A Question.

[MakoZ]

Hi all,
So I played during beta and a bit after the game came out, but I ended up quiting. Now I'm back and pretty pumped for the changes to come. Anyway I was wondering what exactly is good to do to start out? I never quite figured it out during beta and afterwards. I figured I would level botanist and try to raise weaving and carpentry, but at the same time I see people leveling Disciplines of War and I really want to play those as well. I don't want to burn myself out only leveling Disciplines of Hand/Land before I really get to see the cool side of the game. Its just that I kind of wanted to have a semi-good source of income, and I know I can sell what I get from killing monsters and stuff like that, but I feel it would be better to have a basis in crafting. Is this a good idea?
It would seem to some that the answer is obvious and that I should just play what I want when I want, but normally when I do that I feel spread too thin. I kind of like to have a detailed plan of what I'm gonna do. Thanks for reading and responding!

[Yelta_Sumasu]

You can either plan everything out before you log in or just log in and see what you feel like doing or what the LS is doing. I do both, joining the LS doing whatever they feel like doing is my favorite.

When gathering/crafting, well I get kinda anal about it and have spreadsheets listing what I need to gather on botanist so I can do weaver and carpenter... but it is fun to me.

[MakoZ]

See, that would be nice if I actually had an LS. Kinda lonely because i don't know anyone who plays ;-;. Anyway, yeah, the spreadsheet things totally sounds like something i would do, but I don't really know enough to make that kind of spreadsheet haha.

[Estellios]

If you can stomach crafting/gathering, they are really good sources of income. Gathered materials you can sell in the wards, especially logs/branches. Just make sure that you price them less than the NPC that sells them (if it is sold by an NPC). Check out mooglebox.com or yg.com if you need that sort of information.

Crafting, especially when coupled with a gathering class, is an absolute gold mine as long as you play the market. This might be easier to read once they add the price history next update. Take a look at what gear looks most desirable, what seems to be selling often, or what is out of stock. If you don't completely jack up the price of something (like charging 100k for a level 8 weapon), you should see some noticeable income, especially if you gather all the materials. Once again, check NPC prices and sell for below them.

Also, guildleves provide more relevant material rewards now, so after doing a couple leves you usually end up with enough raw mats to make a few items to sell in the wards.

As far as leveling a battle class, keep in mind that under the direction of the new team, crafting and gathering are going into more of a supportive role instead of active participants in the main storyline. As it is now, the game is starting to become more centered around Grand Companies, which require a battle class of at least 20 to sign up. The main story content is all going to be more action-focused to give players more satisfying and challenging battle content. Crafters and Gatherers are going to be getting their own content, but it is further down the line.

My advice would be to try out all the battle classes for a few levels (especially after the patch the middle of this week, when the classes are seeing some major revamps). Not only will you pick up a variety of cross class skills, you will get a better handle of what you might have more fun with.

After that, keep an eye out for parties in shouts, ask people at camps to team up, and after this coming patch, make use of the party search feature to meet people and ask to join their linkshell if you find anyone friendly. With some teamwork and the right camp, you should be able to get great XP at any level with any size party. Good luck!

[MakoZ]

Wow!. Thanks for all that information. I'll definitely try each class out, probably to level 10 or so, and from there ill wait to see what I like most after the patch. As far as the money making and crafting stuff, I guess I'll do that when I'm done with battle leves at the end of the day and such; especially since they are taking a more supportive role to battle classes (though I really expected that to happen XD). I hope I'll be able to meet some people, because that's what I loved about FFXI. Anyways thanks again!

[buritoslicer]

Sounds a lot like my situation.

I'm actually spamming out leveling mostly my crafting and gathering and doing very little on a DoW/DoM, I don't even have a 50 battling class yet. But it kind of goes in hand with the state of the game, yes we have some events but since things are still changing I'd rather get myself prepared so that by the time the game is set for 2.0 I shouldn't have to worry about sitting on my ass doing random things until a level cap break makes its way in.

But that's my poison. Right now I enjoy being able to provide myself with most mats, save for some monster farming which can prove difficult for my lancer at the moment. The drawback is not really being able to do max level things.

Since your in Lindblum, (I like to take care of my Lindblum peeps) do you have a good LS to keep you company? The only reason why I wouldn't have a 50 Class is the lack of a good linkshell to party with for XP.

Back to topic:
I personally can't stand crafting, so I went the lvl cap way with a DoW. So now I'm stuck lvling a craft that sucks the life out of me lol.

[MakoZ]

Sounds a lot like my situation.

I'm actually spamming out leveling mostly my crafting and gathering and doing very little on a DoW/DoM, I don't even have a 50 battling class yet. But it kind of goes in hand with the state of the game, yes we have some events but since things are still changing I'd rather get myself prepared so that by the time the game is set for 2.0 I shouldn't have to worry about sitting on my ass doing random things until a level cap break makes its way in.

But that's my poison. Right now I enjoy being able to provide myself with most mats, save for some monster farming which can prove difficult for my lancer at the moment. The drawback is not really being able to do max level things.

Yup this pretty much sounds like what I want to do. I will probably try to have a DoW/DoM up to 50 in time just to see the content before it disappears, but after that I'll probably main crafting. I just hope gear isnt too ridiculous. I'm the kind of person who wants the best gear possible at every level >.<. I know that isn't practical so that is why I thought leveling crafting jobs would give me access to that kind of stuff, so I don't have to worry about buying it.

Also finding an LS would bring up my spirits a ton probably. I miss having friends in the game and I would love to just do random LS events.