Ryn's Musings

[cessdatgamer]

Revisiting Bind Coil Turns 1 through 4 (maybe 5)

So how to incenticize these locations for those who acquired i90 (mostly) via hunts? The most clear way, is to up the stats of the gear drops to reflect item level 95. If a Savage Coil 1-5 were introduced, I would recommend having aetherial Allagan items, possibly item level 110 as well. These items, much like their aetherial counterparts, could have three stats or six stats, in various arrangements to encourage the loot driven to rerun this content. As dungeons stand as well, they are overpowered via gear. Burn the boss, burn the boss, burn the boss. It's possible now with overgearing. As much as this may get disliked by the community, item level sync a dungeon. Item level sync to maybe as much as 20 levels above the dungeon. This will help retain some of the mechanics challenge of a dungeon. Dunno. Tired. Disappointed in myself. Not taking steps to correct it. Addicted.

[cessdatgamer]

I've gotten into a free company of real life friends I think. A lot of husband and wife duos. Some with a misunderstanding or unconventional priority of game mechanics. For example. I see that DEX says it will increase my block and parry rate. If I'm a paladin, I want to block more, so I equip as many DEX accessories as I can. Paladins also need MP to Flash and Flash gets benefitted from Spell Speed. When I pursue Novus, I'm going to maximize Spell Speed and Piety so that I can Flash quicker and Flash longer to secure all AoE enmity. It makes sense in theory, but in practice, the alternative options show a larger impact. Likewise, I allocate my points to DEX for the block rate boost. I'm ready to AoE tank and mitigate damage. This is the philosophy I'm starting to encounter. It's difficult to inform someone of a more potent route when they have convinced themselves that their way is one of the best ways. Another example. Black Mages should invest into MND and MND accessories, because they can use Physick and have infinite MP via Blizzard. They are the best single target healers. They can also Raise the party and should always help the healers on heal duty. To the individual, this is sound. Except BLM cannot Raise and even if they could, they cannot Raise in combat. I once adhered to such a philosophy in 1.0. In the wake of the game's simplification, I feel this will restrict the party in such a way that they cannot clear the content as designed. I've come a lot further in the game than say, two years ago. Where I was indeed the bard that loved to cast Cure and Stoneskin in between songs unless AoE was involved, then I would pull out el bow and arrow. But again, running the same content with the same people for a chance at loot that we don't need to clear the content is not fun to me.

[cessdatgamer]

The Waning Feeling - The Hunt

Hunts in FFXIV have played a large role in catch-up. Less than four hours of big game hunting can net you a near full set of i90 gear via allied seals. This has allowed me to casually outfit Warrior, Scholar, Summoner, Dragoon, Monk, and even a pair of Healer's Gloves I was hesitant to buy as a White Mage and some accessories as a Bard (although I admit, I spent myth earned from hunts on these). I've tried to practice some rotations on the targeting dummy. I seem to be doing the "best" as a dragoon. I've not yet become proficient in a summoner rotation. I tend to stumble once I get to the Contagion / Swiftcast Shadow Flare phase. I think that Garuda-egi is using an ability while trying to fire off Contagion and in my confusion of, "Oh it's still not on CD", I get muddled and end up missing the second Fester before the end of Raging Strikes. Monk, I'm not comfortable with my opening with Perfect Balance: Demolish, Snap Punch, Snap Punch, Twin Strikes, Dragon Kick. So I don't know where the Blood for Blood or Internal Release come in or the Steel Peak and Howling Vortex thing come in. Do I weave in between Perfect Balance so that the ability refreshes sooner to get the cooldown sooner or wait until all buffs/debuffs are up? Do I touch of death at the beginning or immediately after Perfect Balance ends? I haven't figured out a consistent combo to push 330+ DPS as an i90 monk over a 2 minute interval.

