The End is Coming... Are You Wearing Clean Underwear?

I haven't done a list post in a long time, but what should I do a list about? I have already gone over everything that I am looking forward to in the next update. Hell, I have already gone over a lot of things. But there are a lot of things that still need to be completed before the next update. That would make a good list!

10. Finish Kurodachi - DONE - This one was my main focus for the last couple of days. I got all my Krabkatoa shells and turned them in on Monday. I love it so far. I can't say whether the damage is better or worse over time than Hagun, but it is looking good so far.

9. Finish meriting BLM - This should have been done a long time ago. I did just dump 8 more merits into Thunder and Ice potency, but I still need 10 more to top that off. Then I need to do Enfeebling Magic merits. And then I have to see what I want to do with tier 2 merits.

8. Finish Radennotachi - Haven't even started working on this, and it is probably going to be back burner for other Magian weapons I need to get done. My math shows that it is slightly better than Hagun, but not by much. Even with Kurodachi, there are still places for the Radennotachi, like on Salvage bosses or just about any place that you don't want to feed mobs a lot of TP.

7. Finish the Cure Potency Teiwaz - This is probably my next highest priority not only because it is an amazing piece of equipment, but also because Omoi has one and we are close to being on the same stage. She owes me some dead Trents. :)

6. Finish the Thunder Potency Teiwaz - Another hot piece of gear that I need to get done. Especially if the weapons are going to get better as SE extends trial of the Magians. My BLM would love this, especially now that I am getting closer to having a good Elemental set on my BLM.

5. Finish the OAT Goshawk - This weapon is just insanely good, but you have to understand the math to understand why. 600 Delay makes it look really slow, but for a job that can get to a 5-hit build the extra Delay means you have a lot more space to mess around with the Store TP you are wearing. This one is going to kill a whole lot of RNG.

4. Finish the Wings Missions - While this one isn't as important for this update, unless they require the current mission set complete to finish the Wings quests, it is still good to be ready for the end when it does come. I don't want to be locked out of Walk of Echoes when it is opened.

3. Finish the Wings Quests - I am all caught up in Bastok, but I still need to finish the Sandy and Windy quest lines. Iz is almost caught up to me on the Sandy quest line so I will probably do that with him, but Omoi is way past me on the Windy storyline. Maybe she will help me go back and finish them. :)

2. Start really meriting my RNG - While my gear is great on my RNG, my merits for the job are pretty lacking. I will occasionally toss a merit hear or there, but it's really time I knuckle down and get them done, especially because the tier 1's are pretty darn good for RNG.

1. Finish my Morrigan's set - I don't know if I will get this done in time, but it is a pretty big goal for me. I already have two ingots and I should be able to get at least 1 more before the end of the week, but I am only getting about 1 or so a week, and I will never be able to get all 12 before the update. And then I need to get the O. Ingots for the head.

Those are what I wish I could accomplish before the June 2010 Update, but I won't be able to finish them all. What do you wish you could finish before you have to level all your jobs to 80?

