A Pearl in the Hand: How Linkshells Enhance Late-Game

[Mecan]

Normally I’m known for my article-length forum posts, but I’m going to do my best to keep this short and sweet. For a while now I’ve been bouncing between Free Companies on the Sargatanas Server, and not because some silly reason like getting kicked out – I find Free Companies tend to be a bit more dramatic than they have to be. In order to achieve End-Game Content on my own terms, I decided that instead of forcing people to wear tags and be loyal to the one name of defining Free Company – I’ve opted to depend on Linkshells to get things done.

A lot of people who have not come from Final Fantasy XI may look at Linkshells as a social tool. A glorified friendly chat-channel to communicate between a certain number of people. Well I’ve taken it step farther and strived to revive the Final Fantasy XI take on Linkshells by giving them a purpose. I now create and run Linkshells like mini-guilds, but making them purely for one set purpose and focusing on that set purpose.

For instance: I run a Primal Farming Linkshell & Coil Group. Goal of the Linkshell? Farm for Late-Game Gear. Members may take part in these late game activities between dealing with their Free Company. I provide a list of players hand-picked by me to anyone in the Linkshell to pull from for Farming Late Game. It’s so much better than shouting for party members in Mor Dhona and leads to much more effective groups.

I constantly use the Linkshell and make sure there is always activity in chat. I do not want the Linkshell to go silent as then people would lose interest. I baby sit the Linkshell because I’m its leader and try to keep activity alive and flowing. This becomes a lot of work, but it benefits myself and others and helps to further progress and develop the late game community in a positive way.

Other players, if they already haven’t, can even take it upon themselves to form Linkshells for other specific activities in the game that are difficult to find groups for. Example: EXP Grinding Monsters. You can create a Linkshell and instead of just shouting for people to join a fleeting one-time party, you ask them to join the Linkshell so that you may create future parties with them over and over again. This creates social connections beyond the mind-numbing and faceless FATE parties.

So if you find that Late Game is becoming bland and that you’re having trouble progressing in one aspect of the game: Create a Linkshell. Doesn’t matter if you’re in a Free Company, you cannot depend upon a Free Company to bow to your needs all the time. Create a Linkshell and get what you need done.

Don’t fill out your Linkshell Inventory with silent social chat rooms, toss away those pearls and build something meaningful. Get people involved and create a social network devoted to one key activity. Go as far as to even attach a VoiceIP to it – no money required! You can do that for FREE using Raidcall. Trust me it’s much easier than it sounds. If you want FFXIV to be a more social place, get off your lazy bum and create Linkshell devoted to one task!

My name is Vanadrom Arda, Leader of the Titan Landslide Linkshell.

[Azostar]

Still long buddy, good points on linkshell's though, great things if you can get in the right ones.

[Jombo]

Are there any end game linkshells recruiting on Gungnir?

[Mecan]

I see quite a bit of complaining done of this forum. Yet when someone offers a solid and proven resolution to a lot of "complaints", there doesn't seem to be a lot of care or response given.

[Battlewrench]

+1! Anyone have anything similar on Cactuar I'll join.

[AllOutWar]

+1 What an excellent idea! Possibilities are endless, fate grind LS, exp grind LS, dungeon LS etc, very good idea.

[Mecan]

+1 What an excellent idea! Possibilities are endless, fate grind LS, exp grind LS, dungeon LS etc, very good idea.

Indeed. There are a lot of inventive uses for Linkshells. One of the problems I've noticed is that a lot of people, I cannot say how much, seem to expect the developers to solve all of their problems. The developers have already provided the tools needed to resolve the problems for yourselves. There is no excuse to not start up a Linkshell to begin working on the content you desire to focus on.

[Maddox]

Are there any end game linkshells recruiting on Gungnir?

I'm with yah my man!!!

I could use a End Game LS myself, but finding an LS on Gungnir by itself is pretty hard.

[Mecan]

Well now that people are offline for server repair, maybe we can discuss this more!

[BlueMage]

Great thread. I agree with your outlook, OP.