Need Pointed In The Right Direction.

So, I came back to FFXI a few weeks ago after having been gone for over a year. Even when I played then, I really didn't play for that long and didn't get a whole lot accomplished. I have a lvl 90 Paladin with no gear to write home about, I have a level 95 Thief with just some basic gear and this Black Mage that i'm currently working on, as well as other various jobs in the 50-60 range that I leveled for fun.

Basically I would like to know what I should be working towards. Obviously nothing extremely end game because I feel i'm quite far from that, but maybe other things. I know to work on my Magian Trial staves, as I've read you need tons of these. I'm also currently farming up spells since I know you need those too!

Currently lets just say I have the Teal set and an Aquilo's Staff. I have been holding off buying jewelry and what not because i'm not 100% sure what I should be after to begin with and don't want to purchase something that isn't helpful.

Sorry for the long winded post and thanks for any and all help! :)

I already leveled Scholar to 50 in preparation of using it as a Sub for Black Mage. I'll work on the rest of that stuff though, thanks!

Edit - The Twilight Cape comes from Shinryu, which i'm a LONG ways from. So thats out for now.

Gold box farming in aby Vunkerl for some diamond rings with int+ and can use the neck with int+ and fast cast+ from aby la theine will cover the jewelry for the time being.

Wow that staff is 1.7mil on our AH. Not gonna happen anytime soon.

@Billyd - Thanks, this is helpful! :D

Errrr.

Get better gear. The kind with lots of +INT and +Magic Attack Bonus

Buy this:
Saevus Pendant (or Stoicheion Medal)
Novio Earring
Romanus Cape

Get this
Akasha Chaps (From meeble, will need a group. Else, use AF3+2)
Hecate Earring (From Rani, easy get)
Strendu Ring (From Windy Tier4 VWNM, easy kill, may take a few kills)
Maniacus Sash (From Legion)
- This one can be tough to get, so you can settle on Oneiros Sash or Cognition Belt for now.

Get Nares head/hands
Get Morrigan+1 body/feet

Until you can get these items, use AF3+2

This is helpful. So just stack things with +INT and +Mag Acc for the time being until I get better gear?

Better BLM gear is defined by having even more INT and Magic Attack Bonus.

So, for now, use stuff that has a lot of INT and MAB. Later, when you're able to, use stuff that has even more INT and MAB.

I do agree its awesome, but i don't have millions of gil to throw at items, right now.

Which elemental path should I work on first? I've been told Ice and Thunder.

Not sure how your gear is but if price is an issue teal gear is decent until you can get af3+2(or better). I made some item sets that should give you a basic idea of your goals/progression. The BLM forums have ideal 99 gear too.


Starter/Beginner Set: Chatoyant is better. If you have all the HQ staves just find someone with synergy leveled and have them make you the HQ Chatoyant. I just used zenith gloves since a lot of old school players have those. Umm Vicious mufflers are good too.


Once you get af3+2 this is a pretty decent set. Obviously this is BLM/SCH. Strophadic drops off a VW monster its pretty common drop. Af3+2 is pretty easy to get.


Once you get some Neo-Nyzul gear this is a good set(what I currently) use. SCH is a good job to take to 99 btw first so you can get neo-nyzul isle gear. Novio should be 4-7m depending on your server prices. Stroph is good too.

There are better sets but I just put these together quick hope they help.

What server are you on? If you're on phoenix I could craft the staff for you if you get the HQ staves. Also I've been terribly bored recently to the point of not logging in since my LS poofed; I'd help you get caught up if I could.

Sidenote: start voidwatch if you have not already. It may be difficult to find groups for clears, but blm is a necessity for VW procs and you will get into groups easily.

Imo. Id do thunder dmg > ice dmg > arka4(cure) > thunder acc. thunder dmg is the easiest to do and will help with other trials as far as kill speed.

Edit: the only bad thing about blm/sch especially for the trials is you lack phalanx. I preferred BLM/rdm for my trials in abyssea. that way I could phalanx+ss+PDT set pull a bunch of mobs nukega> sleepga> nukega

Wow tons of great advice. Thanks for all of that Baconwrap!

@Kirana - I'm on Asura, unfortunately.

I would look into learning Dynamis, as it sounds like you could use the money, especially for that staff. Given you have Thf 95, you could very likely pull a mil out of each run.

I am currently working on opening up Dreamland Dynamis for farming.