Skill-ups

You know, I really don't understand folks who complain about skill-ups. It's actually a rather ingenious bit of game design. As you go adventuring you get stronger. Normally this is covered simply by leveling up, but with FFXI's skill system we also get to increase our magical and martial prowess by simply engaging with a challenging foe. It tuns that old saying on its head, what doesn't kill you in this game won't necessarily make you stronger. However, that vicious bunny rabbit over there you've spent the last two hours attempting to take down has really helped to beef up your evasion and parrying skills, even if it did kick your ass more times than you'd care to admit.

The way the system is set up is perfect. Your skills rise to match the caliber of the opponents you face. This means you can slowly raise your skills while still advancing in level without any trouble, while those of us who define our adventure by how many deaths we can rack up in one day get a consolation prize of raising our skills at a much faster pace as a reward for our daring and foolishness. But you know what the best part is? Once you've gone through and raised your skills, you don't have to go do it again. The veterans of the game get the added convenience of not having to worry about skilling up all over again when they pick up a new job to level from the beginning. It works out beautifully. The people who are still dazzled by the spectacle are rewarded for their adventurous spirit while the grizzled veterans can blitz through a bit quicker so they can return to the endgame where they want to be.

Tales of this weekend's exploits will be up later. Here are some pictures to tide you over until then.

Looks like we're in Kansas now Shantotto.

A pixie in Gustaberg? I thought they had all died out years ago.