Need some advice please

[circ]

Hello

I need your advice. I'm new(ish) to the game (Xbox360 UK beta.) Anyways I've changed my character so many times as I can't decide, but now I think I have decided.

I want to be a Black Mage Tarutaru. But the thing is my friends are all in Bastok. I've experimented with many characters, all based in Bastok. But the thing is I really don't like Bastok, and the lvling up is a such a grind there (maybe because its boring there haha, just kidding).

I know Tarutaru are from Windurst and I was thinking of starting from there. But that brings two negatives to the table:

1. I can't see my friends
2. They are not dominating the world (like Bastok) so items etc would not be as good in Windurst.

So yeah whats your advice. I would like to play with my friends but doing so means I'd have to start in Bastok. It would of been good if I could of travled there with ease but I've heard it is expensive to get there. On a side note information on that would also be helpful e.g. how much is costs, how do I travel to Bastok not via foot, requirements etc.

Advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Circ

[Ouch!]

It costs a grand total of 100 gil to travel from Windurst to Bastok. It's hard, but you can do a level 1 run there. The only cost is the boat ride from Mhaura to Selbina. You're new to the game, though, so I don't suggest it. I doubt you know your way there, and you're probably not experienced enough to dodge all the aggressive monsters along the way.

This is just beta, right? It's not even the real game. It's perfectly alright to experiment with what you want to do. It's not such an important decision right now. As there aren't ridiculous amounts of people doing beta--as far as I know--I suggest you start in Bastok. When the game comes out and you get on the real servers, you can choose if you want to start elsewhere.

Unless of course your character data is getting carried over, but I haven't heard anything about that.

[Nick Schovitz]

I've heard that you can create your own character in this game.

[Lionx]

Lol whats the server named this time? O_o

[Markus. D]

its weird, lately on my server windhurst has been dominant.

[Miriel]

I suggest that you start out in the city that you want to start out in. Really, because past the first 20 levels, you'll be in Jeuno (the main city) 90% of the time anyway.

And once you hit lvl 10, you'll be out of the starting city and partying in the dunes. So yeah, the starting city is your "home" but you won't actually be spending a lot of time there unless you're leveling a newbie job, a craft, or simply being you like to hang out there. Of course the 3rd reason only applies to Windy and Sandy, because who the heck would want to just hang out and chill in the asscrack of Vanadiel?

No, I don't think you should choose Bastok simply because your friends are there. Go with the city that feels most like home to you. You'll meet up with your friends soon enough.

[circ]

Cheers guys for your advice.

I went to Windurst in the end

Just one problem though. I'm a black mage and I can't seem to use any magic (I heard you start out with stone). I've looked at my list but it says I haven't learnt anything. So could someone help me with this.

Thanks

Circ

[Miriel]

Yay! Good choice.

I <3 Windy.

As for the spell, if you look under Items in your inventory you'll see the scroll of Stone right there. Click on the scroll and use it to learn your first BLM spell. A couple tips for you before you really get going with BLM.

Try to buy your spells from the vendors, before buying them at the auction house, you'll save a ton of gil this way. There are two BLM shops in Windy, one in Port Windy (for the lower tier spells) and one in Windurst Waters (for the higher tier spells). You won't be able to get all your spells there, so be sure to use the AH to fill in the blanks.

Once you get to the dunes, the Bar-spells (Barwatera, Barfira, etc) will come in really helpful. This is where the dintinction will be drawn, between a great BLM and a mediocre BLM. A great BLM will know when and against which mob to use a certain bar spell again. Barfira should be used against the gobs since it'll really help against Bomb toss. Barwatera should be used when fighting the pugils, or against the flies since Barwatera also helps against poison as well as water attacks.

As a BLM, your main priority in terms of gear should be MP+ gear. BUt if you're a taru, I would recommend against you getting things that take away too much from your HP, since if you do, you might find yourself getting KOed quite a bit since your HP is really feeble compared to your MP. Plus, as a taru, you have a large enough MP pool that you don't need to get hopped up on a lot of MP+ things like other races have to do.

Use pies. These will be your best friends. Melon Pies, Apple Pies, and especially rolanberry pies. Juices and cookies would be good too, to regain your MP back quickly.

Ok, I think I've rambled on enough. When all else fails, check out http://ffxi.allakhazam.com/ if you need help. And you can also post here for help too.

[SNOOZER]

Vanadiel's asscrack? Bastok ain't so bad. We have Helmut in there!

[Miriel]

*Asstok

[Ouch!]

Bastok makes me cry whenever I stop by there. D=

[escobert]

I hated Bastok when I was there xD

[Rostum]

Once you get to the dunes, the Bar-spells (Barwatera, Barfira, etc) will come in really helpful. This is where the dintinction will be drawn, between a great BLM and a mediocre BLM. A great BLM will know when and against which mob to use a certain bar spell again. Barfira should be used against the gobs since it'll really help against Bomb toss. Barwatera should be used when fighting the pugils, or against the flies since Barwatera also helps against poison as well as water attacks.

It's WHM's that get the bara spells, isn't it?

As a BLM, your main priority in terms of gear should be MP+ gear. BUt if you're a taru, I would recommend against you getting things that take away too much from your HP, since if you do, you might find yourself getting KOed quite a bit since your HP is really feeble compared to your MP. Plus, as a taru, you have a large enough MP pool that you don't need to get hopped up on a lot of MP+ things like other races have to do.

Probably not at early levels, but higher levels - more MP, the better. ^^ I think the main focus is MP+, INT+ and Magic Attack+.

Anyways, all that's been said, is good. I think you'll also want to not focus on chain nuking (casting too many offensive spells in a short period of time) and learning to conserve your MP. Also learn about Magic Bursts. (Of course I'm talking about these things in party situations)

Enjoy FFXI. =D

[Miriel]

Gah, you're so right, I must've been out of it when I posted that.

And completely off-topic, but a few days ago I saw the CUTEST taru dance I've ever seen in my life. It involved the hokey pokey.