A Simple Lack of Fun

Bloodthirst and Second Wind were the only healing I needed 25-30 on Mrd. I really don't get how people are having such a hard time(not trying to insult anyone who is) but if anything from 20 on everything has been faster and more enjoyable.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Xoo

You know those crabs will lottery into 29's eventually and link each other, resulting in death? I'm very familiar with that entire area, and have already tried it since patch.

---

Only results in death if you don't know what you are doing.

It sounds to me like the new patch makes it slightly more difficult to solo, requiring greater levels of care and skill from players. I don't have a problem with that.

The days of happily whacking away at mobs solo, with no fear of death, are over; and good riddance!

I don't have any trouble soloing leves with mobs my same level even if they link up to 3 at level 36 pugilist. All I need is Bloodbath, Second Wind and Cure.

I have limited solo experiences since the update.
But on my archer lv 44. I killed a same level monkey and received 344 exp. I was blown away. The fight was more difficult than it would have been in 1.18 but the reward was that much greater.

Now I'm thinking if you want to solo, you either fight stuff @ your level or below. Try fighting a mob 1-5 levels below you, the exp would be comparable to what it was in 1.18 killing mobs higher rank than you.

Of course you're not going to kill mobs 10 levels above you, thats where you form parties.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MrLion

So let me get this straight...

An MMO, also known as a Massively Multiplayer Online game, has to have solo content? Really? Then why the hell are you in an MMO to begin with? Seriously, people lost the meaning of MMO because of how they were evolved, and that evolution that some dude mentioned is really not a good thing...

---

more like devolve, since every other game copies WoW(about a ten year old game),and for some reason claim its an evolution of MMO gaming...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ChiefCurrahee

I have limited solo experiences since the update.
But on my archer lv 44. I killed a same level monkey and received 344 exp. I was blown away. The fight was more difficult than it would have been in 1.18 but the reward was that much greater.

Now I'm thinking if you want to solo, you either fight stuff @ your level or below. Try fighting a mob 1-5 levels below you, the exp would be comparable to what it was in 1.18 killing mobs higher rank than you.

Of course you're not going to kill mobs 10 levels above you, thats where you form parties.

---

My complaint is the link system, compounded by the typical levels of the mobs being a 4-level spread, which if you go in high you receive utter crap EXP, and if you go in low be prepared for an unnecessarily long fight. I honestly don't see how you people are getting around links without having to run and reset enmity, hoping you don't die before you reach the territory boundary. Mobs' link range is massive and unpredictable.

It's hard to pinpoint but there is a weird disconnected feeling to what you're doing on the gamepad and what happens on screen. It might be the lag but I think it might also have a lot to do with the fact that the skills are still incredibly same-y across all classes and aside from tweaking the stats I think they should also add a lot of really basic class exclusive skills too.

The enemy weaknesses and strengths also could be cranked up to eleven because a lot of the time it feels like you don't need any knowledge of the enemy or surroundings when you are grinding. Maybe the way they hinted at bringing back some enemy AI in some form will at least help in this matter.

When it really comes down to it by now they definitely have changed the frames of the game but the picture itself has been left intact and they need to start dealing with the big issues.

This might also be because I'm a controller player and the controls in battle and in menus are still just as bad as they were in the launch. In recent post they said "they'll look into it" so all we can do is wait.

I tried the game after the patch but I feel like if I keep playing too much at this point then I'd easily get tired of it to the point where I couldn't give it another chance when XIV eventually deserves it.

I really want to play this game for years but honestly it took XI 3 years to get good (and honestly to me that game is still amazing to me). It will take time but if SE starts working on content and big issues without using a lot of short-cuts like they've done up to this point (which is sort of understandable given how time has been against them) I'm sure this game will get good. We just have to remember that the community is tired of cheap solutions but at the same time you can't do quality content without time.

I understand the player frustration since I feel it too but as a game developer I fully understand the situation at the other end of the line too.