I haven't done a list post in a long time, but what should I do a list about? I have already gone over everything that I am looking forward to in the next update. Hell, I have already gone over a lot of things. But there are a lot of things that still need to be completed before the next update. That would make a good list!<br /><br />10. Finish Kurodachi - DONE - This one was my main focus for the last couple of days. I got all my Krabkatoa shells and turned them in on Monday. I love it so far. I can't say whether the damage is better or worse over time than Hagun, but it is looking good so far.<br /><br />9. Finish meriting BLM - This should have been done a long time ago. I did just dump 8 more merits into Thunder and Ice potency, but I still need 10 more to top that off. Then I need to do Enfeebling Magic merits. And then I have to see what I want to do with tier 2 merits.<br /><br />8. Finish Radennotachi - Haven't even started working on this, and it is probably going to be back burner for other Magian weapons I need to get done. My math shows that it is slightly better than Hagun, but not by much. Even with Kurodachi, there are still places for the Radennotachi, like on Salvage bosses or just about any place that you don't want to feed mobs a lot of TP.<br /><br />7. Finish the Cure Potency Teiwaz - This is probably my next highest priority not only because it is an amazing piece of equipment, but also because Omoi has one and we are close to being on the same stage. She owes me some dead Trents. :) <br /><br />6. Finish the Thunder Potency Teiwaz - Another hot piece of gear that I need to get done. Especially if the weapons are going to get better as SE extends trial of the Magians. My BLM would love this, especially now that I am getting closer to having a good Elemental set on my BLM.<br /><br />5. Finish the OAT Goshawk - This weapon is just insanely good, but you have to understand the math to understand why. 600 Delay makes it look really slow, but for a job that can get to a 5-hit build the extra Delay means you have a lot more space to mess around with the Store TP you are wearing. This one is going to kill a whole lot of RNG.<br /><br />4. Finish the Wings Missions - While this one isn't as important for this update, unless they require the current mission set complete to finish the Wings quests, it is still good to be ready for the end when it does come. I don't want to be locked out of Walk of Echoes when it is opened.<br /><br />3. Finish the Wings Quests - I am all caught up in Bastok, but I still need to finish the Sandy and Windy quest lines. Iz is almost caught up to me on the Sandy quest line so I will probably do that with him, but Omoi is way past me on the Windy storyline. Maybe she will help me go back and finish them. :)<br /><br />2. Start really meriting my RNG - While my gear is great on my RNG, my merits for the job are pretty lacking. I will occasionally toss a merit hear or there, but it's really time I knuckle down and get them done, especially because the tier 1's are pretty darn good for RNG.<br /><br />1. Finish my Morrigan's set - I don't know if I will get this done in time, but it is a pretty big goal for me. I already have two ingots and I should be able to get at least 1 more before the end of the week, but I am only getting about 1 or so a week, and I will never be able to get all 12 before the update. And then I need to get the O. Ingots for the head.<br /><br />Those are what I wish I could accomplish before the June 2010 Update, but I won't be able to finish them all. What do you wish you could finish before you have to level all your jobs to 80?

Beholder's Eye: Castle Oztroja

Welcome to Beholder’s Eye, a column dedicated to the beautiful vistas and interesting events in FFXI. This column brings us pictures from all over Vana’diel, from the people of Vana’diel. From the most mundane spots to the most inaccessible places, there will be pictures of it all. If you have a great picture then send it to us and we will use it!



If you travel through the savanna lands of Meriphataud Mountains, through the dust filled landscape of chasms, gullys and hidden dips till you reach the end of Drogaroga's Spine far to the east, rising up from the mountain wall is the yawning maw and spires of the Yagudo stronghold in Vana'diel.

Of the strongholds, perhaps one of the more sophisticated constructions accessible to the battle-hardened traveller than the more elusive and secretive world of the Moblins, this vast fortress with its sprawling network of corridors, secret contraptions and trapdoors for the unwary is as much a temple of worship designed to protect the holiest of the Yagudo prophets deep in the core of the castle, as it is a rallying symbol of Yagudo might in Vana'diel.

A race deeply motivated by religion and adhering to a strict social hierarchy within its avian ranks, these warlike creatures have been know to pop up as both adversary and ally in the unlikeliest of places, intelligent and territorial, only the most foolish of adventurers would venture into their nest unprepared.

<em>Welcome to</em> <strong>Beholder’s Eye</strong><em>, a column dedicated to the beautiful vistas and interesting events in FFXI. This column brings us pictures from all over Vana’diel, from the people of Vana’diel. From the most mundane spots to the most inaccessible places, there will be pictures of it all. If you have a great picture then send it to us and we will use it!</em><br /><br /><a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/CastleOztroja.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/CastleOztroja.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" /></span></a><br /><br />If you travel through the savanna lands of Meriphataud Mountains, through the dust filled landscape of chasms, gullys and hidden dips till you reach the end of Drogaroga's Spine far to the east, rising up from the mountain wall is the yawning maw and spires of the Yagudo stronghold in Vana'diel.<br /><br />Of the strongholds, perhaps one of the more sophisticated constructions accessible to the battle-hardened traveller than the more elusive and secretive world of the Moblins, this vast fortress with its sprawling network of corridors, secret contraptions and trapdoors for the unwary is as much a temple of worship designed to protect the holiest of the Yagudo prophets deep in the core of the castle, as it is a rallying symbol of Yagudo might in Vana'diel.<br /><br />A race deeply motivated by religion and adhering to a strict social hierarchy within its avian ranks, these warlike creatures have been know to pop up as both adversary and ally in the unlikeliest of places, intelligent and territorial, only the most foolish of adventurers would venture into their nest unprepared.

Grading the July Update.

Initial reactions are never a good grade of how good anything really is, and this update is no exception. Iceblazek went from hating the update as he was downloading it, to absolutely loving it when it appeared that we may have been killing the first Amphiptere on Odin and maybe even the whole game.

