The current state of FFXI... are there better servers?

[NeoDevilbane]

As I posted in another thread, I just returned to the game after literally about 10 years. So far it's been a little depressing... everyone is gone, towns are basically empty. If I do a search of any area I'm in there's like 2-5 people (often times 0) in them and they're all level 99 and just standing somewhere, silently. Anywhere you'd go in the old days people would be shouting for parties and teleports, but now in any town -- if you're lucky -- you hear maybe 1 or 2 guys shouting about trying to sell "(M. Silverpiece) (L. Jadeshell) (100 Byne Bill)," which I have no idea what they are. I actually whooped with excitement when I saw a name I recognized (though it took me a minute to remember where and how, exactly)... it was Akiresu. I greeted and waved at him and all but it was just silence back... then I remembered. He wasn't a friend, it was a Chinese gil seller I used to report 10 years ago but they never did anything about.

Are any servers better than this? I'm on Valefor still.

[Vonima2]

Hi NeoDevilbane,

Welcome back. According to ffxiah, "active players" by server are as below:

Asura: 19,792
Odin: 13,013
Bahamut: 10,752
Fenrir: 6,858
Shiva: 6,820
Phoenix: 6,635
Ragnarok: 6,614
Carbuncle: 6,315
Bismarck: 5,907
Others: less
Valefor: 4,980


Many people tout Asura as a good NA server and Odin for JP, plus and minuses with moving to such a populated server as well of course. Before moving, maybe do some shouts or check some linkshell concierge for any pearls of shells active on your server and see if you get along with them.

Personally, I began on Quetz (4,789), but the AH was so slow moving, I have settled for Bahamut as a healthy medium.

[NeoDevilbane]

Yeah, let me outta here (Valefor). Asura seems like a much better fit, then. What's the procedure for world moving nowadays?

[Vonima2]

Please see below.

https://support.na.square-enix.com/faqarticle.php?kid=78033&id=20&la=1&ret=faq&pv=20&page=5&c=2&sc=0&so=0

From what I hear, Asura is good if you like a server active with a lot of people, high competition. However, that does have its drawbacks, including groups demanding top gear for pick-up groups, a large amount of 'mercenary services', and the number of bots is said to be high on Asura.

[Alhanelem]

Hi NeoDevilbane,

Welcome back. According to ffxiah, "active players" by server are as below:

Asura: 19,792
Odin: 13,013
Bahamut: 10,752
Fenrir: 6,858
Shiva: 6,820
Phoenix: 6,635
Ragnarok: 6,614
Carbuncle: 6,315
Bismarck: 5,907
Others: less
Valefor: 4,980


Many people tout Asura as a good NA server and Odin for JP, plus and minuses with moving to such a populated server as well of course. Before moving, maybe do some shouts or check some linkshell concierge for any pearls of shells active on your server and see if you get along with them.

Personally, I began on Quetz (4,789), but the AH was so slow moving, I have settled for Bahamut as a healthy medium.
Who came up with these numbers and how did they determine what constitutes an "acitve player?"

[Alhanelem]

Yeah, let me outta here (Valefor). Asura seems like a much better fit, then. What's the procedure for world moving nowadays?I would caution against moving to Asura. You may look at those numbers and go "ooh, asura has the most people, I should go there!"

The game was not designed for Asura's population, which has caused a number of issues, some even resulted in special fixes (i.e. to ambuscade and other layer areas) that no other server except possibly Odin would have needed. Botting and cheating is more rampant on Asura than any other, and lag in certain contents (though a problem everywhere) is likely worse.

There is more to the game than how fast AH sales occur. The more mid-popped servers are in a good spot and you can find people to do things with. More people is only good up to a point.

Dogpiling to one or two servers causes far more problems than it solves. I would agree with the notion that Bahamut is a good candidate.

[Catmato]

Who came up with these numbers and how did they determine what constitutes an "acitve player?"

FFXIAH and characters who use the AH.

[Alhanelem]

FFXIAH and characters who use the AH.
Not everyone uses the AH on a regular basis. these days I'm not on it that often. But I still play.

