THF Help/Advice please o.O

Starian · Post by **Starian** » Thu Nov 04, 2004 11:08 pm

Alright...confused, few questions =)

SEEING as I've never made it past the ripe old age of 9 in this game, and I'm approaching that again, what set of armor should I, as a THF, be looking into buying next? I currently have this gear: http://ffxi.allakhazam.com/profile.xml?65466

My second question is...what should I be looking into buying, period? I plan to sub NIN and I'm saving everything I can muster for an Emporer Hairpin and Leaping Boots since they both add 3 DEX and AGI...Is that a good course of action?

Third question...what should I do after leveling to 10? I heard that's when my solo-career will come to an end...and I've never partied for EXP before in this game...so I'm yet again clueless.

Sorry for asking so many questions, and thanks in advance ^^

Vhanti · Post by **Vhanti** » Fri Nov 05, 2004 2:08 am

At lvl 11, I equipped all Bronze armor instead of the Leather armor. Unfortunately, I am still pretty new to the game so I cannot really answer the second question. In response to the third question, I do not think that it has not been that bad leveling to lvl 12, for the most part solo. It has been a little faster when I have partied with someone else (Maylu

Meow) but it is not unbearable solo. I hope that helps a little

Kopopo · Post by **Kopopo** » Fri Nov 05, 2004 2:26 am

Leveling to 12 is cake if you get a good part in the Mazes of Shakhrami. 200+ EXP from killing maze makers! I also help power level my friends in there. *wink*

Maezen · Post by **Maezen** » Fri Nov 05, 2004 12:48 pm

As a thf you should look into focusing on getting new weapons and things that add evasion if you're going to pull in the party. If you're not pulling look for items that add strength (thf is pretty weak

)As for saving for leaping boots and the hairpin, you'll prolly need to save that money later, they cost a rediculous amount on most servers and you prolly won't see that much money for a while unless you spend lots of time farming.

Klenath · Post by **Klenath** » Fri Nov 05, 2004 1:02 pm

Thieves want (in no particular order):

DEX boosts
Evasion boosts
AGI boosts
Accuracy boosts

When you get Sneak Attack at level 15 the more DEX you have the more Sneak Attack will hit for. When you get Trick Attack at 30 the more AGI you have the more Trick Attack will hit for. Evasion and Accuracy boosts are always useful, but not as necessary as DEX and AGI boosts.

I wouldn't go crazy as a low-level THF in looking for these stat boosts because the equipment can get expensive quickly. I'd stick to basic armor that adds these boosts for a reasonable price and if you go THF full-time to only then look for the more expensive equipment.

Gwynn · Post by **Gwynn** » Fri Nov 05, 2004 5:59 pm

THF45 reporting.

Solo until 15. there's just some strange bias against thieves until they get sneak attack. It's not that hard if you are willing to risk some running.

Personally i used Swords until level 15, they generally compensate for having to deal with the lack of any major damage dealing abilities. After that, get yourself a dagger. Thief's weapon skills rank swords as a 3, but daggers as a 5. That means your daggers will level faster and cap higher per level which also means that your more likely to score a critical hit.

As for armor anything that boosts dex, agl, attack, accuracy, and evasion is neccessary.
suggestions:
Weapon: Beestinger (Rare drop from stinging sophie, Nm Voss Hill, North Gustaberg) +1 dex +1 agl, level 7 dagger with the fastest recycle of any dagger. after that work your way up the daggers that can enfeeble. acid, poison, etc... until level 30... at L30 get +accuracy +attack daggers. i used paired royal footman's (merc captain's kukuri is acceptable substitute, but has longer delay) until level 40 when i swapped out one for marauder's knife (Thief AF1 +2 dex +2 agl), and the other one at level 43 for Calvery's dagger (+3 dex, Rare)
Armor: Leather armor until you can use +1 bone and +1 beetle armor. Then get a Merc Captain's doublet at level 30 (+1 dex +1 Agl). If you're from windy, these are rank 3 CP items. In fact most Merc Captain's gear is tailor made for Thieves. At level 45, do what every other melee class does. Put on a Brigadine (+2 dex +2agl).
Gloves: I used royal footman's gloves (+3 attack) from 10 to 14 at which i switched off to battle gloves (+3 attack +3 accuracy) and still use them at level 45. I do not plan on useing anything else until i get AF hands.
Boots: Camp Lizzy, get Leaping boots. They are the last set of boots you will EVER have, need, or use.
Necklace: Winged amulet (quest for it in sandy is easy) +1 agl until you can afford to get Spiked necklace at level 21 (+3 dex, +3 agl, -6 mind) i'm still using spiked necklace at level 45
Rings: +Dex is the most common trait sought after for rings becaaaause...
Earrings: After level 35 Drone earrings are the way to go.. +4 Agl. before that get +accuracy
Ranged weapon: Since you'll most likely be a puller, don't bother with dealing damage or having to buy ammo. get boomerangs. Long boomerang at level 33 grants +2 agl.. i still use it at level 45.
Head: I've never been blessed with either the cash or the luck to buy or drop an Emperor's Hairpin. You all know what it does. Get one. In case you cannot, headbands that give you +evasion are the substitute of choice.