I haven't gotten up to the higher-level camps(but I remember checking around the kobold camps before and they were packed tighter than sardines in a can), but from what I've seen thus far in Limsa, enemy levels usually only have a one-level difference between them, and the only things I've seen link thus far are mobs that aggro anyway.

And once again, the game should have soloable content and for the most part it does, but there should ALWAYS be more incentives to party. You want the big boy XP? grab a group of people and go nuts.

1.19 has introduced some new issues, but overall the game is 100x better than it was on release.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Xoo

I really don't want this to turn out as a full-blown rant, but I suppose some things can't be helped. I started this game at release, dealt with and accepted every negative aspect within at that time, and every one since. But, I feel that this patch is the breaking point.

Before Oct. 4th, I really felt I had the option of doing things my way, solo, without the help of anyone else if necessary. Given, this was a more gradual approach in progression opposed to grouping up, still, I could solo efficiently for acceptable losses. Always before leaving Ul'dah I would attempt to form a group to grind with. I would put up recruit, shout for 30min or so, ask every one of my five linkshells, send tells to every person online in my friend's list of 140 people. Fifty percent of the time I could get people to go out. The remainder was all solo.

Come October 5th, I can no longer solo for anything near worthwhile EXP, and I feel it directly related to the linking system. My targets are always ranks above me because I enjoy the challenge of seeing what I can chain for the best EXP. If I try this today, what I get is a large, compact grouping of target mobs who range in level from 25, which is also my own, to level 29. I can defeat the Lv29's with difficulty, but certainly not when they are suddenly accompanied by 4 others.

I heard someone in my LS say that the new system now requires skill and planning, and the linking mobs make it more difficult. I chuckled, because at that moment I was in a successful group killing crabs in La Noscea, and found it to be more hack-and-slash than ever before. Mobs all over the place, damage all over the place, and most importantly, enmity flying everywhere. No skill, no difficulty, just spam.

It makes me wonder why we have all of these abilities that we gain as our character progresses if we only need AoE weaponskills, Curaga and Siphon MP.

---

Yup. This pretty much sums up how I feel right now. I think encouraging partying is a good thing, but I would like to have the choice to solo as well. When you feel forced to do something the game feels really bitter.

OP is just asking for easy-mode..quick and unchalleging leveling, to reach max level asap. It's hilarious that he tries to agrue that it's not challenging, but having all this trouble handling one link around his level.. For the record, and seriously no offense meant, learn to play. Complaining that it's too hard and YOU can't EXP as fast as you want to nemore, isn't going to get you anywhere, except another game.

The new system is light years beyond what is was, and the Dev's actually brought back a little balance to the grind. Just because you reroll'd and lost those two 50's you likely grinded in a few weeks on the old system.. Come on..

OP, the situation you are in I find most akin to a person hitting a brick wall, and then instead of trying to find a way around said brick wall, hitting their head repeatedly against it and complaining why they are bleeding.

New game. New rules. Even moreso than 1.18.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Exni

OP is just asking for easy-mode..quick and unchalleging leveling, to reach max level asap. It's hilarious that he tries to agrue that it's not challenging, but having all this trouble handling one link around his level.. For the record, and seriously no offense meant, learn to play. Complaining that it's too hard and YOU can't EXP as fast as you want to nemore, isn't going to get you anywhere, except another game.

The new system is light years beyond what is was, and the Dev's actually brought back a little balance to the grind. Just because you reroll'd and lost those two 50's you likely grinded in a few weeks on the old system.. Come on..

---

Where in my post did I say 1 anything? I believe the number was more akin to 4. Then again, you didn't read it, so whatever.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by NoctisUmbra

OP, the situation you are in I find most akin to a person hitting a brick wall, and then instead of trying to find a way around said brick wall, hitting their head repeatedly against it and complaining why they are bleeding.

New game. New rules. Even moreso than 1.18.

