It's been a whiie since I asked this question.Previous answers all seemed to say grouping was manditory to play and advance. Is that still the case ?

Originally posted by Arawon

It's been a whiie since I asked this question.Previous answers all seemed to say grouping was manditory to play and advance. Is that still the case ?

You can get to level 10 solo ( painfully ). After that, re-roll and play 10 levels again or group.

So, no. It is not reasonable ( or even remotely feasible ) to play FFXI solo.
 

This is comming from a newbie, I don't know too much but I'll try to help.  The game is big on grouping, especially in the later levels.  There is a job or two that is better at soloing than the other jobs, which I believe are Beastmaster and possibly  mabe Puppetmaster.  But if you plan on soloing forever or you do not like grouping, I don't think this is your game, because, like I said, this is a grouping game.  Remember, I am very new to FFXI, so do not take my words to far.

I used to play FFXI and my partner still does.

Grouping is core to the game, it will be nigh on impossible to do most things without some form of help from others.

Some classes CAN solo grind mobs and some quests at higher levels however.

Beastmaster is the traditional solo job (or was anyway, may have changed) but you need to get to lvl30 to unlock it in the first place.

Dragoon (again, unlocked at 30) can solo, but only after gaining certain skills/gear

There are others, but again, it tends to be situational on gear/skills and general player skill.

But basically, if you like to solo, this is not the game for you i'm afraid.

Best sticking with console RPG's if you like to solo I'm afraid... Even though grouping is mandatory there too pretty much...

Vanguard has provided for soloists..to some degree..thats why I'm there.

If I wanted to pay money to not play with other people in an MMO, I'd rather just play a console RPG, at least you only pay once for it and you can "solo" as much as you want for free.

there is a possibility to solo in this game even from starting, however your progress will not be as fast.

My advise is to never follow powergamer guides which require you to be at 1 place at x lvl and is forced to group. It is possible to get to lvl 14 in starting areas using the new book quest system.

I took my char to lvl 18 solo so in a way it is possible. however some quests like the subjob quest you will need help to get the items. (lvl 18 solo without a subjob).

what you need to do is know what you have at your disposal and how to use it.

one with the indroduction of the book that is ouside each starting area and the  introduction char. you get a few benifits that was not aval to many players who what quit ffxi or are old players and dont get much out them.

if you do the introduction quests you can get a ring that when used gies you more exp per kill (go for the empress ring) on top of that every hour you can do a quest from the Book located outside the starter towns and there are some close to some outposts. these give you exp for finishing the quest and also tabs. The tabs can be used to get buffs that last more than an hour and help out. the best will be refresh and regen. these will lower the downtime needed and in many cases save you.

I will explain more of this on my re-return thread i will be making shortly.

For now all you players who stopped playing this game years ago , you have no clue to all the changes done. This game is more solo friendly than before but of course at the end you need groups. however you can simply duo and trio the content.

many of us old players went the powergamer way thus why we do have a bad taste of what this game has to offer. the community has changed alot, well the game has so it will be a different experience.

if you think having to hit the dunes at lvl 13 then quifim at 19 ect then you have the power gamer mentality you DO not have to do what was once introduced to this game long ago.

Just to throw this into the mix.

With the new starter quests you get when you start a new character you get access to a free exp ring (Empress/Emperor/Chariot/SomethingElse) once you reach either lvl 4 or you use your first Weapon Skill. I forget which since I ended up getting my WS done at lvl 4. The other reward is a ex reraise earring which can only help out later on during those promies. So you are basically saving 1000 CP and can start getting your bonus exp that much faster.

With that and Fields of Valor you can get a lot of exp quickly early on. Also helps when the EPs and DCs give you even more exp and you can buy regen from FoV. Lost of killing very fast exp. So at least early on you can really have no problem. I have been getting jobs to lvl 37 atm and I have spent a lot of time on Qufim Island doing FoV for my last few lvls while LFP. Soloing for the first 37 levels isn't entirly out of the question, but I would recommend doing it with you flag up and take an invite if one comes.

