So, I'm not exactly an FFXI veteran (WHM is only only level 99 job ATM) but I keep falling behind and, because I didn't gear up quickly enough before Adoulin came out (and killed everyone's interest in Abby) I'm finding it hard to get my gear level high enough in order to do any other events outside of abby.
Let me explain, Most if not all WHM benefit a lot from having at least some +2 Orison. (At least a +2 body and a +2 legs) ANd getting certain pieces of gear for a WHM to do well can prove difficult (I was sucessful in building an Arka IV, but people still tease me not not wearing any +2 Orison.) There are other pieces from Abby (or other pre-Adoulin endgame, but things like Salvage and NNI have almost as high gear requirements as Adoulin stuff.) that would be beneficial to a WHM (like the ever elusive Serpentes gear, Orison Locket, Shinryu neck, etc.) But it's hard to get your abby gear when other folks won't get much out of it, since people don't want to touch Aby anymore. Getting a shout for +2 items, or Karkadann for Locket, or for Atmas, or even just clears to get to Shinryu is an uphill battle now, and it seems like I have a hard time accomplishing anything unless LSmates help. I hate feeling like a leech to my LS, feeling like a constantly complain until I get help, (even though I don't think I ask too much.) and want to get things done on my own, too...
It doesn't help matters that like 90 percent of Orvail gear stinks. (literally the only good piece for WHM are the feet, as the MND is solid for Curaga and other things, and the legs would only be used for Fast Cast) It's frustrating that any DD that hits 99 can go spam supply runs in Adoulin and get an amazing set of gear (Kariyeh, Thaumas.) and can avoid Abbysea entirely and probably go to non-abby events to get stand-ins for AF3+2 (such as Salvage+1 or NNI gear or Augmented Dyna gear) Yet a WHM can't do that. What sucks is that makes those same DDs and such not want to do Abby, which means I get stuck in a rut.
Occasioally my LS invites me to an event, but I feel like such a gimp compared to everyone else and feel like I'm having a rough time learning my job, that I'm letting everyone down.