---

Is there a way around it? If there is, please show me.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Xoo

Is there a way around it? If there is, please show me.

---

(Over There.)

On a more serious note, keep looking. If there really was nothing, there would be MANY more people complaining I assure you.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gidonoidon_Sur

I think we need a world chat so people don't have to stand in Uldah to get parties. And/or, institute the party search feature from FFXI. If partying is the way to go, let's facilitate it. And I think that is the plan, just need to wait a bit.

---

This. However, until party forming is functional and efficient they should HAVE NOT gimped solo play. Not all of us sleep on the PC. Some of us, believe it or not, have a life and would like to hop on the game play for an hour or two not shout for PT for that time.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Xoo

Where in my post did I say 1 anything? I believe the number was more akin to 4. Then again, you didn't read it, so whatever.

---

No I read your post.. shouldn't have, but I did.. I was only giving you the benefit of the doubt because the fact that you are admitting linking, lets say 4-5 mobs (happy?), repeatedly negates your entire post. Clearly, you are doing it wrong. But since you prolly won't recognize that fact... because you think everyone is linking 4 mobs, and noone can efficiently solo nemore.. correct? Yeah.. 'whatever' is right. Fail on young one, fail on.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Exni

No I read your post.. shouldn't have, but I did.. I was only giving you the benefit of the doubt because the fact that you are admitting linking, lets say 4-5 mobs (happy?), repeatedly negates your entire post. Clearly, you are doing it wrong. But since you prolly won't recognize that fact... because you think everyone is linking 4 mobs, and noone can efficiently solo nemore.. correct? Yeah.. 'whatever' is right. Fail on young one, fail on.

---

Linking 1, 2, 3 or 4 - it doesn't really matter. I'd like to come watch you solo sometime since we're on the same server.

EDIT: I really hope Exni is an alt, otherwise don't bother.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Xoo

Linking 1, 2, 3 or 4 - it doesn't really matter. I'd like to come watch you solo sometime since we're on the same server.

EDIT: I really hope Exni is an alt, otherwise don't bother.

---

All BS aside, I love to see Xoo taking people to task on this. What say you, Exni? Humble the man, if you're so confident.

Ya, I think the biggest issue right now is the population overall is pretty bad. So with a lack of a decent party search function, ALL this forced grouping stuff is almost pointless. I came back for the first time in about 4-5 months, game looks great, runs great, everything's improved... but there's 0 shouts going on in Limsa and Gridania and hardly ANYONE around. "Go to Ul'Dah!"... I don't want to, the place is ugly, bland and you shouldn't have to travel there to get a party.

I'm ALL for what they've done patch wise so far, the gear, the exp, the combat, it's all great. When you can't find anyone to participate in it with though cause people ignore you, or there's simply no one around, it becomes dull quite fast.

I get that those with established shells are probably having a blast, but every time I come back, my 5 shells are empty and so is my flist.

Msg me ingame, I have a couple shells you might enjoy being a part of, pretty active, lots of good times.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Monty

Ya, I think the biggest issue right now is the population overall is pretty bad. So with a lack of a decent party search function, ALL this forced grouping stuff is almost pointless. I came back for the first time in about 4-5 months, game looks great, runs great, everything's improved... but there's 0 shouts going on in Limsa and Gridania and hardly ANYONE around. "Go to Ul'Dah!"... I don't want to, the place is ugly, bland and you shouldn't have to travel there to get a party.

I'm ALL for what they've done patch wise so far, the gear, the exp, the combat, it's all great. When you can't find anyone to participate in it with though cause people ignore you, or there's simply no one around, it becomes dull quite fast.

I get that those with established shells are probably having a blast, but every time I come back, my 5 shells are empty and so is my flist.

---

I hear you, and would love to see an "easy button"....a simple feature that can auto group you with people of your level range. I know many vocal people would hate this...but i think a lot of people would enjoy this...especially us casual players who dont have the time to put together a grind party with the 2ish hours they have to play.

