Moh House Furniture!!!

Welcome, welcome, welcome to NOOB TARUDIN™ Corner!



As I promised, I did some overhauling of my Mog House, and here it is, to be presented to you!

You know, I've been a Red Mage for a long time (US PS2 Release.. Got my FFXI during that summer. Didn't hit 75 till that Spring. Man, the MEMORIES), and even I still have things to learn (Case-In-Point: I got killed by a DC Bomb in Halvung today, but that's for a different post).

So, when I'm not gallivanting around Vana'diel, I take some time off to STUDY!!!



Oh yeah! I'm just SURROUNDED by Knowledge! SURROUNDED!!!! :-D But then, sometimes I get bored studying - I have a short attention span sometimes, don'tchaknow? So then it's off to the kitchen to see if I can scrounge up some food.



But who am I kidding!?!? HAHAHAHA All I eat are Pies and Tacos. My friend tried to get me to try Spaghetti, and I just laughed in his face. After we finished getting raises and disbanded the party we used a few choice expletives agreed to disagree and b-listed the shit out of each other parted ways.

It's aggravating assholes people like that that get me so upsetaru! Opps, sorry about that.. I rarely use Taru-speak, being from Bastok and all. But I suppose even a city-slicker like me gets uptight. Thankfully, I HAVE TEA!!!!

And not just any tea:

But Windurst Tea!! FUCK YEAH!!

Here's my Fishtank.



There used to be seahorsies in it. They're not there anymore. Q_Q Wtf? I just have terrible luck with pets. I've raised Five Chocobos. FIVE. And not one of them have had a color. Not One!



Oh well, whatever. I'm going to buy two Black Chocobo cards and hope to get a Green one or some shit. GOD!

Here is my Wardrobe holding thing. I have so much useless AWESOME Red Mage Gear, that I'll need to buy another one soon.



Speaking of Awesome Red Mage Gear:

FUCK YEAH! DUELIST'S TIGHTS!

Lastly, is my bed, nestled quite comfortably next to my fireplace. I also haz an alarm clock, lawlz!


It's Red! It's a Red Bed! We match!

That's it for the Mog House Portion of the Show. Regularly scheduled blog posts later.
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And here it is, your moment of Zen.

New Obsession

Take a look at the Mog House of Starana, my linkshell leader.







Her Mog House is friggin awesome. She has a bunch of gear you can only get from special events, and she camps the AH looking for SPECIFIC pieces. Gamers like her keep the economy going. Upon seeing hers, I was embarrassed by mine, so I started having diligence in my own right. I hope that one day, I can be proud to show mine off to fellow adventurers.

She got me obsessed with doing Easter Egg Hunt this year, and I went about and grinded it out in Bastok Markets, waiting every game hour and inviting people with the first letter of the egg I wanted.

I eventually ended up getting all 4 of the Egg Furniture (I hate Sandy's friggin "Egg Stool") and I traded them to my Mog for the Egg Buffet. Then I went back and got the Egg Table, Egg Lamp and Egg Locker. Now, a signifigant amount of gil later, I'm done.

I also got a few things for my house such as a Tarutaru Screen and some Flower Stands.

So here is my house as of this blog posting.







Just need another Flower Stand to put my Egg Lamp on, some more Folding Screens (2) and a proper dresser, and I'll be done with the base of my bed room.

Next I want to work on the "Study," I have my eyes on a couple of different bookshelves, but we'll see how those transpire.

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And here it is, your moment of Zen, right in Bastok Markets. Happy Easter!

Not So Bummed Out

Some good things have happened to me in FFXI since I came back on the 2nd of April.

Soloed DRK from 15 to 24, harassed Field of Valor, had fun.

Subsequently, while soloing, I ended up meeting a frat brother from California! (Yeah, he randomly ran by me in Valkurm, and I said something about my name and we ended up figuring that we're in the same fraternity, lol. Shout outs to Invictus of the Gilgamesh server. WHADDAP, NUPE!)

Also got Gobbiegag 7 done. Did the mission for Adaman Ingot (Bastok in the Past), did the mission for Deathstone (Sandy in the Past) and bought the other two items.

Also managed to duo Up In Arms with my BRD friend. Got some decent money drops. No KClub though, but we realized how very possible it is.

Got 4 merits and capped exp in a party this morning, so I used 3 of them ans Enfeebling is at level 5. 9 more merits to go before I'm capped (Now THAT makes me happy. It makes up for the fact that I'mm too gimp and I have no Enfeebling Skill+ Torques).
-Elemental is next

Going back to solo DRK some more. I really should take more Screenshots. My bad.

I wrote the first part of this Friday morning.

Got DRK to 20, almost got pwned by a Damselfly (I thought I was invincible, sue me), now going to Promyvion-Dem on PLD. Let's see how badly I get level synced.

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Alright, funny thing about Promyvion; it's easier, but also harder. It was fairly painless to get to the boss, and the boss wasn't even that hard, we just weren't set up right.

After a couple hours of attempts (I know this because I was able to use my 2hour for the very last fight) we finally got it.

