WARNING - New Players or Players thinking of coming back - Consider this first.

[meeks32]

Thanks for the adviuce. I just got back on after a two year layoff. I hope to have fun like I did way back when. Luckly I have a RDM at 70 and a SAM 59, so I hope I can lvl and get some missions done.

[AnSanto]

I don't know about your server but I met two very helpful high level players today and it was my first day so it might just be your server.

[Inafking]

I don't know about your server but I met two very helpful high level players today and it was my first day so it might just be your server.

LOLAsuraLOL, good luck with that.

[Soranika]

Best thing for older players to do if they want to help newer people is to actually populate the three nations instead of huddling at Port Jeuno and complaining about how bored they are and why aren't there any decent shouts? Part of the problem is that no one wants to do anything if there's no direct benefit for them, even as an older player, you know how hard it is to convince some one to do low level BCNMs with?

I hate to actually to say this but get any newbie to La Theine Plateau and travel to each abyssea maws... they would have NO problem doing GoV at Gungsten Mines then moving on to Abyssea to level. (strickly leveling)

I know when I'm able, I help people do story missions, genkai, or WSNMs many times over. Just have to be proactive in being welcoming to newbies and help them.... it's as easy as it actually sounds if people just do it.

[axlzero]

i read the first two or three post i find it sad back in the day i use to adopt taru players that were new i took a year off and came back and dont do any end game i been leveling all jobs to 50 for subjobs i got pld war and blm 85 (have not uncapped and dont really care to til im done with my leveling) im on shiva and need something to do when things get slow and helping new players dont take jack for time if you know what your doing and they have done all they can on there own and know how to travel fast if you wanna get going look me up when im online i have 6 chars axlzero, acezero, lilnuker, outrider, madpoofinger, and redsonya the last 4 are mules i use for moolge lotto and extra gear storage and auction house selling. i work strange hours so i might be gone for a week here and there but when im on i can play for hours. unless im haveing a lax day where im afkish a lot i dont hang in port jeuno there is things in the game you can always be doing and most if the time im doing them

[Vosslerr]

I read the first few posts of this until I got to Runespiders comment and I have to disagree with her. Though I can see her point, the community in Shiva compared to Alexander has taken a dramatic turn for the worst. I originally came from Alexander and moved to Shiva after a two year long break. In Alexander, I made many many great friends who I still talk to outside of game that were willing to help you at any time. They would drop whatever they were doing to help it seemed. So much that it turned me into the helpful player I am today. Given there are still lots of players willing to help, most ignore you nowadays. Even in my own linkshell, I am often ignored when I ask for help, even though I have helped those same players many times. Often times I have to offer payment in Jeuno, which I never had to do before btw. Its not just that either, its the fact that people don't even respond 90% of the time. If someone asks for help in my Linkshell, I give them a reason I can;t help such as camping an NM or in a party. But at least I respond to them.

I seen someone bring up page burns and aby leveling. I wouldn't even mind Aby 75+. Its the page burns and Level 30 leechers thats got me rattled. Players that are new to FFXI and got 90's in just a few days generally do not know how to use their jobs/very unskilled and can't land a spell or a hit, then they quit because they're bored after getting a 90. I don't blame them. A major part of the game was destroyed and the freaking awesome community that I loved for some reason is nonexistant anymore. This game no longer has a sense of accomplishment to it, its just simply played.

Maybe I also need to switch servers like some suggest here.

[Concerned4FFxi]

Hey guys, i just wanted to say that your not alone. There are many players who will help, unfortunitly, there are plenty more that stand around and offer nothing when they can spare five minutes for another person. Ive been on this game for about three years now, and do to unemployment and a ffxi addiction I've been able crush this game 100x to the point that I'm extremly well geared and completed everything in the game expect hunting a few Notorious Monsters (AV,PW) and completing a mythic or relic (have empyrean, very easy to trio).

My point is that I always help new players and I am keenly aware that new players are the key to future of any game so fyi I treat new players like gold. Sadly, in my three years of play I've echoed your feelings of no help the whole time. It also seems that its become harder for electing help, these days I dont require much outside assistance but I know how much help a new player needs. I was around 28 level when I got my first sub job, btw. I seriously hope more veteran players read this and consider spending an hour a week helping new players. I suggest shouting in Port Jueno once you get there, and definitly looking for a linkshell that can help you with common goals/achievements. Also, when you meet players that are willing to help, request them as friends. Just as in real life, dont ask these people for everything and anything, but attempt to solo stuff on your own and if you need help request some from your new veteran friends. I admit, if I'm repeatedly asked to assist by the same person over and over I'm not going to because I feel spent and I've seen new playhers not come back so my time invested is for naught. So that's why I suggest trying to meet other people that can assist you and spreading out the help onto more than one person so you can get stuff done and not always depend on that one decent veteran to help.

