I always thought the marker system was common knowledge. However, recently, I've met some people who don't even know how to use it. Now, while many people know how to use it, some don't know how to fully utilize it to benefit them.
[li]What is a marker?
Quite simple really, it is a marker placed on your /map that represents certain things. There are a couple different kinds of markers. There is a set for you to place on the map (more on that in a bit), a set for NPCs or others to place on your map, and a set that represents your party members. You simply open your map, choose markers, then press left and right to get to the different sets of markers. The blue ones, for instance, are party members.
[li]What are the markers?
a. NPC markers. At some point in the game, an NPC or other might set a marker on your map for you. This is seldom used, I think square just added it for kicks. At the beginning of the game, when you get an adventure coupon, the npc marks on your map where you need to take it. After this, it really isn't used much.
b. Party markers. When you are in a party, members of your party will show up on the map if you select the blue markers. They will only show up on your map if you are both in the same area as them, and only the same verticle level as them. If you have not met both of these requirements, the party members will not show. However, if you have, you can easily see where your party is. This can come in handy when navigating to a prepared party, where you are the fill in, or even help locate lost party members.
c. Self placed markers. These are glorious! People just seldom realize the full use you can make of these. To place these markers, select one from the list. Click on it, and it will give you a marker. You can now use a mouse to place it anywhere on your map, or you can use the W,A,S,D buttons if you use the short keyboard. Then press enter to place it and name it. Type in the name, press enter, and you are done.
Note: If you do not possess the map of an area, you may still use the party markers. You may not, however, place your own until you own the map.
[li]What ways can I use the markers?
Glad you asked. The markers are your best friends, so I'm going to give you some suggestions on how to use them. While I will not list all of them, these are some that might come in particularly handy.
[li]NM markers. With the wide range of information available online, it is not hard to find out where notorious monsters spawn. Some, if not most webpages, offer exact coordinates, or maps. You can use this to your advantage. When you are in an area, find where the NM pops off those maps, and mark a general vicinity. This way, you'll always be able to quick reference where it spawns in. For things like the morion worm, look here:
Click
There are 6 different questionmark sites. You can go to each one, and place a marker on your map. This way, you'll never forget where the worm is going to spawn!
[li]Bread crumbs. If you're in a place that you are not particularly familiar with, you can place some markers on your way in so you are familiar with how you get back out. You can label them sequentially, so you know where you came in, and be sure you don't take a wrong turn. This is somewhat similar to...
[li]Navigation. Example... there are many places to go in Delkfutt's tower, but not every place you go will lead in the right direction. When I first learned my way through there, I set down markers, sequentially, at each turn in various areas, so I could always follow my way back. I also placed them on the correct teleporters/stairs. Navigating with the markers is simply like connecting the dots. You just follow them in order, and you won't lose your way.
[li]Camp marking. I've used this quite a bit, and I am very glad I have. When you are in a specific area, and you are at a good camp, mark it on your map. I, personally, like to mark on my map where the party was, and then a little info if I can fit it in. I will put a level range that spot would be good for, as well as how many parties would be allowed there before it would be full. I place this info in the name of the marker. This way, you will always be able to find that party camp again, and you can /sea before you go to know how many are there, and if you will fit or not. If you're like me, and you've gone through quite a few leveling locations, this could be a great way to keep track. You can always use these to revist a site later, with another job.
[li]Treasure chests. There are many treasure chest/coffer maps available (like HERE for instance). The chests will always spawn in the same areas, and will constantly rotate. If you set markers down where they are, you don't need to remember, or reference any map at all.
[li]Zones. It's always handy to place a marker on a zone that is not shown on the map. Some of the maps are scarcely detailed, at best. If you place a marker down on the map where a zone is, you'll never forget. Example, I placed a marker at each of the Quicksand caves entrances on the altepa maps, for quick access.
[li]Outposts. A couple outposts are not shown on the map, it may be a good idea to mark these down.
