CatsExeXI/Content Progression Guide

CatseyeXI Content Guide

There is a lot of custom content on Catseye. While this may be overwhelming to fully gasp at first. It is not with a little explanation.

This guide will break down content for the different game modes on the server. However, content that is exclusive to Crystal Warrior. Will have to be found either on the wiki or in the guide for that mode.

For any player unacquainted with FFXI. This page will not explain the extensive details of the game itself. Which you may need in order to fully understand. Nonetheless, this should still aid you.

Let's break down the custom content on the server. Refer to the table below:

1-75

This is largely the same leveling, questing, mission doing experience you would expect. Though certain additional systems have developed over time to compliment it. There is also the typical server proclivities such as where people level or what jobs or strategies are more popular.
There are many paths one can take at this stage, and they are all yours to take with no right or wrong way. If you want to exclusively level jobs then go for it. Feel like crafting instead? Synth your heart out. Want to rush to endgame and focus on one or two jobs? Then go for it. Fishing? Well, you are in luck. So on and so forth.

Events such as BCNMs, Artifact Armor, Missions, and so on work as you would expect overall. At least for a private server.
Which is not say there are not basic changes one might not expect. Such as many foes in dungeons having a 5 minute respawn timer rather than 16 instead of only Grounds of Valor targets creating a patchwork of spawn times. This partly being so that players need not spend countless hours camping lottery spawn NMs. As defeating less than four PHs an hour in a dungeon generally isn't anyone's cup of tea. Otherwise it provides new EXP camp or farming opportunities.

That being said, there are some more custom systems unique to the server you can leverage even before endgame.

Garrison

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Garrison is customized, and more or less what you would expect from the event itself, but with better balance and additional rewards. It starts at level cap 20 with the same level ranges and locations as retail.
There main differences for the server are that it grants a nice chunk of EXP, drops some additional basic equipment, and points that may be exchanged for crystal clusters and minor synthesis skill up rate food.
Endgame players are even incentivized to level sync down and participate by the fact they can also exchange Garrison points for H-p Bayld. Which is used to create some unique endgame weapons.

Novice Trials

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Novice Trials allow players to augment specific equipment. From levels 10 and all the way to 75 equipment. All you need do is obtain the item in question by your own means. Then defeat certain foes, the difficulty of which depending on the item.

Mythic Weapon Skills

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Nyzul Isle Investigation functions imperfectly on the server. While it has vastly improved over time, new bugs sometimes crop up. For now, a custom system to obtain Mythic WSs is in place.

See: CatsEyeXI_Systems#Mythic_Weapon_Skill

BCNM

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Not all of these function properly, you can refer to the list here: CatsEyeXI_Systems#Working_BCNMs

Milestone Campaign

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Is an ACE account exclusive reward program for new players, featuring a chunk of a relic or mythic weapon, an Octave Club, or a Defending Ring.
Whenever you reach level 75 and Rank 10 in your nation missions then you are eligible for one of these rewards. Simply examine the Spatial Anomaly in Castle Zvahl Baileys at the entrance next to the Goblin after meeting the criteria.

• Review the rewards and specifics for this here: CatsEyeXI_Systems#Milestone_Rewards

Don't mull it over too long, and just pick whatever you feel like. If you can't decide then just take a Defending Ring.

Crafting Rewards

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ACE accounts uniquely receive rewards for hitting 100 in a craft.

• Level 100, free relic weapon voucher.
• Level 100, Kupo Shield (all crafts+3)

See: CatsEyeXI_Systems#Crafting_Rewards

Fishing

The Inside the Belly quest works, but we also have a custom fishing reward system that cuts down on the 100 hours a player would have to sit at the Knight's Well just to earn a Lu Shang's Fishing Rod.
Which works out because the special fishing rings and associated quests for them do not work. So the only way to obtain special fish for gutting endgame items is with an Ebisu Fishing Rod.

Endgame Tier 1

There are minor differences on the server with events like Sky. Where the lesser NMs for the god pop items have a reduced respawn of 1-2 hours instead of 3-5.
Such changes will be noted, but their sections on our section the wiki are the better reference.

Newer players looking to climb the endgame ladder will get the most bang for their buck by focusing on Domain Invasion, Sky/Abjuration Augments, and Limbus/AF+1 augments.
The three of these vary in difficulty and reward, but are the most reward dense.

Sky

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• Lesser NM respawn time/window reduced to 1-2 hours.
• Lesser NMs additionally have some unique material drops.
  • Originally just for crafting skillups. These items have out-of-era synthesis items have been integrated into other custom systems, Oboro Weapons and GEO/RUN relic armor +1.
• Gods drop two of their seals.
  • Used in the Sky augment system.

