So you want an ATMA weapon? A casual guide to success!

Let me give you a scenario first and foremost. I am a busy man, with a full time job and a family on the way and I log roughly 50+ hours a week I have little time to play. When I heard of the system implemented for the relic upgrade via FATE I was cringing, I attempted it and failed, I died a little inside and gave up.

So here is my success story and the steps I took to get it with minimal frustrations. I acquired my final atma on May 25th 2014. Here's what I did to alleviate the grind tension:

1. Limit yourself. My limit was 4 Chocobo summons a day in a row. If I could not get a piece after 2 hours then I moved on and did something else (log off, play with friends)
   
2. Understand you may have no luck at all and come up empty handed. Ignore forum stories of people getting it in one day in 8 hours. This will only depress you. I went for 2.5 weeks of nothing at one point.
   
3. Do not stretch yourself out. Pick one thing to do and stick with it. I found this to be the most important, if I was farming for Atma that's all I was doing, I wasn't caring about capping Soldiery at any point in the week and if I didn't cap I wouldn't let it bother me.
   
4. Form a list to check off. I wrote down all the locations and the Atma obtained from them and as I got them I checked them off, keeps you organized and keeps your focus solid (at least for me). This thread also helps with the in game errors in the quest log. It is correct.
   
5. It's a game, treat it as such, why compare yourself to others who have an ungodly amount of time to play over you? This goes hand in hand of not worrying so much about capping in a week and then grinding out to myth cap and then grinding out crafting levels, beast tribe rep, etc. Know your tolerance level for petty time wasting things and remember, stay focused.
   
6. Believe in superstition. This is just a funny point, but I swear the longer I stayed logged out on a daily basis the more RNGesus favored me.
   
7. Finally, remind yourself when you doubt things will get better that this is an MMO, they will nerf this at some point because 4 years from now to grind out 12 Atmas for another 8 classes would be only something reserved for sadists and OCD gamers.

I hope that this helps someone and gives them hope. It worked for me it can work for you!

I play with a similar mindset. I haven't even started ATMA yet, I still need to upgrade to zenith first. I have not yet capped sol, though I did come within 45 tomes of capping during one week. I have about 2 hours of available play time per day, with more on the weekends, mostly. There are nights where I am leveling my sch, and I get so wrapped up in that because I get so close to the next level, or I unlocked the next job quest and want to get that done, that I never touch my main (whm). My goal most nights is to run my roulettes for sch, then roulettes for whm, then whatever else I have time for after that. Some nights, I don't even get a chance to do anything other than the low level roulette. I finally got CT unlocked last week, and ran it once so far. I want to run it until I get the Royal Set for glamour, and I already know that will take me a few weeks, if not longer. I have yet to run any Coil, but I do have the first set unlocked. I'm only ilvl78 on my whm, so I am nervous about Coil. Same goes with Garuda Ex. And I'm on You've Selected Regicide for the main story patch. Basically what I am saying is that there is so much that I want to do, but I don't have the time, so I've accepted the fact that it will take me months to get to Levi Ex and Coil2. By the time I get there, we will have new content, and I will be behind again. It happened before, I finally unlock WP and have some nice runs there, but BFlox HM comes out and suddenly WP is useless. c'est la vie!

Useful hint in case people forgets.
If you are alone trying to do a low-mid level notorious monster FATE and you lose what heals/cross-skills you have and your Choco is not a healer: you can de-sync and use your natural lv50 heal regen/cross skills/high lv pots and sync again to continue fighting. Boss will no reset so long as he keeps hitting you (for squat dmg)

Edit: same thing can be done when aggroing trash mobs outside the fate mobs due to lv sync...de-sync, one shot trash mobs, sync again.

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Originally Posted by Raeanya

c'est la vie!

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I have yet to get past garuda Ex and Past Turn 1 in Coil, no big deal really to me, the content will come when it's due. I just find myself disheartened on missing out on story elements.