that's the summary of how Gwynn got to Thief level 45. Any questions... post em, i'll answer them as best i can.

Starian · Post by **Starian** » Fri Nov 05, 2004 7:26 pm

Wow...thanks Gwynn

It's going to take me some time to sort through all that information but I will DEFINITELY have questions for you when I get through

I already have a Beestinger, I'm actually really planning to use it until whenever, what do you think is the next dagger I should get? Sneak Attack and Gustslash should be some nice damage when I build up TP with the low delay, and I'm sure I'll have level 40 Dagger skill by 15

I do farm a lot, constantly really. I've leveled 1-9 so far on easy prey, low evasion and defense mobs selling the crystals and such in the AH and have a good amount of cash saved up(I think).

I did plan to get the Royal Footman's Bandana(+1 AGI) at 10, but should I get a Compound Eye Circlet(+4 Evasion) instead?

More later, I'm sure

Thanks again!

Klenath · Post by **Klenath** » Fri Nov 05, 2004 7:35 pm

My THF job uses the Compound Eye Circlet for the guaranteed Evasion boost and it's level 20 right now. Never bothered with the Royal Footman's Headband that I really recall.

Starian · Post by **Starian** » Fri Nov 05, 2004 8:08 pm

Alright Beetle/Bone +1 gear is pretty expensive on my server, ~11k in Windurst AH...seems a bit much for +1 Evasion. I think I'm going to hold off on that and use that money to save for +2 Dex rings and those Drone Earrings Gwynn mentioned, and put in the fund for my Hairpin/Boots

Evehr · Post by **Evehr** » Fri Nov 05, 2004 8:23 pm

Vhanti wrote:At lvl 11, I equipped all Bronze armor instead of the Leather armor. Unfortunately, I am still pretty new to the game so I cannot really answer the second question. In response to the third question, I do not think that it has not been that bad leveling to lvl 12, for the most part solo. It has been a little faster when I have partied with someone else (Maylu Meow) but it is not unbearable solo. I hope that helps a little

why would you equip bronze instead of leather?!?1? (leather is a lot better...)

Dukuji · Post by **Dukuji** » Fri Nov 05, 2004 8:31 pm

Evehr wrote:
Vhanti wrote:At lvl 11, I equipped all Bronze armor instead of the Leather armor. Unfortunately, I am still pretty new to the game so I cannot really answer the second question. In response to the third question, I do not think that it has not been that bad leveling to lvl 12, for the most part solo. It has been a little faster when I have partied with someone else (Maylu Meow) but it is not unbearable solo. I hope that helps a little
why would you equip bronze instead of leather?!?1? (leather is a lot better...)

I think Vhanti meant all BRASS armor which is (I think) at level 10. The bronze and the brass look similar.

Eviticus · Post by **Eviticus** » Fri Nov 05, 2004 8:45 pm

Being a goldsmithy in my low teens, I know brass well. Brass equipment is generally worn at level 11, and is better then Leather. Bronze, however, isn't.... Bronze and Brass are the same armor types, so they look similar, but are colored differently I do believe.

