You probably know by now that here at HS/SS as a Community Site, we don’t really post about the various news and topic-items that are on the Playonline website, simply because every other site and their mom has it up. Chances are you see it at FFXIclopedia, Limit Break Radio or Pet Food Alpha anyway!

But check out this part about the Online Community Relations team! It’s got something to do with the player events we discussed on the Podcast Tour episode early last month with Matt Hilton and Opal Flame.

[ OCR ]
Lastly, we would like to explain a little about the OCR (Online Community Relations) team.

The OCR team is tasked with handling everyday e-mails from users.

The most numerous topics in inquiries are regarding the Community Sites page and different FINAL FANTASY XI contests that the OCR team manages.

Recently, we have received a lot of e-mails from players who would like help in events they are organizing, such as weddings.

The OCR team is currently already involved in helping different group events through actions such as the placement of special objects and so on.

There have also been requests from users who have participated in events we have assisted in or read about them on websites or in the game, expressing interest in receiving the same kind of assistance.

The OCR team is currently involved in the advancement of a project called “Player Event Support” to help players hold events that will create long-lasting memories.

There are many other new services planned, based on inquiries, opinions, and requests from FINAL FANTASY XI users. And not just within the game! We are also involved in the planning of contests and events with fan sites, and much more!

If you have any ideas or concerns about community site management, future events, or even just something that’s popped up in everyday gameplay, feel free to send an e-mail to the team!
We use your suggestions as the driving force to create an active community that everyone can enjoy without worry.

They’re pretty serious about this! I really do feel that we, the players have more to add to the game that we think. The game has a lot to offer, but it’s up to us how we make them enjoyable! Think of the possibilities; Moblin Maze Mongers tournaments where teams of 6 competing for the best time in the same maze. Or chocobo races starting from Bastok, with bird-stops in Jeuno with the goal set in at the Sanctuary of Zi’tah/Ro’Maeve zoneline?

These are examples from events we’ve done in Hyozan, but they could potentially be fun server-based events!

TamTu: O_O
TamTu: ONLINE?!
TamTu: jhfsklga,fdhgas
Sooraya: HOLY SH*T
TamTu: AUS:HFSLDHGF;sdjhgv
Sooraya: Gawkdfskfs
Sooraya: dfkdlf;lpasdf
TamTu: USHFDSKhflhfskldhg;ask.ldhgas;oew
Sooraya: OMG
Sooraya: sadklfjsdf
Sooraya: omgomgomgomg
TamTu: sdjhbflhgs,k\ksd
TamTu: CALL [RETSUJO]
TamTu: [S]HE’D BETTER BE WATCHING
Sooraya:omgomgomgomgomg.
Sooraya:I don’t want to call [her]. >D;;;
Sooraya: sdkjfsdlkfsd fs OMG
Sooraya:I knew that was a Galka
TamTu: ………the eye-toy dudes are so underwhelming

What’s this going to mean for HS/SS? Well. The game won’t be out until 2010, and Sooraya and I still have a lot of stuff we want to do in FFXI. No worries about HS/SS quitting or switching to Eorzea there

I also apologize for the delayed release of episode 12. It’s been hectic, but I finally got my K-1 Visa~ and Sooraya’s visit next week has been keeping me busy and prepped, too.

As mentioned in the last episode, “Bastok Brawlin’!”, the winner will receive a regular t-shirt of their choice, AND a t-shirt with their winning submission!

On an unrelated note: the number of visit has doubled since the SE Podcast Tour show! We’d like to thank and welcome all new listeners to the show and we hope you not only enjoy it, but also find the time to send us some letters occasionally!

But let’s face it; it’s not a gag when it’s making Sooraya lose interest in the game I don’t want to have to change the domain to asktamandnaj.com. (Although I wouldn’t mind Najelith hosting the show with me sometime >.>!)

I’ve used Ninja as a subjob on several instances; Very mininal as Warrior solo (Blue Mage and Dancer were so much better) and in Promyvions (dual tanking the bosses), Black Mage solo and party (2x Yew Wand +1 is uber for my INT!) and White Mage during skill-up parties.

Let’s start with White Mage. I’ve talked to Sooraya about Whinja so many times in the past and I know it’s a very viable option for DD… provided I have the right gear for it. I’m not at the level where I can equip the pirate cudgels, so really, I’ll gladly sacrifice the extra hit for overall efficiency from other jobs.