Also just to point out. If you didn't get your Annaversary ring last May you might be able to get one still. I got one on another character that I wasn't playing much when I accidenly walked up to the wrong moogle for the doll event. If you can find the Festive Moogle (Windy Walls near MH, Port Sandy near MH ... and I THINK Port Bastok near MH [unconfirmed]) there should be another moogle right next to him. Talk to the other moogle and he will talk about the ring and will give you one if you missed it. I don't know if it works for new players or just ones that were made before last may that just didn't pick it up. It is worth trying though. It gives 100% bonus (a.k.a doubles) exp on mobs for either 3000 exp or 6 hours. It has 10 charges so that is an bonus 30000 exp. I think that gets you to at least lvl 18 straight up. To boot if you drop it when charges are done in 3-4 months you can get another one when they redo Adventure's Appriciation.

FFXI is one of the only grouping mmorpg's still lefted on the market with decent population , once you around level 18 soloing become painful to near impossible and yes you can loose you level so one death give you major penalties.

world of warcraft solo to max level

lord of the rings online solo to max level

everquest2 solo to ma level

these are just a few that i know it can be done easy enough .

Am afraid FFXI is not for the solo crowd .

PS... I rather group in a mmorpg than solo , beats me  why everyone these days want to be in their little corner and solo in mmorpg.

Originally posted by Satimasu

If I wanted to pay money to not play with other people in an MMO, I'd rather just play a console RPG, at least you only pay once for it and you can "solo" as much as you want for free.

People who solo in mmo's aren't soloing because they want a "solo" experience. There are other ways to to be social in mmo's and the idea that the world is actually alive and moving with people is an attractive concept.  It's a far different experience then when playng a game like Oblivion for example.

And they are willing to pay for that experience, myself included.Also, it doesn't mean that they won't ever group but it means that they would rather jump right into wnat they want to do without waiting around and yelling for groups.

The more you know.

Speaking as a 3 year veteran who has created a character on another server to play from scratch, you can solo a lot more than people here are letting on.  I created a Windurstian Tarutaru and started with Warrior.  You can do the Field of Valor until about level 11'ish and then move to Tahrongi Canyon where you then solo the Mandragora (forget name) looking things (They look like onions to me, green body, white head, someone help me out here) and with an exp band you can get around 90-95 exp per kill.  With Regen from the FoV tabs you can move through these pretty quickly.  Not only is this a viable way to level it's a great way to get Saruta Cotton that sells fast and for a fairly good price. 

Once you reach 17, move to Buburimu Peninsula and do Field of Valor there.  Start with page 1 and see how easy it is.  Then check the Mandragora looking things there.  You will see that some are Decent Challenge's.  Accept Page 2 from the FoV and kill 7 of those and 1 Rarab.  You can do this without an exp band to about 21.  With the use of an Exp band you can bump the exp back up to about ~90 per kill and get exp from the FoV too.  You can move up the pages of FoV as you move along.  I also got one of the Rare/Ex Support Job items doing this.  As you move along you will be able to eventually take the Dahlmel down.  You will be past 18 where you can do the Support Job quest but just because you can get it at 18 doesn't mean you have to.

This game is far more solo friendly than it used to be where before it was a test that even the most patient would fail.  Are you going to break any leveling up ground speed records? Not even remotely but you will see a nice progression and you will not get the fullness out of this game.  Perhaps once you reach a certain level and run across more people you will be more inclined to level with them and even join their Linkshells.  Then you might see that playing with others is more fun then being in your own world.  Then again, you might not, and that's fine too.  It's no WoW in solo content, but there is some there.  It's just gonna be a slow row to plow.

Originally posted by Suplyndmnd

Speaking as a 3 year veteran who has created a character on another server to play from scratch, you can solo a lot more than people here are letting on.  I created a Windurstian Tarutaru and started with Warrior.  You can do the Field of Valor until about level 11'ish and then move to Tahrongi Canyon where you then solo the Mandragora (forget name) looking things (They look like onions to me, green body, white head, someone help me out here) and with an exp band you can get around 90-95 exp per kill.  With Regen from the FoV tabs you can move through these pretty quickly.  Not only is this a viable way to level it's a great way to get Saruta Cotton that sells fast and for a fairly good price. 

