Rise of the Beastmaster

It has been over two years since I started playing FFXI again, and even though I was forced to start anew, I prioritized leveling BST to 75. But why BST of all jobs? I decided to level BST after hearing tales of great solo feats, and in addition, I believed that leveling BST would ease recreating a high-level DRK.

I immediately began leveling my BST, but the process was long and arduous -- especially because the job had been weakened only a few years prior. My early experiences with BST often involved me trying to keep my pets under control, but often, they would turn their jaws on me. Once I managed to acquire the "Leave" ability, it became a lot easier to level BST. By the mid 60s, I had mastered the job completely, so BST became relatively boring and repetitive in terms of leveling.















Rawr! Using "Rampage" on a Jotunn Wallkeeper at lvl 65.

It would be one full year before my BST reached lvl 75, and when I got there, I started exploring Vana'diel like many BSTs before me. I finished quests and missions, mopped up stray NMs, and searched for maps inside dangerous dungeons; I felt like I could accomplish anything as a BST -- a feeling that I never shared with my previous DRK. 

Eventually, my accomplishments began to wane and later left me unsatisfied. I felt that I had accomplished almost everything I could with my BST, but I still wanted more from the job. Compared to other melee jobs, my BST felt weak and unwanted in party situations, and although I had planned to level another DRK after my BST was finished, I felt driven to improve my BST first by any means possible. 















A quiet moment while hunting the Eastern Shadow NM. It was not uncommon to see me on BST/WHM in my earlier days.

After pondering further for some time, I decided the best way to improve my BST was through upgrading my melee equipment. Although I considered improving my pet as an alternative solution, I realized that pets have limited growth potential, so I focused on improving myself instead. To this extent, I have switched from using BST/WHM to using BST/NIN and reveled at my new attack speed. In addition to the attack speed boost, I gained shadow images to protect myself with and looked great wielding an additional Axe. However, my work is far from over; my ultimate goal is to improve my BST until it is on par with other melee jobs and to find an endgame use for it someday.

I have come a long way since I first started: I now have two, separate melee sets for my BST and have just completed my eighth Axe merit. To celebrate, I have repurchased a Maneater and two new Dusk set pieces (below). 













 
 
My gear four months ago: a single set for any situation.

 
























 


My gear today: my TP (top) and WS (bottom) sets, respectively.


I will always be a Dark Knight at heart thanks to my past interests, but now, it is time to make my BST just as respectable.














   
Posing in the Serpentking Square with my new, dark purple armor.



Notes:
a) "Rawr" is internet slang for "roar."
b) Coffers are mysterious treasure chests that can yield useful items when opened.
c) Although I will try not to say something like "/FFXI job," the term denotes the use of a particular subjob. For example, WHM/NIN refers to a White Mage subbing Ninja as its subjob. It does not refer to the presence of a White Mage or Ninja.