After an enjoyable night testing out new mobs and the new Union system even I have to admit I was much more pleased with this update than I thought I was going to be. To evaluate this update though, we need to look at other updates and juxtapose this one with those to get an idea of just how good it is. The last update was on-balance pretty disappointing, in fact, I didn't really remember what was added in the last update, so I had to check. There were some significant additions, but nothing really said "new" like we have had in the past. There were four significant additions in the April Update. 1) The new WHM JA's (and the RDM and SMN additions), 2) ANNM's and Augmented Items, 3) Gobbiebag expansion. There was definitely more and people will love pointing out the things I missed, I am sure.

Compare that to this update and we can see that this update is probably a little better overall. We got two new zones, which is something we really haven't gotten in almost a year and a half. Included in those zones are three new mobs and several potential melee and BLM XP areas. We got new JA's for NIN, which I believe was sorely in need of some kind of improvement to balance them with PLD. Now, I still believe that those improvements don't fix what is really needed for NIN, which is a bit more survivability.

The Union system is definitely interesting and rewards doing Campaign even if you have to be lucky to get those rewards. It definitely spices up Campaign a bit. We got the long awaited Campaign bodies which were about as good as I expected, the tanking body is great but the rest of them are pretty mediocre. Finally, we have a little bit of a surprise in the large number of Wings missions that were added. There are other things that still need to be determined, like the quality of the Fairy weapon quests and if this FoV stuff is even worth it.

Overall, I would have given the last update about a C- and this update was a little better than the last, that being said, and even considering the positive things I have said so far, this update doesn't really have that much going for it either. New zones are nice, but you need to have a reason to be in those zones besides just doing Campaign. New JA's are good too, but why do they share a recast and have diminishing effects? Union is decent, but the rewards are pretty weak and will soon flood the market and crush the cost of all of the items, except for the ancient currency which don't drop very much at all. One of the Campaign bodies is good, the rest are in line with the "mehness" of the other parts of the set.

I am holding out hope for the Fairy weapons, the packs of mobs you have to fight to get the rewards looks pretty difficult. I am thinking it will take more than a party to handle these and it looks like at least some of them resist sleep. The additional effects for these looked pretty good in the preview, but so did the FoV ones and we all know how they turned out.

So far I am giving this update a C+, but I still have my pen out and I am willing to improve the grade if things turn out to be better with the Fairy weapons. This update still has the problems that I had discussed before. It is tiny, it is uninspiring, it is flawed and it feels like there isn't anyone at SE that is motivating the forward momentum of the game right now. I can't wait until this cycle of crappy scenarios is over, but we still have at least one more coming before we get a regular update without all of this fluff. We can only really judge the direction of the game at that point.

<a href="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Beau_Distance.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff151/ringthreetheicp/Beau_Distance.png" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 172px;" /></a>Initial reactions are never a good grade of how good anything really is, and this update is no exception. Iceblazek went from hating the update as he was downloading it, to absolutely loving it when it appeared that we may have been killing the first Amphiptere on Odin and maybe even the whole game. <br /><br />After an enjoyable night testing out new mobs and the new Union system even I have to admit I was much more pleased with this update than I thought I was going to be. To evaluate this update though, we need to look at other updates and juxtapose this one with those to get an idea of just how good it is. The last update was on-balance pretty disappointing, in fact, I didn't really remember what was added in the last update, so I had to check. There were some significant additions, but nothing really said "new" like we have had in the past. There were four significant additions in the April Update. 1) The new WHM JA's (and the RDM and SMN additions), 2) ANNM's and Augmented Items, 3) Gobbiebag expansion. There was definitely more and people will love pointing out the things I missed, I am sure. <br /><br />Compare that to this update and we can see that this update is probably a little better overall. We got two new zones, which is something we really haven't gotten in almost a year and a half. Included in those zones are three new mobs and several potential melee and BLM XP areas. We got new JA's for NIN, which I believe was sorely in need of some kind of improvement to balance them with PLD. Now, I still believe that those improvements don't fix what is really needed for NIN, which is a bit more survivability. <br /><span class="fullpost"><br />The Union system is definitely interesting and rewards doing Campaign even if you have to be lucky to get those rewards. It definitely spices up Campaign a bit. We got the long awaited Campaign bodies which were about as good as I expected, the tanking body is great but the rest of them are pretty mediocre. Finally, we have a little bit of a surprise in the large number of Wings missions that were added. There are other things that still need to be determined, like the quality of the Fairy weapon quests and if this FoV stuff is even worth it. <br /><br />Overall, I would have given the last update about a C- and this update was a little better than the last, that being said, and even considering the positive things I have said so far, this update doesn't really have that much going for it either. New zones are nice, but you need to have a reason to be in those zones besides just doing Campaign. New JA's are good too, but why do they share a recast and have diminishing effects? Union is decent, but the rewards are pretty weak and will soon flood the market and crush the cost of all of the items, except for the ancient currency which don't drop very much at all. One of the Campaign bodies is good, the rest are in line with the "mehness" of the other parts of the set.<br /><br />I am holding out hope for the Fairy weapons, the packs of mobs you have to fight to get the rewards looks pretty difficult. I am thinking it will take more than a party to handle these and it looks like at least some of them resist sleep. The additional effects for these looked pretty good in the preview, but so did the FoV ones and we all know how they turned out.<br /><br />So far I am giving this update a C+, but I still have my pen out and I am willing to improve the grade if things turn out to be better with the Fairy weapons. This update still has the problems that I had discussed before. It is tiny, it is uninspiring, it is flawed and it feels like there isn't anyone at SE that is motivating the forward momentum of the game right now. I can't wait until this cycle of crappy scenarios is over, but we still have at least one more coming before we get a regular update without all of this fluff. We can only really judge the direction of the game at that point.</span>