While there are variables involved, including trusts, jobs, or preparation. Between 2-6+ players can take on everything in Sky. Your mileage may vary with Kirin.

Sky Augments

Players trade the corresponding sky seals or abjurations to the Synergy Engineer in Port Jeuno to receive scraps or tatters. These are then traded with the corresponding equipment to the Synergy Furnace next to the engineer. Each trade erases the last result and rolls a new one.

These augmented items have the potential to be some of the best items, but aren't universal and it will take a lot of trades.

If you intend to upgrade from an NQ abjuration you will have to start open. So how deep you go on the furnace lottery and when is up to you.

Limbus

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Limbus is the only event where no trusts to be called from any player type. Otherwise, the event is as you would expect. Limbus isn't particularly difficulty to do, especially if you go in with a little preparation and teamwork.
Which is really helpful because this is where you get AF+1 equipment and Ancient Beastcoins. Most new players tend to ignore Limbus because of the requirement to essentially get near the finish for Chains of Promathia Missions. Many rewards are tied into this though.

AF+1 Augments

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Once you obtain your AF+1 it may then be augmented with the custom NPC Vision in Port Jeuno at (I-8) next to Sagheera. You need only farm more organs in Sea than even the dark web could process. Each attempt overwrites the existing augment of the last, but once you have the base armor it becomes a casual affair.

Custom ABC Exchange

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Don't ask where the name came from, but the retail NPC Cumetouflaix has a custom Ancient Beastcoin exchange function. They share its inventory with Sagheera, and allow players to obtain the other storyline reward items they previously were forced to select only one. Such as the other CoP rings or Divine Might earrings.

Dynamis

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Dynamis is based on the retail version. Which means any number of players may enter the zone and that mobs are not spawned by statues, but freely roam the zone. Players still need the same old win requirements to access the later zones though.

Overall, while some pieces are very useful. Normal quality Relic armor is overall less useful on the server than on a classic-minded "era" server. This is not the case for Dynamis 2.0 though, later on in endgame.

Goblin Quests

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Goblin Dailies are available to all character types and change after each Japanese midnight. There are 5 different quest types: finding a chest in the world, defeating monsters in the world, signing a crafted item, defeating an NM, and obtaining a random item in the world.

Domain Invasion

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Domain Invasion is a constantly running event of which any player can plop into and go to town on some NMs. It is of variable difficulty as it is a collective effort from all players there. Temporary items similar to what one would find in Besieged (not on the server) are available to purchase with a fraction of the unique currency rewarded by the defeat of the NM, Eschan Beads.

Unique to the event, players may call trusts over and over after gaining enmity, and Crystal Warriors may call five trusts.

Domain Invasion ties into Goblin Daily Quests as well. With players gaining 10% more beads for each quest completed. Player's trusts in Domain Invasion also gain 10% more HP/MP for each quest completed. With Trusts also gaining Refresh +1 for each quest after the third completed for +3 max.

Domain Invasion is incredibly enticing content due to the rewards from Nolan in Norg at (I-7), the unique endgame weapons players must lot against others to win, the materials to create uniquely powerful Oboro Weapons, and Aeonic Weapon Skills. Which are simply the name for the Merit Weaponskills, but as they can't be merited they are called Aeonic WSs.

Suffice to say, Domain Invasion is a semi-casual event with tremendous staying power to occupy your weekends.

Aeonic Weapon Skills

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While there are no Aeonic Weapons on the server, the weapon skills associated with them are some of the most powerful on the server. So powerful in fact that the devs have made it clear over time that they will be adjusted in the future.

Aeonic Weapon Skills take quite a bit of work overall.

Endgame Tier 2

Most overlap between the three outlined endgame tiers is between 1 and 2. It really depends on the person and their job, knowledge, their party setup, and so on with how manageable content it. Some players blow stuff up where other players may struggle or fail. Access to trusts and equipment as an ACE will mean they have more leeway into tier 2 sooner than they otherwise would.

HNMs

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HNMs on the server have reduced respawn windows and often have extra drops. Windows for NMs like King Behemoth are 30 minutes windows instead of 3 hours long and their respawn is 21-21.5 hours. ToAU HNMs have 1 hour windows.

Sea

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Our Sea NMs have custom changes, noted on the wiki. Additionally, they have some extra drops. Some ENM materials such as File:Galateia icon.png Galateia or File:Toreador's Ring icon.png Toreador's RingFile:Toreador's Ring description.png and of course the expected torques and capes.