Didn't read through this thread but I just wanted to point something out:

Group Play:
Greater experience rewards (as it should be; how dare you say you deserve as much exp as a group of people playing together, we took the time to get a group when you don't want to, you shouldn't get as much as dedicated people so stop whining about this please!

You fight monsters that are well over your level because there are 4-8 of you.

Solo Play:
You are by yourself what makes you honestly think you can solo a monster that is 10 levels higher than you? (yes you could easily do this when the ONLY stats that mattered were MND and VIT, and level 20 (pre1.19) I had about 80VIT and ~1000HP, and the initial stats on all the other attributes because they didn't matter. Guess what? Now they do. So fight stuff your level not 10 levels higher, you are getting the same amount of exp (might be slightly less but its not like you went from getting 600exp per mob to 50exp per mob)

LEVES LEVES LEVES! Damn with the new setup with the right level monsters you can easily get 5000-10000exp (in the 20-30 range) in ONE LEVE, and it takes you only 10-15 min, wtf are you complaining about not being able to get exp...not only that you get NEW LEVES EVERY 12 HOURS NOW, my god what more do you want.

SIDE QUESTS, they are one of the best ways to power through to level 20 (if you are a new player or have a new character), guess how many times I grinded in a party or solo'd from 1-21...if you guessed NEVER then you'd be right. I just did the side quests and the story quests and that alone got me from 1-21 without ever having to grind on monsters for a level, it's really that simple, plus you get all the lore and setup for the better GC quests.

TL;DR: My god stop complaining already, there are so many %$@#ing ways to get exp in this game, especially at lower/solo levels.

Solo works better than ever in my opinion. Not having any issues this game only needs party search and deeper ls options and it is good to go. Elevate your game and u will have more fun. Btw I love chocobo caravan just wish ppl would do it more. Got 1k xp solo with 8 secs left lol. Mind u on my lvl 50 arch. Its damn challenging for the intended rank.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Xoo

Linking 1, 2, 3 or 4 - it doesn't really matter. I'd like to come watch you solo sometime since we're on the same server.

EDIT: I really hope Exni is an alt, otherwise don't bother.

---

I previously paid no attention to what server you were on, or perhaps I'da offered that myself. Though it bothers me even more now that I know you should have had plenty of opportunity to ask that of the slew of players on our server prior to coming to the forums to rant. Exni is a mule, Exn is a main on that server.

Miraa, am I to take it that you too are no longer able to effectively solo? Gawd forbid your having issues on your arc, so I guess I'm only asking for any lower levels you may have..

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Exni

Miraa, am I to take it that you too are no longer able to effectively solo? Gawd forbid your having issues on your arc, so I guess I'm only asking for any lower levels you may have..

---

GAWD forbid!

I have no opinion one way or another. I've only played a few hours of 1.19 and I'm perfectly satisfied with my character at the moment. I just like calling out mean spirited people who like to pull out personal insults the moment someone disagrees with them. If you're gonna be that much of a blowhard, put up or shut up.

You know what amazes me is that opinions seem to be divided evenly amongst people who want some solo/low-man content and hardcore nuts saying LOL TEH GAEM WUZ TOO EZ. I think that proves to Square that there needs to be a balance between the two. Pre 1.19 it swung too much towards the solo side, and now with 1.19 they swung it back towards the party-based side. Both sides need to be taken into account since there seems to be an even number of people wanting to do BOTH.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bahn

You know what amazes me is that opinions seem to be divided evenly amongst people who want some solo/low-man content and hardcore nuts saying LOL TEH GAEM WUZ TOO EZ. I think that proves to Square that there needs to be a balance between the two. Pre 1.19 it swung too much towards the solo side, and now with 1.19 they swung it back towards the party-based side. Both sides need to be taken into account since there seems to be an even number of people wanting to do BOTH.