#6 I totally believe. I found that this bonus seems to reset every 3 days. You can get really lucky after that everyone once in a while, but after 3 days, after I have been logged off for a while, I will start farming for about an hour and BAM! get an atma. Up to 4 now, but it has taken some time and spreading out my farming.

The atma "zodiac clock" theory worked wonders for me. It may just have been a coincidence but I had several atmas drop within the first fate when I started using it.

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Originally Posted by Erudain

I exploit the system.

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Here, I fixed your post.

doesnt mean too much, but quest log was fixed a while back.

Thanks for te upbeat post and thread.

I, too, took it on this approach, but refused to be in one location for longer than an hour at once. I kept my main focus on DF roulette during the week, and would do one or two fates in between dungeons, having only 1-2 hours a night.

While not nearly a fast as some people I know in-game (who have 2 animus and working on 3rd - yeah, 18+ books done...), I'm currently now working on my 4th book, only doing DF roulette and the occasional dungeon to get my tombs stacked up for the next one.

For me personally, when I focused on farming for atmas, I never got them. When it became a casual go, I got one every 3 days or so, and even accidentally getting two duplicates. Good luck for me on those!

And to everyone else, too.

Also, I found for me, it was helpful to keep track of how many fates I had to do in each zone before I saw and Atma. I did this by noting how many FATES I had towards my 'Date With Destiny' achievement and writing down that number before farming. Then when I got my Atma, I wrote down the new number of fates I had completed, did a little math and could figure out how many fates I actually had done in each zone. This lead to me knowing that for the most part, I would see a drop after 30-40 fates....sometimes I'd get lucky, and sometimes not...but it helped keep me motivated if I looked and saw 'oh, I only did 23 even though I've been out here awhile...I can keep going' Usually, I'd get it not too long after that.

Oh, and I always put my atma on my retainers....I swear they drop faster that way....but probably a silly thing.

3. Do not miss out on capping soldiery for an atma >_>. The atma will be there without a cap on the number you can get a week.
5. That first sentence reads as basically make yourself feel better by perceiving others as lesser since they got something b4 you did. Point couldve been made a better way. People having things b4 you doesnt equate to them having an ungodly amount of time.


Atma can be summed up as farm it, stay dedicated, take healthy breaks when needed, dont forget about the rest of the game. People keep making up stories about ways to get atma when it's been stated by Yoshi that it's completely random.(Not saying you said it wasnt random, just an observation of others). Random. Oh someone took some time off then came back, got an atma. Someone changed classes, got an atma. ANother farmed in the evening, got several. That's nice, but it's still random. They just lucked out on however many attempts after a change and decided to associate that change to try to solve something that's not there: the secret to erasing/mitigating the randomness lol

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Originally Posted by Ave_Ohki

I can't use two neurons to understand game mechanics.

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Here, I fixed your post

I'd like to add few things:

Don't think non-drops as a waste of time!

1: use your gc tokens to buy Ventures, exp manuals, barding any usable items!

2: In some areas you can multitask like do beast tribe quests while waiting for a fate to pop up.

3: change scenery!!!
(This is really just so you don't kill yourself!)

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Originally Posted by Black91CRX

The atma "zodiac clock" theory worked wonders for me. It may just have been a coincidence but I had several atmas drop within the first fate when I started using it.

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That theory never made any sense. It was always written in japanese time which doesn't make any sense when servers aren't based out of japan. Everyone just took a random blog post idea and ran with it. Due to the sheer randomness of Atma's people assumed that they got a drop due to the theory when all that ever happened was your random item dropped. There was never any reason to think this worked. It's ridiculous it went this far.

I'm currently working on my atma for my summoner, and I farm fates when waiting for group, or if I know I only have an hour to play, and sometimes when I really feel like grinding. 2 so far in a week.
The atma farm is fun, the vexing part starts when you got them. Farming myth for books is the hardest thing I've ever pushed myself through probably

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Originally Posted by Kiara1

The atma farm is fun, the vexing part starts when you got them. Farming myth for books is the hardest thing I've ever pushed myself through probably

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lol! I am completely opposite. I think the vexing part is the RNG. You give me a goal and say, "Hey, you need to farm x amount of myths." That's where I go into complete focus and start on it. I enjoy that aspect of it.