Outside of this, players will farm Sea to fight Jailer of Love, noted in Tier 3.

Sky 2.0

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Sky 2.0 takes place in Escha - Ru'Aun, and faces players against a more challenging and reimagined set of Sky gods. Players must have first defeated Dynamis Lord in Dynamis - Xarcabard before entering. The foes inside contain much of the Salvage armor base item drops or otherwise unavailable drops. The NMs are sometimes also the weekly objective for the Hunter NPC.

ZNMs

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ZNMs have been customized on the server in order to provide a greater challenge. These mainly serve as a requirement towards making a mythic weapon on the server, but Pandemonium Warden will come in the future.
The equipment from these NMs isn't bad, but is often outshined by other options.

Obtaining Zeni itself to spawn the NMs is boosted on the server compared to the classic era. Rather than something like 60 Zeni, you will more likely see something closer to around 600 Zeni.

Endgame Tier 3

This is the final imaginary tier of endgame on the server. It is reserved for some of the most overall difficult. While players obtain much of their equipment from the prior tiers. This content is also attractive and rewarding, but demands more character progression and cooperation.

Bahamut

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Bahamut has been enhanced on the server to prevent a File:Kraken Club icon.png Kraken Club gang from rapidly turning it into a fine red mist via a damage shield when any Wyrm is alive. Additionally, the Wyrms drop valuable crafting materials, and Bahamut's final drops have been enhanced.

One aspects players find the most challenging is the charm usage by Vrtra followed by draw-in on the alliance tank. If players position themselves well ahead of time they can avoid draw-in by being on top of the spawn point. Vrtra then can be rapidly converted to Silly Putty by a group of powerful damage dealers. Otherwise, Ouryu's Bai Wing is very deadly to the uninitiated.

Additionally, the prerequisite fight of Ouryu Cometh also has a deadly Bai Wing. Ouryu Cometh may potentially drop the File:Crier's Gaiters icon.png Crier's Gaiters.

Dynamis 2.0

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Dynamis 2.0 is better understood as a second tier of Dynamis within Dynamis. The foes you farm for your base relic armor and original zone wins also drop pop items for futher Notorious Monsters. These NMs drop a powerful piece of equipment, File:Fiendish Tome (1) icon.png another pop item for the zone mega boss, currency, File:Forgotten Hope icon.png forgotten items, and rank points.
The later items listed are used to augment relic armor and accessories in a progressive system. Rather than random augments that clear the last, these augments are the same for everyone and gradually require more to upgrade to greater strength.

The NMs found in cities are generally something you can fight with 2-6 players, depending on a variety of the usual factors when it comes to this game. While their unique equipment drop is relatively as powerful as any other Dyna 2.0 NM, city NMs reward less rank points and currency. The idea being that players may make progress without needing a full group while harder foes grant more rewards.
Overall, the difficulty from lowest to highest is relatively cities → glacier/dreamlands → Tavnazia → Xarcabard.

The later zones there are not currently released, but the cities and glacier are. The other half of Dynamis 2.0 is scheduled to be released by the end of the year. Currently, only relic accessories are able to be augmented.

Jailer of Love

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Jailer of Love has been customized on the server with enhanced difficulty. The fight itself can take players the better part of an hour to accomplish, and there is a rage timer of 80 minutes. However, the potential drops constitute some of the most powerful custom weapons on the server. Refer to the page for further information on the fight and drops.

Absolute Virtue is currently not available. Refer to the Sea section above for where to obtain its drops.

Progression Paths

Given the nature of the three modes the paths of progression will look a bit different.

ACE Characters

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Accelerated Cats Eye accounts naturally have the least resistance in front of them. With the ability to earn passive gil from Sparks and party with a full deck of trusts. They can accomplish certain milestones or put off doing certain activities till later. The overall ease of leveling a job means you can spend more time focusing on shaping and using it rather than stopping to smell the flowers.

It would be prudent to first increase and eventually maximize your Trust capacity, and save up 350k to purchase Koru-Moru from the Curio Moogle. Joachim and Koru both provide a means of keeping the MP of your healer up, and this adds up rather quickly. In order to cap your Trust capacity you need to complete Rhapsodies of Vana'diel missions. You may earn your first extra trust very early–around level 15– and without much difficulty. While the last trust requires level 75 as well as progress in Nation missions, Zilart missions, CoP missions, and ToAU missions. The exact points are specified on the CEXI RoV page.