Gwynn · Post by **Gwynn** » Fri Nov 05, 2004 9:53 pm

Starian wrote:Wow...thanks Gwynn

It's going to take me some time to sort through all that information but I will DEFINITELY have questions for you when I get through

I already have a Beestinger, I'm actually really planning to use it until whenever, what do you think is the next dagger I should get? Sneak Attack and Gustslash should be some nice damage when I build up TP with the low delay, and I'm sure I'll have level 40 Dagger skill by 15

SA doesn't link with any of the more elemental skills. So, gust slash and cyclone don't power off a SA. Viper bite, Wasp Sting, shadowstitch all do.

and as for low level head stuff. Do you want to hit or not get hit? that's the choice. If you're hitting fine, go for +evasion. if you're not go for +stats

also, forgot to mention. It's been proposed (still working on confirmation) that dagger damage is NOT based off STR, but is instead based off DEX. So, mithra+thief+ninja+daggers = higher damage.

Evehr · Post by **Evehr** » Fri Nov 05, 2004 11:53 pm

yeah i know about the brass/bronze thing but i just got shocked she wrote bronze...

Fayin · Post by **Fayin** » Sat Nov 06, 2004 1:54 pm

My 2 gil on this is don't use dagger till about 30 or so. @30 you can get NIN quest done, then you'll have access to dual wield (after you level NIN of course). Using two daggers you should be able to get it to cap by 33 which is when you get Viper Bite.

Daggers pre-33 totally suck. They simply do. They're not that much faster than swords to justify the noticable loss in damage on normal attacks, and the huge loss with SA. Fast Blade, a 1h sword ws does stack with SA. SAFB is what got me into PTs when I finally solo'd to 15. When the melees are hitting that crab in the Dunes for like 3-5 and you SAFB for 80 the PT notices. If you can chain properly, you can get some decent skillchain damage w/ it too.

Daggers still suck after 33 for normal attacks but it doesn't matter. The dagger's job is to build TP and the low delay means you can build it quickly. Also, at that point the difference in the cap for sword and dagger is getting pretty large, and VB will outdamge FB when combined with a SATA. These are all good things because your job has shifted from puller/damage output to puller/hate control. Since the low damage you do w/ the daggers doesn't make much hate for you, and the massive hate generated by the SATA+VB combo is put on the primary tank, hate becomes rather managable.

Starian · Post by **Starian** » Tue Nov 09, 2004 1:50 am

Just hit 16! WOOOT TH and SA

I went with Fayin's advice and have been using a sword since level 11, the damage is MUCH BETTER and with my SAFB macro, reaching over 70 on Snippers in Valkurm Dunes.

My current equipment is:

http://ffxi.allakhazam.com/profile.xml?65466

I spent well, pretty much all my money on the rings XD since they will last me to 50 some odd when I can buy +3 Dex Rings I think. Since I will be using my Ear slots for Drone Earrings.

I've collected one of my Support Job items, a Crab Apron...but I need the other two. After I get my SJ quest done I am going to stop and level WAR to 15 to sub with THF until I do the NIN quest I think, if that's a good idea.

Now I'm saving for the Mercenary Captain gear, Spike Necklace, Drone Earrings, and still shooting for Leaping Boots/Emporer's Hairpin.

I do plan on sticking with THF/NIN for a long time, I love my character she is very fun to play ^^b

Fayin · Post by **Fayin** » Tue Nov 09, 2004 3:40 am

Grats on 16 ^^

At 18 I'd get a Small Sword. It's pretty cheap, has acceptable damage and delay, and adds +2 DEX.

Starian · Post by **Starian** » Tue Nov 09, 2004 4:00 am

Ok, will do ^^;

Klenath · Post by **Klenath** » Tue Nov 09, 2004 12:56 pm

I thin 20 is the magic number to start skilling dagger hard-cure. I used a Mercenary's Knife (+2 accuracy and good damage for a dagger) when my THF hit 20 or 21. Man, you're making me want to level THF again. :p

Starian · Post by **Starian** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 3:05 am

Woot level 18! I have my subjob now!

http://ffxi.allakhazam.com/profile.xml?65466

I plan to level WAR to 15, sub it with THF up to 30, unlock NIN and be on my way to fun!

Someone needs to remind me to ALWAYS RESET MY DAMN HOME POINT.