Notes to make it easier:

Bring Meds

I'm an awesome tank. I have good timing, I have a healthy supply of MP, I partition my abilities well with regards to hate management. Except, I don't have infinite MP. I judge my ability to tank based on how much MP I have available, and I would often run out of MP around 30% of the boss. Hi-Potions would have made such a difference, as would a better supply of drinks and the essential Animas for the mob. It also wouldn't hurt for a couple of Hi-Ethers. 

Spawn Control

The spawns from this boss are ANNOYING. We didn't have a dedicated kiter, just someone to handle them, and things would always get ugly in regards to the spawns. Once we realigned some people (Making NIN and WAR/NIN co-tank while I handled spawns) we did better.

Mages

Essential. We had one WHM, a BLM(for a couple of the unsuccessful runs)  and a shitload of DDs. The MAX amount of DDs should be 2, aside from a tank, with a 3 MAGE backline. I think that's the way I originally did Promyvions: BLM and SMN backline handled the spawns and we didn't feed her TP to spam Fission. Mages handled spawns accordingly. Also, each of us had a Psychoanima and Hysteroanima.

This run was a little more rough, but, we didn't lose exp for dying; just morale. But oh well. We eventually won, and took our loss in stride and prepared for the next run next week.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go solo on DRK for a couple more hours. Currently level 22 (Field of Valor and soloing in Valkurm is FUN!)

DRK Soloing

So I turned on FFXI, updated and all that jazz, only to discover that my macros didn't get saved to the SE Server. *sigh* Total Q.Q moment, I cried a bit..

But I decided that I'll make the macros when I get to them. What upsets me most was that my RDM macros are REALLY efficient- I totally harass recast to get a constant fix on the status of my stuff.

But I guess since I use Recast and Yarnball now, I can totally leave out /recast commands. But old habits die hard. I guess it'll clean my chat log up a bit though. 

So I spent some time and now I'm "done" with PLD Macros. "Done" meaning I can function in Exp and Merit and Dynamis.

I haven't put together my PLD/RDM set, but oh well. I am a bit upset at the loss of my RDM Macros. I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

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DRK Soloing is extremely fun at the low levels. Aside from standard gear at this level, I've been making use of Meat (Either Mithkabobs or Meat Jerky, whichever I feel like eating), Refresh and Regen from FoV, and /WHM subjob.

I usually start engaging the mob by casting Bio at a distance, running to "camp" to engage, casting Poison and then I fight for a bit, making sure to use Drain when my HP gets to about 75%.

With WHM sub, my insane Taru MP and the bonuses from FoV, I'm pretty deadly, getting Chain #3 easily on Lizards. I am a bit guilty of taking mobs from noobs, but oh well - I won't be here long.

Also, I was using my Emperor Ring, and the changes in exp for EP / DC were VERY welcome additions to my life. So I was fighting mobs giving me exp anywhere from 90-150 a fight, and I'd get bonuses after being done with my "mission".

Lizards are relatively harmless. Their attack speed is average, and their TP moves are lame. Their Petrify move has a LONG charge up compared to other TP Moves, so I usually fight unlocked and when I see them charging, I turn around. Most of the time it's not Petrify, but it doesn't hurt to play it safe.

Also, /WHM gives me access to Poisona and Protect, so I can pretty much go forever as long as I have MP. Another nice thing is the addition of these chests mobs drop. I usually get Potions and Ethers and Remedys from them.

All in all, it's not very hard to solo yourself out of Valk nowadays. I even got some much needed conquest points (was as 25 when I logged on)!!

It wasn't too long before I was 18, so now with new gear and a new weapon, I'm going back to Valk to finish up. I have a good thing going for me in the tunnel with the Sand Bats, so it doesn't take long.

Funny story (not really); First time I fought a T Sand Hare, I had just finished up whooping some Lizards. Well, he put me in my place really quick. I def had to 2hr. Q.Q

After I hit 19, I'm going to stop doing Hill Lizards/Hare and instead do Hill Lizard/Snipper, being as how Snippers are higher exp and DON'T LINK.

Back to the lab.

My Enmity/Haste Build Ideas and Comments

Here is a look at my current Enmity Build. This is the gear that I'll have on if I just so happen to be casting Provoke, so it doesn't need Haste or anything. Enmity will be bolded to show the bonuses I get.

Current Enmity Build
Here is the viewable page on FFXIAH.

Sensible changes to this setup
I pretty much plan on replacing all my Adaman gear with the appropriate Iron Ram gear.

[Adaman Barbuta]
DEF 28 HP +12 MP +12 VIT +3 Evasion -3 Enmity +2
[Iron Ram Sallet]
DEF 29 HP +20 Enmity +5 Magic Def. Bonus +3

[Adaman Gauntlets]
DEF 20 MP +10 VIT +3 AGI -1 INT -1 Enmity +2
[Iron Ram Dastanas]
DEF 22 HP +20 Enmity +4 Magic Def. Bonus +2

[Adaman Cuisses]
DEF 41 VIT +3 INT -3 Evasion -1 Enmity +3
[Iron Ram Hose]
DEF 36 HP +28 Enmity +4 Magic Def. Bonus +4

[Adaman Sabatons]
DEF 17 HP +15 VIT +1 AGI -1 Enmity +1
[Iron Ram Greaves]
DEF 18 HP +19 Enmity +3 Magic Def. Bonus +3

So by replacing these parts, I lose 1 Def, and 10 VIT (So a total of 10VIT and 6DEF lost), but I gain 8 Enmity.