I was in a skillup party last night, and was *barely* getting skill-ups. Things did change when I swapped in a Spike Necklace and Attack+ earring. Things went faster when I re-equipped my Strike Shield in my off-hand slot for an additional amount of Attack. I understand that in order to skill-up, you need to be able to do damage. I was hitting the target monsters just fine. Between whiffs, I did alright damage, but apparently not enough to get skillups? I’ll test it one more time with dual-wield and just have the spike necklace/earring equipped, then compare it to without those, then with and without my attack shield. (I want a Viking Shield, btw ; . Again, I was subbing Ninja purely under the impression that I might improve a skill-up rate. We had tanks so I wouldn’t need shadows. But as it is, /NIN at my current level didn’t do anything for me at all. Not impressed. I’ll probably sub Warrior next time. I’ll have access to Beserk, and Warcry at level 70. So as much as I was all for Whinja in my early days, I have better options for now. I’ll try again if people are kind enough to help me farm the pirate cudgels, or when I get a set of Darksteel Mauls. (I should actually invest in one for when I hit 65).

Warrior didn’t benefit much from subbing ninja so far. The only events I’ve taken my Warrior into are Promyvions, where I was either duo-tanking the boss, or just support DDing with a Great Axe. I always did carry two axes with me, but I wasn’t too fond of it either. Perhaps Centurion Swords might have been a better option at the time, but subbing ninja didn’t do much for my damage at all. When I put together a jungle party for a new linkshell member two nights ago, I thought I’d give /NIN a shot, seeing as she had just hit 24. I’ve heard on multiple acounts that the Jungle is a hell for Ninjas. Party members actually advised against it, but I had no other “viable” subjob for that low a level, besides Blue Mage. Being the puller, I ended up opting for Blue Mage for Metallic Body and Cocoon, and as one of the two WAR tanks, I figured I could generate enmity with Pollen as well (and we were synced down to 24 anyway). However; Dancer in small-parties above 30 was a much better option in terms of survivability compared to /NIN. Sorry guys.

Black Mage actually did benefit from subbing Ninja. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to increase my INT to a total of +29 on top of what my stats were. This increased the numbers of my nukes, to where I could actually see a difference between subbing White Mage for maybe a few points in INT, over the extra Yew Wand for extra 4. Ninja also gives a better native INT boost than WHM does. Keep in mind that I only subbed Ninja in parties when there were enough healers. Otherwise, I would’ve been one of the back-up healers. It worked wonders in solo situations too.

(For the record: Yew Wand+1 x2 = 8, Seer’s Slacks + Seer’s Crown+1 = 4, Custom M Boots = 3, Black Silk Neckerchief = 3, Eremite’s Ring x2 = 4, Cunning Earring x2 = 2, Shaman’s Belt = 1, Black Cape+1 = 3 and Mycophile Cuffs = 1)

I have not subbed Ninja on my other jobs other than Thief and Ranger, mainly for dual wielding (Ranged) Accuracy daggers, get a better damage over time on THF and absorbing various Stone spells and enfeebles by worms on RNG.

This is not to discredit Ninja in its entirety, because it does have its merits in certain situations or certain monsters. I don’t share Sooraya’s opinion on Ninja, but I do have to say that for the most part, it has not warranted any positives on my end. Endgamers and solists will prove otherwise and that’s fine. But as it is, I acknowledge the job, but not where I currently am. I don’t feel it’s a cop-out either, because the ability to negate damage through shadows *does* exist, so why ignore it? I just haven’t met any instances where Sooraya really needed shadows either to the point I was unable or overwhelmed to support her (and the party).

With the recent WHM updates, I am now able to support her even better against magic spells or damage. For DDs subbing ninja that don’t know: Afflatus Solace grants WHM cures an extra Stoneskin effect that’s dependant on how much they cure you for. It’s an extra damage buffer. Esuna will remove debuffs, multiple ones if Afflatus Misery is active. And then there are always the individual debuff-heals. White Mages that are really on the ball with things can take care of non-NINsub DDs. So while I did mention before on the show that subbing ninja would make my job easier, it just means I can’t afford to be lazy. It’ll keep me focused on what’s going on, learn to assess the situation and how to act, and determine if I’m a good healer or not.

And even if I’m not in the game at the moment, Sooraya can take care of herself anyway. I’ve explored Ninja on Warrior and learned that there really aren’t that many merits in subbing it just yet. Who knows, maybe further down the line, I’ll have Warrior up and ready for high-tier events and I’ll experience Ninja sub in a different way. I’ve met people on both sides of the fences and respect their views on it. I’m not necessarily siding with my baby Sooraya here, but now that I understand her position better, people should stop giving her so much flack about it, especially since it doesn’t warrant anything incredibly advantageous right now, anyway. Or joke about it. It’s getting old :3 And if she gets tired of the jokes and preaching to the point she doesn’t want to log in, the game is going to become less fun for me, and there will be less He Says, She Says.