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Originally Posted by Tiggy

That theory never made any sense. It was always written in japanese time which doesn't make any sense when servers aren't based out of japan. Everyone just took a random blog post idea and ran with it. Due to the sheer randomness of Atma's people assumed that they got a drop due to the theory when all that ever happened was your random item dropped. There was never any reason to think this worked. It's ridiculous it went this far.

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Like I said, it may have been coincidence. But it sure worked for me.

Guess I should start facing east during FATEs. :rolleyes:

i have a full time job as well and 3 kids at home so i really can't get started till about 9 ish so thats maybe a titan ex attempt and a DF: expert run per night.

Got my relic weapon (based off Lodestone http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodest...vement/?page=2) on 4/05/14 (was a sat.)… so that would put getting my zenith maybe a week later with little time to myth grind.

that being said i picked these (http://i.imgur.com/8guXe5O.jpg) up with your exact same philosophy. I only did about 5-7 FATES in one area and if it hadn't drop i would move to another zone. I only focused on 3 "analogous" atma based on the element properties in conjunction with the signs...

(http://ffxiv.gamerescape.com/w/image...ationships.png)

posted the pic on my FC website may 4th so tell me it don't work :P just pay attention and don't smash your face against a keyboard grinding.

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Originally Posted by Pterois

i have a full time job as well and 3 kids at home so i really can't get started till about 9 ish so thats maybe a titan ex attempt and a DF: expert run per night.

Got my relic weapon (based off Lodestone http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodest...vement/?page=2) on 4/05/14 (was a sat.)… so that would put getting my zenith maybe a week later with little time to myth grind.

that being said i picked these (http://i.imgur.com/8guXe5O.jpg) up with your exact same philosophy. I only did about 5-7 FATES in one area and if it hadn't drop i would move to another zone. I only focused on 3 "analogous" atma based on the element properties in conjunction with the signs...

(http://ffxiv.gamerescape.com/w/image...ationships.png)

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I'm always down to try different things. While I'm wasting my time doing fates, why not try a few superstitions in the mix? Maybe they'll actually work.

So what exactly was your philosophy?
1.) 5-7 fates
2.) change zones that drop atmas with the same elemental properties
3.) ?? Profit ??

The most painful ATMA (for me) to get was Atma of the Fish in Lower La Nocea, the map is to big, the FATEs spawn to apart one from the other, and the teleport is not in a great location overall.
If you don't like running around A LOT! try to get it out of your list asap...

A casual guide to success!

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Originally Posted by Karnyboy

Let me give you a scenario first and foremost. I am a busy man, with a full time job and a family on the way and I log roughly 50+ hours a week I have little time to play.

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stopped reading here!
you call 50h/week little time to play?
I think lot of people that consider themself casual play a lot les than 50h/week.

I think he was referring to his RL job having him work 50+ hours a week.

I'm just happy to see a positive thread about Atma's for a change.

Personally, I enjoyed getting my Atma.

*flameshield up*

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Originally Posted by Erudain

I can only respond with insults and staw man arguments.

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This is not a question of understanding game mechanics, to which I'm well aware. However, in op I am stating that you are telling others about an unintended consequence of the system for yours (others) personal gain (i.e. exploit). If you wanna have a conversation, super-duper. If you wanna rage because someone pointed it out, take it outside.

This right here. Pretty much how I dealt with getting my atma except for the last one. (End was in sight, really wanted to get it over with right then and there. Of course, knowing the almighty RNGesus I still had nada after 8h)

I don't mind ATMA Grind, I does with with friends and ls members and it pretty fun. Even give me a chance to level up my Chocobo and earn seal I can trade in for Vendor Coin and level up my Vendor.

However, I do mind is the low level FATES one and alot of people doing it, it literally over in seconds every time I get there. Also, cannot stand those Turn in FATES also. Those are the worst.