A non-pimped out PLD/NIN setup
Without Homam, the pickings are slip for PLDs. But make due with what you can, and focus on Haste over Enmity. The rational is that the more you cast Flash, the better. Flash raises enmity, stops the enemy from hitting you (preserving enmity) and saves shadows. I would LOVE to flash an HNM right before a major TP move (lol) but oh well. (Fun Fact: It's possible to flash Deco Weapons before they do Whirl of Rage).

Also, it's easier to find Enmity gear than it is to find Haste gear.

So this is the gear I would put on for casting Flash and/or Utsusemi. These numbers apply to reduction on recast

Not Hard To Obtain Haste Gear
Head - Walahra Turban - 5%
Hands - Dusk - 3%
Waist - Swift Belt - 4%
Feet - Dusk - 2%

So 14% Haste from gear, and with 15% Haste from the mages, that's 29%. So instead of 45 seconds, Flash and Utsusemi: Ni can be able to be used every 32 seconds. The benefit of this reduction to Flash in exp is nuts, because I know that Flash can keep a mob off me for 10-15 seconds. Taking only 15-20 seconds worth of damage, split up by TP attacks, delay and etc makes tanking very easy.

Moving on...

Non-Sky/Non-Sea/Non-HNM:Link to FFXIAH Set
Sh - Koenig Shield - +3
He - Walahra Turban - 5%
Ne - Harmonia's Torque +3
Bo - Adaman Cuirass +3
Ha - Dusk - 3%
Wa - Swift Belt - 4%
Le - Iron Ram Hose +3
Fe - Dusk - 2%
LR- Hercules' Ring +3
RR- Mermaid Ring +2
Ba- High Breath Mantle +5

14% Haste and +23 Enmity

That's actually pretty good on the Enmity scale. I'd prefer 25, but that's about the best the average player can get without getting their hands too dirty in end-game focused activities.

As you will see at the end of this post, this gear set up is almost more than sufficient to land at the Haste Cap for Spell Recasts, but what hinges on hitting that cap is having the Haste Spell available  (RDM, WHM, SMN) and a BRD who has capped singing/string, and both Marches.

It's not uncommon to have the tanking party comprised of RDM WHM BRD Tank x3, so that might not be a problem.

Above Average PLD/NIN Setup
The new expansion (Slated for release on April 8th with the next version update) and Limbus access are what's really needed. (Fun Fact: There was no such thing as +Enmity for Sky gear) 

Sh - Koenig Shield - +3
He - Walahra Turban - 5%
Ne - Harmonia's Torque +3
Bo - Nuevo Coselete +5/2.5%*
Ha - Homam - +3/3%
Wa - Swift Belt - 4%
Le - Homam - 3%/2%*
Fe - Homam - +3/3%
LR- Hercules' Ring +3
RR- Sattva Ring +3
Ba- High Breath Mantle +5

*(Fun Fact(?): Half of the Fast Cast Value can be used to determine how much recast % is going to be taken off of a spell)

Adding these 5 pieces results in a total of 21% Haste (Really only 18% for the purpose of swinging, but add in the additional recast minuses from Fast Cast) (Fun fact: Cap from gear is 25%) and 28 Enmity, with the spell Haste (totalling 36%), that would mean that Flash and Utsusemi: Ni are now on a recast of 29 seconds. If my math is correct, that also means that Utsusemi: Ichi has a recast of 19.2 seconds.. 

While the Haste Bonues are 7% and may not add up to much, 3 seconds is a big deal over the course of a fight. If the PLD can hold hate, it's entirely possibly - with skillful use of Shadows and Flash - that the PLD will barely be touched the entire fight.

Also keep in mind that PLDs have Shield Bash to Stun, and Sentinel for when shit hits the fan, in addition to an A+ sword skill, a ton of HP and Spirits Within (Atonement is like Spirits, but is based off Enmity. It's cap is apparently in the mid 700's).

At 50% Haste, Flash and Utsusemi are reported to have (allegedly) recasts of 22 seconds. Utsusemi: Ichi banks in at 15.

Properly geared PLD/NINs are deadly.

This setup shines better when a BRD is also in the tanking party handing out Double March (Fun Fact, Double March caps at %20 Haste when using the proper Equipment). It's pretty easy to hit the Haste cap as long as the person brings ~15% haste to the Table. While 21% Haste seems overkill, it helps if there is a shortage of BRDs, or if the buffs drop and aren't reapplied while mid-tanking.

And with the Haste Cap actually being 80% (Fun Fact: The 50% Haste cap only applies to spell recasts), you can NEVER have too much Haste; ESPECIALLY as a tank.

Food for thought. I've rambled enough.