FFXI Skill

I was bored earlier today and I had a discussion with a friend regarding skill on this game. I'm curious what people in this game generally consider to make a "skillful" player. My experience leads me to believe that there is no real "skill" on this game.

What do you think?

inb4troll

i think its more of your ability to pay attention, reaction time to whatever the situation may be, and the ability to have the proper reaction in said situation above.

This effectivly.

That would be experience, not skill don't you think? You know how to react to something when you've seen it before.

I'd like to add some knowledge of game mechanics (don't need a really deep understanding but enough so you know how to make smart gear choices for different situations).

Anyone who shows creativity and doesn't blindly follow everyone else just because it's mainstream are people I generally considered skilled.

People who actually think for themselves and think outside the box... Those are the skilled players.

It's not like you can control the things that truely matter, such as attacking or defending. In this case you could argue that skill and experiance are the same. Knowing something either via experiance or such as reading it and putting it to effective use is the main point right? Job Abilities can play into this, knowing when to use them and when to wait is another example. You could view it as experiance or as skill.

I may be off in my thinking, I'm kinda viewing this from a PvPish point of view where timing and knowing what you are doing will give you an edge on an opponent that doesn't.

Quick edit after seeing this one:
I would like to add on that only works if they pull it off.

Cognitive skills, muscle memory, maths.
It's pretty much the same skillset as with any game but you have to actual think about things and not zomb out(WoW),
being skillful in the game means that you do the ***that you are supposed to do when you are supposed to do it and you know why you are doing it.

Do you think anybody in this game can reach the same level of skill as any one else?

No, each player is limited by their mental capabilities. It is no secret that some people have far better reactions and intelligence than other people.

Nope.

Personally I know I'll never be as good as certain players.
Those who think very quickly and have a good reaction-time will be better than the others.
As long as they arent retards when it comes to game-mechanics etc :P

lol, could also be said that someone has just a better set of macros and is using windower vs someone that isn't

Intelligent gear choices, Reaction times, paying attention and thinking outside of the box are the only skills in this game.

And by thinking outside of the box, I mean being willing to experiment by using certain spells or abilities at different times to find the most effective timing.

Yes, but those macros still need pressing at the right moment. Some people are better at seeing that moment than others.

Oh and using windower macros.

Seriously, if you're on a PC use windower macros.

Lets use your LS as an example Kvazz. Excellence is generally the self proclaimed #1 linkshell in ffxi history according to Stanislav. Do you believe all 24 of your members are mentally gifted to the point they exceed normal players? (I'm not ragging on your LS, I'm just trying to make a point)

I think that the sacs are picky who they choose to be in the ls, that's why it is so successfull

Agreed.
That is what i regard as skill in this game.
Knowing how to read a situation and make the right play in response.
You could say that is from experience but the two go hand in hand.
Having a general idea of what to expect in a fight is from experience
but anticipating and reacting when ***hits the fan is where the skill come into play.

I'm not in excellence anymore*
Idk, they'r all very good players that's for sure.
Everybody can't have everything, but there's surely no stupid people in that LS as far as I noticed!

Agreed. One of the biggest skills in this game is how you react when something does not go to plan. Many people bury their heads in the sand and stand still. Others step up and take command of the situation.

And some people just runs away to mpk the mages! :D

You didn't quit the game did you o.o?

Yeah... lol.

I kinda did, but didnt last for long :P
Came back after 2-3 weeks lol.
Figured out that if i dont have lots of events I have to attend I can enjoy the game when I want, not when the game needs me.


Edit: Typo.

Like anything else in life, both experience and practice are integral to skill. The other important element is attitude.

The number of muscles used is quite different, but other than that, becoming a skillful FFXI player is no different than becoming, say, a skillful baseball player.
Sure, each person has a natural amount of talent, and each person, to some degree, is limited by his/her amount of natural talent. But natural talent alone is insufficient to produce high levels of skill. One must study, practice, be unafraid to make mistakes, be intelligent and flexible enough to learn from said mistakes, and maintain "work ethic" in order to become skillful in any endeavor. This all equates to experience.

So, Skill and experience are not synonymous, but one must possess experience to be deemed skilled. The amount of experience required varies by the individual, based on his/her natural ability.

^^^^
Well said, my tiny english vocabulary had troubles finding the correct wording:p

You gain skill through experience and practice.

And experience and practice make perfect.

Practice alone just makes permanent.

SC Samurai vs. Gekko Samurai

There is such a thing as skill in FFXI

Someone that doesn't suck is

Someone that is clever ( only 75% of the player base remains)
Someone that is not childish, but responsible (-25%)
Someone with good gear, not an idiot equipping trophies (-25%)
Someone that is efficient, aka plays the job right (-10% ?)