[Xodd]

I've been playing this game for about 2 months now. My highest level job is PUP at level 42. I always try to keep myself well equipped and after some research I have discovered that I need to make some rather large (in my mind) purchases soon. Equipment such as Bellicose Mantle, TM Hooks +2 and Life Belt. This doesn't even count some attachments that I should really be saving up for.

Now these items I need are 100k+ on my server. Crystal farming, Silk Thread farming, etc doesn't seem like it would be the most effective way to save up for these items. I've looked into NM camping but it seems that all the items that you used to be able to camp are now EX/Rare (unless I've overlooked something). I'd also be interested in doing BCNM's but I can't really find people to do it with, I'm not sure how often I will get items that actually sell well, and I've heard theres a risk factor of people lotting/stealing your items.

So it seems that I'm left with crafting and harvesting. Again I did some research and it looks like crafting needs quite a bit of gil investment before it becomes profitable. That leaves me with HELM and fishing. Would fishing be the best way to go? I could not only make gil with it immediately but I would also be slowly leveling it in the process, although I've heard of people saying that unless your going to get a Lu Shangs, don't bother. Or would harvesting be more profitable? My only worry is that I can't survive in the higher level zones where most of the good items come from.

I apologize if this is long winded but I've seen how you guys have flamed people before. I'm just looking for some advice. Thank you.

[xurion]

If you have a friend that can help you, you could get a Bellicose Mantle from Fradubio in Jugner. 21-24 hour spawn, simply wait for server maint. and log into the spawn area.

If you have a number of friends that play on a regular basis, you could attempt to set up a static BCNM group. That way you'll get a regular amount of gil incomming. The trick is to not stop farming your items that you farm now (silk etc) as this, plus whatever the BCNM brings in will really propel your gil saving.

I'm not really an expert of harvesting, but considering that you hardly see anyone doing it these days, I'd hazard a guess that that is for a reason. Crafting is a lot of time and gil, but you're right, it is an investment, and worked correctly will bring you a lot of gil, eventually. Fishing can bring in a lot of gil, if you don't mind standing around in the same spot for a hour or two. Moat carp (which sell good because of the Lu Shang quest) sell (on Seraph) for 4-5k a stack, and you can fish these up from the beginning. And whoever said "If you don't have a Lu Shang's, don't bother" were speaking out of their ass. I've just reached level 32, made a lot of gil -and- I don't have a Lu. Besides, as far as I'm aware, there are certain types of fish the Lu rod isn't better for catching, compared to other rod counterparts.

My advice - skill wins over gear, and most people's first job to 75 is the starting block in a series of tasks to make their job and/or future jobs better.

Oh, and I'll be that flame guy you mentioned. I'm pretty helpful, when I want to be

[Xodd]

Thank you for your input. I don't really know a lot of people on my server (asura) so I'm not sure how well I'd be able to start BCNM static. I did end up picking up a fishing rod and some bait earlier. I'll see how it turns out.

[xurion]

Visit Final Fishing if you haven't fished seriously before. It has a lot of good info and a guide to what rod/bait to use when targeting specific fish.

Join a social LS - and if there are not many people on it, get another one that's bigger. That's the best way to make friends is to simply chat, especially whilst fishing, believe me.

[Xodd]

That is an amazing guide. Thank you very much.