And we don’t want that now, do we?
Discuss this in the forums

The e-mail address is:

Have you looked into Pet Food Alpha and Limit Break Radio’s topics yet? Check it out! We’re all very excited to get this show on the road!

We’re working hard on the next episode (really) and still eagerly awaiting your entries for our art contest. But we have something very exciting to announce! Our upcoming .5 episode is scheduled to feature two very special guests to cover the topic of the upcoming and all current in-game seasonal events.

Having covered several of the seasonal events in FFXI like the Starlight Celebration and Valetione’s Day, HS/SS will be having a round-the-table discussion about the various in-game events! And this is where you, the listener, come in.

I want you to start brainstorming about new in-game events, feedback on existing events or in true HS/SS fashion, your personal stories relating to any event. It doesn’t have to be in-character this time, so if that was holding you back from sending us emails before, this is your chance!

Feel free to start e-mailing us now, but the more elaborate and carefully constructed your idea and feedback is, the bigger chance you may have! There will be some incentive for this, I promise! More on this on April 20th.

You can send the e-mails to our special show email:

Thank you for support as always!

Speaking of the forums, I’ve assigned our good friend and loyal writer Silent Lucidity to help Sooraya and myself moderate the forums and bring down the derailing to a minimum. Granted, I participated in far too many tangents myself, but it’s been fun enough. You CAN make new topics, you know

We’re hopefully going to release a new episode this weekend, the last one spent in Windurst before Tamtu and Sooraya travel on to….. Bastok.

…………../ma “Deodorize”

This one’s a sweet poem that Scuro (WHAT?..SWEET?) wrote for someone dear to him. (again…WHAT?)

[ratings]

Just giving you a heads up that tomorrow is the last day to send in e-mails for the Valentione’s Special! We have a few long emails, but if you wish to send out that quick shoutout or poem or even proposals, special@asktamandsoo.com is the address! Keep them coming!

We're a community site!

As mentioned in the most recent episode, HS/SS has been accepted as a Community Site by PlayOnline! But while I do have access to the latest POL News, I choose not to post it because the information is covered on Petfoodalpha and Limit Break Radio and having it on our updates may seem a bit redundant. Although I supposed I could blog about the updates and link to the source on LBR or PFA? We shall see.

For now, I’m glad we’re acknowledged like that And with that said; one of the first things I made sure would work was the Itunes feed for He Says, She Says. So if you’re an Itunes user, you can also subscribe to the podcast there! Just look for He Says, She Says and you should find it soon enough. I’ll post a button link when I get around to do so. In the meantime, leave some reviews!

Thanks for your ongoing support!

EDIT: Also, I’ve moved the frontpage from /site to the actual domain. I’m still refreshing the Itunes feed for this, but if you’ve subscribed to the old feed, please re-subscribe by clicking on the RSS button on the top right for the new URL. Sorry for any inconvenience!

Easy enough: Don’t cheat.

Elaborating on that some more, though… Sooraya and I have no direct relation or friendships with players who have Salvage gear or relics or any other endgame rewards (Apart from Dynamis stuff). For me and Soo, this is a perfect example of not being able to care enough because it hasn’t hit that close to home. We understand and acknowledge the bitterness, disappointment as well as the heartbreak of the many broken linkshells in the game, but you must realize that SE had been going through a year worth of logs after they patched it and really must’ve done their homework.

That doesn’t take away that I personally feel that it couldn’t hurt at all for SE to be more elaborate on their banning-process, just to clarify the bannings. I hear stories from all over the community where they say that they’ve seen people still in-game of which they know have taken advantage of the exploit. That SE hasn’t given everyone a “fair” treatment.

Soo and I actually had a discussion about this. Would people respond the same way if the banned people were faceless RMT? We don’t think so at all. They would probably be the first people to cry out that SE should ban them immediately. But for a lot of players, this has hit really close to home and no matter how objective they claim to be, they all let their hearts speak.

While I do understand yourself or your friends being upset over losing your character after pouring your time and effort, your heart and soul into it, shouldn’t you be more disappointed with yourself for knowingly doing something wrong? You’re coming off easy here with no immediate real-life impact, seeing as it’s just a game. Granted, a game with probably the best online community I’ve ever been in before, but the psychological rewards, the bonds you have with the real people beyond the avatar, those should weigh a lot heavier than your personal gain.

