Random email reignites interest in hopeless noob.

[AquiziTC]

So I got an email last week from play.net of all places. It kinda struck me out of the blue since they hadn't been on my radar at all, really. It advertised I think... new hunting area(s)?

Anyway, it caused me to look up what's been up since I last did a look through a couple years ago (maybe about 3.5 years ago? I remember the last time I played was before FFXIV Realm Reborn launched).

I've been kinda thirsty for a strong RP experience again of late, so that also pushed me along into reading up on things. I noticed the large list of updated systems, spells, new spells, Wyrom PM, all sorts of neat things.

So I dunno I might pop my head in to see how things are. I'm not sure what, though. Some sort of elven rogue (Sylvan, perhaps?), or -- well I've never tried Empath before. I dunno, the main thing that would stop me is me being pretty utterly terribly on how to build a character effectively. Or picking a class. :^)

What's the flavor of elven RP/plot/the Nations in general these days? Could help me make a decision.

Also is there a functioning spreadsheet still out there for numbers planning? Or are they all dead?

~Quiz

[Whirlin]

Spreadsheet here:
http://gsguide.wikia.com/wiki/Training_Spreadsheet

[Gnomad]

https://gs4chart.cfapps.io

There's no major ongoing plot in the EN right now to catch up on. Ta'Vaalor has been under invasion for the last 2 weeks or so by some still-unknown dude siccing demons and Ithzir at the gates; he's also hit Illy a few times to keep them from joining in, but I don't think much is going on there otherwise.

In the west, Cleric Hitler of Koar tried to genocide all the half-breeds, especially half-elves, had concentration camps and shit, and nuked part of the continent in his dying breath (but not anywhere players can go). So the heads of state of the EN have been a little more welcoming towards half-elves lately.

In general, the elf RP-ers have been good. Ta'Illistim is more or less dead, just people hanging out on the dais for healing/raises/etc but no major community. Ta'Vaalor is still small but has a solid core of a dozen or so characters that are around almost constantly, and then another dozen or two who are there regularly.

The game has F2P accounts that aren't too terrible for the first 20 levels, so just make a few characters and see what sticks.

[Nathala Crane]

Welcome back! Off topic, but what server did you play FFXIV on?

[AquiziTC]

Balmung. Still there, of course.

[drauz]

https://gswiki.play.net/Main_Page

Still a great resource for questions you might have, for more nuanced questions feel free to ask. People will be more than willing to answer most questions. A lot has changed, don't take any system for granted. It may have been changed.

[Allereli]

https://gswiki.play.net/Creating_Adventure_-_December_2015
https://gswiki.play.net/Creating_Adventure_-_January_2017

comprehensive lists of changes/additions for 2015 and 2016

[AquiziTC]

That's ... a lot of changes.

[Roblar]

I'm sure alot of them are on those 2 links above but I still also like this page for the one HSN we had for a quick glance too:

https://gswiki.play.net/Hot_Summer_Nights_2015

But there have been changes before and after that summer.

[Astray]

Lots of RP can be found in TV.

[Nathala Crane]

Balmung. Still there, of course.

Ha! We're on the same server, though it's been a little while for me. I'm sure I'll be back to give Red Mage a shot once Stormblood's out.

Yvelont Navarre is my character there. Warrior main. :)

[AquiziTC]

Tenrilaux Lemont. A semi-disgraced Ishgardian who got exiled for sleeping with a noble's inheriting son (and getting caught), then came back as an adventurer during the Dragonsong War. He's a bitter sonuvagun, but Ishgard is still home.

[Luxelle]

... it was a random email (after 20 years of never hearing from them) that intrigued me into returning to GS with a new char.

Welcome home!

[Tyronebiggums]

https://gs4chart.cfapps.io

There's no major ongoing plot in the EN right now to catch up on. Ta'Vaalor has been under invasion for the last 2 weeks or so by some still-unknown dude siccing demons and Ithzir at the gates; he's also hit Illy a few times to keep them from joining in, but I don't think much is going on there otherwise.

In the west, Cleric Hitler of Koar tried to genocide all the half-breeds, especially half-elves, had concentration camps and shit, and nuked part of the continent in his dying breath (but not anywhere players can go). So the heads of state of the EN have been a little more welcoming towards half-elves lately.

In general, the elf RP-ers have been good. Ta'Illistim is more or less dead, just people hanging out on the dais for healing/raises/etc but no major community. Ta'Vaalor is still small but has a solid core of a dozen or so characters that are around almost constantly, and then another dozen or two who are there regularly.

The game has F2P accounts that aren't too terrible for the first 20 levels, so just make a few characters and see what sticks.

I never know how to use these things.

[Gnomad]

I never know how to use these things.

Choose your character and class in the top-left, adjust your starting stats below to see growth. Leave step at 10 unless you really care about hitting a certain stat by a certain level (e.g. change it to count by 9s to see a cleric's Aura at level 18 for raising the dead). You can find the minimum stat to get a 100 at cap at the gswiki: https://gswiki.play.net/List_of_statistic_growth_rates (but getting 100s in everything is usually impossible).