Our Comprehensive Guide to the July 2009 Update.

The July 2009 Update is just around the corner so we have put together this guide to all the information we have about the coming update, including information about missions, job changes, events, equipment and even the Moogle Kupo d'Etat scenario! Stay tuned for any new information!

The July 2009 Update for FFXI is looking to be a decently balanced update with additional zones that we have been promised for a while. The much anticipated Campaign body pieces will become available after getting the new Campaign ranks. The two new zones - Beaucidine and Xarcabard - look to be very Campaign oriented and if the development team fulfills their promise, they will be oriented to high-level players. The "Union" system is being introduced to Campaign and the rewards look to be potentially pretty damn sweet. New Wings missions are being added, but it doesn't look to be too many. Moblin Maze Mongers is getting an NPC-style addition. Finally, there are currently unannounced Job Adjustments.

Our complete and comprehensive coverage of the July Update is listed after the break!

Update Information

Wings of the Goddess Missions

→ Two new missions added.
*"A Traitor in Our Midst!" and "The World Will Choose..." both listed as titles in the update notes.

New Areas

→ Beaucedine Glacier (S) and Xarcabard (S) will be opened.

Job Adjustments

→ Ninja
*Two new Job Abilities are being added: Yonin and Innin.
*Mijin Gakure will now not cause weakness after being raised. Ninja's that use Mijin Gakure will be at 50% health after being raised.

Campaign

→ Beaucedine Glacier (S) and Xarcabard (S) are available for Campaign conflicts.
→ Two new Campaign medals will be available.
→ New equipment - including Campaign body pieces - will become available via purchase with Allied Notes with requisite Campaign medal.
→ "Union" system introduced.
*The Union system is an open, campaign-based battle system.
*Success under the Union system will yield rewards including Dynamis currency, synthesis materials, and spoils of the Beastman Confederate. Treasure will be distributed via caskets after each battle.
*Participation is required, and rewards will only be awards based on a minimum level of participation.

Moblin Maze Mongers

→ A new Maze Voucher and Goblin companion added.
*Goblin companions will be able to level up and specialize similar to NPCs.
*Goblins initial start as the "All-Rounder" then other job options include "Walloper" melee, "Barrager" ranged attacker and "Spellslinger" mage.
*Each Goblin job will have unique special abilities.
*Maze Runes that enhance your Goblin companion added.
→ New augmented gear unique to MMM added.

Site Coverage

*POL News: A Warm Day in Xarcabard.
*Morning in Vana'diel: Questing Missions and Missing Quests.
*POL News: On the Campaign Trail.
*POL News: Wings takes flight.
*POL News: Moblins Take Up Heart Surgery
*POL News: Ninja Booty!

