Hi all,

I recently returned from a semi long hiatus. I currently have a lvl 99 RDM, DRG, MNK, and WAR.

I know two people who still play the game regularly on a different server, and they had mentioned the game has changed a lot. Things apparently are much more casual than before, and gearing up / getting through content has become more doable.

I have found some of this to be true, but at times many of the same barriers that FFXI had before -- barriers that largely influenced the degree to which I enjoyed this game -- still remain.

Earlier today I was in Juno trying to figure out how to gear up my characters given where I am, and where the game is currently (I have completed Rhapsodies and have my RDM at Reforged AF+1). I shouted for 30 min and spoke with both my LSs but received no response to my question regarding how to obtain some kind of upgrade to the gear I currently have. After about an hour someone responded and told me to do this new content called Ambuscade.

So I decided to get my only decently geared job (RDM) and shout for groups. I come to find out that RDM doesn't appear to be used in Ambuscade groups -- hello job exclusion my old friend -- and that I likely will need to level a WHM or PLD in order to participate.

One of the reasons why this game has been very difficult for me to get into, and why I've only ever been in "end game" once since starting the game in 2004 is the fact that I simply haven't been able to just play the jobs I want to play. It seems like every time I come back (with the rare exception when Monk was actually a boss in Abyssea content) I have had a very hard time getting the jobs I want to play to participate in post 99 content.

I've been in school since I originally began playing this game, and usually only have the winter break and maybe a month in the summer to play. I started this game in my senior year of high school in 2004, and am now in my 2nd year of doctoral studies. I don't really have ample time to level new jobs at this point, and I was hoping that I could take advantage of my winter break to gear up and enjoy playing some of my favorite jobs (i.e., RDM / DRG / MNK).

At this point my question is, will I be able to participate / join groups to do some of the post 99 content with the jobs I currently have leveled (assuming all except RDM have sparks gear at best)?

Other than leveling new jobs, is there anything you all would recommend I do to increase my chances of participating in post 99 content? Would making my own parties (as I did during the bad old "drg hate" days of 04) yield more positive results in terms of Ambuscade groups, or would most people likely not want to play with the classes I currently have at 99?

Lastly, is this game perhaps just not something that I should be playing at this point? For those of you who have played FFXIV, would I be better off giving that a try if I'm looking for a more straightforward Final Fantasy MMO experience that I can jump in and out of during winter and summer breaks?

Thanks!