[li]Wilderness NPCs. Some NPCs need to be revisited, and are all over the place. Set a marker down with one's name on it. You'll be able to find him/her in a snap.
[li]Unknown objects. Sometimes, while out exploring, you may come across things you don't recognize. Maybe a targettable object, a ???, or something you've never seen. It may be a good idea to mark it down for later. So many times I've been going along in quests only to say "Oh THAT's what that is for!" It's great to already know where the object in question is beforehand. If you don't know what something is, there is a great chance it's there for SOMEthing. Might as well mark it down for a later date. Trust me, it will make things a lot easier.
[li]Quest markers. Whenever you've done a certain part of a quest or mission, you may want to mark down where you did it. You may want to take someone back there to help at a later date, or you might repeat it at another time, and forget where you went or what you did.
[li]Information. In addition to marking specific places, markers also give you the ability to simply put text on an area. If you want to make a note to yourself about the zone, you may want to simply put a couple markers up near the corner of the map, explaining something about the area that you might have otherwise forgotten. Put all the information you need in the names of the markers, then place them together. You can even create a full paragraph of information if you desire.
[li]Mining, harvesting, logging. You may want to mark down these points if you are really into these. Mining points will always respawn at the same places, for instance, it may be a good idea to mark down where some of them are until you memorize them.
[li]In town. There are many things you may want to mark in town. NPCs with various services, or even homepoints, etc. Markers will work the same indoors as out, so use them!
[li]Mob locator. Many mobs will spawn in confined areas, always in the same places. If you need to remember where a bunch of certain mobs spawn, set a marker in the middle of their area, it's great to place and forget. Also works for farming. You can mark down many places that the mob you are farming will spawn.
[li]Borders. Sometimes, there is little marked on the map itself. Many places have one way exits, or cliffs, bumps, other things. It can be handy to place a marker on these areas to remind yourself that you can or can not go that way, based on the terrain.
[li]Bazaars. Many bazaars are constant, or recurring. They usually position themselves in a place consistently. Perhaps this is a bazaar that you find interesting, they keep putting in wares that you like. Place a marker on where that is, so you are able to keep revisiting the same one.
[li]Dangers. In some areas, you'll need sneak and/or invis for a long while after you start visiting it. It may be a good idea to set down a trail of markers saying where you will and will not need sneak to pass.
[li]Safety. You can also mark down on your map good places to stop to refresh sneak and/or invisible. Generally speaking, most areas are consistent in places that you can or can not stop to refresh.
[li]Strange Apparatus. As you come across these, I would recommend that you place a marker at the entrance. Each entrance is hidden behind a false wall. I, personally, believe these to be important. Whether you want to revist them once, or a party calls you to it to camp, they are nice to know. Since it may be easy to lose these, you may want to place a marker to notify yourself of it.
[li]Elementals. Just like marking for any mob, elementals will always spawn in the same places. If you hunt elementals, this is great information for you to hold on to.
[li]What are some other tips?
-Markers can always be renamed, moved, and deleted. Use this to your advantage. Don't be stingy with them!
-At some point, you may want to back up your map marker and macro data. To do this, highlight your character on the Selection screen, and press Ctrl+Alt+Shift+B. It will prompt you to choose a slot, they allow up to 4. When you've saved these, you can restore them at any time in the same manner. Ctrl+Alt+Shift+R will allow you to restore one. It grants you 4 slots. You are only allowed 10 markers that you can place in each map at a time. Using these 4 different slots can save 4 different sets of markers. It may get annoying to switch, but useful if you need it.
-Tell others about markers. Save them some trouble.
-Markers are forever. You don't need to worry about upkeep. Think ahead... think way ahead. While you remember right now where that certain thing is, will you always? The marker will always stay to remind you if you simply place it now.
-Be creative! There are many more uses for markers than what I have listed here. Think of ways you can exploit the little suckers, that's why they're there.
Edited, Mon Oct 4 07:49:17 2004 by AmanoJ