As a linkshell leader, I cannot imagine wanting to do anything that could potentially be the end of your circle of friends. FFXI is a group game. You do things together. Everyone has their own goals, I know. I do too. But that’s no reason to risk another player’s experience from something they enjoy. I think I feel the worst for the players who got punished, who had no idea what the alliance/party leaders were upto. In the case of a permaban, they absolutely did not deserve it. But those who chose to take advantage of such a bug should know better. I’d imagine that after spending so much time in the game and accomplishing so much, you really WOULD know better than to risk that.

Soo and I are all about community. This show proves it. We love FFXI because of the friends we’ve made, the things we can do with them. Even supposedly insignificant events like Garrison end up being a lot of fun for a lot of our LS members, especially the ones who recently joined and said that they had never done anything like this at all. It almost makes me hesitant to do endgame events at all, which makes me sad because I really want to try everything in this game.

Bottomline: This huge drama actually stems from the fact we’re a community and we’re being torn apart at some levels. We understand that. Square-Enix did the right thing in my opinion, but it definitely wouldn’t hurt to have more elaboration. I’m sure after this PR nightmare (only because you made it so, though), things will be cleared up. But remember: FFXI is an adventure, and we’re in it together. Don’t ruin it for others for your personal, selfish gains.

With that said, I found this to be a kinda funny jab at the whole thing.

Discuss at the forums..

WHM 59 + Trainee’s Axe + /WAR = SturmWIN.

-Get White Mage to 75.
-Do more events with Hyozan (TheHyozanLegacy is just a formal name, because the original LS leader Kiken retired.)
-Get married in game.
-Keep HS/SS going strong.
-Pick a craft and stick with it.
-Get MNK to 30 for PUP (Maybe DNC too)
-Get WAR to 37 during off time. I know I want PLD only up to 60, but I might as well take it to 66 or 70 to attempt its Maat fight later?
-BLM, SMN and SCH to 37

I have work to do! /psych

Just giving you a heads up that we will stop accepting emails for the Starlight Special on Tuesday 23 Dec. at 3pm EST/ 12pm PST! The responses so far have been great so we want more! If you thought the episode 6 mailbag was hefty, do not worry! It’s the Starlight Celebration! It has to be huge!

Don’t let us down. Sooraya will be sad otherwise.

You don’t want Sooraya to be sad now, do you? You may end up on the couch, like me.

And surprisingly…I’m not the one on the couch.

Check out “Level Up!” at http://lvlup.tsunami-art.com!

So while episode 5 will be released accordingly to our bi-weekly schedule, episode 6’s date falls on the Fanfest weekend! Chances are that we’ll be skipping that show and moving it a weekend. Maybe we’ll do some on-site reporting, but I’m not making any promises.

Thanks for your support!

And for the record: There are no hard feelings whatsoever regarding the Brenner matches. Sooraya and I had a lot of fun testing out eachother (although her delay IS pretty awful). Although all the comments on Najelith WILL keep me on the couch. By force AND by choice. Hah.

Thanks for your patience, and keep sending those emails! Your support is amazing!

She went in with the quote “Let’s make cancer feel foolish!” (Bonus mention to the first person to tell us what that quote is from), and so we headed over to Qufim Island to fight worms.

Two words: Screw. You.

I’m talking to the party that was snagging up all the land worms when they were capable enough to fight Snippers. They could’ve at least SHARED the land worms. Screw you. Screw you sideways. With a Land Worm. They ran away when the Banshees started spawning, giving us a few worms to fight against, but as soon as they depopped, bam. They were back.

We were there first! {/sigh} Beastmasters all over Vana’diel, I feel your pain.

After we moved camps to Korroloka Tunnel, we were joined by our good friend Sigmund. He came as a Black Mage, so we were able to kill leeches fast and furious. When they grew weaker, we moved onto Rolanberry Fields, where we were actually curious if we could take on monsters in the past.

Baaaaaaaaaad idea. One simple Death Wasp was too much to handle and after we managed to sleep it, Retsujo teleported us back to the present.

After Sigmund was raised first. So back to Rolanberry fields for the Quadav hunt which was fun while it lasted. We travelled to Yuhtunga Jungle to clear out Goblins. We did this for a good few hours until all of us reached level 30. We thanked Sigmund for his company and he logged out. We happily traded the jungles for the comfort of our homes and filled out the remaining hours of the marathon with some socializing with LS friends and people from the various FFXI podcast communities, dying in Garlaige Citadel and getting Sooraya’s Coffer Key for the Old Gauntlets for the quest of her Fighter’s Mufflers.

I also won a thong, but that’s a story for another time.

Thanks again! Please be sure to visit our forums, as well as our LBR Network friends at www.limitbreakradio.com!