ouch.
Hell, they'll be digging Tarutaru armour out of the walls of Fort Karugo Narugo after that hit.
Once Elyja and I can stop laughing, and one Raise later, we explained that Patsu might want to consider waiting a few more levels before trying Campaign - but at least he knows where to go now.
Patsu agrees, and decides that, while we are still here, to make the most of it and finish the battle, so charges the nearest mob.
Now, in the heat of battle minor details can escape the normally focussed thought processes. Perhaps the rage and thirst for revenge over powered his Tarutaru mind. Perhaps the Haste I cast on him encouraged him. Perhaps the Protect IV made him a little over confident. Or perhaps it was because he's fairly new to the game, and having far too much fun to care.
Because when he charged this time around, he was still weakened.
At 50% health.
He saw the funny side.
Moral of the story? Have fun, and don't let anyone tell you how you should play your job.
* Apologies for that imagery. I'm sorry. Really I am.
** The [s] denotes the past as the area is in both time lines. Don't ask.
*** Whiffle ball - remember those plastic balls full of holes that no matter how hard you swing at it, it never goes any distance?
Your call is important to us.
Originally posted in my other blog 23 September 2008.
Hello, you've reached Wily's Dial-a-Mage.
So that we can quickly connect you with the service you need, please select from the following options.
If you need a Raise, press 1.
For teleports, press 2.
To randomly nuke an NM and lose that expensive drop you always wanted, press 3.
For details of our power levelling packages, press 4.
This week we have a special offer. Buy one protect 3, and we'll include shell 3 and the bar-element protection cover of your choice. Press 9 to hear more details.
For other enquires, or to talk to one of our operators, please press the # key.
Wily's Dial-a-Mage services accept all forms of Vana'diel currency, including Gil, Imperial coin and cookies. Due to technical problems, we cannot currently accept Paypal or credit card payments.
Hello, you've reached Wily's Dial-a-Mage.
So that we can quickly connect you with the service you need, please select from the following options.
If you need a Raise, press 1.
For teleports, press 2.
To randomly nuke an NM and lose that expensive drop you always wanted, press 3.
For details of our power levelling packages, press 4.
This week we have a special offer. Buy one protect 3, and we'll include shell 3 and the bar-element protection cover of your choice. Press 9 to hear more details.
For other enquires, or to talk to one of our operators, please press the # key.
Wily's Dial-a-Mage services accept all forms of Vana'diel currency, including Gil, Imperial coin and cookies. Due to technical problems, we cannot currently accept Paypal or credit card payments.
For Pete's Sake!
Originally posed in my other blog 16 July 2008.
The city of Al Zahbi was under siege (again!) last night, from the undead forces first followed by the beastmen.
It happens occasionally that two armies are ready to attack at the same time. Fortunately, being such thoroughly decent fellows, they follow the national equivalent of the Queensbury Rules, and wait for the preceding army to retreat before launching their own assault. Damn fine of them, if you ask me.
During the opening scene, the Generals inspire the gathered crowd of mercenaries and rogues who have joined the (NPC) soldiers to defend the city, interrupted occasionally by the overly-enthusiastic shouts of the crowd.
"For the future of Al Zahibi we shall drive these vermin from our walls!"
"For honour!"
"For Fame and fortune!"
"For my mother!"
"For your mother!"
"For a hard boiled egg!"
"For cookies!"
"What are we doing?"
"For Pete's sake!"
Yes, the pre-Besieged psyche-up can get a little silly. At least we weren't discussing politics this time.
I had managed to cajole a linkshell party together out of Shuley, Elwen, Helkadraug, Azaziel and Nullpunkt. We then allied with some other friends - the more the merrier.
The first assault was pretty much par for the course. Lots of Cures, Raises, death, running away...the usual.
However the second was hilarious.
Through the conversations, it appeared Azaziel found that Firaga was of great fun. Where Fire essentially dumps a fireball on one target, Firaga is an area-effect version. Of course, pissed-off mobs tend to take exception to being attacked, and so Azaziel was one of the White Mages' main customers for the first half. Luckily he was nowhere near me.
The area I was in was like a town square with a central tower. Around the outside of square, looking in, was a balcony. This is connected to another balcony around the tower by a couple of bridges. Access to the this top level is by sets of steps. Fairly maze like.
I was up on the tower balcony, trying to keep one of our generals alive against twenty-odd Giant Rabid Mutant Moths (GRMM) and several cave trolls. Standing well back casting lots of low level Cures was the only safe way to do this without pulling their hate. Luckily, I was also able to cast across from one balcony to another, meaning if the mobs did turn around to squish me I could run away.
So there I was quite happily spamming Cures and improving my Healing skill.
Suddenly, all the mobs, and I mean all of them, lit up on fire. Some muppet had cast a fire spell on them all.
Then, I notice standing next to me is a Tarutaru snapping his fingers and making "Whooooooosh!" noises.