Another hint, you aren't forced to do it. If you don't want to do it, don't! Its not required for anything, it's just meant to prolong your sub.

I agree that trying to take it easily and casual it's the best way.

I did mine between one Levi and another or as I waited for DF. Also, change zone every 2-3 hours or so.

There's only one piece of advice I could give:

Patience.

If you rush things up, you'll just feel more pissed and stressed out.

The fate farming was a walk in the park compared to the myth farming that ensues

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Originally Posted by Tiggy

That theory never made any sense. It was always written in japanese time which doesn't make any sense when servers aren't based out of japan. Everyone just took a random blog post idea and ran with it. Due to the sheer randomness of Atma's people assumed that they got a drop due to the theory when all that ever happened was your random item dropped. There was never any reason to think this worked. It's ridiculous it went this far.

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People can say whatever they want about it but when I started following it using server time my atma started rolling in.

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Originally Posted by Black91CRX

The fate farming was a walk in the park compared to the myth farming that ensues

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Please. Myth farming is a joke. Not to mention its not complete RNG. You can calculate how much myth you get for how much effort you put in. Not so with the atma.

Is the myth an obnoxious grind? Yes, it is. But holy hell its better than dealing with atma farming.

Not trying to rain on the OP's parade here but honestly, I'd wouldn't dream of recommending the Atma grind for a casual. There's no direct upgrade from it; aside from ilvl which is an idiotic gating system to begin with, here especially; and it merely opens up another set of tedious grinds.

Now, if a casual player enjoys the Fate farming, good for them. Seriously, not being sarcastic there. However, if my play time was limited to a couple of hours a day or less, I'd much prefer spending it going after tomes to gear up, level another class, or pretty much anything aside from spending hours at the mercy of RNG to get a non-upgrade.

That said, my suggestions for casual players who absolutely want to acquire the Atmas: Queue for roulettes(Daily expert/high at minimum) as you're out doing Fates.

This may sound counter-productive but the reasoning is sound; after you get all twelve Atmas, you're going to be in need of A LOT of myth tomes(1,500 x 9 or 13,500 to be precise).

The roulettes serve a few purposes depending on your gear status(Assuming overall gear is lower than Myth gear):

- You'll be that much closer toward having 1500 myth tomes to get your first book once all twelve Atmas are acquired.

- You can get better gear, either via buying myth(When close to cap)/soldiery gear or via dungeon drops. Being better equipped increases your productivity, not only in the Fates, but in the dungeons, which yet again you will be farming to go from Atma to Animus.

- If you're already geared in myth gear or above, can either start buying gear for other jobs, or buy myth materials and sell them to increase your finances

- Reduces the tedium of the Fate farming.

Will it increase the time taken to get your Atmas? Most likely, depends on RNGesus however. Does it allow you to be a use what time you have a bit more productively? Gods yes.

Now, I'll fully admit this has a few "flaws." You can't join Atma parties while queued. This'll primarily be for DPS only since healers/tanks don't normally have enough of a queue to worry about. Same goes for chocobos, can't be queued with one out(which is another idiotic area).

Post-edit to put up the real post edit:

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Originally Posted by necrosis

People can say whatever they want about it but when I started following it using server time my atma started rolling in.

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Last I understood, the Atma drop rate increase based on hour was supposed to be local time, not server.

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Originally Posted by necrosis

Please. Myth farming is a joke. Not to mention its not complete RNG. You can calculate how much myth you get for how much effort you put in. Not so with the atma.

Is the myth an obnoxious grind? Yes, it is. But holy hell its better than dealing with atma farming.

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Torn on this really. Fate farming can at least be done without dealing with as many idiots actively effecting you. Plus, while the RNG's a pain in the ass, it's at least a binary situation. Myth farming deals with running 30 dungeon runs(max, less if daily bonuses/beastmen dailies are taken into account).

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Originally Posted by AlrikRouge

Thanks for te upbeat post and thread.

