Leveling: Yet Another Evening in Altepa: Not-So-Static Reaches 38

We had a really good EXP party in East Altepa Desert Friday night. We picked up a NIN35/WAR17, Ragekage, who was trying to get his NIN to 37 for his RNG main (currently 56). It was so nice having someone who did a great job as a trick buddy for us. No deaths, no missed SAnTAs. We really were plowing through the dhalmels. The only disruptions were from the nasty earth elementals.

One of the coolest things of the evening: there were tornados in the desert! I'd never seen that. I just love this game. :-)

We started the night as a party of 34-35, and finished up maybe 5 hours later as 35-38. Emith (was WHM34) had to leave early, so he didn't get as levelled as the rest of us. Our replacement WHM (Zean) was really good, and we were able to keep plowing along. Grym was close to 38 when the NIN had to leave, but he stayed until she levelled. Since it was so late, we didn't look for a replacement, but fought a couple EP and DC Sand Beetles to get Kiki over the edge (3 points over 38!).

Getting Flash at 37 really is as wonderful as everyone says on the PLD boards. Between SAnTA and Flash, I really felt like I didn't have to work too hard for hate. I did have to use Cover a few times for Manon. I think we've figured out how that works pretty well. I do wish it lasted about 50% longer though. I sometimes didn't get hate back before Cover ended.

A wonderful perk of a WHM in a post-36 party: Teleport out of the battlefield when the night's over! It was a long night, but it was worth staying up late for.