[Zehira]

So far it's been a little depressing... everyone is gone, towns are basically empty. If I do a search of any area I'm in there's like 2-5 people (often times 0) in them and they're all level 99 and just standing somewhere, silently. Anywhere you'd go in the old days people would be shouting for parties and teleports, but now in any town -- if you're lucky -- you hear maybe 1 or 2 guys shouting about trying to sell "(M. Silverpiece) (L. Jadeshell) (100 Byne Bill)," which I have no idea what they are.

Then Asura could be the one for you if you want to enjoy the variety of communities where you will be seeing people actually talk and look to find random people to play with. Most of time, they still buy a run and you will have to find a linkshell (just like free companies in FFXIV) if you are tired of seeing them selling runs. The AH always has everything you need (you can thank bots for that). It's understandable that FFXI is almost 19 year old now and more people are coming to Asura. I can guarantee you it won't feel depressing. You will have a different opinion view here. Yes, Asura is basically a NA server. Good luck!

In the PVE MMO world, unity is the key.

[Catmato]

Not everyone uses the AH on a regular basis. these days I'm not on it that often. But I still play.

That's great, but I was just answering your question.

[Alhanelem]

That's great, but I was just answering your question.
I'm just pointing out the flaw in using such a thing for such a metric.

[Jinxx]

I just came back too after 8 years? Started in 2004... Anyway. I'm on Leviathan but wanting to go to a more active server since I too am not seeing a lot of people. Anyway- from reading this thread it's looking like Bahamut and Asura are looking..promising? Umm.. a couple questions if anyone could answer..

1. How difficult is it to find an LS nowadays?
2. Does Bahamut have many NA players? Idk if it was Odin that I read is mainly JP? I want to make macros once return but since I know I'll be switching servers I am holding off so just wanting to ask opinions about servers first.

Thanks in advance! :)

-Jinxx

[Alhanelem]

As I wrote above, I know you would like to see people, but I strongly reccomend against Asura. Bahamut is considerably more optimal in terms of balanced population and not having the same kind of problems that face Asura.

It isn't difficult to find an LS on any server. There are special Linkshell Concierge NPCs in every city. Each one has a different designated purpose, so be sure to check them all, but basically these NPCs will hand out link pearls from LSes looking for members. These can help you find people to play with, even on a smaller server.

Before you transfer, see if any of the people you do see are people you recognize from the past. I still know a whole bunch of people on Shiva even though it's not as big as it used to be. That's all I need so I have no intention of going anywhere. But if I really wanted to transfer, it would be to another similar sized server or Bahamut. Odin does seem to be more JP focused, but you can find some NA players on any server. The game was originally designed to try to bring Japanese and English players together.

From the looks of it, leviathan is probably the smallest. You can go to almost any of the servers listed above aside Asura and still get a good experience. I just cannot overstate the fact that Asura does not need more players- it is larger now than most were at the game's peak population, and that causes problems- lag, RMT, mercing, content breaking, etc. Most servers back then were more like where Bahamut is now.

[Zehira]

I just cannot overstate the fact that Asura does not need more players- it is larger now than most were at the game's peak population, and that causes problems- lag, RMT, mercing, content breaking, etc. Most servers back then were more like where Bahamut is now.

While you are a well-known person against Asura, you need to Galka up and start offering them a warm welcome to your server. :)

People who often ask a question like these here have no idea where to go or haven't decided themselves yet. Otherwise, Asura (NA/EU server) can welcome them.

[Alhanelem]

While you are a well-known person against Asura, you need to Galka up and start offering them a warm welcome to your server. :)

People who often ask a question like these here have no idea where to go or haven't decided themselves yet. Otherwise, Asura (NA/EU server) can welcome them.
See, I could do that, but that would be unfair to the other servers as well. :) There are a bunch that could use a new guy, and I'm not about to tell him that mine is better than those other ones. :)

But I would dispute that most dont know where to go, Nearly everyone that comes here indicates they were told to join Asura.

[Zehira]

See, I could do that, but that would be unfair to the other servers as well. :) There are a bunch that could use a new guy, and I'm not about to tell him that mine is better than those other ones. :)

But I would dispute that most dont know where to go, Nearly everyone that comes here indicates they were told to join Asura.

Nothing is better than other servers. Just a better chance for people to leave Asura.