---

I would have liked to think that linking would be proportionate to the situation. If you are one person levelling alone it seems odd for two+ mobs even above your rank to suddenly gang up on you. I get it if you're in a party but it's hardly the same thing if you're on your own. The amount of links at times can be over exaggerated.

Think about if 2 mobs of a 2-3 levels higher didn't link, the person would still receive exp for killing one, and surviving long enough to kill the second. A risk that they'd get no bonus for killing in under a time limit, but still slower than if they'd been in a party. But to have party based play forced on soloers is a bit of a bold move especially with how unnecessary it was.

I thought links were to improve party based play, not potentially cripple those soloing.

The bonus you get from linking is more than the bonus you get for chaining, so it's probably better for you to fight things a couple ranks lower than yourself overall. Ideally though you want to find a place where the enemies range -2 to +2 lvls around yours.

I've created a post discussing some ways to solo/duo exp post-1.19 if anyone would like to add to that thread then please go make a post so we can develop new better methods of exp gaining as they are out there.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Xoo

I really don't want this to turn out as a full-blown rant, but I suppose some things can't be helped. I started this game at release, dealt with and accepted every negative aspect within at that time, and every one since. But, I feel that this patch is the breaking point.

Before Oct. 4th, I really felt I had the option of doing things my way, solo, without the help of anyone else if necessary. Given, this was a more gradual approach in progression opposed to grouping up, still, I could solo efficiently for acceptable losses. Always before leaving Ul'dah I would attempt to form a group to grind with. I would put up recruit, shout for 30min or so, ask every one of my five linkshells, send tells to every person online in my friend's list of 140 people. Fifty percent of the time I could get people to go out. The remainder was all solo.

Come October 5th, I can no longer solo for anything near worthwhile EXP, and I feel it directly related to the linking system. My targets are always ranks above me because I enjoy the challenge of seeing what I can chain for the best EXP. If I try this today, what I get is a large, compact grouping of target mobs who range in level from 25, which is also my own, to level 29. I can defeat the Lv29's with difficulty, but certainly not when they are suddenly accompanied by 4 others.

I heard someone in my LS say that the new system now requires skill and planning, and the linking mobs make it more difficult. I chuckled, because at that moment I was in a successful group killing crabs in La Noscea, and found it to be more hack-and-slash than ever before. Mobs all over the place, damage all over the place, and most importantly, enmity flying everywhere. No skill, no difficulty, just spam.

It makes me wonder why we have all of these abilities that we gain as our character progresses if we only need AoE weaponskills, Curaga and Siphon MP.

---

You know they make a TON of solo rpg's right? Not even just SE, but TONS of companies make role playing games where you can solo till your hearts content. Matter of fact, Dark Souls came out and Elder Scrolls is right around the corner. Both of those are excellent rpg's for those that want to play with themselves (pun intended). This is an MMO. Just FYI

Also, you are aware that the company leves are all solo leves yes?

I don't really give a crap about soloing, I want to party. The problem I see is, it's still not NEEDED at higher ranks which saddens me. If they'd go ahead and make xp mobs totally destroy you they'd be people willing to party all over the place.

Until people have to party they simply wont.

Tank, DDs and healer. If someone yanks aggro they get 2 shotted. This is the best design in my opinion, teaches people how to play in a group and brings people together to kill things that would be impossible by themselves. Nothing in xp groups at the moment takes any attention to kill, spam spam spam spam. I really get sick of it and log off and either go to bed or surf the net since its so damn boring and lifeless.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Biggs

You know they make a TON of solo rpg's right? Not even just SE, but TONS of companies make role playing games where you can solo till your hearts content. Matter of fact, Dark SOuld came out and Elder scrolls is right around the corner. Both of those are excellent rpg's for those that want to play with themselves (pun intended). This is an MMO. Just FYI

Also, you are aware that the company leves are all solo leves yes?

---

You know he's not complaining about soloing because he only plays by himself, right?