[cessdatgamer]

FFXIV Days Wane

My subscription to the game is near an end once more. I look at the "ghost" servers. I find that my greatest joy in FFXIV comes from growth. Not raid progression persay, but raw growth. Growth of a Free Company and the growth of a player's options. I was unsuccessful in transferring last night. Much to my waste of $18. It's left me upset, unsettling so. I have three choices. Stay on Balmung. Wait 2.5 more days and try to transfer again. Or wait up toward 2 weeks while SE CS respond to my ticket and/or tell me, "Sorry, we can't fix this. Try again. No refunds." But I'll be pleasantly surprised if SE does transfer my characters over to the target server.

[cessdatgamer]

One Game Versus Many and Life stuff

I admit, FFXIV has been nice to have in terms of wandering around aimlessly and chomping away slowly while venting a little in text format. Howe'er, I feel that I'm too detached from the game's world in a rolepalying and story sense. I've been letting story experiences such as Beyond: Two Souls, LA Noire, Assassin's Creed, Mass Effect, and others slip me by. There's a lot on my back log now. Including the following, which are actually in my possession: LA Noire Mass Effect 1 & 2 Dragon Age Remember Me Saints Row IV Bioshock 1, 2, Infinite Assassin's Creed 3 On another tangent... My social needs/wants are sated with the weekly interactions I have with co-workers, occasional chats with roomies, or the text interactions I have with folks in-game. Or randomly posting on a message board and feeling like someone, somewhere, in a nonstalkerish kind of way, has read it and has possibly acknowledged or understood the poster. I'm a dreamer, not a do'er. Despite public tumblr postings, I'm a very private person. And apparently I didn't take too well when I was getting encouraged and pushed to do. Just a person drifting in the now and skimming by life without making an impact or a legacy. Trying to avoid affecting others negatively as much as I can I suppose and just hiding away as best I can. But I shouldn't take this life for granted. But neither have I turned dream to reality.

[cessdatgamer]

Master Carpenter and Stubborn Pride

Recently, the FC cracked under pressure and bought a Glazenut from the market boards for an instrument. But I think once I discovered who the crafter was, this strange feeling of stubborness swelled within me. I didn't like it and I knew I didn't want to feel this way again. I looked at my materia, my gil, and my carpenter gear. I completed the CRP quests, got my tool, melded up CRP with some overmelding, traded Coke for Hardened Sap and purchased a sizeable amount of sap from the market boards. I weighed the amount of militia chokers I could make and turn in as seals or sell each choker for a little more than the cost of sap, versus turning in 4 chokers to get one sap. I bought some excess up to a price in case I failed and/or decided to churn out the treated spruce lumber. I knocked out the CRP requirements, unlocking three recipes... three. I suppose all the "good" recipes have already been unlocked, e.g. Furniture. But I think I'm at the point where I'll want to use an in-game macro to make HQ Horn Glue, approximately 45 synths worth (45 minutes). Then another round to process spruce logs as well as gather more spruce logs. And then... use up 550 wind shards and the other shards to make all that crap to get the Artisan tool. Push a little further and the Artisan Spectacles. But I don't know if I'll have enough Craftsmanship and Control with redoing my accessories and overmelding unless I go for the reforged i75 tool. Maybe with a company buff and some food, I can meet the requirements for these items until the i75 tool.

[cessdatgamer]

Soldiery Path

I've been acknowledged on two occasions recently for my damage output. Once as an i85 BRD in Syrcus Tower and another in Dzaemel Hold as an DRG with a level 44 weapon that got upgraded to level 46 during the dungeon. However, after seeking feedback, I think folks aren't trying hard in Syrcus Tower and the mechanics can play against us, e.g. being frozen, hugging those clockworks, licking toad. However, despite turning to ice twice, I was acknowledged... which both makes me happy and worried. Now as the DRG, I felt largely clumsy still and was acknowledged. And so mentally, I'm weighing what I want to do with my Soldiery. I've invested so far toward tank due to the Coil and Primal EX shortages, but that's the content that I don't really care for due to weekly lockouts and general community quick to negative than positive. Also, the Wyrm Mail preview doesn't look as awesome as I remember it. But I think I have a costume setup for DRG. Now in terms of aesthetics, the Astrum Mail looks nicer, to me, than the weathered tabards. And I do have at least one Unidentified Allagan Tomestone so will need to decide how to spend 1300 of this soldiery soon. Job frequency dictates WHM. Server shortage dictates PLD or WAR. Recent momentum dictates BRD or DRG. Maybe I should just get the tank ready. Oh boy.

