iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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im rob @bobacupcake.bsky.social · 12/07/2025

one of the last asks i got on cohost. i miss it every day

Ethan! @ethanwoopdedoo.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Final note: I recommend giving this a read, it’ll prime you for everything you need to know to get started (including installation!) www.bg-wiki.com/ffxi/New_Pla...

bg-wiki.com

New Player Leveling Guide - FFXI Wiki

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Ethan! @ethanwoopdedoo.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I think my biggest takeaway: you need to be open to struggling with it or you won’t have a good time. You are going to get cratered, a lot. If you aren’t down for that, I can’t recommend this game in good faith bc it’s definitely a struggle. But for me, there is something here so I will keep going

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Ethan! @ethanwoopdedoo.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

This is tied to a quest that you can find in your starting city. I recommend going into your quest log and marking Eminence stuff asap because one of them will guide you directly to this questline. You should also do this because these minor quests will give you tons of bonuses for leveling.

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Ethan! @ethanwoopdedoo.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

This game is Definitely Not A Single Player Game and you are expected to reach out if you need help. That being said, if you do intend to solo it, there is a trust system in place where you can summon NPCs to help out in dungeons and field stuff.

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Ethan! @ethanwoopdedoo.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I think the coolest part of this game is exploration though. You are free to walk wherever you want from the jump. Get jumped by a goblin that chases you across entire zone map. Talk to NPCs at outposts. YOU CAN WALK!! INTO!! DUNGEONS!! BY YOURSELF!!!! And none of it is linear!!!

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Ethan! @ethanwoopdedoo.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Leveling in this game does require consistent and lengthy grinding, not just for levels, but for individual skill stats as well. The more you cast cure, the more potent your healing becomes. Same with combat; the more you hit stuff, or cast spells, the more points you have in their respective stats.

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Ethan! @ethanwoopdedoo.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Combat is great. I really like how this game functions a lot. Im not smart enough or far enough in to explain the intricacies but it feels like FFXII in places with a dash of FFIII’s job system.

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Ethan! @ethanwoopdedoo.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Missions, which are this game’s version of MSQ, are exactly the same. There are no map markers for these. You’re expected to know where to go and who to talk to next. These are also not as linear or as hands on as XIV’s MSQ. Things just kind of happen to you in this game.

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Ethan! @ethanwoopdedoo.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

And also using the chat log to keep up with the precise details of what you’re meant to do… because even with all of that, it might not be clear at first.

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Ethan! @ethanwoopdedoo.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

In fact, if you’ve ever played Breath of the Wild and know how that game only marks the questgiver instead of quest objectives, this game is very much like that. The quest log does not update as you complete objectives. You are expected to remember quest details. I suggest having a notepad ready,

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Ethan! @ethanwoopdedoo.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

My wife and I started in the same city but got completely different cutscenes and were directed to two entirely different quests. This is insane by itself but the biggest thing is this cutscene does not *start* these quests. You are told who to talk to, but you have to remember the details yourself

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Ethan! @ethanwoopdedoo.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Chat functions similarly to FFXIV. Spacebar is used to open the chat box, not enter. There is customization to split the log window and adjust its width so I highly recommend adjusting it to your liking.

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Ethan! @ethanwoopdedoo.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Regardless of your control setup, the game makes no effort to tell you what buttons do what (presumably because it shipped with a manual it assumes you read.) Look up the default controls if you need to, and adjust in the setup utility beforehand. If you don’t, you will be totally lost.

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Ethan! @ethanwoopdedoo.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Keybinds for m+kb are a mess. Seemingly strewn haphazardly across the keys, they are a total afterthought. Cannot recommend using the keyboard to play.

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Ethan! @ethanwoopdedoo.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

For my controller scheme, I looked up a PDF of the PS2 manual and copied the default scheme the game shipped with. This mostly still works with a Dualsense, I’m pleased to say!!

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Ethan! @ethanwoopdedoo.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

So I’ve been somewhat prepared for the game’s notorious hurdles. Installation largely went off without a hitch, it’s convoluted and stupid but if you have a guide and understand that your PlayOnline account info is pre-assigned to you when you get your game code, it’s not too bad.

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Ethan! @ethanwoopdedoo.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

For reference: I’m about six hours into the game. I started in San D’oria (I’m Esthyr @ Fenrir!) and I am. Still very much in San D’oria! There’s a lot to do in these first areas!! I’ve spent the last few weeks (and maybe a month or two) doing some reading on what getting into the game entails

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Ethan! @ethanwoopdedoo.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

So over the weekend I did take a day to install and start playing through Final Fantasy XI and im happy to say that there is *just* enough interesting shit going on between the design and the systems and the narrative for me to want to put up with the *Everything Else.* Here are my thoughts:

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Ethan! @ethanwoopdedoo.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Ohhhhh this is goooood I’m looking so hard

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Crispy-Ghee✨️ @crispy-ghee.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

DO NOT SEEK THE TREASURE One of my favorite scenes from O Brother Where Art Thou. I figured I should try to draw all 3 of the Soggy bottom boys, why not. #art #comic

🍳 A messy comic of a scene from O Brother Where Art Thou. Delmar and Everett are in a movie theater looking behind them in their seats. Delmar is saying " We thought you was a Toad" to a confused looking Pete (surrounded by question marks).

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RainyNOISE @rainynoise.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

❤️‍🔥🪡9/26 Happy birthday Vivian! I can’t believe this is my fourth year in a row drawing for them today :> #art #oc #ocsky #rainynoiseocs

A sketch illustration of an original character, Vivian Delacroix. They are posed dramatically, holding a sword with a long swirling attached to it from their belt.

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⟡ KAO☂️🐙⟡ @kaooxwawa.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

getting into drawing again after a rough week o|< #ocsky #illustration #art #kaoracters #digitalart

(left to right) full body of Odd wearing a dress, a portrait of Odd smiling, and a side view of Ill also smiling.

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1z-KreL @1z-krel.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

A short and sweet gpose for #sunbakeryap

An image of Iris holding a chocolate with a content expression.

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Iria 🌌🪡 @stiricidiia.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Wobbly sheet of plastic noise

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Ethan! @ethanwoopdedoo.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Yep!! Was seeing this this morning. I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this!!

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Ethan! @ethanwoopdedoo.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I’m so fucking tired dude I really cannot do it again I failed a whole class on this there has to be something else we can do. Anything. I’m begging. I don’t have the time or patience.

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Ethan! @ethanwoopdedoo.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Recent events have people on this website pointing at html and css again and it’s really gonna be that I have to fucking learn html to have a webcomic isn’t it.

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Gryffoon @gryffoon.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Another elf portrait commission #art #elf #portrait #fantasyart

Portrait painting of an elf character with dark eyes and straight black hair. She is wearing a gray uniform

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Ethan! @ethanwoopdedoo.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I’ve been having a rough go of it lately and seeing my seeing all my friends’ little guys in this has been kind of healing… if u got this running and you made them share them below id love to see them.

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