That said, perhaps you might be able to get to Crawler's Nest. My server is packed with players and there's a book which has grounds of valor in the crawler's nest. Usually low level (around 40-50) party up in Crawler's Nest doing books, there can be up to an alliance at times burning up this area. I suggest to you that you pop your head in there and ask the party leader if you can leech (you dont need be 40-50 to do this if leader is willing to let you, tell him your situation.) Also, if you find a few veterans or a linkshell that has veterans perhaps you can get into an abyssea party at 30+ and leech that. I let noobs actually leech abyssea from time to time over veteran players, because a veteran doesnt need me to leech them yet a new player does need leeching help. Also, as a new player you should familiarise yourself with some of the xp camps in the dunes and quifim island (which is a great place to xp on worms at full pt at 19/20 level or a decent balanced trio 23ish with sub jobs).

Its a lot of work, but if you really hope to strick around try some of these and getting internet access to the wiki is a life changer. There are also other websites you can use such as ffxiah.com. I usually give gil to new players also, regretably you observation is correct it is who you know in this game and the player base doesnt have the right attitude in my opinion towards new players, I see you as a means to strengthen the game I love, and not someone to be spoken down to or ignored. This attitude also reflects how most of us behave in real life too, so go figure.

Perhaps SE might consider having one GM per server get on a regular character and invite all the new players for some epic level sync xp, I've personally hosted pts for new players just because I've about cried seeing 10 new players looking for party and nobody getting invites. Come to Bismarck, send me a tell. I'll put you under my wing and introduce you to a guy who does nothing but help new and old players. It is possible to get somewhere in this game as a new player, I recently helped one a few months back by letting them leech, they have since gotten their Shinryu access (thats the abyssea storyline clear/win), rank 10 and a few level 90 jobs. Trust me when I say it, you just need to find a way over the first few hurdles, the rest is a frustratingly bumpy ride downhill but worth it ^^ {/wave} I still can't get help myself, I'm offering 3-5k for a tele and can't get at times lol, so I know a person with limited resources is in a tighter spto but if you like the game stay and fight for it.

I think the difference really lies in you first month playing, if you meet people or get discouraged. I lost my friends and linkshells along the way and was a loner for awhile, now I know lots of people and enough linkshell mates or friends here to do just about anything til 99 endgame. My linkshell leader made a good point the other day too, we can take a new player and get him/her top gear fairly easy with the introduction of Abyssea, but people good hearted people and people with brains is the key to a successful linkshell. So you really just should focus on one job for now and level that to 90 in order to better help yourself get what it is that you want and to be a lil more independent (independent my friend, not solo like you're being forced into).

White mage is probly your best bet if you want to get into an abyssea pt w/o a veteran's help. The spells are somewhat cheap compared to other mage jobs and you dont have to process weakness as much in a empyrean amor pt, plus you only need a few spells to start out for xp. You can do this at around 41/42 when White mage gets cure 4(attempt abyssea leeching without knowing someone). Granted not everyone will let you in but some leaders won't mind so long as you can cure 4 from time to time.

I'll be glad to check back here occasionally to answer any questions you might have that i might be of some help to you. About the sub job items, try getting into a pt in the dunes if you cant get someone to help you, at least in this respect you can get 2/3 items you need just from doing crabs and flies and fields of valor in an xp pt there and then you'll only need help with the magick skull (which a good thf should be able to get for you in no time, even off a skeleten at night in the dunes they drop it too) Take care and enjoy, I'll be hoping that you stay but understand if you don't.

[Concerned4FFxi]

Yes the game has changed to playing versus accomplishment, but im holding out hope that things will balance once 99 endgame forms. The game is in a transition to this, unfortunitly communication about the future isn't clear (yes theres roadmaps but it would be helpful if SE said flat out that their vision for 99 is a combo of casual play and hardcore endgame with or without a final add-on.

About the 75+ new players gimps, if they quit because they've accomplished enough let them go they were not meant for ffxi anyway so no loss there and maybe they will find the game they really want to be in. We need 75+ new player gimps, because there is really no pts 30-75 anymore outside abyssea so it makes sense to get them to 75+ fast and then fix the problem post 75. A day or two skilling up outside abyssea, a return to abyssea with skills 200-250+ and finally cap skills in abyssea then is a simple solution. Nobody wants to grind xp like the old days, even though it was educational, the new education starts at 75+ in abyssea.

[Vosslerr]

@Concerned I agree however they took something out that kept people around. I do want to grind levels in a party again, because thats what FFXI was. You know that. Book burns do not show people how to use thier jobs, and I have been killed countless times because a party member did not spend the two weeks afterwards skilling up or know how to use thier jobs, especially our mages.

[Lordscyon]

Players Don't really consider any off this usually as a player playing any game even ffxi we try too figure how too play the game we are no one too tell anyone consider this first too be honest its the 1st expression of anything that make it worthwhile and hey if they want too keep playing thats a bonus i support them.