[cessdatgamer]

Switched Grand Companies Again

I switched back to Twin Adders due to a number of FC mates, both former and present, being affiliated with the Adders. I can't say that I like the hunt gear, but we'll see what happens. I should prolly have more screens in here huh?

[cessdatgamer]

Sunday Plans

I think I'll try to get Soldiery and Myth tomorrow this way. Hunts or Frontlines. I shouldn't have tried to get the Scylla body this early, but it is only for aesthetic preferences. May sit the evening treasure hunt out. I may be missing out on 20k worth of gil, maybe some chocobo exp, and the chance for some good shard droppage. Will see how the Soldiery plays out.

[cessdatgamer]

Master Craft Recipes

I was proud of myself earlier today for finally making the HQ Vanya Silk needed for the Master Weaver book. But looking at the requirement for the Artisan tool... I'm not too thrilled at the tedium, considering its a marginal upgrade from a Myth/Coil drop. Goldsmithing is the next closest craft to pursue the Master recipes. This may work out for slashing down my crawler cocoon, gold ore, and darksteel ore supplies. I think the only items I would care to make at this point are the Cashmere Robe of Healing, the Cashmere Skirt of Aiming, and the Saurian Shirt of Striking. And then just be able to make Wolfram Ingots, Ancient Lumber, or Terminus Putty. We'll see.

[cessdatgamer]

New Generation FFXIV Incoming

I think I may have said this before, but there seems to be a new wave of players coming in.

I don’t know what language they speak. If they speak any of the game’s supported languages, they haven’t appeared to respond to it.

Players who use all of their buffs before battle begins and without purpose, e.g. Second Wind, Featherfoot, and Keen Flurry. Then engage in combat as a DPS.

Or folks that continue to use limit break when it does not suit the situation. e.g. an archer that uses limit break at the beginning of a pull. All limit breaks in the run were lost to the archer and we couldn’t get a response out of him.

Or a tank that manages only the enmity of his/her initial target. The healer needed j00! But we can’t really tell if this person understood any of the languages either. Between my Englis and Japanese and another party member’s French, sprinkle some Google translate for German to make it seem like we didn’t use auto-translate, and we still get brick walled by a language or attention barrier.

Oh and players standing in puddles of flame and ice. They did not move and could not be persuaded to move. The temptation to let him die was great. Healing him as a black mage meant I wasn’t doing damage. And he did not seem to be using any combos as a monk as I don’t recall ever seeing Greased Lightning on him when I was healing him.

I don’t feel that the tank or the other DPS grew as players from that content. No communication. No adaptation. No visible growth. Like NPCs that behave in a static way and you just work around them until you achieve your goal. In times like that, I feel like I’m left with this negative empty feeling.

Maybe queuing for DR in progress is a horrible idea.

[cessdatgamer]

OOC No Spoilers, Captain America The Winter Soldier

Just watched the 2nd recent Captain America movie. I really enjoyed it. I like the combat sequences and character development, but the scale of the plot has left me a little depressed. In terms of a game that made me feel as combat smooth or as impactful as Captain America? I think aspects of Star Wars: Force Unleashed and mostly DmC: Devil May Cry give me that feel. The latter on the harder modes, but not the Heaven and Hell difficulty and probably not Hell and Hell if I ever decide to unlock that. I'm certain that no online game that I've played will have the visceral. Blade and Soul has some moments, but again, not like DmC. I dunno. Gonna clam down for a bit and see what up.