Square Enix POL Announcements

*Campaign Gets Reinforcements!
*Winds of the Goddess Missions!
*Moblin Maze Mongers Delve Deeper Into Your Heart!
*Job Adjustments and Additions Part I

<a href="http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics/ff11us/detail/4578/4578.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics/ff11us/detail/4578/4578.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 415px; height: 100px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">July 2009 Update</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> is just around the corner so we have put together this guide to all the information we have about the coming update, including information about missions, job changes, events, equipment and even the Moogle Kupo d'Etat scenario! Stay tuned for any new information!</span><br /><br />The July 2009 Update for FFXI is looking to be a decently balanced update with additional zones that we have been promised for a while. The much anticipated Campaign body pieces will become available after getting the new Campaign ranks. The two new zones - Beaucidine and Xarcabard - look to be very Campaign oriented and if the development team fulfills their promise, they will be oriented to high-level players. The "Union" system is being introduced to Campaign and the rewards look to be potentially pretty damn sweet. New Wings missions are being added, but it doesn't look to be too many. Moblin Maze Mongers is getting an NPC-style addition. Finally, there are currently unannounced Job Adjustments.<br /><br />Our complete and comprehensive coverage of the July Update is listed after the break! <br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><u>Update Information</u><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wings of the Goddess Missions</span><br /><br />→ Two new missions added.<br />*"A Traitor in Our Midst!" and "The World Will Choose..." both listed as titles in the update notes.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">New Areas</span><br /><br />→ Beaucedine Glacier (S) and Xarcabard (S) will be opened. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Job Adjustments</span><br /><br />→ Ninja<br />*Two new Job Abilities are being added: Yonin and Innin.<br />*Mijin Gakure will now not cause weakness after being raised. Ninja's that use Mijin Gakure will be at 50% health after being raised. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Campaign</span><br /><br />→ Beaucedine Glacier (S) and Xarcabard (S) are available for Campaign conflicts.<br />→ Two new Campaign medals will be available.<br />→ New equipment - including Campaign body pieces - will become available via purchase with Allied Notes with requisite Campaign medal.<br />→ "Union" system introduced.<br />*The Union system is an open, campaign-based battle system.<br />*Success under the Union system will yield rewards including Dynamis currency, synthesis materials, and spoils of the Beastman Confederate. Treasure will be distributed via caskets after each battle.<br />*Participation is required, and rewards will only be awards based on a minimum level of participation.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Moblin Maze Mongers</span><br /><br />→ A new Maze Voucher and Goblin companion added.<br />*Goblin companions will be able to level up and specialize similar to NPCs.<br />*Goblins initial start as the "All-Rounder" then other job options include "Walloper" melee, "Barrager" ranged attacker and "Spellslinger" mage.<br />*Each Goblin job will have unique special abilities.<br />*Maze Runes that enhance your Goblin companion added.<br />→ New augmented gear unique to MMM added.<br /><br /><u>Site Coverage</u><br /><br />*<a href="http://ringthree.blogspot.com/2009/06/pol-news-warm-day-in-xarcabard.html">POL News: A Warm Day in Xarcabard.</a><br />*<a href="http://ringthree.blogspot.com/2009/06/morning-in-vanadiel-questing-missions.html">Morning in Vana'diel: Questing Missions and Missing Quests.</a><br />*<a href="http://ringthree.blogspot.com/2009/06/pol-news-on-campaign-trail.html">POL News: On the Campaign Trail.</a><br />*<a href="http://ringthree.blogspot.com/2009/06/pol-news-wings-takes-flight.html">POL News: Wings takes flight.</a><br />*<a href="http://ringthree.blogspot.com/2009/06/pol-news-moblins-take-up-heart-surgery.html">POL News: Moblins Take Up Heart Surgery</a><br />*<a href="http://ringthree.blogspot.com/2009/07/pol-news-ninja-booty.html">POL News: Ninja Booty!</a><br /><br /><u>Square Enix POL Announcements</u><br /><br />*<a href="http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics/ff11us/detail/4593/detail.html">Campaign Gets Reinforcements!</a><br />*<a href="http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics/ff11us/detail/4636/detail.html">Winds of the Goddess Missions!</a><br />*<a href="http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics/ff11us/detail/4646/detail.html">Moblin Maze Mongers Delve Deeper Into Your Heart!</a></span><br />*<a href="http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics/ff11us/detail/4666/detail.html">Job Adjustments and Additions Part I</a>

POL News: Wings takes flight.

I don't know how many of you have been following the Wings of the Goddess storyline, it is certainly a lot more convoluted in its presentation than previous expansions incarnations. Personally I rather like the broad arching missions, with the quest driven city specific storylines intertwining about that both co-existing and dependant on the other to be pushed forward. You can select to only follow 1 path, or take all three. The stories are exciting, and you really do get quite an interesting mix, from the rather romantic San d'Orian story, to the political thriller of the Bastokan storyline and the all out action packed Windurstian tale.

