Sorry for the bump, but I just came across the Lanys boards (it's been a while) and thought I'd post a response, as I've been in FFXI for the last little while.
PS - belated /hail to everyone.
Ok, Givin, here goes:
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Bumping this for research purposes.
Doubt anybody here still plays, and I refuse to go to killing ifrit to research since its an AIDS infested shithole.
Don't use Killing Ifrit. I tend to use FFXIclopedia (
http://wiki.ffxiclopedia.org/wiki/Main_Page) for all job, quest, and forum info.
There's also the Vanadiel forum boards, although those are mostly dead. And if you go to the FFXI mainpage -> Linkshell Community, there are boards allocated for each linkshell there, where alot of other conversation happens.
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I had heard they put in BCNM type encounters for the level break quests similar to the Maat fight.
Untrue. You still have to do the level break quests. Although Maat is much easier for some classes now with recent job fixes, he's still a PITA for some other jobs.
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I also heard that no drop versions of the more popular items went in also to curb farming of them. Like emperors hairpin and leaping boots. Also heard that Lord of Onzozo doesn't drop his epeen anymore and that got moved to a BCNM loot table.
True. Emperor's Hairpin is in a BCNM30 (Dropping Like Flies); Kraken Club is in a BCNM60 (Up in Arms); and several others are as well (eg. Ochiudo's Kote, and others).
The drop rates aren't the best on all of these, though. Kraken Club reported drop rate is under 5%, for example.
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Did they go through with making 2 handed weapons worth a shit?
Yes, they certainly did. They introduced grips, which go in the 2nd hand slot for all 2 handed weapons, and give certain bonuses (eg. +int/mnd/mp grips for mages using staves, and things like +acc or +haste for the melees).
The real improvement was that they increased 2h damage vs. high DEF mobs, and changed the ACC/ATK ratio for 2h users to 1:1.
(eg. for 1h weapons, it's 2STR=1ATK and 2DEX=1ACC. For 2h users it's now 1STR=1ATK, and 1DEX=1ACC).
Needless to say, the WAR/NINs went back to using Greataxe, and DRG, SAM and DRK damage went through the roof.
NIN tanks are even worse at holding hate now than they ever were, and some are thinking the NIN tank pre-60 is almost dead.
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ANY exp changes made? Solo, party whatever. INterested in just a description.
Yes and no. No major changes made, but xp rings were introduced into the game (2 different rechargeable ones, that give +50% xp and +75% xp for a short time, as well as a once-a-year non-rechargeable anniversary ring, which gives +100% (I think) xp.
Also, when you get to 75 and join "merit" parties (think of EQ's AA's), xp flies. It's not uncommon to see "Chain# 80!" on those.
Other changes of note:
- Treasures of Aht Urghan (aka ToAU) introduced Besieged (where monster armies attack the major city and you have to defend it), and other things such as Assault (where you do mercernary quests).
To answer Eli's question about armor sets and whether Koenig is still the best - check out some Assault armor.
They also have plenty of other choices for 70+ including the various abjuration armors.
- ToAU introduced Blue Mage (BLU), Puppetmaster (PUP), and Corsair (COR). The upcoming expansion will introduce Dancer and Scholar.
- since we were discussing 2h changes, some noted changes to DRG and DRK in the last year or 2:
DRK were given Drain 2, Dread Spikes (spikes that deal damage and heal the DRK for the amount dealt), Absorb-TP, and a few other goodies.
DRG had their 2HR ability changed, Call Wyvern changed to 15min recast, and given ACC bonus 2 at 50.
Several 2h weaponskills were also changed (for DRK, SAM, DRG, and WAR) to give much better results. I've seen DRG/WHM (note - /WHM) Pentathrust for 1500. It's sick.
However, the previous criticism about the xp grind, the long hours involved, and the sheer number of hurdles to jump through still holds true.
The whole melee life of sitting LFG for hours on end still exists.
Player skill on the whole has gone down due to damage increases. People tend to "TP burn" by spamming WSs these days, rather than setting up skillchains for the BLM to burst on.
Hell, I've seen some 75s who are unfamilar with BCNMs, or haven't the foggiest clue on game basics (and no, they weren't ebayed accounts - these were players who went from 1 to 75).
The game has improved on the whole, but is still not easy.