[cessdatgamer]

OOC Gathering Mostly Ready

My Mining and Botanist are ready for two star gathering. I’m not too pressed about reaching the 600 GP mark. I should be able to gather nodes without food or FC buffs as well as have a 1% chance to HQ.

Though I imagine in another month, such things as i90 goods will decrease in value and as such, the associated resource to create them. But if nothing else, I can try to have a decent supply before 2.4 (or if I leave the game for a while I guess).

Fisher is ready to do the HQ Silver Sovereign grind. I think I need 10 of these? With that fishing rod, hopefully I’ll be able to challenge a wider array of fish, improve my CUL desynthesis, and eventually find the pareos. Still can’t believe the pareos have driven me to fish like this and/or purchase da fish.

If I’m ever on a generic world tour while gathering, perhaps I can spiritbond. I would like to get the Dodore accessories melded up with Gathering and Perception as well as the i75 blue tool before 2.4. I imagine the mastercraft materia will be my next long hurdle after that.

Maybe there will be an i70 off-hand tool in 2.4 for some new stupid gathering item to maybe make i110 items, I dunno.

2.0, i70 Vanya/Darksteel/Gryphonskin 2.2, i90 Cashmere/Wolfram/Saurian 2.4, i110 maybe it won’t require a Sands or Oil of Time, but will probably be tough to get decent HQ odds with the resources invested.

I suspect once I have my decent fill of pareos, I may move on to focus on goldsmith desynthing.

This weekend may be filled with Hunts or Frontlines to catch up on Soldiery.

Hmmm, still need to complete some other crafting quests for the tools. LTW, BSM, CRP, ARM, and ALC.

And maybe push Master Recipe books then the upgraded tools from there.

[cessdatgamer]

RP Development, Rynessa Star, 001

OOC: I meant to roleplay from day 1 in FFXIV. I never quite stepped out of the way to make it happen as I had many other goals. I've put forth a minimal amount of effort in this, but I'm just gonna brainstorm some ideas here to see how they transcribe to Hydaelyn lore. About Ryn: Eloryn has a sweet and tan skin tone, red eyes, and vibrant red hair. She is fit, with a strong sword arm, and swift in her reflexes. She played a role in saving a dragon-descended tribe who reverred the stars in her respective story. Her favored weapon is the great sword wielded with unnatural strength and finesse. She has used a bow for hunting and a sword and shield in her earlier combat days. She does not traditionally use magic, though has been curious. She traditionally does not participate in any trade, but likes to oversee the forging of her sword and often enjoys varied types of clothing and armor styles. Enjoys the respect that she perceives male warriors receive and values independence, does not like being treated like she is fragile or needs dependence. Metagaming: To avoid being called Elo, I've changed the name to Rynessa. Though I've been called Nessa sometimes as well. Transcribed to Hydaelyn: Rynessa. Taken surname "Star" in reverrence to star-themed dragons, but without dragon influence since its controversial in Eorzea. Dragon-themed background, may have some affiliation with Coerthas. May sympathize with anti-Ishgardian efforts or may have been part of a movement that turned into a Dravinian cult. Faith in Nymeia and Halone. Nymeia for her affiliation with the stars. Halone for being a female warrior. Nymeia's affiliation with the thread and meta fascination with clothing, will have pursued weaver. Sword-themed background, pursues the way of the sword as a gladiator. Hunting with the bow, pursues the way of the bow though not as dedicated as the sword. An archer. To develop her physical form, work as a miner, perhaps in Ul'dah for the brothers.

[cessdatgamer]

Torn Fishing, Power Level vs. Do It Yourself

Partially torn in that very little of what I learned from fishing has been in-game or from exploring. I started off buying inexpensive fish for leves and provisioning, then started fishing on my own. This morning, I bought some relatively inexpensive fish, because the turn-in mostly evened out when item reward is included. However, there's a lot that I don't have. So... I could probably watch another three evenings worth of stuff while fishing on the side... or I can dump some gil in it and... aw crap, the fishing quests. Okay, so I'll probably have to do those. And then I can spend my evenings trying to get two star fish in various locations across Eorzea or more than likely, start working at acquiring the HQ Silver Sovereigns for the better fishing rod. Oh joy. Butt!!! I want my pareo. I want my red summer pareo.