Yes, Azaziel had cast Firaga on the GRMM next to the General.
All the GRMM suddenly stop attacking General Galka, and look around for the mage who cast the spell. They look at me.
I look at Azaziel , the short Tarutaru who can barely see over the parapet. I look at his mage tunic.
"Why you little twerp!" I shout.
Azaziel giggles and points at me. I look down at my identical mage's tunic.
I look at the GRMMs. They look at me.
They start to run. Toward us.
Aza runs.
I run.
What followed must have looked like something out of Scooby Doo. A Tarutaru being chased by a Mithra being chased by twenty mobs being chased by the Galka General.
All around the balconies, down stairs, upstairs, past a Mithra doubled up with laughter. Azaziel and I split up. The mobs split up. At one point, Azaziel and I pass each other going in opposite directions. Just long enough for me to slap him on the way past. I swear I also overtook a group of mobs going in the same direction as me at one point.
Eventually, of course, one hits me. Luckily before I get hit again (i.e and die) Elwen managed to hit the group following me hard enough to pull the Hate off me. Luckily he had a few people with him and were able to duly duff up the GRMM good and proper.
I was able to leg it around one more corner to heal. Where I found a panting Tarutaru in slightly tattered and singed armour, and a Hume giggling uncontrollably.
Oh, and hit level 50 as well. Go me!
The city of Al Zahbi was under siege (again!) last night, from the undead forces first followed by the beastmen.
It happens occasionally that two armies are ready to attack at the same time. Fortunately, being such thoroughly decent fellows, they follow the national equivalent of the Queensbury Rules, and wait for the preceding army to retreat before launching their own assault. Damn fine of them, if you ask me.
During the opening scene, the Generals inspire the gathered crowd of mercenaries and rogues who have joined the (NPC) soldiers to defend the city, interrupted occasionally by the overly-enthusiastic shouts of the crowd.
"For the future of Al Zahibi we shall drive these vermin from our walls!"
"For honour!"
"For Fame and fortune!"
"For my mother!"
"For your mother!"
"For a hard boiled egg!"
"For cookies!"
"What are we doing?"
"For Pete's sake!"
Yes, the pre-Besieged psyche-up can get a little silly. At least we weren't discussing politics this time.
I had managed to cajole a linkshell party together out of Shuley, Elwen, Helkadraug, Azaziel and Nullpunkt. We then allied with some other friends - the more the merrier.
The first assault was pretty much par for the course. Lots of Cures, Raises, death, running away...the usual.
However the second was hilarious.
Through the conversations, it appeared Azaziel found that Firaga was of great fun. Where Fire essentially dumps a fireball on one target, Firaga is an area-effect version. Of course, pissed-off mobs tend to take exception to being attacked, and so Azaziel was one of the White Mages' main customers for the first half. Luckily he was nowhere near me.
The area I was in was like a town square with a central tower. Around the outside of square, looking in, was a balcony. This is connected to another balcony around the tower by a couple of bridges. Access to the this top level is by sets of steps. Fairly maze like.
I was up on the tower balcony, trying to keep one of our generals alive against twenty-odd Giant Rabid Mutant Moths (GRMM) and several cave trolls. Standing well back casting lots of low level Cures was the only safe way to do this without pulling their hate. Luckily, I was also able to cast across from one balcony to another, meaning if the mobs did turn around to squish me I could run away.
So there I was quite happily spamming Cures and improving my Healing skill.
Suddenly, all the mobs, and I mean all of them, lit up on fire. Some muppet had cast a fire spell on them all.
Then, I notice standing next to me is a Tarutaru snapping his fingers and making "Whooooooosh!" noises.
Yes, Azaziel had cast Firaga on the GRMM next to the General.
All the GRMM suddenly stop attacking General Galka, and look around for the mage who cast the spell. They look at me.
I look at Azaziel , the short Tarutaru who can barely see over the parapet. I look at his mage tunic.
"Why you little twerp!" I shout.
Azaziel giggles and points at me. I look down at my identical mage's tunic.
I look at the GRMMs. They look at me.
They start to run. Toward us.
Aza runs.
I run.
What followed must have looked like something out of Scooby Doo. A Tarutaru being chased by a Mithra being chased by twenty mobs being chased by the Galka General.
All around the balconies, down stairs, upstairs, past a Mithra doubled up with laughter. Azaziel and I split up. The mobs split up. At one point, Azaziel and I pass each other going in opposite directions. Just long enough for me to slap him on the way past. I swear I also overtook a group of mobs going in the same direction as me at one point.
Eventually, of course, one hits me. Luckily before I get hit again (i.e and die) Elwen managed to hit the group following me hard enough to pull the Hate off me. Luckily he had a few people with him and were able to duly duff up the GRMM good and proper.
I was able to leg it around one more corner to heal. Where I found a panting Tarutaru in slightly tattered and singed armour, and a Hume giggling uncontrollably.
Oh, and hit level 50 as well. Go me!
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