Just remembered to move it from Selbina back to Windurst while leveling my new job v.v

Post by **Alya Mizar (Tsybil)** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 9:22 am

Think about leveling MNK as well, THF/MNK get some sweet knucks and claws, Combo + SA is devistating. Carry around a silence dagger just in case till your mages get Silence. Beestinger is great till 20 at least.

Learn to pull. Bows are fun, crossbows have status effect bolts and lead to guns, guns are even more fun, all eat amo. Boomerangs do not.

If you can put in your search notes: Dagger, Sword, or H2H; /WAR or /MNK, Great puller. you will get more parties.

Eviticus · Post by **Eviticus** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 9:27 am

If you have no intention of doing anything with range weapons other then pulling, it's my opinion that boomerang type are -the best- you can possibly get. Even if you miss, you still pull it. Unless you're a ranger, you're not going to be Miss Damage on those range weapons, no one will expect you to be.

Fayin · Post by **Fayin** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 10:17 am

Agreed. THF pullers should use 'rang for the convienience of no ammo usage. They also have short delays (longer than ammo thrown weapons but shorter than marksman and archery weapons) which means you'll not be standing there waiting to range attack forever.

Gwynn · Post by **Gwynn** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 2:06 pm

Agreed. Unless you're subbing ranger bows are a waste of cash. Not only are they expensive to keep upgrading they cost 4-6 gil MINIMUM per shot (and unless you're thief/ranger you'll rarely hit.) Boomerangs are a lot less costly, get the attention of the mob just the same, and most have some pretty nice stat bonuses. The only thing that boomerangs and shakas (the Zena throwing discs) lack is a weaponskill, but you're better off putting your TP into shadowstitch and viperbite anyway.

Sugarpie · Post by **Sugarpie** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 1:14 am

Mmmmm k, this is what a Mithra thief of lvl 45 has to say...
DON'T GET LEAPING BOOTS UNLESS YOU CAN GET THE DROP
at lvl 45, i have some odd 71 dex with just Noct armor, and other random stuff

Same goes for Emp pin i have neither and i do 400+ dmg on my SATA Viper bites, that is pretty high

Just my 2 sense here, but use Mithran scimitar in off hand when you get duel wield from Ninja job, it works WONDER i used it tell Cavalary dagger

Just remember, Mithra excel in Dex, i have had higher base dex then some thief's have had max with the + counter

Also, Agi is VERY important, atm my thief has +15 to dex (maybe +16) and +9 or some crap to AGI

Leaping boots and Emp pin aren't needed, just recommened because of there DEX and AGI, but don't spends hours getting stressed over them

Sivara · Post by **Sivara** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 2:21 am

I have a Mithran Scimitar (my husband used my character to kill the NM for it), and it's awesome.

As for the pin/boots, I hear that they are pretty much required by the majority of exp parties later on (perhaps the 50s-60s?). I remember Ishe stressing over getting the pin because he couldn't get any parties in the 50s and 60s without it.

Prrsha · Post by **Prrsha** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 3:00 pm

I tend to /blist players who demand that you have xxx NM items. They are not really required items.

Gwynn · Post by **Gwynn** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 3:12 pm

I've always been of the mind that any race can excel in any job... with the right equipment. That being said We Mithra are natural thieves. We don't NEED the super powerful super expensive gear to boost our already naturally high dex and agl. If a Elvann hume or galka wants to excel as a thief, yes he'll need it. We do not.

I'm not saying i'm gonna leave my hard won leaping boots in the moghouse... but i don't need them to pull 600+ SATA Viperbites on rumble Crawlers.

Post by **Alya Mizar (Tsybil)** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 5:23 pm

"(and unless you're thief/ranger you'll rarely hit.)"

Make that: Unless you are a RNG, /RNG, or a Mithra and have your bow skill high to capped.

I have another Mithra, who went WAR/MNK to SAM/RNG. She kept her archery skills up on worms, and would hit way better than 50% pulling in her WAR days.

While it is unusual for a RDM, I have bow in the 70s, and intend to solo the Morion Worm with mostly Silence and arrows. Just as soon as I raise it a bit more. Hmmm the next level worms are in the Eastern Altepa Deseret I believe....