Then scroll down to the bottom and choose the skills you want to train in. Per-level can be adjusted up or down, 2 per level is 2x. Max is how high you want to train. So a warrior might put Armor at 3 per level, max 140, to 3x armor until full plate then stop. If you don't have enough TPs to train everything, it'll train the skills in order from top to bottom, stopping when it can't afford something. That's what the "up"/"down" buttons are for.

Then scroll back up to see how the plan works out. To save your data, just copy the thing near the very bottom that looks like {"stats":{"Strength":50,"Constitution":50,"Dexterity":50,"Agility":50,"Discipline":50,"Aura":50,"Logic":50,"Intuition":50,"Wisdom":50,"Influence":50},"profession":"Warrior","race":"Giantman","skills":["Polearm Weapons"],"constraints":[2],"maximums":[204]} and save it in a file somewhere. Paste it into the box at the absolute end and hit "restore" to bring it back.

There's a tiny bug, the "max" is slightly off for cap but nbd (it thinks you can go to 102/204/306 instead of 101/202/303).

[Hymore246]

Also is there a functioning spreadsheet still out there for numbers planning? Or are they all dead?

~Quiz

Are you running Windows? You could download my character planner to design some new characters. You can find the forum topic and newest release in my sig. /shamelessplug

[AquiziTC]

... it was a random email (after 20 years of never hearing from them) that intrigued me into returning to GS with a new char.

Welcome home!

Well I haven't jumped in feet first just yet. I'm doing that thing I said I'd probably end up doing regarding putzing around trying to think of what kind of character I want.

Racewise, not so hard. I like Sylvans because skinny lithe boys are <3, elves are a second because I just like elves I guess? Also living in TV makes me want to elf it up. Aelotoi always interested me so they're a third pick (do you see a theme here? Skinny dudes lul).

As for profession, I like the ones that offer utility. So all 4 pures (raises, healing, enchanting, scrolls), and rogues (picking) are my top picks for that reason.

So character concepts I'm really thinking about is the sylvan rogue. Ambushing TWC (I don't really like ranged combat) who can kinda pick on the side sorta? (2x picking training probably) Sylvan again because I like their smaller/slighter builds. For that I am not quite sure the angle..? Maybe couldn't do the usual ranger thing because he's useless with magic or something. Regular elf might work if I want to 'fit in' a bit easier in TV. If I went regular elf he'd probably be a bit more on the ... I have no idea really. Also ambushing TWC with some picks.

See I'm good at this character concept thing. :^)

[Nathala Crane]

TWC rogues are fun. I have a dark elf who goes that route, with brawling for pure fun. Switching between dual hook-knives (which, like daggers, reliably death-crit the eyes - especially with Predator's Eye) and UAC according to strategy or mood.

[AquiziTC]

I think I know what I need to do.

I need to find a song. Find the right emotive melody and form the character around what bubbles up in my core (I may be a bit method >.>)

I think I've settled on a Vaalor elf though.

[AquiziTC]

Tahret the elf exists! I'll try to skulk about in TV some as I try to remember what lich things I like to use -- or how to play in general.

I look forward to meeting people as a quickly cooling corpse.

[Warriorbird]

Tahret the elf exists! I'll try to skulk about in TV some as I try to remember what lich things I like to use -- or how to play in general.

I look forward to meeting people as a quickly cooling corpse.

Most of Vaalor are usually really friendly with helping out. We'll keep an eye out.

[AquiziTC]

I only just now found out that 1700 exists and that throws all of my "I don't really want to level a pure" complaints out the window.

BLARGH.

I don't think I was feeling the Vaalor thing anyway, so now I'm back to debating on a sylvan empath or a dark elf sorc. I mean maybe a sylvan sorc but that just sounds... weird in my head. Or even a wizard. The elemental circles are pretty neato.

Definitely sylvan or dark elf though.

See this is the endless cycle of trying to come up with characters I like.

[Tgo01]

You should hang out in Icemule. Icemule is the best. Plus it's near the Landing, where an awesome fellow gives out spells all the time.

[AquiziTC]

Ok so now there's Thersael. Sylvan empath based in Icemule.

I look forward to healing myself to death. :3

[Tyronebiggums]

You should hang out in Icemule. Icemule is the best. Plus it's near the Landing, where an awesome fellow gives out spells all the time.

Hail the Dreavening

[Tgo01]

Hail the Dreavening

Damn right!

[Soulance]

I only just now found out that 1700 exists and that throws all of my "I don't really want to level a pure" complaints out the window.

BLARGH.

I don't think I was feeling the Vaalor thing anyway, so now I'm back to debating on a sylvan empath or a dark elf sorc. I mean maybe a sylvan sorc but that just sounds... weird in my head. Or even a wizard. The elemental circles are pretty neato.

Definitely sylvan or dark elf though.

See this is the endless cycle of trying to come up with characters I like.
Got a Sylvan Sorc who is nearly untouchable and a lot of fun. And you can't beat the ensorcelling.

[Soulance]

Hail the Dreavening
Just make sure you get vaccinated...rabies and distemper included.