I, too, took it on this approach, but refused to be in one location for longer than an hour at once. I kept my main focus on DF roulette during the week, and would do one or two fates in between dungeons, having only 1-2 hours a night.

While not nearly a fast as some people I know in-game (who have 2 animus and working on 3rd - yeah, 18+ books done...), I'm currently now working on my 4th book, only doing DF roulette and the occasional dungeon to get my tombs stacked up for the next one.

For me personally, when I focused on farming for atmas, I never got them. When it became a casual go, I got one every 3 days or so, and even accidentally getting two duplicates. Good luck for me on those!

And to everyone else, too.

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See. There is that 3 days thing again.

I approached the atma grinding with a pretty casual attitude, no plan or any expectations. I didn't do anything special in particular. I managed to collect all twelve pieces in about 14 hours. I stuck to a zone until I got the atma and then moved on. I suppose the one thing I did do was never mount my chocobo at the end of the FATE until after the completion popup went away, but I seriously doubt that made any difference at all. If anyone wants me to party up and grind FATES with them any time, just send me a tell in game.

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Originally Posted by Kald

I approached the atma grinding with a pretty casual attitude, no plan or any expectations. I didn't do anything special in particular. I managed to collect all twelve pieces in about 14 hours. I stuck to a zone until I got the atma and then moved on. I suppose the one thing I did do was never mount my chocobo at the end of the FATE until after the completion popup went away, but I seriously doubt that made any difference at all. If anyone on Balmung wants me to grind FATES with them anytime just send me a tell in game.

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I did that too!! Lol

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Originally Posted by Tiggy

That theory never made any sense. It was always written in japanese time which doesn't make any sense when servers aren't based out of japan. Everyone just took a random blog post idea and ran with it. Due to the sheer randomness of Atma's people assumed that they got a drop due to the theory when all that ever happened was your random item dropped. There was never any reason to think this worked. It's ridiculous it went this far.

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For that theory aren't you supposed to use the Eorzea clock? What would RL timezones have to do with it? If it runs of the Eorzea clock then it wouldn't matter where you were in the world.

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Originally Posted by Enepttastic

Not trying to rain on the OP's parade here but honestly, I'd wouldn't dream of recommending the Atma grind for a casual. There's no direct upgrade from it; aside from ilvl which is an idiotic gating system to begin with, here especially; and it merely opens up another set of tedious grinds.

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While I, too, would be reluctant to recommend such a grind-heavy project to a casual player, I have to point out that the reason it can be considered casual-friendly is that it can be done at your own pace. You don't depend on a static party as you do with Coil or (if you want reliable results) Leviathan, and you don't have to schedule specific times to meet with people to get the job done. The Atma grind, however ridiculous the RNG, can be done whenever you have the spare time, with no advance scheduling.

The Myth portion is the same way, thanks to Duty Finder. Have time for a dungeon? Roulette some Myth! Got an Atma book you're working on? Do the items in it whenever it's convenient. It may take many months to get the job done this way, but it will get done eventually. And even looking at it that way, it's STILL an improvement over the grinds of MMORPG games past. I'm looking at you, FFXI Mythic Weapons... :P

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Originally Posted by Black91CRX

The fate farming was a walk in the park compared to the myth farming that ensues

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Yeah, but here is the thing with myth grind....is not random.
You know exactly (more or less...unless a dungeon fails) how many you can farm daily/weekly according to what playtime you have or want to invest.

Lets say you can play 3-4 hours daily, you do all your dailys roulette + the 6 beast quest, you know more or less how long it will take you getting the 13500 tomes.
Playing 3-4 hours daily can net you 0 atmas for several days if the RNG gods don't like you.

I was putting it off for a long time, worrying about getting really bad luck with them, aside from Twin's tome being better stats-wise.
Started last Sunday, 10 FATEs in a zone and then moving on to the next, usually doing 3 or 4 (zones) a day. I guess I was really lucky, got them all yesterday.

My tip: switch zone after about 10 FATEs.