[cessdatgamer]

Fishing

It's coming along. There was probably a time where the HQ leves would have benefitted me more, but ah well. I can't say that fishing is relaxing though. At least not this virtual fishing without having ever gone real fishing. Maybe's it's because it doesn't quite fit in with the game's current gathering, but in some ways is required for the crafting. The inconsistency bothers me a little. E.g. other gathering, you can focus target what you want. Fishing there's a chance you'll get what you get and you can narrow those conditions, but if can't acquire red coral or the sharks for shark oil the way you can mythril ore or a rosewood log. But I continue to fish, doing what I do, in hopes of finding the pareos. I still have little idea what to aim for other than the Gigantshark thingie. But I guess this will help me toward getting level 50 in all classes and jobs. Who knows, I may even go "berserk" and try to, at minimum, i90 every job while getting all the DoH and DoL all their master crafts and tools. HA!!! That'll be the day.

[cessdatgamer]

Weekend Goals, partially met

I didn't progress too far in my opinion. I let my hesitation in gardening leave an empty garden for 2 days. I did get a Syrcus Tower drop for my healer. Boots. Shortly after, the Scylla body and legs appeared along with an Unidentified Allagan Tomestone. The body, I wasn't going to win that roll. The legs, I had a really good shot however and found out after the fact that they might work well with some outfits I have in mind. I capped out on Soldiery via Frontlines. It's been fun sometimes. There's some folks that I'm seeing a few times that I don't enjoy their company. Not a fan of AFKing a slot at the beginning of a match as there's no way to kick you. Learning that Morale and Accuracy don't play any to minimal role in Frontlines. Considering gear that has neither stat up to i80, scaled down mostly. I found 120+ suspicous players that may be related to RMT and witnessed a handful of the terrain hacking magery that this clone army does. Discovered that a lot of legitimate players may have unknowingly sold these individuals their gear. I completed my THM quests and became a Black Mage. I'm not feeling too confident in my abilities at this level. I'm a crowd control / mitigation type of player, so I love to use Sleep and sometimes like the near infinite MP healing that THM affords me. So, it's tough for me to... "LET IT GOOO" and just let the healer shoulder the responsibility and unleash as much hellsauce as I can. It may be my gear or maybe my tactics, but I noted my enmity was always behind a monk's enmity in Cutter'a Cry the other day. I think the level cap is 40 and with it, the gear. I was 38 I think, using mostly level 31-34 equipment with an HQ level 35 weapon. I'm getting pretty close to 40, so I'll probably make a new set of stuff tonight. See how much higher my INT goes. DRG and MNK are about level 38ish too, so it's coming along if I focus my energies that way (and I don't, cause leveling isn't fun to me, but sometimes finding out about parts of the world questing when I'm not caught up in gathering, crafting, retainers, desynthesis, gardening, Frontlines, bantering, and treasure hunting make well for world enlightenment). Fishing... I've put it off for so long. I still don't like it. Between watching anime with my gamepad ready and listening for that creaking noise to turning in inexpensive leve fish, I've managed to creep out 17 levels of fishing so far. Now unless I'm willing to buy my way to 50 with the markets and leves, it's gonna be about a week of dedicated fishflix before I'm up there. And oh boy, am I gonna try to get my fishflix on when I reach the greater heights. I imagine Gathering and Perception play a larger role than any amount of GP. I want dat pareo. I'll probably need to go Goldsmithing as well to get the Mastercraft materia. Not that the tools are super awesome at this point, but I suspect the next patch will have the "OH, you can only craft this item or gather this item if you have this minimal amount that requires proper melding with the latest tools, overmelding with slightly older tools, or unsane food buffage. I dunno. We'll see.