Anyone still play this game in the more old-fashion sense (w/o the aby leeching)?

[Seillan]

I know this title will probably tick off people that love how things work in the game now, but as a returning player who's always played "legit", my biggest deterrent to getting back into this game has been the prospect of the leeching mechanic that seems to be the norm these days. I'm one of those players that enjoys the journey as much as the destination, so I could never see myself getting into the Abyssea scene until after I'm high enough level to be of use there. It doesn't feel right, and definitely doesn't seem like it would be fun, to just stand around and level up insanely fast without actually contributing in combat.

All that said, are there any linkshells on any of the more active servers (like Bismark, Asura, etc) that try to stay true to the old ways of doing things? For instance, like taking time leveling in the older zones, fighting like-level mobs, challenging themselves without a lot of outside (high level) assistance, and so on? I'd just like to experience the game the way I used to when I played and I was hoping to find some other like-minded people that felt the same way. For the record, I don't mind using the FoV stuff (I think it was a nice addition), I just don't like progressing without actually doing anything myself.

Please don't take this as an attack on Abyssea and the changes it offers; I understand completely that many of you have already done the grind more times than you care to admit, and that some people don't have time for the more old-fashioned ways of doing things, so in that sense, it's probably a godsend. I'm just speaking as someone who never really got to experience the old experience fully. I'd like to have that chance again, and hopefully, with some others that want it as well.

If any of you know of any linkshells or groups that fall in line with this mindset, please let me know - I'd really appreciate it

[Runespider]

It's very hard to find groups leveling the old way, Grounds of valor is as close as you will get. It's fast and you actually have to contribute to the fights (usually).

[Alerith]

I keep trying to make Valkurm, Qufim, Kazham and Crawler's Nest parties, but people really don't take the shouts seriously. I still think they are a fun way to learn your jobs and it's really nice to be in some of the old areas again.

[Meyi]

Abyssea isn't legit, guys.

But seriously, no. I did that for 7 years, I'm much happier with Abyssea.

[Alerith]

Abyssea isn't legit, guys.

But seriously, no. I did that for 7 years, I'm much happier with Abyssea.

I'm happy with Abyssea players....in Abyssea. What concerns me is when you get those same players into non-abyssea content like is more like FFXI prior to the abyssea launch.

Just the complaints about how this limit break fight is "absurdly hard" really says a lot about the kind of players we are working with. The fight, while difficult in it's own right, wasn't anything gameshattering difficult.

I'll be you RDM players would argue their Maat fight, and I would even put forth the CoP Airship fight. Would these same players be raging over those fights?

In all honesty, completing CoP at the least should have been a requirement for abyssea access considering the connection of the plots.

[Seillan]

Abyssea isn't legit, guys.

But seriously, no. I did that for 7 years, I'm much happier with Abyssea.

I didn't imply that Abyssea itself isn't legit, I just meant that leeching without doing anything to help doesn't seem legit in my eyes, even if it's considered acceptable. Why even have levels at all? By that logic, they might as well just make everyone max level in at least a few of the abyssea-favored jobs, right from the start.

Thanks for the responses so far guys. It might not be what I was hoping to hear, but I'd rather get the cold hard truth versus something sugarcoated.

[SpankWustler]

Now that that's out of the way...To answer your question, yes, a few servers do have linkshells dedicated to killing 70016 pink birds the old-fashioned way. I don't think every server has such a construct, but there are a few.

I don't know anything beyond that, but I assume it is much like looking for that perfect S&M club to visit on a Thursday night. You just need to find a like-minded fellow and ask the right questions.

[Mirage]

Just use grounds of valor in kuftal, bostanieux, crawler's nest, and maybe even boyahda until you're level 70+ (maybe even earlier if you can heal, maybe later if you're a low-end DD). At that point, if you have decent gear and combat skills, you might be able to start contributing in exp alliances in the easiest abyssea areas. What you should still do however, is to see if any of your LS mates are going to kill certain NMs that drop atmas, so that you have a few of these to put on for the first time you go to abyssea.

[Seillan]

Now that that's out of the way...To answer your question, yes, a few servers do have linkshells dedicated to killing 70016 pink birds the old-fashioned way. I don't think every server has such a construct, but there are a few.

I don't know anything beyond that, but I assume it is much like looking for that perfect S&M club to visit on a Thursday night. You just need to find a like-minded fellow and ask the right questions.

Jeez, some of you are sure sensitive about this subject, aren't you? As I already said twice, I don't mind some of the newer leveling additions such as FoV (heck, I prefer quest based mmos, for the most part). My only objection comes from people not doing anything themselves while they level. Again, why even have levels at all if you're not going to do it yourself?

I appreciate any helpful info, but really, there's no need for the cynicism.

[Seillan]

Just use grounds of valor in kuftal, bostanieux, crawler's nest, and maybe even boyahda until you're level 70+ (maybe even earlier if you can heal, maybe later if you're a low-end DD). At that point, if you have decent gear and combat skills, you might be able to start contributing in exp alliances in the easiest abyssea areas. What you should still do however, is to see if any of your LS mates are going to kill certain NMs that drop atmas, so that you have a few of these to put on for the first time you go to abyssea.

Thanks for the suggestions - I'll make a note of those