If you actually read his post instead of skimming it and rushing to make your troll comment before someone else did you'd see that he's not a solo only player. He's saying that he plays in groups and solos, but that solo play has been made far too difficult in his opinion (I don't necessarily agree, but that is what he's saying) and that parties are now just AoE weapon skill spamfests to get links.

Maybe before you rush to judgement you should see what he's actually talking about.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Exni

I previously paid no attention to what server you were on, or perhaps I'da offered that myself. Though it bothers me even more now that I know you should have had plenty of opportunity to ask that of the slew of players on our server prior to coming to the forums to rant. Exni is a mule, Exn is a main on that server.

Miraa, am I to take it that you too are no longer able to effectively solo? Gawd forbid your having issues on your arc, so I guess I'm only asking for any lower levels you may have..

---

You know, I have seen other people soloing on our server, and you know what? They seem to be having the same problem! Just witnessed yesterday a Lv20 PGL trying to kill puks Lv20-24 and they gave up, I suppose, because the mobs kept linking on her.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AlphaDragoon

You know he's not complaining about soloing because he only plays by himself, right?

If you actually read his post instead of skimming it and rushing to make your troll comment before someone else did you'd see that he's not a solo only player. He's saying that he plays in groups and solos, but that solo play has been made far too difficult in his opinion (I don't necessarily agree, but that is what he's saying) and that parties are now just AoE weapon skill spamfests to get links.

Maybe before you rush to judgement you should see what he's actually talking about.

---

No I read the whole thing, and it was a well formed OP, but considering this game was WAY to solo heavy before this patch, it makes sense to me the pendulum would swing way around the other way before they finally balance it. So suck it up for a few weeks until they fix it. Everything about this game is in transition. I still feel like there is plenty to do solo in this game post 1.19 and fail to see why everyones crying. None of you can possibly have had enough time to find areas that may be great spots to solo since the game has only been patched for 2 whole days now. If he still feels this way after trying it for a week or more, then by all means, make a post like this one voicing your concerns so the devs are aware. But anyone rage posting htat they hate this patch a little over 48 hours after its release is jumping the gun in my opinion.

Using abstract such as "fun" without explaining what he means by that definition really makes this thread useless.

I have certainly had more "fun" post-patch than ever before it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MrLion

So let me get this straight...

An MMO, also known as a Massively Multiplayer Online game, has to have solo content? Really? Then why the hell are you in an MMO to begin with? Seriously, people lost the meaning of MMO because of how they were evolved, and that evolution that some dude mentioned is really not a good thing...

---

You realize that not everyone has the same playtime right? So people that have odd play hours expected to not even play the game? I mean...really?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Betelgeuzah

Using abstract such as "fun" without explaining what he means by that definition really makes this thread useless.

I have certainly had more "fun" post-patch than ever before it.

---

Had your morning coffee? The entire OP is me describing my experiences in 1.19 with a simple lack of "fun". What you actually meant to say is that it makes your presence in it useless.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Xoo

Had your morning coffee? The entire OP is me describing my experiences in 1.19 with a simple lack of "fun". What you actually meant to say is that it makes your presence in it useless.

---

In that case I apologize. I would have never imagined that you would seriously make a thread stating you play the game wrong, and that makes it less fun for you, while the broken mess of a combat that was pre-1.19 where the only determining factor in combat was your rank versus the mobs, was seemingly "fun" without being sarcastic or something of that nature. But since that seems to be the case, I am left speechless.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Xoo

You know, I have seen other people soloing on our server, and you know what? They seem to be having the same problem! Just witnessed yesterday a Lv20 PGL trying to kill puks Lv20-24 and they gave up, I suppose, because the mobs kept linking on her.

---

uh, rule of thumb on soloing on 1.19
1. dont fight mob that its rank +2 higher
2. dont fight more than one mob at a time

unless you are skilled and well equipped of course...