Final Fantasy XIFinal Fantasy News

Note: This guide is based on sub level 37 play.

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Unlocking Ninja - Unlocking Ninja is a fairly long process, lots of running back and forth between a warehouse, house, Norg, and Bastok. I won't go into too much detail on the flag quest as most if not all of it is described here:

http://ffxi.allakhazam.com/db/quests.html?realm=Bastok&fquest=100

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Ninjutsu - Say hello to my little friend. He will soon be your friend too. Ninjutsu is just like any other magic, you skill it up the same and you cannot cast it if you are silenced. The differences are they cost no MP whatsoever, and they use "tools" to cast their spells. If a Ninja doesn't have the proper tools, then he cannot cast his spell, even if he has it learned. Tools usually range from 4k-7k in price for a stack of 99, and one stack can last about an hour depending on how much you actually use it. The one thing I do not know (I'm sorry ><) is if using Ninjutsu will cause you to catch aggro from a MOB who aggros to magic.

Utsusemi: Ichi - Your best friend. You know, the one that comes over and eats all your food and runs up your electricity bill by using your washer and dryer. Utsusemi creates copy images of yourself (or "shadows" is what I’ll refer to them as). When an enemy attacks you, he will attack your shadow rather than you. Your shadows have the same Agil and Evasion rating, so with good evasion, you can manage to never get hit pre-37 (very difficult, dependant on mobs as well). Utsusemi uses Shihei, which ranges 5k - 5.5k per stack on my server. Utsusemi has a 30 second recast timer on it, so you have to get a feel on when to use it because you won't get it for 30 seconds after that. Also, keep in mind that you can be interupted when casting this, so having a back-up voke is a great idea if you’re "blink-tanking".

The Quest for Utsusemi: Ichi -

http://ffxi.allakhazam.com/db/quests.html?fquest=283
http://www.zebraflood.com/ninja/ninjutsu.html

You must have some fame gained in Norg to do this quest. I don't know the exact amount, but there is a reason that Zinc Ore and Yagudo Necklaces are still sold all the time. 4 Zinc Ore will return you 350 gil (done in Port Bastok, Talib F-6). 4 Yagudo Necklaces will return you 200 gil (done in Windurst Woods, Nanaa Mihgo J-3). You might see threads or posts about Rice Balls needing to be a certain price to do the quest. I was quoted 153 on the price of rice balls and I had enough fame to do the quest when the price for my rice balls was 161. I'd say about 40 quests today should bring you up to speed to get Utsusemi and Tonko.

Tonko: Ichi - This uses the Ninja tool Shinobi-tabi. Tonko makes you invisible. Shinobi-tabi will run you about 7k a stack (less if your lucky). Do this at the same time as Utsusemi, that way you have 2 spells out of the way right away.

The Quest for Tonko: Ichi -

http://ffxi.allakhazam.com/db/quests.html?fquest=246
http://www.zebraflood.com/ninja/ninjutsu.html

Elemental: Ichi - If possible, buy these in Norg and put them in your Moghouse (or inventory if you will have room that long). These are not necessary, but they are great for raising your Ninjutsu skill. Find the powder that costs the least on your server and just spam that every now and then and watch the skill points fly. Huton is nice for Clippers (as it lowers their Ice resistance, and Hyoton is great for Valkurm (as BLMs almost always only cast Fire while there).

Kurayami: Ichi - I would suggest getting this. In a perfect world, you'd have a mage that will Blind the target every fight, but sometimes that's just not available. This is great to have if you are trying to blink tank as it will miss you more often allowing you to keep your shadows out longer.

Hojo: Ichi - Get this as well. Slows the target. See above. When blink tanking, having an extra second between attacks is priceless.

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What is Blink Tanking? - When you use Utsusemi, you get 3 shadows that will absorb hits and disappear. When you are blink tanking, your main purpose is to not get hit, while holding the mobs attention. AoE attacks will still cause damage, and will also absorb ALL of your shadows (bomb toss, stonaga, diaga). Be smart with the MOBs you decide to blink tank, MNK type creatures are not good for blink tanking as they get 2 swings in at a time possibly absorbing 2 shadows per attack.

When should I cast Utsusemi? - Immediately after you kill a mob is always a good time to cast it. It's good to fall back on in case you catch that unwanted aggro before your next fight. Also, when you have it on already, you can start casting it after 2 shadows have been absorbed and not be interrupted while the 3rd one absorbs the attack that would normally interrupt your casting. If you are being attacked, you have to have perfect timing. Right as the MOB is attacking, you must cast off Utsusemi.

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Equipment - Use Katanas. Swords sound better at first, but save those until post 10 if you absolutely must use them. Having Katana WS is great for all PTs and will allow you to SC more often and be more creative (every PT now has a n00b with a sword anyway). Once you get to level 10 and obtain Dual Weld, then you can grab a sword for your "Sub" slot. You'll still get Katana WS as it's in your main slot. Once you have dual weld, make sure you wear the absolute best weapon you can in your "Sub" slot. Sword, Katana, even a Bulky Staff of Inconvenience… whatever is the best in respects to delay and attack. Just make sure you have skill in that particular skill so you aren’t' missing every time you swing.

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Your other best friend: Thiefs should be your best friend. Blink tanking is nice, but using Ninjutsu takes a long time and you miss out on some crucial hate keeping strikes. Provoke can only do so much. Having a THF SATA off of you level 30+ is the bomb. If you have a good THF, the MOB won't even know there are other PT members, nor will he care. He'll be too busy 'trying' to hit you.

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Leveling Strat:

Level 1-12 - Anywhere you can get exp is good. There is no awesome Mob to hit or not until you have Utsusemi.

Level 12-75 - If you are blink tanking, the monsters that attack the slowest are the best. MNK types are definitely out, and AoEs should be out as well. If you are not blink tanking, anything should work, just be prepared to take hate in case you see a bad WS being used (Final Sting, Screw Driver, Helldive). These skills are usually killers, it's nice to have your shadow absorb them and keep the mages MP high for longer chains.