Vond

Yes, using the Block command raises your shield. After a bit of time passes it drops and you need to spend a command turn re-activating it. From what I've seen (crappy shield and easy mobs), it does provide a fair bit of damage mitigation and feels alright as an active command--I just think that server lag currently prevents getting a good feel for how many other actions you can take in one Block duration. Edit: As for "sentinel," I think it's just the name they're using to track shield levels right now. Shield does level, it just doesn't give its own class the way your sword does. As of now I am only level 2 shield so I do not know whether further levels will give shield commands, or whether these commands are accessible or useful to the DoMs which can technically use shields.

I'm using a shield, but I only have rank 8 glad. However, equipping a shield places "Block" on my bar which gives me the ability to raise my shield arm for a temporary time. My typical 1-on-1 fight goes Block, Light Slash, Phalanx, Phalanx, then Block again when my arm drops. Phalanx produces extra monster hate and you can only use it after a block, so it's not an ability a non-shield-user would want. So, not a very high rank yet but there is already that difference.

I think I've settled firmly into the large camp of, "I like the feel of the game and am enjoying getting into it, but I think some basic design improvements are drastically needed." Mainly, as others have brought up, a way to manage action bars (and hopefully gear sets) for your different classes without having to concoct macros (and thus having to rework those macros every new job rank that gives you an ability). Right now it is a time-consuming annoyance. At higher levels, with more abilities (especially cross-class abilities that you would want to edit into multiple jobs) and more specialized gear sets, we could be talking three/four macros worth of frustration for every class you want to invest in. I would much rather spend that time exploring new abilities and gear, finding out how they work and how I can apply them to gameplay. The difficulty level is fine, and the involved setup system is fine... just give me a streamlined way to save those setups, please. This is coming from the perspective of someone who typically invests roughly 50/50 in RP/gameplay. I will say I spent a little time yesterday running around in a part of 3 with friends and that was fun. I think it seems promising, and I look forward to making a stronger party and being able to explore further. We've occasionally stumbled across some gave or island full of scary but interesting monsters we don't stand a chance against yet.

I have been having some crafting trouble myself! I am rank 5 alchemist and rank 4 carpenter, mainly through doing local leves. I have been able to succeed at most leves, and create some things with alchemy like Beeswax. I thought, "Maybe I'll start building a shield. Cutting maple planks seems like it should be an easy thing to do." But I fail it every time, even when paying to use facilities and using the same strategies as other crafting that I've succeeded with. Clearly this had been a big waste of wind shards. Do you suppose I'm doing something wrong, or do I need the "Woodlaying Training?" Cutting a plank seems like it would be the most basic thing for carpenters.

Not so much a bug, but I think this miqo'te has some identity issues to clear up.

Where would I extract this to? C:/Users//My Documents/My Games/FINAL FANTASY XIV Beta Version/downloads/ffxiv-beta/ You will see in this folder two others: /bca2a8ae and /d96437e6 Each of these has another inside called /patch One of your downloaded files goes in /bca2a8ae/patch and the other in /d96437e6/patch Look at the zip or rar file. They are located in their proper respective folders above, just take it from the .rar to your computer. IMPORTANT: Above patch is yesterday's. Today's (Sept. 6) is here: http://www.eorzeacorps.com

These are very nice, lovingly detailed. I am in the (very early) stages of trying to learn to paint (not just color) with Photoshop--I hope you don't mind me studying on these for inspiration. :love:

This guide saved me. I get the impression that the children are SUPPOSED to perform the action that they want from you, as in, play the animation, and you figure out what it is from that as opposed to the dialogue. Problem is, they don't actually do that. If they did, the quest would make much more sense.

Sept. 5 patch DL: http://hotfile.com/dl/67215292/9dc0b14/ ... h.rar.html