Criticisms About Ballista

Although I haven't found these issues to be that big of an issue thus far, I'd rather address them now just to save my time in typing up explanations to people who might send me tells about Ballista sucking/being a waste of time. With my magical buttons, I will redirect them to this post, saving me the breath, uh finger stamina. 

<Jerkface> Only noobs and gimps play ballista because they're not good enough for end game and ballista's easy since you only kill each other and throw rocks into fat floating castles. 

<Ayerro> No Mr. Jerkface, although the majority of people enjoy the other aspects of FFXI such as endgame, Abyssea, etc., some of us also enjoy ballista. Players who participate in ballista actually vary in skill as well, just like in the other parts of the game. Very basic understanding of ballista involves very basic ideas that players simply hit each other, dig for rocks with their sad shovels, and throw them into floating castles. A skilled player will be able to adapt to their teammates and analyze the opposing team's behaviors, just like you would in a player vs. mob situation. It takes a lot of practice, due to the many different jobs and their combinations, as well as individual play-styles that well, exist. 

<TooGoodForAnyone> 60 caps are for pansies, why not play uncapped? You're too gimp to play uncapped, so you have to play 60.

<Ayerro> If you'd like to play in an uncapped match, we have people within the linkshell that would like to as well. Personally, I don't enjoy uncapped matches because I haven't gotten the time to invest in gear for my main to make it emit high levels of bad-assery. I do other things that I enjoy on FFXI, ballista included, as well as taking care of my real life obligations, so I've been neglecting the opportunities to become "better geared." Although skill is necessary in any match, I find uncapped matches too heavily gear-reliant. Generally, someone who doesn't have a lot of time to spend on FFXI and only gets average gear will have a lot more trouble versing someone who invests a lot of time in their main in an uncapped match. The good thing about 60 caps is that jobs are very versatile and you don't have to play a job that is geared perfectly. Keep in mind that not all of us want to play a job in ballista that we might've geared for other purposes - but if you really think that, you're clearly not aware of how meticulous 60 caps can be.