While there are other good trusts you can pick up such as Kupofried, Cornelia, Elivara, Ark Angel EV, Gessho, etc. The default ones from your introductory RoE, Halver after Mission 2-3, and Kuro-Moru will get you through in spades as a newly printed ACE. Honorable mention as well to Myakov from Helga Domain Invasion (DI) as I believe him to be particularly useful for a newer ACE character over Joachim.

Eventually, you will want a craft level 100 in order to obtain your free Relic Weapon. When, is up to you, but your other equipment, merits, an aeonic weapon skill from DI, etc are all more important. There are solid custom crafting weapons and other powerful weapons that blunt the need to stop and craft, honestly.

Thus, the next thing to do is to start picking out the low hanging fruit for your jobs of choice. This means Domain Invasion and [[Sky.

For instance, a Red Mage or Black Mage with an Iridal Staff, Auction House equipment, Chocolate Crepe, and the aforementioned trusts can take out Genbu, Suzaku, Seiryu solo with trusts. With enough enfeebles and/or a partner Byakko should be fine too. These are going to be your best springboard to powerful endgame equipment.
This means that you can go through the quicker Rise of Zilart missions to Sky access instead of the more time consuming CoP missions. You are after Abjuration Augments here. Use your Login Points on the tatters, and trade the unwanted Abjurations to the Synergy Engineer in Port Jeuno for more or to try and make some gil. Reference the bazaar section on the website for an idea of what they are going for.

Otherwise, Domain Invasion is everyone's meal ticket. Not only will the items from it establish an entire baseline of endgame options, but this is where Aeonic Weapon Skills are farmed. Having these weapon skills catapults the DPS of players from "chump" to "champ", and essentially opens Tier 2 content wide open.
Aeonics are time consuming to farm. Especially when you are looking at the other sweet items to spend your points on. So you should really pick a path here as to what jobs you like or want to play. For instance, Thief does well with Mandalic Stab instead of immediately blowing your points on Exenterator. You will be obtaining merit points during all your travels so unlocking a Mythic Weapon Skill on the server is viable. Breaking up the things you do instead of spamming one event is also a healthy endeavor.

At this stage doubling back around to pick up useful pieces in Dynamis as well as working on Novice Trials and Adept Reforging are solid choices. As would be getting around to finishing your CoP missions and joining/starting a Divine Might run. Finishing CoP will also unlock access to Oboro Weapon creation. Which will allow you to better tune your character for tier 3 endgame without the same level of commitment as a Relic or Mythic weapon.

With your baseline established in some fashion, Limbus is now wide open to you. You can't use Trusts inside Limbus so it may make more sense to progress outside of it first as an ACE character and then circle back. On the other hand, teaming up here if you decide to complete CoP right away is the easiest way to progress. Once you have the Limbus items to upgrade to Artifact Armor +1 then farming the items for them is entirely soloable.
Now, I believe the Limbus route is not something most new ACE players would do before the other content and that is why it is put later. Despite this, you also have the option to exchange login points for Limbus Materials roughly twice a year so this adds some nuance to the progression.
Otherwise, farming Ancient BeastcoinsFile:Anct. Beastcoin description.png for Cumetouflaix is a good move.

You are more than equipped to take it from here though, and write your own story. Seek to join an LS and team up for endgame.

Crystal Warriors

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Characters in Crystal Warrior take some effort to become established but have access to many new quests and systems to aid their progression. Players are encouraged to help each other through a number of incentives such as stackable EXP scrolls for helpers during many important missions and quests.

Crystal Warriors have a uniquely rewarding experience, as the entire game provides necessary items to progress. This creates a fulfilling adventure for veterans to use their expertise and new players to fully experience all of the game world. Additionally, Crystal Warriors are allowed to level all crafts to 110, as they do not influence the economy.

Contribute your tips and tricks on the Talk Page or check out the CW New Player Guide for a more detailed overview.

Outside of leveling, networking with other players, questing the Ephemeral Box, and unlocking some wardrobe space there are some firm markers on your road.
To outline a few:

• Unlocking Trusts, one at 15, and another at 40.
• Novice Trials and custom custom quests or even ordinary quests for equipment, especially at lower levels.
• The custom quests at level 30 for augmented equipment.
• The Yagudo Arena at level 50 to supercharge your armor sets.
• The Goblin's Gambit towards level 75 to acquire trusts, spells, and some higher level equipment.
• Earning milestones for the unique and powerful Crystal Warrior equipment.
  • This ties into crafting, and completion of missions as well as unlocking further wardrobe space.

With these things in hand on your journey, every CW eventually reaches a solid position to begin fighting through endgame.

<THIS IS A W.I.P.>

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