The Hunt - a game breaking feature

[Geist]

And lest we forget, gear doesn't top skill. Many players have the misconception that getting good gear (via hunts, speed runs for tomes, etc.) will allow them to take on harder content. No, honestly, it only gets you in the door. You don't get to the Super Bowl by simply throwing on football pads and a uniform, you get there by being one of the best football players you can be, regardless of your equipment quality.

Indeed, gear is a tool, the key or "pass" to get through the door, the point bonuses don't compensate for whatever else one might be lacking... and whatever might be lurking behind the door itself. Patience, perseverance and enthusiasm are the real meat and potatoes of one's growth.

[EricCartmenez]

Indeed, gear is a tool, the key or "pass" to get through the door, the point bonuses don't compensate for whatever else one might be lacking... and whatever might be lurking behind the door itself. Patience, perseverance and enthusiasm are the real meat and potatoes of one's growth.

Bingo! I don't think there's anything wrong with the hunt. It's the people who run around, then someone "accidentally" pulls early. So what, go to the next one in 30 seconds. Eventually, the swarms of individuals looking to get level 90 gear from Allied Seals will dwindle and those who want level 100 and 110 gear for little work will also fade. You can only get so many soldiery tomes per week. People will have to start running the fights to get the drops of gear, then back to hunts to grab the oil and sands and upgrade it.

The childish stuff I saw online this weekend made me laugh. Name calling aside, I actually saw people telling others not to use AOE's and Chocobos. Really? I can't see the fight because of all the AOE's. Sorry, it's the only way WHM and SCH get their participation, so expect to see medica and holy if they are not using Stone II. Turn off the effects and you'll see just fine. Early pull? Move on. You want me to wait on this B while you slash down that A and S on your way, but you won't hold the A or S or invite me to your party so I can get credit? Sorry, B is dead, moving on. I'm not waiting any more than you did. You got more tomes than I did, so enjoy your victory. Geesh. Can't tell you how many B's I've blasted solo or with two people.

No matter if you are iLVL 110, if you don't know how to fight the bosses in anything from Howling Eye HM to Labyrinth to the Coil, you're still going to see your party get wiped because you think your overpowered stuff is making up for a lack of skill. [I use the word "you" in any person who believes this, not pointed to any individual.] It takes both skill and gear to win those fights. I watch all the YouTube videos I can on fights before I enter, regardless of how easy they might seem. Yes, there are still times when a team member doesn't know the mechanics or they just don't care, and yes there are wipes as a result. But for the most part, people who prepare will do well.

It's just like real life. Just because you own a Lamborghini doesn't mean you're a great driver, you have a Jimmy Page replica Les Paul you can play guitar, or you have a degree from Harvard you're the best candidate for a job. You need to be able to apply what you have.

If anything, I think the hunt fails the player only in that it requires no skill to upgrade gear so highly, leaving most (not all) folks who take advantage of this system to make it into raids and fights in which they lack the skill to apply their gear. It leaves me to wonder if the reason that most people are doing this is for bragging rights or do they truly want to take on Leviathan Extreme, Coil, or others?

[lvicious]

Most players are on the huge TS channels. Very organized with someone calling out marks lol.. I haven't done any marks in huge groups or on TS and as of now I'm not going to.

If it makes you happy and you have fun doing that then by all means I have no issue with people using the system "as intended". I already feel less sense of accomplishment for most of everything in the game and always have. It's just a really, super easy mmorpg is all but I still play and always will.

The way hunts are right now though I just have no interest in all that mess no matter what quick rewards you can obtain and I get enough quick rewards as is.

I still just wish there was more end game content FC's could do together outside of dungeons and hunts... and yes I still miss xp pt's and the grind but I don't want massive changes to the game. Those "ffxi" days are gone and will stay gone.

It is what it is and I see no need for me to ruin it for those who enjoy it and I do enjoy it cause I still p2p.. just not very rewarding.. maybe short term it is.. very short term. They'll work on hunts and make them better overall. Just give it time.