Once you reach 17, move to Buburimu Peninsula and do Field of Valor there.  Start with page 1 and see how easy it is.  Then check the Mandragora looking things there.  You will see that some are Decent Challenge's.  Accept Page 2 from the FoV and kill 7 of those and 1 Rarab.  You can do this without an exp band to about 21.  With the use of an Exp band you can bump the exp back up to about ~90 per kill and get exp from the FoV too.  You can move up the pages of FoV as you move along.  I also got one of the Rare/Ex Support Job items doing this.  As you move along you will be able to eventually take the Dahlmel down.  You will be past 18 where you can do the Support Job quest but just because you can get it at 18 doesn't mean you have to.

This game is far more solo friendly than it used to be where before it was a test that even the most patient would fail.  Are you going to break any leveling up ground speed records? Not even remotely but you will see a nice progression and you will not get the fullness out of this game.  Perhaps once you reach a certain level and run across more people you will be more inclined to level with them and even join their Linkshells.  Then you might see that playing with others is more fun then being in your own world.  Then again, you might not, and that's fine too.  It's no WoW in solo content, but there is some there.  It's just gonna be a slow row to plow.

You have the best sig on this site.  I couldn't stop laughing.

Back to the topic: I died constantly from level 1 onwards to level.....6.  Then I gave up.  I had the USB controller and updated the graphics, and  all that crap.  The game is probably the most niche game out of all p2p mmorpgs on the market.  It truly makes those who have played say: you either love it or you hate it.  I just couldn't love it, but I recognize that a lot of people do.  In all honesty, it is the hardest mmorpg I have ever played.

Originally posted by micona

FFXI is one of the only grouping mmorpg's still lefted on the market with decent population , once you around level 18 soloing become painful to near impossible and yes you can loose you level so one death give you major penalties.

world of warcraft solo to max level

lord of the rings online solo to max level

everquest2 solo to ma level

these are just a few that i know it can be done easy enough .

Am afraid FFXI is not for the solo crowd .

 

PS... I rather group in a mmorpg than solo , beats me  why everyone these days want to be in their little corner and solo in mmorpg.

It seems you have not played this game of the late. They have done many changes to allow people to do somthing while waiting for a group. Casual players can actually enjoy this game more than before. Yes you can solo past 18 with ease. just dont follow the power gamers guides of going to x place at y lvl. Mobs have been tweeked to give exp longer than before so you can stay in 1 area longer than lets say back in 2003 and lvl.

As for havok. Hey i started this game when it came out and got to the point that i hated this games guts due to its unforgiving difficulty. But i gave it another go and with all the changes its aiming to a positive. I am enjoiyng this game once again. Now it still is  a hard little pecker you do have to be careful.

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Originally posted by Sovrath

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Originally posted by Satimasu

If I wanted to pay money to not play with other people in an MMO, I'd rather just play a console RPG, at least you only pay once for it and you can "solo" as much as you want for free.

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People who solo in mmo's aren't soloing because they want a "solo" experience. There are other ways to to be social in mmo's and the idea that the world is actually alive and moving with people is an attractive concept.  It's a far different experience then when playng a game like Oblivion for example.
And they are willing to pay for that experience, myself included.Also, it doesn't mean that they won't ever group but it means that they would rather jump right into wnat they want to do without waiting around and yelling for groups.
 
The more you know.

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So there are no "lone wolf" type people that want solo play in an MMO? There is a difference in that and the solo while waiting for a group or something like that. The whole point is if you can solo for as much exp and completely replace grouping, then what's the point?

I have nothing against soloing in general. Heck, I solo and duo a lot myself, I just don't think you should base complete and utter soloing on whether an MMO is worth playing or not. You can "solo" to the max level in XI, just don't expect it to be as fast as partying.

Also, this game isn't just about getting to max level, especially when there is so much other things you can do at varying levels anyhow. There is a lot on the way up and a lot at the top.

Originally posted by Satimasu

 

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Originally posted by Sovrath

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Originally posted by Satimasu

 

If I wanted to pay money to not play with other people in an MMO, I'd rather just play a console RPG, at least you only pay once for it and you can "solo" as much as you want for free.

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People who solo in mmo's aren't soloing because they want a "solo" experience. There are other ways to to be social in mmo's and the idea that the world is actually alive and moving with people is an attractive concept.  It's a far different experience then when playng a game like Oblivion for example.
And they are willing to pay for that experience, myself included.Also, it doesn't mean that they won't ever group but it means that they would rather jump right into wnat they want to do without waiting around and yelling for groups.
 
The more you know.