With the July update we see more of this story unfurling, while the bc's haven't always been hard to progress this, and nothing on the scale of CoP, I am enjoying the new direction in storytelling that has come out with each progressive expansion (although I have NOT done Crystaline Prophecy and don't really consider that in the same league as these full expansions) and found this one particularly inovative in its presentation. There are NO excuses for not doing these! Stop being a slouch and go enjoy some entertaining diversion.

<a href="http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics/ff11us/detail/4636/4636.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics/ff11us/detail/4636/4636.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 415px; height: 100px;" /></a><br />I don't know how many of you have been following the Wings of the Goddess storyline, it is certainly a lot more convoluted in its presentation than previous expansions incarnations. Personally I rather like the broad arching missions, with the quest driven city specific storylines intertwining about that both co-existing and dependant on the other to be pushed forward. You can select to only follow 1 path, or take all three. The stories are exciting, and you really do get quite an interesting mix, from the rather romantic San d'Orian story, to the political thriller of the Bastokan storyline and the all out action packed Windurstian tale.<br /><br />With the July update we see more of this<a href="http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics/ff11us/detail/4636/detail.html"> story</a> unfurling, while the bc's haven't always been hard to progress this, and nothing on the scale of CoP, I am enjoying the new direction in storytelling that has come out with each progressive expansion (although I have NOT done Crystaline Prophecy and don't really consider that in the same league as these full expansions) and found this one particularly inovative in its presentation. There are NO excuses for not doing these! Stop being a slouch and go enjoy some entertaining diversion.

Morning in Vana'diel: Questing Missions and Missing Quests.

Morning in Vana'diel is your daily dose of FFXI and all things Vana'diel. Give us your thoughts on the interesting topics of the day! This morning we consider all those quests you need to get done before the next update.

Yesterday, SE announced that the next update is coming in late July, and from the first teaser picture that they included it's pretty obvious that more missions are on their way. The storyline appears to be moving to the Northlands, maybe even following Zeid and Volker or the Hydracorps as they prepare to assault Castle Zvahl and the Shadow Lord. Either way, we will be moving onto some cool new missions in the next update, and knowing SE the farther into the storyline of an expansion you go the better the cutscenes get.

This may sound great, but it isn't such a good thing for me because I am pretty far behind on my quests even if my missions are relatively caught up (I still need to do the Battle for Jeuno which I heard has some pretty cool cutscenes after the BC). I really should do the quests because the story for them is just as strong as it is for the main storyline of the expansion. I am lazy, though, and I need a lot of merits (got two more last night, woot), add to that the constant events and the general malaise of summertime, the required runabout to get the quests done for crappy places like Windurst just is a bit too much for me right now. What about for you? Do you love the quest and mission formula for the Wing's storyline? Do you think it's too much or too little? Are you the kind of person that hates missions and just spams Enter through them all? Or are you loving every minute of it? Leave a comment and tell us what you think!

<a href="http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/ffxi/images/1/19/The_Version_Update_Is_Here%21_%2806-09-2008%29-2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/ffxi/images/1/19/The_Version_Update_Is_Here%21_%2806-09-2008%29-2.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 180px;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Morning in Vana'diel</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> is your daily dose of FFXI and all things Vana'diel. Give us your thoughts on the interesting topics of the day! This morning we consider all those quests you need to get done before the next update.</span><br /><br />Yesterday, SE announced that the <a href="http://ringthree.blogspot.com/2009/06/pol-news-warm-day-in-xarcabard.html">next update</a> is coming in late July, and from the first teaser picture that they included it's pretty obvious that more missions are on their way. The storyline appears to be moving to the Northlands, maybe even following Zeid and Volker or the Hydracorps as they prepare to assault Castle Zvahl and the Shadow Lord. Either way, we will be moving onto some cool new missions in the next update, and knowing SE the farther into the storyline of an expansion you go the better the cutscenes get. <br /><br />This may sound great, but it isn't such a good thing for me because I am pretty far behind on my quests even if my missions are relatively caught up (I still need to do the Battle for Jeuno which I heard has some pretty cool cutscenes after the BC). I really should do the quests because the story for them is just as strong as it is for the main storyline of the expansion. I am lazy, though, and I need a lot of merits (got two more last night, woot), add to that the constant events and the general malaise of summertime, the required runabout to get the quests done for crappy places like Windurst just is a bit too much for me right now. What about for you? Do you love the quest and mission formula for the Wing's storyline? Do you think it's too much or too little? Are you the kind of person that hates missions and just spams Enter through them all? Or are you loving every minute of it? Leave a comment and tell us what you think!