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So there are no "lone wolf" type people that want solo play in an MMO? There is a difference in that and the solo while waiting for a group or something like that. The whole point is if you can solo for as much exp and completely replace grouping, then what's the point?

I have nothing against soloing in general. Heck, I solo and duo a lot myself, I just don't think you should base complete and utter soloing on whether an MMO is worth playing or not. You can "solo" to the max level in XI, just don't expect it to be as fast as partying.

Also, this game isn't just about getting to max level, especially when there is so much other things you can do at varying levels anyhow. There is a lot on the way up and a lot at the top.

Good point.

I solo when i have little time but do group in mmos when i do have the time. The truth , even though in WoW you can solo till lvl cap, you will be vastly undergeared and unprepared for the endgame portion of the game and will be in a serious disadvantage in pvp. You HAVE to group up to finish the hardest quests oyu HAVE to group up to do instances for better gear. You CANNOT solo wow completely. Please Name me a class that can solo Heroic Utgarde Keep.  Oh and even if a class can actually pull it off, how did said class get the gear needed to achive such an act. Got ya.

Same thing applys for every mmo i played , even this one. While you can solo a bit you STill need to group to finish the hard missions and other things. There is no difference in that aspect from ffxi than any other mmo out there. Yeah other MMO's make soloing easier but then again like i said before you STILL need group to see the best things or get the best gear the game has to offer.

In my Thread I posted i did mention how it is possible to solo in this game. but it gets you so far. I still needed help to get my subjob quest done, of course i could have pushed off higher lvls to achive it but still. When i hit lvl cap in fact when i get higher rank, i cannot deny i will need help.  Grouping will be neededand it is a fun aspect of the game.

Anyhow i cannot see how someone can judge a game because its solo friendly or not. No matter how you look at it you will have to group at one point  or another in ANY mmo. so you really cannot SOLO the game.

wont it be hard to get groups for low level content ,since the games is out for years and most players are in the high level areas. That why mandatory grouping in an mmo is stupid.

Originally posted by ronan32

wont it be hard to get groups for low level content ,since the games is out for years and most players are in the high level areas. That why mandatory grouping in an mmo is stupid.

Higher level players can level sync to lower level players' levels and group with them. So.. nope you can find people quite easily.   :)

Originally posted by ragnair

Originally posted by ronan32

wont it be hard to get groups for low level content ,since the games is out for years and most players are in the high level areas. That why mandatory grouping in an mmo is stupid.

 

Higher level players can level sync to lower level players' levels and group with them. So.. nope you can find people quite easily.   :)

Ill add to define lvl sync better. The high lvl players lvl will drop to the lowest lvl player in the group. so if the person was lvl 14 then the high lvl players will drop to lvl 14. the will only need gear that lvl. Now the higher lvls will gain experience that goes to their normal lvl. So if they were lvl 60 they will get exp to that lvl and can even gain lvls in lower lvl areas. however their lvl will sill be synced to the lower lvl.

I have seen a lvl 60 monk gain lvl 61 and synced at a low lvl. This by far is the best idea ever implemented in any mmo.

you come from warhammer and you know well at a higher lvl you cannot aide lower lvls in their content. that will lead to A, point either a people will have to reroll to do lower lvl content with their friends or B, lower lvl areas become deserted as endgame becomes bloated with activity.  high lvls in wow ruin the challange for lowbies as they can just crush the mobs and instances and the lowvies just claim the quest rewards.

the lvl sync keeps ffxi challanging for every person who plays regardless their lvl.

Hope this clarifies a few things for you before you go stating if a game is stupid due to "mandatory" grouping. Keep in mind even games like wow and warhammer while you can solo easier to lvl cap you still need to group to get the harder missions ,quests, battlegrounds and instances done.  so even in those game grouping is "mandatory" 

Originally posted by Arawon

Vanguard has provided for soloists..to some degree..thats why I'm there.

It has?it was the same as EQ2 when i played,the quests that are good and drop the wanted gear/items took a group,no way around it.I guess if you don't care about everything in the game,then ya you could solo,same as EQ2,but as also the case in FFXI,you would be missing out on too much of the game.

I hear Guildwars allows players to use NPC's ,i believe Warhammer does the same,so i guess there is some games that could solo,but before i would have said there is NO way to solo any MMO,w/o giving up some of the content.